Thoracic Access Port Including Foldable Anchor

Abstract

A surgical access device includes a body having a first member and a second member relatively movable between open and closed configurations. Each member is positionable within an opening in tissue to provide access to an interior space of a patient. Each member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The top surfaces are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the closed configuration. The trailing ends are positioned in close cooperative alignment when the first and second members are in the open configuration. In the open position, the first and second members define a passage therethrough to permit access to the interior space for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of accessing an internal surgical work site, comprising:
 positioning a surgical access device at least partially within an opening in tissue to provide access to an internal space, the surgical access device including a first member and a second member;   engaging a moveable element of an insertion device with the first member of the surgical access device;   moving the movable element of the insertion device from a first position to a second position to cause at least one of the first member or the second member of the surgical access device to move between a first configuration where the first member and the second member define a passage therebetween, the passage configured to permit access of a surgical instrument to the internal space, and a second configuration where top surfaces of the first member and the second member are positioned in close cooperative alignment, wherein the movable element is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by a shaft of the insertion device when the movable element is in the first position, and the movable element is substantially aligned with an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis when the movable element is in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein moving the movable element from the first position to the second position includes pivoting the movable element with respect to the shaft of the insertion device. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising engaging a protuberance of the movable element with an aperture of the first member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising moving the protuberance from a larger portion of the aperture to a smaller portion of the aperture to help secure the movable member with respect to the first member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying force to a cord secured to at least one of the first member or the second member to allow at least one of the first member or the second member to move toward the second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein moving the movable element of the insertion device from the first position to the second position causes at least one of the first member or the second member of the surgical access device to rotate about 90 degrees relative to a central axis defined through the passage. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein moving the movable element of the insertion device from the first position to the second position causes each of the first member and the second member of the surgical access device to rotate about 90 degrees relative to a central axis defined through the passage. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising disengaging the moveable element of the insertion device from the first member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         9 . A method of accessing an internal surgical work site through an intercostal space defined between a patient's ribs comprising:
 providing a surgical access device including a body having a first member and a second member, each of the first member and the second member including a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading end, and a trailing end;   providing an insertion device including a housing having a shaft extending from the housing, at least one movable element extending from a distal end of the shaft, and an actuator operably coupled to the at least one movable element and operable to move the at least one movable element between a first position and a second position;   coupling the at least one movable element to at least one of the first member or the second member;   selectively moving the first member and the second member between a closed configuration, where the top surfaces of the first member and the second member are positioned in close cooperative alignment, and an open configuration;   positioning the first member and the second member relative to the intercostal space with the insertion device; and   uncoupling the at least one movable element from at least one of the first member or the second member.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising removing the surgical access device from the intercostal space by pulling at least one cord operably coupled to the surgical access device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising rotating the insertion device after uncoupling the at least one movable element of the insertion device from the first member and the second member of the surgical access device in order to permit removal of the insertion device through a passage defined through the first member and the second member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising engaging a protuberance of the at least one movable element with an aperture of the first member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising moving the protuberance from a larger portion of the aperture to a smaller portion of the aperture to help secure the at least one movable member with respect to the first member of the surgical access device. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising rotating the at least one movable member about 90 degrees relative to a central axis defined through a passage defined through the first and second members of the surgical access device.