Surgical portal apparatus including gear and lockout assembly

A surgical portal apparatus, comprising:

• a portal dimensioned for insertion within tissue to access an underlying tissue site, the portal defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening for reception of a surgical object, and defining proximal and distal ends;
• at least one seal disposed in mechanical cooperation with the portal, the at least one seal defining a passage for reception of the surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith;
• a plurality of restricting members arranged about the longitudinal axis to define a passage therethrough and positioned to contact the surgical object during introduction through the longitudinal opening, the restricting members having contacting segments adapted for radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis from a rest position where the passage defines a first internal dimension to a displaced position where the passage defines a second internal dimension greater than the first internal dimension in response to contact with the surgical object;
• a lockout assembly including a locking member disposed distal of the restricting members, the locking member positioned to intersect the longitudinal opening and engage the surgical object during passage of the surgical object through the longitudinal opening, the locking member operatively coupled with the restricting members to prevent radial movement of the contacting segments beyond the displaced position when the surgical object is within the longitudinal opening, to thereby minimize offset manipulation of the surgical object relative to the longitudinal axis;
• a rack and associated drive gear operatively coupled to one of the restricting members, the drive gear adapted for rotational movement during radial movement of the contacting segments between the rest position and the displaced position to cause corresponding longitudinal translation of the rack within the portal;
• and
• a lock out pawl coupled to the locking member, the lock out pawl movable upon movement of the locking member during passage of the surgical object through the longitudinal opening to selectively engage the rack to secure the rack at a defined longitudinal position corresponding to the displaced position of the contacting segments, to thereby prevent radial movement of the contacting segments beyond the displaced position.

A surgical portal apparatus, comprising:

• a portal defining a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of restricting members, each restricting member including a support segment and a contacting segment, the support segment being pivotably secured to the portal to permit radial movement of the contacting segment relative to the longitudinal axis between a rest position and a displaced position;
• a locking member operatively coupled to one of the restricting members to limit radial movement of the contacting segments beyond the displaced position;
• and
• a rack and associated drive gear operatively coupled to one of the restricting members, the drive gear adapted for rotational movement during radial movement of the contacting segments between the rest position and the displaced position to cause corresponding longitudinal translation of the rack within the portal.