1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for accessing a body cavity. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an access assembly including one or more foldable caps.
2. Background of Related Art
Access assemblies configured for reception through an incision into an abdominal cavity are known, as are methods of inserting the access assemblies therethrough. Traditional access assemblies include a rigid cannula that is received through the tissue of the body wall into the body cavity. Endoscopic, laparoscopic and other suitable instruments may then be directed through a housing on the proximal end of the cannula to access the body cavity in a sealing manner in a variety of electrosurgical procedures.
Moreover, compressible assemblies configured for accessing a body cavity and permitting reception of electrosurgical instruments therethrough in a sealing manner are also known. Such compressible assemblies are composed of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), rubber, foam, gel and other compressible materials and are configured to be compressed to facilitate insertion into an incision. Typically, such assemblies are deformed by a surgeon using his/her fingers or with the assistance of a grasping device, e.g., forceps. Compression of the assembly reduces the profile of the assembly, thereby facilitating reception of the assembly into the incision. Upon release of the compressive force, the compressed assembly returns to an uncompressed configuration. In the uncompressed configuration, the access assembly seals the incision into the body cavity. The assembly may have one or more access ports for receiving the electrosurgical instruments therethrough and applying electrosurgical energy to tissue.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to have an access assembly configured to be inserted through tissue, such that surgical instruments may be easily inserted therethrough. It would also be beneficial to have an access assembly that is reconfigurable to accommodate a different number of surgical instruments.