A diffuser for use with a wound retractor and configured to deliver gases includes an interface tube for connecting to a gases supply and a diffuser interface positioned at a proximal end of the interface tube, the diffuser interface configured for delivering gases received from the gases supply through the interface tube, and the diffuser interface comprising a diffusion mechanism configured to deliver gases in a diffusion direction. A wound retractor with an integrated diffuser is also disclosed. The wound retractor includes an upper ring, a lower ring, a sleeve extending between and connecting the upper ring to the lower ring, and an integrated diffuser interface having a gases inlet and a diffusion mechanism.

Described are means for the direct and continuous connection of a catheter to the lumen of any tubular anatomical structure, or ductus, without medically significant leakage. A port implanted at the body surface with piping to a periductal collar allows drug or radionuclide delivery that bypasses the upstream lumen. The port allows injection, infusion, aspiration, or attachment of an automatic ambulatory pump. A superparamagnetic nanoparticle carrier-bound drug, for example, can be introduced into the lumen to pass downstream until the particles, with or without the drug still bound, are drawn into the lumen wall by a magnetized jacket surrounding the ductus. Such constitutes a method of drug targeting whereby a segment of a vessel or the territory supplied by a branch of that segment can be circumscribed for exposure to the drug. A jacket with side-entry connector positioned in surrounding relation to a lesion requiring treatment can itself be magnetized.

A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position.

A unitary adhesive retractor is provided for supporting a patient's excess/redundant tissue to maintain the excess/redundant tissue away from an incision or other existing wound. The retractor defines a top-to-bottom length and a side-to-side width greater than one-half the top-to-bottom length, and comprises a stretchable, air-permeable fabric layer adherable directly to the excess/redundant tissue by means of a silicone gel adhesive which coats at least a substantial portion of a bottom surface of the fabric layer. When the retractor is placed in tension upon application of the retractor to a patient, due to the weight of the excess/redundant tissue, forces generated by the weight of the excess/redundant tissue are transferred through the gel adhesive to the fabric layer, such that the gel substantially protects the dermis of the patient from sheer forces generated by the weight of the excess/redundant tissue being evenly distributed to the dermis of the patient.

A tissue retention belt for retracting and retaining tissue in a position that permits access to a body portion of a patient for a medical procedure includes a flexible elongate body, a gripping portion affixed to the elongate body at the intermediate portion, and at least one attachment surface disposed at a proximal portion and/or a distal portion of the elongate body. The elongate body may include a first material having a first coefficient of friction, and the gripping portion may include a non-adhesive second material having a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction and defining a slip resistant exterior gripping portion. The tissue retention belt can be positioned or wrapped around a patient's body (e.g., pannus, thigh) such that the gripping surface contacts and grips the patient's skin to retract and retain the skin at the position to provide access for a medical procedure.

A closed loop granular jamming apparatus is disclosed including a three-dimensional membrane structure filled with granular material. Fluid is evacuated from the structure which induces a jamming effect, whereas the viscosity of the granular media increases with increasing particle density. The thin membrane conforms to the shape of the granular material. Decreasing enclosed volume and increasing packing density prevents particles from distributing within the confined space, inducing the aggregate to behave as a solid. In the jammed state, the apparatus is resistive to force and change of shape. The apparatus is returned to the unjammed state by releasing the vacuum. The size and shape of the apparatus may be repeatedly adjusted by alternating between the jammed and unjammed states. The closed loop granular jamming apparatus may include toroidal and cylindrical shapes with articulating inserts and compliant spines.

A dilator configured for separating subcutaneous fat from glandular tissue includes a center section, a first end section extending from a first end of the center section, the first end section extending nonparallel to the center section, the first end section having a first diameter, and a second end section extending from a second end of the center section opposite the first end, the second end section extending nonparallel to the center section, the second end section having a second diameter different than the first diameter. A retractor includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a head located at a shaft end opposite the handle. The head includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth having a tooth end curving downwardly from a head outer surface, adjacent teeth spaced from one another by a tooth gap therebetween, the plurality of teeth having unequal tooth lengths.

A tissue retention system to assist in maintaining adipose tissue on a patient in a displaced position during a medical procedure to provide access to a body region of the patient includes an anchor pad having a pad length and a pad width. The anchor pad may include a pad body with an adhesive surface thereon, the adhesive being configured to adhere to a patient's skin. The anchor pad also may include an opposing first attachment surface facing away from the adhesive surface. The tissue retention system also may include a tension member having a second attachment surface.

Shapeable articles with structured elements and kits including one or more of the shapeable articles. The shapeable articles described herein have a variety of uses including use as surgical retractors for moving and/or restraining tissue and/or organs to improve access to a surgical site. The shapeable articles described herein can be shaped or manipulated into three-dimensional shapes without the use of tools and hold those shapes after removal of the force required to achieve the shape.

Methods and apparatus for retracting the dura away from a cutting tool during a laminectomy procedure. The method includes inserting a memory shape surgical sponge (patty) into an initial epidural space between the dura and the tool used to decompress (e.g., drill) the lamina. As the lamina is further decompressed, the patty tends to spring back toward its nominal position, urging the dura away from the decompression and isolating the dura from the drill.