Devices, systems, and methods for performing endoscopic surgical procedures

Abstract

Methods and systems for accessing an operating cavity when performing endoscopic surgery comprising. The systems and methods include at least one obturator-free cannula unit and a trocar assembly. The trocar assembly includes a single dedicated functional obturator independent of the cannula unit and an endoscopic cannula. The invention also provides a system and methods for providing continuous flow of carbon dioxide during a laparoscopic procedure.

1 . A method for accessing a body cavity when performing endoscopic surgery on a patient comprising:
 providing a trocar assembly comprising a single endo-scopic cannula and a single dedicated obturator;   providing one or more cannula units;   selecting one of the cannula units and fitting the selected cannula unit over the trocar assembly;   inserting the selected cannula unit into the tissue of the patient to achieve body penetration into the body cavity of the patient;   performing insufflation within the body cavity; and   removing the trocar assembly from the inserted cannula unit while maintaining insufflation pressure in the body cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 selecting a second cannula and fitting the second cannula unit over the trocar assembly; 
 inserting the second cannula unit into the tissue of the patient at a second location to achieve body penetration into the body cavity of the patient performing insufflation within the body cavity; and 
 removing the trocar assembly from the inserted cannula unit while maintaining insufflation pressure in the body cavity. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 inserting the trocar assembly into another location in the body tissue. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 removing the obturator from the trocar assembly. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of inserting the trocar assembly comprises
 inserting the trocar assembly into another location after the step of inserting the selected cannula unit into the tissue of the patient. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of inserting the trocar assembly comprises
 inserting the trocar assembly into another location prior to the step of inserting the selected cannula unit into the tissue of the patient. 
 
     
     
         7 . A system for accessing an operating cavity when performing endoscopic surgery comprising:
 at least one obturator-free cannula unit for being inserted into body tissue; and   a trocar assembly comprising:
 a single dedicated functional obturator, said single dedicated functional obturator being independent of said at least one cannula unit; and 
   an endoscopic cannula.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising
 a plurality of obturator-free cannula units, 
 wherein said trocar assembly is reused for insertion of each obturator-free cannula unit into body tissue. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the trocar assembly is preassembled. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the cannula units further comprises a proximal region comprising a gas seal assembly for the prevention of the loss of insufflation gas through the cannula unit from the operating cavity when the system is in use. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the gas seal assembly comprises a first functional seal and a second functional seal.