Systems, implants, tools, and methods for treatment of pelvic conditions

Abstract

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods. Such devices can include retractors, introducers, and other devices for accessing desired areas of a patient's anatomy.

1 . A retractor for retracting pelvic tissue, the retractor comprising:
 a body member extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the body member comprising a plurality of segments configured as a ring, wherein each segment of the ring is attached to at least one adjacent segment of the ring; and   an aperture extending along a longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end of the body member.   
     
     
         2 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the segments comprises a curved member having a first end, an opposite second end, and an outer surface extending from the proximal to the distal end of the body member, and wherein a first end of a first segment is adjacent to a second end of an adjacent second segment. 
     
     
         3 . The retractor of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is removeably attached at both its first and second ends to adjacent segments. 
     
     
         4 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is removable from the ring to provide a longitudinal gap from the proximal end to the distal end of the body member. 
     
     
         5 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment between adjacent segments of the ring comprises one of a mechanical connection and an adhesive connection. 
     
     
         6 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the body member can be expanded to a diameter in a range from 3 to 7 centimeters, and contracted to a diameter in a range from 1 to 5 centimeters. 
     
     
         7 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises four segments, and wherein one of the segments is slideably removeable from the other three segments. 
     
     
         8 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is hingedly attached to at least one adjacent segment. 
     
     
         9 . The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the hinged attachment extends from the proximal to the distal end of the body member. 
     
     
         10 . The retractor of  claim 9 , wherein a first segment comprises a first end that is hingedly attached to a first end of a second segment, and wherein each of the first and second segments comprises a second end with a tissue engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The retractor of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue engagement mechanism comprises a plurality of hooks. 
     
     
         12 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is expandable. 
     
     
         13 . The retractor of  claim 12 , wherein the expandable segment comprises a balloon extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body member. 
     
     
         14 . A refractor for retracting pelvic tissue, the retractor comprising:
 a pivot point;   first and second handles extending proximally from the pivot point and pivotably attached to the pivot point;   first and second arms extending distally from the pivot point and pivotably attached to the pivot point; and   a sheet of material operatively attached to an inner surface of each of the first and second arms.   
     
     
         15 . The retractor of  claim 14 , comprising a closed configuration in which the first and second arms are adjacent to each other and an open configuration in which the first and second arms are spaced from each other with the sheet of material extending between them. 
     
     
         16 . The retractor of  claim 14 , wherein the sheet of material comprises a mesh material.