Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.

Abstract: An integral magnet and heater device comprising a heating element with integral permanent magnet for use in a sample preparation or analysis apparatus. Also disclosed is a sheath adapted to cover a reusable processing component, such as a heater or sonicator, of an apparatus during use. Other associated aspects of the system are described and claimed.

Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.