Apparatus for providing access for a surgical procedure

An apparatus for providing surgical access to a body cavity of a living animal through an access port inserted in a wall of the body cavity, the apparatus comprising:

• a collapsible volume having an opening for sealingly receiving a surgical apparatus;
• and
• an access coupler disposed at a distal end of the collapsible volume, the access coupler being operably configured to sealingly couple to an opening in the access port to place the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity, wherein the collapsible volume is operably configured to collapse to permit the surgical apparatus to be inserted through the access coupler into the body cavity,
• wherein the access port comprises an access valve disposed to close the opening in the access port prior to the access coupler sealingly coupling to the opening.