Patent ID: 7413559

Claim:
An access device for introducing surgical instruments into a body cavity comprising: a) an outer tubular member having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the outer tubular member having a proximal housing associated therewith; and b) an inner tubular member having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the inner tubular member having a proximal flange at a proximal end thereof which is seated within the proximal housing of the outer tubular member so as to define a plenum chamber within the proximal housing of the outer tubular member above the proximal flange of the inner tubular member, wherein the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with an annular nozzle configured to direct pressurized fluid in an axial direction from the plenum chamber into a central bore of the inner tubular member to provide a constant gaseous seal around a surgical instrument inserted through the central bore of the inner tubular member while simultaneously preventing a loss of pressurized fluid from the body cavity through the central bore of the inner tubular member, and wherein the plenum chamber is adapted and configured to receive pressurized fluid and conduct the pressurized fluid to the annular nozzle.