Expanding seal anchor for single incision surgery

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a surgical anchoring apparatus for use during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The surgical anchoring apparatus includes a body member and a dilator element at least partially positionable therein. The body member includes a grip segment adapted for manual engagement by a user and an expandable section having a plurality of expandable segments and a plurality of cam surfaces. The grip segment resiliently transitions between a first or normal state and a second state in which the grip segment is at least partially inverted. The expandable section's cam surfaces are configured to engage a distal end of the dilator element upon its insertion such that the expandable section may transition from an initial condition to an expanded condition in which the body member is secured or anchored within an incision in tissue.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a body defining a longitudinal body passage, the body including:
 a grip segment transitionable between a first state in which the grip segment is distally directed with respect to the longitudinal body passage and a second state in which the grip segment is proximally directed with respect to the longitudinal body passage; and 
 an elongate segment extending from the grip segment, the elongate segment transitionable between a first condition in which the elongate segment defines a first dimension and a second condition in which the elongate segment defines a second dimension different from the first dimension. 
   
     
     
         3 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the grip segment has an outer surface defining an aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the grip segment includes a peripheral flange configured to establish a seal with tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a dilator positionable within the longitudinal body passage of the body, the dilator dimensioned to transition the elongate segment from the first condition to the second condition. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the dilator defines a longitudinal dilator passage for passage of an object. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the dilator includes a seal. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the elongate segment includes an expandable member adapted to be displaced radially outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate segment during insertion of the dilator within the longitudinal body passage of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the expandable member includes an internal cam surface configured to cooperate with the dilator to displace the expandable member radially outward. 
     
     
         10 . A surgical method, comprising:
 providing a body including a grip segment transitionable between a first state in which the grip segment is distally directed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body and a second state in which the grip segment is proximally directed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body and an elongate segment extending from the grip segment;   positioning the grip segment in the second state;   grasping the grip segment and advancing at least a portion of the body within tissue to provide access to an underlying surgical site; and   transitioning the grip segment from the second state to the first state.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising expanding the elongate segment from a first dimension to a second dimension different from the first dimension. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein expanding the elongate segment includes introducing a dilator at least partially into the elongate segment of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising performing a surgical procedure by introducing a surgical object through a dilator passage of the dilator. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising establishing a seal between a peripheral segment of an outer surface of the grip segment and the tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein positioning the grip segment includes arranging the grip segment such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the grip segment curves proximally. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein transitioning the grip segment includes arranging the grip segment such that at least a portion of the outer surface curves distally. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising performing a surgical procedure through a longitudinal body passage of the body.