US Patent 8343047 Surgical instrument access device

Embodiments of an access device system useful for single or limited port procedures includes a retractor and a gel cap removably coupled to the retractor. The gel cap includes a gel pad that acts as an artificial body wall, through which instruments may be inserted into a body cavity, either directly or through one or more trocars. The gel pad permits flexible instrument placement, as well as translational and angular degrees of freedom for the instruments while maintaining a gas tight seal.