Surgical access port

Abstract

A device for retracting edges of an incision in a surface to form an opening including: a flexible, tubular skirt having an upper end, a lower end, and a channel therebetween; a ring connected to the lower end of the skirt for maintaining the lower end in an open configuration and defining an exit opening to the channel; and an inflatable collar connected to the skirt and surrounding the upper end. The ring is designed to fit through the incision and remain under the surface when it is oriented parallel to surface. The collar, when inflated, maintains the upper end in an open configuration and defines an entry opening to the channel. During use, the ring is inserted through the incision and the collar is inflated while remaining outside of the incision, thereby drawing the skirt against the edges of the incision and retracting the edges of the incision to form the opening. The retracting device can be included in a surgical access port, which further includes a flexible sleeve connected to at least one of the inflatable collar and the skirt, extending the channel from the exit opening of the skirt to an open end of the flexible sleeve distal to the skirt. The device can include a light source in the vicinity of the exit opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the field of surgical devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a surgical access port, which provides a gas-tight seal for a hand or instrument to be inserted through the opening into a patient's body cavity. [0002] Abdominal surgery typically involves an incision in the abdominal wall large enough to accommodate a surgeon's hands, multiple instruments, and illumination of the body cavity. While large incisions simplify access to the body cavity during a surgery, they also increase trauma, require extended recovery time, and can result in unsightly scars. In response to these drawbacks, minimally invasive surgical methods have been developed. [0003] In minimally invasive abdominal surgery, several smaller incision are made into the abdominal wall. One of the openings is use to inflate the abdominal cavity with gas, which lifts the abdominal wall away from underlying organs and provides space to perform the desi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a surgical access port that allows a surgeon to access a patient's body cavity through a sealed opening. The port includes a wound retractor and a sealing sleeve. The wound retractor retracts the edges of an incision in the surface of the patient, while the sealing sleeve seals around the edges of the incision. The port also features an inflatable collar that seals the channel when the surgeon's arm or glove is inserted. The port helps to prevent gases in the body from escaping and can be used in laparoscopic surgeries.

Problems solved by technology

While large incisions simplify access to the body cavity during a surgery, they also increase trauma, require extended recovery time, and can result in unsightly scars.

While minimally invasive surgical methods overcome certain drawbacks of traditional methods, there are still various disadvantages.

In particular, there is limited tactile feedback from the manipulated tissue to the surgeon hands.

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