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Expandable thoracic access port

  • US 8,597,180 B2
  • Filed: 06/23/2011
  • Issued: 12/03/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2010
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue, the surgical access assembly comprising:

  • an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein, the outer member including first and second portions, at least one of the first and second portions movable with respect to the other portion, the opening dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough;

    an inner member positionable within a patient;

    a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member and operatively associated with the outer member; and

    a locking mechanism locking the outer member in one of a plurality of select expanded positions, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue, the locking mechanism including a first engagement structure on the first portion selectively engageable with a second engagement structure on the second portion, the locking mechanism being repositionable between a locked position, wherein the first and second engagement structures are engaged, and an unlocked position, wherein the first and second engagement structures are disengaged, the locking mechanism being biased toward the unlocked position, and a slidable member movable to reposition the locking mechanism from the unlocked position to the locked position to retain the first and second portions in a selected expanded position;

    wherein the second engagement structure comprises a first soft material and second soft material on opposing sides of the opening,wherein the first engagement structure includes a first substantially rigid projecting member having a first ramped surface and a first sharp tip embeddable within the first soft material;

    wherein the first engagement structure includes a second substantially rigid projecting member having a second ramped surface and a second sharp tip embeddable within the second soft material;

    wherein the slidable member comprises a first and second collar positioned around and slidable relative to the first and second portions of the outer member, the first collar capable of contacting the first ramped surface to pivot the first sharp tip into the first soft material, and the second collar capable of contacting the second ramped surface to pivot the second sharp tip into the second soft material.

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