Importance

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Abstract

An expandable endoscopic portal for providing a passage through a body cavity wall includes a cannula comprising an absorbent member having a distal end for positioning in the body cavity, a proximal end for positioning external of the body cavity and a passage between the distal and proximal ends for receiving instruments. The absorbent member has a compressed dry state prior to introduction through the cavity wall and an expanded wet state when supplied with fluid upon introduction of the distal end in the body cavity. The absorbent member is rigid in the dry state to facilitate passage through the cavity wall and is soft in the wet state. The absorbent member has an initial cross sectional size in the dry state for introduction through an opening in the cavity wall corresponding in size to the initial cross sectional size. The absorbent member in the wet state has a cross sectional size greater than the initial cross sectional size to dilate the opening and/or form a seal along the thickness of the cavity wall. Instruments of various cross sectional sizes can be introduced in the body cavity through the passage in sealing relation. A method of establishing a passage through a cavity wall includes introducing an elongate absorbent member in an opening in the cavity wall with the absorbent member in a dry state such that the absorbent member extends longitudinally through the cavity wall and hydrating the absorbent member to place the absorbent member in a wet state to cause the absorbent member to expand radially within the opening.

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First Claim