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: 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

Abstract: A wound protector and retractor device comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring. The sleeve is fixed to the proximal ring at a first end portion and axially slidable over the proximal ring at a second end portion.

Abstract: A hand access device (1, 50, 55, 60, 65) for use as a seal for sealing a surgeon's forearm (2) on entry through a wound opening (3), for example in an abdominal wall (4) comprises a substantially tubular sleeve (5) of pliable gas tight material. The tube is turned axially back on itself to define an outer sleeve section (11) and an inner sleeve section (12) which define therebetween a scaled inflatable chamber. The inner sleeve section (12) is engaged by the forearm (2) which, on insertion, causes the sleeve to ever The device has version limiting means in the form of inner and outer rings (30, 31) which are of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A hand access device for use in hand assisted laproscopic surgery comprises a substantially tubular inflatable sleeve of pliable gas tight material having a twisted inner sleeve section and an outer sleeve section. The device has an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening in the abdominal wall and an outer O-ring for location outside of the wound opening. On insertion of a surgeon's arm the sleeve everts while monitoring a reduced lumen seal to the arm and a seal to the wound openings.

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 hand access device for use as a seal for sealing a surgeon's forearm on entry through a wound opening, for example, in an abdominal wall contains a substantially tubular sleeve of pliable gas tight material. The tube is turned axially back on itself to define an outer sleeve section and an inner sleeve section which define therebetween a sealed inflatable chamber. The inner sleeve section is engaged by the forearm which, on insertion, causes the sleeve to evert. The device has eversion limiting means in the form of inner and outer rings which are of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A hand access device for use in hand assisted laparoscopic surgery comprises a substantially tubular inflatable sleeve of pliable gas tight material having a twisted inner sleeve section and an outer sleeve section. The device has an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening in the abdominal wall and an outer O-ring for location outside of the wound opening. On insertion of a surgeon's arm the sleeve everts while monitoring a reduced lumen seal to the arm and a seal to the wound openings.

Abstract: A wound protector 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 centralized lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve. A wound is both retracted and protected.

Abstract: A hand access device for use in hand assisted laparoscopic surgery comprises a substantially tubular inflatable sleeve of pliable gas tight material having a twisted inner sleeve section and an outer sleeve section. The device has an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening in the abdominal wall and an outer O-ring for location outside of the wound opening. On insertion of a surgeon's arm the sleeve everts while monitoring a reduced lumen seal to the arm and a seal to the wound openings.

Abstract: An exsanguinator (1) for exsanguinating a limb such as an arm (2) comprises a substantially tubular sleeve (5) which is axially back on itself and twisted to define an outer sleeve section (11) and an inner twisted sleeve section (12). The inner sleeve section (12) defines a lumen (25) of reduced cross section which sealingly engages a limb. As the sleeve (5) is passed up along a limb it is inflated to an exsanguinating pressure. When the sleeve (5) has reached the top of the limb a tourniquer pressure is applied.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wound retractor includes a plurality of straps connected between an inner ring and an outer ring assembly. The inner ring is positioned internal of the wound so that it rests against the innermost tissue layer, and the outer ring is located outside of the wound adjacent the outermost tissue layer. The outer ring assembly includes an inner ring having guide holes for the passage of the straps and an outer ring to which the straps are affixed. Rotation of the outer ring of the outer ring assembly relative to the inner ring of the outer ring assembly results in a shorting of the effective length of the straps, retraction of the wound edge and exposure of the wound site.