Exchanger surgical access port and methods of use

Abstract

A surgical instrument access port assembly and method of use is disclosed. A locking mechanism includes a lock base having an aperture that receives the surgical access port. A locking member has an opening that receives the surgical access port. A ball having a lateral slit is received between the lock base and the locking member. The locking member is rotatable relative to the lock base into a locked position to secure the surgical access port with the ball when the surgical access port is inserted into fascia, and the locking member compresses the lateral slit in the locked position.

1 . A locking mechanism for a surgical access port, the locking mechanism comprising:
 a lock base having an aperture configured to receive the surgical access port;   a locking member having an opening configured to receive the surgical access port; and   a ball received between the lock base and the locking member, the ball having at least one lateral slit,   wherein the locking member is configured to rotate relative to the lock base into a locked position to secure the surgical access port with the ball when the surgical access port is inserted into fascia, and the locking member is configured to compress the at least one lateral slit in the locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive on the lock base to secure the lock base to the fascia. 
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is configured to fix a rotational orientation of the surgical access port in the locked position. 
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the ball has an opening configured to receive the surgical access port. 
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the lock base has a frustoconical inner surface at least partially supporting the ball. 
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the ball includes at least one longitudinal slit that is compressed in the locked position. 
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one lateral slit intersects the at last one longitudinal slit. 
     
     
         8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the lock base comprises a central ring defining at least one screw thread or ramp, and the locking member comprises at least one snap or finger received in the at least one screw thread or ramp to enable relative rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the lock base comprises a tab, the locking member comprises a lock tab, and the locking member is configured to rotate relative to the lock base into an unlocked position when the tab and the lock tab are squeezed together. 
     
     
         10 . A surgical access port assembly comprising:
 a surgical access port; and   a locking mechanism comprising:
 a lock base having an aperture configured to receive the surgical access port; and 
 a locking member having an opening configured to receive the surgical access port; and 
 a ball received between the lock base and the locking member, the ball having at least one lateral slit, 
   wherein the locking member is configured to rotate relative to the lock base into a locked position to secure the surgical access port with the ball when the surgical access port is inserted into fascia, and the locking member is configured to compress the at least one lateral slit in the locked position.   
     
     
         11 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an adhesive on the lock base to secure the lock base to the fascia. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the ball is configured to fix a rotational orientation of the surgical access port in the locked position. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the ball has an opening configured to receive the surgical access port. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the ball is received between the lock base and the locking member. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the locking member is configured to compress the ball in the locked position. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the ball includes at least one slit that is compressed in the locked position. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the lock base has a frustoconical inner surface at least partially supporting the ball. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the lock base comprises a central ring defining at least one screw thread or ramp, and the locking member comprises at least one snap or finger received in the at least one screw thread or ramp to enable relative rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical access port assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the ball includes at least one longitudinal slit that is compressed in the locked position, and the at least one lateral slit intersects the at last one longitudinal slit. 
     
     
         20 . A method of securing a surgical access port to fascia with a locking mechanism having a lock base and a locking member, the method comprising:
 receiving the surgical access port in an aperture of the lock base and an opening of the locking member;   inserting the surgical access port into the fascia;   rotating the locking member relative to the lock base into a locked position to secure the surgical access port with a ball between the lock base and the locking member; and   compressing at least one lateral slit of the ball with the locking member in the locked position.