主权项 |
1. A device for creating endoscopic operating space, the device comprising: an external cannula; an internal cannula disposed in the external cannula; an expandable retractor disposed at a distal end of the device and cooperable with the external cannula and the internal cannula, the expandable retractor being displaceable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position; an actuator cooperable with the expandable retractor, the actuator displacing the expandable retractor between the unexpanded position and the expanded position; wherein the internal cannula is displaceable longitudinally relative to the external cannula, and wherein the actuator displaces a distal end of the internal cannula outward past a distal end of the external cannula to thereby displace the expandable retractor from the unexpanded position to the expanded position; wherein the expandable retractor comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs and walls connected continuously between the ribs, wherein the walls of the expandable retractor are a membrane formed of a synthetic fabric, and when in the unexpanded position, the membrane has folds positioned below the ribs, expansion of the folds of the membrane outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the internal or external cannula causing the plurality of ribs of the expandable retractor to move to the expanded position to form an operating space; and wherein the expandable retractor comprises a first part-cone member secured directly to the distal end of the external cannula and a second part-cone member secured directly to the distal end of the internal cannula, the first and second part-cone members being secured to each other at distal ends thereof, wherein at least the second part-cone member comprises the reinforcing ribs; and wherein the actuator comprises threads at a proximal end of the internal cannula and a mechanical expander engaging the threads, wherein rotation of the mechanical expander effects longitudinal displacement of the internal cannula relative to the external cannula. |