Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access

A method of accessing posterior surfaces of a body organ in a patient via a minimally invasive procedure, the method comprising:

• accessing a diaphragm through a first incision in an abdomen of the patient;
• creating an opening in the diaphragm;
• advancing an access device through the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity, where the access device comprises at least at least one working channel and an expandable member on an exterior of the device;
• and
• forming a temporary cavity by actuating the expandable member to separate adjacent tissue structures in the thoracic cavity.