Endoscopic inflatable retraction device, method of using, and method of making

Abstract

A method of providing access to tissue for a surgical instrument through a body wall is provided. The method includes providing an expandable retractor having a flexible sheath, the retractor being in a collapsed state; introducing the retractor into the body and placing the retractor adjacent the tissue; expanding the retractor; deploying the flexible sheath by engaging the flexible sheath with a tool and driving the flexible sheath through the body wall with the tool; and inserting the surgical instrument from outside the body through the flexible sheath to provide access to the tissue by the surgical instrument.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A method of providing access to tissue for a surgical instrument through a body wall, comprising:
 providing an expandable retractor having a flexible sheath, the retractor being in a collapsed state;   introducing the retractor into the body and placing the retractor adjacent the tissue;   expanding the retractor;   deploying the flexible sheath by engaging the flexible sheath with a tool and driving the flexible sheath through the body wall with the tool; and   inserting the surgical instrument from outside the body through the flexible sheath to provide access to the tissue by the surgical instrument.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the retractor comprises an inflatable retractor and wherein expanding the retractor includes inflating the retractor. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the inflatable retractor has a main envelope defining a main chamber and wherein the main chamber is inflated to an expanded state. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of piercing an aperture in the main envelope to provide access to the tissue by the further surgical instrument. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible sheath communicates with the main chamber and further comprising the step of inserting the surgical instrument into the main chamber through the flexible sheath. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible sheath is deployed after the retraction device has been inflated. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath is attached to the retractor and the flexible sheath is deployed by being driven outward through the body wall. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath is deployed by being driven inward through the body wall to pierce and to lock into engagement with, the retraction device. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath has a sidewall, the sidewall being folded, and wherein deploying the flexible sheath includes unfolding the sidewall. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tool comprises a pointed tool and wherein the step of deploying includes piercing a hole in the retractor and pushing the pointed tool through the hole. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pointed tool is pressed against the inner surface of the body wall. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of making a skin incision at the location of the tool and then driving the flexible sheath through the body wall to emerge through the incision. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of opening a distal end of the flexible sheath, after the flexible sheath is driven through the body wall. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of fitting the flexible sheath with a gas-tight port. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath has a locking device disposed on a proximal end thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, before the step of driving the flexible sheath, a skin incision is made in the body wall. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of driving includes driving through the body wall with a sharp trocar point. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of piercing the retractor with the trocar point. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible sheath has a locking device and further comprising the step of pushing the locking device of the flexible sheath through the skin incision to engage the retractor. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the locking device forms a gas-tight seal with the skin incision.