Patent attributes
A surgical cannula assembly includes an elongate cannula member having a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending along the longitudinal axis with adjacent longitudinal ribs defining a longitudinal channel therebetween, a fluid port mounted adjacent the proximal end of the cannula member and configured for coupling to a source of inflation fluids, a conduit positioned within at least one longitudinal channel of the cannula member and in fluid communication with the fluid port, and an expandable balloon mounted adjacent the distal end of the cannula member and in fluid communication with the conduit. The expandable balloon is configured to transition from an initial unexpanded condition to an at least partially expanded condition upon passage and entry of inflation fluids from the fluid port, through the conduit and within an internal volume of the expandable balloon.