Method and apparatus for providing access for a surgical procedure

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing surgical access to a body cavity of a living animal through an access port inserted in a wall of the body cavity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a collapsible volume having an opening for sealingly receiving a surgical apparatus. The apparatus also includes an access coupler disposed at a distal end of the collapsible volume, the access coupler being operably configured to sealingly couple to an opening in the access port placing the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity. The collapsible volume is operably configured to collapse to permit the surgical apparatus to be inserted through the access coupler into the body cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured to provide surgical access to a body cavity through an access port, the apparatus comprising:
 a collapsible volume being configured to couple to the access port such that the collapsible volume extends from and is placed in fluid communication with the body cavity, the collapsible volume comprising an opening, the collapsible volume being configured to receive a surgical apparatus at least partially through the opening;   wherein the collapsible volume is configured to permit the surgical apparatus to advance or retract within bounds provided by the collapsible volume to facilitate positioning the surgical apparatus within the body cavity proximate a surgical site.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the collapsible volume is configured to seal against at least a portion of the surgical apparatus to inhibit fluid communication through the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible volume comprises a bellowed conduit, wherein the bellowed conduit comprises a plurality of convoluted sections, and wherein each of the plurality of convoluted sections has a sufficient compliance configured to permit the bellowed conduit to be extended or compressed. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible volume comprises a flexible sleeve, and wherein the flexible sleeve is configured to stretch to extend the collapsible volume or to fold to compress the collapsible volume. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a transparent portion configured to permit at least a portion of the surgical apparatus to be viewed when the portion of the surgical apparatus is inserted through the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible volume is configured to permit free movement of the surgical apparatus for moving the surgical apparatus about an incision in a wall of the body cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the collapsible volume provides an axial translation range for inserting through larger body cavities and smaller body cavities. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible volume further comprises an access coupler being configured to connect to an opening of the access port, wherein a connection between the access coupler and the opening is sealed. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the access port further comprises an access valve being configured to close the opening of the access port when the access coupler is not connected to the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the access port comprises an opening, and wherein the opening is configured to seal against at least a portion of the surgical apparatus to inhibit fluid communication through the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the collapsible volume is configured to permit lateral movement of the surgical apparatus with respect to the access coupler to facilitate alignment of the surgical apparatus for insertion through the access port. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible volume further comprises a collar being at least partially positioned within the opening in the collapsible volume and being configured to engage the surgical apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A method for providing surgical access to a body cavity, the method comprising:
 receiving a surgical apparatus through an opening in a collapsible volume coupled to an access port, the access port being configured place the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity; and   facilitating positioning the surgical apparatus within the body cavity proximate a surgical site by permitting advancement or retraction of the surgical apparatus within bounds provided by the collapsible volume.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing access to another portion of the body cavity by permitting repositioning of the surgical apparatus within the body cavity within the bounds provided by the collapsible volume. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising sealing at least a portion of the surgical apparatus against the collapsible volume to inhibit fluid communication through the opening. 
     
     
         16 . A method for providing surgical access to a body cavity, the method comprising:
 coupling a collapsible volume to an access port, coupling the collapsible volume comprising placing the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity, the collapsible volume being configured to receive a surgical apparatus within bounds provided by the collapsible volume; and   sealing the collapsible volume against at least a portion of the surgical apparatus to inhibit fluid communication between an opening of the collapsible volume and the surgical apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing access to another portion of the body cavity by permitting repositioning of the surgical apparatus within the bounds provided by the collapsible volume. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the collapsible volume further comprises connecting an access coupler of the collapsible volume to an opening of the access port, wherein a connection between the access coupler and the opening is sealed. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein sealing the collapsible volume comprises sealing an opening of the access coupler to at least the portion of the surgical apparatus to inhibit fluid communication through the opening of the access port. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the collapsible volume comprises a transparent portion to facilitate visualization through the transparent portion of the surgical apparatus.