Flexible Access Assembly

Abstract

A cannula assembly includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula includes an elongated shaft dimensioned to access tissue. The elongated shaft has a lumen extending therethrough. The elongated shaft includes a first shaft segment having a first pre-determined configuration and a second shaft segment having a second pre-determined configuration different from the first pre-determined configuration. The obturator includes an elongated body adapted for insertion through the lumen of the elongated shaft. The elongated body includes a first body segment having a configuration in general accordance with the first pre-determined configuration of the first shaft segment and a second body segment selectively adaptable to conform to the second pre-determined configuration of the second shaft segment upon insertion through the lumen of the elongated shaft.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A surgical method, comprising:
 positioning a cannula within tissue, the cannula defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial lumen, and an offset segment offset with respect to the longitudinal axis;   introducing a surgical object through the axial lumen of the cannula, the surgical object including a flexible segment configured to conform to the offset cannula segment; and   performing a task with the surgical object.   
     
     
         13 . The surgical method according to  claim 12  wherein the surgical object is a surgical instrument including an elongated shaft having a flexible shaft segment and wherein, upon introducing the surgical object, the flexible shaft segment of the surgical instrument follows a path defined by the offset cannula segment. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical method according to  claim 13  wherein performing the task includes controlling an end effector mounted to the elongated shaft of the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical method according to  claim 12  wherein the surgical object is an obturator including a flexible body segment and a penetrating end, and wherein, upon introducing the surgical object, the flexible body segment of the obturator follows a path defined by the offset cannula segment. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical method according to  claim 15  wherein positioning the cannula includes directing the penetrating end of the obturator through tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical method according to  claim 12  including insufflating a body cavity with an insufflation gas and wherein positioning the cannula includes accessing the body cavity with the cannula. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical method according to  claim 17  including establishing a seal about the surgical object. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical method according to  claim 18  wherein establishing the seal includes mounting a seal member relative to the cannula, the seal member configured to establish a sealing relationship with the surgical object. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical method according to  claim 19  wherein establishing the seal includes positioning the seal member in a cannula housing coupled to the cannula. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical method according to  claim 17  including introducing an at least partially compressible anchor member within a tissue passage leading to the body cavity, the anchor member including at least one port, and wherein accessing the body cavity includes passing the cannula through the at least one port of the anchor member. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical method according to  claim 21  including anchoring the anchor member relative to the tissue passage. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical method according to  claim 22  wherein anchoring the anchor member includes transitioning the anchor member from an at least partially compressed condition to facilitate introduction within the tissue passage to an at least partially expanded condition to thereby substantially anchor the anchor member relative to the tissue passage. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical method according to  claim 21  including establishing a seal about the cannula with inner surfaces defining the at least one port of the anchor member. 
     
     
         25 . A surgical method, comprising:
 introducing a compressible anchor member within a tissue passage leading to a body cavity;   passing a cannula through a port of the anchor member to access the body cavity, the cannula including an offset cannula segment offset with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the cannula;   advancing a surgical instrument through the cannula whereby a flexible shaft segment of the surgical instrument follows a path defined by the offset cannula segment; and   performing a surgical task within the body cavity with an end effector of the surgical instrument.   
     
     
         26 . The surgical method according to  claim 25  including insufflating the body cavity with an insufflation gas. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  including establishing a seal about the cannula with inner surfaces defining the port of the anchor member. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical method according to  claim 27  wherein introducing the anchor member includes transitioning the anchor member from an at least partially compressed condition to facilitate introduction within the tissue passage to an at least partially expanded condition to substantially anchor the anchor member relative to the tissue passage. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical method according to  claim 26  including establishing a seal about the surgical instrument with a seal member mounted to the cannula.