Soft tissue shield for trans-orbital surgery

摘要

A surgical shield protects collateral soft tissue from damage during a trans-orbital surgical procedure in the head of a patient. The shield may be provided as an elongated flexible sheath having one or more thin flexible sidewalls that can conform to the tissue around or bearing on the shield. Other areas or sidewalls of the shield may be thicker to better resist perforation by surgical instruments, and/or to better maintain the access lumen of pathway to the surgical site.

主权项

1. A method of performing a trans-orbital surgical procedure in the head of a patient, comprising:
retracting the eye; moving a distal end of a shield through the orbital opening; securing the shield in position, with a proximal end of the shield external to the head of the patient, and with shield having at least one flexible sidewall substantially conforming to tissue around the distal end of the shield; moving a distal end of a surgical instrument through the shield and into the head of the patient; performing a surgical procedure ire the head of the patient using the surgical instrument; and removing the shield from the orbital opening.