Abstract: A medical device to protect a body opening, the medical device including a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end a proximal ring attached to the proximal end of the sleeve, and a guard assembly located a distal end of the sleeve.

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. This ensures that the valve component 1 can be rotated relative to a cannula inserted through the main valve 2 and consequently that the auxiliary valves 3 are rotatable relative to the cannula allowing the auxiliary valves 3 to be positioned to facilitate optimum access and manipulation for an auxiliary instrument(s) inserted through the auxiliary valve(s) 2.

Abstract: An introducer for inserting a medical access device into an opening of a patient, the medical access device including a sleeve portion including a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal ring coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve portion; a collapsible distal anchor member coupled to the distal end of the sleeve portion; wherein the sleeve portion, proximal ring, and distal anchor member form a lumen for access into the opening of the patient, the introducer including: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an introducer head at the distal end of the shaft, the introducer head including a plurality of distally-extending prongs.

Abstract: A suture device comprises a needle (5) which is movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration and a drive for rotating the needle between the retracted and extended configurations. The drive comprises an axle (18) which is rotated by a rack (12) and pinion (10) system.

Abstract: An echogenic curette for carrying out a suction dilation and curettage allows the physician to view the curette and the pathology they want to remove, and use that to guide the procedure. The echogenic curette is visible using ultrasound imaging.

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. This ensures that the valve component 1 can be rotated relative to a cannula inserted through the main valve 2 and consequently that the auxiliary valves 3 are rotatable relative to the cannula allowing the auxiliary valves 3 to be positioned to facilitate optimum access and manipulation for an auxiliary instrument(s) inserted through the auxiliary valve(s) 2.

Abstract: A medical device to protect a body opening, the medical device including a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end a proximal ring attached to the proximal end of the sleeve, and a guard assembly located a distal end of the sleeve.

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. This ensures that the valve component 1 can be rotated relative to a cannula inserted through the main valve 2 and consequently that the auxiliary valves 3 are rotatable relative to the cannula allowing the auxiliary valves 3 to be positioned to facilitate optimum access and manipulation for an auxiliary instrument(s) inserted through the auxiliary valve(s) 2.

Abstract: A medical device to protect a body opening, such as a vagina. The medical device may include a lumen and anchoring structure(s) for securing the device in the body opening. In some embodiments, the medical device includes a sleeve, a proximal ring attached to a proximal end of the sleeve, and a distal ring attached to a distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for placement in an incision of a natural body opening comprises a retractor having a sleeve (655, 656, 657) and a guard device comprising overlapping petals (662) depending from a mounting ring (661). The guard device is movable by the retractor from an insertion configuration to a deployed configuration as the retractor sleeve is moved to the retracting configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for placement in an incision or a natural body opening comprises a retractor having a sleeve (655, 656, 657) and a guard device comprising overlapping petals (662) depending from a mounting ring (661). The guard device is movable by the retractor from an insertion configuration to a deployed configuration as the retractor sleeve is moved to the retracting configuration.

Abstract: An echogenic curette for carrying out a suction dilation and curettage allows the physician to view the curette and the pathology they want to remove, and use that to guide the procedure. The echogenic curette is visible using ultrasound imaging.

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. This ensures that the valve component 1 can be rotated relative to a cannula inserted through the main valve 2 and consequently that the auxiliary valves 3 are rotatable relative to the cannula allowing the auxiliary valves 3 to be positioned to facilitate optimum access and manipulation for an auxiliary instrument(s) inserted through the auxiliary valve(s) 2.

Abstract: A medical device to protect a body opening, the medical device including a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end a proximal ring attached to the proximal end of the sleeve, and a guard assembly located a distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a tissue extraction device may include a bag having an interior and a plurality of cutting elements extending through the interior of the 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: 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 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 suture device comprises a needle (5) which is movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration and a drive for rotating the needle between the retracted and extended configurations. The drive comprises an axle (18) which is rotated by a rack (12) and pinion (10) system.

Abstract: Apparatus for placement in an incision or a natural body opening comprises a retractor having a sleeve (655, 656, 657) and a guard device comprising overlapping petals (662) depending from a mounting ring (661). The guard device is movable by the retractor from an insertion configuration to a deployed configuration as the retractor sleeve is moved to the retracting configuration.