Wound retractor with multi-segment outer ring
First Claim
1. A retractor/protector comprising:
- a flexible outer ring;
an inner ring;
a flexible sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end attached to the flexible outer ring and the distal end attached to the inner ring;
a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending through the flexible sheath from the flexible outer ring at a proximal end to the inner ring at a distal end; and
at least one rigid segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one rigid segment is adapted to detachably connect to a portion of the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the portion of the outer ring, and wherein portions of the flexible outer ring that are not directly connected to the at least one rigid segment do not have an increase in rigidity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A retractor/protector comprising:
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a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end attached to the flexible outer ring and the distal end attached to the inner ring; a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending through the flexible sheath from the flexible outer ring at a proximal end to the inner ring at a distal end; and at least one rigid segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one rigid segment is adapted to detachably connect to a portion of the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the portion of the outer ring, and wherein portions of the flexible outer ring that are not directly connected to the at least one rigid segment do not have an increase in rigidity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification