WOUND RETRACTOR SYSTEM

• US 20110092778A1
• Filed: 10/19/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Original Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Inventors: Vaugh, Trevor, Bonadio, Frank, Butler, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,740,785 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 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body

Abstract

A wound retractor system comprises a retractor having a distal ring 91 and a retracting sleeve 4 extending from the ring. An insertion tool 120 has a distal groove 122 to hold the ring for insertion of the ring through a small incision 90 in the abdominal wall 97. The retractor may be used for retracting an incision to receive an instrument therethrough. A seal or valve may be mounted to the retractor through which an instrument can pass.

Claims

1. A wound retractor system comprising:

—

a retractor having a retracting member for insertion into a wound opening; and

an insertion tool for inserting or assisting the insertion of or deployment of the retracting member in a wound opening.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insertion tool has a receiver for mounting the retractor to the insertion device.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the retractor comprises a distal portion and the receiver is adapted for mounting the distal portion to the insertion tool.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the receiver comprises a groove for receiving the distal portion of the retractor.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the distal portion comprises a distal ring member mounted to the retracting member.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the distal ring member is of flexible material.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ring member is of elastomeric material.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insertion tool comprises an elongate member having a distal end.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the distal end of the insertion tool has a cutting blade for forming an incision.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retractor comprises a proximal ring member and the insertion tool has a pusher to push the proximal member towards a distal member to shorten the axial extent between the proximal and distal ring members.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the pusher comprises a blade.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insertion tool comprises a stop for limiting the extent to which the tool may be inserted through an opening.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the stop is adjustably mounted on the insertion tool.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insertion tool comprises a handle.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insertion tool has a wound extending portion with a transverse dimension of from 3 to 35 mm.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the transverse dimension of the wound extending portion is from 5 to 12 mm.

17. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wound retractor comprises

a proximal member for location externally of a wound opening;

the proximal member being movable relative to the retracting member to shorten the axial extent of the retracting member to laterally retract a wound opening.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the proximal member comprises an annular ring means.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the annular ring means comprises an inner ring and an outer ring between which the retracting member may be lead.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein one of the rings defines a projection for location in a complimentary recess of the outer ring with the retracting member located therebetween.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the projection is a relatively tight fit in the recess to grip the retracting member therebetween.

22. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the projection is locatable in the recess in a snap-fit manner.

23. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the inner ring defines the projection and the outer ring defines the recess.

24. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the outer ring defines the projection and the inner ring defines the recess.

25. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the proximal member comprises one or more valves to facilitate sealed access of an object through the proximal member.

26. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the retractor comprises a distal member coupled to a distal end of the retracting member.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the distal member comprises an O-ring.

28. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the distal member comprises an annular disc.

29. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the distal member is of a resilient material.

30. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the retracting member is flared distally outwardly.

31. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the retractor comprises means to seal a retracted wound opening.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the sealing means is provided externally of a wound opening.

33. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the sealing means is mountable to the proximal member.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the sealing means comprises a cap.

35. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the sealing means comprises a valve to facilitate sealed access of an object through the sealing means.

36. A system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the object comprises an instrument.

37. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the retracting member comprises a sleeve to line a wound opening.

38. (canceled)

39. A method for introducing an element such as an instrument into a body cavity, the method comprising the steps of:

—

making an incision in a body wall, the incision having a length to accommodate the element on retraction of the incision;

providing a wound retractor comprising a distal member, a proximal member and a retracting member extending at least between the distal member and the proximal member, the retracting member being axially movable relative to the proximal member;

inserting the distal member through the incision such that the retracting member extends through the incision and the proximal member is located outside of the incision;

moving the proximal member relative to the retracting member to shorten the axial extent of the retracting member located between the distal member and the proximal member;

providing a valve;

mounting the valve to the reactor;

introducing an element through the valve; and

introducing the element through the retracted incision and into the body cavity.

40-51. -51. (canceled)

52. A method for retracting an incision comprising the steps of:

—

making an incision in a body wall;

providing a wound retractor comprising a distal member and a retracting member extending from the distal member;

providing an insertion tool having a receiver for the retractor;

mounting the retractor to the receiver of the insertion tool;

inserting the insertion tool with the retractor mounted thereon through the incision;

deploying the retractor in the incision; and

withdrawing the insertion tool from the incision.

53. (canceled)

54. (canceled)