Patent Description:
In order to facilitate minimally invasive surgery, a working space must be created in the desired surgical space. An insufflation gas, typically CO<NUM>, is introduced into the abdomen of the patient to create an inflated state called a pneumoperitoneum. Access assemblies are utilized to allow the introduction of surgical instrumentation and endoscopes (or other visualization tools). These access assemblies maintain the pressure for the pneumoperitoneum, as they have one or more seals that adapt to the surgical instrumentation. Typically, a "zero-seal" in the access assembly seals the access assembly in the absence of a surgical instrument in the access assembly, and an instrument seal seals around a surgical instrument that has been inserted through the access assembly Prior art <CIT> and <CIT> are examples of known access assembly systems in the field with layered seal designs.

The breadth of surgical instrumentation on the market today requires a robust seal capable adjusting to multiple sizes and withstanding multiple insertions of surgical instrumentation. Some of the instrumentation can include sharp edges that can tear or otherwise damage seals. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have an access assembly with improved seal durability.

An access assembly with an improved seal durability is provided. The access assembly includes an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly. The instrument valve housing includes upper, lower, and inner housing sections and defines a cavity. The valve assembly is disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, a seal assembly disposed adjacent to the guard assembly, and a centering mechanism for maintaining the seal assembly and guard assembly centered within the cavity of the instrument valve. The guard assembly includes a plurality of guard sections. The seal assembly is disposed adjacent to the guard assembly, the seal assembly including a plurality of seal sections, the plurality of seal sections being movable from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration in which the seal assembly forms a hexagonal member defining an opening to facilitate sealed passage of a surgical instrument.

In embodiments, an opening in the seal assembly has a diameter between <NUM> and <NUM> (<NUM>" and <NUM>'). The seal assembly may include six seal sections. The plurality of seal sections may be formed of polyisoprenes or silicone elastomers. Seal sections of the plurality of seal sections may be connected to adjacent seal sections of the plurality of seal sections by connector portions. The connector portions may include living hinges. Each seal section of the plurality of seal sections may include a wing shape.

In some embodiments, an inner edge of each seal section of the plurality of seal sections is straight. Alternatively, the inner edge of each seal section of the plurality of seal sections defines a V-shape. The V-shape may include an angle between one hundred eighty degrees and two hundred seventy-five degrees. The inner edge of each seal section of the plurality of seal sections may be tapered. The plurality of seal sections may include first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seal sections. Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seal sections may overlap the adjacent second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and first seal sections.

The access assembly may further include a retainer assembly including upper and lower retainer members. At least one of the upper and lower retainer members may include a plurality of pins receivable through the guard assembly and seal assembly for retaining the guard and seal assemblies relative to each other. The centering mechanism may include a bellows.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to that portion of the instrument, or component thereof which is farther from the user while the term "proximal" refers to that portion of the instrument or component thereof which is closer to the user.

Access assemblies with obturators are employed during minimally invasive surgery, e.g., laparoscopic surgery, and provide for the sealed access of surgical instruments into an insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The access assemblies of the present disclosure include an instrument valve housing mounted on a cannula tube, and include an obturator (not shown) inserted through the valve housing and cannula. The obturator can have a blunt distal end, or a bladed or non-bladed penetrating distal end and can be used to incise the abdominal wall so that the access assembly can be introduced into the abdomen. The handle of the obturator can engage or selectively lock into the instrument valve housing of the access assembly.

Access assemblies are employed to tunnel through an anatomical structure, e.g., the abdominal wall, either by making a new passage through the anatomical structure or by passing through an existing opening through the anatomical structure. Once the trocar assembly with the obturator has tunneled through the anatomical structure, the obturator is removed, leaving the access assembly in place. The instrument valve housing of the access assembly includes valves that prevent the escape of insufflation gases from the body cavity, while also allowing surgical instruments to be inserted into the cavity.

In various embodiments, a bladeless optical trocar obturator may be provided that permits separation of tissue planes in a surgical procedure and visualization of body tissue fibers as they are being separated, thereby permitting a controlled traversal across a body wall. In other embodiments, the trocar obturator may be bladeless without being optical, e.g., without providing contemporaneous visualization thereof through the distal tip of an obturator. The bladeless obturator may be provided for the blunt dissection of the abdominal lining during a surgical procedure.

Various trocar obturators suitable for use with the access assembly of the present disclosure are known and include, for example, bladed, bladeless, blunt, optical, and non-optical. For a detailed description of the structure and function of exemplary trocar assemblies, including exemplar trocar obturators and exemplar cannulas, please refer to commonly owned <CIT> ("the '<NUM> publication").

With initial reference now to <FIG>, an access assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown generally as access assembly <NUM>. The access assembly <NUM> includes a cannula <NUM> and an instrument valve housing <NUM> secured to the cannula <NUM>. For a detailed description of an exemplary access assembly, please refer to the '<NUM> publication.

With reference to <FIG>, the instrument valve housing <NUM> of the access assembly <NUM> includes an upper housing section <NUM>, a lower housing section <NUM>, and an inner housing section <NUM>. The upper, lower, and inner housing sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to support a valve assembly <NUM> on a proximal end of the cannula <NUM>. More particularly, the inner housing section <NUM> is secured between the upper and lower housing sections <NUM>, <NUM>, and the valve assembly <NUM> is received between the inner and lower housing sections <NUM>, <NUM>. The upper and lower housing section <NUM>, <NUM> of the instrument valve housing <NUM> may be selectively attachable to, and detachable from, the inner housing section <NUM>. The lower housing section <NUM> may be releasably or permanently attached to a cannula tube <NUM> (<FIG>) of the access assembly <NUM>. In embodiments, either or both of the upper and lower housing sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the instrument valve housing <NUM> may include knurls, indentations, tabs, or be otherwise configured to facilitate engagement by a clinician.

The access assembly <NUM> may also include features for the stabilization of the access assembly. For example, the distal end of the cannula tube <NUM> may carry a balloon anchor or another expandable member that engages the abdomen from the interior side. For example, see commonly owned <CIT>. A feature on the opposite side of the abdominal wall may be used to further stabilize the access assembly, such as adhesive tabs or adjustable foam collars.

The upper, lower, and inner housing sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the instrument valve housing <NUM> define a longitudinal passage <NUM> for receipt of a surgical instrument (not shown). The valve assembly <NUM> is supported within the instrument valve housing <NUM> to provide sealed passage of the surgical instrument through the access assembly <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve assembly <NUM> supported in the instrument valve housing <NUM> (<FIG>) includes a centering mechanism <NUM>, a guard assembly <NUM>, a seal assembly <NUM>, and a retainer assembly <NUM>. The centering mechanism <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> permits radial movement of the valve assembly <NUM> relative to the instrument valve housing <NUM> when a surgical instrument is received through the valve assembly <NUM>, and returns the valve assembly <NUM> to a generally centered position once the surgical instrument is withdrawn from within the instrument valve housing <NUM>. The guard assembly <NUM> protects the seal assembly <NUM> during insertion and withdrawal of a surgical instrument through the seal assembly <NUM>. The seal assembly <NUM> provides sealed passage of the surgical instrument through the instrument valve housing <NUM>. The retainer assembly <NUM> maintains the centering mechanism <NUM>, the guard assembly <NUM>, and the seal assembly <NUM> in an aligned relationship with one another.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, as noted above, the centering mechanism <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> is configured to maintain the valve assembly <NUM> centered within the instrument valve housing <NUM> (<FIG>). In embodiments, and as shown, the centering mechanism <NUM> includes an outer annular ring <NUM>, an inner annular ring <NUM>, and a bellows <NUM> disposed between the outer annular ring <NUM> and the inner annular ring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the outer annular ring <NUM> is received between the inner housing section <NUM> and the lower housing section <NUM> to retain the centering mechanism <NUM> within the instrument valve housing <NUM>. The inner annular ring <NUM> supports the seal assembly <NUM>. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary centering mechanism, please refer to commonly owned <CIT> ("the `<NUM> patent").

Although shown including the centering mechanism <NUM> having bellows <NUM>, the valve assembly <NUM> may include alternative centering mechanisms. For example, the centering mechanism may include an annular base and a plurality of spokes extending from the base, as described in commonly owned <CIT> ("the `<NUM> publication"). It is envisioned that the centering mechanism may include multiple sets of spokes, as disclosed in the `<NUM> publication.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the guard assembly <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> includes a ring portion <NUM> and first, second, third, and fourth petals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The guard assembly <NUM> may be formed from a sheet of plastic/polymeric material by stamping with a tool that forms the ring portion <NUM> and the petals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Alternatively, the guard assembly <NUM> may be formed by molding or other techniques. It is envisioned that the guard assembly may include any number of petals, and the petals may include flap portions of any size or configuration. See, for example, <CIT> and <CIT> ("the `<NUM> and `<NUM> Patents"), and <CIT>, for exemplary guard assemblies, as well as other aspects of access assemblies. For a detailed description of the structure and function of exemplary guard assemblies, please refer to commonly owned U. ##/###,#### (Atty. Docket No. C00019509(<NUM>-<NUM>)), <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM> (Atty. Docket No. A0000135US01(<NUM>-<NUM>)) and ##/###,####, (Atty. Docket No. C00017498US01(<NUM>-<NUM>)).

With particular reference now to <FIG>, the seal assembly <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> is configured to provide a seal around an outer surface of a surgical instrument (not shown) passing through the instrument valve housing <NUM> (<FIG>).

The seal assembly <NUM> includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth petals or sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> movable from a first or unfolded configuration (<FIG>) to folded configuration (<FIG>). In the folded configuration, the seal assembly <NUM> forms a substantially planar, hexagonal member, with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> defining an opening <NUM> therebetween to facilitate sealed passage of a surgical instrument (not shown) through the seal assembly <NUM>. In embodiments, the opening <NUM> is <NUM>" to <NUM>" in diameter. By forming the opening <NUM> out of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> instead of as a continuous solid opening through as single seal member, the likelihood of the seal assembly <NUM> tearing during insertion, removal, and use of a surgical instrument therethrough is greatly reduced. Although shown including six (<NUM>) sections, it is envisioned that the seal assembly <NUM> may include as few as four (<NUM>) sections, and as many as eight (<NUM>) sections.

The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> are formed of an elastic material, e.g., rubber, polyisoprenes, or silicone elastomers. In embodiments, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include one or more fabric layers.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM>, the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM>, the third and fourth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, the fourth and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, and the fifth and sixth section <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to one another by a connector portion 162a, 164a, 166a, 168a, 170a, respectively. In embodiments, the connector portions 162a, 164a, 166a, 168a, 170a include a living hinge, or are otherwise formed to facilitate folding of the sections.

An inner edge 162b, 164b, 166b, 168b, 170b, 172b of the respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> may be straight (<FIG>), or may define a V-shape (<FIG>). In embodiments, the V-shape defines an angle between one-hundred eighty degrees (<NUM>°) and two-hundred seventy-five degrees (<NUM>°). The V-shape of the inner edges 162b, 164b, 166b, 168b, 170b facilitates reception of a surgical instrument (not shown) through the seal assembly <NUM>.

Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> includes a wing-shaped body that is configured to partially overlap the respective connected second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> when the seal assembly <NUM> is in the folded configuration. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are also configured to partially overlap the respective adjacent third, fourth, fifth, sixth, first, and second sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the respective adjacent sixth, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the first section <NUM> overlaps the connected second section <NUM>, and the adjacent third and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>. In this manner, a portion of each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> overlaps three sections.

Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> defines a plurality of openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> along an outer perimeter of each section <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In embodiments, and as shown, the plurality of openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged such the first and last two openings of each plurality of openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> align with the last and first two openings of the adjacent sections. For example, as noted above, the first section <NUM> overlaps the connected second section <NUM> and the adjacent third and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>. In this manner, the first two openings 163a of the plurality of openings <NUM> align with last two openings 167b of the plurality of openings <NUM> in the third section <NUM>, and the second two openings 163b of the plurality of openings <NUM> in the first section <NUM> align with the first two openings <NUM> of the plurality of openings <NUM> of the sixth section when the seal assembly <NUM> is in the folded configuration.

The plurality of openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to receive pins <NUM> (<FIG>) of the retainer assembly <NUM> to maintain the seal assembly <NUM> in the folded condition and to secure the seal assembly <NUM> relative to the guard assembly <NUM> and the centering mechanism <NUM>.

The method of folding the seal assembly <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. Referring initially to <FIG>, the first section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is folded relative to the second section <NUM> at the hinge portion 162a between the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM>, as indicated by arrow "A", such that a portion of the first section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 162a aligns with the portion of the second section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 162a. In this manner, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the portion of the first section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 162a aligns with the plurality of openings <NUM> in the overlapping portion of the second section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portions 162a.

Turning to <FIG>, the second section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is folded relative to the third section <NUM> at the hinge portion 164a between the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM>, as indicated by arrow "B", such that a portion of the second section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 164a overlaps the length of the portion of the third section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 164a. In this manner, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the portion of the second section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 164a aligns with the plurality of openings <NUM> in the overlapping portion of the third section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portions 164a.

Referring to <FIG>, the third section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is folded relative to the fourth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> at the hinge portion 166a between the third and fourth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, as indicated by arrow "C", such that the portion of the third section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 166a overlaps the portion of the fourth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 166a. In this manner, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the portion of the third section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 166a aligns with the plurality of openings <NUM> in the overlapping portion of the fourth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portions 166a.

With reference to <FIG>, the fourth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is folded relative to the fifth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> at the hinge portion 168a between the fourth and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, as indicated by arrow "D", such that the portion of the fourth section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 168a overlaps the portion of the fifth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 168a. In this manner, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the portion of the fourth section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 168a aligns with the plurality of openings <NUM> in the overlapping portion of the fifth section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 168a.

Turning to <FIG>, the fifth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is folded relative to the sixth section <NUM> at the hinge portion 170a between the fifth and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, as indicated by arrow "E", such that the portion of the fifth section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 170a overlaps the portion of the sixth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 170a. In this manner, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the portion of the fifth section <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 170a aligns with the plurality of openings <NUM> in the overlapping portion of the sixth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> adjacent the hinge portion 170a.

In embodiments, a portion of the sixth section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> is inserted under the first section <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> to interweave the first and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>. This interweaving increases the integrity of the seal assembly <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the retainer assembly <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> is configured to secure the guard assembly <NUM> relative to the seal assembly <NUM>, and secure the guard and seal assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> to the centering mechanism <NUM>. The retainer assembly <NUM> includes the upper retainer member <NUM>, and a lower retainer member <NUM>.

As noted above, the upper retainer member <NUM> includes a plurality of pins <NUM>. The plurality of pins <NUM> extend from a bottom surface of the upper retainer member <NUM>. Each pin of the plurality of pins <NUM> is configured to be lockingly received within an opening of a plurality of openings <NUM> (<FIG>) of the lower retainer member <NUM>. In embodiments, the plurality of pins <NUM> is welded, glued, adhered, bonded or otherwise secured within the plurality of openings <NUM> in the lower retainer member <NUM> to secure the upper retainer member <NUM> and the lower retainer member <NUM> together. Alternatively, the lower retainer member <NUM> may instead, or additionally, include a plurality of pins (not shown) with the upper retainer member <NUM> defining a plurality corresponding openings (not shown). Either or both of the upper and lower retainer members <NUM>, <NUM> may include locking features (not shown) for engaging the plurality of pins and securing the upper retainer member <NUM> to the lower retainer member <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the plurality of pins <NUM> of the upper retainer member <NUM> extend through the ring portion <NUM> of the guard assembly <NUM>, through the seal assembly <NUM>, through the inner annular ring <NUM> of the centering mechanism <NUM>, and into the openings <NUM> in the lower retainer member <NUM>.

During a surgical procedure utilizing access assembly <NUM>, a surgical instrument (not shown) is introduced into the instrument valve housing <NUM> through the longitudinal passage <NUM> in the upper, lower, and inner housing sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As described in the `<NUM> and '<NUM> Patents, the distal end of the surgical instrument engages the petals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) of the guard assembly <NUM> causing the respective petals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to flex downward into contact with the seal assembly <NUM> to cause the central opening <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> to open to accommodate passage of the surgical instrument through the seal assembly. The guard assembly <NUM> minimizes damage to the seal assembly <NUM> during insertion of an instrument through the valve assembly <NUM>. The guard assembly <NUM> operates to protect the seal <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> from tearing or other damage as a surgical instrument is received through and withdrawn from the seal assembly <NUM>. As discussed above, the multi-petal configuration of the seal assembly <NUM> reduces the likelihood of the seal assembly <NUM> tearing during insertion and/or removal of the surgical instrument therethrough.

With reference now to <FIG>, a seal assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as seal assembly <NUM>. The seal assembly <NUM> is substantially similar to the seal assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) described hereinabove, and will only be described in detail as relates to the differences therebetween.

The seal assembly <NUM> is configured to provide a seal around an outer surface of a surgical instrument (not shown) passing through the instrument valve housing <NUM> (<FIG>). The seal assembly <NUM> includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth petals or sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> foldable from a first or unfolded configuration (<FIG>) to folded configuration (<FIG>). In the folded configuration the seal assembly <NUM> forms a substantially planar, hexagonal member, with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> defining an opening <NUM> therebetween to facilitate sealed passage of a surgical instrument (not shown) through the seal assembly <NUM>.

An inner edge 262b, 264b, 266b, 268b, 270b, 272b of the respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the seal assembly <NUM> are tapered. The tapered inner edge 262b, 266b, 270b of the first, third, and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, is disposed on a first surface <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' (<FIG>) of the respective first, third, and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> sections, and the tapered inner edge 264b, 268b, 272b of the second, fourth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, is disposed on a second surface <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>" of the respective first, third, and fifth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> sections. The tapered inner edge 262b, 264b, 266b, 268b, 270b, 272b of the respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> facilitates sealed receipt of a surgical instrument through the opening <NUM> in the seal assembly <NUM>.

The seal assembly <NUM> is secured within the instrument valve housing <NUM> (<FIG>) in a similar manner to seal assembly <NUM> (FIGS. described hereinabove. The seal assembly <NUM> operates in a similar manner to seal assembly <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An access assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
an instrument valve housing (<NUM>) including upper, lower, and inner housing sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and defining a cavity; and
a valve assembly (<NUM>) disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing (<NUM>), the valve assembly (<NUM>) including:
a guard assembly (<NUM>) including a plurality of guard sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
a seal assembly (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the guard assembly (<NUM>), the seal assembly (<NUM>) including a plurality of seal sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the plurality of seal sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being movable from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration in which the seal assembly (<NUM>) forms a hexagonal member defining an opening (<NUM>) to facilitate sealed passage of a surgical instrument; and
a centering mechanism (<NUM>) for maintaining the seal assembly (<NUM>) and guard assembly (<NUM>) centered within the cavity of the instrument valve (<NUM>).