A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is
provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and
dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and
defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient
material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured
and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the
aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to
resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a
substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative
to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to
reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation
inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane
prepared by plasma polymerization process.