Inflatable retraction devices for use in laparoscopic surgery

Apparatus for retracting an organ to gain access to treat a tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window;
• a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber;
• first expansion means for passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from a compacted state to retract the organ;
• and
• second expansion means for passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber to maintain the organ in its retracted state after fluid has been released from the main chamber;
• the removable window being positioned in the main envelope such that, when the main chamber is expanded to retract the organ, the tissue is substantially centered in the removable window, and
• the window being positioned in the main envelope to provide access for an instrument to enter the main chamber to treat the tissue through the removable window.

Apparatus for retracting an organ to gain access to treat a tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window;
• a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber, the second chamber including a side-wall part and a top-wall part;
• first expansion means for passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from a compacted state to retract the organ;
• second expansion means for passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber to maintain the organ in its retracted state after fluid has been released from the main chamber;
• and
• an interconnection chamber disposed between the side-wall part and the top-wall part of the second chamber wherethrough fluid passes when the second chamber is further expanded, the interconnection chamber allowing the side-wall part to move apart from the top-wall part with a low localized stress on the main envelope.