Patent ID: 7112185

Claim:
A trocar seal adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, comprising: a housing having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and forming a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument; an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the housing across the working channel; portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument; and at least one structure formed integrally with or proximate to the septum seal to prevent inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument; wherein the structure is integrally formed on the proximal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal.