Surgical bowel retractor devices

Abstract

Bowel retractor devices. In various forms, the bowel retractor devices are configurable from a collapsed position wherein the retractor may be inserted through a trocar cannula or other opening in a patient's body to a second expanded position wherein at least a portion of the patient's bowel may be advantageously supported in a desired position.

1 . A bowel retractor device comprising an elastic body that is configurable from a first collapsed position wherein said elastic body is configured to be fully passed through an opening in a patient's body and a second expanded position wherein a portion of the patient's bowel may be pulled through a central portion of said elastic body in a desired orientation. 
     
     
         2 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion comprises an elastic flexible film having a first amount of elasticity and at least one opening therethrough configured to permit a portion of the bowel to pass therethrough and be retained therein and wherein said flexible film is coupled to a flexible outer ring having a second amount of elasticity that is less than said first amount of elasticity. 
     
     
         3 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 2 , wherein when said flexible film is in said first collapsed position, said flexible film is in a substantially twisted configuration and when said flexible film is in said second open position, said flexible film is substantially planar. 
     
     
         4 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one opening comprises at least one expandable opening. 
     
     
         5 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one expandable opening comprises:
 an elongated slot having two ends; and   at least one additional opening adjacent to each end of said elongated slot and spaced therefrom such that a portion of said flexible film between each said end and each said adjacent additional opening is rupturable.   
     
     
         6 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one expandable opening comprises a plurality of rupturable perforations in said flexible film. 
     
     
         7 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion comprises an elastic flexible film that has at least one opening therethrough that is configured to permit a portion of the bowel to pass therethrough and be retained therein and wherein said flexible film is coupled to an outer ring comprising a selectively bendable member. 
     
     
         8 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic body comprises a flexible outer collar that defines said central portion and has a flexible cinchable member woven therethrough and wherein said central portion comprises a flexible film having at least one opening therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 8 , wherein said flexible outer collar has a plurality of spaced radially outwardly protruding tabs formed thereon and wherein said flexible cinchable member comprises a flexible cable woven through the tabs. 
     
     
         10 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tether member attached to said elastic body. 
     
     
         11 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 10 , wherein said elastic body comprises a flexible plate member having a plurality of openings therethrough and wherein said plate member has a retention portion protruding therefrom opposite to said tether such that said tether may be inserted through a tether opening in said retention portion. 
     
     
         12 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic body comprises a plurality of substantially flexible plate members, each said plate member having at least one opening therethrough and wherein said substantially flexible plate members are attached to each other in a spaced apart relationship by at least one flexible strap member. 
     
     
         13 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of substantially flexible plate members comprises four spaced apart said flexible plate members and wherein one said plate member has a retention strap protruding therefrom that is insertable through a retention opening in a retention tab protruding from another one of said flexible plate member. 
     
     
         14 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic body comprises a flexible mesh portion having a plurality of openings therethrough arranged in a grid-like fashion. 
     
     
         15 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic body comprises a flexible annular ring extending around said central portion and wherein said central portion comprises a plurality of interwoven flexible members. 
     
     
         16 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of interwoven flexible members comprises a plurality of interwoven flexible ribbon members. 
     
     
         17 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of interwoven flexible members comprises:
 a first layer of interwoven members; and   a second layer of interwoven members spaced from said first layer of interwoven members.   
     
     
         18 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 17 , wherein each said interwoven member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         19 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic body comprises:
 a flexible endless outer collar member defining an inner area; and   a plurality of flexible fingers protruding inwardly into said inner area from said flexible endless outer collar member.   
     
     
         20 . The bowel retractor device of  claim 19 , wherein each said flexible finger terminates in a ball-shaped member. 
     
     
         21 - 32 . (canceled)