Wound retraction apparatus and method
View Patent ↗A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring has a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound. A plurality of retraction elements are disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship to each other, between the first ring and the second ring. These elements extend through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound which is dependent on the distance separating the first ring and the second ring. Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible are contemplated with appropriate attachment means at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. With a suitable retraction sleeve, a third ring can be provided to form a circumferential retainer to vary the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force. An associated method includes the step of rolling the second ring circumferentially of the third ring to form the circumferential retainer.
1. A surgical wound retractor, adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor comprising:
a first ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound;
a second ring adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;
a retraction sleeve having a generally cylindrical configuration with a first end coupled to the first ring and a second end coupled to the second ring;
a third ring disposed circumferentially of the sleeve and moveable between a plurality of positions between the first ring and the second ring, each of the positions being associated with a different radial retraction force; and
a clip adapted to snap over third ring, fixing the sheath between the third ring and the clip at one of the plurality of positions in order to provide the desired radial retraction force associated with that position.
2. A surgical wound adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor comprising:
a first ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound;
a second ring adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;
a retraction sleeve having a generally cylindrical configuration with a first end coupled to the first ring and a second end coupled to the second ring;
a third ring disposed circumferentially of the sleeve and moveable between a plurality of positions between the first ring and the second ring, each of the positions being associated with a different radial retraction force; and
a plurality of open loops each having a fixed relationship with the sheath at one of the desired positions, each of the loops being sized and configured to receive alternately the third ring in order to provide the desired radial retraction force associated with that position.
3. A surgical wound retractor adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor comprising:
a first ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound;
a second ring adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;
a retraction sleeve having a generally cylindrical configuration with a first end coupled to the first ring and a second end coupled to the second ring;
a third ring disposed circumferentially of the sleeve and moveable between a plurality of positions between the first ring and the second ring, each of the positions being associated with a different radial retraction force; and
a plurality of angular tracks each fixed to the sleeve at an associated one of the positions, wherein the third ring is sized and configured for mounting relative to one of the tracks at the associated position to thereby retain the third ring at one of the plurality of positions in order to provide the desired radial retraction force associated with that position.