Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures

Abstract

A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member comprising a compressible material and being adapted to transition between a first expanded condition to facilitate securing of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining the tissue tract and a second compressed condition to facilitate at least partial insertion of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract. The seal anchor member defines a longitudinal axis, and has leading and trailing ends with at least one longitudinal port extending therebetween adapted for reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial sealed relation with the object. The seal anchor member may comprise a memory foam material and may include a plurality of longitudinal ports.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity, comprising:
 a seal anchor member transitionable between an expanded condition and a compressed condition, the seal anchor member including proximal and distal ends, an intermediate portion extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a membrane disposed about the intermediate portion, the seal anchor member defining an internal cavity between the membrane and the intermediate portion, the internal cavity configured to retain a fluid therein.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the membrane is configured to engage the tissue tract in sealing relation when the fluid is supplied to the internal cavity. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the seal anchor member further includes a fluid port in communication with the internal cavity. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the fluid port includes a valve to selectively regulate supply of the fluid into and out of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the seal anchor member defines a longitudinal port extending through the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the membrane is formed of a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the membrane is resilient to enable expansion and contraction thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein at least a portion of the seal anchor member is formed of at least one of a foam material or a gel material. 
     
     
         28 . A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity, comprising:
 a seal anchor member comprising a conformable material, the seal anchor member including proximal and distal ends, an intermediate portion extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a membrane surrounding an outer surface of the intermediate portion, thereby defining an internal cavity therebetween, the internal cavity configured to retain a fluid therein.   
     
     
         29 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the seal anchor member further includes a fluid port in communication with the internal cavity. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the fluid port includes a valve to selectively regulate supply of the fluid into and out of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein at least a portion of the seal anchor member is formed of at least one of a foam material or a gel material. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the seal anchor member defines a longitudinal port extending through the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the membrane is formed of a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the membrane is resilient to enable expansion and contraction thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the membrane is configured to engage the tissue tract in sealing relation when the fluid is supplied to the internal cavity.