Patent ID: 7914496

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 first member comprising an elastomeric material and an 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, and a second member at least partially embedded within the first member, the second member including an at least partial outer annular element and a plurality of independent ribs indirectly connected to the at least partial outer annular element and extending inwardly toward the seal axis, adjacent independent ribs being in spaced relation and having free ends spaced from the inner surface of the first member, each independent rib being disjoined and free from direct interconnection with the other independent ribs, whereby the ribs are capable of movement during insertion of the surgical object independent of an adjacent rib, the independent ribs dimensioned and arranged to bias the surgical object in general alignment with the seal axis.