US20160367286A1 - Apparatus and method for accessing a sinus cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject includes an access tool configured to penetrate into the sinus cavity from a location external the subject. The system further includes an access sheath having a distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the access sheath and the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive the access tool, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The one or more cutting surfaces may include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves for flutes disposed about the periphery of the distal tubular member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The field of the invention generally relates to devices and methods used to gain access to a sinus cavity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Sinusitis is a condition affecting over35 million Americans, and similarly large populations in the rest of the developed world. Sinusitis occurs when one or more of the four paired sinus cavities (i.e., maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid) becomes obstructed. Normally the sinus cavities, each of which are lined by mucosa, produce mucous which is then moved by beating cilia from the sinus cavity out to the nasal cavity and down the throat. The combined sinuses produce approximately one liter of mucous daily, so the effective transport of this mucous is important to sinus health.
• Each sinus cavity has an opening into the nasal passage called an ostium. When the mucosa of one or more of the ostia or regions near the ostia become inflamed, the egress of mucous is interrupted, setting the stage for an infection and/or inflammation of the sinus cavity, i.e., sinusitis. Infection/inflammations of the maxillary and/or ethmoid sinuses make up the vast majority of cases of sinusitis, with far fewer cases involving the sphenoids and frontals. Though many instances of sinusitis may be treatable with antibiotics, but in some cases sinusitis persists for months or more, a condition called chronic sinusitis, and may not respond to medical therapy. Some patients are also prone to multiple episodes of sinusitis in a given period of time, a condition called recurrent sinusitis.
• One method of treating sinusitis in a patient includes the process of forming an artificial access passageway into a sinus cavity of the patient in order to access and treat the sinus ostium (outflow tract). For example, an access passageway may be formed in canine fossa region of the patient. One or more working instruments may then be positioned within the access passageway and into the sinus cavity. These instruments may include, for example, an endoscope, cannula, guide wire, balloon dilation catheter, irrigation catheter, aspiration catheter, drug delivery catheter, or the like. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/379,691 and 11/623,740, which are incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein, describe various working instruments configured for placement into a sinus cavity via the artificially-formed access passageway.
• Generally, once access into the particular sinus cavity (e.g., maxillary sinus) has been gained, and a working device is intended to be placed into the sinus cavity, it is desirable to be able to re-orient the path that such a device takes within the sinus. For example, the access into the sinus may be made by an access tool oriented along a particular angle, but subsequently, a working device may require being oriented along a different path, e.g., a path directed toward the sinus ostium.
• There is a clear need for devices and methods that permit external access to a sinus cavity that also enable re-orientation of the access passageway to accommodate the various working instruments that may be employed to treat sinusitis or other condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In a first aspect of the invention, a system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject includes an access tool configured to penetrate into the sinus cavity from a location external the subject. The system further includes an access sheath having a distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive the access tool, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The one or more cutting surfaces may include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves for flutes disposed about the periphery of the distal tubular member. A proximal hub may be operatively connected to the distal tubular portion, the lumen extending through both the proximal hub and the distal tubular portion.
• In a second aspect of the invention, an access sheath for providing access to a sinus cavity includes a proximal hub and a distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the access sheath from the proximal hub to the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive an access tool configured to penetrate into the sinus cavity from an external location, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The one or more cutting surfaces may include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves for flutes disposed about the periphery of the distal tubular member.
• In a third aspect of the invention, a method of accessing a sinus cavity in a subject includes forming an artificial passageway through bone tissue of the subject, placing an access sheath in the artificial passageway in a first orientation, the access sheath having a tubular portion, a lumen extending through the access sheath and the tubular portion, the tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The access sheath is then re-oriented in a second orientation, wherein the re-orienting comprises rotating the access sheath about a longitudinal axis and panning the access sheath in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
• Further features and advantages will become apparent upon review of the following drawings and description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a human head showing a partial section view of the subject's nasal and paranasal structures on one side. The maxillary sinus is illustrated.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nasal and paranasal structures of a subject, including the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus, frontal sinus, and an ethmoid air cell such as the ethmoid bulla. These anatomical structures are illustrated in a coronal view on the subject's right side. The left side (not shown), has a similar, relatively symmetric structure, but for convenience, only the right side is shown.
• FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject according to one embodiment. The system includes an access tool and an access sheath.
• FIG. 3B illustrates the system ofFIG. 3A wherein the access tool is positioned within a central lumen of the access sheath.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the access sheath according to one aspect of the invention.
• FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the access sheath ofFIG. 4 taken along the longitudinal axis of the access sheath.
• FIG. 5B illustrates a magnified cross-sectional view of the distal end of the access sheath ofFIG. 5A.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a system for accessing a sinus cavity that has been inserted into the canine fossa region of the subject to gain access to the maxillary sinus.FIG. 6 further illustrates that the access tool and access sheath may be rotated or advanced in the axial direction as illustrated by the arrows inFIG. 6.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the system for accessing a sinus cavity that has been re-oriented to a second orientation through a combination of rotating the access sheath about its longitudinal axis as well as panning motion.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the access tool and access sheath traversing bony tissue in the subject to provide access to the maxillary sinus.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the access sheath traversing bony tissue in the subject to provide access to the maxillary sinus. The access tool has been removed.
• FIG. 10A illustrates a working instrument being positioned within the lumen of the access sheath ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 10B illustrates a combination of working instruments being positioned within the lumen of an access sheath ofFIG. 9. The working instruments may include a cannula, a balloon dilation catheter, and a visualization tool such as an endoscope.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sinus cavity having an access passageway formed therein. The access passageway is shown in the state when the access sheath is in the first or initial orientation.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sinus cavity having an access passageway formed therein. The access passageway is shown in the state when the access sheath is in the re-oriented or second orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 illustrates thehead10 of a subject12 showing a partial section view of the subject's nasal andparanasal structures14 on one side. Themaxillary sinus16 is the largest sinus cavity inFIG. 1. In one aspect of the invention, the system and method described herein may be used to access themaxillary sinus16 from a location that is external to the subject12. For instance, as explained in more detail below, access to themaxillary sinus16 may be accomplished via an artificial passageway formed in thebone tissue28 of the subject12. Thebone tissue28 that is to be traversed may include, for instance, the canine fossa region26 (not shown inFIG. 1) of the subject12. While embodiments described herein may describe access to themaxillary sinus16 it should be understood that the system may also be employed to access or reach other nasal andparanasal structures14.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nasal andparanasal structures14 of a subject12, including thenasal cavity18,maxillary sinus16,frontal sinus20, and anethmoid air cell22 such as the ethmoid bulla. These anatomical structures are illustrated in a coronal view on the right side of the subject12. The left side (not shown), has a similar, relatively symmetric structure, but for convenience, only the left side is shown. As seen inFIG. 2, themaxillary sinus16 is illustrated withinflamed mucosa24, which represents a condition known as sinusitis. While treatment of sinusitis is one application of the system and method described herein, the invention is not limited to a particular application or treatment. Rather, the system and method may be employed to access one or more sinus cavities or nasal/paranasal structures14 whether or not the subject suffers from sinusitis or some other condition.
• FIG. 2 further illustrates thecanine fossa region26 of the subject12. Thecanine fossa region26 is a soft tissue/bone structure of the subject12 generally located near the gum line of the subject12 near where the canine teeth roots are located. Access via thecanine fossa region26 is advantageous because it provides for direct access to themaxillary sinus16 viabone tissue28 that is relatively thin and easy to traverse.FIG. 2 further illustrates thebone28 tissue of the subject12 as well as the reduced thickness ofbone28 in thecanine fossa region26. Themaxillary sinus16 drains to themaxillary ostium30 that, in certain aspects of the invention, may be the desired location for therapeutic treatment using one or more working instruments (not shown inFIG. 2). Additional nasal/paranasal structures14 illustrated inFIG. 2 include theuncinate process32,infundibulum34,inferior turbinate36, andmiddle turbinate38.
• FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate anexemplary system40 for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject12 according to one embodiment. Thesystem40 includes anaccess tool50 and anaccess sheath70.FIG. 3A illustrates theaccess tool50 and theaccess sheath70 being separated.FIG. 3B, however, illustrated theaccess sheath70 being disposed over a portion of theaccess tool50 for form thecomplete system40.
• Theaccess tool50, which may also be described as a trocar, includes ashaft portion52 that is coupled to or otherwise integrated with an optionalproximal handle54. Thehandle54 may be configured or dimensioned to aid the user in holding and/or moving theaccess tool50 during the accessing method. Thehandle54 may be a separate component that is affixed, welded, bonded (e.g., using an adhesive), insert molded, or otherwise secured to aseparate shaft52. Preferably, theshaft52 further includes surface features such as barbs and longitudinal grooves to further facilitate mechanical engagement between theshaft52 and thehandle54. Alternatively, thehandle54 and theshaft portion52 may be constructed as single piece of material stock. Theshaft portion52 may be constructed of a suitable material having a sufficient degree of hardness that enables penetrating movement into the sinus cavity of the patient. For example, theshaft portion52 may be constructed from a metal such as stainless steel. Of course, it is possible that other “hard” non-metal substances (e.g., polymers, plastics, acrylates, etc.) may be used.
• Theshaft portion52 includes adistal tip56 that includes a cuttingtip58. The cuttingtip58 may include a tri-facet style commonly used in trocars or, alternatively, the cuttingtip58 may include any configuration or design that facilitates cutting throughbone28. Thetri-facet cutting tip58 cuts throughbone28 by means of to-and-fro reciprocating rotation of the shaft52 (e.g., via handle54) coupled with a forward-directed force.
• In one aspect of the invention, thehandle54 includes apin60 that is configured to engage with anaperture72 in theaccess sheath70. As explained in more detail herein, thepin60 locks theaccess tool50 rotationally with respect to theaccess sheath70. In this regard, rotation of theaccess tool50 will cause a corresponding rotation of theaccess sheath70. Theaperture72 andpin60 may be dimensioned to provide a snug or friction fit such that theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 are held together in the axial direction as well (so that theaccess tool50 does not inadvertently de-couple from the access sheath70).
• FIG. 4 is a perspective or isometric view of theaccess sheath70. Theaccess sheath70 includesproximal hub74 and a distally locatedtubular member76. Theaccess sheath70 includes alumen78 that passes from theproximal hub74 to the distal end of thetubular member76. Thelumen78 is dimensioned such that theshaft52 of theaccess tool50 may be slid within thelumen78. Thelumen78 is also dimensioned to permit sliding passage of one or more working instruments (not shown inFIG. 4). In the fully assembled state which is illustrated inFIG. 3B, thedistal tip56 of theshaft portion52 extends distally from thetubular member76. In one aspect, thetubular member76 includes a canteddistal tip80 which aids in the advancement oftubular member76 through thebone28 surrounding the sinus cavity. Although not critical, in a preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of thelumen78 is dimensioned to allow for passage of a “Hopkins Rod” type endoscope, the smallest commonly available size of which is 2.7 mm in diameter. However, smaller and larger lumen diameters are contemplated to fall within the scope of this invention. Both theproximal hub74 and thedistal tubular member76 may be formed of a single piece of material stock or, alternatively, may be two separate components that are jointed together by any suitable means such as welding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, insert molding, mechanical engagement (e.g., screwed into one another) or the like. As best seen inFIGS. 3A, 3B, and4, the exterior surface of thedistal tubular member76 includes one or more cutting surfaces82 positioned about the periphery thereof. The cutting surfaces82 may include a plurality of longitudinally-oriented grooves, flutes, or the like that extend along at least a portion of the length of thedistal tubular member76. The cutting surfaces82 create longitudinally-oriented cutting surfaces at the outer perimeter of thedistal tubular member76 and permit the user to ream or “side-cut” theartificial passageway100 to re-orient thesystem40 after initial access is made to the sinus cavity. Alternatively, the outer surface of thedistal tubular member76 could include an abrasive (not shown). However, in a preferred embodiment, longitudinally extendinggrooves82 are utilized, as they provide “space” for the reamed or side-cut bone material to reside in as the cutting surfaces are utilized.
• In one aspect, the cutting surfaces82 may be milled into the body of thedistal tubular member76. Thedistal tubular member76 may be made of a suitably hard material such as metal (e.g., stainless steel), plastic, or the like. The cantedtip80 may include a beveled surface such that the outer surface of thetubular member76 is beveled towards the inner periphery. Also, the inner surface of thetubular member76 may be somewhat beveled or “de-burred” so as not to present an inadvertent cutting surface on the inside distal edge of thedistal tubular member76.
• FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of theaccess sheath70 ofFIG. 4 taken along the longitudinal axis. As seen inFIG. 5A, theproximal hub74 includes ashoulder portion84 that increases the outer diameter greater than theshaft portion52 of theaccess tool50. Theshoulder portion84 acts as a stop to prevent additional distal advancement of theaccess sheath70. In one aspect of the invention, theproximal hub74 includes aproximal flange86 and adistal flange88 that extend about the periphery of theproximal hub74. Theproximal flange86 includes theaperture72 configured to receive themating pin60 located on thehandle54 of the access tool50 (or other pin located on working instrument or the like). Agap90 is formed between theproximal flange86 and thedistal flange88 and may be used as a rest that receives the lip of the subject12 when thesystem40 is used to gain access to themaxillary sinus16 via thecanine fossa region26.
• FIG. 5B further illustrates the distal aspect of theaccess sheath70 in longitudinal cross-section. The hatched portion represents a thinner or milled portion of thetubular member76, where as the un-hatched portion represents the full thickness portion of thetubular member76. Therefore, the outer edge of the full thickness portion becomes alongitudinal cutting edge82.Inner bevel112 andouter bevel114 are more clearly illustrated inFIG. 5B. As can be seen inFIG. 5B,inner bevel112 gradually “feathers out” and merges with the general angled aspect of thedistal tip80.Outer bevel114 also gradually merges on the opposite side with the general angled aspect of thedistal tip80. In a preferred embodiment, theouter bevel114 forms an angle of about30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of theaccess sheath70.FIG. 6 illustrates thesystem40 being used to gain access to themaxillary sinus16 via thecanine fossa region26. Initial access to themaxillary sinus16 is gained by advancing theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 together distally (in the direction of arrow A) while simultaneously rotating theshaft portion52 back and forth (in the direction of arrows B). This may be accomplished via theoptional handle54. Thedistal tip56 is, in effect, “drilling” throughbone28 to gain access. Themucosa24 is typically soft, and does not require further drilling to penetrate, but rather will yield upon longitudinal advancement of theaccess tool50 and theaccess sheath70. In this example, theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 are shown accessing themaxillary sinus16 through or near thecanine fossa region26. However, it is contemplated that the sinus could be accessed in other areas. Also, other sinuses, e.g. thefrontal sinus20, could be accessed using thesystem40 and methods described herein.
• In one aspect of the invention, access is obtained into themaxillary sinus16 while maintaining theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 on a consistent path or angle relative to the subject12. That is to say, theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 are inserted through thebone28 in a straight direction along thelongitudinal axis102 of thesystem40. The resultantartificial passageway100 in thebone28 is therefore shaped in a relatively cylindrical fashion through the wall thickness of thebone28.
• FIG. 6 illustrates theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 being placed into theartificial passageway100 in a first orientation indicated by dashedline102. This first orientation of theaccess tool50 andaccess sheath70 may be used to gain access to themaxillary sinus16 while avoiding penetrating sensitive tissue or structures with thedistal tip56 of theaccess tool50. Next, as seen inFIG. 7, theaccess sheath70 may be re-oriented once access has been made. This may be accomplished by rotating the access sheath70 (in direction of arrow C) while simultaneously panning the access sheath70 (in direction of arrow D) to change theaccess sheath70 into a second orientation indicated by dashedline104. The panning motion may include moving theaccess sheath70 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of theaccess sheath70. In thissecond orientation104, thelongitudinal axis104 of thesheath70 is tilted toward themaxillary ostium30 to provide a more “direct shot” toward this area. Of course, the re-oriented angle of thesheath70 may be directed in other directions other than that illustrated inFIG. 7.
• The rotation of theaccess sheath70 causes the cutting surface(s)82 to “ream” or “side-cut” some of thebone28 defining the originalartificial passageway100. In addition, re-angling or panning theaccess sheath70 at the same time theaccess sheath70 is rotated causes additional reaming to take place.
• FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of theaccess sheath70 and distal aspects of theaccess tool50 after both have entered themaxillary sinus16. In one aspect of the invention, once theaccess sheath70 is at a desired angle (e.g., second orientation104), theaccess tool50 can be removed, leaving theaccess sheath70 in thesinus16, oriented at a desiredangle104, as shown inFIG. 9. For example, it may be desirable to first gain access to thesinus16 at an initial angle (e.g.,orientation102 inFIG. 6) which avoids the potential for interfering with certain structure(s) associated with thesinus16, such as the nasal wall or the orbit, or at an angle which is more orthogonal to the surface of thebone28. Such an orientation may not be the most favorable for subsequent uses of theaccess sheath70, however. Since the initial access is essentially “blind”, it may be safer to perform this initial access across thebone28 at a first angle ororientation102, and then once inside thesinus cavity16 or at any time thereafter, re-orient the angle of theaccess sheath70 to a second desiredorientation104. By way of specific example, the first orientation102 may be in a generally anterior-posterior direction relative to subject12. This orientation generally minimizes the chance that thetrocar tip56 will “skate” across the surface of thebone28 during initial access to themaxillary sinus16. Thereafter, thesecond orientation104 can be made to be more in line with theostium30.
• WhileFIG. 7 illustrates theaccess tool50 interfacing with theaccess sheath70 to adjust the orientation of theaccess sheath70, in an alternative configuration, theaccess sheath70 may be re-oriented after theaccess tool50 has been withdrawn fromlumen78 of theaccess sheath70. In this regard, the physician or other skilled artisan may manually manipulate theaccess sheath70 via theproximal hub74 to both rotate theaccess sheath70 and provide panning motion to change the angle of rotation of theaccess sheath70. In still another aspect of the invention, one or more workinginstruments110 may include apin60 that interfaces withaperture72 on theproximal hub74. Manipulation of the workinginstrument110 will result in re-orientation of thesheath70 as described herein. For example, a guide cannula or the like which may incorporate therein optional imaging functionality may be positioned into theaccess sheath70 after placement. Manipulation of the guide cannula may then be used to re-orient theaccess sheath70.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate various workinginstruments110 being disposed in theaccess sheath70. The workinginstruments110 may include any number of therapeutic or diagnostic devices, either individually or in combination. These include, by way of example, an endoscope, a cannula, a guide wire, a balloon dilation catheter, an irrigation catheter, an aspiration catheter, and a drug delivery catheter. In the example where a the workinginstrument110 includes a balloon dilation catheter that is intended to be delivered through theaccess sheath70, an endoscope can be used to identify the position of themaxillary ostium30, and then subsequent re-orientation of theaccess sheath70 can be performed to align it with themaxillary ostium30, allowing easier passage and delivery of the balloon catheter. For example, theendoscope110 may have apin60 disposed thereon that interfaces with theaperture72 on theproximal hub74. This would permit re-orientation of theaccess sheath70 under simultaneous or intermittent visualization.
• FIG. 10B illustrates a specific combination of workinginstruments110 being utilized in conjunction with there-orientable access sheath70. This example is not intended to limit the scope of workinginstruments110 that could make use of the invention. These workinginstruments110 in this example are similar to those described in connection with prior filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,740, and include acannula116, aballoon dilation catheter130, and anendoscope122. In a preferred embodiment, thecannula116 includes ahandle118, and two lumens, a first lumen accessible via aballoon catheter port120, and a second lumen accessible via anendoscope port123. Theendoscope122 is preferably a flexible small diameter fiberscope, such as a Storz model 11565. Theendoscope122 allows forvisualization128 of theostium30 via aneyepiece124 and/orcamera126 to facilitate guiding aballoon dilation catheter130 into theostium30. Once in position, thedilation balloon132 is inflated to widen theostium30 and adjacent structures as a treatment for sinusitis. In this embodiment, the general orientation104 (with reference toFIG. 7) of theaccess sheath70 is preferably along a line towards theostium30, which may be different from afirst orientation102.
• FIG. 11 illustrates theartificial passageway100 created in thebone28 when the initial access is made with thesystem40 described herein. This initial access may be made afirst orientation102 as illustrated inFIG. 6. As seen inFIG. 11, theartificial passageway100 has a generally cylindrical shape withsharp edges130 formed on diagonally oppositecorners130,132. In contrast,FIG. 12 illustrates theartificial passageway100 after theaccess sheath70 has been “re-oriented” to a second orientation (e.g.,orientation104 inFIG. 7). The cutting surface(s)82 on thedistal tubular member76 of theaccess sheath70 have served to ream away a portion of the inside and outside surfaces of thebone28 defining theartificial passageway100. The resultantartificial passageway100 is not substantially larger, but does allow for theaccess sheath70 and any workinginstrument110 to be re-oriented to a more desirable angle into the sinus cavity, e.g. in a line towards theostium30. As seen inFIG. 12, one set of diagonally oppositecorners130,132 no longer has the sharp edges but is rather beveled given the re-orientation of theaccess sheath70.
• While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

1-21. (canceled)

22. A system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject comprising:

an access tool comprising a shaft coupled to a handle, the shaft having a sharpened distal tip configured to penetrate bone and mucosa into the sinus cavity from a location external the subject, the handle comprising a pin extending from a surface thereof; and

an access sheath having a distal tubular portion and a proximal hub operatively coupled to the distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the proximal hub and the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive the access tool, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof, wherein the one or more cutting surfaces include longitudinally oriented flutes or grooves;

a proximal flange disposed on a proximal end of the proximal hub, the proximal flange comprising an aperture dimensioned to receive the pin and rotationally lock the access tool with respect to the access sheath; and

a distal flange disposed on a distal end of the proximal hub and located proximal with respect to the distal tubular portion, wherein a gap is defined along the proximal hub between the proximal flange and the distal flange.

23. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the proximal hub comprises a shoulder portion located distally with respect to the distal flange and has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the distal tubular portion.

24. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the distal tubular portion comprises metal or plastic.

25. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the distal tubular portion comprises a canted distal end.

26. The system ofclaim 22, further comprising a working instrument configured for slidable movement within the access sheath.

27. The system ofclaim 26, wherein the working instrument is selected from the group consisting of an endoscope, a cannula, a guide wire, a balloon dilation catheter, an irrigation catheter, an aspiration catheter, and a drug delivery catheter.

28. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the distal tubular portion comprises an inner bevel and an outer bevel.

29. The system ofclaim 28, wherein the outer bevel forms an angle of about 30° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the access sheath.

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