Access assembly having undercut structure

Abstract

An assembly for accessing a body cavity is provided. The access assembly includes a flexible outer sleeve configured to be received through an opening in tissue. The outer sleeve defines a passageway therethrough and a notch formed about an inner surface thereof. The access assembly further includes a support plate configured for selective reception through the passageway of the outer sleeve and within the notch formed in the inner surface. The support plate defines at least a first opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An access assembly comprising:
 a compressible outer sleeve defining a longitudinal opening therethrough, the compressible outer sleeve having a first portion positionable beneath an inner surface of tissue and a second portion positionable above an outer surface of tissue when the compressible outer sleeve is placed within an opening in tissue; and   a support plate configured to operably couple to an insertion device, the support plate configured to cause the compressible outer sleeve to transition from a compressed condition to an uncompressed condition when positioned within the longitudinal opening.   
     
     
         15 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the support plate includes a tab disposed thereon, the tab configured to operably couple to an insertion device. 
     
     
         16 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising an insertion device configured to operably couple to the support plate. 
     
     
         17 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the support plate includes a first cannula extending proximally therefrom, the first cannula defining a first longitudinal passageway configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . The access assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the support plate defines at least a first opening in fluid communication with the first longitudinal passageway. 
     
     
         19 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the compressible outer sleeve is composed of at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, foam, or gel. 
     
     
         20 . The access assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the support plate further includes a second cannula extending proximally therefrom, the second cannula defining a second longitudinal passageway in fluid communication with a second opening defined by the support plate. 
     
     
         21 . The access assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first cannula is threadingly engaged with the support plate. 
     
     
         22 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the compressible outer sleeve further includes a notch formed on an inner surface of the compressible outer sleeve for securing the support plate to the compressible outer sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . The access assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first cannula is selectively secured within the first opening in the support plate. 
     
     
         24 . The access assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first cannula includes a valve assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The access assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the valve assembly includes a valve member configured to seal the first longitudinal passageway. 
     
     
         26 . The access assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first cannula is integrally formed with the support plate. 
     
     
         27 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the compressible outer sleeve further includes a flange disposed on the first portion of the compressible outer sleeve, the flange having a greater diameter than a diameter of a central portion of the compressible outer sleeve. 
     
     
         28 . The access assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the support plate is rotatable relative to the compressible outer sleeve when the support plate is coupled to the compressible outer sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . A method of accessing a body cavity, the method comprising:
 inserting an outer sleeve in a compressed condition through an opening in tissue;   inserting a support plate into a longitudinal opening defined by the outer sleeve via an insertion device to decompress the outer sleeve and transition the outer sleeve from a compressed condition to an uncompressed condition; and   removing the insertion device from the support plate.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein inserting the outer sleeve through an opening in tissue includes positioning a distal portion of the outer sleeve distal to an inner surface of tissue. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the support plate defines an opening and the method further includes coupling a cannula to the opening of the support plate. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising manipulating one or more instruments through the support plate.