Surgical Device for Retracting and/or Sealing an Incision

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.

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)