Medical apparatus for use with a surgical tubular retractor

A medical apparatus for use with a surgical tubular retractor configured to hold open an incision and thereby provide a pathway for access of surgical tools to a surgical site, the surgical retractor having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the pathway extends along the longitudinal axis into the surgical site and the first end is more proximal than the second end, the apparatus comprising:

• an imaging insert configured to be received within the tubular retractor, the imaging insert comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the imaging insert is configured to extend along the longitudinal axis of the tubular retractor between the first and second ends of the tubular retractor without substantially obstructing the pathway and maintaining the pathway allowing the surgical tools to gain access to the surgical site through the proximal end of the imaging insert;
• and
• wherein the imaging insert comprises:
• a proximal head of the imaging insert at the proximal end, the proximal head configured to be disposed above the first end of the tubular retractor;
• and
• a plurality of cameras facing radially inward toward the pathway;
• and
• wherein the plurality of cameras are disposed on an inner surface of the imaging insert.