Surgical tissue collection bag

Abstract

An improved surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue receiving space is enlarged by passing a grasper through a lumen of the dilator extractor to interact with a guide surface on the interior of dilator extractor to expand a dilator portion having a single leaf beyond the natural resiliency of the leaf. The tissue being extracted is then manipulated into the space with the grasper. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical tissue collection bag for removing tissue from an animal or human body cavity, said bag comprising:
 a top, a bottom, and at least one side between said top and said bottom, said top having an opening with a perimeter; and   a resilient expansion member movable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position, said expansion member being positioned around at least a portion of said opening, said expansion member being biased toward the expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said expansion member is formed of a single material configured as a loop adapted to extend around the perimeter of said opening of said top. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein said loop includes two generally opposed coils, each of said coils having at least one turn. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said expansion member includes two arms and a bend therebetween, said bend being biased to move said arms away from each other. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said bend is a coil. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 4 , further comprising a second expansion member positioned around at least a portion of said opening substantially opposite said expansion member. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 6 , wherein said opening is generally non-circular when said expansion members are in the expanded position. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said arms have an included angle therebetween of approximately 120 degrees in the expanded position. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said arms have an included angle therebetween of approximately 90 degrees in the expanded position. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said arms have an included angle therebetween of approximately 45 degrees in the expanded position. 
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 4 , further comprising a third arm adapted to depend downwardly towards said bottom of said bag when said expansion member is engaged thereto. 
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said expansion member comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said expansion member includes an eyelet having an opening adapted to permit insertion of a thread or wire therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag includes a press seal adapted to seal close said bag. 
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag has a generally conical cross section along the height of said bag. 
     
     
         16 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag comprises a hem for receiving at least a portion of said expansion member. 
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein said hem is heat-sealed. 
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag comprises two sides, said sides being heat-welded together. 
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag has a volume adapted to transport a gall bladder.