Access sheath with central seal

Abstract

A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, and having a longitudinal opening. A central seal member is mounted to the access member at an approximate rotational center thereof. The central seal member has inner seal portions defining a seal passage dimensioned for sealed reception of a surgical object.

1 . A surgical access apparatus, comprising:
 an access member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, and having a longitudinal opening; and   a central seal member mounted to the access member an approximate rotational center thereof, the central seal member having inner seal portions defining a seal passage dimensioned for sealed reception of a surgical object.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central seal member is generally disc-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 1 , including a first supplemental seal mounted within the access member in longitudinal spaced relation from the central seal member. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 3 , including a second supplemental seal mounted within the access member in longitudinal spaced relation from the central seal member. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first supplemental seal member is proximal of the central seal member and the second supplemental seal member is distal of the central seal member. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a zero closure valve, the zero closure valve dimensioned and adapted to establish a substantial seal within the longitudinal opening of the access member in the absence of the surgical object. 
     
     
         7 . A surgical access apparatus, comprising:
 an access member defining a longitudinal axis and a passage therethrough; and   a seal member disposed within the passage, the seal member defining an aperture configured for sealed relation with an object inserted therethrough, the object configured to pivot about a point coincident with the seal member, the seal member maintaining a constant outer diameter within the access member.   
     
     
         8 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the seal member is generally disc-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 7 , including at least one additional supplemental seal member disposed within the passage an in longitudinal spaced relation relative to the seal member. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 7 , further including a housing. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical access apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a zero closure valve within the housing, the zero closure valve dimensioned and adapted to establish a substantial seal within the longitudinal opening of the access member in the absence of the surgical object.