Cutting guard

Abstract

A tissue guard includes a body having a first section and a second section each defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the first section includes a plurality of resilient fingers operably coupled thereto, each of the plurality of resilient fingers including a flange biased towards the distal end of the first section. The second section includes a corresponding plurality of holes defined therein in annular row-like spatial registration with the plurality of resilient fingers. The distal end of the second section is configured to be telescopically received within the proximal end of the first section such that mechanical engagement of the plurality of fingers with a corresponding row of annular holes locks the first section relative to the second section to incrementally adjust the height of the body.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A tissue guard, comprising:
 a body defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the body, the proximal and distal ends open to the lumen, the distal end of the body including a plurality of folds extending proximally along a portion of a length of the body, the folds allowing the distal end of the body to selectively transition between a first configuration wherein the distal end of the body is compressed facilitating insertion of the body within an access device and a second configuration wherein the distal end of the body is substantially flared relative to the proximal end of the body to secure the body within the access device.   
     
     
         10 . The tissue guard according to  claim 9 , wherein at least the distal end of the body is made from a resilient material to facilitate transition between the first and second configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue guard according to  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end of the body is adapted to mechanically engage an access device. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue guard according to  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end of the body includes a connection port adapted to operably engage a fluid management system. 
     
     
         13 . A port connector for a tissue guard, comprising:
 a body having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the body adapted to operably connect to a fluid management system and the distal end of the body adapted to operably connect to a connection port of a tissue guard; and   an O-ring adapted to mechanically engage an annular groove defined within the connection port, the O-ring ensuring a fluid tight operable connection between the distal end of the body and the connection port.   
     
     
         14 . The port connector for a tissue guard according to  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical connection between the distal end of the body and the connection port permits 360 degree rotation of the port connector relative to the connection port while maintaining a fluid tight seal. 
     
     
         15 . The port connector for a tissue guard according to  claim 13 , wherein the connection port is at least partially resilient to compensate for vertical movement between the connection port and the fluid management system. 
     
     
         16 . The port connector for a tissue guard according to  claim 13 , wherein the distal and proximal ends of the body of the port connector are disposed at an angle relative to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The port connector for a tissue guard according to  claim 16 , wherein the angle is in the range of about 10 degrees to about 75 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue guard according to  claim 12 , further comprising a port connector including a body having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the body of the port connector adapted to operably connect to the fluid management system and the distal end of the body of the port connector connected to the connection port. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue guard according to  claim 18 , wherein the connection between the port connector and the connection port permits 360 degree rotation of the port connector relative to the connection port while maintaining a fluid tight seal. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue guard according to  claim 19 , wherein the connection port includes an annular groove, and the port connector includes an O-ring mechanically engaged with the annular groove to ensure a fluid tight operable connection between the distal end of the body of the port connector and the connection port. 
     
     
         21 . The tissue guard according to  claim 18 , wherein the distal and proximal ends of the body of the port connector are disposed at an angle relative to one another. 
     
     
         22 . The tissue guard according to  claim 21 , wherein the angle is in the range of about 10 degrees to about 75 degrees. 
     
     
         23 . A system, comprising:
 the tissue guard of  claim 9 ; and   an access device including a body and a passageway defined through the body.   
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the access device includes proximal and distal rims, and the proximal end of the body of the tissue guard includes a lip configured to mechanically engage the proximal rim of the access device. 
     
     
         25 . A system, comprising:
 the tissue guard of  claim 12 ; and   a fluid management system including a collection reservoir and a smoke evacuation source, the connection port of the tissue guard operably coupled to the fluid management system.   
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , further comprising a port connector including a body having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the body of the port connector adapted to operably connect to the fluid management system and the distal end of the body of the port connector connected to the connection port of the tissue guard. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the connection between the port connector and the connection port permits  360  degree rotation of the port connector relative to the connection port while maintaining a fluid tight seal. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the connection port includes an annular groove, and the port connector includes an O-ring mechanically engaged with the annular groove to ensure a fluid tight operable connection between the distal end of the body of the port connector and the connection port.