Minimally obstructive retractor for vaginal repairs
First Claim
1. A system, comprisinga minimally obstructive retractor having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, comprising:
- a central body portion,at least two wings,two hinges, each configured to affix a different one of the at least two wings to the central body portion, anda rachet mechanism that releasably locks the wings in an open position; and
an occluder affixed to the retractor,wherein the wings are rotatable about the hinges when moving from a closed to an open position;
wherein the at least one occluder is positioned underneath the canopy, at the distal end of the retractor, beyond the distal end of the retractor, or a combination thereof;
wherein the wings, the hinges, and the central body portion form a canopy that creates and only partially surrounds an interior space that is not surrounded by any other portion of the retractor when the wings are in the open position;
wherein no portion of the retractor obstructs any portion of the interior space formed by the canopy when the wings are in the open position,wherein the occluder is configured to at least partially occlude bodily fluid from entering into a volume formed by the at least two wings when spread apart and by tissue surrounding the spread wings, and/or at least to reduce bleeding of a uterus, cervix, and/or vagina.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This application presents minimally-obstructive and structurally-adjustable retractors for vaginal repairs, which afford an open work area of desirable size and enhanced visualization for a surgeon about the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall of the patient. The retractors may be lightweight and compact, and also configured and dimensioned to minimize slippage during use. The retractors may have occluders that may partially or substantially block or absorb fluids, for example, from or around the cervix. The retractors may incorporate built-in light sources. The retractors may retract the engorged labia of the postpartum patient as well as the vaginal walls. The retractor may also be used as a speculum.
172 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system, comprising
a minimally obstructive retractor having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, comprising: -
a central body portion, at least two wings, two hinges, each configured to affix a different one of the at least two wings to the central body portion, and a rachet mechanism that releasably locks the wings in an open position; and an occluder affixed to the retractor, wherein the wings are rotatable about the hinges when moving from a closed to an open position; wherein the at least one occluder is positioned underneath the canopy, at the distal end of the retractor, beyond the distal end of the retractor, or a combination thereof; wherein the wings, the hinges, and the central body portion form a canopy that creates and only partially surrounds an interior space that is not surrounded by any other portion of the retractor when the wings are in the open position; wherein no portion of the retractor obstructs any portion of the interior space formed by the canopy when the wings are in the open position, wherein the occluder is configured to at least partially occlude bodily fluid from entering into a volume formed by the at least two wings when spread apart and by tissue surrounding the spread wings, and/or at least to reduce bleeding of a uterus, cervix, and/or vagina. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system, comprising:
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a vaginal retractor, comprising; a central body portion; at least two wings; two hinges that affix a different one of the at least two wings to the central body portion; and an occluder attached to a component of the system, wherein the occluder is an occluder that is configured to occlude bodily fluid from entering into a volume formed by the at least two wings when spread apart and by tissue surrounding the spread wings; and a lever, rod, or switch that allows a user to move the occluder independently of the central body portion, wings, and hinges, after the retractor is inserted into a vagina.
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Specification