ACCESS ENABLING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES

摘要

The present invention is primarily directed to a surgical retractor capable of being manipulated from a closed conformation to an open conformation and vice versa, wherein said retractor in its open conformation comprises a tube-like frame, such that the inner face of said frame defines the outer boundary of an internal space, and wherein said internal space is essentially eliminated when said retractor is in its closed conformation. The invention further provides methods of retracting tissues and/or organs during surgical procedures using the aforementioned surgical retractor.