Surgical access port

Abstract

A device for retracting edges of an incision in a surface to form an opening including: a flexible, tubular skirt having an upper end, a lower end, and a channel therebetween; a ring connected to the lower end of the skirt for maintaining the lower end in an open configuration and defining an exit opening to the channel; and an inflatable collar connected to the skirt and surrounding the upper end. The ring is designed to fit through the incision and remain under the surface when it is oriented parallel to surface. The collar, when inflated, maintains the upper end in an open configuration and defines an entry opening to the channel. During use, the ring is inserted through the incision and the collar is inflated while remaining outside of the incision, thereby drawing the skirt against the edges of the incision and retracting the edges of the incision to form the opening. The retracting device can be included in a surgical access port, which further includes a flexible sleeve connected to at least one of the inflatable collar and the skirt, extending the channel from the exit opening of the skirt to an open end of the flexible sleeve distal to the skirt. The device can include a light source in the vicinity of the exit opening.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A surgical access port comprising: 
 a retracting device comprising an upper portion configured to overlie tissue surrounding an incision into a patient, a lower portion insertable through the incision and configured to underlie the tissue surrounding the incision, and a flexible, gas-impermeable skirt having an upper end connected to the upper portion and a lower end connected to the lower portion, wherein the lower portion is configured to be drawn tightly against an inner surface of the tissue and to maintain the lower end in an open configuration, and wherein the skirt, upper portion, and lower portion define an open channel extending through the incision; and    a seal removably secured to the upper portion of the retracting device and configured to selectively seal an upper end of the channel or to seal around an object inserted through the seal.    
   
   
       35 . The surgical access port of  claim 34 , wherein the skirt comprises rubber.  
   
   
       36 . The surgical access port of  claim 34 , wherein the lower portion comprises a ring.  
   
   
       37 . The surgical access port of  claim 36 , wherein the skirt includes a hem-shaped pocket that encloses the ring.  
   
   
       38 . The surgical access port of  claim 36 , wherein the ring is formed by filling a pocket with at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel.  
   
   
       39 . The surgical access port of  claim 36 , wherein the ring comprises a metal, plastic, hard rubber, or foam.  
   
   
       40 . The surgical access port of  claim 36 , wherein the ring is circular.  
   
   
       41 . The surgical access port of  claim 36 , wherein the ring is elliptical.  
   
   
       42 . The surgical access port of  claim 34 , wherein the seal comprises a valve.  
   
   
       43 . The surgical access port of  claim 34 , wherein the seal comprises an iris valve.  
   
   
       44 . The surgical access port of  claim 34 , wherein the seal comprises a cap that seals the upper end of the channel.  
   
   
       45 . The surgical access port of  claim 44 , wherein the cap comprises hard rubber, plastic, or foam.  
   
   
       46 . A method of using the surgical access port of  claim 34 , the method comprising: 
 inserting the lower portion through the incision; and    using the flexible skirt to draw the lower portion tight against an inner surface of the tissue, the lower portion forming a seal around a perimeter of the incision along the inner surface of the tissue.    
   
   
       47 . A surgical access port comprising: 
 a retracting device comprising an upper portion configured to overlie tissue surrounding an incision into a patient, a lower portion insertable through the incision and configured to underlie the tissue surrounding the incision, and a flexible, gas-impermeable skirt having an upper end connected to the upper portion and a lower end connected to the lower portion, wherein the lower portion is configured to be drawn tightly against an inner surface of the tissue and to maintain the lower end in an open configuration, and wherein the skirt, upper portion, and lower portion define an open channel extending through the incision; and    a mechanical sealing means secured to the upper portion of the retracting device and configured to selectively seal the upper end of the channel or to seal around an object inserted through the mechanical sealing means.    
   
   
       48 . The surgical access port of  claim 47 , wherein the lower portion comprises a ring having a circular or elliptical shape.  
   
   
       49 . The surgical access port of  claim 48 , wherein the skirt includes a hem-shaped pocket that encloses the ring.  
   
   
       50 . The surgical access port of  claim 48 , wherein the ring is formed by filling a pocket with at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel.  
   
   
       51 . The surgical access port of  claim 48 , wherein the ring comprises a metal, plastic, hard rubber, or foam.  
   
   
       52 . The surgical access port of  claim 47 , wherein the mechanical sealing means comprises at least one of a valve, an iris valve, and a cap.  
   
   
       53 . The surgical access port of  claim 52 , wherein the cap comprises hard rubber, plastic or foam.  
   
   
       54 . A method, comprising: 
 inserting a lower portion of a flexible, gas-impermeable skirt of a retracting device through an incision in a surface of a tissue in a patient and orienting the lower portion to underlie an inner surface of tissue surrounding the incision;    orienting an upper portion of the skirt to overlie an outer surface of tissue surrounding the incision; and    using the flexible skirt to draw the lower portion tight against the inner surface of tissue surrounding the incision to form a seal around a perimeter of the incision along the inner surface, and to further retract the incision into an opening and provide a channel through the incision.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising sealing the channel by attaching to the upper portion at least one of a valve, an iris valve, and a cap.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising releasably attaching to the upper portion a gas-impermeable sleeve in order to extend the channel away from the incision.  
   
   
       57 . A method of performing minimally invasive surgery, the method comprising: 
 extending the channel away from the incision using the method of  claim 56;  and    accessing an interior of the patient through the channel.