#$%^&*AU2008202298B220130704.pdf#####ACCESS APPARATUS WITH SHALLOW ZERO CLOSURE VALVE ABSTRACT A surgical access assembly (100) for use with a surgical access device (10) includes a housing (102) defining a central longitudinal axis, an elongate access member 5 extending from the housing (102) whereby the housing (102) and the access member having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument, an instrument seal disposed within the housing and being adapted to establish a substantial fluid tight seal about the instrument and a zero closure valve mounted relative to the housing and being adapted to assume an open condition upon passage of the surgical 10 instrument and a substantially closed position in the absence of the instrument. The zero closure valve (220) includes a valve periphery and first and second lips (230) depending from the valve periphery. The first and second lips (230) have lip edge surfaces (236) in juxtaposed relation to define a slit (234) when the valve (220) is in the closed position thereof. At least one of the lips (230) has a general arcuate internal lip surface leading to is the lip edge surface (236) to define a sloping configuration dimensioned to facilitate passage of the surgical instrument through the valve. Each of the first and second lips (230) may define a general arcuate lip surface. In one embodiment, the internal arcuate lip surface of each of the first and second lips (230) includes an outer surface portion arranged at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal housing (102) and an 20 inner surface portion arranged at a second angle relative to longitudinal axis and being different from the first angle. The first angle is greater than the second angle.C3/1 CZ5 CM~ QOU cc
