Universal access seal

1. A surgical access device operatively connected to a cannula having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:

a valve housing disposed at the proximal end of the cannula; and

an instrument receiving element mounted in the valve housing having an aperture for flexibly receiving and directing instruments having a wide range of diameters;

an end cap mounting the instrument receiving element and having a proximal end away from the proximal end of the cannula and a distal end coupled to the valve housing;

a zero-closure valve positioned within the valve housing;

wherein the instrument receiving element includes a mesh tube extending from the proximal end of the end cap and into a portion of the zero-closure valve.

2. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , further comprising an access septum seal disposed in the valve housing having a septum seal aperture.

3. The surgical access device recited in claim 2 , wherein the access septum seal is molded from a gel material.

4. The surgical access device recited in claim 3 , wherein the gel material extrudes through interstitial spaces of the instrument receiving element sealingly engaging an instrument while minimizing frictional contact between the instrument and the access septum seal.

5. The surgical access device recited in claim 3 , wherein the gel material is a composite material comprising mineral oil and a thermoplastic elastomer.

6. The surgical access device recited in claim 3 , wherein the gel material comprises a soft or low-durometer elastomeric material that is at least one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset.

7. The surgical access device recited in claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric material includes at least one of silicone, polyurethane, polyisoprene and Kraton.

8. The surgical access device recited in claim 3 , wherein the gel material comprises a closed cell foam material or an open cell foam material.

9. The surgical access device recited in claim 8 , wherein the foam material includes at least one of silicone, urethane, Kraton, polyethylene, polyisoprene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), Neoprene and styrene butadiene (SBR).

10. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the instrument receiving element includes a tubular braid.

11. The surgical access device recited in claim 10 , wherein the braid is coated with a material for reducing friction.

12. The surgical access device recited in claim 11 , wherein the coating includes any soft or low-durometer elastomeric material.

13. The surgical access device recited in claim 12 , wherein the elastomeric material includes at least one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset.

14. The surgical access device recited in claim 12 , wherein the elastomeric material includes at least one of silicone, polyurethane, polyisoprene and Kraton.

15. The surgical access device recited in claim 11 , wherein the coating includes at least one of hydrophilic polymer coating, Teflon (PTFE) coating, cyanoacrylate coating and Parylene coating.

16. The surgical access device recited in claim 11 , wherein the coated braid expands to form a seal around an outer surface of an instrument.

17. The surgical access device recited in claim 10 , wherein the braid is treated with at least one of plasma surface treatment and chlorination treatment for reducing friction during passage of instrumentation.

18. The surgical access device recited in claim 10 , wherein the braid further comprises braid elements.

19. The surgical access device recited in claim 18 , wherein the braid elements comprise a metal wire material including music wire, stainless steel and Nitinol.

20. The surgical access device recited in claim 18 , wherein the braid elements provide interstitial spaces between an inserted instrument and the braid.

21. The surgical access device recited in claim 20 , wherein the braid elements capture lubricants within the interstitial spaces to facilitate manipulation and exchange of instruments.

22. The surgical access device recited in claim 10 , wherein the braid comprises at least one of natural and synthetic monofilament thread materials including polyester, Kevlar, carbon fiber, Gore-Tex (expanded PTFE), Nomex, nylon, fiber glass, cotton, polypropylene and ceramic.

23. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the mesh tube includes a converging sidewall, a diverging sidewall and a center portion, the converging sidewall inwardly tapering at an angle to a center portion and the diverging sidewall outwardly extending at an angle from the center portion.

24. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the instrument receiving element is generally shaped like an hourglass.

25. The surgical access device recited in claim 24 , wherein the instrument receiving element includes a converging sidewall facilitating insertion of an instrument and a diverging sidewall facilitating removal of the instrument.

26. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the range of diameters is from about 3.5 mm to about 12.9 mm.

27. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , further comprising a zero-closure valve disposed in the valve housing.

28. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the valve housing further comprises means for manipulating the cannula to a preferred operative position.

29. The surgical access device recited in claim 28 , wherein the manipulating means includes finger tabs.

30. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , wherein the valve housing is configured as a hand-access port allowing passage of a user's hand or finger into a body conduit or cavity.

31. The surgical access device recited in claim 1 , further comprising a stopcock.

32. The trocar recited in claim 1 wherein one end of the mesh tube is fixed to the proximal end of the end cap and an opposing end of the mesh tube positioned within a portion of the zero-closure valve is unattached.