Laparoscopic specimen extraction port

Claim 2

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port having expanded and contracted positions, the laparoscopic specimen extraction port comprising: an elongated, hollow port having a rearward portion, an intermediate portion, and a forward portion that is radially-enlarged relative to the intermediate portion; a holding ring disposed radially-outwardly from the intermediate portion and adapted to slide relative to the intermediate portion, the holding ring being disposed at a rear end of the intermediate portion when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position; and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced prongs having rearward ends connected to the holding ring and forward ends extending to the radially-enlarged, forward portion, the forward ends of the prongs expanding radially-outwardly relative to the rearward ends when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position, wherein, during transition from the contracted to the expanded position, the radially-enlarged forward portion expands the prongs radially-outwardly, and wherein each prong has an arced cross-section and is thinner than it is wide.

Claim 3

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the forward portion is radially-enlarged relative to an inside surface of the holding ring such that the forward portion prevents the holding ring from sliding forwardly beyond the forward portion.

Claim 4

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , further comprising a releasable holding mechanism to selectively secure the holding ring at the rear end of the intermediate portion when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position.

Claim 5

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 3 , wherein rotation of the port relative to the holding ring disengages the holding mechanism to allow the laparoscopic specimen extraction port to be manipulated into the expanded position.

Claim 6

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 4 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises: a forwardly-facing surface defined by the holding ring; a notch on an inside surface of the holding ring, the notch extending rearwardly from the forwardly-facing surface; and a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the intermediate portion, a rearward edge of the protrusion being in front of the forwardly-facing surface when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position to prevent the port from moving rearwardly relative to the holding ring, wherein rotation of the port relative to the holding ring aligns the protrusion with the notch, thereby allowing the protrusion to move through the notch and the port to move rearwardly relative to the holding ring to permit the laparoscopic specimen extraction port to be manipulated into the expanded position.

Claim 7

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 2 , wherein the forward portion of the port comprises a radially-outwardly-tapering outer surface.

Claim 8

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 6 , wherein each prong includes a forward tip that has inside and outside surfaces, and wherein the inside surface of the forward tip tapers radially-outwardly so that, when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position, the outwardly-tapering inside surface of the forward tip of each prong adjoins the outwardly-tapering outer surface of the forward portion of the port.

Claim 9

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 7 , wherein the forward portion of the port includes a tip that tapers radially-inwardly from the forward portion.

Claim 10

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 2 , wherein the prongs comprise a flexible material that expands radially-outwardly during expansion of the laparoscopic specimen extraction port.

Claim 11

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the prongs comprise at least one of plastic and PVC.

Claim 12

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 2 , wherein an indentation is formed on a surface of the holding ring to define a folding line between the holding ring and the prongs.

Claim 13

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 2 , wherein the rearward portion of the port is funnel-shaped and tapers radially inwardly toward the intermediate portion.

Claim 14

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the prongs are tinted a color easily distinguishable from tissue.

Claim 15

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the prongs are at least partially radio-opaque.

Claim 16

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of an outer surface of the intermediate and forward portions comprises at least one of a circular cross-section and an ovoid cross-section.

Claim 17

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of an inside surface of the holding ring comprises at least one of a circular cross-section and an ovoid cross-section.

Claim 18

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the prongs extend forwardly from a forwardmost point of the hollow port when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position.

Claim 19

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 1 , wherein the prongs form a funnel shape when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position.

Claim 20

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port according to claim 18 , wherein the funnel shape formed by the prongs defines an open central portion that is shaped to accommodate an endo-bag.

Claim 21

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port having expanded and contracted positions, the laparoscopic specimen extraction port comprising: an elongated, hollow port having a rearward portion, an intermediate portion, and a forward portion that is radially-enlarged relative to the intermediate portion; a holding ring disposed radially-outwardly from the intermediate portion and adapted to slide relative to the intermediate portion, the holding ring being disposed at a rear end of the intermediate portion when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position; and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced prongs having rearward ends connected to the holding ring and forward ends extending to the radially-enlarged, forward portion, the forward ends of the prongs expanding radially-outwardly relative to the rearward ends when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position, wherein, during transition from the contracted to the expanded position, the radially-enlarged forward portion expands the prongs radially-outwardly, wherein the prongs form a funnel shape when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position, and wherein each of the prongs have smooth edges that are shaped so as to not cut into a patient during surgery.

Claim 22

A laparoscopic specimen extraction port having expanded and contracted positions, the laparoscopic specimen extraction port comprising: an elongated, hollow port having a rearward portion, an intermediate portion, and a forward portion that is radially-enlarged relative to the intermediate portion; a holding ring disposed radially-outwardly from the intermediate portion and adapted to slide relative to the intermediate portion, the holding ring being disposed at a rear end of the intermediate portion when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the contracted position; and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced prongs having rearward ends connected to the holding ring and forward ends extending to the radially-enlarged, forward portion, the forward ends of the prongs expanding radially-outwardly relative to the rearward ends when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position, wherein, during transition from the contracted to the expanded position, the radially-enlarged forward portion expands the prongs radially-outwardly, wherein the prongs form a funnel shape when the laparoscopic specimen extraction port is in the expanded position, and wherein each of the prongs have smooth edges that are shaped so as to not cut into a patient during surgery.