Surgical introducer and access port assembly

Abstract

A surgical apparatus for permitting access to tissue includes an elongated introducer and a surgical port. The introducer includes an outer wall segment defining a longitudinal axis, a longitudinal port passage extending therethrough and a longitudinal slot in communication with the port passage. The introducer is dimensioned for at least partial introduction within an opening in tissue. The surgical port includes a port body mounted to the introducer with one of its leading and trailing ends disposed within the port passage and with the intermediate segment extending through the longitudinal slot and the other of the leading and trailing end external of the elongated introducer. The port body is dimensioned to be advanced within the port passage for deployment through the opening in the tissue and is adapted to transition from a compressed state to a released state.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A surgical apparatus for permitting access to tissue, comprising:
 an elongated introducer including opposing walls, the opposing walls transitionable between a closed position configured to facilitate insertion of the elongated introducer through an opening in the tissue, and an open position in which the opposing walls define a port passage therebetween; and   a surgical port transitionable between an expanded state and a compressed state, wherein the surgical port is configured to advance along the port passage of the elongated introducer when the opposing walls are in the open position.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the elongated introducer includes a portion formed of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the opposing walls are urged inwardly in the closed position. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the elongated introducer is interposed between the opposing walls. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the opposing walls are biased toward the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the elongated introducer includes proximal and distal ends, one of the proximal or distal ends defining an opening in communication with the port passage. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the other one of the proximal or distal ends of the elongated introducer includes a blunt tip. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the elongated introducer includes a retrieval structure coupled to the other one of the proximal or distal ends of the elongated introducer. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the opposing walls includes a rigid support. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the elongated introducer includes a lubricious material. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the surgical port includes leading and trailing ends, one of the leading or trailing ends external to the elongated introducer when the surgical port is advanced along the port passage of the elongated introducer. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the elongated introducer is formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical apparatus for permitting access to tissue, comprising:
 a surgical port formed of a compressible material, the surgical port defining a lumen configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough; and   an elongated introducer including a flexible portion transitionable between an open position providing a port passage configured to advance the surgical port therealong, and a retracted position configured to facilitate insertion of the elongated introducer through an opening in the tissue.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the flexible portion of the elongated introducer includes opposing walls laterally spaced apart in the open position. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the elongated introducer includes a rigid portion extending along a length of the elongated introducer. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the rigid portion of the elongated introducer is interposed between the opposing walls. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the opposing walls are biased toward the retracted position. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the elongated introducer includes proximal and distal ends, one of the proximal or distal ends defining an opening in communication with the port passage, the opening configured to receive the surgical port therethrough. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the elongated introducer includes a retrieval structure coupled to the other one of the proximal or distal ends of the elongated introducer. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the opposing walls includes a rigid support.