Patent ID: 7762990

Claim:
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 an elongated object; a centering mechanism mounted relative to the housing member, the centering mechanism including: an annular element mounted for rotational movement within the housing member and about the longitudinal axis; first and second arm elements mounted to the annular element and extending radially inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis, the first and second arm elements each positioned to intersect the longitudinal passage and adapted to pivot relative to the housing member, the first and second arm elements operatively connected whereby pivotal movement of the first arm element upon engagement with the elongated object causes the annular element to rotate in response thereto, and wherein the rotational movement of the annular element effects corresponding pivotal movement of the second arm element.