Method Of Surgical Access
OwnerFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouseinventors
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Abstract
Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor and a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. A method of using the insert is also described, where the insert is positionable at different insertion depths within the passageway defined by the flexible member.
Claims15
A medical device comprising:
- a tissue retractor comprising a flexible member having an outer surface for engaging a body incision and an inner surface defining a passageway;
- and
- at least one insert having at least one instrument opening, the insert releasably supported within the passageway defined by the flexible member;
- and
- wherein the insert is positionable at different insertion depths within the passageway defined by the flexible member.
A method of accessing a body cavity through an incision, the method comprising:
- positioning a flexible tissue retractor in the incision, wherein the tissue refractor provides a passageway extending through the incision;
- releasably positioning a first insert having at least one instrument opening in the passageway provided by the flexible tissue retractor;
- removing the first insert from the passageway provided by the tissue retractor;
- positioning a second insert having at least one instrument opening in the passageway.
A method of accessing a body cavity through an incision, the method comprising:
- positioning a flexible tissue retractor in the incision, wherein the tissue refractor provides a passageway extending through the incision;
- releasably positioning an insert having at least one instrument opening at a first depth in the passageway provided by the flexible tissue retractor;
- and
- repositioning the insert to a second depth in the passageway.
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of repositioning the insert is performed without removing the flexible tissue retractor from the incision.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.