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Devices designed to be positioned within surgical incisions for the purpose of both dilating the wound, exposing and/or improving access to internal tissues or organs, and providing a physical barrier that covers the wound margins. These devices typically consist of a cylindrical, flexible plastic sleeve/sheath connected at both ends to a ring-like structure typically consisting of a semi-rigid hoop or an expandable retracting ring. During use of these devices, one ring is placed internally (i.e., within the peritoneal cavity) and one ring is placed externally. Some surgical wound retractor/protectors incorporate the ability to provide irrigation of the wound margins.
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