Specimen retrieval device

A specimen retrieval device for use within a body cavity during surgery comprising:

• an introducer having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough, said introducer being configured and dimensioned for at least partial introduction into the body cavity through a predefined passageway;
• a pouch having an access opening defined therein, said pouch being collapsible for storage within said lumen and expandable upon removal from said lumen, said pouch having a first sleeve formed along a first portion of said pouch adjacent said opening and a second sleeve formed along a second portion of said pouch adjacent said opening, said sleeves being configured to define spacings between said sleeves;
• and
• a resilient band having a first band portion slidably disposed within said first sleeve and a second band portion slidably disposed within said second sleeve, said band including first and second grasping tabs disposed in a spaced relationship along said band and dividing said band into first and second segments intermediate said grasping tabs, said first segment including said first band portion and said second segment including said second band portion, and said band being configured to be collapsible for storage within said lumen along with said pouch and to bias said pouch in an open configuration when said pouch is removed from said lumen;
• and
• means for sealing a surgical instrument inserted into said lumen for interaction with said pouch, said means for sealing including a septum valve and being attached to said proximal end of said introducer.

A method for retrieval of specimens from a body cavity through a predefined passage, said method for retrieval comprising:

• providing a specimen retrieval device including an introducer having a proximal end and a distal end and a specimen pouch defining an access opening and having a first sleeve formed along a first portion of said pouch adjacent said opening, a second sleeve formed along a second portion of said pouch adjacent said opening and a resilient band having a first band portion slidably disposed within said first sleeve and a second band portion slidably disposed within said second sleeve, said band being configured to bias said specimen pouch in an open configuration and including at least one grasping tab, said specimen pouch being in a collapsed configuration and removably disposed within said introducer adjacent said distal end;
• inserting said introducer into said predefined passage so that said distal end of said introducer extends through said cannula into the body cavity;
• removing said specimen pouch from said introducer within said body cavity;
• placing material in said specimen pouch for removal from the body cavity;
• acquiring said band using a surgical instrument;
• withdrawing said band into said introducer through said distal end, thereby gathering said sleeves and closing said opening of said pouch;
• and
• withdrawing said introducer and said specimen pouch through said predefined passage.