a trocar containing a universal seal for sealing against surgical instruments of varying diameter to maintain insufflation in the body cavity is disclosed . the universal seal has an elastomeric sealing component with a centrally located interior region containing an aperture , and a concentrically located sealing region . the sealing region is composed of an integral laminate having an overlaying layer co - molded with an underlying layer . the overlaying layer has a hardness between about 40 shore a durometer scale and about 80 shore d durometer scale . the underlying layer has a hardness between about 5 shore a durometer scale and about 40 shore a durometer scale . the co - molded laminate balances the properties of tear resistance and elasticity which are necessary for a working universal seal , and does so without the need for resilient legs or protectors to facilitate the opening of the aperture of the seal or to prevent tearing when instruments are inserted .