A tissue retractor comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a flexible, metal sheath extending therebetween is described. Embodiments of the inner ring comprise a flat or wedge-shaped conformation useful for insertion between muscle layers. Other embodiments of the inner ring include variable diameter inner rings, where the diameter can be adjusted as required and optionally locked into place, and reshapeable inner rings that permit a user to conform the inner ring to the anatomy of the patient when placing the inner ring.

Surgical devices having a plurality of outwardly-biased flexible fins capable of both inward convergence and outward flexion, provide for fluid retention and soft tissue retraction during surgical procedures. The outwardly-biased flexible fins also provide for soft tissue compression, decreasing the length of the lumen or passageway through which instruments pass, allowing for a wider range of movement of instruments and better access to the surgical site, especially in patients with greater amounts of fat tissue that would otherwise require longer lumen lengths in prior art endoscopic cannulas. An obturator assembly including a cannulated handle member with a cannulated shaft attached to said handle member, said shaft extending distally and terminating at a cannulated obturator tip. A hood structure found on such obturator tip may be used to secure one or more flexible fins prior to deployment.

A tissue guard includes a body defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending through the body between the open proximal end and the open distal end. A lip extends radially outwardly from the open proximal end of the body, the lip including a finger extending from an exterior peripheral surface thereof. The finger includes a flange at a distal end thereof adapted to operably engage an underside of a proximal ring of an access device to secure the tissue guard therein.

Surgical clips and surgical applicators used in performing rapid tissue closure in either minimally invasive surgeries or traditional open procedures are provided. In one example approach, a surgical clip comprises opposing sides extending from a top portion and terminating at tips positioned below the top portion. The resting position of the clip is its closed position. Edges of the top portion and the opposing sides form opposing faces perpendicular to the opposing sides. The opposing faces are angled inwardly towards each other at a region of the faces adjacent to the top portion. Grooves are formed in each of the opposing sides. The grooves are configured to engage inwardly turned tracks of a clip applicator such that, when a force is applied to the clip, the opposing sides bend outwardly away from each other to place the clip in an intermediate open position.

Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated and contained within the containment bag and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable for easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided that enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.

A retractor introducer system is provided that includes a circumferential retractor and a retractor introducer. The circumferential retractor retracts and protects a patient’s body opening and the retractor introducer facilitates insertion and positioning of the circumferential retractor within the patient’s body.

A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the composite image generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.

A support rig for a medical instrument can hold a medical instrument that is inserted into a patient in a fixed position and orientation relative to patient, so that the position and orientation of the medical instrument is not affected by the breathing or other motion of the patient. The support rig and medical instrument can be radiolucent and non-metallic, so that an image can be taken of the patient while the medical instrument is inserted in the patent and held by the support rig. The radiolucent support rig and medical instrument can allow for imaging, including x-ray, CT, and/or MRI, to occur simultaneously during the surgery. Surgical outcomes can be improved by using imaging to provide information about a tumor and/or anatomical structures during surgery.

A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interrogation of the area of interest may be performed to evaluate a disorder and/or abnormality, as well as evaluate treatment regimes. Interventional devices may also be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments.

A method of performing brain surgery on a patient having a skull and brain tissue, that starts by creating an opening, having a rim, in the skull. The method uses an assembly for facilitating brain surgery that includes a curved frame, defining an inward dimension and an outward dimension; a plurality of spatula arm subassemblies, each including a spatula arm frame clamp, releasably attached to the frame, a spatula arm held and supported by the spatula arm frame clamp and a spatula extending from the inward end of the spatula arm of the spatula arm subassembly. The assembly is clamped to the rim and the spatula arms are positioned so that the spatulas engage the brain tissue in a manner that facilitates surgery.