# US 2014/0194696 A1 · Access assembly including inflatable seal member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194696 A1 - Document ID: US20140194696A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/206,000 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-21 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Greg Fischvogt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194696A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors - A61B 17/0293: {with ring member to support retractor elements} - A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)} - A61B 17/3431: {being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material (A61B17/3423 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/3439: {with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable (A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662)} - A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/3445: {used as instrument channel for multiple instruments} - A61B 2017/3464: {with means acting on inner surface of valve or seal for expanding or protecting, e.g. inner pivoting fingers} - A61B 2017/3486: {Balloon} - A61B 2017/3492: {against the outside of the body} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An access assembly for insertion through an opening in tissue is provided. The access assembly includes a flexible outer sleeve having an upper rim formed on a proximal end, a lower rim formed on a distal end and defining a longitudinal opening extending therebetween. The lower rim may define an inflatable space that in a deflated state facilitates insertion of the lower rim through tissue and in an inflated state assists in retaining the access assembly in place relative to the tissue. The access assembly further includes an inflatable member secured within the longitudinal opening of the outer sleeve. The inflatable member includes a plurality of inflatable lobes configured to selectively receive at least one surgical device therebetween in a sealing manner. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-12. (canceled) ### Claim 13 An access assembly for insertion through tissue, the access assembly comprising: a flexible outer sleeve having an upper rim formed on a proximal end, a lower rim formed on a distal end and defining a longitudinal opening extending therebetween; and an inflatable member positionable within the longitudinal opening of the flexible outer sleeve, the inflatable member including a first inflatable lobe attached to a second inflatable lobe at a common point prior to inflation of the inflatable lobes, the first inflatable lobe and second inflatable lobe defining a shared longitudinal slot therebetween configured to selectively receive at least one surgical device therethrough, the first inflatable lobe expandable toward the second inflatable lobe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein the shared longitudinal slot is substantially linear and is configured to enable lateral translation of a surgical device within the shared longitudinal slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of the upper or lower rims is configured to be selectively inflated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of the upper or lower rims is configured to be compressed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper rim has a diameter greater than a diameter of a central portion of the flexible outer sleeve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein the first inflatable lobe and the second inflatable lobe are connected to a source of inflation fluid. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The access assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the first inflatable lobe and the second inflatable lobe is independently connected to a source of inflation fluid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The access assembly of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of either of the first inflatable lobe or the second inflatable lobe is coated with a material to provide at least one of the following: to prevent the inflatable lobes from sticking together, to facilitate a seal between the inflatable lobes or to facilitate reception of a surgical device therethrough. ### Claim 21 An access assembly for insertion through tissue, the access assembly comprising: a flexible outer sleeve defining a longitudinal opening extending therethrough; and a plurality of inflatable lobes secured to one another at a common point prior to inflation of the plurality of inflatable lobes, each inflatable lobe secured to an adjacent inflatable lobe and a perimeter of the longitudinal opening at a point within the longitudinal opening. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein the common point is located on a proximal end of the plurality of inflatable lobes. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein the common point is located on a distal end of the plurality of inflatable lobes. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein the common point is located between a proximal end and a distal end of the plurality of inflatable lobes. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein adjacent inflatable lobes define a shared longitudinal slot. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, further comprising an upper rim formed on a proximal end of the flexible outer sleeve and a lower rim formed on a distal end of the flexible outer sleeve. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The access assembly of claim 26, wherein at least one of the upper or lower rims is configured to be selectively inflated. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The access assembly of claim 26, wherein at least one of the upper or lower rims is configured to be compressed. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The access assembly of claim 26, wherein the upper rim has a diameter greater than a diameter of a central portion of the flexible outer sleeve. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein each of the inflatable lobes is operably connected to a source of inflation fluid. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The access assembly of claim 30, wherein each of the inflatable lobes is independently connected to a source of inflation fluid. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of inflatable lobes is integrally formed with the flexible outer sleeve.