Abstract: A self-expanding retractor is described for placement within the vaginal canal of a post-partum female to aid in performing a vaginal repair. The retractor provides improved exposure and enhanced visualization of an episiotomy or vaginal laceration repair site. The retractor is typically in the form of a foldable, trapezoidal frame defining a central aperture, and includes anterior stability posts at its corners and a panel spanning the central aperture. The panel is typically in the form of a surgical gauze pad for absorbing blood and fluids entering the surgical field. The retractor can be folded by a user for placement within the vaginal canal and then released, which allows it to expand to hold back swollen tissues from obstructing the repair site. The retractor is typically lightweight and compact and is configured to minimize slippage during use.

Abstract: A self-expanding retractor is described for placement within the vaginal canal of a post-partum female to aid in performing a vaginal repair. The retractor provides improved exposure and enhanced visualization of an episiotomy or vaginal laceration repair site. The retractor is typically in the form of a foldable, trapezoidal frame defining a central aperture, and includes anterior stability posts at its corners and a panel spanning the central aperture. The panel is typically in the form of a surgical gauze pad for absorbing blood and fluids entering the surgical field. The retractor can be folded by a user for placement within the vaginal canal and then released, which allows it to expand to hold back swollen tissues from obstructing the repair site. The retractor is typically lightweight and compact and is configured to minimize slippage during use.

Abstract: An obturator sleeve for a trocar assembly and method of its use are disclosed for infiltrating a liquid medication such as a local anesthetic into the tissue walls of a port site wound during a laparoscopic procedure. The sleeve includes an internal flow passage for receiving the liquid medication. A diffusion polymer, located within the internal flow passage, first absorbs the liquid medication and then releases the liquid medication through a plurality of apertures in the sleeve. When port site wound tissue contacts the diffusion polymer, the diffusion polymer within the sleeve steadily releases the absorbed medication through the plurality of apertures. The obturator sleeve provides a means to adequately infiltrate medication into the tissues of the port site wound, and can be used to block the free nerve endings of the port site wound as well as nearby sensory and motor nerves.

Abstract: A laparoscopic wound closure device includes an elongated body portion including a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of vertical suture channels. Each vertical suture channel has an entrance at the proximal end and an exit near the distal end for passing a suture needle through, and travels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The vertical suture channels are designed to cause a suture needle to deflect laterally as it exits the wound closure device. The wound closure device can be an obturator or a sheath of a trocar assembly, and can be used to inject local anesthetic at the conclusion of surgery.

Abstract: An obstetric apparatus and method for repositioning a fetal head within the birth canal of a woman in labor. A user, typically an obstetrician, surgeon or similarly trained medical personnel, can efficiently and safely engage a fetal head that is wedged in the parturient woman's pelvis and lift it up in the birth canal towards the uterus, for safe delivery of the baby via C-section. The apparatus comprises an elongated and substantially rigid shaft, a pivoting neck and a soft engaging portion that includes a flexible outer cup and an inflatable inner cup for engaging the fetal head. The inventive apparatus and method can provide a mechanical advantage for repositioning the head of the fetus, and can provide assistance for C-section delivery in order to minimize maternal and neonatal complications.