Retractor

• US 8,986,202 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Original Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Inventors: Butler, John, Young, Derek William, Reid, Alan, Bonadio, Frank, Gill, Aoibbhean
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramana, Anu
• Application Number:
  US13/205,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 600204-210, 128/849, 128/856
• US Class Current: 600/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 2017/00265 Hand assisted surgery, i.e. minimally invasive surgery with at least part of an assisting hand inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0225 flexible, e.g. fabrics, meshes, or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3419 Sealing means between cannula and body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3429 having a unitary compressible body, e.g. made of silicone or foam
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

A retractor (101) for retracting the margins of a wound opening (103) comprises an inner anchoring O-ring (105) attached to a cylindrical sleeve (106) at a distal end and a reinforcing O-ring (109) attached to a proximal end of the sleeve (106). The sleeve (106) is led between an inner ring part (110) and a corresponding recess (116) in an outer ring part (111). The outer ring part (111) has anchor formations (120) over which the proximal end of the sleeve (106) is attached to anchor the sleeve (106). To retract the wound opening (103) the sleeve (106) is pulled while the guide rings (110, 111) are moved against the tissue surrounding the wound opening (103). This pulls the inner O-ring (105) against the inside of the tissue adjacent the wound opening (103), and retracts the wound opening (103). The sleeve (106) is manipulated locally for maximum retraction efficiency.

Claims

1. A method of carrying out a procedure through a natural body orifice, comprising:

coupling an access device to the natural body orifice, including

inserting a distal ring through the natural body orifice, the distal ring having a retractor sleeve coupled thereto,

positioning the retractor sleeve so that the retractor sleeve extends from the distal ring to outside the natural body orifice and against lateral sides of the natural body orifice, the retractor sleeve being coupled to a proximal ring,

positioning the proximal ring outside the natural body orifice to assist in retracting the natural body orifice; and

coupling a valve to the proximal ring outside the natural body orifice.

2. The method of claim 1, further including accessing a body cavity at a distal side of the natural body orifice from outside the natural body orifice through an opening of the valve.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve includes a ring, and a valve element supported by the ring.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural body orifice includes one of an anus and a vagina.

5. A method of carrying out a procedure through a natural body orifice, comprising:

coupling an access device to the natural body orifice, including

inserting a distal ring through the natural body orifice, the distal ring having a retractor sleeve coupled thereto,

positioning the retractor sleeve so that the retractor sleeve extends from the distal ring to outside the natural body orifice and against lateral sides of the natural body orifice, the retractor sleeve being coupled to a proximal ring at a proximal end of the access device,

positioning the proximal ring outside the natural body orifice;

adjusting an amount of retractor sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring to retract the lateral sides of the natural body orifice with the retractor sleeve; and

coupling a valve to the proximal end of the access device outside the natural body orifice.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the amount of retractor sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring includes decreasing the amount of retractor sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the amount of retractor sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring includes drawing a portion of the retractor sleeve around a portion of the proximal ring.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein drawing the portion of the retractor sleeve around the portion of the proximal ring includes looping the portion of the retractor sleeve around the portion of the proximal ring.

9. The method of claim 5, further including maintaining retraction of the lateral sides of the natural body orifice with the retractor sleeve by exerting a force against a side of the retractor sleeve with the proximal ring.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the valve to the proximal end of the access device includes mounting the valve on the proximal ring by engaging a side of the retractor sleeve and the proximal ring with the valve.

11. The method of claim 5, further including accessing a body cavity at a distal side of the natural body orifice from outside the natural body orifice through an opening of the valve.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the valve to the proximal end of the access device includes mounting the valve on the proximal ring by inserting the proximal ring into a recess of the valve.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the valve includes a ring, and a valve element supported by the ring.

14. A method of carrying out a procedure through a natural body orifice, comprising:

coupling an access device to the natural body orifice, including

inserting a distal ring through the natural body orifice, the distal ring having a retractor sleeve coupled thereto,

positioning the retractor sleeve so that the retractor sleeve extends from the distal ring to outside the natural body orifice and against lateral sides of the natural body orifice, the retractor sleeve being coupled to a proximal ring,

positioning the proximal ring outside the natural body orifice to assist in retracting the natural body orifice; and

coupling a valve to the proximal ring outside the natural body orifice, wherein coupling the valve to the proximal ring includes mounting the valve on the proximal ring by inserting the proximal ring into a recess of the valve.