Patent ID: 8562516

Claim:
Apparatus for obtaining laparoscopic access, the apparatus comprising: a trocar having a lumen; an elongate body adapted for insertion through the trocar lumen, the elongate body having a longitudinal axis and a distal region, the elongate body comprising a plurality of links and at least one tensioning wire for transforming the elongate body from a first, substantially flexible state to a second, substantially rigid state; at least two working lumens extending through the flexible elongate body; and first and second articulating elements near or at the distal region, with the first articulating element pivotally connected to the elongate body near or at its distal region by a first linkage member pivotally connected to a first hinge on the first articulating element and a second hinge on the elongate body; a first visualization element on the first articulating element; a second visualization element on the second articulating element; wherein the first articulating element is movable from an in-line position to an off-axis position relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, and wherein a distal opening of at least one of the working lumens is substantially covered by the first articulating element in the in-line position and is substantially uncovered by the articulating element in the off-axis position.