Apparatus for providing access to a body cavity of a patient for a medical procedure

Abstract

Method and apparatuses for providing access to a body cavity of a living animal through an access port inserted in an incision made in a wall of the body cavity are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a cap configured to attach to the access port, the cap including an opening configured to permit insertion of a medical instrument through the cap and access port into the body cavity, and a tubular sleeve including a distal end sealingly connected at the opening and extending outwardly therefrom, the sleeve including a proximal end configured to receive and provide a seal with the medical instrument when received. The apparatus also includes a closure disposed to temporarily seal the sleeve prior to insertion of the medical instrument through the opening in the cap.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for providing access to a body cavity of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a cap being configured to engage an access device at least partially inserted into a body cavity, the cap comprising an opening being configured to receive a medical instrument through the cap and into the body cavity;   a sleeve being configured to engage the cap, the sleeve comprising a proximal end being configured to receive and seal against a portion of the medical instrument; and   a closure being configured to removably engage the sleeve to inhibit fluid communication between the proximal end of the sleeve and the opening of the cap through the closure.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a tapered sleeve, and wherein the tapered sleeve comprises:
 a distal opening at a distal end of the sleeve; and   a proximal opening at the proximal end of the sleeve,   wherein the distal opening is larger than the proximal opening.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a material that is at least partially transparent to permit observation of the medical instrument during insertion into the proximal end of the sleeve and through the opening in the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the closure comprises a releasable clamp being configured to engage the sleeve between a distal end of the sleeve and the proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the releasable clamp extends across a width of the sleeve, and wherein the releasable clamp is further configured to temporarily engage the sleeve to facilitate establishment of an insufflation pressure within the body cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the closure comprises a seal, and wherein the seal is disposed proximate to the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to be disengaged from the sleeve by the medical instrument as the medical instrument is inserted into the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal end of the sleeve comprises a coupler, and wherein the coupler comprises an  0 -ring configured to sealingly receive a bore of the medical instrument. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the access device comprises an annular ring configured to be located outside the body cavity when the access device is at least partially inserted in an incision made in a wall of the body cavity, and wherein the cap is further configured to engage the annular ring. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the access device and the cap further comprises an inlet configured to permit fluid flow into the body cavity to insufflate the body cavity, and wherein a portion of the sleeve disposed between the closure and a distal end of the sleeve is configured to be subjected to an insufflation pressure when the cap is engaged with the annular ring of the access device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the opening of the cap is further configured to receive the medical instrument, and wherein the cap further comprises a second opening configured to receive a second medical instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the access device comprises at least one of a wound protector, a wound retractor, and a medical trocar. 
     
     
         13 . A method for providing access to a body cavity of a patient, the method comprising:
 inserting an access device in a wall of the body cavity;   engaging a surgical apparatus to the access device, the surgical apparatus comprising:
 a cap comprising an opening; 
 a sleeve being configured to engage the cap, the sleeve comprising a proximal end being configured to seal against a portion of a medical instrument when the medical instrument is inserted into the sleeve to inhibit a reduction of an insufflation pressure within the body cavity; 
 a closure being configured to removably engage the sleeve to facilitate establishment of the insufflation pressure within the body cavity; 
   inserting the medical instrument through the proximal end of the sleeve; and   disengaging the closure from the sleeve to permit insertion of the medical instrument through the sleeve and the opening of the cap.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a material that is at least partially transparent to permit observation of the medical instrument when inserting the medical instrument into the proximal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closure comprises a releasable clamp being configured to engage the sleeve between a distal end of the sleeve and the proximal end of the sleeve, and wherein the releasable clamp extends across a width of the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closure comprises a seal, and wherein the seal is disposed proximate to the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to be disengaged from the sleeve by the medical instrument as the medical instrument is inserted into the sleeve.