US 20050075540A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (io) Pub. No.: US 2005/0075540 Al
Shluzas et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 7,2005
(54) MINIMALLY INVASIVE ACCESS DEVICE AND METHOD
(76) Inventors: Alan E. Shluzas, Millis, MA (US);
Gary Lowery, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Correspondence Address:
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE, CA 92614 (US)
(21) Appl. No.: 10/678,744
(22) Filed: Oct. 2, 2003
Publication Classification (51) Int. CI.7 A611- 5/00
A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location. The first location is distal to the second location. The passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the second location and the proximal end.
