Port fixation with filament actuating member

1. A surgical access apparatus for positioning within a percutaneous tissue tract to facilitate access to an underlying surgical worksite, the surgical access apparatus comprising:

a housing having proximal and distal ends and being configured to removably receive at least one surgical instrument;

a tubular member extending distally from the housing along a longitudinal axis, the tubular member defining an axial lumen configured and dimensioned to allow the at least one surgical instrument to pass therethrough, the tubular member being repositionable between a first position, in which the tubular member is configured for at least partial insertion into the tissue tract, and a second position, in which the tubular member is configured to facilitate anchoring of the tubular member within the tissue tract;

a connective member secured to the tubular member, the connective member being configured to contact the at least one surgical instrument upon insertion to form substantially fluid-tight seal therewith; and

at least one filament secured to the connective member and extending proximally therefrom, the at least one filament being movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the tubular member to cause corresponding movement of the connective member to thereby facilitate selective repositioning of the tubular member from the first position to the second position.

2. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member includes a first outer dimension in the first position, the tubular member defining a tissue engaging portion in the second position with a second outer dimension larger than the first outer dimension.

3. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connective member is positioned within the lumen of the tubular member.

4. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connective member is secured to an outer surface of the tubular member.

5. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , further including a membrane disposed about at least a portion of the tubular member to facilitate anchoring of the elongate member within the tissue tract.

6. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the tubular member includes an internal dimension smaller than an outer dimension of the at least one surgical instrument.

7. The surgical access apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the tubular member includes a plurality of fibers braided together to define a mesh adapted for radial expansion to allow for insertion of the surgical instrument into the lumen of the tubular member.

8. The surgical portion assembly of claim 7 , wherein the fibers include a substantially elastic material such that the tubular member maintains a substantially constant axial dimension upon radially expansion.

9. The surgical portion assembly of claim 7 , wherein the fibers include a substantially inelastic material such that the tubular member experiences a measure of axial shortening upon radial expansion.

10. The surgical access apparatus of claim 1 , including at least one manual member secured to the at least one filament, the at least one manual member being configured and dimensioned for grasping by a clinician.

11. The surgical access apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the housing includes a locking structure configured to engage one or more of the at least one filament and the at least one manual member to thereby maintain the second position of the tubular member.

12. The surgical access apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the locking structure includes at least one channel formed in the housing, the at least one channel being configured to at least partially receive the at least one filament.

13. The surgical access apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the locking structure further includes a locking member repositionable between unlocked and locked positions, the locking member defining a channel therethrough configured to at least partially receive the at least one filament, the channel of the locking member and the channel formed in the housing being substantially aligned when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

14. The surgical access apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the channel of the locking member and the channel formed in the housing are substantially misaligned when the locking member is in the locked position.

15. The surgical access apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the locking member is biased towards the locked position by a biasing member.