A surgical portal assembly (10) includes a portal adapted to provide access to underlying tissue and having a longitudinal opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the portal, and defining proximal and distal ends, and a seal (104). The seal comprises a gel material (122,302,402,502,602,702,802) and a fabric material (126,128,304,404,406,504,506,604,606,708,710,804) mounted relative to the gel material. The seal includes internal surfaces (124) defining a passage for reception and passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. A fabric layer may be mounted adjacent each of proximal and distal surfaces of the seal. The internal surfaces defining the passage of the seal may include the gel material whereby the gel material establishes the sealed relation with the surgical object. The seal includes an inner seal segment which may generally taper in a distal direction to define a general funnel configuration. Alternatively, the seal includes an inner seal segment which defines a general sloped portion to facilitate insertion of the surgical object and possibly minimize potential of inversion of the inner seal area upon withdrawal of the surgical object. The seal may include at least one support collar (120a,120b) mounted adjacent a periphery of the seal element. The seal may further include an elastomeric material (704) having a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the gel material.
