US 11,717,322 B2
Flexible cannula having selective rigidity
Joseph Eisinger, Northford, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/994,750.
Prior Publication US 2022/0047300 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/34 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3431 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3423 (2013.01); A61B 17/3498 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical access device comprising:
a housing;
a tubular member extending from the housing, the tubular member having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the tubular member including an outer wall and an inner wall defining an annular lumen;
a conduit including a passageway extending between the proximal opening and the distal opening, the passageway configured to receive a surgical instrument, wherein the conduit extends along a length of the tubular member, the conduit disposed in the annular lumen and transitionable between a first state and a second state, the conduit including a plurality of spiral segments, each spiral segment of the plurality of spiral segments having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first flange and a first trough, the second portion including a second flange and a second trough, the first flange being slidably disposed in the second trough and the second flange being slidably disposed in the first trough such that each spiral segment of the plurality of spiral segments is movable relative to an adjacent spiral segment of the plurality of spiral segments such that the conduit has a flexible configuration in the first state and a fixed configuration in the second state; and
a valve assembly coupled to the housing and including a port, the port in fluid communication with the annular lumen and attachable to a source of fluid.