A surgical retractor including a blade molded from a polymer having at least a predetermined flexural strength, a handle, and a deepened portion connecting a proximal end of the blade to the handle, wherein the deepened portion increases in depth from the proximal end of the blade toward the handle, and wherein the blade, being molded from the polymer, and the deepened portion are configured such that the blade deforms less than 10 mm under 15 lbs of force applied thereto

Systems and methods are provided for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator. The system comprises a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient. An ovoid assembly comprises first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism. The first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted for insertion within fornices of a patient. First and second retractors are adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly. The first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of a patient during treatment. The second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of a patient during treatment. The tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver an implant radiation dose suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in a patient.

Systems and methods are provided for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator. The system comprises a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient. An ovoid assembly comprises first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism. The first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted for insertion within fornices of a patient. First and second retractors are adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly. The first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of a patient during treatment. The second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of a patient during treatment. The tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver an implant radiation dose suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in a patient.

Some devices for atraumatic retraction of tissue include a transcatheter deployable mesh hammock that is well-suited for laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries. Methods for atraumatic retraction of tissue include wrapping a mesh material around the tissue in a cradle-like fashion. In some embodiments, magnetic coupling of the proximal and distal ends of the mesh material can provide tissue containment and retractor securement to facilitate tissue retraction.

An access device for a minimally invasive procedure can include a port body defining an instrument channel for a medical instrument, a radial extension extending at least partially outward from the body in a radial direction. The radial extension can extend from a distal end of the port body. The radial extension can define an imaging device cavity defined therein spaced from the port body and opening distally from the radial extension. The imaging device cavity can be configured to receive an imaging device therein for providing images within a field of view that is at least partially distal of the port body.

An access device for a minimally invasive procedure can include a port body defining an instrument channel for a medical instrument, a radial extension extending at least partially outward from the body in a radial direction. The radial extension can extend from a distal end of the port body. The radial extension can define an imaging device cavity defined therein spaced from the port body and opening distally from the radial extension. The imaging device cavity can be configured to receive an imaging device therein for providing images within a field of view that is at least partially distal of the port body.

The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating obesity in a patient by implanting a volume filling device that, when implanted in a patient, reduces the food cavity in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a volume filling device to be invaginated in the stomach wall of a human patient to treat obesity.

A nasal speculum, rhinoscope, designed for examination of the nasal cavity in both humans and animals, is characterized in that it is made from one piece of material and has a resilient arc-shaped connector (1) of the arms (2), said arms connected centrally to one another by means of a catch (3) located in opening (4), said arms extending beyond the said point of connection in the form of parallel shorter arms (5), said shorter arms terminating in appropriately shaped members (6) resembling a truncated cone, the speculum being also provided with a lip (7) positioning the arms of the speculum and with indentations (8) that prevent slipping of the hand when arms (2) are being pressed.

A nasal speculum, rhinoscope, designed for examination of the nasal cavity in both humans and animals, is characterized in that it is made from one piece of material and has a resilient arc-shaped connector (1) of the arms (2), said arms connected centrally to one another by means of a catch (3) located in opening (4), said arms extending beyond the said point of connection in the form of parallel shorter arms (5), said shorter arms terminating in appropriately shaped members (6) resembling a truncated cone, the speculum being also provided with a lip (7) positioning the arms of the speculum and with indentations (8) that prevent slipping of the hand when arms (2) are being pressed.

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.