Surgical access device with pendent valve

A valve assembly adapted for disposition in a seal housing of a surgical access device, comprising:

• an elongate tube disposed within the seal housing and having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a flexible coupling for attaching the tube to the seal housing between the proximal end and the distal end of the tube;
• and
• a flexible coupling having properties facilitating flotation of the distal end of the tube relative to the seal housing in three dimensions.

A trocar adapted to receive an instrument along a working channel, the trocar comprising:

• a cannula having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
• a valve housing having a proximal end, and a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the cannula;
• a valve support having a distal end, and a proximal end coupled to the valve housing in proximity to the proximal end of the valve housing;
• a valve suspended by the valve support along the working channel in proximity to the distal end of the valve support, and in proximity to the distal end of the valve housing;
• and
• the valve support having a floating relationship with the valve housing so that the valve is free to swing in an angular relationship to the axis.