# US 7,883,461 B2 · Wound retractor with gel cap

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,883,461 B2
- Document ID: US7883461B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/791,666
- Filed: 2010-06-01
- Published: 2010-12-02
- Granted: 2011-02-08
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-14
- Assignees: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
- Inventors: Jeremy J. Albrecht; Charles C. Hart; John R. Brustad; Gary M. Johnson; Jennifer T. Ko; Donald L. Gadberry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7883461B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/0293: {with ring member to support retractor elements}
- A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
- A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)}
- A61B 17/3431: {being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material (A61B17/3423 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/3462: {with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals (expandable cannulas A61B17/3417)}
- A61B 17/3498: {Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves (haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24)}
- A61B 90/40: Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
- A61B 17/3439: {with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable (A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662)}
- A61B 17/3496: {Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips (for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/0225: {flexible, e.g. fabrics, meshes, or membranes}
- A61B 2017/0287: {with elastic retracting members connectable to a frame, e.g. hooked elastic wires}
- A61B 2017/3419: {Sealing means between cannula and body}
- A61B 2017/347: {Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula}
- A61B 2050/005: {with a lid or cover}
- A61B 2050/0051: {closable by rotation}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop positioned therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical access device comprising an adjustable wound retractor comprising:
a flexible inner ring insertable into a body cavity;
an outer ring comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
an annular axis;
a resilient, ring-shaped body;
a first circumferential lumen extending through the body;
a second circumferential lumen extending through the body, axially spaced from the first circumferential lumen;
a first split-hoop comprising a first end and a second end disposed in the first lumen; and
a second split-hoop comprising a first end and a second end disposed in the second lumen; and
a cross section comprising a longer axis; and
a flexible, tubular sleeve comprising a first end coupled to the inner ring and a second end coupled to the outer ring,
wherein
the outer ring comprises resting states in which the outer ring is substantially non-compliant and the longer axis of the cross section of the outer ring is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the outer ring;
rotating the outer ring around the annular axis winds the tubular sleeve therearound, adjusting a length of the tubular sleeve between the inner ring and the outer ring;
rotating the outer ring around the annular axis converts the outer ring between adjacent resting states through intervening transitional states; and
in the transitional states, one of the first split-hoop and second split-hoop defines the annular axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The access device of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the outer ring is oval.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The access device of claim 1, wherein the body of the outer ring comprises an elongate member comprising a first end coupled to a second end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The access device of claim 3, wherein the first and second ends of the first hoop, and the first and second ends of the second hoop are positioned away from the first and second ends of the elongate member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The access device of claim 1, further comprising a cap comprising a cap ring couplable to the outer ring, and a gel pad, wherein at least a portion of the gel pad is disposed within the cap ring.

### Claim 6

A surgical access device comprising an adjustable wound retractor comprising:
a flexible inner ring insertable into a body cavity;
a substantially non-compliant outer ring comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a resilient, ring-shaped body;
a circumferential lumen extending through the body;
a non-compliant hoop disposed in the lumen, defining an annular axis of the outer ring; and
a cross section comprising a longer axis; and
a flexible, tubular sleeve comprising a first end coupled to the inner ring and a second end coupled to the outer ring,
wherein
rotating the outer ring around the annular axis winds the tubular sleeve therearound, adjusting a length of the tubular sleeve between the inner ring and the outer ring;
rotating the outer ring around the annular axis converts the outer ring between adjacent resting states through intervening transitional states; and
in the resting states, the longer axis of the cross section of the outer ring is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the outer ring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The access device of claim 6, wherein the cross section of the outer ring is oval.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The access device of claim 6, wherein the body comprises an elongate member comprising a first end coupled to a second end.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The access device of claim 6, further comprising a cap comprising a cap ring couplable to the outer ring, and a gel pad, wherein at least a portion of the gel pad is disposed within the cap ring.

### Claim 10

A surgical access device comprising an adjustable wound retractor comprising:
a flexible inner ring insertable into a body cavity;
an outer ring comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
an annular axis;
a resilient, ring-shaped body;
an lumen extending circumferentially within the body; and
a hoop disposed in the lumen; and
a cross section comprising a longer axis; and
a flexible, tubular sleeve comprising a first end coupled to the inner ring and a second end coupled to the outer ring,
wherein
the outer ring comprises a plurality of rotationally-stable resting states angularly disposed around the annular axis and transitional states disposed between adjacent resting states;
in the resting states, the longer axis of the cross section of the outer ring is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the outer ring;
the outer ring is substantially non-compliant in the resting states; and
rotating the outer ring around the annular axis winds the tubular sleeve therearound, adjusting a length of the tubular sleeve between the inner ring and the outer ring.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein rotating the outer ring around the annular axis snaps the outer ring between adjacent resting states.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the cross section of the outer ring is oval.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the cross section of the outer ring comprises two straight chordal surfaces substantially parallel to the major axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the cross section of the outer ring comprises at least two curved chordal surfaces.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the body of the outer ring comprises at least two axially spaced tubes.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the body comprises an elongate member comprising a first end juxtaposed with a second end.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The access device of claim 16, wherein the first end of the body is coupled to the second end of the body.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the lumen is a first lumen and the hoop is a first split hoop, further comprising a second lumen extending circumferentially within the body, axially spaced from the first lumen, and a second split hoop disposed in the second lumen.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The access device of claim 18, further comprising a third lumen disposed between the first lumen and the second lumen.

### Claim 20 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the lumen is a first lumen, and further comprising a second lumen axially spaced above the first lumen and a third lumen axially spaced below the first lumen.

### Claim 21 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein each of the body of the outer ring and the inner ring independently comprise at least one of an elastomer, a soft plastic, and rubber.

### Claim 22 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein in the transitional state, the hoop defines the annular axis.

### Claim 23 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the hoop comprises at least one of metal, plastic, and a composite.

### Claim 24 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the hoop is a split hoop comprising a first end juxtaposed with a second end thereof.

### Claim 25 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, wherein the hoop is tubular.

### Claim 26 (depends on 10)

The access device of claim 10, further comprising a cap couplable to the outer ring of the retractor.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The access device of claim 26, wherein the cap comprises a cap ring couplable to the outer ring, and a gel pad, wherein at least a portion of the gel pad is disposed within the cap ring.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The access device of claim 27, wherein the gel pad comprises an access portion extending therethrough, wherein the access portion defines an instrument seal with an instrument extending therethrough.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The access device of claim 26, further comprising a retractor shield disposed towards a proximal end of the retractor and extending into the access channel.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The access device of claim 29, wherein the retractor shield comprises a plurality of flaps extending into the access channel.