Patent ID: 8409146
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical access apparatus, which comprises: a housing member; a portal member extending from the housing member and defining a longitudinal axis, the housing member and the portal member defining a longitudinal passage therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical object; a plurality of arm elements mounted relative to the housing member and arranged to extend radially inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis to intersect the longitudinal passage, the arm elements dimensioned and adapted for radial movement with respect to the longitudinal axis between a first initial position and a second radially displaced position, the arm elements dimensioned and configured to bias the surgical object in general aligned or parallel relation with the longitudinal axis; and an annular element mounted to the housing and operatively coupled to the arm elements, the annular element mounted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis to effect movement of the arm elements between the first and second positions thereof, whereby movement of the arm elements between the first and second position is effected upon engagement with the elongated object and without requiring contact between radial adjacent elements.