Wound Retractor

Abstract

A retraction device that optionally includes a sheath that traverses from outside the body to a body cavity inside the body. The retraction device may include an outer retention ring and a plurality of shapeable extending elements coupled to the retention ring and extending distally therefrom, the extending elements being configured to transition from a first, low-profile, insertion condition to a second, expanded, high-profile retention condition in which distal ends of the extending elements extend radially outwardly. Alternatively, the retraction device may include an outer ring having a substantially annular shape with an adjustable circumference, the outer ring being divided into a plurality of curved ring segments, with a substantially tubular structure extending distally from the outer ring, wherein the diameter of the outer ring is increased by moving the curved ring segments further apart and the diameter is decreased by moving the curved ring segments closer together.

1 . A retraction device, comprising:
 a proximal retention ring; and   a plurality of shapeable extending elements coupled to the proximal retention ring and extending distally therefrom, the extending elements being configured to transition from a first, low-profile, insertion condition to a second, expanded, high-profile retention condition in which distal ends of the extending elements extend radially outwardly.   
     
     
         2 . The retraction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a circumferential sheath positioned within a lumen of the retraction device. 
     
     
         3 . The retraction device of  claim 1 , the proximal retention ring being adapted to abut against an outer surface of the body wall. 
     
     
         4 . The retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the extending elements being made of a shape-memory material;   at a first temperature, the extending elements being in a first, substantially straight condition; and   at a second, higher temperature, the extending elements transforming to a second, curved condition where the distal ends of the extending elements extending radially outwardly.   
     
     
         5 . The retraction device of  claim 4 , the extending elements being formed of nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The retraction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of pull wires, each of the pull wires being coupled to a distal portion of a respective extending element and configured to deflect the respective extending element radially outwardly when the pull wire is pulled proximally. 
     
     
         7 . The retraction device of  claim 6 , the extending elements being made of spring steel. 
     
     
         8 . The retraction device of  claim 6 , further comprising a pull wire retainer positioned along the length of the outer surface of each of the extending elements, each of the pull wires traversing through a respective pull wire retainer. 
     
     
         9 . The retraction device of  claim 8 , each pull wire retainer including a tube, the respective pull wire traversing through the tube. 
     
     
         10 . The retraction device of  claim 8 , each pull wire retainer including at least one eyelet, the pull wires traversing through the respective eyelets. 
     
     
         11 . The retraction device of  claim 10 , each pull wire retainer including a plurality of eyelets longitudinally aligned along the length of the respective extending element, the pull wires traversing through the respective plurality of eyelets. 
     
     
         12 . A retraction device, comprising:
 an outer ring having a substantially annular shape with an adjustable circumference, the outer ring being divided into a plurality of curved ring segments, each of the curved ring segments including a first, proximal side, a second, distal side, a first end about the circumference of the outer ring, and a second end about the circumference of the outer ring;   a substantially tubular structure extending distally from the outer ring, the substantially tubular structure being divided into a plurality of elongate tube segments, each of the tube segments being coupled to a respective curved ring segment and extending distally from the respective curved ring segment; and   means for adjusting the circumference of the outer ring,   wherein the diameter of the outer ring being increased by moving the curved ring segments further apart and the diameter being decreased by moving the curved ring segments closer together.   
     
     
         13 . The retraction device of  claim 12 , each of the tube segments of the tubular structure extending circumferentially between the first end and second end of the respective curved ring segment to which it is coupled such that there is substantially no overlap between adjacent tube segments. 
     
     
         14 . The retraction device of  claim 12 , each of the tube segments extending circumferentially beyond at least one of the first and second ends of the respective curved ring segment to which it is coupled such that adjacent tube segments overlap. 
     
     
         15 . The retraction device of  claim 12 , the means for adjusting the circumference of the outer ring including a ratcheting mechanism, the ratcheting mechanism being adapted to couple adjacent curved ring segments of the outer ring together to form the annular shape of the outer ring. 
     
     
         16 . The retraction device of  claim 15 , the ratcheting mechanism including:
 a groove in the proximal surface of each of the curved ring segments, the grooves substantially following the curve of the respective curved ring segment and being open to the first end of the respective curved ring segment, the groove forming a first, outer curved surface and a second, inner curved surface;   a plurality of ratchet teeth positioned in each of the grooves;   an elongate protuberance extending from the second end of each of the curved ring segments, the protuberances being adapted to mate with the groove in an adjacent curved ring segment; and   at least one ratchet tooth positioned on each of the protuberances, the at least one ratchet tooth being adapted to interact with the ratchet teeth in the groove of the respective adjacent curved ring segment.   
     
     
         17 . The retraction device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first end of each of the curved ring segments being positioned adjacent the second end of an adjacent curved ring segment; and   the elongate protuberance of each curved ring segment being inserted into the groove of the other adjacent curved ring segment such that the at least one ratchet tooth on the elongate protuberance interacts with the ratchet teeth in the groove.   
     
     
         18 . The retraction device of  claim 16 , the ratchet teeth being positioned on the first, outer curved surface of the groove of the respective curved ring segment. 
     
     
         19 . The retraction device of  claim 16 , the ratchet teeth being positioned on the second, inner curved surface of the groove of the respective curved ring segment. 
     
     
         20 . The retraction device of  claim 16 , the ratchet teeth being positioned on a distal surface of the groove of the respective curved ring segment. 
     
     
         21 . The retraction device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a retention channel positioned in each of the grooves in at least one of the first, outer curved surface and second, inner curved surface of the respective groove;   a lip positioned on each of the elongate protuberances, the lips extending longitudinally along the length of the respective protuberance and being adapted to interact with the retention channel in the groove of the respective adjacent curved ring segment.