Patent ID: 8292854

Claim:
A surgical portal apparatus for permitting access to a tissue site, which comprises: a portal member dimensioned for positioning within body tissue, the portal member having a passageway for providing access to a tissue site and to permit introduction of a surgical object used in performing a surgical procedure adjacent the tissue site; and a portal seal mounted relative to the portal member and defining a seal axis, the portal seal including: a seal member having a first member and a second member, the first member including an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage to permit passage of the surgical object generally along the seal axis and being adapted to establish a substantial sealed relation with the surgical object, the second member including: a plurality of independent ribs mounted to the first member and being arranged about the seal axis, adjacent independent ribs being in radial spaced relation and having free ends spaced from the inner surface of the first member, the ribs including an outer surface defined between the ends of the ribs, the ribs being dimensioned and adapted to permit lateral movement of the surgical object, the outer surface of the ribs and the outer surface of the first member being exposed to form an outer surface of the seal member; and an outer annular element mounted to the first member and being indirectly connected to the plurality of independent ribs by a plurality of arms extending from the outer annular element.