Patent ID: 7163525

Claim:
A seal for use in conjunction with a trocar assembly, comprising: a circumferential flange having a seal body extending therefrom, the seal body being adapted for selectively opening and closing to seal an opening of the trocar assembly when an instrument is not passed therethrough, wherein the seal body includes an upper surface; a protector adjacent the seal body for protecting the seal body from instruments passing through the seal body; the protector including: at least one flap positioned above the seal body and mounted for pivotal movement, the flap including an inner edge located generally toward a center of the seal and an outer edge mounted to a support member which maintains the flap in a position above the seal body, wherein the flap is shaped and dimensioned such that the majority of the upper surface of the seal body is covered by the outline of the flap so as to protect the upper surface of the seal body from an instrument passing therethrough: wherein the instrument contacts the protector during insertion of the instrument forcing an underside of the flap into contact with the seal body in a manner forcing the seal body to an open configuration, this results in a transfer of force from the instrument to the protector to the seal body to open the seal body prior to direct contact with the instrument to thereby reduce direct contact between the instrument and the seal body and minimize a likelihood for tearing, and wherein the instrument first contacts the protector and then the seal body during insertion.