Abstract: A surgical sheath adapted for use in the nasal cavity has an elongated hollow body made of a braided material having interstitial spaces with a dimension of 0.25 mm to 1.50 mm. The interstitial spaces filled with a filling material, such as silicone. The sheath has a low profile configuration during placement into the naris, and may be stretched into an expanded configuration. In methods of placing the sheath in the naris, the sheath is folded and then pulled into the naris using a surgical tool.

Abstract: In a surgical method, an access sheath is provided by a tube of a braided material. A first end of the sheath may be folded. The first end, folded or unfolded, is grasped with a distal end of a tool, which is then inserted into the nose of a patient. Advancing the tool pulls the distal end of the sheath into the nose of the patient. The sheath is then released from the tool and the tool is withdrawn. A portion of the sheath may be optionally cut off to shorten the sheath to a desired length. Typically the sheath has a total length of 70 to 180 mm and an outside diameter of 12 to 50 mm. The sheath may have a constant outside diameter along its length. The sheath may comprise silicone on the braided material.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery is made of a braid material. The sheath may be manufactured by placing a length of braided tube material over a mandrel. The braid material is conformed to the shape of the mandrel and is then heat set. An atraumatic end may be made by folding or rolling one or both ends of the sheath. A coating may also optionally be applied to the braid material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

Abstract: A surgical sheath adapted for use in the nasal cavity has an elongated hollow body made of a braided material having interstitial spaces with a dimension of 0.25 mm to 1.50 mm. The interstitial spaces filled with a filling material, such as silicone. The sheath has a low profile configuration during placement into the naris, and may be stretched into an expanded configuration. In methods of placing the sheath in the naris, the sheath is folded and then pulled into the naris using a surgical tool.

Abstract: A surgical sheath system for performing surgery of the head includes a flexible tubular braided sheath which is radially expandable. An expansion tube is insertable into the sheath to radially expand the sheath. A locking assembly includes tube position shift means, such as a cap threaded onto a flange, with a washer contained in a recess in the flange, the recess having an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the washer. When unlocked, the expansion tube can be shift horizontally, to access a different area of a surgical site, without moving the locking assembly. A stylet stabilizing assembly may be pivotally or releasably attached to the locking assembly.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has an angle section joined to a conical section, with the conical section having a central axis not parallel to a central axis of the angle section. A body section is joined to the angle section, with the body section having a length at least twice the length of the angle section. The conical section, the angle section and the body section may be a flexible or compliant material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has an angle section joined to a conical section, with the conical section having a central axis not parallel to a central axis of the angle section. A body section is joined to the angle section, with the body section having a length at least twice the length of the angle section. The conical section, the angle section and the body section may be a flexible or compliant material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has first and second attachment fittings on opposite side of a conical section used for attaching individual sheaths to form a sheath pair. The sheaths of the pair can mutually support each other during surgery, to better resist inadvertent displacement of the sheaths. After the sheaths are positioned, the conical sections of the sheaths may be attached together using clips, pins, belts or other techniques. The sheaths reduce collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

Abstract: A surgical shield protects collateral soft tissue from damage during a trans-orbital surgical procedure in the head of a patient. The shield may be provided as an elongated flexible sheath having one or more thin flexible sidewalls that can conform to the tissue around or bearing on the shield. Other areas or sidewalls of the shield may be thicker to better resist perforation by surgical instruments, and/or to better maintain the access lumen of pathway to the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has an angle section joined to a conical section, with the conical section having a central axis not parallel to a central axis of the angle section. A body section is joined to the angle section, with the body section having a length at least twice the length of the angle section. The conical section, the angle section and the body section may be a flexible or compliant material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

Abstract: A surgical shield protects collateral soft tissue from damage during a trans-orbital surgical procedure in the head of a patient The shield may be provided as an elongated flexible sheath having one or more thin flexible sidewalls that can conform to the tissue around or bearing on the shield. Other areas or sidewalls of the shield may be thicker to better resist perforation by surgical instruments, and/or to better maintain the access lumen of pathway to the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has an angle section joined to a conical section, with the conical section having a central axis not parallel to a central axis of the angle section. A body section is joined to the angle section, with the body section having a length at least twice the length of the angle section. The conical section, the angle section and the body section may be a flexible or compliant material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.