Access assembly with multi-flapper design

1. A surgical portal apparatus for permitting access to a tissue site, which comprises:

a portal member dimensioned for positioning within body tissue and defining a longitudinal axis, the portal member having a longitudinal passageway therethrough providing access to a tissue site, the portal member having a valve mount defining a major opening in communication with the longitudinal passageway;

a primary valve mounted to the portal member, the primary valve adapted to move between a first position to substantially seal the major opening of the valve mount, and a second position displaced from the major opening to permit passage of a relatively broad surgical instrument through the major opening, the primary valve defining a minor opening dimensioned to receive a relatively narrow instrument;

a secondary valve mounted to the portal member, the secondary valve adapted to move relative to the primary valve between an initial position substantially sealing the minor opening of the primary valve, and an actuated position displaced from the minor opening to permit passage of the narrow instrument and

a lock member adapted to prevent the primary valve from opening upon introduction of the narrow instrument, the lock member including a disengagement surface biased radially inward for engaging the broad instrument such that the lock member is displaced against its bias to permit the primary valve to open to permit passage of the broad instrument.

2. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing coupled to a proximal end of the portal member, the valve mount coupled to the housing.

3. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a septum seal disposed proximally with respect to the primary valve, the septum seal adapted for engaging an instrument and forming a seal therewith.

4. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the primary valve and the secondary valve are normally biased to their respective first and initial positions such that a fluid-tight seal is maintained across the passageway in the absence of an instrument.

5. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the primary valve and the secondary valve is adapted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

6. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the major valve is radially segmented such that a plurality of segments are disposed about the major opening, each segment adapted to pivot about an independent axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the passageway.

7. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the major valve is bifurcated to include two radial segments.

8. The surgical portal apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the major valve is trifurcated to include three radial segments.

9. A cannula seal comprising:

a valve mount for mounting the cannula seal across a passageway through a cannula defining a longitudinal axis;

a primary valve for selectively sealing a major opening through the valve mount, the primary valve radially segmented to include a plurality of segments, each segment mounted pivotally about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cannula and movable to move the primary valve between a first position and a second position, the plurality of segments arranged so as to define a minor opening through the primary valve when in the first position;

a secondary valve for selectively sealing the minor opening, the secondary valve coupled to at least one of the segments such that the secondary valve is displaced when the primary valve is moved between the first position and the second position; and

a lock member adapted to prevent the plurality of segments from pivoting upon introduction of the narrow instrument, the lock member including a disengagement surface biased radially inward for engaging the broad instrument such that the lock member is displaced against its bias to permit the plurality of segments to pivot to permit passage of the broad instrument.

10. The cannula seal according to claim 9 , further comprising a septum seal disposed proximally with respect to the primary valve, the septum seal adapted for engaging an instrument and forming a seal therewith.

11. The cannula seal according to claim 9 , wherein the lock member includes a catch that interfaces with at least two segments of the plurality of segments to prevent the plurality of segments from opening.

12. The cannula seal according to claim 9 , wherein the cannula seal includes a pair of lock members, the pair of lock members including opposing disengagement surfaces biased radially inward.

13. The cannula seal according to claim 9 , wherein the secondary valve is mounted pivotally about the axis about which at least one of the segments is pivotally mounted.

14. The cannula seal according to claim 13 , wherein the secondary valve is biased by a biasing member to an initial position to seal the minor opening.

15. A surgical portal apparatus for permitting access to a tissue site, which comprises:

a portal member dimensioned for positioning within body tissue and defining a longitudinal axis, the portal member having a longitudinal passageway therethrough providing access to a tissue site, the portal member having a valve mount defining a major opening in communication with the longitudinal passageway;

a primary valve mounted to the portal member, the primary valve adapted to move between a first position to substantially seal the major opening of the valve mount, and a second position displaced from the major opening, the primary valve defining a minor opening, the minor opening having an internal dimension less than a corresponding internal dimension of the major opening of the valve mount;

a secondary valve mounted to the portal member, the secondary valve adapted to move relative to the primary valve between an initial position substantially sealing the minor opening of the primary valve, and an actuated position displaced from the minor opening; and

a lock member adapted to prevent the primary valve from opening upon introduction of the narrow instrument, the lock member including a disengagement surface biased radially inward for engaging the broad instrument such that the lock member is displaced against its bias to permit the primary valve to open to permit passage of the broad instrument.