CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/219,017 filed on Jun. 22, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to trocars and other access assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an access assembly having a flexible housing. 
         [0004]    2. Background of Related Art 
         [0005]    Trocars and other access assemblies are used by surgeons to operate on a patient without having to create large incisions that may become infected and may cause major scaring. Trocar assemblies are known in the art, as are the instruments inserted therethrough for operating within the body cavity. Typically, an access assembly includes a housing configured for receiving an instrument, and a tubular member rigidly affixed to the housing and configured for insertion into a body cavity. 
         [0006]    In order to provide a greater space in which a surgeon may operate and to increase visibility within the body cavity, the body cavity is generally insufflated. To avoid gas leakage from within the cavity, various seal members have been developed. As an instrument is inserted into the access assembly and through the seal member, a seal is created about the instrument. Depending on the type of seal member used, manipulation of the instrument inserted therethrough may compromise the integrity of the seal. This is especially true of any lateral movement of the instrument relative to the access assembly. Lateral manipulation of the instrument may cause the seal member to stretch non-uniformly, resulting in a phenomenon commonly referred to as “cat-eyeing.” To prevent “cat-eyeing” of a seal member, and, thereby prevent leakage of gas through the access assembly, the lateral manipulation of an instrument inserted therethrough may be limited. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be beneficial to have an access assembly including a housing configured to maintain a seal member mounted therein relative to an instrument inserted therethrough as the instrument is being manipulated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an access assembly includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a cannula extending distally from the housing and in fluid communication with the longitudinal opening and a seal member mounted within the longitudinal opening of the housing. The seal member is configured to receive an instrument therethrough in substantial sealed relation therewith. The housing is adapted to move in at least a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis whereby the seal member maintains the substantial sealed relation relative to the instrument as the instrument in manipulated. The housing may be flexible and capable of deflection relative to the longitudinal axis. The housing may comprise an elastomeric material in whole or in part. The seal member may be integrally formed with the housing. The housing may include at least one flexible ring portion and possibly a plurality of ring portions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended figures. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, a preferred embodiment is shown. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view of an access assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional top view of the access assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the access assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2  including an instrument inserted therethrough, in a first or initial position; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4-5  are cross-sectional side views of the access assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 , in flexed positions; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of another access assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional top view of the access assembly of  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of the access assembly of  FIGS. 6 and 7  including an instrument inserted therethrough, in a first or initial position; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are cross-sectional side views of the access assembly of  FIGS. 6-8 , in flexed positions; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of another access assembly according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view of yet another access assembly according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals illustrate similar components throughout the several views. As shown in the drawings and as described throughout the following description, as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is further from the user. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a trocar assembly  100  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , trocar assembly  100  includes a housing  102  and a cannula  104  extending distally therefrom. Cannula  104  may be integrally formed with housing  102 . Alternatively, cannula  104  may be securely attached to housing  102  using adhesive, mechanical fasteners or other suitable attachment means. It is further envisioned that cannula  104  may be selectively attachable to housing  102 , e.g. a threaded connection. Trocar assembly  100  may be configured for use with any known endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. 
         [0022]    Cannula  104  may be constructed of metal, plastic or other suitable material. Cannula  104  may include a blade or piercing tip (not shown) for penetrating a body cavity. Alternatively, cannula  104  may be configured to receive an obturator (not shown) for assisting in penetration of a body cavity. Cannula  104  is preferably rigid, however, cannula  104  may also be flexible. Cannula  104  may include one or more seals (not shown) spaced along the length thereof. Cannula  104  may also be modified for engagement with other known access assemblies. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , housing  102  forms a substantially annular member having a partially closed proximal end  102   a  and a partially closed distal end  102   b.  Housing  102  may instead define an oval, square, rectangular or other suitable profile. Housing  102  may be constructed of plastic, rubber, polymer, or other suitable flexible material. Proximal end  102   a  of housing  102  defines an opening  103  therein configured to maintain a seal member  105 . Opening  103  and seal member  105  may be configured to receive instruments of various diameters and configurations. As will be discussed below, housing  102  is configured to move or flex at least in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis “x” of cannula  104  as an instrument “E” ( FIG. 3 ), inserted through seal member  105 , is manipulated. In this manner, seal member  105  may be maintained relative to instrument “E”, thereby preventing “cat-eyeing” of seal member  105 . Proximal end  102   a  of housing  102  may be configured with a tab(s) and/or a latch(es) (not shown) for selectively securing instrument “E” to housing  102 , thereby more securely maintaining instrument “E” relative to housing  102  and thus, seal member  105 . Housing  102  also may include a valve or port (not shown) configured for supplying insufflation gas to the body cavity. 
         [0024]    Seal member  105  spans opening  103  and is configured to receive instrument “E” ( FIG. 3 ) therethrough. Seal member  105  may include any number of seal configurations, including but not limited to a septum valve with an aperture, a flap valve, slit valve, and zero closure seals. As shown, seal member  105  includes an outer ring  106   a  and an inner seal surface  106   b.  Outer ring  106   a  of seal member  105  is configured for operable engagement within opening  103  formed in housing  102 . Outer ring  106   a  may be affixed to housing  102  using adhesive, bonding or by any other suitable means. Alternatively, outer ring  106   a  may include a lip, groove, threading or other configuration (not shown) for selective engagement with a corresponding groove, lip, threading or other configuration (not shown) formed on housing  102 . Seal surface  106   b  defines an opening  105  configured for receiving instrument “E”. Seal surface  106   b  may be constructed of rubber, plastic, polymer or other suitable material. Seal surface  106   b  may be formed of one or more layers of material and may be integrally formed with outer ring  106   a.  Seal member  105  may include reinforcement (not shown) for ensuring instrument “E” is centrally maintained through seal surface  106   b.    
         [0025]    The operation of trocar assembly  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 . Cannula  104  of trocar assembly  100  is initially inserted into a body cavity in a manner similar to known trocar assemblies. As discussed above, cannula  104  may be configured to pierce through tissue and into the body cavity of a patient. Alternatively, trocar assembly  100  may be configured to operate with an obturator (not shown). Once cannula  104  is received in the body cavity, the obturator, if used, may be removed, and trocar assembly  100  is ready to receive instrument “E” therethrough. 
         [0026]    Referring initially to  FIG. 3 , in a first or relaxed position housing  102  and cannula  104  define a central axis x-x prior to and upon initial insertion of instrument “E” therethrough. In this first position, seal surface  106   b  of seal member  105  is securely received about instrument “E” and the longitudinal axis of instrument “E” is aligned with central axis x-x. In this manner, seal surface  106   b  of seal member  105  is uniformly stretched about instrument “E”, thereby creating an airtight seal between housing  102  and with instrument “E”. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as instrument “E” is manipulated within trocar assembly  100  the longitudinal axis of instrument “E” moves out of alignment with central axis x-x defined by housing  102  and cannula  104 . As a distal end of instrument “E” manipulated, housing  102  deforms or flexes to maintain seal member  105  relative to instrument “E”. In this manner, seal surface  106   b  of seal member  105  is prevented from stretching, or “cat-eyeing, as instrument “E” is moved laterally in relation to longitudinal axis “x” of cannula  104 . All or a portion of housing  102  may be configured to flex in response to manipulation of instrument “E”. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-10 , an alternate embodiment of an access assembly is shown generally as trocar assembly  200 . Trocar assembly  200  is substantially similar to trocar assembly  100  described hereinabove, and will only be described as relates to the differences therebetween. Trocar assembly  200  includes a housing  202  and a cannula  204 . As shown, cannula  204  is integrally formed with housing  202 . Cannula  204  may instead be securely attached to housing  202  using adhesive, mechanical fasteners or other suitable attachment means. Alternatively, cannula  204  may be selectively attachable to housing  202 , e.g. a threaded connection. Trocar assembly  200  may be configured for use with any known endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. 
         [0029]    Housing  202  defines a substantially annular housing including proximal and distal ends  202   a,    202   b.  Proximal end  202   a  of housing  202  includes a seal member  205 . Housing  202  further includes a flexible ring portion  203 . Flexible ring portion  203  may be formed of rubber, plastic, polymer or other suitable flexible material. Flexible ring portion  203  is positioned on distal end  202   b  of housing  202  and extends about cannula  204 . Flexible ring portion  203  may be integrally formed with housing  202 . Flexible ring portion  203  may also be integrally formed with cannula  204 , or both cannula  204  and housing  202 . Flexible ring portion  203  may include a coating (not shown) for sealing flexible ring portion  203  with housing  202  and/or for strengthening flexible ring portion  203 . 
         [0030]    Access assembly  200  operates in much the same manner as access assembly  200 . Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , an instrument “E” is inserted through seal member  205  of access assembly  202 . Manipulation of instrument “E” exerts a force on seal member  205  which is maintained in housing  202 . Flexible ring portion  203  permits housing  202  to move in response to the manipulation of instrument “E”. In this manner, seal member  205  is moved relative to instrument “E” inserted therethrough, thereby preventing “cat-eyeing” of seal member  205  and leakage of insufflation gas therethrough. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , alternate embodiments of access assemblies according to the present disclosure are shown generally as access assemblies  300 ,  400 . Access assemblies  300 ,  400  include multiple flexible ring portions  303   a,    303   b,    403   a,    403   b,  respectively. Access assembly  300  includes a first flexible ring portion  303   a  positioned within proximal end  302   a  of housing  302  and a second flexible ring portion  303   b  positioned within sidewall  302   c  of housing  302 . Access assembly  400  includes first and second flexible ring portions  403   a,    403   b  positioned within sidewall  402   c.  Multiple flexible ring portions  303   a,    303   b,    403   a,    403   b  permit greater flexibility of housing  302 ,  402 , thereby permitting manipulation of instrument “E” through a greater range of motion. 
         [0032]    It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims append hereto.
An access assembly includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a cannula extending distally from the housing and in fluid communication with the longitudinal opening and a seal member mounted within the longitudinal opening of the housing. The seal member is configured to receive an instrument therethrough in substantial sealed relation therewith. The housing is adapted to move in at least a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis whereby the seal member maintains the substantial sealed relation relative to the instrument as the instrument in manipulated. The housing may be flexible and capable of deflection relative to the longitudinal axis. The housing may comprise an elastomeric material in whole or in part. The seal member may be integrally formed with the housing. The housing may include at least one flexible ring portion and possibly a plurality of ring portions.