Patent ID: 7824327

Claim:
An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue, which comprises: an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue, the access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope, the access member having a penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue, the penetrating end being at least partially transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope; a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member, the locking collet having internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the endoscope; and a manual member defining a central aperture for at least partial reception of the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith, the manual member adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis to cause longitudinal movement of the locking collet relative to the access member and to thereby reduce an internal dimension of the internal passage of the locking collet to cause the internal surfaces of the locking collet to securely engage the endoscope, the locking collet being adapted for rotational movement relative to the longitudinal axis whereby rotational movement of the manual member causes the locking collet to correspondingly rotate, and wherein the locking collet further includes a cam pin extending outwardly therefrom and wherein the access member includes a cam slot for receiving the cam pin whereby rotational movement of the manual member and the locking collet causes the cam pin to traverse the cam slot to cause the locking collet to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the access member.