Access sheath with central seal

摘要

An access apparatus (100) for use during a surgical procedure to provide access to the interior of the body includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end (101) for being disposed at an exterior side of the body and a distal end (103) for extending into the interior of the body. The access member has a bore (106) therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of an object. A seal (114) is disposed within the longitudinal bore substantially at the rotational center of the access member. The seal has inner seal portions adapted to establish a substantial seal about a surgical instrument introduced within the longitudinal bore of the access member. An access housing (104) may be mounted to the proximal end of the access member. A zero closure valve (108) may be mounted to the access housing. The zero-closure valve may be adapted to close in the absence of the instrument. The seal may be generally disc shaped. The seal may define an aperture for reception of the surgical instrument. The seal may comprise a fabric material, an elastomeric material or a gel material.