Wound retraction apparatus and method

Abstract

A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter through body cavities of varying thicknesses. 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 having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound, and a sheath disposed between the two rings. Optionally, the second ring may be detachably attached to the sheath to adapt the retractor to body cavities of varying thickness. Additional rings may be disposed along the sheath to provide for adjustment of the distance between the first and second rings. The retractor may also include an expandable foam annulus that can adjust the distance between the first and second rings.

1 . A surgical retractor adapted to adjust to a variety of body wall thicknesses and to dilate a wound in the body wall 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 having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;   a tubular sheath with a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first ring, and   retaining means disposed on the second ring, adapted to detachably attach to the tubular sheath, wherein the tension of the sheath between the first ring and the second ring maintains the wound in an open configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprise hooks. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprise clamps. 
     
     
         4 . A surgical retractor adapted to adjust to a variety of body wall thicknesses and to dilate a wound in the body wall 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 having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;   a cylindrical sheath with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a center, a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first ring and the second end coupled to the second ring; and   at least one intermediate ring coupled to the sheath.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical retractor of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate ring is coupled to the interior surface of the sheath. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical retractor of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate ring is coupled to the center of the sheath. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical retractor of  claim 4 , further comprising at least two intermediate rings coupled to the sheath. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical retractor of  claim 7 , wherein the intermediate rings are coupled to the exterior surface of the sheath. 
     
     
         9 . A surgical retractor adapted to dilate a wound in the body wall 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 having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound and being adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound;   a tubular sheath with a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first ring and the second end coupled to the second ring;   an expandable compartment disposed around the sheath between the first ring and the second ring, proximate to the second ring, the compartment adapted to be operatively disposed exteriorly of the body wall;   a valve attached to the compartment, operatively adapted to adjust the compartment between an open state and a sealed state; and   a foam annulus disposed within the compartment, wherein the foam annulus is adapted to expand when the compartment is in a open state to thereby expand the compartment and elevate the second ring above the body wall, to thereby tension the sheath to provide retraction of the wound.   
     
     
         10 . The wound retractor of  claim 9 , further comprising a sealing cap, wherein the sealing cap is detachably attached to the second ring.