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 wound retractor (320) comprises a distal ring (3) for insertion through a wound opening (6), a proximal ring (4) for location externally of the wound opening (6), a valve (10) mounted to the proximal ring (4), and a sleeve (2) for retracting laterally the sides of the wound opening (6). The wound retractor (320) also comprises a flexible release member (81) for releasing the distal ring (3) from a retracting configuration for removal of the distal ring (3) from the wound opening (6). A first end (301) of the release member (81) is attached to the valve housing (102), the release member (81) loops around the distal ring (3), and a second end (302) of the release member (81) is movable relative to the proximal ring (4) to release the distal ring (3) from the retracting configuration.

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: A bag with one or more openings is placed within a body cavity. Excised tissue is placed within the opening of a deflated bag. One or more openings of the bag are withdrawn outside the body cavity and the bag is inflated. Instruments including laparoscopic visualization are placed within the inflated bag that remains within the body cavity. The tissue retained within the bag is morcellated/crushed/reduced and removed. The bag is deflated and removed with residual tissue/blood/fluids inside. The tissue to be removed is retained in the bag which prevents potentially harmful material such as cancerous cells from being released in the body cavity.

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: A surgical device may include a wound retractor. The wound retractor may include a distal member, a proximal member, and a wound retracting sleeve extending between the distal member and the proximal member. The surgical device may also include a sealing assembly coupled to the wound retractor.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is carried out on any suitable hollow organ, such as a gall bladder located beneath an abdominal wall. In a first step of the procedure the hollow organ is inflated by air or water through an inflation line so that the organ swells up. A scalpel is then used to create an incision in the abdominal wall. Sutures are then inserted through the opening and these are used to pull up the inflated organ to the opening. The inflated organ is now presented to the opening and a laparascopic procedure is carried out on the organ. A number of medical devices may be employed to perform the procedure for example a scalpel, an introducer device, an instrument access device, an insufflator, a camera device, and various surgical instruments.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal member, a proximal member, and a sleeve extending at least between the distal member and the proximal member. The sleeve has a proximal gripping portion for pulling the sleeve upwardly to shorten an axial extent located between the distal member and the proximal member.

Abstract: An instrument access device comprises at least a first instrument seal 71 to effect a seal around a first instrument extended through the device and a second instrument seal 72 to effect a seal around a second instrument extended through the device. The instrument seals 71, 72 are configured to be arranged in a sealing relationship to a body of a patient. The device also comprises a distal anchoring ring 401 for location within a wound interior and a retractor member 402 extending proximally from the distal anchoring ring 401 to retract laterally the sides of a wound opening.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical instrument having an elongate stem extending between a proximal end which in use is located externally of an operating space and a distal end which in use is located within an operating space. At least a portion of the stem is malleable to facilitate manipulation of the stem in the operating space and then to maintain the stem in the manipulated position and/or orientation within the operating space. The instrument has an end effector at the distal end of the stem, the end effector having a proximal main body and distal operating means, such as graspers or cutters. The instrument has at least one joint for independent movement of the end effector main body in at least one direction relative to the distal end of the stem for enhanced degrees of freedom of the instrument.

Abstract: A wound retractor (320) comprises a distal ring (3) for insertion through a wound opening (6), a proximal ring (4) for location externally of the wound opening (6), a valve (10) mounted to the proximal ring (4), and a sleeve (2) for retracting laterally the sides of the wound opening (6). The wound retractor (320) also comprises a flexible release member (81) for releasing the distal ring (3) from a retracting configuration for removal of the distal ring (3) from the wound opening (6). A first end (301) of the release member (81) is attached to the valve housing (102), the release member (81) loops around the distal ring (3), and a second end (302) of the release member (81) is movable relative to the proximal ring (4) to release the distal ring (3) from the retracting configuration.

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.

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 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.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal member, a proximal member, and a sleeve extending at least between the distal member and the proximal member. The sleeve has a proximal gripping portion for pulling the sleeve upwardly to shorten an axial extent located between the distal member and the proximal member.

Abstract: A surgical wound retractor comprises a retracting member for insertion into a wound opening and a proximal member for location externally of a wound opening A clamp is used to clamp the retracting member to the proximal member.

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).

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.

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.

Abstract: A wound protector retractor comprises an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening and a connecting sleeve extending between the O-ring and outer mounting means. The outer means are provided by rings between which the sleeve is led. The rings are rotated relative to each other and the inner ring to form a centralised lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve. A wound is both retracted and protected.