Surgical Device for Retracting and/or Sealing an Incision
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.
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The present invention relates to a surgical device. More specifically, the invention relates to devices for retraction of an incision or natural bodily opening during surgery and for protecting the edges of incisions from infection or tumour seeding during surgery.
Wound Retraction
Adequate anatomical exposure is required in modern surgical procedures to allow procedures to be safely and effectively performed. Anatomical exposure is achieved by separating the walls of a natural orifice or spreading apart the margins of a surgical incision. A difficult surgical procedure can be simplified by adequate retraction whereas a relatively simple procedure can be made more difficult or even dangerous by the lack of adequate retraction. Exposure is maximised with correct incision placement and well directed retraction.
Retraction can be achieved in several different ways. The most common method of surgical wound retraction is by the use of hand held retractors. These may be made of metal or thermoplastics and allow an operator to apply a retraction force to the wound edges. They are disposable or reusable and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to satisfy the requirements of different surgical procedures.
Another type of retractor are Frame mounted retractor devices are also known. Such devices consist of a rigid circular or horseshoe-shaped frame on which multiple, detachable and movable paddle retractors are attached. The device may be mounted to an operating table to provide secure anchorage. Retraction may be applied in required directions. Typically such retractors are made of stainless steel to facilitate cleaning and sterilisation for reuse. Some of the more complex retractors need to be taken apart before sterilisation and reassembled before use. These devices always apply retraction at a few specific locations on the wound. This is a disadvantage of such devices as it can lead to regional ischaemia on parts the wound edge.
A wound retractor and protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,644 (Crook). This device consists of an open-ended sleeve of polymeric material with a flexible ring at each end. One ring is inserted into the incision and the sleeve is manually rolled up around the other ring to apply tension to the polymeric material to achieve retraction. The device is often difficult to use because of the manual dexterity required, especially when the surgeons hands are wet. In addition, the device is incrementally adjustable. This restricts the efficiency of the device across all abdominal wall thicknesses.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,179 (Williamson IV) describes a device having an elastomeric sealing element and a tubing conduit. The device protects the edges of the wound from contamination. However, the device is specifically for laparoscopic instruments and is not suitable for hand assisted surgery because the wound opening is not sufficiently retracted.
WO-A-96/36283 Mollenauer) describes a trocar device for retracting and sealing an incision and providing a sealed access port for surgical instruments. Whilst this incision and providing a sealed access port for surgical instruments. Whilst this device provides both retraction and protection to the wound edge is not suitable for use in hand assisted surgery due to size limitations. The device retracts and protects due to the inflation of one or one or more balloons and because these close the lumen when inflated it is not possible to visualize the contents of the abdomen through the device.
WO-A-98/48724 discloses a device for use in hand assisted laparoscopic surgery. The device has a wound retractor/protector component and a component for sealing around the wrist of the surgeon. The wound protector component consists of an inner ring and two outer inflatable doughnut-shaped rings mounted vertically on top of another. The inner and outer rings are linked by an elastomeric sleeve. Inflation of the two outer rings causes retraction of the elastomeric sleeve. This device provides wound retraction and protection but it is not suitable for device has a large vertical profile due to the outer rings. This restricts reach into the incision and extends the fulcrum of any instruments used in such a way that their effective reach and breath of lateral movement would be severely restricted.
Wound Protection
The sides of an open wound are susceptible to infection and cross contamination if they are touched by contaminated material such as body parts or fluids as they pass through the opening of a wound. Serious problems can also result from cancerous material coming into contact with the wound edge. It is well known that cancerous cells may become seeded in wound areas, especially at trocar sites.
To avoid such problems great care is taken to protect the edges of an incision using drapes that are impervious to liquids. An incision liner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,692 (Creager). This linear comprises a sheet of polymeric material. The sheet has a hole cut out in the centre and the edges of the hole are reinforced using a semi-rigid ring. This ring can be inserted into the incision allowing a surgical procedure to proceed through the ring while the material attached to the ring protects the edges of the incision from contaminants in the wound site. These device marketed as “Steridrape” by 3M Corporation and comes in a variety of sizes for different wound sizes. However such devices do not adequately retract an incision.
In general known devices are of either complex construction, do not effectively seal a wound and/or are difficult to operate.
There is therefore a need for an improved surgical device that will overcome at least some of these problems.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTIONAccording to the invention there is provided a surgical device comprising:
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- an inner mounting means for insertion through a wound opening;
- a first outer mounting means for mounting eternal of a wound opening; and
- connecting means extending between the inner and outer mounting means;
- the connecting means being movable to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the outer mounting means is movable relative to the inner mounting means to twist the connecting means to form a lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
Most preferably the outer mounting means is rotatable relative to the inner mounting means to twist the connecting means.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the connecting means is a sleeve of pliable material extending between the inner and outer mounting means.
In one aspect the device includes a second outer mounting means, the connecting means extending between the first outer mounting means, the inner mounting means, and the second outer mounting means.
In this case preferably the first and second outer mounting means are rotatable relative to one another to twist the connecting means and to draw the inner mounting means towards the outer mounting means. The outer rings also rotate relative to the inner mounting means.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the inner mounting means is an O-ring. Preferably the connecting means is a sleeve which is led from the first outer mounting means to the O-ring and from the O-ring to the second outer mounting means.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the device includes locking means for locking the first outer mounting means relative to the second outer mounting means.
In one arrangement one of the outer mounting means is located or locatable within the other outer mounting means.
Preferably the inner diameter of the sleeve is greater than or equal to the axial length of the sleeve.
In a preferred arrangement the inner diameter of the sleeve is greater than the axial length of the sleeve by an amount less than the thickness of an average abdominal wall, which is typically 2 to 6 cm. This assists in achieving a retraction force.
Preferably a substantially gas tight seal is formed between the outer mounting means on shortening of the length of the sleeve. Ideally, the sleeve extending between the first and second outer mounting means defines an inflatable space.
In one embodiment of the invention the device includes a port for connection to an inflation means.
The invention also provides a surgical device comprising:—
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- an inner mounting means for insertion through a wound opening;
- a first outer mounting means;
- a second outer mounting means; and
- a sleeve of pliable material extending from the second outer mounting means to the inner mounting means and from the inner mounting means to the first outer mounting means.
Preferably one or both of the first and second outer mounting means are movable relative to one another to adjust the diameter of the lumen defined by a twist in the sleeve extending therebetween.
Ideally, the first and second outer mounting means are rotatable relative to one another.
In one embodiment of the invention the sleeve is releasably mounted to the second outer mounting means for adjustment of the length of the sleeve.
Preferably the second mounting means comprises a receiver and the sleeve is mounted or mountable to a ring which is releasably mounted to the receiver.
In another embodiment of the invention the inner mounting means is configured to reduce the size thereof for ease of insertion into a wound opening.
Typically in this case the inner mounting means comprises a ring which includes a hinge means for reducing the size of the ring.
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting means is translated to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
A device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the connecting means comprises a sleeve which is translated by a drawstring mechanism.
A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of straps attached to the inner mounting means, the straps being pulled upwardly to shorten the axial extend of the connecting means.
Typically the outer mounting means includes a holder for holding a surgical instrument.
The surgical device may form a wound retractor, a wound protector or a wound protector retractor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSThe invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
Referring to the drawings and initially to
The device 1 comprises an inner mounting means in the form of an O-ring 10 of flexible material such as of elastomeric material for insertion through the wound opening 2, an outer mounting means for mounting external of the wound opening 2 and a connecting means, in is case in the form of a sleeve 11 extending between the inner 10 and outer mounting means. The outer mounting means is movable, in this case rotatable, relative to the inner O-ring 10 to twist the sleeve 11 to form a centralised lumen 12 of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve 11. As the sleeve 11 is twisted the inner O-ring 10 is drawn upwardly from the inserted position illustrated in
In this preferred case the outer mounting means comprises a first outer mounting means in the form of a first annular ring 20 and a second outer mounting means in the form of a second annular ring 21. The sleeve 11 is of biocompatible pliable gas impermeable plastics material and is attached at one end to the ring 20 and at an opposite end to the ring 21. The sleeve 11 is connected to the ring 20, led over the O-ring 10 and back up for attachment to the ring 21 as best illustrated in
In use, a surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal cavity and the O-ring 10 is flexed and inserted through the incision as illustrated in
Locking means of any suitable type may be provided to lock the rings 20, 21 together. The locking means may, for example comprise a releasable latching system such as a ratchet and pawl arrangement or the like.
Preferably a gas tight seal is formed between the rings 20, 21 in use. The sleeve in this case provides an inflatable space 30 between the rings 20, 21 and the inner O-ring 10. An inflation connection port may be provided in the device to facilitate inflation. On inflation, a wound engaging section 11a of the sleeve is pushed radially outwardly to provide a highly efficient wound protector/seal and wound retractor. The inner sleeve section 11b is inflated to further restrict the lumen 12 and provide highly efficient sealing engagement with a surgeons forearm, a device or an instrument inserted through the lumen.
For efficient sealing engagement it is preferred that the inner diameter (d) of the sleeve 11 is greater than or equal to the axial length (l) of the sleeve 11 as illustrated in
The surgical device 1 may be formed from a cylindrical sleeve 50 of pliable plastic material attached to a pair of rings 20, 21 as illustrated in
The device of the invention applies a force to the wound edges to achieve adequate exposure without causing ischaemic injury to the wound edges. The device protects wound edges from cross infection or seeding by cancerous or otherwise malignant cells. Another advantage is that the device is sufficiently inexpensive that it can be disposed of after a single use thereby obviating the need for cleaning and sterilisation between use. In addition, the device is simple to place into a desired position in a wound or natural bodily opening and easy to remove, especially without negating the benefits gained from use of the device as a wound protector.
Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10 there is illustrated another surgical device 60 according to the invention. The device 60 is similar to the device 1 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the sleeve 61 is a single wall sleeve and there is only one outer mounting ring 62. On rotation of the outer ring 62 relative to the inner ring 10 a twist is formed in the sleeve which is shortened, drawing the inner ring 10 upwardly against the interior of the anterior abdominal wall as illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the inner O-ring may be fixed, for example, by adhesives to the sleeve of the surgical device. It will also be appreciated that one or more of the mounting means may be shaped to positively engage with tissue. For example, the mounting means may include tissue-engaging projections to lock the mounting means in position.
It will be appreciated that while for efficient retraction and wound protection it is preferred that the connecting means between the outer and inner mounting means is in the form of a sleeve of pliable material, the connecting means may be discontinuous. For example the sleeve may be in the form of elongate strips or the like.
Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13 there is illustrated another surgical device 70 according to the invention. In this case the connecting means comprises a plurality of straps 71 which are drawn upwardly to shorten the axial extent and to form a wound retractor. The straps 71 are retained in the shortened configuration illustrated by any suitable locking means such as by wedge elements 72. In is case an iris diaphragm type device 80 is provided in the wound opening which is inflatable from the rest configuration illustrated in
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16 there is illustrated another device 85 according to the invention in which the connecting means is defined by a plurality of straps 86 which are movable between an inner mounting ring 83 and an outer mounting ring 84 by buckle devices 87 from the initial position illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The device 98 illustrated in
Referring to FIGS. 24 to 26 there is illustrated another surgical device according to the invention. In this case the surgical device is a wound protector retractor 200 of similar construction as that described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The device 1 comprises an inner mounting means in the form of a first O-ring 201, a first outer mounting means in the form of a second O-ring 202 mounted in a first receiver 203, and a second mounting means in the form of a third O-ring 205 mounted in a second receiver 206. The receivers 203, 206 are in his case interconnectable as illustrated and a fourth O-ring 207 is provided between the receivers 203, 206 on assembly.
A sleeve 210 of flexible pliable plastics material extends from the second outer receiver 206 to the inner O-ring 201 and from the inner O-ring 201 to the first outer receiver 203. The receivers 203, 206 are de-mountable as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring now to FIGS. 29 to 32 there is illustrated part 230 of another surgical device according to the invention which is similar to the devices of FIGS. 24 to 28 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. An inner mounting means 231 is configured to reduce the size thereof for ease of insertion into a wound opening. In this case the inner mounting means 231 is in the form of a split ring which is hinged at 232 to facilitate a reduction in the diameter of the ring 231 as illustrated. It will of course be appreciated that the hinge may be integrally formed and indeed, there may be a number of such hinges.
Referring to
Referring to FIGS. 35 to 38 there is illustrated another surgical device 300 according to the invention. The device 300 is a wound protector retractor similar to those described above. In this case the wound protector retractor 300 comprises an inner ring 301 of semi-rigid elastomeric material and an outer ring 302 which is of similar material. A sleeve 303 of pliable material extends between the rings 301, 302. Drawstrings 305 are fitted to the sleeve 303, the drawstrings being pulled outwardly in the direction of the arrows to pull the sleeve 303 upwardly to tighten in the incision and provide a wound protector and retractor.
Reference is also made to appropriate alternatives and modifications which are outlined in our parallel applications referenced ATRO1/C, ATRO2/C, ATRO14/C/, ATRO15/C, ATRO16/C/, ATRO17/C, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.
Claims
1. A surgical device comprising:
- an inner mounting means for insertion through a wound opening;
- a first outer mounting means for mounting external of a wound opening; and
- connecting means extending between the inner and outer mounting means;
- the connecting means being movable to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
2. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer mounting means is movable relative to the inner mounting means to twist the connecting means to form a lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer mounting means is rotatable relative to the inner mounting means to twist the connecting means.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means is a sleeve of pliable material extending between the inner and outer mounting means.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, including a second outer mounting means, the connecting means extending between the first outer mounting means, the inner mounting means, and the second outer mounting means.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first and second outer mounting means are rotatable relative to one another to twist the connecting means and to draw the inner mounting means towards the outer mounting means.
7. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the inner mounting means is an O-ring.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the connecting means is a sleeve which is led from the first outer mounting means to the O-ring and from the O-ring to the second outer mounting means.
9. A device as claimed in claim 5 including locking means for locking the first outer mounting means relative to the second outer mounting means.
10. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of the outer mounting means is located or locatable within the other outer mounting means.
11. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inner diameter of the sleeve is greater than or equal to the axial length of the sleeve.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the inner diameter of the sleeve is greater than the axial length of the sleeve by an amount which is less than the thickness of an average abdominal wall.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein a substantially gas tight seal is formed between the outer mounting means on shortening of the length of the sleeve.
14. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the sleeve extending between the first and second outer mounting means defines an inflatable space.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the device includes a port for connection to an inflation means.
16-22. (canceled)
23. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting means is translated to shorten the axial extent of the connecting means.
24. A device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the connecting means comprises a sleeve which is translated by a drawstring mechanism.
25. A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of straps attached to the inner mounting means, the straps being pulled upwardly to shorten the axial extend of the connecting means.
26. A device as claimed in claim 25 including an iris diaphragm connected to the straps.
27. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer mounting means includes a holder for holding a surgical instrument.
28-37. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Frank BONADIO (Bray), Shane MCNALLY (Dublin), Ronan MCMANUS (Bray), Derek YOUNG (County Dublin), Alan REID (Dublin)
Application Number: 11/841,758
International Classification: A61B 1/32 (20060101);