O-ring for incrementally adjustable incision liner and retractor

Abstract

An O-ring is provided for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision. At least one recess is defined in the O-ring that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of the O-ring about the cross-sectional center in predetermined increments. The recess may comprise various cross-sectional shapes, such as, at least one circumferential groove, a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses, or be shaped such that the O-ring comprises a cruciform cross-section. An improved incrementally adjustable apparatus for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants is also provided including a pair of resilient O-rings connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve. One of the O-rings is formed to engage the inner edge of the wound with a portion of the sleeve above the wound capable of being rolled onto the other ring to draw the remaining sleeve portion contiguous with the sides of the wound.

1 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least one recess that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       2 . An O-ring according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess comprises at least one circumferential groove.  
   
   
       3 . An O-ring according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses.  
   
   
       4 . An O-ring according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess yields a cruciform cross-section of said O-ring.  
   
   
       5 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a circular torus having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    two recesses that are selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       6 . An O-ring according to  claim 5  wherein said circular cross-section of said O-ring comprises four quadrants wherein material defining two diagonally opposed quadrants is removed, leaving two diagonally opposed recesses.  
   
   
       7 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . An O-ring according to  claim 5  wherein said sinusoidal surfaces extend transversely relative to said central longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       10 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least one sinusoidal surface that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       11 . An O-ring according to  claim 10  comprising two sinusoidal surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    a plurality of discrete recesses that are selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       13 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least one continuous recess that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       14 . An O-ring according to  claim 13  comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed protrude from said at least one continuous recess.  
   
   
       15 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    a plurality of protrusions that are selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       16 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a circular torus having a solid cruciform cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision, and providing selected snap-action rolling of said O-ring in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       17 . An O-ring according to  claim 16  wherein said cruciform cross-section forms flat surfaces.  
   
   
       18 . An O-ring according to  claim 16  wherein said cruciform cross-section forms radiused surfaces.  
   
   
       19 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a circular torus including a plurality of recesses defined radially inwardly from diametrically opposed positions along the circumference of said O-ring, and a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision, and providing selected snap-action rolling of said O-ring in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       20 . An O-ring according to  claim 19  wherein said plurality of recesses are rectilinearly shaped.  
   
   
       21 . An O-ring according to  claim 19  wherein said plurality of recesses are round.  
   
   
       22 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least one through-hole that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       23 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least one convex surface and at least one smooth curved surface to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       24 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and at least two convex surfaces to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       25 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision; and    at least four convex surfaces to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       26 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision;    two O-rings, one each secured around the open ends of said tube having a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and    wherein at least one O-ring comprises at least one recess for enabling selected snap-action rolling of said at least one O-ring for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said O-ring to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       27 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 26  wherein said O-ring comprises a circular torus having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       28 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 26  wherein said circular cross-section of said O-ring comprises four quadrants wherein material defining two diagonally opposed quadrants is removed, leaving two diagonally opposed recesses.  
   
   
       29 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 26  wherein said sleeve is a thin sheet disposed in a generally cylindrical form with overlapping lengthwise margins sealed together.  
   
   
       33 - 37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision;    two O-rings, one each secured around an open end of said tube so that a portion of said tube adjacent to said end is bonded to a portion of the outer surface of each of said O-rings, wherein each of said O-rings has a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and    wherein at least one O-ring comprises at least one recess for enabling selected snap-action rolling of said at least one O-ring for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said O-ring to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       39 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision;    two O-rings, one each secured to an open end of said tube so that a portion of said tube adjacent to said end is thermally bonded to an outer curved surface of each of said O-rings, wherein each of said O-rings has a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and    wherein at least one O-ring comprises at least one recess for enabling selected snap-action rolling of said at least one O-ring for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said O-ring to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       40 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision;    two O-rings, one each secured around the open ends of said tube having a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and    wherein said O-rings each comprise a circular torus having a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis and two recesses that are selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of at least one of said two O-rings about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said O-ring to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       41 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 40  wherein at least one of said two O-rings comprises at least one curved annular surface that is vertically oriented so as to be substantially coaxial with said central longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       42 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision;    two O-rings, one each secured around the open ends of said tube having a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and    wherein said O-rings each comprise a cross-sectional center that is radially equidistant from a central longitudinal axis and two recesses that are sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of at least one of said two O-rings about said cross-sectional center in predetermined increments for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said O-ring to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       43 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis; and    two opposed recesses that are selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said cross sectional center in predetermined increments.    
   
   
       44 . An O-ring according to  claim 43  wherein at least one of said two recesses comprises a circumferential groove.  
   
   
       45 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector comprising opposed portions that are joined together so as to define (i) a cross-sectional center located between said portions that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis, and (ii) two opposed recesses.  
   
   
       46 . A protector for a surgical opening, comprising: 
 an elongated tube formed of a pliable material to line the surgical opening;    two O-rings secured at a space from one another along the tube, at least one of the O-rings being resiliently collapsible for insertion through the surgical opening;    wherein at least a rollable one of said O-rings has a cross-sectional shape characterized by annular surfaces and unequal concentrations of material around a ring centerline, whereby upon rolling or unrolling said rollable O-ring on the tube using manual pressure on the annular surfaces, the rollable O-ring snaps incrementally from one stable position to a next stable position.    
   
   
       47 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 a sleeve having two open ends, said sleeve being made of an elastomeric material impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise in a wound; a first O-ring secured around one of said ends, said first O-ring having a preformed resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to said first O-ring in the wound; and    a second O-ring secured around the other of said ends of said sleeve, said second O-ring having a non-circular radial cross-section with opposed surfaces so as to enable gripping and rolling of said sleeve onto said second O-ring and rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of the sleeve on itself about the second O-ring to shorten the sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening when positioned to overlap the outer edge of the wound;    whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.    
   
   
       48 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 47 , wherein said non-circular radial cross-section of said second O-ring has a centroid and said opposed surfaces are on opposite sides of said centroid.  
   
   
       49 . An adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising: 
 an elongate open-ended tube formed of a pliable material that is impervious to solid and fluid contaminants for inserting lengthwise into a surgical incision; 
 two O-rings, one each secured around the open ends of said tube having a resilient configuration for overlapping the inner edge of the wound and for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable with a lengthwise portion of the sleeve adjacent to one of said O-rings in said surgical incision; and  
 wherein at least one of said two O-rings comprises a non-circular radial cross-section with opposed surfaces so as to enable a snap-action rolling of said at least one of said two O-rings in predetermined increments for rolling the remaining lengthwise portion of said sleeve on itself about said at least one of said two O-rings to shorten said sleeve in predetermined increments and to resist subsequent lengthening, whereby the sleeve length can be adjusted before or after placement in the wound.  
   
   
   
       50 . An adjustable surgical wound protector according to  claim 49  wherein said non-circular radial cross-section of said at least one of said two O-rings has a centroid and said opposed surfaces are on opposite sides of said centroid.  
   
   
       51 . An O-ring for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector, comprising a non-circular radial cross-section with opposed surfaces and a centroid wherein said opposed surfaces are on opposite sides of said centroid so as to enable a snap-action rolling of said O-ring about said centroid in predetermined increments.  
   
   
       52 . A protector for a surgical opening, comprising: 
 an elongated tube formed of a pliable material to line the surgical opening; 
 two O-rings secured at a space from one another along the tube, at least one of the O-rings being resiliently collapsible for insertion through the surgical opening;  
   wherein at least a rollable one of said O-rings has a cross-sectional shape characterized by a non-circular radial cross-section and a centroid, whereby upon rolling or unrolling said rollable O-ring on the tube using manual pressure on the annular surfaces, the rollable O-ring snaps incrementally from one stable position to a next stable position.