Wound retractor device

• US 20050197537A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Original Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Inventors: Vaugh, Trevor, Bonadio, Frank, Butler, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3482 inside

Abstract

A wound retractor device (1) comprises a distal ring member (2) for insertion into a wound opening (3), a proximal ring member (4) for location externally of the wound opening (3), and four strap members (5) extending between the proximal ring member (4) and the distal ring member (2). The four separate strap members (5) are axially movable relative to the distal ring member (2) and relative to the proximal ring member (4). The distal ring member (2) comprises four slots (6), with each strap member (5) positioned extending through a slot (6). The slots (6) thus act as passageways through which the strap members (5) may extend, and in this manner the slots (6) guide movement of the strap members (5) relative to the distal ring member (2). The proximal ring member (4) also comprises four slots (7) which act as passageways to guide movement of the strap members (5) relative to the proximal ring member (4). In use, the distal ring member (2) is inserted into the wound opening (3), and the proximal ring member (4) is located externally of the wound opening (3). The second end (10) of each strap member (5) is then gripped, and a pulling force is exerted to retract laterally the sides of the wound opening (3).

Claims

1. A wound retractor device comprising:

a distal member for insertion into a wound opening;

a proximal member for location externally of the wound opening; and

a connecting member extending at least between the distal member and the proximal member;

at least part of the connecting member being movable relative to the proximal member to shorten the length of the connecting member located between the distal member and the proximal member and thereby retract laterally the sides of the wound opening.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises at least one strap member.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises two or more strap members.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein a first strap member is separate from a second strap member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein a first strap member is attached to a second strap member.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises a sleeve member.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sleeve member attaches the first strap member to the second strap member.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first strap member extends from the sleeve member in a first direction, and the second strap member extends from the sleeve member in the first direction.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sum of the circumferential dimensions of the strap members is substantially equal to the circumferential dimension of the sleeve member.

10. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the strap member is attached to an end of the sleeve member.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first strap member is attached to a first end of the sleeve member, and the second strap member is attached to the first end of the sleeve member.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the connecting member is axially movable relative to the proximal member.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the connecting member is movable relative to the proximal member in a lateral direction.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least part of the connecting member is movable relative to the proximal member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the connecting member is movable relative to the proximal member in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the connecting member is slidably movable relative to the proximal member.

17. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a guide to guide movement of the connecting member relative to the proximal member.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the guide comprises a passageway through which the connecting member is extendable.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the passageway is provided by a slot in the proximal member.

20. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein a longitudinal axis of the passageway is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

21. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein a longitudinal axis of the passageway is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

22. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member is movable relative to the distal member.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the device comprises a guide to guide movement of the connecting member relative to the distal member.

24. A device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the guide comprises a passageway through which the connecting member is extendable.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the passageway is provided by a slot in the distal member.

26. A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein a longitudinal axis of the passageway is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

27. A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein a longitudinal axis of the passageway is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a wound opening.

28. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member extends between the distal member and the proximal member in a double layer.

29. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member is looped around at least part of the distal member.

30. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first end of the connecting member is fixed relative to the proximal member.

31. A device as claimed in claim 30 wherein a second end of the connecting member is movable relative to the proximal member.

32. A device as claimed in claim 31 wherein the connecting member extends from the first end distally to the distal member in a first layer, and extends from the distal member proximally to the second end in a second layer, the second layer being radially outwardly of the first layer.

33. A device as claimed in claim 31 wherein the connecting member extends from the first end distally to the distal member in a first layer, and extends from the distal member proximally to the second end in a second layer, the second layer being radially inwardly of the first layer.

34. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is configured to self-lock the connecting member in position relative to the proximal member.

35. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member is fixed relative to the distal member.

36. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member extends between the distal member and the proximal member in a single layer.

37. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the connecting member is grippable to move at least part of the connecting member relative to the proximal member.

38. A device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the grippable part of the connecting member is configured to be located externally of a wound opening.

39. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a lock to releasably lock the connecting member in position relative to the proximal member.

40. A device as claimed in claim 39 wherein the lock comprises a male protrusion for co-operating engagement with a female recess.

41. A device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the proximal member comprises the male protrusion, and the connecting member comprises the female recess.

42. A device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the lock comprises a plurality of female recesses.

43. A device as claimed in claim 39 wherein the lock comprises an engagement member releasably fixable to the connecting member to engage against the proximal member.

44. A device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the engagement member comprises a clamp.

45. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a protector to protect a retracted wound opening.

46. A device as claimed in claim 45 wherein the protector comprises a sleeve member to line a retracted wound opening.

47. A device as claimed in claim 46 wherein the sleeve member is mounted to the distal member.

48. A device as claimed in claim 47 wherein a first end of the sleeve member is fixed to the distal member and a second end of the sleeve member is configured for location externally of a wound opening.

49. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the proximal member comprises a ring.

50. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal member comprises a ring.

51. A device as claimed in claim 49 wherein the ring is substantially circular.

52. A device as claimed in claim 49 wherein the ring is substantially square-shaped.

53. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises a plurality of strap members spaced around the circumference of the proximal member and/or the distal member.

54. A method of retracting a wound opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wound retractor device comprising a distal member, a proximal member, and a connecting member extending at least between the distal member and the proximal member;

inserting the distal member into the wound opening, and locating the proximal member externally of the wound opening; and

moving at least part of the connecting member relative to the proximal member to shorten the length of the connecting member located between the distal member and the proximal member and thereby retract laterally the sides of the wound opening.

55. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least part of the connecting member is moved axially relative to the proximal member.

56. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least part of the connecting member is moved relative to the proximal member in a lateral direction.

57. A method as claimed in claim 56 wherein at least part of the connecting member is moved relative to the proximal member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wound opening.

58. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least part of the connecting member is moved relative to the proximal member in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wound opening.

59. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least part of the connecting member is slidably moved relative to the proximal member.

60. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the method comprises the steps of gripping at least part of the connecting member and exerting a force on the connecting member to move at least part of the connecting member relative to the proximal member.

61. A method as claimed in claim 60 wherein the method comprises the step of releasing the connecting member after lateral retraction of the sides of the wound opening.

62. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the method comprises the step of guiding movement of the connecting member relative to the proximal member.

63. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the method comprises the step of moving the connecting member relative to the distal member.

64. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the method comprises the step of guiding movement of the connecting member relative the distal member.

65. A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the connecting member is locked in position relative to the proximal member after lateral retraction of the sides of the wound opening.

66. A method as claimed in claim 65 wherein the wound retractor device self-locks the connecting member in position relative to the proximal member.

67. A method as claimed in claim 65 wherein the method comprises the step of releasably locking the connecting member in position relative to the proximal member.

68. A method as claimed in claim 67 wherein the connecting member is releasably locked in position relative to the proximal member by engaging a male protrusion with a female recess.

69. A method as claimed in claim 67 wherein the connecting member is releasably locked in position relative to the proximal member by fixing an engagement member to the connecting member, and engaging the engagement member against the proximal member.

70. A method as claimed in claim 55 wherein the method comprises the step of protecting the retracted wound opening.

71. A method as claimed in claim 70 wherein the method comprises the step of locating a protector between the connecting member and the sides of wound opening.

72. A method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the step of locating the protector between the connecting member and the sides of the wound opening is performed after the distal member is inserted into the wound opening.

73. A method as claimed in claim 72 wherein the protector is inserted into the wound opening with the distal member.

74. A method as claimed in claim 73 wherein the protector is retrieved from within the wound opening to locate the protector between the connecting member and the sides of the wound opening.