A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access member having a passageway therethrough and first and second seal members mounted across the passageway. The first seal includes an inner seal portion and an outer seal portion. The inner seal portion has an aperture for substantial sealed reception of an object inserted therein and is arranged about a first seal axis. The outer seal portion includes at least one expansible rib dimensioned to facilitate movement of the aperture to a displaced position radially displaced from the first seal axis upon insertion of the object therethrough. The second seal member also has an inner portion defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the object and is arranged about a second seal axis radially displaced from the first seal axis. Preferably, the apertures of the first and second seal members are in non-overlapping relation in the absence of the object positioned therein. The first seal member is adapted to move to the displaced position upon insertion of the object therethrough whereby the apertures of the first seal member and the second seal member overlap. The first and second seal members are preferably adapted to form a substantial seal within the passageway of the access member in the absence of the object inserted within the aperture of the first member. The outer seal portion of the first seal member may include a plurality of expansible ribs. The expansible ribs may be are arranged along respective lines of intersection with the axis of the first seal member.
