Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device 1 comprises a sleeve 2, a distal member provided by a distal ring 3 of resilient material and a proximal member provided by a proximal ring 4. The sleeve 2 is led around the ring 3 and is free to move axially relative to the distal ring 3 somewhat in the manner of a pulley. The proximal ring 4 is fixed to the sleeve 2, in this case at the proximal inner end thereof. The sleeve 2 terminates in a handle or gripping portion which is reinforced by a gripping ring 15. The sleeve extends from the proximal ring 4 and the distal ring 3 is contained between inner and outer layers 2a, 2b of the sleeve 2. The resilient distal ring 3 is scrunched up and inserted through the incision 6. The sleeve 2 is then pulled upwardly. On pulling of the sleeve 2 upwardly the outer layer 2b is pulled up while the inner layer 2a is drawn around the proximal ring 3.

Abstract: A surgical access system comprises a first access device and a second access device. The first access device comprises expansile chambers which define inflation spaces. A region of overlap between the chambers of a first layer is offset from a region of overlap between the chambers of a second layer. The walls of the inflated chambers are movable for passage of an object such as a surgeon's arm/hand whilst maintaining a seal. The second access device comprises a housing, at least one valve mounted to the housing and a flexible film to which the housing is mounted.

Abstract: A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag.

Abstract: A valve component (1) of the invention comprises a main valve (2) which is located on a centre line and at least one auxiliary valve (3) which is located radially outwardly of the main valve (2). The main valve may be used for sealing engagement with a cannula. In some cases the cannula may be used for introduction of a number of robotically controlled surgical instruments generally, including a camera. The auxiliary valves (3) may be utilised to introduce another instrument through the valve component. The valve component is mounted in a manner which ensures that the valve component (1) is rotatable about a centre line through the axis of the valve component (1).

Abstract: An instrument such as a tenaculum comprises a pair of jaws (202, 203) which are pivotal from an open configuration in which the jaws (202, 203) are splayed apart to a closed low profile delivery configuration. The jaws (202, 203) each have tissue engagement features (201). A protector loop (200) for each jaw which may be of a shape memory material such as Nitinol provides a safety protective distal tip which is distal of the tissue engaging features (201). The atraumatic tip does not harm tissue and does not compromise the integrity of a bag which may be used as a containment device in a procedure such as a hysterectomy.

Abstract: A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag.

Abstract: An apparatus (650) for inserting a distal ring (9) of a wound retractor device (2) through a wound opening comprises a bladeless tip (641) for creating the wound opening by forcing tissue apart, and a conveying device (5) for conveying the distal ring (9) through the wound opening. The conveying device (5) comprises a hook element (6) for engaging the distal ring (9) to convey the distal ring (9) through the wound opening, and a receiver housing (651) for receiving a seal (652) and a proximal ring (653) of the wound retractor device (2) to hold the seal (652) and the proximal ring (653) externally of the wound opening, and thus maintain a sleeve portion of the wound retractor device (2) in tension, during conveying of the distal ring (9) through the wound opening.

Abstract: An instrument access device (500) comprises a distal O-ring (11) for insertion into a wound interior, a proximal member for location externally of a wound opening and a sleeve (12) extending in two layers between the distal O-ring (11) and the proximal member. The proximal member comprises an inner proximal ring member (25) and an outer proximal ring member (24) between which the sleeve (12) is led. A seal housing (300) is mounted to the inner proximal ring member (25). A gelatinous elastomeric seal (302) with a pinhole opening (303) therethrough is received in the housing (300). An instrument may be extended through the seal (302) to access the wound interior through the retracted wound opening in a sealed manner. [FIG.

Abstract: A surgical access sealing device comprises expansile chambers 306, 307, 308, 309 which define inflation spaces. An upper layer 304 in one case comprises two chambers 306, 307 which are overlapped when uninflated. A lower layer 305 comprises two chambers 308, 309 which are also overlapped, when uninflated. The region of overlap between the chambers 306, 307 of the first layer is offset from the region of overlap between the chambers 308, 309 of the second layer. The walls of the inflated chambers are movable for passage of an object such as a surgeon's arm/hand whilst maintaining a seal.

Abstract: A seal comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The sealing members each have an accessway to facilitate access from one side of the sealing member to the other side of the sealing member. The accessways are offset to facilitate sealed access of an object through the sealing members.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device 1 comprises a sleeve 2, a distal member provided by a distal ring 3 of resilient material and a proximal member provided by a proximal ring 4. The sleeve 2 is led around the ring 3 and is free to move axially relative to the distal ring 3 somewhat in the manner of a pulley. The proximal ring 4 is fixed to the sleeve 2, in this case at the proximal inner end thereof. The sleeve 2 terminates in a handle or gripping portion which is reinforced by a gripping ring 15. The sleeve extends from the proximal ring 4 and the distal ring 3 is contained between inner and outer layers 2a, 2b of the sleeve 2. The resilient distal ring 3 is scrunched up and inserted through the incision 6. The sleeve 2 is then pulled upwardly. On pulling of the sleeve 2 upwardly the outer layer 2b is pulled up while the inner layer 2a is drawn around the proximal ring 3.

Abstract: An instrument access device (500) comprises a distal O-ring (11) for insertion into a wound interior, a proximal member for location externally of a wound opening and a sleeve (12) extending in two layers between the distal O-ring (11) and the proximal member. The proximal member comprises an inner proximal ring member (25) and an outer proximal ring member (24) between which the sleeve (12) is led. A seal housing (300) is mounted to the inner proximal ring member (25). A gelatinous elastomeric seal (302) with a pinhole opening (303) therethrough is received in the housing (300). An instrument may be extended through the seal (302) to access the wound interior through the retracted wound opening in a sealed manner.

Abstract: A seal comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The sealing members each have an accessway to facilitate access from one side of the sealing member to the other side of the sealing member. The accessways are offset to facilitate sealed access of an object through the sealing members.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device 1 comprises a sleeve 2, a distal member provided by a distal ring 3 of resilient material and a proximal member provided by a proximal ring 4. The sleeve 2 is led around the ring 3 and is free to move axially relative to the distal ring 3 somewhat in the manner of a pulley. The proximal ring 4 is fixed to the sleeve 2, in this case at the proximal inner end thereof. The sleeve 2 terminates in a handle or gripping portion which is reinforced by a gripping ring 15. The sleeve extends from the proximal ring 4 and the distal ring 3 is contained between inner and outer layers 2a, 2b of the sleeve 2. The resilient distal ring 3 is scrunched up and inserted through the incision 6. The sleeve 2 is then pulled upwardly. On pulling of the sleeve 2 upwardly the outer layer 2b is pulled up while the inner layer 2a is drawn around the proximal ring 3.

Abstract: An instrument access device comprises first, second and third instrument seals for sealing around instruments extended through the device. The seals have respective connector sleeves. Each sleeve connects a base to one of the instrument seals. The device also comprises two insufflation/desufflation ports. Each of the ports comprises a connector extending from the base, a tube extending from the connector, a luer connector and a removable cap. The luer connector is used for connection to any suitable supply line for insufflation gas or for discharge if insufflation gas. In use, the insufflation/desufflation ports facilitate independent control of insufflation and desufflation as may be required during a surgical procedure. Access sleeve at the proximal end is cut-off, folded over the inner proximal ring and is held in place between the base and the inner proximal ring when the base is fitted.

Abstract: An apparatus (650) for inserting a distal ring (9) of a wound retractor device (2) through a wound opening comprises a bladeless tip (641) for creating the wound opening by forcing tissue apart, and a conveying device (5) for conveying the distal ring (9) through the wound opening. The conveying device (5) comprises a hook element (6) for engaging the distal ring (9) to convey the distal ring (9) through the wound opening, and a receiver housing (651) for receiving a seal (652) and a proximal ring (653) of the wound retractor device (2) to hold the seal (652) and the proximal ring (653) externally of the wound opening, and thus maintain a sleeve portion of the wound retractor device (2) in tension, during conveying of the distal ring (9) through the wound opening.

Abstract: An artificial pneumoperitoneum bag device may include an inflatable bag having an opening at an end of the bag. The bag device may also include an indicator including at least one repeating pattern on a wall of the bag. The pattern may extend across at least one side of the bag.

Abstract: An instrument access device 1 comprises a proximal member 25 for location externally of an opening into a body cavity. A first connector 20 extends between the proximal member 25 and a first instrument receiver 2. A second connector 21 extends between the proximal member and a second instrument receiver 3. Instrument seals can be housed in relatively rigid housings for added strength.

Abstract: An instrument access device comprises first, second and third instrument seals for sealing around instruments extended through the device. The seals have respective connector sleeves. Each sleeve connects a base to one of the instrument seals. The device also comprises two insufflation/desufflation ports. Each of the ports comprises a connector extending from the base, a tube extending from the connector, a luer connector and a removable cap. The luer connector is used for connection to any suitable supply line for insufflation gas or for discharge if insufflation gas. In use, the insufflation/desufflation ports facilitate independent control of insufflation and desufflation as may be required during a surgical procedure. Access sleeve at the proximal end is cut-off, folded over the inner proximal ring and is held in place between the base and the inner proximal ring when the base is fitted.

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.