Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical seal, or valve, of the type adapted to releasably receive a surgical object. The seal disclosed herein defines an aperture that is configured to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal with the surgical object upon its insertion, and includes at least one cable member connected to the seal that facilitates maintenance of the substantially fluid-tight seal during subsequent lateral manipulation of the surgical object.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel, and thereafter passing the dilator over the guidewire and through the radially expandable sleeve to effect radial expansion of the sleeve. Use of the sleeve reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least the radially expandable sleeve together with instructions for use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel, and thereafter passing the dilator over the guidewire and through the radially expandable sleeve to effect radial expansion of the sleeve. Use of the sleeve reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least the radially expandable sleeve together with instructions for use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: An access system comprises a radially expandable sleeve, a pneumoperitoneum needle, a cannula assembly, and an obturator. Methods for reconstructing and reusing the access system comprise replacing the radially expandable sleeve and cannula valve cap components of the system, both of which are disposable. All remaining system components may be sterilized and reused one or more times. The pneumoperitoneum needle can be separated into tubular needle body and needle stylet components, which may be separately replaced or sterilized and reused. Similarly the cannula comprises both a cannula hub and a cannula tube, where the hub and tube may be separately replaced or sterilized.

Abstract: Methods and systems for introducing articles and surgical instruments to target body cavities utilize conformable sleeves which are percutaneously positioned within the cavity. Articles may then be passed directly through the conformable sleeve, without use of a rigid cannula, either by pushing the articles inwardly through the sleeve using an introducer or pulling the articles inwardly through the sleeve using a tapered carrier. Surgical instruments are also passed directly inwardly through the sleeve. Such systems and methods may be used in a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.