Patent Publication Number: US-2023157723-A1

Title: Systems and methods for tissue removal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/101,201 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed Nov. 23, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/249,123 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed Jan. 16, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/068,366 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed Mar. 11, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,219,831, issued Mar. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2015/056978 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed on Oct. 22, 2015, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/079,171 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed on Nov. 13, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/081,297 entitled “Systems and methods for tissue removal” filed on Nov. 18, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/107,107 entitled “Cut-resistant retracting tissue bag” filed on Jan. 23, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to medical devices, and in particular, to systems and methods for the removal of tissue through a body opening. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods for the surgical removal of tissue through body openings including small incision sites and/or body orifices are described. Where needed, a small incision is made in a patient to access surgically targeted tissue located inside a body cavity. Surgically targeted tissue may also be approached through a body orifice without an initial incision. Sometimes the targeted tissue is approached directly through the incision or body orifice. Other times, an access device system is placed and/or positioned into, across, at, and/or within the incision and/or body orifice to retract tissue, enlarge, reshape, and/or isolate the incision or body orifice. The access device system serves as a portal for accessing targeted tissue that is located in or adjacent to the body cavity or body orifice. The targeted tissue is detached from adjacent and surrounding tissue employing known surgical techniques and procedures. Once freed, the targeted tissue is ready for removal through the small incision or body orifice. If the targeted tissue is too large to be removed in whole, then it is reduced in size and removed in parts through the small incision. Ideally, the surgeon will “core” or “peel” the targeted tissue to keep it in one piece as much as possible. However, more likely than not, the targeted tissue will be reduced into multiple pieces. 
     Reducing the size of the targeted tissue is called morcellation. A morcellation procedure includes cutting the targeted tissue into smaller pieces manually with a scalpel or knife, for example, or employing a power morcellator to cut the targeted tissue so that it is removable through the small incision. Pieces of the targeted tissue are removed from the patient through the small incision. As the targeted tissue is being reduced in size in order to fit through the small incision, small pieces of tissue may be cut off and left behind in the patient. As such, morcellation is contraindicated in cases of malignancy or endometriosis. If cancer is morcellated, it can spread malignant tissue and upstage cancer and increase patient mortality. 
     A hysterectomy is an example of a surgical procedure that may involve morcellation. More than 500,000 hysterectomies are performed annually on women in the United States. Common reasons that a woman may have a hysterectomy are the presence of fibroids, cancer, endometriosis or prolapse. Of these hysterectomies, about 200,000 are performed laparoscopically. When the uterus is too large (&gt;300 g) to be removed through the vagina or if the cervix is still in place, the specimen must be reduced in size to be removed through an abdominal incision or through the vagina. During myomectomy (fibroid removal), large fibroids may also need to be extracted using a morcellation procedure. During morcellation, the targeted tissue (usually a uterus and sometimes adnexal structures) is brought to the abdominal wall surface such as with a tissue grasper and is reduced in size using a blade and removed through the incision from the pelvic cavity. In another variation, the targeted tissue is removed through a body orifice such as through the vagina. Fibroids, or uterine leiomyoma, account for about 30-40% of hysterectomies. These are benign tumors of the uterus that can lead to heavy and painful bleeding. In the past there has been a mild concern that these tumors could be undetected cancer, or Leiomyosarcoma, and it was believed to affect about 1 in 10,000 women. More recent data has come out to support a much higher risk of undetected malignancy in these tumors, putting the range at 1:1000 to 1:400. Because of this elevated risk, many surgeons have begun changing their technique to try to enclose the specimen to do a closed morcellation process by morcellating in a bag to contain errant pieces and prevent dispersion and seeding of tumor cells, rather than morcellating without a bag in a process called open morcellation. Many GYN societies, including AAGL, ACOG, and SGO, have released statements warning of the potential danger of open morcellation. On Apr. 17, 2014, the FDA issued a statement discouraging the use of open power morcellation for hysterectomies and myomectomies for women undergoing these procedures for fibroids. The FDA also increased their estimated of malignant likelihood to 1 in 350. For these reasons, systems and methods are needed to safely and effectively reduce tissue specimens. The present invention sets forth such safe systems and methods for both manual morcellation and power morcellation performed in a closed system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a system for removing a tissue specimen through a body opening defining a tissue margin is provided. The system includes a shield. The shield includes a band made of flexible cut-resistant material. The band has an inner surface and an outer surface interconnected by a top end and a bottom end and by a first end and a second end. The band is configured to define a central lumen having a longitudinal axis. The central lumen has a lumen diameter that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The band is split such that the band is movable into a reduced configuration wherein at least a portion of the outer surface at the first end overlaps and is in juxtaposition with the inner surface at the second end to form a spiral and define an overlapping portion. The shield is configured to have a variable lumen diameter by varying the overlapping portion. The shield includes a locking mechanism configured to fix the lumen diameter. The locking mechanism includes at least one inner abutment formed on the inner surface. The inner abutment extends along the longitudinal axis along at least a portion of the band between the top end and the bottom end. The first end of the band is configured to contact the inner abutment to prevent reduction of the inner diameter in a locked configuration. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a system for removing a tissue specimen through a body opening defining a tissue margin is provided. The system includes a shield. The shield includes a band made of flexible cut-resistant material. The band has an inner surface and an outer surface interconnected by a top end and a bottom end and by a first end and a second end. The band is configured to define a central lumen having a longitudinal axis. The central lumen has a lumen diameter that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The band is split such that the band is movable into a reduced configuration wherein at least a portion of the outer surface at the first end overlaps and is in juxtaposition with the inner surface at the second end to form a spiral and define an overlapping portion. The shield is configured to have a variable lumen diameter by varying the overlapping portion. The shield includes a locking mechanism configured to fix the lumen diameter. The locking mechanism includes at least one inner abutment formed on the inner surface and at least one outer abutment formed on the outer surface. The inner abutment and the outer abutment extend along the longitudinal axis along at least a portion of the band between the top end and the bottom end. The at least one inner abutment is configured to contact the at least outer abutment inner abutment to prevent reduction of the inner diameter in a locked configuration. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a system for removing a tissue specimen through a body opening defining a tissue margin is provided. The system includes a shield. The shield includes a band made of flexible cut-resistant material. The band has an inner surface and an outer surface interconnected by a top end and a bottom end and by a first end and a second end. The band is configured to define a central lumen having a longitudinal axis. The central lumen has a lumen diameter that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The band is split such that the band is movable into a reduced configuration wherein at least a portion of the outer surface at the first end overlaps and is in juxtaposition with the inner surface at the second end to form a spiral and define an overlapping portion. The shield is configured to have a variable lumen diameter by varying the overlapping portion. The shield includes a locking mechanism configured to fix the lumen diameter. The locking mechanism including at least one inner abutment formed in the inner surface. The at least one inner abutment is configured to contact one of the first end or at least one outer abutment formed in the outer surface to define a locked configuration having a locked lumen diameter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view of a containment bag and guard placed in an opening in a body wall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is an end view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  4    of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view taken along  6 - 6  of  FIG.  4    of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is an end view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG.  9    of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a top perspective view of a cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional side view of a cap and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of a cap and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    is a top perspective view of a cap and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a top perspective view of a retractor according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a top perspective view of a retractor according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  20 A  is a top perspective view of a containment bag and retractor combination according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  20 B  is a cross-sectional side view of a tissue specimen, body wall and a containment bag with two rings according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  21    is a top perspective view of an expanded containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  22    is a top perspective view of a partially collapsed containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  23    is a top perspective view of a twisted containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  24    is a top view of a twisted containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  25 A  is a top perspective view of an unassembled two-piece guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  25 B  is a top perspective view of an assembled two-piece guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  26    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  27    is a top perspective view of a retractor ring and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  28    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  29    is a partial cross-sectional view of a retractor ring and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  30    is a top perspective view of a balloon trocar with a removable seal housing according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  31    is cross-sectional side view of a balloon trocar according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  32    is a side view of a stabilizer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  33    is a bottom view of a stabilizer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  34    is a cross-sectional view taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG.  33    of a stabilizer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  35    is a side view of a morcellator stabilizer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  36    is a cross-sectional top view of a morcellator stabilizer in a locked configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  37 A  is a top view of a stabilizer in an unlocked configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  37 B  is a cross-sectional top view of morcellator stabilizer in an unlocked configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  38    is a top perspective view of a containment bag located in a body opening according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  39    is a top perspective view of a containment bag located in a body opening and a morcellator stabilizer in an unlocked connected to the containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  40    is a top perspective view of a morcellator with a protective obturator connected to a stability cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  41    is a bottom perspective view of a morcellator with a protective obturator connected to a stability cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  42    is a top perspective view of a morcellator connected to a stability cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  43    is a top perspective view of a stability cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  44    is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  45    is a cross-sectional side view of a tissue specimen inside a containment bag placed across a body wall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  46    is a side view of a containment bag deployment instrument according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  47    is a side view of a containment bag and deployment cap according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  48    is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  49    is a cross-sectional side view of a tissue specimen inside a containment bag placed across a body wall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50    is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 A  is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 B  is a top view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 C  is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 D  is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 E  is a top view of a pattern for a containment bag wherein solid lines depict a valley folds and dashed lines depict mountain folds according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 F  is a partial top view of a pattern with dimensions for a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 G  is a top view of a pattern for a containment bag that is substantially square when viewed from the top according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  50 H  is a top view of a containment bag having a triangular open end according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  51    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  52    is a top perspective view of a guard inside a mold according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  53    is a top perspective view of a guard on a mold according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  54    is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  55 A  is a side view of a ring of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  55 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  55 B- 55 B of  FIG.  55 A  of a ring of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  56 A  is a top perspective view of a semi-rigid rod prior to being formed into a ring for a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  56 B  is a top perspective view of a ring of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  57 A  is a top view of a containment bag sidewall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  57 B  is a side view of a containment bag sidewall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  58 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  58 B  is a sectional view taken along section  58 B of  FIG.  58 A  of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  59 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  59 B  is a top perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  60    is a top perspective view of a bag introducer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  61    is a top perspective view of a bag introducer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  62    is a top perspective view of a containment bag and bag introducer is a top perspective view of a bag introducer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  63    is a top perspective view of a containment bag and bag introducer is a top perspective view of a bag introducer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  64    is a top perspective view of a guard is a top perspective view of a bag introducer according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  65    is a cross-sectional side view of a tissue specimen inside a containment bag and a guard placed across a body wall according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  66    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  67    is a side view of a two sidewall components of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  68    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  69    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  70    is a side view of a guard in a body opening according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  71 A  is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  71 B  is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  72    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  73    is a semi-transparent side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  74    is a semi-transparent side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  75    is a cross-sectional view of a sidewall of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  76    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  77    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  78 A  is a semi-transparent bottom view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  78 B  is a semi-transparent top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  78 C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  78 C- 78 C of  FIG.  78 B  of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  79    is a semi-transparent top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  80    is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  81    is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  82    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  83    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  84    is a sectional top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  85    is a perspective top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  86    is a perspective top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  87    is a side view of a morcellator and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  88    is a cross-sectional side view of a morcellator and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  89    is a bottom perspective view of a morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  90    is a top perspective view of an energy morcellator and graspers according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  91    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  92    is a semi-transparent, top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  93    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  94    is a semi-transparent, side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  95    is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  96    is a semi-transparent, top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  97    is a sectional top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  98    is a semi-transparent, sectional top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  99    is a semi-transparent, side view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  100    is a cross-sectional side view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  101    is a cross-sectional, top perspective view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  102    is a sectional, top perspective view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  103    is a semi-transparent, top perspective view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  104    is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  105    is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  106    is a top perspective view of a retractor and a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  107    is a top view of a retractor and guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  108    is a bottom perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 A  is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 B  is a top perspective view of guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 C  is a bottom perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 D  is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 E  is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 F  is a bottom perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  109 G  is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  110    is a top perspective view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  111    is a top perspective of a two-piece guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  112    is a top perspective view of a blade guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  113    is a cross-sectional, top perspective view of a blade guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  114    is a cross-sectional view of a blade receiver of a blade guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  115    is a bottom perspective view of a blade according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  116    is a top perspective view of a blade according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  117    is an exploded, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  118    is a top perspective is a top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  119    is a cross-sectional, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  120    is an exploded, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  121    is an exploded, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  122    is a cross-sectional, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  123    is a cross-sectional, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  124    is a bottom view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  125    is a sectional, top perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  126    is a bottom perspective view of a blade guard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  127    is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  128    is a top perspective view of a tissue grasper and morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  129    is a sectional side view of a handle of a tissue grasper according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  130    is a sectional side view of the distal end of the tissue grasper according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  131    is a sectional, top perspective view of the distal end of the tissue grasper according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  132    is a sectional, side view of the distal end of the tissue grasper according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  133    is a top perspective view of a morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  134    is a bottom perspective of a morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  135 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  135 B  is a top view of a containment bag in a rolled-up configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  135 C  is an end view of a containment bag in a rolled-up configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  135 D  is an end view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  136 A  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  136 B  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  137 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  137 B  is a top view of an open containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  137 C  is a cross-sectional view of a ring of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  138 A  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  138 B  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  138 C  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag rolled-up around the bag ring and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  139 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  139 B  is a top view of an open containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  139 C  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  140 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  140 B  is a top view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  141 A  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  141 B  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  141 C  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  141 D  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  142 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  142 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  142 B- 142 B of  FIG.  142 A  of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  142 C  is a cross-sectional view of an inflated containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  143 A  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  143 B  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  143 C  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  143 D  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside an inflated containment bag and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  144 A  is a side view of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  144 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  144 A- 144 A of  FIG.  144 A  of a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  144 C  is a cross-sectional view of an inflated containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  145 A  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  145 B  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside an inflated containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  145 C  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside an inflated containment bag pulled upwardly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  145 D  is a side sectional view of a body wall and a tissue specimen inside an inflated containment bag and a tissue guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  146 A  is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  146 B  is a top view of a bottom view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  147 A  is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  147 B  is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  148 A  is a side view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  148 B  is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  149    is a top perspective view of a morcellation and bag system according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  150 A  is a top perspective view of a power morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  1506    is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a power morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  150 C  is a sectional view of a power morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  150 D  is a sectional view of a power morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  151    is a top perspective view of a specimen receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  152    is a top perspective, sectional view of a bag tube and bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  153 A  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  153 B  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in a closed configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  154 A  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  154 B  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in a closed configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  155 A  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  1556    is a top perspective, sectional view of a grasper and containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  155 C  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag rolled about a grasper according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  156 A  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  1566    is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in a closed configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  157 A  is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag in an open configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  1576    is a top perspective, sectional view of a containment bag and an instrument twisting the containment bag into a closed configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  158 A  is a top view of a guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  1586    is a side view of a guard attached to a morcellator shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  158 C  is a top view of a guard attached to a morcellator shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  158 D  is a side, sectional view of a guard and containment bag attached to a morcellator shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  158 E  is a top, sectional view of a guard attached to a morcellator shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  158 F  is a side, sectional view of a guard attached to a morcellator shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  159    is a top perspective, sectional view of a bag tube and containment bag with a top opening according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  160    is a side, sectional view of a bag tube and containment bag with a side opening according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  161    is a side, sectional view of a bag tube and containment bag with a side opening according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  162 A  is a side view of a tissue specimen inside a containment bag according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  162 B  is a side, sectional view of a tissue specimen inside a containment bag attached to a morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  162 C  is top view of a containment bag attached to a morcellator according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  163 A  is side, sectional view of a containment bag and morcellator system according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  163 B  is a side, sectional view of a body wall, a tissue specimen and a containment bag and morcellator system according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  163 C  is a side, sectional view of a body wall, tissue specimen inside a containment bag and morcellator system according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  164    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  165    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  166    is a top view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  167    is a top partial cross-sectional view of a shield in a locked configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  168    is a bottom perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  169    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  170    is a top view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  171    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  172    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  173    is a top partial view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  174    is a top partial cross-sectional view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  175    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  176    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  177    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  178    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  179    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  180    is a partial top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  181    is a top perspective view of a shield according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the surgical tools and perform the methods described herein and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their inventions. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that these modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Different embodiments or aspects of such embodiments may be shown in various figures and described throughout the specification. However, it should be noted that although shown or described separately each embodiment and aspects thereof may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments and aspects thereof unless expressly stated otherwise. It is merely for easing readability of the specification that each combination is not expressly set forth. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a closed morcellation procedure according to the present invention. A small incision is made in a patient in the location of an abdominal wall  10  and a body cavity  12  is accessed through an opening  14  across the abdominal wall  10 . Laparoscopic techniques and instruments such as trocars, laparoscopes, graspers and scalpels may be employed to create the single site opening, spy the targeted tissue and detach the targeted tissue from surrounding tissue structures. Additional incisions or access sites may be employed to insert instruments and scopes to facilitate the procedure. After the targeted tissue  16  such as at least a part of the uterus in a hysterectomy procedure is completely detached, a specimen retrieval bag  18  is inserted through the opening  14  in the abdominal wall  10  and placed inside the body cavity  12 . The bag  18  may be delivered through a trocar or cannula that is placed across the abdominal wall  10 . The bag  18  is unfurled and oriented inside the body cavity  12 . The targeted tissue  16  is placed into the bag  18  through an opening  20  in the bag  18 . Various types of bags  18  may be employed. The bag  18  may be transparent such that the contents may be observable from outside the bag  18  via a scope placed into the body cavity  12  through a secondary incision site across the abdominal wall  10 . The contents of the bag  18  may be illuminated from outside the bag  18 . The location of the targeted tissue  16  may also be observed through a transparent bag  18  to ascertain the progress of morcellation as well as the position and proximity of the targeted tissue  16  relative to the opening  14 . Also, the bag  18  is observed via a secondary site insertion to ascertain the state of the bag  18  making sure that it is not tangled and twisted and that the specimen is moved toward the opening without pulling the bag  18  along with it which may result in the bag being accidentally coming into contact with a blade and being severed. An opaque bag  18  may also be employed. The material of the bag  18  is also important. Generally, made of plastic, the bag is strong enough to withstand pulls and tugs, has sufficient stretch properties and is relatively thin, flexible and resilient to puncture and tears. The bag is folded and reduced in size such that it can be inserted through the small incision/trocar of approximately at least 5 mm in diameter. Also, when opened, the bag is large enough to receive a large piece of tissue, extend through the opening  14  to the surface of the abdominal wall  10  and create a sufficiently large working space inside the bag  18  for instruments, scopes, morcellators  24 , and scalpels  26  as shown in  FIG.  1   . The bag  18  includes a tether or drawing string  22  configured to cinch the opening closed and to open the bag  18 . The bag  18  withstands insufflation pressures and does not leak. Various examples of bags and devices for inserting, deploying and/or retrieving bags to be included or integrated into the morcellation system in which the entire systems, portions of the systems or combinations of the systems and/or components thereof arranged to provide a containment of object to be morcellated in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/540,795, filed Oct. 11, 1995; Ser. No. 11/549,701, filed Oct. 16, 2006; Ser. No. 11/549,971, filed Oct. 16, 2006; Ser. No. 12/902,055, filed Oct. 11, 2010; and Ser. No. 13/252,110, filed Oct. 3, 2011; the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. Additional bag variations will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     After the targeted tissue  16  is placed inside the bag  18 , the tether  22  is grasped by hand or with a laparoscopic grasper and at least a portion of the bag  18  is pulled through the abdominal wall opening  14 . Pulling the tether  22  closes the bag opening  20 . The initial incision may be increased to approximately 15-40 mm prior to pulling the bag  18  through the opening  14 . If the targeted tissue  16  is too large to fit through the opening  14 , the targeted tissue  16  will sit inside the body cavity  12  below the abdominal wall  10 . The remainder of the bag  18  including the opening  20  of the bag  18  will be pulled through the abdominal wall opening  14  and extend through the opening  14  to outside the patient and along the upper surface of the abdominal wall  10  as shown in  FIG.  1   . The bag  18  may be rolled down and/or pulled taut across the surface of the abdominal wall  10  to maintain its position and provide some tissue retraction at the opening  14 . 
     A guard  28  is inserted in through the opening  20  of the bag  18 . The guard  28  has a diameter in the incision/opening  14  such that when it is placed inside the opening  14  the guard  28  is retained in position. The guard  28  may also retract tissue at the incision/opening and, as such, be called a retractor. One variation of a guard  28  is shown in  FIGS.  2 - 6    and another variation is shown in  FIGS.  7 - 10   . The guard  28  includes an inner surface  30  and an outer surface  32  defining a sidewall interconnected between a top  34  and a bottom  36 . The inner surface  30  defines a central lumen  38  that extend between the top  34  and the bottom  36 . The inner surface  30  includes a curved, funnel portion near the top  34  that may be convex or frusto-conical. The guard  28  includes a top circumferential flange  40  and a bottom circumferential flange  42  that extend radially outwardly to create surfaces for seating against the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the abdominal wall  10 . The top flange  40  may include features such as apertures for passing the tether  22  and securing the guard  28  to the bag  18 . The guard  28  has an overall length of approximately 2.5 inches; however, guards  28  of various lengths may be employing depending on the thickness of the tissue wall  10  to be penetrated. A guard  28  that has a variable length, such as a telescoping guard  28 , is within the scope of the present invention. The inner diameter of the guard  28  at mid-length is approximately 1.3 inches and can be as small as approximately 0.6 inches. The outer diameter of the guard  28  at mid-length is approximately 1.6 inches and conforms to the incision/opening such that the top circumferential flange  40  is retained in position due to its larger overall diameter relative to the diameter of the guard  28  at mid-length. The wall thickness at mid-length is approximately 0.16 inches and may be as thick as approximately 0.3 inches. The guard  28  is made of any polymer such as KRATON® or polyethylene; however, the guard may be made of any suitable material including metal. A guard  28  can be flexible such that it can be slightly compressed for ease of insertion through the opening  14  in the abdominal wall  10 . The thickness of the guard  28  and/or choice of material for the guard  28  are selected such that the guard  28  is capable of withstanding cutting and puncture forces from blades, knives, scalpels, morcellators and the like. The guard  28  serves as a cutting board or surface against which targeted tissue is placed for cutting prior to removal. The targeted tissue  16  is grasped with a laparoscopic grasper and pulled upwardly toward the opening  14 . At least a portion of the targeted tissue  16  that is to be cut is then held in position in the location of the guard  28  anywhere along its length. A blade such as a scalpel or morcellator is then moved into contact with that portion of the targeted tissue to be cut in the location of the guard  28  and that portion of the targeted tissue is cut. The cut portion of targeted tissue is pulled up through the opening  14  to the surface outside the patient and a new section of targeted tissue is brought into position along the guard  28  to be cut and removed. This process is repeated until the entirety of the specimen is removed in whole or in part from the bag  18 . The guard  28  serves as protection for the bag  18 . The practitioner is free to cut the targeted tissue in the location of the guard  28  and even against the guard&#39;s inner surface  30  mitigating the consequences of severing the bag  18  with the scalpel or morcellator. The guard  28  not only protects the specimen retrieval bag  18  from accidental incision, but also, the guard  28  protects surrounding tissue, such as the abdominal wall, from accidental incision. The guard  28  preserves the integrity of the bag  16  and effectively maintains a closed morcellation system. The surgeon is able to quickly and safely reduce the specimen and remove it from the abdominal cavity. 
     Once the guard  28  is placed, the surgeon will grasp the specimen  16  and pull it up through the incision as far as possible. The surgeon will then begin morcellating the specimen  16  with a scalpel  26 , cutting the specimen  16  to reduce its size. Ideally, the surgeon will “core” or “peel” the specimen  16  to keep it in one piece as much as possible. However, more likely than not, the specimen  16  will be reduced in multiple pieces. While morcellating through the incision, the surgeon may maintain pneumoperitoneum in the abdominal cavity  12  so that the progress of the morcellation can be observed laparoscopically through a lateral port placed at a secondary site into the cavity  12 . The lateral port lies outside the bag  18  and the surgeon may look through the transparent bag, or at the bag itself to ensure it maintains its integrity. Once the specimen  16  is morcellated, crushed, reduced enough to pull the remaining portion through the incision, the guard  28  is removed, and the bag  18  and its contents, including the pieces created during morcellation, are pulled out of the patient. The bag  18  will prevent the remaining small pieces from being left in the abdominal cavity  12 , maintaining the closed system; whereas in a traditional morcellation, the surgeon must go back and painstakingly search and collect the pieces scattered amid the pelvic cavity to prevent potentially seeding new tumor sites. The surgeon may choose to take a final look at the patient laparoscopically and then close the wounds. 
     While described for an abdominal removal and morcellation, the above-described procedure can be performed via the vagina orifice as well if the cervix has been removed. Following the same process, the bag  18  will be introduced and the specimen  16  placed into the bag  18  laparoscopically. Rather than pull the tether  22  through the abdominal wall opening  14 , it would be pulled through the vagina. In the same way, the specimen  16  would sit at the base of the vagina while the bag  18  goes through the vagina and opens up outside the patient. The surgeon may roll the bag  18  down or pull it taut to maintain its position and provide some retraction. The surgeon would place the guard  28  vaginally to protect integrity of bag  18  and to maintain a closed system, grasp the specimen  16  to bring it out, and morcellate to reduce the size of the specimen  16 . Morcellation of the specimen is performed in the location of the guard  28  and/or against the guard  28  surface protecting the surrounding tissue and bag from inadvertent incisions. The surgeon may maintain pneumoperitoneum and watch the progress of the morcellation laparoscopically. Once the specimen  16  is morcellated, crushed, reduced enough to pull the remaining portion through the vagina, the guard  28  is removed, and the bag  18  and its contents, including the pieces created during morcellation, are pulled out of the patient. The bag  18  will prevent the remaining small pieces from being left in the abdominal cavity preventing harmful material such as cancerous cells form being disseminated in the abdominal cavity, maintaining the closed system; whereas in a traditional morcellation, the surgeon must go back and painstakingly search and collect the pieces scattered amid the pelvic cavity search for the pieces amid the pelvic cavity. The surgeon may choose to take a final look at the patient laparoscopically and will close the vaginal cuff and abdominal incisions. 
     In one variation shown in  FIG.  11   , the guard  28  is configured to attach to a cap  44  such as a GELSEAL® cap manufactured by Applied Medical Resources Corporation in California. The cap  44  includes a rigid ring  46  detachably connectable to the proximal end of the guard  28 . The cap  44  includes a lever  48  for locking the cap  44  to the guard  28 . The cap  44  includes a penetrable portion  50  that can be made of gel configured to seal against instruments inserted therethrough and maintain pneumoperitoneum inside the abdominal cavity.  FIGS.  12 - 13    illustrate the cap  44  connected to the guard  28 . An insufflation port  52  may be provided in the cap  44 . The cap  44  snaps onto the guard  28  and may be sealingly locked thereto with the lever lock  48  such that pneumoperitoneum is maintained.  FIG.  14    illustrates a cap  44  having multiple ports  54 . Each port  54  is configured to receiving laparoscopic instruments and includes one or more internal seals for sealing against inserted instruments. A multi-port cap  44  advantageously permits the insertion of a grasper, laparoscope and/or morcellator through a single site. 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    illustrate another variation of the guard  28  that includes a balloon  56  at the distal end of the guard  28 . The balloon  56  is shown in an inflated configuration in  FIG.  15   . In the inflated configuration, the balloon  56  extends radially outwardly to create a wide flange for securing against the abdominal wall  10  inside the abdominal cavity  12  making it difficult for the guard  28  to be inadvertently removed from the opening  14 .  FIG.  16    illustrates the balloon in a deflated configuration in which the guard  28  is easily inserted into and removed from the opening  14 . The guard  28  of  FIGS.  15 - 17    may also connect to a cap  44 . The guard  28  can be made of any polymer material including polycarbonate or similar material. 
     A funnel-shaped entry at the proximal end of the guard  28  has been described above. The funnel-shaped entry may be enlarged radially outwardly in another variation to create a larger surface area against which tissue may be cut. The flared proximal end also assists in retaining the bag in position outside the patient and between the guard  28  and the tissue margin  10 . In another variation, the guard  28  includes a flared distal end that is frusto-conical or curved in shape. The flared distal end may include an enlarged radially extending flange that spreads the bag  18  laterally inside the abdominal cavity. The flared distal end assists in keeping the bag in an open position and away from coming into contact with the specimen and away from the distal entry into the guard  28 , thereby, further protecting the bag  18  from inadvertent contact with a blade. In the flared distal end variation of the guard  28 , the distal diameter of the guard  28  at the distal opening is greater than the diameter of the guard  28  at mid-length. In the flared proximal end variation of the guard  28 , the proximal diameter of the guard  28  at the proximal opening is greater than the diameter of the guard  28  at mid-length. In yet another variation, the guard  28  includes a flared proximal end and flared distal end retaining the advantages of both described above. 
     Methods for removal of tissue that employ the guard  28  with a cap  44  will now be described. After completing the laparoscopic hysterectomy or any other dissection, the specimen  16  described previously is completely detached from surrounding tissue and awaiting removal. The surgeon will insert the specimen bag  18  which may be transparent into the pelvis and place the specimen  16  in the bag  18 . The surgeon will then grab the tether  22  on the bag  20  with a laparoscopic grasper and pull the bag  18  up and through the abdominal wall incision  14  where a trocar was previously positioned. If necessary, the surgeon will extend the incision to 15-25 mm prior to pulling the bag all the way through. Because the specimen  16  is too large to fit through the opening  14 , the specimen  16  will sit right below the abdominal wall  10 , inside the pelvic cavity, while the remainder of the bag  18  is pulled up out of the incision and is opened outside the patient as shown in  FIG.  1   . The surgeon may roll the bag down or pull it taut to maintain its position and provide some retraction. The surgeon will then insert the guard  28  into the incision to protect the bag  18  and abdominal wall  10  during morcellation, as well as to retract the incision. The integrity of the bag is preserved and the closed system is maintained. 
     The guard  28  is placed into the opening  20  of the bag  18  and positioned within the incision such that the guard  28  extends across the tissue margin  10 . A cap  44  is connected to the guard  28 . The cap  44  snaps onto the proximal top flange  40  and the lever  48  of the cap  44  is moved into a locked position sealing the cap  44  onto the guard  28 . The guard  28  may include a reinforced wire  58  to maintain the shape and rigidity of the top flange  40 . The wire  58  is visible in  FIGS.  1 ,  5 - 6 ,  10  and  12   . With the cap  44  in position, the bag  18  may be insufflated. In one variation, the bag  18  alone is insufflated relative to the abdominal cavity  12 . In another variation, both the bag  18  and the abdominal cavity  12  are insufflated. In another variation, both the bag  18  and the abdominal cavity  12  are insufflated such that the pressure inside the bag  18  is greater than the insufflation pressure of the cavity  12 . Insufflation may be provided through a trocar inserted through the cap  44  or via the insufflation port  52  in the cap  44 . With the cap  44  in position, a power morcellator  24  is inserted through the penetrable portion  50  of the cap  44  and into the interior of the bag  18 . Alternatively, if a multi-port cap  44  is employed, a morcellator  24  may be inserted through one of the ports  54 . A surgical grasper is also inserted through the cap  44  either through the penetrable portion  50  or through one of the ports  54  and the targeted tissue is grasped and pulled proximally toward the opening and into the central lumen  38  of the guard  28  where the targeted tissue is morcellated in the zone of protection afforded by the guard  28 . As mentioned previously, the guard  28  protects the bag  18  from being punctured and, thereby, assists in maintaining a closed morcellation system. The power morcellator  24  is placed through the gel cap  44  to a depth so as to maintain the bladed distal end  60  of the power morcellator  24  in the central lumen  38  and in the protected region or length of the guard  28 . Targeted tissue is pulled by a grasper toward the blade  60  for morcellation and removal. Removed tissue will travel through the central lumen of the power morcellator  24 . 
     Rather than place the morcellator  24  through the penetrable portion  50  of the cap  44 , a stabilizer is provided which will work with the bag  18  or guard  28  and serve to hold the morcellator  24  in place at a depth within the protected zone inside central lumen  38  of the guard  28 . Maintaining the morcellator within the lumen  38  of the guard  28  prevents the morcellator  24  from coming into contact with the bag  18  wall during the procedure thereby protecting the bag from inadvertent tearing. A variation of the stabilizer will be described further below. 
     After placing the morcellator  24  and cap  44 , the surgeon may choose to insufflate the bag  18  as well as the abdominal cavity  12 . The surgeon may observe the position of the morcellator  24  and targeted tissue  16  as well as the integrity of the bag  18  making sure it is not twisted or approaching too closely to the distal end  60  of the morcellator  24 . The observation is made via a laparoscope placed through a port  54  at the same incision site or through a secondary incision site providing a lateral port. The specimen  16  is grasped with a tenaculum and pulled through the power morcellator  24  to reduce its size. Ideally, the surgeon will “core” or “peel” the specimen to keep it in one piece as much as possible. However, more likely than not, the specimen  16  will be reduced to multiple pieces. Once the specimen  16  is morcellated enough to pull the remaining tissue through the incision, the morcellator  24 , gel cap  44  or stabilizer, and guard  28  retractor are removed, and the bag  18  and its contents, including the pieces created during morcellation, are pulled out of the patient. The bag  18  will prevent the remaining small pieces from being left behind in the abdominal cavity  12 , maintaining the closed system; whereas in a traditional morcellation, the surgeon must go back and painstakingly search and collect the pieces scattered amid the pelvic cavity. The surgeon may choose to take a final look at the patient laparoscopically and will close the wounds. 
     While described for an abdominal removal and morcellation, the above described power morcellation procedure can be performed via a bodily orifice such as a vagina as well. Following the same process, the bag  18  will be introduced and the specimen  16  placed into the bag  18  laparoscopically. Rather than pull the tether  22  through the abdominal wall opening  14 , the tether  22  would be pulled through the vagina. In the same way, the specimen  16  would sit at the base of the vagina while the bag  18  goes through the vagina and opens up outside the patient. The surgeon may roll the bag down or pull it taut to maintain its position and provide some retraction. The surgeon would place the guard  28  vaginally into the bag  18  to protect integrity of bag and to maintain a closed morcellation system, place the cap  44  on the guard  28  and place the power morcellator  24  through a gel cap  44  or stabilizing cap. The surgeon would then grasp the specimen  16  with a tenaculum and bring it out through the power morcellator  24  vaginally to reduce the size of the specimen  16 . The surgeon would maintain pneumoperitoneum and observe the progress of the morcellation laparoscopically. Once the specimen  16  is morcellated enough to pull the remaining portion through the vagina, the morcellator  24 , gel cap  44  or stabilizing cap, guard  28  and/or retractor are removed, and the bag  18  and its contents, including the pieces created during morcellation, are pulled out of the patient. The bag  18  will prevent the remaining small pieces from being left in the abdominal cavity  12 , maintaining the closed morcellation system; whereas in a traditional morcellation, the surgeon must go back and painstakingly search and collect the pieces amid the pelvic cavity and vagina. The surgeon may choose to take a final look at the patient laparoscopically and will close the vaginal cuff and abdominal incisions. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  18 - 19   , there is shown a retractor  62  comprising a first ring  64  and a second ring  66  interconnected by a flexible sidewall  68 . The retractor  62  is described in greater detail in one or more of the references incorporated in this application by reference. The second ring  66  can be compressed and inserted through the small incision where it expands to create a securement against the abdominal wall  10  inside the cavity  12 . The first ring  64  resides above the abdominal wall  10  outside the patient where it can be rolled down to retract and enlarge the opening  14  in the abdominal wall. The retractor  62  can be employed with any of the variations described above. In use, the retractor  62  is inserted prior to insertion of the bag  18  into the cavity or orifice. In one variation, the first ring  64  has a larger diameter than the second ring  66  as shown in  FIG.  19   . The larger first ring  64  relative to the second ring  66  allows for more space to work and cut tissue against. The sidewall  68  is made of a polyurethane laminate or similar material including woven material to resist cutting through the sidewall  68 . 
       FIGS.  20 A- 20 B  illustrate a modified retractor  62  configured into a bag  70 . The bag  70  includes the first ring  64  and second ring  66  interconnected by a flexible substantially cylindrical sidewall  68 . The opening at the second ring  66  is closed off by a depending bag portion forming a base  72  for the bag  70 . The bag  70  is inserted in the same manner as described above with respect to the bag  18  and used in the same manner. The second ring  66  is compressed and passed through the small incision into the abdominal cavity  12 . The sidewall  68  is rolled around the top ring  64  to retract and enlarge the opening  14  and a guard  28  connectable to the first ring  64  may or may not be employed at the opening inside the bag  70 . The specimen  16  is removed in the same manner as described above via manual or power morcellation. The first ring  64  is also connectable to the gel cap  44 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  21 - 24   , there is shown a bag  70  having only a first ring  64  forming an opening, a flexible cylindrical sidewall  68  and a base  72 . The first ring  64  is resilient and compressible into a collapsed elongate configuration suitable for passing into a small incision or through the lumen of a trocar. The arrow in  FIG.  22    illustrates the vertical direction of collapse of the bag  70 . The collapsed bag  70  is then subsequently easily compressed in a lateral direction and deployed into the abdominal cavity. The first ring  64  is compressed into an elongated shape. The compressed bag is allowed to form is original shape with the first ring  64  expanding. In the expanded configuration, the bag  70  is easily oriented within the cavity  12 . The collapsed bag  70  conveniently lies flat inside the abdominal cavity and includes two sides. The bag  70  in a collapsed configuration does not have a right side up because either side can be used to place the specimen within the boundaries of the first ring  64 . The first ring  64  serves as a perimeter guide for specimen placement and may be brightly colored so that it can be easily observed with a laparoscope. After the specimen is placed within the perimeter of the first ring  64 , the first ring  64  is grasped and lifted to locate the specimen inside the bag  70 . The same may be said of the two-ring bag  70  described above. As shown in  FIGS.  23 - 24   , the bag  70  may be twisted to create a spiral form to collapse or to shorten the length of the bag. This feature is advantageous not only for insertion of the bag through a small incision but also to raise the specimen closer to the opening of the bag as it is being morcellated. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  25   , there is shown a guard  74  that is configured for use with a retractor  62  depicted in  FIGS.  18 - 19    or with a bag  70  of  FIGS.  20 - 24   . The guard  74  includes a rigid ring  76  with a plurality of inwardly extending flaps  78  meeting in the center or, as shown in  FIG.  25   , forming an opening  80  in the center. The flaps  78  are attached to the ring  76  such that they flex relative to the ring  76  permitting targeted tissue  16  to be removed out past the flaps  76 . The flaps  78  also flex distally permitting instruments to be inserted past the guard. The flaps  78  are made of the same material as the guard  28  such as polycarbonate, LDPE, HDPE or similar material and as such, the flaps  78  are sufficiently resilient, cut-resistant and resist penetration with a blade and, thereby, protect the retractor  62  or bag  70 . The guard  74  may comprise a single ring  76  with flaps  78  or be comprised of two similar rings  76   a ,  76   b  having flaps  78   a ,  78   b , respectively. The two rings  76   a ,  76   b  are connected together such that the flaps  78   a  are offset from the flaps  78   b  so as to create a layered flap construct that provides protection between the flaps  78   a ,  78   b . The targeted tissue  16  is pulled up through the openings  80   a ,  80   b  wherein when in the region of the guard  76 , the targeting tissue  16  is cut. The targeted tissue  16  may also be cut when positioned against the flaps  78   a ,  78   b.    
     Turning now to  FIG.  26   , the guard  74  includes an upstanding flat perimeter wall  82  configured to snap under the first ring  64  of the retractor  62  or bag  70  as shown in  FIG.  29   . The guard  74  may also include flanges  84  configured to snap with the first ring  64  of the retractor  62  or bag  70  as shown in  FIG.  28   .  FIG.  27    illustrates a rigid guard  74  without flaps. The rigid guard  74  of  FIG.  27    provides a large cutting surface against which targeted tissue may be located and cut without flexing as much as a guard  74  with flexible flaps  78 . The guard  74  may also include a depending portion  86  in the shape of a funnel to provide greater protection in the vertical direction for the bag/retractor  70 ,  62  and/or wound. The guard  74  is placed on top of the retractor  62  or bag  70  and within the perimeter of the first ring  64 . The guard  74  is then snapped under the first ring  64  to join the guard  74  to the first ring  64 . The guard  74  also assists in keeping the bag  70  or retractor  62  in position while being made of material that resists penetration when being morcellated. In other variations, the guard is configured to snap over the ring. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  30   , there is shown a trocar  88  having a first balloon  90  and a second balloon  92 . The trocar  88  includes a removable seal housing  94  containing one or more seals for sealing against inserted instruments. The trocar  88  includes a central lumen  96  that extends through the seal housing  94  and trocar  88 . The lumen  86  is sized and configured to receive a power morcellator  24 . The trocar  88  may further include an obturator (not shown) configured to penetrate an abdominal wall. The trocar  88  may be inserted through a gel cap  44  described above or directly through an incision in the abdomen. A bag  18 ,  62  may be deployed through the lumen  86 , and a specimen  16  inserted into the bag  18 ,  62 . The tether  22  of the bag  18  or first ring of bag  62  is pulled through the incision and the trocar  88  is reinserted. The second balloon  92  is inflated. In the inflated configuration, the second balloon  92  extends laterally pushing the bag  18 ,  62  laterally and out of the way of the distal end of the trocar  88  and away from the bladed distal end of a morcellator. A power morcellator  24  is inserted into the lumen  96  of the trocar  88 . The morcellator  24  may be prevented from extending beyond the distal end of the trocar  88  by way of a stop formed on the trocar  88  that would abut the morcellator  24  and prevent it from moving distally. A tenaculum is inserted into the lumen of the morcellator  24  and tissue is grasped and pulled toward the morcellator. Tissue is cut and extracted from the specimen bag. The first balloon  90  is inflated and is resident above the abdominal wall. Both the first balloon  90  and the second  92  help retain the trocar  88  in position relative to the abdominal wall  12 .  FIG.  31    illustrates another trocar  88  having a seal housing  94  and an insufflation port  98  for inflating the at least one balloon  92 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  32 - 39   , a stabilizer  100  will now be described. The stabilizer  100  includes a flange  102  configured to connect with a bag  18 ,  70  or guard  28 . The stabilizer  100  includes a central portion  104  that defines a lumen  106  and houses a lock  108 . The lumen  106  is sized and configured to receive a power morcellator  24 . When inserted into the lumen  106 , the height of the morcellator  24  relative to the abdominal wall may be adjusted and then locked in position with the lock  108 . The lock  108  has an unlocked configuration in which the lever  110  is released permitting the morcellator  24  to translate vertically within the lumen  106 . The lock  108  also has a locked configuration in which the lever  110  is depressed locking the translation of the morcellator  24 . The lock  108  operates to increase friction onto the morcellator  24  shaft holding it in place. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  40 - 41   , the stabilizer  100  is shown connected to a power morcellator  24 . The system of  FIGS.  40 - 41    includes a ratcheting mechanism that includes a toothed bar on the morcellator  24  configured to engage with a pawl (not shown) inside the central portion  104  of the stabilizer  100 . Buttons  114  are shown on the stabilizer  100  to release and engage the pawl in order to unlock and lock the stabilizer  100  from the morcellator  24  to free or arrest their relative vertical translation. The morcellator  24  includes an integrated scope and illuminator  116 , an insufflation port  118  and a mechanical drive connection  120  to rotate the morcellator blade  122 . The stabilizer  100  includes a lower flange  102  that extends outwardly to engage a bag or retractor or guard as described above. In one variation, the stabilizer  100  is configured such that activation of the morcellator  24  is prevented if the pawl of the stabilizer is within a certain range of the toothed bar  112  providing a safety shut-off mechanism so that the morcellator  24  is not activated when in a position that is too distal, or beyond the range of the guard and, therefore, would threaten inadvertent contact with the bag. Another variation of the stabilizer  100  is shown in  FIGS.  42 - 43    wherein like numbers are used to describe like parts. The stabilizer  100  has a different shape and the pawl elements  122  are visible in  FIG.  43   . 
       FIGS.  44 - 45    illustrate a bag  18  having a tether  22  and a flexible ring  64  at the opening  20 . The bag material can be clear or opaque and the ring  64  is compressible for insertion through a small incision. The sidewall  68  can be rolled about the first ring  64  to reduce the bag height and, therefore, raise the specimen closer to the opening and, thereby, make the specimen more accessible for morcellation. 
       FIGS.  46 - 47    illustrate a bag deployment instrument  124  for the bag  18  of  FIG.  47   . The instrument  124  may be inserted through a trocar. The bag  18  includes an opening  20 , tether  22  and deployment cap  21 . 
       FIGS.  48 - 49    illustrate another bag variation having a first ring  64 , a second ring  66  and a sidewall  68  therebetween and a base  72 . A resilient second ring  66  located at the bottom of the bag  18  causes the bag to flare open when disposed inside the body cavity  12  and helps prevent material from clinging to the specimen  16 . After a specimen is placed into the bag  18 , the first ring  64  is pulled to the surface of the abdominal wall  10  as shown in  FIG.  49   . 
       FIG.  50    illustrates a bag  18  having a first ring  64  made of nitinol to allow for easier insertion through a small incision while providing support to keep the bag  18  open inside the abdominal cavity  12 . 
       FIGS.  50 A to  50 D  illustrate a bag  18  in accordance with various embodiments in a non-collapsed state or expanded or partially expanded state. As shown, the bag  18  includes a closed end  126  and at least one open end  128 . The open end  128  in accordance with various embodiments comprises a tether or drawstring  130  that encircles the open end  128  of the bag  18 . Manipulation of the tether  130  closes the open end  128  of the bag  18 . The bag  18  as illustrated includes a plurality of preformed folds  132  or a predefined deformation pattern in the wall  134  of the bag  18  between the closed end  126  and the open end  128  of the bag  18 . The bag  18  in accordance with various embodiments is formed to provide a tendency of the bag  18  to be in a collapsed and flat state providing a minimal height with the open end  128  facing up or towards the opening in the body cavity and having a maximum width, diameter or opening dimension and the closed end  126  facing away from the opening in the body cavity and arranged to lay flat and stable along the body cavity. In accordance with various embodiments, when force is applied in one direction, the height of the wall  134  of the bag  18  increases to capture or surround a specimen within the bag  18 . The folds  132  or deformation pattern ensures that the increase of the bag  18  occurs linearly in the direction in which the force is being applied. In accordance with various embodiments, a weight, the specimen or an opposite force is applied to the bag  18  to further assist in the increase in the bag  18  or in particular the linearly directed increase in the bag  18 . 
     In one embodiment, the bag  18  is folded flat or in an accordion fashion prior to deployment into the patient&#39;s body. The bag  18  when deployed lays flat with the open end  128  of the bag  18  on the top and the closed end  126  on the bottom. The closed end  126  for example lays on the bottom the patient&#39;s body cavity. As such, the open end  128  of the bag  18 , due to the pattern formed on the wall  134  of the bag  18 , remains open and thus does not need to be held open. Additionally, due to the pattern, the open end  128  is biased open and resists closing. The difficulty and time expended to place the specimen on and/or within the bag is thereby reduced. 
     The surgeon places the specimen on the top of the bag  18  on or over the open end  128  of the bag  18 . By pulling the tether  130 , the wall  134  of the bag  18  is pulled up and around the specimen thereby containing the specimen. The opposite forces of the pull on the tether  130  and the weight of the specimen on the bag  18  cause the deformation pattern along the wall  134  of the bag  18  to unfold or straighten. In one embodiment, the bottom or closed end  126  of the bag  18  includes a weight or an attachable weight to ensure sufficient opposite force is provided to straighten the wall  134  of the bag  18  as the tether  130  is being pulled. In one embodiment, one or more tabs  136  or portions of the bag  18  around the open end  128  of the bag  18  are provided to ensure that forces pulling the bag  18  out or towards the opening in the body cavity also cause the wall  134  or one or more folds  132  of the wall  134  of the bag  18  to unfold. 
     In one embodiment, when the weight of the specimen pulls the bag  18  down it causes the shorter sides of the bag  18  to pull downward decreasing the overall containment size. In accordance with various embodiments, to compensate or reduce the decrease in overall containment size, one or more tabs  136  are provided at the open end  128  of the bag  18  that lies on the flat side of the bag  18  and prevent the bag  18  from decreasing in its overall containment size. As such, in one embodiment, when the bag  18  is flattened, the distance along the edge of the bag  18  is greater than the distance along the cross-section of the bag  18 . The tether  130  in one embodiment is threaded through the tabs  136 . 
     For a particular desired height and/or width of the bag  18 , the pattern as shown in  FIGS.  50 E- 50 F  is used to optimally to create the wall pattern to ensure the proper deployment and operation (e.g., straightening and containment). In one embodiment, the bag  18  is pre-formed with the illustrated pattern and the bag  18  is then heated to maintain the flat and patterned state. A tether  130  is attached or threaded through tabs  136  at the open end  128  of the bag  18 . As such, the heat, pressure or preformed condition to place the bag  18  in an initial flat, stabled and patterned state assists in keeping the deformation pattern and causes or biases the bag  18  to the collapsed and deformed state when placed inside the body cavity. A downward force applied to the center of the bag  18  assists in causing the folds  132  to straighten or unfold and thereby expand or lengthen the height of bag  18  to engulf the specimen. As shown, the valley and/or mountains of the pattern can have the same height and/or width to further ensure a linear and constant or measured size increase. In various embodiments, the valleys or mountains of the pattern can have different dimensions and apply equal force on the inside walls of a cylindrical deployment device which lowers the force needed to deploy the bag  16 . 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the top or open end and bottom or closed end of the bag are twisted in alternating directions causing spiral patterns on the wall of the bag. The bag and/or spirals are heated or compressed to keep their shape. The spiral folds assist in keeping the bag flat after being inserted into the body. After the specimen placed on the open end of the bag, the pulling of the tether encircling the open end of the bag causes the wall of the bag to unfold or untwist. As such, opposite forces of the pull on the tether or open end of the bag and the weight of the specimen and/or attached or added weight at the closed end or bottom of the bag causes the bag to untwist and engulf the specimen as the bag is pulled towards the opening in the body cavity. In accordance with various embodiments, the open end includes a first ring and/or the closed end includes a second ring. The first and/or second ring may be reinforced or include a wire or rod to bias the open end in an open or enlarged state to receive a specimen, increase the tendency for the bag to remain in a flat or unexpanded condition or to provide weight to assist in expansion of the bag or stability in the placement of the bag or the receiving and capturing of the specimen. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the top or open end and bottom or closed end of the bag are collapsed directly towards each other. The wrinkles or folds in the wall of the bag between the open and closed end of the bag are heated or compressed to keep their pattern/shape and assist in keeping the bag flat after being inserted into the body. After the specimen placed on the open end of the bag, the pulling of the tether encircling the open end of the bag causes the wall of the bag to un-wrinkle or straightens. As such, opposite forces of the pull on the tether or open end of the bag and the weight of the specimen and/or attached or added weight at the closed end or bottom of the bag causes the bag to straighten and engulf the specimen as the bag is pulled towards the opening in the body cavity. In accordance with various embodiments, the open end includes a first ring and/or the closed end includes a second ring. The first and/or second ring may be reinforced or include a wire or rod to bias the open end in an open or enlarged state to receive a specimen, increase the tendency for the bag to remain in a flat or unexpanded condition or to provide weight to assist in expansion of the bag or stability in the placement of the bag or the receiving and capturing of the specimen. 
     As shown in  FIG.  50 G  and  FIG.  50 H , the bag  18  can have various upper, base and overall shapes including but not limited to cubes, prisms, cylinders, spheres, dodecahedrons, hemispheres, cones, cuboids, polygons and so on and is enclosed with one or more openings and including various deformation wall patterns to cause the bag to tend to remain in a collapsed or substantially flat shape and to expand in linear or controlled fashion when manipulated to contain and engulf the specimen within. 
     Various examples of access systems to be included or integrated into the morcellation system in which the entire access systems, portions of the access systems or combinations of access systems and/or components thereof arranged to provide a channel and/or a protective region in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/865,854, filed Apr. 18, 2013; 61/880,641, filed Sep. 20, 2013; Ser. No. 12/578,422, filed Oct. 13, 2009, 61/104,963, Oct. 13, 2008; Ser. No. 12/358,080, filed Jan. 22, 2009; Ser. No. 11/374,188, filed Mar. 13, 2006; Ser. No. 11/683,821, filed Mar. 8, 2007; Ser. No. 12/396,624, filed Mar. 3, 2009; Ser. No. 14/209,161, filed Mar. 13, 2014; Ser. No. 12/873,115, filed Aug. 31, 2010; Ser. No. 12/840,989, filed Jul. 21, 2010; Ser. No. 11/548,758, filed Oct. 12, 2006; Ser. No. 10/516,198, filed Nov. 30, 2004; and Ser. No. 10/666,579, filed Sep. 17, 2003; the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  51 - 53   , there is shown another variation of the guard or shield  200  according to the present invention. The guard  200  has a general shape of a spiral. The guard  200  includes a first inner end  202  and a second outer end  204 . The first end  202  and the second end  204  are interconnected by a central portion  206  also called a leaf or band. The guard  200  has an inner surface  208  and an outer surface  210  interconnected by a top end  212  also called a trailing end or proximal end and a bottom end  214  also called a leading end or distal end and by the first inner end  202  and the second outer end  204 . The central portion  206  or band has a concave outer surface  210  and the inner surface  208  forms a conforming surface that is convex when viewed from within the spiral. The concavity of the band is parabolic in one variation with the inflection point being midway between the top end  212  and the bottom end  214  although the invention is not so limited and the inflection point may be anywhere between the top end  212  and the bottom end  214  and even coincident or nearly coincident with the top end  212  or bottom end  214 . The band  206  may also not have a concavity and may be simply curved or straight along at least a portion of the guard  200  between the top end  212  and the bottom end  214 . The guard  200  is shown to be symmetrical having a top end that has the same outer diameter as the bottom end. In another variation, the guard  200  is asymmetrical in shape and may have a top end larger or smaller in diameter relative to the bottom end. The guard  200  is also vertically symmetrical; however, the invention is not so limited and the guard  200  may have a central axis that is angled with respect to a reference horizontal plane. The guard  200  has a spiral shape such that a portion of the band overlaps another portion of the band in a curved, circular or elliptical fashion. In particular, at least a portion of the outer surface  210  of the band  200  overlaps and faces at least a portion of the inner surface  208  of the band  200  such that the concavity of part of the band  200  is adjacent or juxtaposed to a concavity of another part of the band seating and nesting a part of the band within the other part of the band. The spiral is shown to have a resting and mechanically unstressed configuration having one and a half turns with a circumferential length of approximately 3πR where R is the radius taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guard  200 . The invention is not limited to the guard  200  having precisely 1.5 turns and may have more or less turns as desired according to its size, shape and desired force distribution for a particular incision size and function such as a retractor function and/or retention function. A particular advantage of the spiral guard  200  is that its shape and size and be changed, expanded or reduced. In essence, the band can slide relative to itself to form a larger spiral form having a larger diameter or a smaller spiral form having a smaller diameter. The spiral guard  200  includes a central lumen  216  formed by the spiral which can also be enlarged as the spiral is expanded or opened up. The size of the central lumen  216  may also be reduced as the spiral is closed or reduced in size by sliding the band into a tighter curl upon itself producing a greater number of turns versus a larger curl that would produce a larger diameter with a smaller number of turns. The central lumen  216  is substantially circular in shape; however, the invention is not so limited and the central lumen  216  may be elliptical or irregular in shape. As such, the spiral shield  200  is adjustable when inserted into the wound of a patient or an incision or a bag placed inside a patient as described above with the other guards. Depending on the size of the incision, the spiral shield  200  can be adjusted larger or smaller by opening or closing the spiral shape, curling the guard onto itself make more turns to fit the wound opening or bag accordingly. Furthermore, the spiral shield  200  may be molded with a predetermined bias for a particular resting or normal diametrical position, shape and size. For example, if an incision of approximately one inch is made into the patient, a spiral shield  200  having a resting diameter of approximately two inches may be reduced in size by twisting the shield onto itself to increase its windings upon itself, thereby, decreasing its diameter. While in the reduced configuration, the spiral shield  200  is inserted into the one inch incision and then released. Whereas because of the bias molded into the spiral shield  200 , the spiral shield  200  will tend towards its normal configuration and, therefore, expand from its reduced configuration and advantageously retract the incision at the same time as well as seal or force against the incision holding the spiral shield  200  and anything between the shield  200  and the incision such as a bag in position with respect to the patient. Alternatively, the shield  200  may advantageously be reduced under force of the tissue when inserted into the incision. The force of the tissue upon the shield may reduce the diametrical size of shield. Because the shield is adjustable, the central opening or lumen  216  may be increased in size by opening up the spiral for the removal of larger specimens. This adjustability advantageously reduces the strain on surrounding tissue, keeps the incision site as small as possible, reduces the risk of infection and at the same time allows the incision size to be retracted and increased by opening up the spiral as needed to pull the specimen out of the body. Sometimes the size of the tissue to be removed is unpredictable and this adjustability advantageously allows for ease of removal of a wider range of tissue specimens without creating difficulties for the doctor. 
     The position of the spiral shield  200  is further advantageously retained with respect to the incision site or natural orifice such as the vagina with the help of the curvature or concavity of the band. In particular, the top end  212  forms a top lip also called a top flange that at least in part circumferentially extends onto the upper surface of tissue. The bottom end  214  forms a bottom lip or bottom flange that at least in part circumferentially extends onto the under surface of the tissue inside the patient cavity, abdominal wall or surgical working space advantageously retracting tissue away from the shield  200  cutting surface which is generally the inner surface  208  of the band. The tissue is received against the outer surface  210  of the band and is seated within the concavity or curved shape of the outer surface  210  keeping the shield and containment bag in place with the flanges preventing the shield from slipping down into the patient or slipping up and out of the patient. Of course, the shield  200  is placed directly within a surgical incision/orifice or within any one or more of the containment bags and wound retractors described above. Morcellation can proceed in any technique or fashion chosen by the surgeon including employing the inner surface  208  of the shield  200  as a cutting board against which a blade may be used to cut tissue pulled through or into the central lumen  216  with a grasper. As the tissue to be morcellated is pulled up through the central lumen  216 , it can be positioned against the inner surface  208  of the guard  200  and a blade or scalpel can be used to cut the tissue against the shield  200 . The shield  200  is manufactured of a suitable material such as any polymer or metal. One suitable material is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene plastic. Another suitable material is low linear density polyethylene. The shield material has a thickness optimized for protecting the tissue without being punctured or severed easily when tissue is cut against it. When morcellation is completed, the spiral shield  200  can be reduced in diameter by winding the shield upon itself into a reduced configuration for easy removal from the surgical site. Alternatively, the shield  200  can be removed by pulling the shield  200  vertically or along the longitudinal axis of the shield. 
       FIGS.  52 - 53    illustrate the spiral shield  200  on a core pin of a forming mold  220  that has a helical shape. To manufacture the spiral shield  200  by injection molding, the shield  200  is molded onto a helical mold  220 . Once unwound off the core-pin of the mold  220 , the shield  200  can be conformed into its functioning spiral form by tucking one end in front of or behind the adjacent winding. Because the shield  200  is initially molded into a helix, and then conformed into a spiral, it has some spring-back tension memory within it making it want to assume a helical shape instead of staying as a perfect spiral. If the shield  200  has an undesirable and excessive amount of spring-bias tension, an annealing process can be performed by placing the shield  200  into an oven at the appropriate temperature for an allotted time and then removed and, thereby, reducing or alleviating any remnant tension in the shield  200 . However, in one variation of the shield  200 , some remaining tension is advantageously desirable as the tendency of the shield  200  to expand along a longitudinal axis facilitates removal of the device from the incision site. A tab (not shown) may be formed on one end of the shield  200  such as the proximal end, inner end or outer end and/or a hole may be formed near one end of the shield through which a pull string may be attached so that the string or tab may be pulled by the practitioner to easily remove the shield  200  from the incision site. The tab or hole may indicate a directional preference for inserting the shield so that the helical tension may be taken advantage of when removing the device with the tab/hole residing proximal to the surgeon outside the patient. In one variation, the first inner end  202  that is conformed to the inside of the winding would be tabbed or holed for this removal feature. During removal when the inner end  202  is pulled in a vertical direction, the band of the shield will progressively uncoil out of the incision site. 
     As an alternative to injection molding, the spiral shield  200  may be manufactured from plastic sheet stock, die cut and thermoformed into shape. Also, instead of injection molding the shield  200  into a helix, the spiral shield  200  may be injection molded in the shape of the spiral directly. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  71 A and  71 B , there is shown a shield  200  in an expanded elongate configuration and a compressed or unexpanded configuration, respectively. The expanded configuration of the shield  200  is also illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS.  72 - 74   . The shield  200  in the expanded configuration is convertible into the compressed configuration by overlapping the inner surface  208  onto the outer surface  210 . The compressed configuration of the shield  200  is also illustrated in  FIGS.  76 - 79   . At least part of the shield  200  overlaps itself in the unexpanded configuration as shown clearly in  FIGS.  78 A- 78 C . In  FIG.  78 C , the nesting of one part of the shield  200  in the concavity of the outer surface  210  of an adjacent overlapping portion of the shield  200  is shown. The shield  200  is adapted to be rolled or curled at least in part around the longitudinal axis  218 . The shield  200  is adapted to be rolled or curled at least in part around the longitudinal axis  218  onto itself such that a portion of the shield  200  overlaps or lies in juxtaposition or in contact with another portion of the shield  200 . When in the unexpanded configuration of  FIG.  71 B , the shield  200  has a relaxed or normal lateral configuration in addition to a compact configuration in which the unexpanded configuration is rolled into a tighter roll having a reduced diametrical or lateral dimension suitable for insertion into a wound or orifice. The shield  200  has a bias towards the relaxed or normal lateral configuration and will tend toward this bias after insertion into a wound or orifice providing some retraction forces on the tissue as the shield  200  expands from the compact configuration to a larger configuration depending on the material used for the shield  200  and the forces exerted by the surrounding tissue in response to the inserted shield  200 . If the wound or orifice is tight, the shield  200  may not expand from its reduced lateral insertion configuration or may only slightly expand in the lateral dimension unrolling slightly as it tends towards its normal relaxed configuration or the shield  200  may expand all the way to its normal relaxed configuration. 
     The vertically expanded configuration of the shield  200  shown in  FIG.  71 A  is a result of it being molded onto a helical mold  220 . The shield  200  defines a longitudinal axis  218  about which the shield  200  is centered. The shield  200  is made of a material that is biased at least in part toward the vertically expanded position. The shield  200  may also be made of shape-memory material or include parts made of shape-memory material. When in the vertically compressed configuration, the bias to the vertically expanded position will not result in shield  200  springing into the vertically expanded configuration because the concavity of the outer surface forms a top lip also called a top flange  222  and a bottom lip also called a bottom flange  224  such that at least a portion of the top flange  222  abuts an adjacent overlapping top flange  222  while in the compressed configuration and at least a portion of the bottom flange  224  abuts an adjacent overlapping bottom flange  224  while in the compressed configuration preventing the vertically compressed configuration from easily popping into a vertically expanded configuration. At least one of the top flange  222  and bottom flange  224  serve as a stop preventing the shield  200  from expanding from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration. The bias towards the expanded configuration imparts some friction onto the device itself which helps to adjust the lateral dimension or diametrical expansion of the shield  200 . When in the compressed configuration, the shield  200  can be rolled/curled about the longitudinal axis to reduce the diametrical or lateral dimension; thereby, reducing the size of the shield  200  as well as reducing the diameter of the central lumen  216  making it easier to insert through small minimally invasive incisions or orifices. 
       FIG.  80    illustrates the shield  200  in a relaxed or normal lateral configuration having approximately 1.25 times the circumference circumferential windings showing the central lumen  216  with a shield inner diameter or lumen diameter  226 , and shield diameter  228  or outer diameter either of which serve as a lateral or diametrical dimension for the shield  200 .  FIG.  81    illustrates a top view of the shield  200 . In  FIG.  81   , the shield  200  is in a compact configuration suitable for insertion into an incision/orifice in which the shield  200  is rolled into a tighter roll onto itself. The shield  200  in  FIG.  81    has equal to or greater than approximately 2.25 times the circumference circumferential windings and a reduced lumen diameter  226  and shield diameter  228  relative to the relaxed, normal configuration of  FIG.  80   . The overlapping portions of the shield  200  contact each and act to slightly frictionally retain the reduced lateral dimension position; however, since the bias of the lateral dimension is towards the unstressed or relaxed radial normal configuration, the shield  200  will tend to the normal configuration. The compact configuration having a reduced lateral dimension is suitably adapted for insertion into a wound or orifice. From the compact configuration, the shield  200  will expand from a reduced lateral dimension position towards a normal, unstressed lateral dimension configuration when released when outside the wound or orifice. This expansion in situ may be limited by forces exerted by the tissue in response to the forces imparted by the inserted shield  200 . Although the shield  200  includes a central lumen  216  having a circular shape and diameter, the invention is not so limited and variations include a shield  200  having an elongate lumen  216  having a length that is greater than its width such as an oval or ellipse. As such, the outer perimeter of the shield  200  may or may not have a corresponding shape. In a variation in which the outer perimeter of the shield  200  has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the central lumen  216 , where the lumen  216  is circular, the outer perimeter of the shield  200  is also circular or if the central lumen  216  has an oval or elliptical shape, the outer perimeter of the shield also has an oval or elliptical shape. 
     As described above, the shield  200  includes a top flange  222  and a bottom flange  224  as part of the concave outer surface  210  of the shield  200 . While in a vertically unexpanded configuration, the shield  200  is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  218  in which case the top flange  222  and bottom flange  224  extend an approximately equal distance radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis  218  as shown in  FIG.  77   . Turning to  FIG.  79   , there is shown a variation of the shield  200  in which the shield  200  is not symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  218 . In  FIG.  79    the top flange  222  extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis  218  a distance greater than the bottom flange  224  extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis  218 . The shield  200 , thereby, forms an enlarged top flange  222  relative to the bottom flange  224 . The enlarged top flange  222  advantageously provides a larger surface area of protection for the surround tissue and/or containment bag as well as provides a larger cutting board surface for the surgeon to use when morcellating/reducing tissue. 
     Turning to  FIG.  82   , there is shown a variation of the shield  200  having a finger pull or tab  230 . The tab  230  is shown integrally formed at or near the first inner end  202  of the shield  200 . The tab  230  extends from first inner end  202  and from the top end  212  of the shield  200  forming an extension adapted to be easily grasped by the user either with the user&#39;s fingers or with an instrument such as a grasper. In one variation, the tab  230  includes an aperture  232  configured to provide a location for the insertion of an instrument or finger. In another variation, there is no aperture  232 . The tab  230  is configured such that when it is pulled generally in the upwardly or proximal direction, the shield  200  will convert from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration. Upwardly directed force applied at the first end  202  via the tab  230  results in the bottom flange  224  of the first end  202  being unhooked or dislodged from the adjacent lower flange  224  of the shield  200  separating the first end  202  from a nested position with the overlapping curvature of the adjacent shield  200  portion. As the proximal end of the tab  230  is being pulled upwardly it will lead the vertical expansion of the shield  200 , first resulting in the first inner end  202  moving out from the unexpanded configuration and leading the rest of the shield  200  progressively out of a nested juxtaposition of the unexpanded configuration and into a the spiral shape of a shield  200  in an expanded configuration.  FIG.  82    illustrates a shield  200  in an unexpanded configuration and the tab  230  integrally formed with the shield  200 . In another variation, the tab  230  is a separate element attached by adhesive, staple or other fastener to the first end  202  of the shield  200 . In yet another variation, the tab  230  includes a tether attached to the shield  200  and in another variation the tab  230  is a tether and not an extension of the shield  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  83 - 84   , there is shown a shield  200  with a lock  234 . The lock  234  is configured to lock the lateral or diametrical dimension of the shield  200  while it is in the unexpanded configuration. When the shield  200  is placed in situ, the forces of the surrounding tissue may force the lateral or diametrical dimension of the shield  200  to be smaller than desired. Although the shield  200  may include a relaxed normal configuration while in the unexpanded configuration, the built-in bias of the shield  200  may not be sufficient to overcome the forces of the surround tissue or may otherwise be less than surgeon preference for a particular procedure or for a particular instrument to be passed through the central lumen  216  or for a particularly large specimen of target tissue. In either case, the lock  234  is configured to lock and hold the lateral or diametrical dimension of the shield  200  substantially fixed and, in particular, to prevent reduction of the lateral or diametrical dimension because of force from the surrounding tissue. For example, if the shield  200  is to be inserted into an incision or orifice that is relatively smaller than the lateral dimension of the shield  200 , it is first reduced into a compacted configuration such as shown in  FIG.  81   . While in the compacted configuration, the shield  200  is inserted into the wound or orifice. The forces of the surrounding tissue in response to the inserted shield  200  may be greater than the bias tending to return the shield  200  to an unstressed, relaxed normal configuration. In such a case, the surgeon may desire a larger central lumen  216  for the shield  200  or to retract the surrounding tissue. The surgeon will then unroll the shield  200  into a larger lateral or larger diametrical configuration and lock that position with the lock  234  provided on the shield  200 . In one variation, the lock  234  comprises a first notch  236  located a distance proximal from the first inner end  202  of the shield  200  and near the top end  212  and a second notch  238  located a distance proximal from the second outer end  204  of the shield  200  and near the top end  212 . The notches  236 ,  238  are located in the proximity of where one end  202  of the shield  200  overlaps with the other end  204  of the shield  200  in the unexpanded configuration. The shield  200  is shown in an unlocked configuration in  FIG.  83   . To lock the shield  200 , the shield  200  is expanded in the lateral dimension by unrolling the shield  200  to create a larger central lumen  216 . The first notch  236  is overlapped with the second notch  238  to lock the shield  200  in a fixed diametrical/lateral dimension position with the remainder of the shield  200  maintaining some degree of overlap circumferentially around the perimeter of the shield  200 .  FIG.  84    shows the first notch  236  overlapped or interlocked with the second notch  238  in a locked configuration. While in a locked configuration, at least a portion of the first end  202  is located exterior to at least a portion of the second end  204  such that a portion of the inner surface  208  of the first notch  236  faces the outer surface  210  of the second notch  238 . To unlock the shield  200 , the notches  236 ,  238  are unhooked from each other. 
     As described above, the shield  200  can be inserted into the wound or orifice by winding and/or squeezing it into a smaller diameter and then inserting it into the wound or shield. Insertion of the shield  200  may be facilitated with common surgical instruments such as a clamp or grasper. Once inserted, the shield  200  naturally opens slightly and the tissue yields to the outside of its form. In one variation, the shield includes a lock  234  that enables the shield  200  to be locked at a slightly larger diameter than it would naturally occlude to. The lock  234  includes notches  236 ,  238  along the outer edge of the shield  200  near the first and second ends  202 ,  204  where the spiraled material overlaps. These notches  236 ,  238  overlap when in the locked configuration such that at least part of an inner end of the shield  200  is snapped to reside outside the outer end of the shield  200 . The exposed tabs of the lock  234  could be pinched into an overlapping condition which would provide the mechanical interlock point. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  85 - 86   , there is shown another variation of a lock  234  on the shield  200 . The lock  234  includes interlocking teeth. In particular, a first set of outer teeth  240  are formed on the outer surface  210  near the first inner end  202  of the shield  200  and a second set of inner teeth  242  are formed on the inner surface  208  near the second outer end  204  of the shield  200 . The first set of outer teeth  240  are located in the concavity near the first inner end  202  and extend substantially vertically. The second set of inner teeth  242  are located in the convexity near the second outer end  204  and extend substantially vertically. The outer teeth  240  and the inner teeth  242  may also be angled. In one variation, the teeth  240 ,  242  are angled such that that they may more readily slide or ramp over each other when moving from a reduced lateral dimension to an increased lateral dimension. The angle of the teeth locks the ends together and prevents the shield  200  from being reduced in the lateral direction by force of tissue at the wound or orifice. The outer teeth  240  and the inner teeth  242  are configured to interlock with each other in order to prevent reduction of the lateral dimension of the shield  200 . A plurality of inner teeth  240  and a plurality of outer teeth  242  are formed along at least a portion of the perimeter near the first and second ends  202 ,  204  so that the position at which the shield  200  is locked can be adjusted as needed and, hence, the lateral dimension can be fixed as desired. While the teeth  240 ,  242  are shown located in the midline perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  218 , the invention may include teeth provided anywhere along the vertical dimension. 
     In another variation of lock on a shield  200 , the shield  200  is provided with a protuberance that extends from the inner surface. The protuberance may be shaped like a hook and configured to engage a notch or opening formed in an adjacent portion of the shield  200 . In one variation, the protuberance is near one of the first inner end  202  and second outer end  204  and the notch or opening is formed near the other one of the first inner end  202  and second outer end  204 . 
     The shield  200  guards the tissue surrounding a wound or orifice in the body from sharp objects such as blades and morcellators during surgery. The terms wound, orifice, incision, body opening are used interchangeably in the specification. The wound is generally a minimally invasive incised wound that penetrates through the abdominal wall for laparoscopic or other types of surgery. The shield  200  is a spiral spring in the expanded configuration comprising a ribbon of material formed into a spiral that when inserted into a wound or orifice generates an outward force. The shield  200  also retracts tissue within the wound or orifice providing an opening across the abdominal wall or through an orifice via the central lumen  216  which is generally circular in shape when viewed along the longitudinal axis  218 . In one variation of the shield  200 , the shield  200  is not curved but made by winding a ribbon of generally flat material into a cylindrical or conical form. In another variation, the curved ribbon shield  200  has a C-shape vertical profile when viewed from the side. The proximal and distal edges also called the top end  212  and the bottom end  214  are larger in diameter than the mid portion of the shield  200  forming a top flange  222  and a bottom flange  224 , respectively. This C-shape configuration advantageously cups the tissue at the wound opening and provides anchor-like securement so the shield  200  does not easily dislodge axially from the wound or orifice during normal use. In one variation, the C-shape is parabolic as shown in  FIG.  75   . The vertex of the parabola is located in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  218 . In another variation, the vertex is between the top end  212  or bottom end  214  and the vertical midline. 
     Removing the shield  200  from the wound or orifice is accomplished by first disengaging any interlocking features  234  and then gripping the exposed inner corner of the shield  200  and curling it inwardly in the direction of the material&#39;s spiral and then pulling it upwardly along the longitudinal axis and out of the wound or orifice. The shield  200  advantageously cork-screws out into a helical form of the expanded configuration. The shield  200  may be pulled out by hand with fingers or with the aid of common surgical instruments such as a clamp or grasper. One variation of the shield  200  is made from cut-resistant, yet pliable plastic material. The material choice and thickness provide the protection features. The shield  200  is pliable enough to be inserted and removed yet rigid enough to remain secured and provide protection. 
     The shield  200  provides several advantageous features. One important feature provided by the shield  200  is that it protects surrounding tissue from sharp objects such as blades, scalpels and morcellators. The shield  200  also provides protection for a containment bag in which it is placed, thereby, preventing the containment bag from being pierced or cut by sharp objects ensuring that the containment of biological specimens is maintained with reduced risk of leakage. The top flange  222  provides a wide base or cutting-board like protection for tissue and bag surfaces surround the wound or orifice. The top flange  222  overlays, covers and protects tissue margin and/or the containment bag. The middle portion of the shield  200  also shields tissue at the wound or orifice and also protects the containment bag in which it is placed if a containment bag is employed. The middle portion further advantageously allows surgeons to reach deeply with a blade and cut tissue specimen closely at the midline horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or above and even reach distally beyond the midline plane of the shield  200  to cut the tissue specimen as the entire vertical length of the shield  200  provides protection to the surrounding tissue and containment bag. 
     Another advantage of the shield  200  is that it includes an anchoring feature. The shield  200  is advantageously configured to anchor itself within the wound and orifice via the C-shape design. The anchoring features makes morcellation procedures dramatically easier and faster because it does not require sutures or another hand to hold the shield  200  in place during a normal procedure. A dual-flange (top and bottom  222 ,  224 ) is provided for anchoring the shield  200  capturing tissue or the abdominal wall within the concavity of the C-shape. The shield has a distal anchoring member for location within a wound interior and a proximal anchoring member for location externally of a wound opening. A single flange, either a top or bottom, is also within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although the top flange  222  and the bottom flange  224  are shown to extend around the entire circumference of the top end  212  and the bottom end  214 , respectively, the invention is not so limited and either one or more of the top and bottom flange  222 ,  224  may extend around at least a portion of the circumference. In such a variation, finger-like extensions may be formed in lieu of a circumferential bottom flange  224 . The fingers may easily flex along the longitudinal direction for easy insertion and then spring radially outwardly into an anchoring position under an abdominal wall or other tissue structure or orifice. Also, the top flange  222  may extend radially outwardly a greater distance than the bottom flange  224  as shown in  FIG.  79    and vice versa to provide a larger cutting-board-like surface. 
     Furthermore, the shield  200  is advantageously adapted for easy insertion and removal into and out of a wound or orifice. The shield  200  includes vertically expanded and vertically unexpanded configurations imparting the shield  200  with vertical variability. This makes the shield  200  easy to remove by simply pulling one end of the shield  200  proximally such that the shield  200  unhooks from adjacent and overlapping flanges and/or concavities and corkscrews into an expanded spiral shape from a nested unexpanded configuration. A tab, hole, and/or tether  230  is provided to help with grasping the shield  200  to pull vertically. Furthermore, while in the nested or unexpanded configuration, the shield  200  is movable into a compact configuration by rolling or curling the shield  200  onto itself to form a smaller or tighter circle and more revolutions about itself. The shield  200  advantageously moves from the laterally compact configuration by releasing the compacted configuration whereupon it assumes the normal relaxed configuration which has a relatively greater lateral dimension. A further increased configuration is also provided by shield  200  wherein a lateral or diametrical position larger than the normal or relaxed configuration can be locked in position via a lock  234  formed in the shield  200 . The lateral variability of the shield  200  allows the lateral dimension to be reduced for easy insertion into the wound or orifice. Also, from a locked, diametrically-increased position, the shield  200  may be unlocked and reduced in size in the lateral direction by simply unlocking the shield and/or unlocking the shield and then curling the shield upon itself into a tighter configuration making it easy to remove from the wound or orifice. 
     Also, the shield  200  is advantageously self-deploying. After curling the shield  200  into a compacted lateral configuration, the shield  200  is easily inserted into the wound or orifice and then released whereupon it tends to increase in size due to its spring bias. This spring-back action in the lateral direction helps to automatically seat the shield  200  within the wound or orifice with little effort while at the same time providing protection and retraction to the tissue and/or containment bag keeping both out of the way of sharp objects that may be encountered in a normal procedure. 
     Furthermore, while in the vertically unexpanded configuration, the shield  200  has a C-shaped or hourglass overall outer shape wherein the proximal end flares radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis and the distal end of the shield  200  flares radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis with the waist being the narrowest lateral dimension along a plane between the proximal end and the distal end of the shield. The flare at the distal end of the shield  200  advantageously provides a ramped surface or funnel that facilitates guiding and moving targeted tissue into and through the shield  200 . 
     The flexibility of the shield  200  allows it to excel at insertion, deployment, removal and being an anchor due to expansion. The flexibility is advantageously balanced against its ability to provide protection to the surrounding tissue and/or containment bag. The protection that the shield  200  provides is sufficient for manual morcellation procedures when performed properly while affording the surgeon freedom to employ personal morcellation techniques. The shield  200  is inserted into the mouth of a containment bag and may also be placed in the neck of a containment bag or in the main receptacle of the containment bag. The containment bag surrounds the shield  200  and is captured between the tissue/orifice and the shield  200 . The shield  200  serves to retract the surround tissue as well as the surrounding containment bag material. The shield  200  exerts sufficient force onto the containment bag such that the containment bag is kept in position substantially fixed such that it does not slide into the wound or orifice. A sufficient amount of the proximal end of the bag is located proximal to the shield and overlays the external surface, such as the abdomen, of the patient forming a blanket that helps prevent contamination. The shield  200  is configured to hold the mouth of the containment bag in an accessible, open configuration and receive and support a manual or power morcellator device. 
     In another variation, the shield  200  is adapted for insertion into the vaginal canal and as such is longer in length as shown. The shield  200  may also include shape-memory parts to assist in deployment. The shield  200  provides for a reliable and safe removal of endogenic samples and is easy to use reducing operating time and costs. The shield  200  in combination with a containment bag aids in reducing the risk of contaminating healthy tissue by possibly malignant cells during the tissue sampling and removal operations. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  54 - 59   , a bag  310  according to the present invention will now be described. The bag  310  includes a single opening or mouth  312 . At or near the mouth  312  of the bag, a semi-rigid, compressible plastic ring  314  is connected into the bag  310 . The ring  314  can be compressed from a circular or large configuration into an oval or smaller configuration such that the bag  310  can be inserted through the small incision. Once inside the patient, the resilient ring  314  expands to its original uncompressed, larger configuration opening the mouth  312  of the bag  310  along with it. When laid flat inside the patient, the ring  314  clearly defines the opening  312  of the bag  310  which without a ring  314  may be difficult to see under laparoscopic observation. Sometimes the opening  312  to the bag  310  may be difficult to find. The opening  312  must then be oriented inside the patient so that tissue can be clearly placed into it and not placed past the opening  312 . In the present invention, the expanded ring  314  when laid on top of the bag  310  ensures that the any tissue placed within the ring  314  will end up inside the bag  310  when the ring  314  is lifted toward the incision. The empty bag  310  lies flat on a flat surface and the ring  314  falls naturally above the bag  310 . The resilient ring  314  allows the bag  310  to remain open without assistance inside the abdominal cavity to ease the capture of tissue. 
     After a tissue specimen is placed inside the ring  314 , the ring  314  is pulled up toward the incision. A tether  316  is provided near the mouth  312  of the bag  310  to assist the surgeon in pulling the bag  310  up towards the incision. The tether  316  may have a tag  318  at the proximal end which is retained outside the patient when the bag  310  is placed inside the patient. The tag  318  is also easily found inside the patient. The large tag  318  helps to quickly locate and pull the tether  16  when needed. The tether  316  may also be configured to cinch the bag  310  closed in order to prevent the contents of the bag  310  from spilling out. Alternatively, there may be an additional cinch string connected to the bag  310  and located beneath or above the ring  314  such that the cinch string circumferentially closes the bag. Other ways to close or seal may also be provided such as a press fit or zipper. 
     When the bag  310  is pulled and located near the incision, the ring  314  is compressed from its expanded configuration to its compressed configuration so that it can be pulled through the small incision. The ring  314  is compressed with a grasper or by hand through the incision opening. After the ring  314  is pulled through the incision, a sufficient amount of the bag  310  is pulled along with it so as to be laid over and cover a portion of the patient&#39;s abdomen. Hence, the bag  310  must be pretty large in order to create an apron effect around the incision outside the patient. With the ring  314  and part of the bag  310  outside the patient, the remainder of the bag  310  and tissue specimen remains inside the patient. 
     The cross-section of the ring  314  may be circular and may have a hollow center to impart flexibility. In one variation, the ring  314  has an elliptical, elongate or oval cross-section. In the variation shown in the figures, the ring  314  has a shape resembling the number eight or having two connected circular cross-sections which result in a small valley  320  between the circles. In general, the cross-section of the ring  314  has a length greater than its width. This elongated cross-section allows the ring  314  to be rolled or flipped over itself by inverting the ring  314  outwardly or inwardly to roll up the bag  310  onto the ring  314  itself. The ring  314  can be rolled in the opposite direction to unfurl the bag  310  from the ring  314 . The elongate cross-section of the ring  314  advantageously keeps the bag  310  sidewall rolled-up onto the ring  314 . If the cross-section were circular, the ring  314  may more easily roll and, thereby, unravel the rolled-up sidewall of the bag  310 . The rolling of the ring  314  about itself draws the bag  310  upwardly and brings the specimen inside the bag  310  closer to the incision opening. The rolling action of the bag  310  reduces the volume of the bag  310  located inside the patient and also creates a nicely-formed and taut apron outside the patient. If the bag  310  is retracted too tightly, the ring  314  may warp. The tissue specimen is then pulled from the bag  310  by morcellating it with a blade or electronic morcellator into a size and shape that can be passed through the small incision and removed from the bag  310 . The sidewall  328  of the bag  310  may be rolled up onto itself to form a roll  330  located adjacent to the ring  314  for ease of deployment as shown in  FIG.  59   . The ring  314  would be squeezed such that the compressed length of the ring  314  is aligned with the length of the roll  330  for easy insertion. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS.  55 - 56   , the ring  314  is a formed from a single elongate piece  322  of plastic formed into a circle or other shape by bonding the free ends together. In another variation, the ring  314  is made of two or more pieces such as two semi-circles that together define a circle of the same radius. The ends are not connected but are retained in a normal curved configuration inside a sleeve at the mouth of the bag  310 . The multi-piece ring  314  makes compressing the ring  314  into a smaller configuration easier. A ring  314  is approximately 0.38 inches in height and 0.18 inches wide and approximately 38 inches long. The thickness of the material forming the ring  314  is approximately 0.18 inches. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS.  57 - 59   , the bag  310  is formed from a single sheet  324  of material. The sheet  324  of material is folded lengthwise and heat sealed on the sides to form seams  326 . The weakest part of any bag  310  is the area around the weld seams  326 . As can be seen in  FIG.  57   , there is no weld seam  326  at the bottom of the bag  310  where forces are most likely to concentrate when removing a specimen which makes the bag  310  have a greater critical strength. Also, the material of the bag  310  is made of 4.2 mil Inzii® film which is clear and allows the surgeon to see through the side of the bag  310  during surgery. Visibility through the bag  310  eliminates the need to puncture the side of the bag  310  to achieve visualization. The film is elastic and gives the bag  310  good retraction. The bag  310  may also be made of U-5746 rip-stop nylon with a polyurethane coating. The polyurethane coating makes the film air tight and heat sealable. The U-5746 is a military grade material that is stronger than the Inzii® film but has less retraction and is opaque. The bag  310  is approximately 16 inches long and 12 inches wide at the mouth  312 . The bottom of the bag  310  forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the sidewall  328  at a distance of approximately 12.4 inches from the mouth  312 . The bag  310  has a thickness of approximately 0.2 inches and at the seams  326 , the bag  310  is approximately twice as thick. In another variation, the bag  310  is a double bag having one bag located inside another bag to provide greater resistance to accidental punctures. In another variation, only a bottom portion of the bag  310  is reinforced with a double-walled construction. The bag  310  is leak-proof and prevents viral penetration. 
     As previously described, a shield may be provided and used in conjunction with the bag  310 . The shield that is inserted into the mouth  312  of the containment bag  310  after the bag  310  is placed inside the patient and pulled through the incision. The shield is made of thicker plastic and protects the plastic bag  310  from being inadvertently cut by the blade used by the surgeon to morcellate the target tissue. The shield may also serve as a cutting board against which a surgeon may cut the target tissue if needed. The bag  310  may also be used with a retractor as described above wherein when the bag  310  is pulled through the incision, a retractor is placed inside the mouth  312  of the bag  310  and the tissue and bag  310  at the location of the incision is retracted before a shield is placed inside the retractor and the specimen removed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  60 - 63   , a bag introducer or fork  410  is used to introduce a containment bag  310  into a body cavity of a patient through a small incision. The introducer  410  facilitates placement of a bag  310  into the surgical field. The fork  410  has a proximal end  412  and distal end  414 . A handle  416  is provided at the proximal end  412 . A first prong  418  and a second prong  420  extend distally from the handle  416  forming a substantial fork-like configuration. The prongs  418 ,  420  are of equal length. The prongs  418 ,  420  may have any suitable cross-section and are spaced apart from each other by a sufficient distance. The prongs  418 ,  420  are made of stainless steel and are connected to an injection molded plastic or metal handle  416  as shown in  FIG.  60   . In this design, the steel rods comprising the prongs  418 ,  420  are inserted into and connected to an injection molded handle  416  which allows for a fork  410  with a small profile but is more expensive to and takes longer to produce. In  FIG.  61   , the fork  410  is made from a single piece of material wherein both the handle  416  and prongs  418 ,  420  are injection molded to form a unitary structure. This design is the easiest and least expensive to manufacture at the cost of a larger profile and weaker design. 
     In use, and with particular reference to  FIGS.  62 - 63   , the bottom of the containment bag  310  is placed between the prongs  418 ,  420  with the tether  316  and tag  318  placed near the handle  416 . The bottom edge of the bag  310  is folded over the prongs  418 ,  420  with the prongs extending slightly past the end of the bag  310 . Hence, the prongs  418 ,  420  are slightly longer than the width of the bag  310 . The handle  416  is grasped and rotated allowing the bag  310  to roll up evenly into a tubular roll  330  until resistance is met. The bag  310  is reduced to a minimum size for introduction in the incorporeal region. The resilient ring  314  is squeezed and the bag  310  is rolled up until it is taut and located next to the ring  314 . Under visualization, the bag  310  and fork  410  combination is inserted through the incision ensuring the opening  312  of the ring  314  is positioned upwards. The bag  310  is inserted until it is approximately three-quarters into the incision. The fork  410  is rotated in the opposite direction to slightly loosen the bag  310 . The bag  410  is loosened to reduce the tension on the bag to make it easier for tissue to fall into the bag  310 . The fork  410  allows the bag  310  to be easily deployed while controlling how tight of the bag  310  is wound during insertion and the direction of the ring opening  312 . If the bag  310  is wound too tightly, then the tissue will not fall easily into the bag  310  when the ring  310  is lifted inside the patient. Rotation of the introducer  410  in the opposite direction before removal of the introducer  410  facilitates ease of tissue insertion into the bag  310 . 
     The fork  410  is separated from the bag  310  by pulling the handle  416  proximally. The remaining quarter section of the bag  310  is pushed into the incision. After the bag  310  is fully deployed in the abdominal cavity, an access port and scope are placed and the cavity is insufflated. The bag  310  is positioned such that the ring  314  lies on top of the bag  310 . The access port may be placed in the same incision or in a secondary incision. Under visualization, the tissue to be morcellated and removed from the patient is placed into the bag  310 . A lateral access port can be used to visualize and confirm that the tissue is inside the bag  310 . The access port is removed and the removal of the bag  310  out of the patient is commenced. A secondary access port need not be removed and may be used to continue observation of the removal and subsequent morcellation. The tag  318  may be resident outside of the patient. It is pulled to draw the bag  310  up toward the incision. If the tag  318  is inside the cavity, visualization through the access port and a grasper may be employed to grab the tag  318 . The tether  316  and tag  318  are pulled-up through the incision until part of the ring  314  is through the incision. The ring  314  is pulled until the entire ring  314  is outside of the incision. The bag  310  is retracted by rolling/flipping the ring  314  over itself to roll the bag  310  around the ring  314 . This rolling of the ring  314  not only retracts tissue slightly, but also, reduces the volume of the bag  310  inside the patient drawing the tissue inside the patient closer to the surface. The tissue is then morcellated. 
     Alternatively, a retractor having a central lumen is placed inside the mouth of the bag  310  at the incision and tissue along with the bag  310  is retracted enlarging the opening and then the tissue is morcellated with the bag  310  in place. The retractor having a central lumen is placed inside the mouth of the bag  310  in the location of the incision and a shield as previously described is provided and used in conjunction with the bag  310  and the retractor. The shield is placed inside the central lumen of the retractor. Of course, the shield may be used without the retractor. If a retractor is not used, the shield is placed into the mouth  312  of the bag  310  in the location of the incision. The shield is inserted into the mouth  312  of the containment bag  310  after the bag  310  is placed inside the patient and pulled through the incision. The shield is made of thicker plastic and protects the plastic bag  310  from being inadvertently cut by the blade or other instruments used by the surgeon to morcellate the target tissue. The shield may also serve as a cutting board against which a surgeon may cut the target tissue if needed. The shield itself may also function as a retractor having a first reduced dimension and a second expanded dimension. The second expanded dimension serving to retract tissue. 
     If a retractor is used inside the bag  310 , the retractor advantageously not only retracts the tissue but also retracts part of the bag, keeping the bag out of the way of a morcellating blade and, thereby, protecting the bag from cuts and punctures. A typical retractor includes a top ring and bottom ring with a flexible sidewall connected therebetween. The bottom ring is inserted through the incision and resides inside the patient whereas the top ring of the retractor resides above the patient. The top ring is rolled/flipped over itself like the bag to pull the lower ring of the retractor closer and the sidewall into a taut relation between the rings. The lower ring of the retractor advantageously retracts the portion of the bag  310  inside the patent and away from potential damage arising from punctures and tears from the blade. 
     The tissue is morcellated in a fashion desired by the surgeon. Generally, a small part of the target tissue is pulled to the outside of the patient while the larger portion of the target tissue remains inside the patient. The surgeon will take a blade and make a circumferential cut of approximately 180 degrees or 360 degrees around the circumference of the protruding tissue without severing the protruding tissue from the remainder of the target tissue. Keeping the protruding tissue intact with the larger piece inside the patient permits the surgeon to continue to grasp the tissue without losing it inside the bag. The surgeon pulls the grasped tissue little-by-little out of the patient making periodic circumferential cuts of any size so that more of the tissue can be pulled out until the entire piece of target tissue is removed. The result is a single elongated piece of removed target tissue instead of multiple small pieces. If not removed in one piece, the target tissue is removed in fewer pieces and in a more controlled manner. The bag  310  may be further retracted in between morcellations to bring the specimen closer to the surface. Once the tissue remaining in the bag  310  is small enough to easily fit through the incision, the bag  310  is completely removed. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  64 - 65   , there is shown another shield  510  according to the present invention. The shield  510  comprises a first ring  512  at the proximal end  514  and a second ring  516  at a distal end  518 . The rings  512 ,  516  are substantially parallel to each other and are interconnected by a sidewall  520 . The sidewall  520  is a fabric, sheath material that can be made of flexible textile or polymer. The material can be Kevlar®, Dyneema®, rip-stop nylon, or polymer blend material. The sidewall  520  is heat sealed or bonded to the rings  512 ,  516 . The first and second rings  512 ,  516  are semi-rigid and compressible between a normal, high-profile, large configuration and a compressed, low-profile, elongate configuration. The rings  512 ,  516  are generally circular in their normal configuration or can be elliptical. The rings  512 ,  516  can be compressed from a circular or large configuration into an oval or smaller configuration such that the shield  510  can be inserted into a small incision, in particular, into the mouth of a containment bag to protect it. In one variation, only the second ring  516  is compressible for insertion into an incision and the first ring  512  is rigid such that the first ring  51  is intended for residency outside or proximally relative to inside the patient. The rigid proximal first ring  512  may be larger and wider in order to serve as a larger shield or cutting board for morcellation. The second or distally placed ring  516  is of flexible suitable for compression and easy insertion into a bag and may be slightly smaller in diameter than the first ring  512 . 
     The cross-section of one or more of the rings  512 ,  516  may be circular. The rings  512 ,  516  have a hollow center to impart flexibility. In one variation, the rings  512 ,  516  have an elliptical, elongate or oval cross-section with a hollow center. In another variation, the rings  512 ,  516  have a shape resembling the number eight having two connected circular cross-sections which result in a small valley between the circles as shown in  FIGS.  55 A- 55 B . In general, the cross-section of the rings  512 ,  516  has a length greater than its width. This elongated cross-section allows each ring  512 ,  516  to be rolled or flipped over itself by inverting the ring  512 ,  516  outwardly or inwardly to roll up the sidewall  520  onto the ring  512 ,  516 . In one variation, only the first ring or proximal ring  512  is configured for rolling up the sidewall  520 . In another variation, both of the rings  512 ,  516  are configured for rolling making the shield  510  bi-directional, that is either the first ring  512  or the second ring  516  can be placed proximally relative to the incision/orifice and rolled. The shield  510  is inserted by compressing one or more of the rings  512 ,  516 . While both rings  512 ,  516  may be compressed into the low-profile configuration for easy insertion through the incision, generally only the distal ring needs to be compressed with the proximal ring residing outside of the patient not needing to be compressed. Also, only the proximal ring need be configured for rolling the sidewall  520  as the distal ring resides inside the patient. The one or more rings  512 ,  516  configured for rolling can be rolled in the opposite direction to increase the length of the sidewall  520 . When one of the rings  512 ,  516  is rolled, the length of the sidewall  520  is taken up onto the ring shortening the length of the shield  510 . The elongate cross-section of the ring advantageously keeps the sidewall  520  rolled-up onto the ring. If the cross-section were circular, the ring may more easily roll in-situ and, thereby, unravel the rolled-up sidewall  520 . The rolling of the ring about itself draws the opposite ring upwardly and closer to it. 
     The rings  512 ,  516  are formed from a single elongate piece of plastic formed into a circle or other shape by bonding the free ends together. In another variation, the rings  512 ,  516  are made of two or more pieces such as two semi-circles that together define a circle for each ring. The ends are not connected but are retained in a normal curved configuration. A multi-piece ring makes compressing the ring into a smaller low-profile configuration easier. A ring is approximately 0.38 inches in height and 0.18 inches wide and approximately 38 inches long. The thickness of the material forming the ring  314  is approximately 0.18 inches.  FIG.  65    illustrates the shield  510  placed inside a bag  310  and retracted by rolling the proximally located first ring  512  until the proximal rigid ring  512  is flush with the outer surface or abdomen of the patient. The cut resistant material of the rings  512 ,  516  as well as the sidewall  520  protects the bag  310 . Retraction by rolling the proximal first ring  512  advantageously causes the incision to stretch. The resulting larger incision allows for greater ease of manual morcellation. In another variation, the shield  510  is not configured to permit rolling of one or more of the rings  512 ,  516  to reduce the length of the shield  510  and the sidewall of the shield  510  is made of protection material. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  66 - 67   , there is shown another shield  510  according to the present invention. This shield  510  is similar to the shield of  FIGS.  64 - 65    in that it comprises a first ring  512  at the proximal end  514  and a second ring  516  at the distal end  518  interconnected by a flexible sidewall  520 . The sidewall  520  of the variation depicted in  FIGS.  66 - 67    comprises a first layer  522  and a second layer  524  shown separated and laid flat in  FIG.  67   . The first layer  522  includes a plurality of vertical slits  526  and the second layer  524  includes a plurality of vertical slits  528 . The first layer  522  is placed adjacent or in juxtaposition to the second layer  524  to form the lantern-like sidewall  520  such that the slits  526  of the first layer  522  and the slits  528  of the second layer  524  are offset such that they do not meet to create a break through the shield  510 . Instead, the overlapping layers  522 ,  524  with their offset slits  526 ,  2528  create a flexible yet strong sidewall  520  that resists penetration. Each of the first layer  522  and second layer  524  is a flexible or semi-flexible sheath that bends easily but is cut resistant. The layers  522 ,  524  are flexible enough to ease insertion yet capable of retraction when placed inside the bag in the incision with or without flipping of the rings  512 ,  516  as described above. In another variation, the slits  526 ,  528  are not perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the layers  522 ,  524  as shown in  FIG.  67   . Instead, slits  526 ,  528  are angled with respect to the top and bottom edges. The overall height of the shield  510  is approximately 0.5-2.0 inches and the sidewall  520  is made of protection material. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  68 - 70   , there is shown another variation of a shield  530  according to the present invention. The shield  530  is made of flexible or semi-rigid plastic. The shield  530  includes a flange  532  is substantially planar and includes an opening  534  in the middle. From the opening  534 , a plurality of slits  536  extends from the circumference of the opening  534  outwardly into the flange  532  to increase the flexibility of the corner intersection. The flange  532  is sized and configured to fit inside a retractor if one is used. In particular, the flange  532  snaps under the top ring of a retractor to help hold the shield  530  in position. 
     The flange  532  is connected to a central tubular section  538 . The tubular section  538  includes a central lumen that extends between the opening  534  at the proximal end and extends to an opening  540  at the distal end. The tubular section  538  may also include a plurality of slits  542  that extend upwardly from the distal opening  540 . The shield  530  further includes two fingers, or elongate extensions  544 , extending downwardly from the tubular section  538  at an oblique angle defining a first configuration for the fingers  544 . The fingers  544  include a second configuration that is a reduced or compressed configuration as shown in  FIG.  69    in which the fingers  544  are pressed together or folded toward the longitudinal axis to assume a lateral dimension that is the same size or smaller than the lateral dimension of the central tubular section  538 . The reduced configuration makes it easy to insert the shield  530  into an incision or orifice. When inserted past the abdominal wall, as shown in  FIG.  70   , the fingers  544  are configured to advantageously spring back to the first configuration in which the fingers  544  spread outwardly at an angle. In this first configuration, inside the incision, the fingers  544  advantageously retract not only tissue, but also, the bag (not shown) into which it is inserted. The slits  542  impart further flexibility to the distal end of the central portion  538  allowing it to assume a narrower configuration when placed into the incision and then also snap back to its normal configuration which aids in the retraction of the bag and tissue. The height of the flange  532  and the central portion  538  is approximately 0.5-2.0 inches and the shield  530  is made of HDPE, LDPE, HYTREL®, or other suitable polymer or metal. Also, the shield  530  may include more than two fingers  544 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  87 - 90   , there is shown a morcellation system  600 . The morcellation system  600  is device that allows for the bulk removal of body tissue or organs through a limited surgical opening in a safe way. The morcellation system  600  is substantially a closed system that prevents contamination of surrounding tissue with potentially cancerous cells resident in the target tissue during morcellation and extraction procedures. The morcellation system  600  includes a morcellator  602 , a containment bag (not shown), a tenaculum  606  and a shield  608 . 
     The containment bag may be any of the bag embodiments described herein. Generally, the containment bag includes a polymer pouch having a mouth or opening that is attached to a ring such that the ring encompasses the mouth opening. The ring is flexible and configured to be biased in an open configuration such that the mouth of the bag is held open by the ring to facilitate insertion of a specimen into the bag. The ring is flexible such that it can be compressed into a low-profile state making it easily insertable into a wound or orifice. The ring maintains an opening and allows the bag to be retracted by rolling the ring about itself to wrap the sidewall of the bag around the ring. A tether is attached to the ring or proximal end of the bag. The tether includes an attached tag for grasping with a surgical instrument. 
     The morcellation system  600  further includes a morcellator  602 . The morcellator  602  is a power morcellator. The morcellator  602  includes a cutting ring or annular blade  610  having a sharp distal end adapted to sever tissue. The annular blade  610  is mounted on a hollow cylinder  612 . The cylinder  612  is connected to a pneumatic or electric motor (not shown) via gears and configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The morcellator  602  includes an inner cylinder  614  having a flared or funnel-like proximal end that is connected to the morcellator housing  616 . The distal end  620  of the inner cylinder  614  extends to a location proximal to the annular blade  610 . The inner cylinder  614  defines a working channel or central lumen  618  of the morcellator  602 . The inner cylinder  614  prevents tissue that is pulled into the central lumen  618  from spinning within the morcellator  602 . The morcellator  602  further includes an outer cylinder  622 . The outer cylinder  622  coaxially encompasses the cutting cylinder  612 . The outer cylinder  622  has a proximal end that connects to or forms part of the housing  616 . The distal end  624  of the outer cylinder extends to a location proximal to the distal end of the blade  610 . The outer cylinder  622  includes an extension  626  at the distal end  624  of the outer cylinder  622 . The extension  626  extends slightly beyond the distal end of the blade  610 . The extension  626  prevents coring of the specimen that is morcellated. 
     The morcellation system  600  further includes a shield  608 . The shield  608  can be any of the shields  608  described herein and, in one variation, of the like described with respect to  FIGS.  51 - 53  and  71 - 86   . The shield  608  has a general shape of a spiral when in a vertically expanded configuration. The shield  608  is collapsible into a low-profile, unexpanded configuration. The shield  608  can be moved from the expanded configuration to the unexpanded configuration and vice versa repeatedly as needed. The shield  608  is a band of flexible plastic having the form of a spiral in an expanded configuration. The shield  608  may also be made of thin flexible metal or other suitable material that prevents sharps from penetrating the shield  608 . The band extends between a first end and a second end and a top or proximal end  628  and a bottom or distal end  630 . The distance between the proximal end  628  and the distal end  630  is approximately the overall length  638  of the shield  608  while in the unexpanded or low-profile configuration. The shield  608  has an inner surface  632  and an outer surface  634  interconnected by a proximal end  628  and the distal end  634  and by the first end and the second end. The outer surface  634  is concave and the inner surface  632  forms a conforming surface that is convex when viewed from within the shield  608 . The outer surface  634  is substantially parallel to the inner surface  632 . The shield  608  defines a central lumen  636 . When in the low-profile, unexpanded configuration, the shield  608  is capable of being reduced laterally in size to have a relatively smaller lateral dimension. As described above, the shield  608  includes a relaxed normal position having a first lateral or diametrical dimension while in the low-profile, unexpanded configuration. The shield  608  also includes a reduced configuration while in the low-profile unexpanded configuration having a second lateral or diametrical dimension. The second lateral or diametrical dimension is less than the first lateral or diametrical dimension. The reduced configuration when in the unexpanded configuration is achieved by curling the shield  608  onto itself into a tighter and smaller configuration. This curling action reduces the size of the central lumen  636 . This reduced configuration is held fixed by hand or by a lock. Insertion of the shield  608  into a small incision or orifice is greatly facilitated by curling the shield  608  onto itself into a reduced configuration. When inserted into the incision or orifice, the shield  608  is then released and allowed to unwind from a tight curl toward the relaxed, normal position having a larger lateral dimension. However, forces from surrounding tissue may prevent the shield  608  from reaching the first lateral or diametrical dimension and, therefore, the shield  608  may reach a dimension that is equal to the second lateral dimension or equal to the first lateral dimension or have a dimension anywhere between the first lateral dimension and second lateral dimension. Furthermore, the shield  608  may be uncurled into an enlarged configuration having a third lateral or diametrical dimension. The third lateral or diametrical dimension is larger than the first lateral or diametrical dimension. The enlarged configuration may be locked in position with the shield  608  by way of any of the locks described herein that fix the position and the lateral or diametrical dimension of the shield  608 . This enlarged configuration may serve to retract tissue and enlarge the opening of the orifice or wound. The reduced configuration as well as the relaxed normal configuration and any position between the reduced configuration to the enlarged configuration may serve to retract tissue and hold the wound and orifice open while providing a working channel through the central lumen  636 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS.  87  and  88   , the morcellator  602  is shown inserted into the central lumen  636  of the shield  608 . The distal end of the morcellator housing  616  abuts the proximal end  628  of the shield  608 . The length  640  of the morcellator  602  that extends downwardly from the housing  616  and includes the blade cylinder  612 , the inner cylinder  614  and the outer cylinder  622  is approximately equal to the length  638  of the shield  608 . In one variation, the length  638  of the shield  608  is shorter than the extension  626  that protrudes from the outer cylinder  622 .  FIG.  87    illustrates the extension  626  extending beyond the length of the shield  608 . In such a variation, the distal end of the shield  608  is just proximal to the extension  626 . In another variation, the length  638  of the shield  608  is equal to the distal end of the annular blade  610 . In another variation, the length  638  of the shield  608  is extends slightly distally beyond the blade  610 . In another variation, the length  638  of the shield  608  is distal to the extension  626 . The length  638  of the shield  608  is adapted to encompass the depending portion of the morcellator  602 , in particular, the blade  610 . By encompassing the blade  610 , the shield  608  and guards the blade  610  from inadvertent contact with the surrounding tissue and containment bag. 
     In use, a tissue containment bag is placed through a small incision in the abdomen or small orifice or opening in the body. This is accomplished by compressing the flexible ring of the bag into a low-profile configuration and inserting the bag through a small incision/opening. The flexible ring is allowed to spring open inside the body cavity and expand the mouth portion of the bag making it easy to place a severed piece of target tissue into the bag. The targeted tissue is placed into the bag while the bag is inside the abdominal body cavity. A retractor may be employed and placed inside the incision. The tether on the bag is then used to pull the ring of the bag through the incision. The ring on the bag is rolled over itself to roll the bag sidewall around the ring reducing the length and size of the bag and, thereby, to draw the specimen inside the bag closer to the incision/opening. The specimen inside the bag is visualized with the naked eye near the mouth of the bag. The shield  608  is rotated to minimize its size while outside the patient by rolling or curling the shield  608  onto itself into a tighter form. While in the reduced configuration, the shield  608  is placed into the bag within the incision/opening and allowed to expand on its own or is enlarged diametrically to maximize the incision opening by reversing the rotation of the shield  608 . The enlarged position may be fixed with a lock of the type described herein. The shield  608  is uncurled into a larger dimension. The C-shaped outer surface  634  of the shield  608  anchors nicely within the incision such that the abdominal wall is seated within the concavity of the “C”. A tenaculum  606  is advanced through the central lumen  618  of the morcellator  602  and is used to grasp the targeted tissue during visualization of the targeted tissue with the naked eye. Once the tissue is properly grasped, it is held by the tenaculum  606  and the morcellator  602  is moved or slid down the length of the tenaculum  606  such that the depending portion of the morcellator  602  including the blade cylinder  612 , inner cylinder  614  and outer cylinder  622 , is passed into the central lumen  636  of the shield  608  until the distal end of the morcellator housing  616  abuts the proximal end  628  of the shield  608 . The tenaculum  606  may be pulled proximally such that the specimen comes into contact with the blade  610  of the morcellator  602 . The morcellator  602  is activated to rotate the blade cylinder  612  at a high speed. The tenaculum is withdrawn in the proximal direction while still grasping the specimen. The tenaculum is used to pull the grasped tissue into the cutting blade of the morcellator  602 . The extension  626  on the outer cylinder  622  prevents the full circumference of the blade  610  from cutting through tissue at the same time. This prevents coring and allows the blade  610  to migrate along the specimen yielding a greater portion of the specimen that is extracted in one piece. After all of the tissue has been removed or reduced to pieces having a size that may fit through the incision, the shield  608  and bag are removed. The shield  608  advantageously protects and retracts the adjacent tissue at the incision and guards against adjacent portions of the containment bag from contacting the cutting blade  610  accidentally. Also, the present invention avoids making secondary openings made in the containment bag in order to insert a scope and visualize the morcellation procedure. The secondary openings which may compromise the closed containment system are advantageously avoided by this morcellation system  600 . Morcellation within a body cavity may spread potentially harmful fragments of the specimen being morcellated. As such, morcellation within a closed system is desired. Placing the specimen in a containment bag creates a closed system when the opening of the bag is brought to the surface through an incision, thereby, isolating the specimen inside the bag and from coming into contact with tissue in the body cavity. Previous solutions for visualization have necessitated creating another opening the bag to place a laparoscope through the opening, thereby, no longer maintaining a closed system. Alternatively, a scope may be placed through the same incision as the morcellator, however, this results in poor visibility and triangulation needed for optimum viewing. The shield  608  advantageously permits a cutting mechanism including a power morcellator to be used within a closed system while preventing a potential breach to a contained system. The morcellation system  600  allows for visibility of the specimen without a laparoscope by bringing the specimen to the surface when the bag is retracted. The morcellation system  600  maintains and ensures a closed system throughout the morcellation procedure by mitigating damage to the tissue containment bag through the use of the shield  608  with a corresponding short morcellator. The shield  608  length is approximately equal to the length of the protruding portion of the morcellator  602 . The shield  608  surrounds the blade  610  and lies between the bag and the morcellator  602 . The shield  608  opens and retains the incision opening so that the specimen may be easily visualized and removed. The shield  608  protects the bag and the tissue at the incision site from being damaged by the cutting blade  610  or tenaculum  606 . The outer cylinder  622  of the morcellator is encompassed by the shield  608  which prevents incidental contact of the blade  610  with the containment bag that would possibly result in a breach of the closed system. The shield  608  forms a protective cage around blade ensuring safe morcellation. In one variation, the length  638  of the shield  608  in the unexpanded configuration is approximately one inch and the length  640  of the morcellator cylinder is also approximately one inch. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  89 - 90   , there is shown a morcellation system  600  that uses an energy-based morcellator  602 . The energy-based morcellation system utilizes the tissue containment bag, tenaculum, shield  608  in the same manner as described above. Rather than rotating the blade  610  to cut tissue, a circular blade  610  remains stationary. The blade  610  and cylinder  612  of the morcellator  602  are connected via an energy input  650  to the output of a monopolar energy system  652 . The tenaculum  606  is connected to a plug  654  leading to a ground on the monopolar energy system  652 . When the target tissue is grasped by the tenaculum  606  and brought to the blade  610 , the monopolar energy is engaged, cutting the tissue. The extension  626  serves the same purpose as mentioned previously. An evacuation port  656  is provided on the housing  616  to prevent inhalation of smoke from the cutting process. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  91 - 103   , there is shown a shield  700  adapted for placement within the vaginal canal. The shield  700  has a similar shape to the shields described herein. The shield  700  is substantially cylindrical/tubular in shape formed from a band of material having an inner first end  702  and an outer second end  704  interconnected between a proximal end  706  and a distal end  708 . The shield  700  includes an outer surface  710  and an inner surface  712 . The inner surface  712  defines a central lumen  714  that extends from the proximal end  706  to the distal end  708  along a longitudinal axis. The central lumen  714  is shown to be circular in shape and, in another variation, may also have an elliptical or elongate oval oblong shape. The proximal end  706  defines a radially outwardly extending proximal flange  716  that forms a funnel-like entryway to the central lumen  714 . The outer surface  634  is concave and flares progressively radially outwardly toward the distal end  708 . At least a portion of the shield  700  overlaps onto itself when in a relaxed normal configuration. The shield  700  can be curled onto itself to reduce a lateral dimension for ease of insertion into the vagina or other orifice or wound incision. The overlapping portions of the shield  700  conform and nest with each other. The shield  700  is configured such that one end such as the first end  702  slides against the second end  704 . The shield  700  is capable of having a first reduced lateral or diametrical dimension suitable for easy insertion into the vagina or other body opening. The reduced lateral position is achieved by curling the shield  700  onto itself into a tighter and smaller configuration. The shield  700  also includes a relaxed normal position having a second lateral or diametrical dimension. The second lateral or diametrical dimension is greater than the first lateral/diametrical dimension. The shield  700  is molded with a bias towards the normal relaxed position such that when reduced to the first diametrical position the shield  700  will tend to automatically expand or spring open, or uncurl towards its relaxed and normal position having the approximate second lateral or diametrical dimension. The shield  700  may be provided with a lock of the kind described herein that fixes the lateral or diametrical position. The shield  700  also includes an enlarged configuration having a third lateral or diametrical dimension. The third lateral or diametrical dimension is larger than the second lateral or diametrical dimension. The enlarged configuration is achieved by curling the shield  700  in the opposite direction or uncurling the shield  700  to open up the central lumen  714 . Any of the positions and any intermediate position of the shield  700  lateral dimension may be locked in position via the lock. The shield  700  and, particularly, the enlarged configuration of the shield  700  serves to retract tissue and open the orifice or wound to provide a safe working channel for surgical procedures. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  93 - 94   , the first end  702  and the second end  704  each have an S-shape curvature that overlaps onto an outer surface  710  of an adjacent shield portion. The S-shape transitions into notches  718 ,  720  near the proximal end  706  and the distal end  708 , respectively. The notches  718 ,  720  form the lock configured to fix the lateral dimension of the shield  700 . The notches  718 ,  720  are shown in an unlocked position in  FIGS.  93 - 94    and in a locked position in  FIGS.  97 - 98   . The notches  718 ,  720  form finger-like extensions that are configured to mate with each other to lock the shield  700  in position. In  FIGS.  97 - 98   , the finger-like extension near notch  718  of the outer second end  704  overlaps the inner first end  702  to lock the shield  700 . As described above, the outer surface  710  of the shield  700  forms a concave surface having a point of inflection  722  visible in  FIGS.  93 - 94   . The inflection point  722  is located near the proximal flange  716  above the mid-plane taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The proximal flange  716  serves as a protective surface that guards a containment bag, retractor  724  and vaginal canal tissue at the insertion location. The shield and/or the flange is made of hard, rigid, or semi-rigid, plastic or cut-resistant material. The proximal flange  716 , in particular, the inner surface  712  of the proximal flange  716  provides a cutting-board like surface against which sharps such as scalpels or blades can be advantageously used to cut and reduce targeted tissue for extraction and removal without fear of cutting the containment bag, adjacent tissue or retractor. 
     With particular reference now to  FIGS.  99 - 103   , there is shown the shield  700  employed in combination with a retractor  724 . The retractor  724  is the same retractor  62  as described with respect to  FIGS.  18 - 19   . The retractor  724  includes a first ring  726  and a second ring  728  interconnected by a flexible sidewall  730 . The sidewall  730  defines a central opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the retractor  724 . The second ring  728  can be compressed and inserted through the vaginal canal where it expands to create a securement against the vagina. The first ring  726  resides above the entrance to the vagina outside the patient where it can be rolled down to retract and enlarge the vaginal canal. 
     In a hysterectomy, the uterus is detached from the body via instruments inserted through abdominal ports. After the uterus has been detached, the shield  700  may be inserted directly into the vaginal canal. In such a variation, the shield  700  is curled upon itself into a reduced configuration to aid in the insertion of the shield  700  and when in position, the shield  700  is allowed to expand to its normal, relaxed configuration while inside the vaginal canal, thereby, expanding and retracting the vaginal opening. The proximal flange  716  resides near the entrance to the vagina. The detached uterus would be gasped and pulled into the central lumen  714  of the shield  700  against which it may be morcellated with a blade permitting the uterus to be reduced in size or pieces and completely removed through the vaginal canal. 
     In another variation, a containment bag is placed inside the abdominal cavity either through an abdominal port or through the vaginal canal. The removed uterus is placed into the containment bag. The tether of the containment bag is pulled through the vaginal canal. The ring of the containment bag is compressed into a low-profile configuration to facilitate pulling the proximal end of the containment bag through the vaginal canal. The ring of the containment bag is pulled outside the body and allowed to expand into an open configuration, thereby, opening the mouth of the containment bag. The ring of the containment bag resides outside the entrance to the vagina. The ring of the containment bag may be rolled-down to roll the sidewall of the bag onto the ring of the containment bag. This action brings the removed uterus inside the bag closer to the vaginal opening. The shield  700  is then inserted into the mouth of the containment bag and into the vaginal canal. The shield  700  may be curled down into a compact configuration to aid insertion. The proximal flange  716  resides at or near the entrance to the vagina. In one variation, the proximal flange  716  of the shield  700  is snapped under the ring of the containment bag. The removed uterus is gasped with a grasper and pulled into the central lumen  714  of the shield  700  where morcellation can commence. 
     The distal end of the shield  700  is funnel-shaped having a progressively increasing radial dimension from the point of inflection  722  toward the distal end  708  of the shield  700 . This funnel-like shape advantageously helps to move the detached uterus into the shield  700 . The uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially resident within the shield  700  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  700  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal as well as the containment bag from the sharp blade helping to maintain the integrity of the containment bag and the closed morcellation system. 
     In another variation, the same procedure is carried out as in the previous paragraph but a retractor  724  is inserted into the mouth of the containment bag after the uterus has been placed into the containment bag and after the ring of the containment bag is pulled to outside the body. The second ring  728  of the retractor  724  is compressed for easy insertion into the mouth of the containment bag and then allowed to expand into an open configuration inside the containment bag in a location distal to the vaginal canal inside the abdominal cavity. The first ring  726  of the retractor  724  that is resident outside the body is rolled about itself to roll the sidewall  720  of the retractor  724  onto the first ring  726 . This action retracts not only the vaginal canal but also retracts the containment bag out of the way clearing the vaginal canal for insertion of the shield  700 . The containment bag is captured between the retractor and the vaginal canal keeping it in place and preventing its migration into or out of the vaginal canal. The shield  700  is then inserted into the central lumen of the retractor  724  that is residing inside the containment bag. The shield  700  may be curled down into a compact configuration if needed and then allowed to expand to self-anchor the shield  700  into position. The shield  700  is then connected to the first ring  726  of the retractor  724  by snapping the proximal flange  716  of the shield  700  under the first ring  726  as shown in  FIGS.  99 - 103   . The uterus can then be grasped with a surgical instrument and pulled from the pouch of the containment bag into the central lumen  714  of the shield  700  where the uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially resident within the shield  700  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  700  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal as well as the containment bag from the sharp blade helping to maintain the integrity of the containment bag and the closed morcellation system while providing the surgeon with a mechanism to perform morcellation safely and quickly. 
     In another variation, the same procedure is carried out in the same way as in the previous paragraph except that the retractor  724  is placed into the vaginal canal before the containment bag with the specimen inside is pulled through the vaginal canal. In this variation, the removed uterus is placed inside the containment bag located inside the abdominal cavity and the tether attached to the proximal end of the containment bag is pulled with a grasper through the central lumen of the retractor bringing the ring of the containment bag and mouth to the outside of the patient. The ring of the containment bag may then be rolled down to bring the detached uterus closer to the opening. Afterwards, the shield  700  is reduced in size laterally by curling the flexible retractor  700  onto itself into a compact configuration and then releasing the shield  700  allowing it to expand due to its bias tending it to expand laterally from the compact configuration. As the shield  700  expands it self-anchors and retracts the containment bag creating a working channel though the central lumen  714  of the shield  700  for moving and morcellating the detached uterus. The proximal flange  716  of the shield  700  may be snapped under the ring of the containment bag or first ring  726  of the retractor  724 . The containment bag is captured between the retractor  724  and the shield  700  keeping it from slipping proximally or distally during the procedure. The flange  726  may also serve as a cutting-board-like surface against which a sharp blade can be used to cut the uterus for removal. For all of the above hysterectomy procedures, the containment bag and retractor combination of  FIG.  20    may be used in lieu of one or more of the containment bag and retractor  724 . 
     In yet another variation, the shield  700  is employed with a retractor  724  as shown in  FIGS.  99 - 103   . In such a variation, the retractor  724  is placed into the vaginal canal. The uterus is detached employing standard techniques either before or after the retractor  724  has been placed in position. The second ring  728  of the retractor  724  is compressed for easy insertion into the vaginal canal and then allowed to expand into an open configuration in a location distal to the vaginal canal inside the abdominal cavity. The first ring  726  of the retractor  724  that is resident outside the body is rolled about itself to roll the sidewall  720  of the retractor  724  onto the first ring  726 . This action retracts the vaginal canal. The shield  700  is then inserted into the central lumen of the retractor  724 . The shield  700  may be curled down into a compact configuration if needed and then allowed to expand to self-anchor the shield  700  into position. The shield  700  is then connected to the first ring  726  of the retractor  724  by snapping the proximal flange  716  of the shield  700  under the first ring  726  as shown in  FIGS.  99 - 103   . The uterus can then be grasped with a surgical instrument and pulled into the central lumen  714  of the shield  700  where the uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially resident within the shield  700  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  700  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal as well as the retractor  724  from the sharp blade while providing the surgeon with a mechanism to perform morcellation safely and quickly. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  104 - 107   , there is shown another variation of a shield  800  adapted for use in the vaginal canal. The shield  800  includes a top end  802  and a bottom end  804  interconnected by a sidewall  806 . An opening  808  is formed in the shield  800  that extends through the top end  802  and the bottom end  804 . The shield  800  further includes a first flange  810  and a second flange  812 . The first flange  810  extends from the bottom end  804  in the distal direction. The first flange  810  is curved forming an elongate surface that is concave towards the longitudinal axis  816 . The first flange  810  may also be substantially flat elongate surface. The first flange  810  includes a distal end  814  that is angled away from the longitudinal axis  816 . The second flange  812  extends from the bottom end  804  in the distal direction. The second flange  812  includes a hook  818  that is configured to attach to a ring of a containment bag or a proximal ring of a retractor by snapping under the ring.  FIGS.  106 - 107    illustrate the shield  800  connected to a retractor  724 . The retractor  724  is the same retractor as described above with respect to  FIGS.  18 - 19    and  FIGS.  99 - 103   . The retractor  724  includes a first ring  726  and a second ring  728  interconnected by a flexible sidewall  730 . The sidewall  730  defines a central opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the retractor  724 . The second ring  728  can be compressed and inserted through the vaginal canal where it expands to create a securement against the vagina cavity. The first ring  726  resides above the entrance to the vagina outside the patient where it can be rolled down to retract and enlarge the vaginal canal. 
     The shield  800  will now be described in use during a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy even though the invention is not limited to use in a hysterectomy and can be applied to the removal or morcellation procedure of any targeted tissue. In a hysterectomy, the uterus is detached from the body via instruments inserted through abdominal ports. 
     In one variation, the shield  800  is employed with a retractor  724  as shown in  FIGS.  106 - 107   . In such a variation, the retractor  724  is placed into the vaginal canal. The uterus is detached employing standard techniques either before or after the retractor  724  has been placed in position. The second ring  728  of the retractor  724  is compressed for easy insertion into the vaginal canal and then allowed to expand into an open configuration in a location distal to the vaginal canal inside the abdominal cavity. The first ring  726  of the retractor  724  remains resident outside the body and is rolled about itself to roll the sidewall  720  of the retractor  724  onto the first ring  726 . This action retracts the vaginal canal. The shield  800  is then inserted into the central lumen of the retractor  724  and connected to the retractor  724 . The shield  800  is connected to the first ring  726  of the retractor  724  by snapping the second flange  812  of the shield  800  under the first ring  726  from the inside of the first ring  726  as shown in  FIGS.  106 - 107   . Additional hooks for connecting the shield  800  to the retractor  724  may be provided. The shield  800  covers or caps onto the first ring  726  of the retractor  724  and the one or more hook  818  hooks under the first ring  726  to secure the shield  800  to the retractor  724 . The uterus can then be grasped with a surgical instrument and pulled in the proximal direction and placed onto or in juxtaposition to the first flange  810 . The first flange  810  of the shield  800  is curved and advantageously cradles the detached uterus preventing it from slipping off the first flange  810  while a surgeon uses a blade to cut the uterus to reduce it in size for removal through the vaginal canal. The first flange  810  advantageously serves as a cutting-board like surface against which a blade can be safely employed to cut tissue resting near or in contact with the first flange  810 . The angled distal end  814  of the first flange  810  provides additional vaginal dilation and provides a ramp for moving and guiding the uterus into the vaginal canal and proximally toward the vaginal opening. At the proximal end of the shield  800 , the ring-like portion of the shield  800  advantageously retracts the labia safely out of the way of the morcellating blade. The uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially resident within the shield  800  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  800  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal, the labia as well as the retractor  724  from the sharp blade while providing the surgeon with a mechanism to perform morcellation safely and quickly. 
     In another variation, a containment bag is placed inside the abdominal cavity either through an abdominal port or through the vaginal canal. The removed uterus is placed into the containment bag. The tether of the containment bag is pulled through the vaginal canal. The ring of the containment bag is compressed into a low-profile configuration to facilitate pulling the proximal end of the containment bag. The ring of the containment bag is pulled outside the body and allowed to expand into an open configuration opening the mouth of the containment. The ring of the containment bag resides outside the entrance to the vagina. The ring of the containment bag may be rolled down to roll the sidewall of the bag onto the ring of the containment bag. This action brings the removed uterus inside the bag closer to the vaginal opening. The shield  800  is then inserted into the mouth of the containment bag and into the vaginal canal and connected to ring of the containment bag by hooking the second flange  812  onto the ring to secure the shield  800  to the bag. The removed uterus inside the bag is gasped with a grasper and pulled onto the first flange  810  of the shield  800 . The angled distal end  814  of the first flange  810  helps guide and ramp the uterus into position and cradles the uterus for morcellation. The uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially located adjacent to the first flange  810  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  800  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal as well as the containment bag from the sharp blade helping to maintain the integrity of the containment bag and the closed morcellation system. 
     In another variation, the same procedure is carried out as in the previous paragraph but a retractor  724  is inserted into the mouth of the containment bag after the uterus has been placed into the containment bag and after the ring of the containment bag is pulled to outside the body. The second ring  728  of the retractor  724  is compressed for easy insertion into the mouth of the containment bag and then allowed to expand into an open configuration inside the containment bag in a location distal to the vaginal canal inside the abdominal cavity. The first ring  726  of the retractor  724  is rolled about itself to roll the sidewall  720  of the retractor  724  onto the first ring  726 . This action retracts not only the vaginal canal but also retracts the containment bag out of the way clearing the vaginal canal for insertion of the shield  800 . The containment bag is thereby captured between the retractor  724  and the vaginal canal keeping it in place and preventing its migration proximally or distally along the vaginal canal. The shield  800  is then inserted into the central lumen of the retractor  724  residing inside the containment bag. The shield  800  is connected to the first ring  726  of the retractor  724  by snapping the second flange  812  of the shield  800  under the first ring  726  of the retractor  724 . The uterus can then be grasped with a surgical instrument and pulled from the pouch of the containment bag into juxtaposition with first flange  810  of the shield  800  where the uterus is morcellated with a blade while it is at least partially in contact with the first flange  810  before being completely removed in whole or in parts. The shield  800  advantageously protects the surrounding vaginal canal as well as the containment bag and retractor  724  from the sharp blade helping to maintain the integrity of the containment bag and the closed morcellation system while providing the surgeon with a mechanism to perform morcellation safely and quickly. For all of the above hysterectomy procedures, the containment bag and retractor combination of  FIG.  20    may be used in lieu of one or more of the containment bag and retractor  724 . It is also understood that the invention is not limited to hysterectomy procedures and can be applied for the morcellation, reduction and removal of any tissue or organ. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  108 - 109   , there is shown a variation of a shield  900  that includes a funnel  902  having a retraction finger  904  at a distal end. The funnel  902  defines a central opening  906 . The proximal end of the shield  900  defines a funnel-like entry to the central opening and forms a proximal flange surface circumferentially surrounding the central opening  906 . The shield  900  is inserted into an orifice or wound incision by inserting the retraction finger  904  first and then inserting or angling the central portion of the funnel  902  into the opening. The proximal end of the funnel  902  is laid on top of the abdomen or other outer surface of the body. The proximal flange provides a cutting-board location against which tissue can be morcellated. The retraction finger  904  serves to retract the incision or orifice and helps keep the shield  900  anchored in position. The retraction finger  904  forms a distal flange that extends only around a portion of the circumference of the distal end of the central opening  906 . The retraction finger  904  is curved such that the side profile of the shield  900  in the location of the retraction finger  904  is substantially C-shaped wherein the upper part of the letter “C” extends laterally a greater distance relative to the lower part of the “C”. Also, the funnel  902  provides protection to the surrounding tissue and containment bag and retractor if employed together with the shield  900 . For example, a containment bag may be inserted through the orifice or incision and the mouth of the bag pulled back out of the incision after a specimen has been inserted into the bag. The proximal end of the bag is laid over the abdomen and the shield  900  is inserted into the mouth of the bag and anchored with the retraction finger  904 . A grasper is inserted into the central opening  906  and the specimen inside the bag is pulled towards the central opening  906 . A blade is then used to reduce the specimen for removal in whole or in parts through the small incision/orifice. The shield  900  is made of firm plastic of a sufficient thickness to prevent and reduce that potential for penetration by the blade and protect the adjoining tissue and maintain the integrity of the containment bag. 
     In another variation, the shield  900  is employed with a retractor of the like described above. The retractor is placed inside the incision either before or after the bag is placed and then the shield  900  is inserted into the mouth of the bag and retractor. In one variation, the proximal end of the shield  900  is sized and configured to mate with the proximal ring of the retractor or bag by capping or snapping with the proximal ring of the bag or retractor. A variation of the shield  900  that is adapted to cap onto the proximal ring of a retractor or bag is shown in  FIGS.  1096  and  109 C  having an oval-shaped central lumen  906  and a circular-shaped central lumen  906 , respectively. The shield  900  in  FIGS.  1096  and  109 C  have at least one hook  905  configured for attaching to the retractor or bag ring. 
     With particular reference now to  FIG.  109   , the funnel  902  includes a circumferential rim  908  that is raised from the inner surface. The rim  908  is configured to connect with a blade and will be described in greater detail below. Also, the funnel  902  includes a raised portion  910 . The raised portion  910  is configured to retain a second shield  912 . A second shield  912  is shown in  FIG.  110   . The second shield  912  is similar to the shield described with respect to  FIGS.  71 - 86    as well as to other shields described herein. In one variation, the second shield  912  is spiral in shape and collapsible and expandable in the vertical direction as described above. In the variation shown in  FIG.  110   , the second shield  912  is not spiral-shaped but substantially cylindrical having a concave outer surface and a gap  914  to create a C-shaped shield. The second shield  912  includes a proximal flange  916  and a distal flange  918  interconnected by a central portion  920 . The proximal flange  916  may include a tab or finger pull to aid its removal from the orifice/incision. The second shield  912  has a reduced configuration in which a lateral dimension is smaller than a normal relaxed configuration shown in  FIG.  110   . The reduced configuration is optimal for insertion into a wound or orifice and for connecting the second shield  912  to the first shield  900 . The second shield  912  is made of flexible plastic having properties sufficient prevent penetration by a blade or other sharp object or instrument under normal use to protect adjacent tissue. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  111   , there is shown the first shield  900  connected to the second shield  912 . The C-shaped second shield  912  is placed inside the first shield  900  such that the proximal flange  916  of the second shield  912  overlays at least a portion of the inner surface of the funnel  902  of the first shield  900 . The raised portion  910  of the shield  900  is received within the gap  914  of the second shield  912 . The connection with the raised portion  910  prevents the second shield  912  from moving around inside the funnel  902 . The first shield  900  provides protection along part of the lower circumference in the location of the retraction finger  904  and the second shield  912  completes the circumferential protection at the distal end. The second shield  912  provides 360 degree circumferential protection at the distal end which is placed in the incision/orifice. Also, the distal flange  918  provides a funnel-like entry into the central lumen  922  of the second shield  912  which helps to move tissue into shields  900 ,  912  and out of the body while providing protection for the surrounding tissue, containment bag and retractor if employed. The shields  900 ,  912  may be employed with manual bladed morcellation or with a short power morcellator of the like described above with respect to  FIGS.  87 - 90   . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  112 - 113   , there is shown a blade carrier  926  connected to the first shield  900  that is in turn connected to a second shield  912  to comprise another variation of the shield system. The blade carrier  926  includes a funnel  928  defining a central opening  930 , a blade receiver  932  and a blade  934 . The funnel  928  includes a funnel-like shape and a circumferential hook configured to cap, snap on and connect to the first shield  900 . In particular, as shown in  FIG.  113   , the circumferential hook of the funnel  928  connects directly with the raised circumferential rim  908 . In one variation, the blade carrier  926  snaps with the first shield  900  such that it is vertically retained yet permitted to rotate relative to the first shield  900 . The blade receiver  932  contains the blade  934  within a blade channel  936 . The blade  934  is connected to a blade handle  938  via a pin  940  that connects the blade  934  to an inner rod  942 . Details of the blade housing  932  are also shown in  FIGS.  114 - 115   . In one variation, the inner rod  942  to which the blade  934  is pinned via the pin  940  reciprocates with respect to the blade handle  938 . The reciprocating action may be provided manually by moving the inner rod  942  at the proximal end back-and-forth with respect to the blade handle  938  to effect back-and-forth movement of the blade  934  at the distal end. The reciprocating action may be provided by an electric motor (not shown) located in blade handle  938  at the proximal end in a removable and reusable handle attachment. The blade receiver  932  may be provided in two parts, a first part and a second part. The first part includes a blade channel  936  having a slot  944  configured to receive the pin  940  and configured to guide the translation of the blade  934  inside the blade channel  936 . One end of the pin  940  is connected to the blade  934  and the other end of the pin  940  is connected to the distal end of the inner rod  942  which is housed in the second part of the blade receiver  932  which together house the blade  934 . The blade receiver  932  is connected to the funnel  928  of the blade carrier  926 . The inner rod  942  is moved distally to expose the blade  934  for cutting tissue when in an exposed position. With the blade  934  exposed, the blade carrier  926  may be rotated relative to the first shield  900  to cut tissue circumferentially along at least a part of the interior of the central lumen. The blade  934  can be retracted into a retracted position in which the blade  934  is at least partially concealed inside the blade receiver  932 . When in the retracted position, the sharp sides of the blade  934  are substantially concealed making the blade carrier  926  safe to handle. The blade  934  can be moved from the retracted position to the exposed position manually or automatically to cut tissue. This reciprocal cutting motion can be selectively engaged by the user manually or automatically when tissue cutting is desired or engaged to reciprocate in a continuous manner. Also, the reciprocal cutting action can be performed simultaneously with rotation of the blade carrier  926  with respect to the first shield  900  or performed intermittently with the rotation of the blade carrier  926 . Moving the blade  934  from a retracted position to an exposed position moves the blade  934  into a plane containing the distal end of the central opening  930  at an angle with respect to the plane or substantially perpendicular to the plane. This plane may also be defined as the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device or longitudinal axis of the central lumen. The amount that the blade  934  is exposed may be selected by the user to effect selective cutting. For example, the blade  934  may be exposed half-way from a completely retracted position in which case, the blade  934  may not cross the plane containing the distal end of the central opening  930 . The blade  934  is configured to extend beyond the distal end of the central opening  930  of the blade carrier  926  but not beyond the distal end of the second shield  912 , thereby, ensuring that the blade  934  and the blade pathway is always encompassed and surrounded by either one or more of the first shield  900 , second shield  912 , and blade carrier  926 . In another variation, the distal end of the blade  934  is permitted to extend slightly beyond the distal end of the second shield  912 . 
     In one variation, the blade  934  is fixed with respect to the blade receiver  932  and does not reciprocate with respect to the blade carrier  926  and only rotates with respect to the first shield  900 . In another variation, the blade carrier  926  is fixed with respect to the first shield  900  in the sense that it does not rotate with respect to the first shield  900  but is configured such that the blade  934  reciprocates with respect to the blade carrier  926 . The rotational cutting action aims to increase the chances that the specimen will be removed as a single extraction instead of multiple pieces while ensuring protection to the surrounding tissue. Also, the blade  934  is illustrated in the figures to curve downwardly into central opening. In other variations, the blade  934  extends radially inwardly in a plane perpendicular to the central lumen and has a configuration similar to a guillotine or cigar-cutter. It is within the scope of the present invention for the blade  934  to have an approach angle of zero to less than 180 degrees wherein a zero approach angle would be the blade  934  crossing the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central lumen parallel to the longitudinal axis at a twelve o&#39;clock position. An approach angle of less than 180 degrees would be the blade  934  crossing the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from beneath the plane at approximately 5 and 7 o&#39;clock positions. 
       FIG.  116    illustrates the blade  934  of the blade carrier  926 . The blade  934  has a sharp tip and sharp sides configured to pierce tissue as well as to cut tissue. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  117 - 119   , there is shown the shield assembly  950  including the blade carrier  926 , first shield  900 , and second shield  912 . The blade  934  is shown connected to a blade handle  938  having motor housed inside a detachable handle extension  946 . The first shield  900  includes a cutout  948  visible in  FIGS.  109 ,  111 ,  117  and  118   . The cutout  948  facilitates separation and removal of the blade carrier  926  from the first shield  900  by providing a location for a finger to snap the blade carrier  926  away from the first shield  900 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  120 - 126   , there is shown another variation of the shield assembly. The shield assembly includes a first shield  900 , a second shield  912  and a blade carrier  926 . The blade carrier  926  comprises a blade receiver in two parts  932   a ,  932   b , a blade  934 , an inner rod  942 , a pin  940 , and a blade handle  938 . The length of the blade handle  938  is not shown to scale and is drawn for illustrative purposes to include a variation where a reusable handle extension  946  can be attached to the proximal end of the blade handle  938  in a construct in which the shield assembly is disposable. The variation of  FIGS.  120 - 126    is substantially similar to the variation shown in  FIGS.  109 - 119    with several modifications. The second shield  912  is of a spiral nature described above instead of a cut cylinder. The second shield  912  is shown in a compressed configuration in  FIG.  120   . The first shield  900  includes an outer rim  908  located at the top periphery of the first shield  900 . The funnel  928  of the blade carrier  926  snaps under the outer rim  908  in the variation shown in  FIGS.  120 - 126   . 
     In another variation of the shield, the shield is molded about a helicoid whose cross-section normal to the helical guide path is parabolic. Once taken off the mold, the helicoid is compressed upon itself into the shape of a catenoid in which it will stay during its resting state. The parametric equations below cover variations of the shield. 
         x ( u,v )=β[cos( a )sin  h ( v )sin( u )+sin(α)cos  h ( v )cos( u )]  (1)
 
         y ( u,v )=Δ[−cos(α)sin  h ( v )cos( u )+sin(α)cos  h ( v )sin( u )]  (2)
 
         z ( u,v )=δ[ u  cos(α)+ v  sin(α)]  (3)
 
     The value α is a constant, fixed parameter that changes the state of progression in the deformation of a helicoid into a catenoid. For α=0, a helicoid is generated; for α=π/2 a catenoid is generated. Variations of the shield have a value of α that is greater than 0 and less than π/2 which can be considered on the open interval of (0, π/2). Other variations of the shield have a value of α that is greater than 0 and less than or equal to π/2 which can be considered on the open interval of (0, π/2). Other variations of the shield have a value of α that is equal to or greater than 0 and less than or equal to π/2 which can be considered on the open interval of (0, π/2). The parameters β, γ, δ are also fixed constants. For β, γ, δϵR\{0}, for β&lt;0, γ&lt;0, δ&lt;0 the rotation will flow counterclockwise. If for any β, γ, δ&gt;0 the rotation will flow clockwise. By means of the parametric equations, the surface is constructed on the u-v plane. Values for vectors u and v can be considered for uϵ(−π,+π) and vϵ(−∞,+∞). 
     Turning now to  FIG.  127   , there is shown another variation of a containment bag  1000  according to the present invention. The bag  1000  includes a sidewall  1002  that defines an opening  1004  at the proximal end. The bag  1000  has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the opening  1004 . The sidewall  1002  may form any shape for the bag  1000  such as cylindrical, elongate, spherical and the like and may or may not include a base or bottom panel from which the sidewall  1002  extends towards the proximal end. The sidewall  1002  may extend downwardly to define the base with or without a seam. For example, the bag  1000  may be formed by a planar length of material that is folded and joined along the sides such that the seams are not formed along the base, but instead, are located at the sides of the bag  1000  and extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     Still referencing  FIG.  127   , the containment bag  1000  includes at least a first ring  1006  located at or near the opening  1004  of the bag  1000 . The first ring  1006  is connected to the bag  1000 . A second ring  1008  is shown in  FIG.  127   . The second ring  1008  is located a distance below the first ring  1006  and is connected to the bag  1000 . The first ring  1006  and second rings  1008  are resilient and compressible from an expanded configuration that is circular or oval in shape into a collapsed elongate configuration having a reduced lateral dimension suitable for passing into a small incision, body orifice or through the lumen of a trocar. In one variation, the second ring  2008  is not employed. The bag  1000  is collapsible along the longitudinal axis of the bag  1000  to a shorter length. The collapsed bag  1000  is then subsequently easily compressed in a lateral direction by squeezing the first ring  1006  and the second ring  1008 , if a second ring  1008  is employed, into their collapsed elongate configurations and deployed into the abdominal cavity. Inside the abdominal cavity, the compressed rings  1006 ,  1008  are allowed to return to their original expanded open configurations. With the rings  1006 ,  1008  in their expanded configurations inside the abdominal cavity, the bag  1000  is easily oriented within the abdominal cavity. The location within the perimeter of the rings  1006 ,  1008  provides a target for the placement of an excised tissue or organ. In one variation, the bag  1000  in a collapsed configuration does not have a right side up because either side can be used to place the specimen within the boundaries of the first/second rings  1006 ,  1008 . The first ring  1006  serves as a perimeter guide for specimen placement within the perimeter of the first ring  1006  and, hence, the first ring  1006  may be brightly colored or contrast colored with the rest of the bag  1000  or its intended surroundings so that it can be easily observed with a laparoscope. After the excised tissue or organ is placed inside the perimeter of the first ring  1006 , the first ring  1006  is moved towards the exit incision or orifice. The lifting of the ring  1006  results in the excised tissue moving or falling deeper into the bag&#39;s interior space  1010 . Movement of the bag towards the exit opening results in the tissue specimen becoming seated within interior space  1010  of the bag  1000 . The first ring  1006  is compressed into the reduced elongate configuration and pulled through the exit orifice, opening or exit incision. Once passed the opening, the first ring  1006  is allowed to self-expand and spring back to an open enlarged configuration residing above the abdominal wall or outside the patient near and overlaying the exit orifice, opening or exit incision. The first ring  1006  is rolled or flipped over itself by inverting the first ring  1006  outwardly or inwardly to roll the bag  1000  onto the first ring  1006 . The first ring  1006  can be rolled in the opposite direction to unfurl the bag  1000  from the first ring  1006 . In one variation, the first ring  1006  has a cross-section that has a length greater than its width. The elongate cross-section of the first ring  1006  advantageously keeps the bag sidewall  1002  rolled-up onto the first ring  1006 . If the cross-section of the first ring  1006  is circular, the first ring  1006  may more easily roll and un-roll to roll or un-roll the sidewall  1002  with respect to the first ring  1006 . The rolling of the first ring  1006  about itself draws the bag  1000  upwardly and brings the specimen inside the bag  1000  closer to the opening. With the rolling of the first ring  1006  the distance of sidewall  1002  between the first ring  1006  and the second ring  1008  is reduced which brings the second ring  1008  into closer proximity to the first ring  1006  resulting in the abdominal wall being anchored between the first ring  1006  and the second ring  1008  securing the bag  1000  to the patient for the ensuing morcellation. The rolling action of the bag  1000  reduces the volume of the bag  1000  and also creates a nicely-formed and taut protective apron at the opening as well as outside the patient surrounding the opening. The rolling action may also serve to retract the tissue at the opening conveniently enlarging the opening for easy tissue extraction from inside the bag  1000 . The tissue specimen is then pulled from the bag  1000  by morcellating it manually with a blade or automatically with an electronic morcellator into a size and shape that can be passed through the opening and removed from the bag  1000 . After the tissue specimen is extracted from the bag  1000 , the first ring  1006  is unrolled loosening the space between the two rings  1006 ,  1008  if it is necessary to do so. Then, the second ring  1008  is compressed into its reduced elongate configuration and pulled outside of the patient through the opening and the bag  1000  is removed from patient. 
     The bag  1000  and/or the sidewall  1002  of the bag  1000  is made of a material that is extremely cut-resistant to sharp objects such as scalpel blades and blades used in electronic morcellators. In one variation, the bag  1000  is made of an extremely cut-resistant woven material like DYNEEMA® fiber. The cut-resistant material is an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) also known as high-modulus polyethylene or high-performance polyethylene. In one variation, the bag  1000  is made of DYNEEMA® coated with an elastomer to prevent fluids from traversing the material plane. In one variation, the entire bag  1000  is made of the cut-resistant material. In another variation, only select portions of the bag  1000  are made of the cut-resistant material. In one variation, at least a portion the sidewall  1002  of the bag  1000  that is located between the first ring  1006  and the second ring  1008  is made of the cut-resistant material. In another variation, only part of the bag  1000  is made of the cut-resistant material in areas where cutting is expected. In another variation, the bottom portion of the distance between the two rings  1006 ,  1008  is made of the cut-resistant material, leaving the top portion of the distance between the two rings  1006 ,  1008  available for rolling onto the first ring  1006 . In another variation, the top portion of the distance between the two rings  1006  is made of the same cut-resistant material but has a thickness or fiber thickness that is smaller than the thickness of the sidewall or fiber thickness of the bottom portion. In variations, where part of the bag  1000  is made of cut-resistant material, the other remaining portions are made of suitable polymer material described above. In one variation, use of the bag  1000  made of cut-resistant material eliminates the need for a retractor described above to be used in conjunction with the bag  1000  in a morcellating procedure. Hence, the bag  1000  advantageously not only provides cut resistance and safety shielding during morcellation but also serves to retract the opening in which it is inserted. Because the bag  1000  is cut-resistant, it may be employed without a shield/guard of the types described above. The absence of a shield or guard may advantageously provide for a larger working space. 
     Embodiments of the bag  1000  comprise sheets, membranes, fibers, and/or strands of one or more materials that endow the sheath with abrasion and puncture resistance in addition to cut resistance. Suitable sheets, membranes, fibers, and/or strands comprise at least one of natural polymers, semi-synthetic polymers, synthetic polymers, metal, ceramic, glass, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, and the like. Suitable natural polymers include cellulose, silk, and the like. Semi-synthetic fibers include nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, rayon, and the like. Suitable synthetic fibers include polyester, aromatic polyester, polyamide (NYLON®, DACRON®), aramid (KEVLAR®), polyimide, polyolefin, polyethylene (SPECTRA®), polyurethane, polyurea, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride, polyether amide (PEBAX®), polyether urethane (PELLETHANE®), polyacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, acrylic, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polylactic acid (PLA), poly(diimidazopyridinylene-dihydroxyphenylene) (M-5); poly(p-phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole) (ZYLON®), liquid crystal polymer fiber (VECTRAN®), and the like, and blends, copolymers, composites, and mixtures thereof. Suitable metals include stainless steel, spring steel, nitinol, super elastic materials, amorphous metal alloys, and the like. The bag  1000  includes retractor integration providing both specimen containment and tissue retraction features. Additional retraction features and materials and construction that are incorporated into the bag  1000  in variations of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2011/0054260A1 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Currently available morcellators generally cut tissue with an exposed, unprotected device such as a sharp blade or energy tip in the body cavity. For most morcellators this causes added danger because the exposed blade/tip could easily contact unintended areas causing damage to organs, tissue, vessels, etc. Since current morcellators sever tissue in open areas, it&#39;s possible for smaller pieces of cut tissue to be left behind after the tissue removal procedure. These pieces can lead to endometriosis in females where uterus cells attach themselves to other organs or tissue walls. The pieces can also contain cancer cells which must be completely removed. Currently, if tissue is expected to be cancerous then the entire mass is removed openly instead of laparoscopically which increases the risk of infection for the patient, as well as increased recovery time. Even if all the pieces are found, there is still an increase in surgery time due to the extra step of searching the body cavity for the smaller members of tissue. Furthermore, current morcellators require two people to perform the procedure. One person pulls the tissue through the morcellator with a tenaculum while another person has to hold the remaining tissue mass close to the tip of the rotating blade from inside the body cavity. As the procedure is performed the specimen is usually dropped or tears away from the instrument holding it in place during morcellation. This causes added time as the person in charge of positioning the specimen in front of the morcellator has to find the tissue and re-clamp their instrument to it before placing the specimen in front of the morcellator again. Hence, morcellation in containment such as a bag is desirable; however, the bag itself is subject to potential puncture and spilling of contents. The specimen bag of one variation of present invention has a protective inner layer of material to resist punctures from the tenaculum jaws and rotating morcellator blade. Also, since the morcellator is locked into a stationary position with the use of any of the aforementioned stabilizers, the likelihood of the blade contacting the bag is greatly reduced. With a specimen bag, the entire tissue sample will be contained so even if small pieces fall off from the larger specimen during morcellation they will be removed when the bag is pulled out of the patient. This increases patient safety and reduces surgery time for the morcellation procedure since there is no need to search for left behind tissue pieces. The specimen bag will support the tissue and keep it in place. This allows one person to perform the morcellation procedure instead of two. It also reduces time required to continually relocate and re-clam p the specimen. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  128 - 134   , the tissue morcellator  3000  is a multi-component medical device used to capture tissue specimens such as a uterus inside the human body under laparoscopic surgical conditions and reduce it in size for removal though small incisions, orifices, openings that may or may not include laparoscopic ports. The morcellator  3000  includes a gear housing  3016  containing a gear train, as can be seen clearly in  FIG.  133   , connected to a flexible transmission shaft  3018  connected at the proximal end to a motor to turn the morcellator blade  3010 . The morcellator  3000  has a central working channel lumen  3020  that extends through the length of the morcellator  3000 . The inner and outer tubes of the morcellator  3000  are stationary and non-rotating relative to the moving blade  3010  to provide no moving surfaces against the tissue as it is being removed through the lumen  3020 . In one variation, the morcellator  3000  includes a camera  3022 . The camera  3022  may be integrally formed with the rest of the morcellator  3000  or comprise a separate add-on that slides over the morcellator shaft and connects to the morcellator  3000  as shown in  FIG.  134   . As also seen in  FIG.  132    the distal end of the morcellator shaft includes a fixed protruding appendage that covers at least part of the blade extending distally to interrupt the morcellation of tissue to prevent tissue from rotating relative to the instrument. 
     Still referencing  FIGS.  128 - 134   , the morcellation system further includes a tenaculum  3012  having an elongated shaft  3028 , a jaw-like grasper at the distal end controlled at a handle  3024  at the proximal end to open and close the jaws  3026  to grasp tissue. The shaft  3028  and jaws are configured to fit inside the working channel  3020  of the morcellator  3000  and extend and protrude out the distal end of the morcellator shaft. The tenaculum handle  3024  is designed to be held vertically in either the left or right hand and the ergonomic design is meant to optimize the movement of the hand and arm pulling upwards. The handle  3024  includes a lever  3030  that is squeezed toward the handle  3024  to close the jaws  3026  as shown in  FIG.  129   . Alternatively, the lever  3030  may be squeezed to open the jaws  3026 . The lever  3030  is under spring tension so that the lever  3030  springs open away from the handle  3024  which may define the closed configuration of the jaws  3026  allowing the user to then focus on pulling the tenaculum  3012  upwardly to extract tissue. Alternatively, the trigger is under spring tension so that the lever  3030  will spring away from the handle  3024  to open the jaws  3026 . 
     With particular reference now to  FIGS.  130 - 132   , the tenaculum jaws  3026  include a distal tip  3032  that is curved. The jaws  3026  include an upper jaw and a lower jaw hinged together. Each of the upper and lower jaw includes a rounded and curved distal end that does not have any sharps along a curve that is traced by the distal end  3032  in the opening and closing of the jaws  3026 . In a closed configuration shown in  FIGS.  130 - 131   , the curved distal tip  3032  presents no exposed sharp points or edges that may pose a danger to tissue or bag integrity when in an open or closed configuration. The inside of the upper and lower jaws includes teeth  3034 . Also, the distal tip  3032  includes interlocking teeth  3034  from the upper and lower jaw that providing a positive purchase on grasped tissue while providing a smooth curved outer surface to protect any surrounding tissue and/or bag.  FIG.  132    illustrates the jaws  3026  in an open configuration showing the pathway  3036  followed by the distal end  3032  in the opening and closing of the tenaculum. The curved distal end  3032  advantageously protects the bag in which morcellation is taking place from being punctured as tissue is grasped. Even when the jaws  3026  are fully opened the curved distal end  3032  of the jaws are capable of protecting the bag from unwanted punctures. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  135 A- 135 D  and  FIGS.  136 A- 136 B , the morcellation system includes a specimen retrieval receptacle bag  3002 . The morcellation system described may be adapted for use with a power morcellator as described above or can also be employed with manual morcellation. The bag  3002  is shown flat in  FIG.  135 A  and rolled up in  FIGS.  135 B and  135 C . The bag  3002  includes a bag ring  3004  that encompasses the opening or mouth of the bag  3004 .  FIG.  136 A  illustrates a tissue specimen  3006  captured inside the bag  3002  with the bag ring  3004  being pulled to the outer surface.  FIG.  1366    illustrates the bag ring  3004  pulled completely through the body opening to expose the interior of the bag  3002  to the exterior of the body for removal of the specimen  3006  inside the bag  3002 . In  FIG.  1366   , a tissue guard  200  is shown ready for insertion into the body opening. Although, the tissue guard  200  is shown any tissue guard according to the present invention may be employed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  137 A- 137 C  and  FIGS.  138 A- 138 C , another variation of the bag  3002  is shown. The bag  3002  includes a bag ring  3004  having an elongated cross-section such as the cross-section shown in  FIG.  137 C . The bag  3002  of  FIGS.  137 A- 137 C  is configured to be rolled down to wrap the sidewall of the bag  3002  around the bag ring  3004 .  FIG.  138 A  illustrates a bag  3002  with a specimen of tissue  3006  inside its interior. The bag ring  3004  is being pulled through the body opening to the surface of the body.  FIG.  1386    illustrates the bag ring  3004  completely pulled to the surface and  FIG.  138 C  illustrates the bag ring  3004  being rolled or flipped about itself as shown by the arrows in  FIG.  138 C  and as previously described in this specification to reduce the length of the sidewall of the bag and bring the contents of the bag closer to the surface where it can be more easily morcellated. The bag ring  3004  is not limited to having the cross-section of  FIG.  137 C  and any cross-section that permits the bag to be rolled about the bag ring is within the scope of the present invention. The bag ring  3004  is both flexible so as to be capable of being squeezed and compressed into an elongate shape so that it can be inserted and removed through a small incision or body opening. The resilient bag ring  3004  expands when released to assume its open mouth configuration enabling easy placement of specimen  3006  into the interior of the bag  3002 . The bag  3002  has an open top with a semi-rigid bag ring  3004  attached at the top at or near the mouth of the bag  3002 . The bag  3002  can be deployed into the body such as into the abdomen via a trocar or other deployment instrument. The bag  3002  can be manipulated with graspers. The specimen  3006  is loaded into the bag  3002  and the bag  3002  is retrieved through the body wall  3056  such as the abdominal wall. The entire bag  3002  does not pass through the small laparoscopic incision due to the large size of the specimen  3006 . The semi-rigid bag ring  3004  is the only portion that is allowed to surface with the rest of the bag remaining inside the abdominal body cavity. The cross-section of the semi-rigid ring allows for the bag  3002  to be shortened by a rolling method. This not only shortens the bag  3002  but helps in wound retraction. The tissue  3004  sample acts as an anchor to allow retraction of the wound opening allowing greater access to the tissue  3006  with power or manual morcellation instrument(s). Once the bag  3002  is in place, morcellation can begin. As the tissue sample  3006  decreases in size the semi-rigid bag ring  3004  can be rolled more to bring the tissue  3006  closer to the surface and allow easier access for morcellation. Once enough of the tissue  3006  is removed, the bag  3002  can then be withdrawn from the patient.  FIG.  138 C , illustrates a tissue guard  200  ready to be inserted into the body opening and into the bag  3002 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  139 A- 139 C , the bag  3002  is connected to a delivery shaft  3038  configured to open and close the mouth of the bag  3002 . The delivery shaft  3038  is used to conveniently scoop the specimen  3006  when in an open mouth configuration. The delivery shaft  3038  is manipulated to close the mouth of the bag  3002  after the specimen  3006  has been captured to bring the bag ring  3004  through the opening in the body and to the surface for morcellation and removal of the specimen  3006 . The bag  3002  has an open top with a semi-rigid bag ring  3004  attached at the top. The bag  3002  is attached to a two fork shaft  3038 . The forks are made of a semi-rigid material such as spring steel. The purpose of the delivery shaft  3038  is to allow the bag to be manipulated with greater accuracy and ease. The system can be deployed into the abdomen via a trocar cannula  3044 . The specimen  3006  is loaded into the bag  3002  and the bag  3002  is retrieved through the abdominal body wall  3056 . To retrieve the bag  3002  the forked shaft  3038  is pulled through the trocar cannula  3044  until the corner of the bag  3002  is leading into the distal tip of the trocar cannula  3044 . Once the bag  3002  has engaged the trocar cannula  3044 , the bag  3002  can be drawn up to the surface through the wound opening. The entire bag  3002  does not pass through. The semi-rigid bag ring  3004  is the only portion that is allowed to the surface. Once at the surface the forked deliver shaft  2038  can be removed from the semi-rigid bag ring  3004 . The cross-section of the semi-rigid bag ring  3004  allows for the bag  3002  to be shortened by a rolling method. This not only shortens the bag  3002  but helps in wound retraction. The tissue sample  3006  acts as an anchor to allow retraction of the wound opening allowing greater access to the tissue  3006  with morcellation instruments. Once the bag  3002  is in place, morcellation can begin. As the tissue sample  3006  decreases in size the semi-rigid bag ring  3004  can be rolled more to bring the tissue  3006  closer to the surface and allow easier access for the morcellation instruments and blades. Once enough of the tissue  3006  is removed the bag  3002  can then be withdrawn from the patient. In an alternative arrangement, the bag  3002  is provided with a second bag ring  3040 . The second bag ring  3040  is attached to the bag  3002  approximately mid distance down the bag  3002 . This second bag ring  3040  serves as an anchor to allow the bag  3002  to be shortened while simultaneously retracting the wound to its largest potential opening. The bag  3002  is attached to a two fork delivery shaft  3038 . The forks are semi-rigid. With the first bag ring  3004  residing outside the patient, the first bag ring  3004  is rolled/flipped about itself. The cross-section of the semi-rigid first bag ring  3004  allows for the bag  3002  to be shortened by a rolling method. This not only shortens the bag  3002  but helps in wound retraction. The second bag ring  3040  that is midway down the bag  3002 , acts as an anchor to allow maximum retraction of the wound opening. This allows greater access to the tissue  3006  with the various morcellation instruments. Once the bag  3002  is in place, morcellation can begin. Once enough of the tissue  3006  is removed the bag  3002  can then be withdrawn from the patient. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  140 A- 140 B and  141 A- 141 D , there is shown another variation of the bag  3002  according to the present invention. The bag  3002  includes a sidewall defining an interior and a mouth. A first bag ring  3004  and a second bag ring  3040  are provided. The second bag ring  3040  is spaced distally apart from the first bag  3004  and interconnected by the sidewall. The bag  3002  includes a balloon  3042  located at the bottom of the bag  3002 . The balloon  3042  forms at least part of the base of the bag and has a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The interior of the balloon  3042  is interconnected to a source of inflation pressure providing positive pressure into the balloon  3042 . The source of inflation pressure may also provide a negative pressure to remove inflation fluid to deflate the balloon  3042  as desired by the user. The source of inflation pressure is actuated by the user manually or automatically. The balloon  3042  at the base of the bag  3002  is spaced distally from the second bag ring  3040  as shown in  FIG.  140 A .  FIG.  141 A  illustrates the bag  3002  inserted into the body through a body wall  3056  with the first bag ring  3004  pulled to reside outside the body to provide access to the interior of the bag  3002  such that the specimen  3006  located therein may be extracted from the bag  3002 .  FIG.  141 B  illustrates the proximal end and mouth of the bag  3002  being pulled until the second bag ring  3040  substantially engages the undersurface of the body wall  3056 .  FIG.  141 C  illustrates the first bag ring  3004  being rolled about itself to wrap the sidewall of the bag  3002  around the first bag ring  3004 . As the first bag ring  3004  is being rolled, the length of the sidewall located between the first bag ring  3004  and the second bag ring  3040  is reduced. Such reduction in the length of the sidewall brings the base of the bag  3002  and the specimen located inside the bag  3002  closer to the surface opening in the body.  FIG.  141 D  shows the balloon  3042  in the inflated condition which further raises the specimen  3006  closer to the opening for ease of visualization, morcellation and removal. The balloon  3042  advantageously provides an added protective interface or barrier between the interior and the exterior of the bag  3002 . For example, if a morcellation instrument such as a scalpel, power morcellator or grasper accidentally breaches the proximal end of the balloon  3042  that is facing the interior of the bag  3002 , the balloon  3042  may deflate but the overall integrity of the bag  3002  is not breached as a containment barrier to the exterior or sidewall of the bag remains intact. In essence, the balloon  3042  provides a double-wall that provides added protection in a location of the base which is likely to encounter sharp instruments in the course of morcellation. The inflatable base of the bag  3002  also provides a pedestal effect for the tissue specimen  3006  even if the tissue  3006  is not centrally located atop the balloon  3042 . Also, the inflatable base of the bag  3002  when in the inflated condition provides a moat-like location for bodily fluid such as blood to drain away from the specimen  3006 . When inflated, the balloon  3042  interior wall is spaced significantly further apart from the exterior wall in the double-wall arrangement of the base, thereby, keeping the exterior wall safely away from impinging instruments and more likely to remain intact in the case of a breach in the interior wall. The double-wall sidewall may be employed throughout the bag  3002  and not just in the location of the base. Breach and the resulting subsequent deflation of the balloon  3042  provides visual notice to the user that a sharp instrument has impinged the balloon and alerts the user to employ extra care to ensure safety of the exterior wall when continuing with the extraction. This is in contrast to a single-walled configuration in which a breach of the sidewall means a breach to the exterior of the bag  3002  without warning. After the specimen  3006  is raised to the surface, the specimen  3006  can be easily visualized from outside the body through the mouth of the bag  3002  and morcellation can proceed more easily. The balloon  3042  can be any inflatable member and can be integrated into the floor of the bag  3004 . As morcellation is carried out, the tissue is reduced in size. This can result in the specimen becoming lost in the bag  3002  and harder to find with the morcellator and instruments. By inflating the balloon  3042 , the tissue  3006  is raised up closer to the end of the morcellator and instruments allowing greater ease of access to the tissue sample  3006 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  142 A- 142 C and  143 A- 143 D , there is shown another variation of a containment bag  3002  having an inflatable sidewall. The bag  3002  has a sidewall formed to have an open top serving as a mouth or entryway into the interior of the bag  3002 . The bag  3002  includes a first semi-rigid bag ring  3004  attached at the top near the opening. There is also a second bag ring  3040  that is attached approximately mid distance down the bag  3002 . The second bag ring  3040  serves as an anchor to allow the bag  3002  to be shortened and retract the wound to its largest potential opening. The bag  3002  utilizes air channels  3008  to aid in expanding the lower portion of the bag  3002  that contains the specimen. By expanding the lower portion the visibility of the specimen from the top side is greatly increased. It also aids in the speed at which morcellation can be carried out. The bag  3002  is attached to a two fork delivery shaft  3028 . The forks are semi-rigid. The purpose of the delivery shaft  3028  is to allow the bag  3002  to be manipulated with greater accuracy and ease. The system can be deployed across a body wall  3056  into the abdomen or other location or orifice of the body. The tissue specimen  3006  is loaded into the bag  3002  and the bag  3002  is retrieved through the abdomen body wall. To retrieve the bag  3002  the forked shaft  3028  is pulled through the trocar until the corner of the bag  3002  is leading into the trocar. Once the bag  3002  has engaged the trocar, the bag can be drawn up to the surface as shown in  FIG.  143 A . Once at the surface, the forked shaft can be removed from the first semi-rigid bag ring  3004 . The entire bag  3002  does not pass through. The semi-rigid first ring  3004  and part of the sidewall is allowed to surface. The cross section of the semi-rigid first ring  3004  allows for the bag  3002  to be shortened by a rolling method illustrated by the arrows in  FIG.  143 C . This not only shortens the bag  3002  but helps in wound retraction as shown in  FIG.  143 C . The second bag ring  3040  that is midway down the bag  3002 , acts as an anchor to allow maximum retraction of the wound opening. This allows greater access to the tissue  3006  with the morcellator. The bag  3002  serves both containment and retraction functions. Once the wound has been retracted, the air channels  3008  can be inflated as shown in  FIG.  143 D  and an optional tissue guard  200  may be employed. The air channels  3008  will expand outward creating free space around the tissue  3006 . This allows the tissue  3006  to be in more of a free space. By being in more of a free space, the tissue  3006  can tumble and move as it is being morcellated. Once the bag is in place, morcellation can begin. Once enough of the tissue  3006  is removed, the bag  3002  can then be withdrawn from the patient. In an alternative variation, the base of the bag  3002  may be also inflatable such as described with respect to  FIGS.  140 - 141   . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  144 A- 144 C and  145 A- 145 D , there is shown another variation of a containment bag  3002  having an inflatable sidewall without a second bag ring  3040  and only a first bag ring  3004 . The bag  3002  has an open top with a semi-rigid first bag ring  3004  attached at the top. The bag  3002  utilizes air channels  3008  to aid in expanding the lower portion of the bag  3002  that contains the specimen  3006 . The air channels  3008  are circumferentially located around the bag perimeter at the lower portion of the bag. The air channels  3006  are interconnected and connectable to a source of inflation pressure. Positive inflation pressure inflates the channels and negative pressure acts to actively deflate the channels  3008 . A deflated configuration is shown in  FIG.  145 A  and an inflated configuration is shown in  FIG.  145 B- 145 D . In one variation, the air channel closest to the opening of the bag which is the proximal-most air-channel, is annular and is larger than the other air channels. The air channels  3008  are tubular ring-shaped lumens that may be fluidly connected with one or more adjacent tubular ring-shaped lumens and configured to be connectable to a source of inflation fluid. This proximal-most, first annular ring-shaped air channel lumen provides a reaction force on the underside of the abdominal wall to allow greater retraction as the upper bag ring  3004  is rolled down causing retraction. Therefore, the first annular ring-shaped lumen acts similarly to the second bag ring  3040  of the previous variation. Also, by expanding the lower portion the visibility of the specimen  3006  from the top side is greatly increased. It also aids in the speed at which morcellation can be carried out. The bag  3002  is attached to a two-fork delivery shaft  3038 . The forks are semi-rigid. The purpose of the delivery shaft  3038  is to allow the bag to be manipulated with greater accuracy and ease. The system can be deployed into the abdomen body via a trocar. The specimen  3006  is loaded into the bag  3002  and the bag  3002  is retrieved through the abdomen body wall. To retrieve the bag  3002  the forked shaft is pulled through the trocar until the corner of the bag is leading into the trocar. Once the bag  3002  has engaged the trocar the bag can be drawn up to the surface. The entire bag does not pass through. The semi-rigid bag ring  3004  and a portion of the bag sidewall is the only portion that is allowed to surface as shown in  FIGS.  145 A- 145 D . Once at the surface the forked shaft can be removed from the semi-rigid bag ring  3004 . The cross section of the semi-rigid bag ring  3004  allows for the bag  3002  to be shortened by a rolling method shown by the arrows in  FIG.  145 D . This rolling action not only shortens the bag  3002  by rolling the sidewall of the bag up but helps in wound retraction. The bag  3002  is then inflated. The bag  3002  may also be inflated prior to rolling as shown in the figures. The first annular air channel  3008  that is approximately midway down the bag and acts as an anchor to allow maximum retraction of the wound opening. This allows greater access to the tissue with the morcellator. The air channels  3008  will expand outward creating free space around the tissue  3006 . This allows the tissue  3006  to be in more of a free space. By being in more of a free space, the tissue  3006  can tumble and move as it is being morcellated. Once the bag  3002  is in place, morcellation can begin. Once enough of the tissue  3006  is removed, the bag  3002  can then be withdrawn from the patient. In an alternative variation, the base of the bag  3002  may be also inflatable such as describe with respect to  FIGS.  140 - 141   . 
     Many different types of materials can be used for the bag and semi-rigid ring. Multiple materials may be desirable on the same bag such as hybrid between polymers and woven textiles. The semi-rigid ring can be made from a multitude of flexible polymer materials including but not limited to pellethane, silicone, KRATON polymer, IROGRAN polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane, metal, polymer, plastic, rubber, and the like. 
     Any of the containment bags described in the present invention, including inflatable bags  3002 , can be used with a guard or shield configured for placement within the bag  3002  to protect the bag sidewall and the adjoining tissue margin from sharp manual or power morcellation instruments. Additional examples of guards are shown in  FIGS.  146 - 148   .  FIGS.  146 A- 146 B , illustrate a cylindrical rigid guard  3047  having a circular-shaped proximal end  3048  and an outwardly flared funnel-like distal end  3050 . The funnel-shaped guard  3047  acts to concentrate or funnel the tissue toward the cutting blade. The central lumen of the guard  3047  enlarges in the distal direction. The funnel shape also assists in spreading the sidewall of the bag  3002  away providing clearance for morcellation and prevents the specimen bag from engaging the blade. The guard  3047  may also include a spring loaded guard feature that prevents the blade from being exposed unless the tissue is engaged. This makes for safer handling of the morcellator. The blade guard can be adapted to work with the spring loaded guard. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  148 A- 148 B , the guard  3047  has a reversed funnel at the distal end or lead-in guard wherein the central lumen decreases towards the distal end  3050 . The lead-in guard  3047  allows for easier coring of tissue  3006 . The blade guard  3047  is cone-shaped with the narrow end  3050  pointing in the same direction as the leading edge of the blade of the morcellation tool. The guard  3047  pushes the surrounding tissue away and to the side once the blade is engaged with the tissue  3006 . 
     Turning now back to  FIGS.  147 A- 147 B , there is shown another variation of the guard  3047  that includes anti-rotation studs  3052  that extend from the inner surface of the guard  3047  into the central lumen. The inwardly-projecting anti-rotation studs  3052  keep lumped mass tissue  3006  from catching in the rotating blade and rotating tube and spinning together when a power morcellator is used. If the tissue  3006  is spinning with the blade, then there is no relative blade movement; therefore, it will not cut the tissue. The anti-rotation studs  3052  can also be located on the outside of the guard  3052  extending outwardly from the outer surface of the guard  3047 . These projections would arrest rotation of the guard  3047 . The anti-rotation studs  3052  on the inside also help guide and lead tissue  3006 . The studs  3052  can have various shapes and sizes. This feature can be adapted to work with every guard. In another variation, a bipolar perpendicular tissue separator may be included with the guard. The bipolar perpendicular tissue separator feature functions to sever cores of tissue from the lump mass. This alleviates the problem of coring and not being able to separate the morcellated core from the large mass. This feature can be adapted to work with every blade guard. Also, a light may be included with the guard  3047  and integrally formed with it. The purpose of the light source such as a LED is to enhance and improve visibility inside the tissue bag  3002  for greater scope visibility. This feature can be adapted to work with every blade guard. The variation of  FIGS.  147 A- 147 B  further includes a plurality of holes  3054  extending across the guard  3047 . These holes  3054  serve as vacuum bypass holes  3054  configured to prevent the bag  3002  from being drawn into the blade when vacuum is employed to draw tissue  3006  out of the bag  3002  such as with a vacuum power morcellator system. This is achieved by always having a radial hole  3054  exposed around the guard  3047 . Once tissue is engaged with the blade the vacuum bypass holes will not affect the vacuum interface with the tissue. This feature can be adapted to work with every blade guard used under vacuum. 
     Morcellation is performed manually by the surgeon with a scalpel or electrosurgical instrument. Instead of utilizing a power morcellator, any bag variation described herein is employed with manual morcellation. The bag is inserted into the body cavity through an incision. Target tissue is placed into the bag and the opening of the bag is pulled through the incision. A bag guard of the like described herein is inserted into the bag and retained near the bag opening and optionally connected to the proximal end of the bag such that the bag opening is kept in an open position. The surgeon grasps the tissue with a grasper and pulls it toward the opening and into the location of the guard. Then, the surgeon uses a scalpel instead of a power morcellator to cut the tissue into smaller pieces and pull them out of the body. The cutting is performed in the location of the guard and/or against the guard so that the bag is not accidentally perforate by the scalpel. The bag with smaller pieces of tissue or no tissue at all is removed from the body cavity along with the bag guard. 
     The system includes a specimen retrieval receptacle bag  3002  attached to a shaft. The bag  3002  can be deployed inside the body and capture the desired tissue  3006  after it has been detached. Once the specimen  3006  has been placed inside the bag  3002 , there is a semi-rigid ring  3004  attached to the bag opening that can be pulled outside of the body through the laparoscopic wound, incision, opening, orifice access site. After the bag opening ring  3004  has been pulled outside the patient, the lower bag portion that remains in the body cavity with the specimen  3006  contains air channels  3008  that are inflated to create a structure which counteracts the internal pneumoperitoneum pressure and provides an internal anchoring mechanism for the bag  3002 . Then the outer bag opening ring  3004  can be rolled down to retract the wound opening in the same manner as described above. The inflated portion of the bag  3002  that remains inside the body cavity with the specimen  3006  is now exposed to the surface. Once the specimen bag  3002  is retracted in place, the morcellator device  3000  with a center, hollow, spinning blade tube  3010  is attached to the bag opening ring. The morcellator  3000  is locked into a stationary position with the blade tube  3010  inserted down through the wound and into the lower area of the bag  3002  where the specimen  3006  is located. At that point the morcellator  3000  is turned on to allow the blade tube  3010  to rotate. Once the tube  3010  is rotating a tenaculum  3012  is inserted through the hollow blade tube  3010  to grasp the tissue and pull it up into the spinning blade  3010  which reduces the large specimen  3006  into smaller core pieces that can be removed through the small laparoscopic wound site. The morcellator  3000  also contains a camera  3014  at the distal tip of the morcellator  3000  for visualization inside the specimen bag  3002 . When the tissue  3006  has been completely removed or reduced enough in size to pull through the wound site, the morcellator  3000  is detached from the bag ring, the bag  3002  is deflated, and then finally the bag  3002  is pulled through the laparoscopic wound completing the procedure. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  149   , there is shown a system including a power morcellator  4000  and bag  4002  connected to the side of the morcellator shaft  4004 . With additional reference to  FIGS.  150 A- 150 D , the morcellator  4000  includes a handle  4006  connected to the shaft  4004  with one or more rotating blades  4008  at the distal end of the shaft  4004 . The morcellator  4000  further includes a motor  4010  located in the handle  4006 . The motor  4010  is connected to and configured to rotate a gear pinion  4012 . The gear pinion  4012  is further connected to a gear train including a gear inner tube  4014  and a gear outer tube  4016 . The gear outer tube  4016  is further connected to a spacer  4018  which is in turn connected to an outer shaft  4020 . The distal end of the outer shaft  4020  is connected to a blade  4008 . The gear inner tube  4014  is connected to an inner shaft  4026  which in turn is connected to a second blade  4022 . The gear outer tube  4016  and gear inner tube  4014  are configured to rotate in opposite directions to create counter-rotating blades at the distal end. With counter rotating tubes there are two tubes. One tube is inside the other. The inner tube is rotating in one direction and the outer tube is rotating in the opposite direction. In one variation, the blade is attached to the end of the outer tube. The concept of counter rotating tubes is to double the relative velocity that the tissue experiences when compared from the perspective of the blade. Every tube configuration can have an outer most tube that retains a blade guard configuration. In another variation, the inner tube is stationary with a rotating outer tube. The outer tube has the blade attached at the end and is allowed to rotate. The concept of a stationary inner tube is to create a slick member that will allow for easier tissue advancement up the working channel. In another variation, a single outer tube rotates and there exists only one tube with the blade attached at the end. The inside of the tube is featureless and smooth. In another variation, there are three tubes in which the inner tube and outer tube are stationary and a middle tube rotates. The blade is attached to the end of the middle rotating tube and protrudes past the inner and outer tubes. The stationary outer tube is to protect anything from being rubbed by the rotating middle tube. The stationary inner tube is to facilitate easier tissue advancement up the tube. In another variation, a riffled tissue advancement tube is provided in a configuration for any tube that is rotating and has unobstructed contact with the tissue on its inside surface. A riffling pattern is formed on the inside surface of the rotating tube which places an axial force on the morcellated tissue causing it to advance upward away from the blade. In yet another variation, an auger-type tissue advancement tube is provided for any rotating inner tube configuration. The tube has multiple flutes traveling the length of the inside of the tube. The ends of the flutes grab the tissue and advance it up the flutes away from the blade. As can be seen in  FIG.  150 C , counter rotating tubes  4020 ,  4026  are driven from a single gear  4012  and over molded seals or quad ring seals  4046  are provided to seal them as shown in  FIG.  150 B . The entire electric motor is enclosed in the handle  4006  and may be powered by a battery or connected to an external power source. 
     A spring loaded blade guard  4024  operates to cover and uncover the blades  4008 ,  4022  and a trigger  4028  operates to activate the motor  4010 . The spring loaded blade guard  4024  operates to only allow the blades  4008  to be exposed once tissue is contacting the end of the blade guard for added safety. The blade guard  4024  shaft with opening(s) and proximal knob may be detachable and the blade guard  4024  may be non-rotating. The inner and outer shafts  4026 ,  4020  are concentric and define a working channel  4030  down the middle. At the proximal end, a conical funnel  4032  is provided for easing the insertion of instruments such as graspers into the working channel  4030 . The proximal end of the morcellator  4000  may also be adapted for connection to a specimen receptacle  4034 , shown in  FIG.  151   , and a vacuum source for the extraction of morcellated specimen. The specimen receptacle  4034  is a transparent container that includes an inlet port  4038  and a port  4040  for connecting to a vacuum source located on the removable lid. The port  4040  for connected to a vacuum source may include a valve to turn the vacuum on or off and may be configured to be activated electronically. The proximal end of the morcellator  4000  may also be adapted for connecting with a seal assembly  4042  as shown in  FIG.  150 D . The seal assembly  4042  may include a zero seal and a septum seal for sealing against an inserted instrument into an opening at the proximal end of the seal assembly  4042 . The seal assembly  4042  may further include a port  4044  for connection to a source of fluid under pressure. The blade guard  4024  includes at least one lateral slot or side window opening  4036  configured to expose the blades through the side for receiving tissue to be morcellated through the side of the morcellator  4000  and into the working channel  4030 . The blade guard  4024  can be rotated or retracted to cover and close the side opening or to expose the blades at the distal opening for receiving tissue to be morcellated into the working channel  4030  at the distal end opening. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  152   , a bag  4002  configured for attachment to a morcellator shaft  4004  having a side opening  4036  will now be described. In one variation of the bag  4002 , the bag  4002  has an open top  4048  with a means for closure  4050 . The morcellator shaft  4004  has a rounded end and is adapted for connection with the bag  4002 . The side of the morcellator shaft  4004  has a windowed opening  4036 . The specimen retrieval system is introduced into the body via a trocar, for example, or via an open wound or body orifice. The bag  4002  is then opened and the tissue specimen is placed into the bag  4002 . The bag  4002  is then sealed with the closure means  4050 . The morcellator shaft  4004  may be attached to the morcellator  4000  and morcellation begins. Alternatively, a bag tube  4066  is provided and the morcellator  4000  is easily attached to the bag tube  4066  by sliding the morcellator shaft  4004  into the bag tube  4066  as shown in  FIGS.  152  and  159   . The bag  4002  may be pre-attached to the bag tube  4066 . Once the specimen is reduced the specimen retrieval system is withdrawn from the patient. An example of a morcellator is described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/102,719 and 13/659,462, filed Apr. 14, 2008 and Oct. 24, 2012, respectively, and incorporated by reference in their entireties as if set forth in full herein. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  153 - 157   , various bag closure means will be described. In  FIGS.  153 A- 153 B , a drawstring  4052  located at the bag top  4048  is employed to close the open top  4048 . In  FIGS.  154 A- 154 B , a zip-lock or zippered-style  4054  closure is provided in which a slider can be used to lock and unlock two sides of the closure means to open and close the top  4048 . In  FIGS.  155 A- 155 C , another closure means includes a grommet  4056  formed in the bag  4002  near the bag top  4048 . A grasper  4058  or other instrument is inserted into the grommet  4056  opening and then twisted as shown in  FIG.  155 C  to roll the bag  4002  down and close the open top  4048 . In  FIGS.  156 A- 156 B , the top  4048  is provided with a hook-and-loop type fastener  4060 . The opposite sides of the hook-and-loop type fastener are contacted to close the open bag top  4048 . In  FIGS.  157 A-B , the bag top  4048  includes a plurality of grommet openings  4062 . In particular, four openings  4062  are provided. An instrument such as a grasper  4058  is used to grasp all of the openings  4062  and then twisted to roll the opening closed as shown in  FIG.  157 B . 
     In order to protect the bag  4002  and prevent it from entering the lateral slot  4036  on the morcellator shaft  4004  and making contact with the rotating blade  4008 , a plastic guard  4064  is provided as shown in  FIGS.  158 A- 158 E . The plastic guard  4064  is made of one piece of semi-rigid plastic and configured to fold and be inserted into the morcellator slot  4036 . The plastic guard  4064  is made of material stiffer than the bag  4002  and configured to surround the lateral opening  4036  and provide a trough-like or funnel like opening to spread the bag  4000  away from the opening  4036 . The bag  4002  is attached to the distal end of the morcellator shaft  4004 . The bag  4002  has an open top  4048  with a means for closure  4050 . The bag  4002  also has a semi-rigid structure at the lateral opening  4036  of the morcellator shaft  4004  to allow the tissue to be loaded into the bag  4002  more easily. The specimen retrieval system is introduced into the body via a trocar or open wound or orifice or other delivery mechanism. The bag  4002  is then opened and the tissue specimen is placed into the bag  4002 . The bag  4002  is then sealed via the closure means  4050 . The morcellator  4000  is attached to the proximal end of the morcellator shaft  4004  and morcellation begins. Alternatively, a bag tube  4066  is provided and the morcellator  4000  is easily attached to the bag tube  4066  by sliding the morcellator shaft  4004  into the bag tube  4066  as shown in  FIG.  159   . The bag  4002  may be pre-attached to the bag tube  4066  with or without a plastic guard  4064  or reinforced rigid section near the distal opening of the bag tube  4066 . The morcellator shaft  4004  and the bag tube  4066  are held together by friction via a knob that is attached to the bag tube  4066 . The knob interferes with the morcellator handle in a snap or friction fit engagement. Once the specimen is reduced the specimen retrieval system is withdrawn from the patient. The semi-rigid structure of the guard  4064  can be made of spring steel, nitinol or molded plastic. All three variations in the material would permit closure of the bag  4002  by using a drawstring method or pinching the ends and rolling the structure to close the bag  4002 . In another variation shown in  FIG.  160   , the bag  4002  is attached to a bag tube  4066 . The bag  4002  has closed ends. The opening  4068  of the bag  4002  is on the side of the bag  4002 . The bag  4002  also has a semi-rigid structure at the opening to allow the tissue to be loaded into the bag more easily. The bag tube  4066  has a rounded end. The side of the bag tube  4066  has a windowed section  4070 . The specimen retrieval system is introduced into the abdomen body via a trocar or open wound. The bag  4002  is then opened and the tissue specimen is placed into the bag  4002 . The bag is then sealed, the morcellator  4000  is attached and morcellation begins. Once the specimen is reduced the specimen retrieval system is withdrawn from the patient. The side opening  4068  can include a reinforcement of spring steel, nitinol or molded plastic located m id-sidewall of the bag  4002 . The side opening  4068  springs open to an oval shape to facilitate easier tissue insertion of the specimen into the bag  4002 . All three variations in the material would close the bag by using a drawstring method or pinching the ends and rolling the structure to close the bag  4002 . In another variation, spring steel, nitinol or molded plastic is located near the bag tube  1066  as shown in  FIG.  161   . 
     In another variation shown in  FIGS.  162 A- 162 C , the bag  4002  is a separate component from the bag tube  4066 . The bag  4002  has two open ends  4072 ,  4074 . One opening  4072  is larger than the other. The larger end  4072  is semi-rigid by means of spring steel, nitinol or a plastic member. Different means for closure  4050  such as a drawstring  4052  or pinch and roll down method can be used to seal the large end  4072  of the bag  4002 . The smaller end  4074  has a spring steel or nitinol clamp  4076  that attaches to the bag tube  4066 . The clamp  4076  attaches around the rigid blade guard  4064 . The taper of the rigid blade guard  4064  helps the clamp  4076  to seat on the rim and keep from sliding off the bag tube  4066 . The bag tube  4066  has a rounded end. The side of the bag tube  4066  has a windowed section  4070 . The bag  4002  is first introduced into the abdomen body through an opening, orifice or open wound via trocar, delivery shaft, instrument or other deployment method. The large end of the  4072  bag is then opened and positioned around a tissue sample  4078 . The large end  4072  of the bag  4002  is then sealed. The bag tube  4066  is then introduced into the body. The bag  4002  is then attached to the bag tube  4066  by means of the clamp  4076 . The morcellator  4000  is attached and morcellation begins. Once the specimen  4078  is reduced the retrieval system is withdrawn from the patient. 
     In another variation shown in  FIGS.  163 A- 163 C , the bag  4002  is attached to a bag tube  4066  named bag tube. The bag  4002  has an open end. The bag tube  4066  has a rounded end. The bag tube  4066  has an over sheath. The sheath tip has two holes to facilitate a nitinol or other flexible semi-rigid drawstring  4052  for opening and closing a semi-rigid bag opening  4068 . The sheath also has two channels parallel to the axis of the tube to facilitate the nitinol retrieval. The side of the tube has a windowed section  4070 . The specimen retrieval system is introduced into the body through an opening as shown in  FIG.  163 B . The bag  4002  is then opened by deploying the drawstring  4052  and the tissue specimen  4078  is retrieved by surrounding the specimen  4078  with the net created by the nitinol and bag  4002 . This can be done with or without the assistance of a grasper or dissector. Once the tissue  4078  is surrounded the nitinol can be retrieved proximally via the drawstring  4052  and this causes the bag  4002  to close around the tissue sample  4078  and seal the bag  4002 . The morcellator is attached and morcellation begins. Once the specimen  4078  is reduced the retrieval system is withdrawn from the patient. 
     In another variation, the bag  4002  has an open top with a semi-rigid ring attached at the top. The bag  4002  can be rolled tightly then deployed into the abdomen via a trocar. The bag  4002  can then be opened inside by manipulation with graspers. The specimen  4078  is loaded into the bag  4002  and the bag  4002  is retrieved through the abdominal wall. The entire bag  4002  does not pass through. The semi-rigid ring is the only portion that is allowed to surface. Morcellation can begin. Once enough of the tissue  4078  is removed, the bag  4002  can then be withdrawn from the patient. 
     The tissue guard described herein is typically employed with a containment bag. The bag is placed inside the body through a body opening. The body opening refers to any entranceway into the patient and may include and is not limited to incision sites and natural orifices. The target specimen is typically too large to be safely removed through the body opening and requires to be manipulated such as by cutting with a blade in order to extract the target specimen through the body opening. The minimally invasive, laparoscopic body opening is generally smaller than the target specimen size. The target specimen is placed inside the bag and the mouth of the bag is pulled to the outside of the patient. The guard is placed inside the mouth of the bag and anchored across the body opening and the target specimen is pulled into the lumen of the guard. While in the lumen of the guard, the target specimen is in a protected morcellation zone wherein the surgeon may reach in with a blade to cut the target specimen for extraction. The guard protects against the stray blade and also provides a direct cutting surface against which tissue may be placed for reduction. The entire length of the guard typically defines the length of the morcellation zone protecting the bag and the tissue at the margins of the body opening. Additionally, a retractor may be employed. The retractor may be integrally formed with the bag or be a separate stand-alone device. A typical retractor described herein is a two-ringed retractor with a flexible sidewall material located between the two rings. The sidewall of the retractor is configured to be capable of being rolled about the first ring to retract the tissue at the margin of the body opening. If a retractor is employed it may be placed between the marginal tissue and the bag or inside the bag between the bag and the guard. The above description describes different variations of use of the guard, bag and retractor that is employed in manual morcellation. For power morcellation, the guard is inserted inside the bag and morcellation is carried out. In another variation for power morcellation, a stability cap is connected to the proximal ring of the bag or to the proximal end of the guard and power morcellation is carried out. The stability cap serves to locate the vertical position of the blade ensuring that the blade does not extend beyond the predetermined morcellation zone inside the guard or at a short distance safely beyond the distal end of the guard. In another variation for power morcellation, a retractor is employed in which case the retractor is located between the marginal tissue and the bag or between the bag and the guard as previously described and power morcellation is carried out. In the previous variation, a stability cap may be employed in such a manner that it connects to the proximal ring of the retractor, the proximal ring of the bag, or to the proximal end of the guard and morcellation is carried out. In addition to the above variations, any one of the following approaches may be employed in conjunction with any of the variations above when performing a procedure such as a hysterectomy. In one variation, the bag is placed in through the vagina, the target specimen (e.g. uterus) is placed inside the bag while the bag is inside the body cavity, and then the mouth of the bag is pulled through an abdominal incision wherein the guard is inserted into the mouth of the bag, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the abdominal opening. In another variation, the bag is placed in through the vagina, the target specimen (e.g. uterus) is placed inside the bag while the bag is inside the body cavity, and then the mouth of the bag is pulled back through the vaginal canal wherein the guard is inserted into the mouth of the bag, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the vagina. In yet another variation, the bag is placed in through an abdominal incision, the target specimen (e.g. uterus) is placed inside the bag while the bag is inside the body cavity, and then the mouth of the bag is pulled through the vaginal canal wherein the guard is inserted into the mouth of the bag, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the vagina. In one other variation, the bag is placed in through an abdominal incision, the target specimen (e.g. uterus) is placed inside the bag while the bag is inside the body cavity, and then the mouth of the bag pulled back through the abdominal incision wherein the guard is inserted into the mouth of the bag, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the vagina. In another approach to morcellation of the uterus or other target specimen, the bag may be omitted. In such a case, an incision is made in the abdominal wall, the guard is placed across the incision in the abdominal, the uterus or target specimen is detached and pulled through the central lumen of the guard with morcellation and extraction taking place at the abdominal incision. Alternatively, the target specimen (e.g. uterus) is approached through the vagina, the guard is placed inside the vaginal canal, the target specimen is detached and pulled through the central lumen of the guard with morcellation and extraction taking place at the vagina. As a further variation of the abdominal approach without a bag, the procedure may be observed via a laparoscope inserted through the vagina. As a further variation of the vaginal approach without a bag, the procedure may be observed via a laparoscope inserted through an incision in the abdomen. 
     In some cases, the guard is not employed. In one such variation without a guard, a bag is placed inside the body cavity via the vaginal canal and the target specimen is placed inside the bag and the mouth of the bag is pulled through an incision in the abdomen, a retractor may be placed inside the bag across the abdominal incision, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the abdominal incision. In another variation without a guard, a bag is placed inside the body cavity via the vaginal canal and the target specimen is placed inside the bag, and the mouth of the bag is pulled back through the vaginal canal, a retractor may be placed inside the bag inside the vaginal canal, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the vagina. In another variation without a guard, a bag is placed inside the body cavity via an abdominal incision and the target specimen is placed inside the bag, and the mouth of the bag is pulled through the vaginal canal, a retractor may be placed inside the bag inside the vaginal canal, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the vagina. In another variation without a guard, a bag is placed inside the body cavity via an abdominal incision and the target specimen is placed inside the bag, the mouth of the bag is pulled through the abdominal incision, a retractor may be placed inside the bag inside the vaginal canal, and morcellation, extraction and bag removal take place at the abdominal incision. In any of the variations without a guard that employ a retractor, employing any of the heretofore mentioned cut-resistant retractors is preferred. Also, in any of the variations without a guard that employ a retractor, the retractor may be placed between the bag and the tissue margin. Also, in any of the variations without a guard that do or do not employ a retractor, employing any of the heretofore mentioned cut-resistant bags is preferred. Power morcellation may also be employed with any of the methods that do employ a guard. In such cases, a stability cap is employed and connected to the proximal end of the bag or proximal ring of the retractor. 
     In a variation without a guard that employs a retractor, a cut-resistant retractor is provided. The retractor has a first ring and compressible second ring interconnected by a webbing or sidewall. The retractor being configured such that the webbing can be rolled up around the first ring to reduce the length of the retractor and to retract the tissue margin. The bottom ring is inserted through the body opening and resides inside the patient whereas the top ring of the retractor resides above the patient. The top ring is rolled/flipped over itself like the bag to pull the lower ring of the retractor closer and the sidewall into a taut relation between the rings. The lower ring of the retractor advantageously retracts the portion of the bag inside the patent and away from potential damage arising from punctures and tears from the blade. At least part of the webbing is made of puncture-resistant, cut-resistant material. The retractor is configured for insertion into the containment bag and into the body opening to retract the bag and the tissue margin with the first ring of the retractor and mouth of the containment bag residing outside the patient and the second ring of the retractor and the remainder of the containment bag residing inside the patient. This placement of the bag between the retractor and the tissue margin at the body opening anchors the bag with respect to the patient&#39;s body. In one variation, only the distal portion of approximately four inches of length of the webbing is cut-resistant being made of KEVLAR, DYNEEMA or other cut-resistant material and the proximal portion of the webbing is not made of cut-resistant material and is made of polyurethane or other flexible film. This arrangement permits the proximal end of the webbing to be more easily rolled around the first ring during retraction. As the length of the webbing is reduced by rolling, the distal cut-resistant portion of the webbing is brought closer to the proximal end or first ring of the retractor and into position for protect morcellation to proceed. With less cut-resistant material, that can be thick and bulky, the retractor is less expensive, and also easier to flip and roll the first ring as less cut-resistant material will be rolled about the first ring. In another variation, the entire webbing is made of cut-resistant material. In another variation for use in the vagina, for example, only the proximal portion of approximately five inches of length of the webbing is cut-resistant being made of KEVLAR, DYNEEMA or other cut-resistant material and the distal portion of the webbing is not made of cut-resistant material and is made of polyurethane or other flexible film for greater flexibility and anchoring at the distal end. In a vaginal surgical procedure, such as a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, the first ring at the proximal end does not have to be rolled down as much. Therefore, the proximal end of the webbing is made of cut-resistant material compared to an abdominal surgical procedure where the webbing is rolled around the first ring quite a bit, the proximal end is not made of cut-resistant material. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a contamination prevention system for manual or power in-situ morcellation is provided. The system includes a containment bag having a mouth and a shield configured to be removably inserted into the mouth of the bag. The shield has a central lumen that provides a working channel for morcellation and protects the bag and surrounding tissue. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a device for safely removing a tissue specimen from a body cavity through a body opening that is smaller than the tissue specimen is provided. The device includes a removable shield configured to be anchored in the body opening. The device further includes a bag or retractor located between the body opening and the shield. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a shield having a sidewall defining a central opening is provided. The shield includes a C-shaped, concave outer surface for anchoring the shield in a body opening. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a shield having a sidewall defining a central opening is provided. The shield includes a C-shaped, concave outer surface for anchoring the shield in a body opening. The shield is split such that one part of the shield is nested within another part of the shield and the shield is expandable from a reduced lateral configuration to an enlarged lateral configuration and vice versa by varying the nested portion of the shield. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, an expandable shield having a sidewall defining a central opening is provided. The shield is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration having a dimension larger than the dimension when in the second configuration wherein the dimension is a vertical and/or a lateral dimension. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a system for preventing the potential spreading of cancerous cells when removing a large tissue specimen from a small opening in the body is provided. The system includes a container and a morcellation zone. The morcellation zone is insertable into and removable from the container. The morcellation zone protects the container from penetration by morcellating instruments. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a shield is provided. The shield includes a blade connected to the shield. The blade is movable along a predetermined pathway with respect to the shield and the shield surrounds at least part of the predetermined pathway to protect tissue surrounding a body opening. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  164 - 167   , a shield  5000  according to the present invention is shown. The shield  5000  includes a band of flexible, cut-resistant material. The shield  5000  has an inner surface  5002  and an outer surface  5004  interconnected by a top end  5006  and a bottom end  5008  and a first end  5010  and a second end  5012 . The band is configured to define a central lumen having a longitudinal axis. The central lumen has a lumen diameter that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lumen diameter may vary along the longitudinal axis. For example, the inner surface  5002  defines a shape such as a convex shape wherein the lumen diameter is larger at the top end  5006  and bottom end  5008  relative to the lumen diameter at the center or waist of the band as shown in  FIGS.  164 - 167   . In one variation, the inner surface  5002  defines a constant lumen diameter from the top end  5006  to the bottom end  5008 , or an angled or funnel-like shape or other curve or shape. The outer surface  5004  substantially matches the inner surface  5002  in shape to define a band of substantially uniform thickness; however, the invention is not so limited and the outer surface  5004  may take a shape that is different from the inner surface  5002  and/or have a band thickness that is different along the longitudinal axis. A curved, funnel-like or C-like, concave shape of the outer surface  5004  as discussed above in this specification helps to anchor the shield  5000  at the tissue margin when inserted into a body orifice, incision site or other opening. Also, the larger diameter shape at the top end  5006  assists in providing a cutting board surface for performing manual morcellation and protecting the surrounding tissue. For example, a flatter and more planar orientation of the top end  5006  in which the inner surface  5002  faces upwardly and perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and the outer surface  5004  faces downwardly onto the tissue such as downwardly onto the abdominal wall forms a larger protective overlay or larger cutting board-like surface. As shown in the variation of  FIGS.  164 - 167   , the outer surface of the band has a concavity or curvature along the longitudinal axis from the top end  5006  to the bottom end  5008  and extending circumferentially around the guard from the first end  5010  to the second end  5012 . The shield  5000  is made of flexible, resilient material such as plastic and is molded to have a resting configuration defining a resting lumen diameter. The resting configuration is shown in  FIGS.  164 - 166    wherein a gap is defined between the first end  5010  and the second end  5012 . The gap is approximately 5-10 degrees having an arc length of approximately 4-6 mm. The resting lumen diameter at the waist is approximately 40 mm. Because the shield  5000  is resilient and flexible, its lumen diameter is adjustable by flexing and turning the band inwardly to reduce the gap, and to overlap the first end  5010  and second end  5012  of the band to reduce the lumen diameter or by flexing and bending the band outwardly to increase the gap and increase the lumen diameter relative to the resting lumen diameter. From an increased or reduced lumen diameter relative to the resting lumen diameter, the band will tend to spring back toward approximately the resting configuration and resting lumen diameter because of its resilient nature. In one variation, the resting configuration does not have a gap. As the band is reduced in diameter, the first end  5010  will overlap the second end  5012  to form a spiral shape when viewed from the top or bottom. The outer surface  5004  of the band at the first end  5010  will face at least a portion the inner surface  5002  of the band at the second end  5012  resulting in part of the band near the first end  5010  being nested within part of the band near the second end  5012 . To accommodate the nested first end portion of the band, the second end portion is configured to jog outwardly by a distance  5014  approximately equal to the width of the band wall, that is, the width of material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 , which is approximately 1-3 mm such that, when the band is nested, the inner surface  5002  retains a larger inner diameter that is not reduced by the overlapped segment of the band in the location of the overlap and such that the inner surface is substantially flush at the intersection with the overlapping location as can be seen in  FIG.  167   . An inner ridge surface  5016  is formed in the shield  5000  by an outwardly extending jog or irregularity in the inner surface of the band defined by an increased lumen diameter. The increased lumen diameter extends along a portion of the circumference of the band from the ridge  5016  to the second end  5012 . The inner ridge  5016  is formed approximately 127 degrees from the second end  5012 . The inner ridge  5016  is formed with respect to the inner surface  5002  and extends substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface  5002  in a vertical fashion from the top end  5006  to the bottom end  5008 . The inner ridge  5016  forms a corresponding outer ridge  5018  as the band is molded to create the jog at the inner ridge  5016  where the band increases in inner diameter by a segment distance  5014  of approximately 127 degrees around the circumference from the inner ridge  5016  to the second end  5012 . Between the inner ridge  5016  and the second end  5012 , at least one abutment is formed extending along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . 
     A first inner abutment  5020  is formed on the inner surface  5002 . The surface of the first inner abutment  5020  faces the second end  5012  and is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  and extends outwardly from the inner surface  5002  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The first inner abutment  5020  has a height from the inner surface  5002  approximately equal to or greater than the thickness of the band material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 . When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the outer surface  5004  at the first end  5010  overlays and faces the inner surface  5002  at the second end  5012  in a first reduced configuration, the first end  5010  is configured to contact the first inner abutment  5020  to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. This configuration serves to lock the shield  5000  in a fixed diametrical/lateral dimension position with the shield  5000  maintaining some degree of overlap circumferentially around a portion of the perimeter of the shield  5000 . This lock is particularly useful when the shield  5000  is located inside a body orifice or incision where forces of the tissue would tend to collapse the central lumen and further reduce the inner diameter. The central lumen serves as a working channel and the lock is created when at least a portion of the shield  5000  contacts the first inner abutment  5020 . The first inner abutment  5020  is located approximately 30 degrees from the second end  5012 . When the first end  5010  contacts the first inner abutment  5020 , the inner diameter is approximately 36 mm. 
     The shield  5000  further includes a second inner abutment  5022  located a greater distance from the second end  5012 . In particular, the second inner abutment  5022  is located approximately 65 degrees from the second end  5012 . The second inner abutment  5022  is formed on the inner surface  5002 . The surface of the second inner abutment  5022  faces the second end  5012  and is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  and extends outwardly from the inner surface  5002  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The second inner abutment  5022  has a height from the inner surface  5002  approximately equal to or greater than the thickness of the band material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 . The first inner abutment  5020  and the second inner abutment  5022  are substantially parallel. When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the outer surface  5004  at the first end  5010  overlays and faces the inner surface  5002  at the second end  5012  in a reduced diametrical/lateral configuration, the first end  5010  is configured to contact either the first inner abutment  5020  or the second inner abutment  5022  to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. The second inner abutment  5022 , like the first inner abutment  5020  serves to lock the shield  5000  in a fixed diametrical/lateral dimension position with the shield  5000  maintaining some degree of overlap circumferentially around the perimeter of the shield  5000 . This lock is particularly useful when the shield  5000  is located inside a body orifice or incision where forces of the tissue would tend to collapse the central lumen and further reduce the inner diameter. The central lumen serves as a working channel and the lock is created when at least a portion of the shield  5000  contacts the second inner abutment  5020 . When the first end  5010  contacts the second inner abutment  5022 , the inner diameter is approximately 33 mm. When the first end  5010  contacts the second inner abutment  5022 , the first inner abutment  5020  is located against the outer surface  5004 . To accommodate the first inner abutment  5020 , a first outer abutment  5024  or receiving area  5024  is formed in the outer surface  5004 . In one variation as shown, the receiving area  5024  includes an abutment formed therein and in another variation, the receiving area is not configured to have an abutment surface. The first outer abutment  5024  is located approximately 30 degrees from the first end  5010 . The first outer abutment  5024  is formed on the outer surface  5004 . The surface of the first outer abutment  5024  faces the first end  5010  and is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  5004  and extends inwardly from the outer surface  5004  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The first outer abutment  5024  has a height with respect to the outer surface  5004  approximately equal to or greater than the thickness of the band material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 . The first outer abutment  5024  and the first inner abutment  5020  and second inner abutment  5022  are substantially parallel. When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the first end  5010  contacts the second inner abutment  5022 , the first inner abutment  5020  faces and contacts the first outer abutment  5024  to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. 
     The shield  5000  further includes a third inner abutment  5026  located a greater distance from the second end  5012 . In particular, the third inner abutment  5026  is located approximately 100 degrees from the second end  5012 . The third inner abutment  5026  is formed on the inner surface  5002 . The surface of the third inner abutment  5026  faces the second end  5012  and is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  and extends outwardly from the inner surface  5002  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The third inner abutment  5026  has a height from the inner surface  5002  approximately equal to or greater than the thickness of the band material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 . The first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022  and the third inner abutment  5026  are substantially parallel and approximately equally spaced apart around the circumference of the inner surface  5002 . When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the outer surface  5004  at the first end  5010  overlays and faces the inner surface  5002  at the second end  5012  in a reduced diametrical/lateral configuration, the first end  5010  is configured to contact either the first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022 , or the third inner abutment  5026  to variably adjust the inner diameter and then to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. The third inner abutment  5026 , like the first inner abutment  5020 , and the second inner abutment  5022  serves to lock the shield  5000  in a fixed diametrical/lateral dimension position with the shield  5000  maintaining some degree of overlap circumferentially around the perimeter of the shield  5000 . This lock is particularly useful when the shield  5000  is located inside a body orifice or incision where forces of the tissue would tend to collapse the central lumen and further reduce the inner diameter. When the first end  5010  contacts the third inner abutment  5026 , the inner diameter is approximately 30 mm. When the first end  5010  contacts the third inner abutment  5024 , the first inner abutment  5020  and the second inner abutment  5022  are located against the outer surface  5004 . To accommodate the first inner abutment  5020  and the second inner abutment  5022 , a first outer abutment or receiving area  5024  is formed is in the outer surface  5004  and a second outer abutment or receiving area  5028  is formed in the outer surface  5004 . In one variation, the receiving area is provided with an abutment surface and, in another variation, the receiving area is sized and configured to accommodate the inner abutments in a flush manner. The second outer abutment  5028  is located approximately 65 degrees from the first end  5010 . The second outer abutment  5028  is formed on the outer surface  5004 . The surface of the second outer abutment  5028  faces the first end  5010  and is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  5004  and extends outwardly from the outer surface  5004  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The second outer abutment  5028  has a height from the outer surface  5004  approximately equal to the height of the inner abutments or the thickness of the band material between the inner surface  5002  and the outer surface  5004 . The second outer abutment  5028 , the first outer abutment  5024  and the first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022 , and the third inner abutment  5026  are substantially parallel. When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the first end  5010  contacts the third inner abutment  5026 , the first inner abutment  5020  faces and contacts the second outer abutment  5028  and the second inner abutment  5022  faces and contacts the first outer abutment  5020  to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. 
     The shield  5000  further includes a third outer abutment  5030  located a greater distance from the first end  5010  than the second outer abutment  5028 . In particular, the third outer abutment  5030  is located approximately 100 degrees from the first end  5010 . The third outer abutment  5030  is formed on the outer surface  5004 . The surface of the third outer abutment  5030  faces the first end  5010  and is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  5004  and extends inwardly from the outer surface  5004  and along the longitudinal axis between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . The inward extension of the outer abutments creates ramp-like surfaces on the inner surface  5002 . The third outer abutment  5030  has a height from the outer surface  5004  approximately equal to or greater than the thickness of the band or inner abutments. The third outer abutment  5030  is configured to accommodate and receive the first inner abutment  5020  when the first end  5010  abuts the inner ridge  5016  as shown in  FIG.  167   . In another variation, first end  5010  abuts a fourth inner abutment that is not configured as an inner ridge  5016  as described herein. The first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022  and the third inner abutment  5026  are substantially parallel. When the first end  5010  overlaps the second end  5012  such that the outer surface  5004  at the first end  5010  overlays and faces the inner surface  5002  at the second end  5012  in a reduced diametrical/lateral configuration, the first end  5010  is configured to contact either the first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022 , the third inner abutment  5026  or the inner ridge  5016  to variably adjust the inner diameter and then to lock and prevent further reduction in the size of the inner diameter. In one variation, all of the inner abutments including the inner ridge are substantially equally spaced apart. The first end  5010  is shown contacting the inner ridge  5016  in  FIG.  167    to configure a shield  5000  having the smallest relative inner diameter of approximately 28 mm. When the first end  5010  contacts the inner ridge  5016 , the first inner abutment  5020 , the second inner abutment  5022 , and the third inner abutment  5026  are located against the outer surface  5004  and, in particular, received in or against the third outer receiving area or abutment  5030 , second outer receiving area or abutment  5028  and the first outer receiving area or abutment  5024 , respectively. To unlock the shield  5000 , the inner-nested segment of the shield  5000 , the first end  5010  is moved toward the longitudinal axis to release the abutting surfaces. The first end  5010  is demarcated with a marker  5032  such as a tab, grip having a textured surface, or a contrast colored area such as near the top end  5006  or bottom end  5008  to serve as an indicator to the user which end of the shield  5000  is to be nested within the shield  5000  so that the abutments interlock accordingly. Also, the marker  5032  facilitates withdrawal or release of the shield  5000  from the locked configuration by providing a textured location to pull or grasp the shield. The marker  5032  may further serve a directional purpose indicating to the user which side of the shield is up if the shield is asymmetrical along the longitudinal axis. 
     Although three inner abutments  5020 ,  5022 ,  5026 , three outer abutments  5024 ,  5028 ,  5030  and one inner ridge  5016  have been described having certain spacings and angular relationships, the invention is not so limited and any number of inner abutments may be provided to provide the variable locking configurations to achieve the desired inner diameter of the working channel. Furthermore, although the gap is shown to be approximately 8 degrees in the relaxed configuration, the invention is not so limited, and the shield  5000  may have a larger gap, smaller gap or no gap. As described above, the shield  5000  is designed such that the first end  5010  serves as a functional locking edge that contacts an abutment, in particular, one or more inner abutments  5020 ,  5022 ,  5026  and/or one or more inner ridge  5016  at a time to variably select and fix the inner diameter. In another variation, the first end  5010  does not serve as a functional edge and instead an outer abutment serves as a functional locking edge as it contacts and abuts one or more inner abutments  5020 ,  5022 ,  5026 . And in yet another variation of the shield as described above, the first end  5010  and one or more outer abutments  5024 ,  5028 ,  5030  serve as functional locking edges wherein one or more than one abutment are simultaneously in contact at a fixed diametrical position. Each inner abutment forms a triangular-like ramped protrusion from the inner surface  5002  and the outer abutments form correspondingly shaped, yet larger triangular-like ramped indentations or protrusions into the outer surface  5004  configured to receive the smaller inner abutments such that the one or more inner abutment surfaces come into contact with the one or more outer abutments or are simply received in receiving areas without contact against outer abutments. In one variation, the shapes of the inner and outer abutments may further include friction-fit or snap-fit configurations to further enhance locking ability where features include ridges that provide the increased frictional lock, ledge or gate. The ramped protrusion at the inner surface  5002  facilitates expansion of the shield from a reduced configuration to an enlarged configuration. For example, when inserting the shield into an incision/orifice, the shield  5000  is first curled into a reduced configuration so that it can fit into a small incision/orifice and then the shield  5000  is uncurled into a larger diameter configuration. As the reduced configuration is uncurled into a larger diameter configuration, portions of the outer surface  5004  will ramp up and over the ramped protrusions on the inner surface  5002 . After the outer surface ramps over the inner surface, the inner abutments will come into contact with the outer abutments to create a first stop or locked position. The shield  5000  can then be uncurled further and the outer surface ramped over an inner surface protrusion in the location of the outer abutment to then come to another locked position wherein the inner abutments and the outer abutments come into contact with each other and so forth. As such, the expansion of the shield is performed in a ratchet-like fashion in which the diametrical dimension increases by degrees in a stepwise manner between locking interaction with one or more abutment. In one variation, the shield  5000  does not have an outer abutment formed in the outer surface. Instead, the shield  5000  has a receiving area for receiving the inner abutments over which the outer surface overlays to provide a flush locking position wherein the locking function is performed when an inner abutment contacts the first end  5010  or, in one variation, one or more outer abutment formed in one or more receiving area. As such, the receiving area that is not configured for abutment formed in the outer surface  5004  can have any shape at the outer surface. The inner surface in the location opposite from the receiving area may have the ramped configuration or other curved configuration that facilitates movement of the shield between a reduced configuration and an enlarged configuration. This ramping feature advantageously makes the shield  5000  easy to use because uncurling the shield into a larger diameter does not require a separate step to mechanically unlock a locked configuration. Instead, the shield is simply curled or otherwise moved circumferentially to ramp over an inner protrusion to enter an adjacent locked position of abutment in ratchet-like fashion. 
     The shield  5000  shown in  FIGS.  164 - 167    is adjustable to have four distinct inner diameter sizes. When inserted inside an incision or body orifice the shield  5000  provides protection and can conform to incisions of approximately one inch and smaller. Of course, a larger shield  5000  can be made to be placed inside larger incisions/orifices such as the vaginal canal. Such a shield may also be made to have a length that is longer than the one shown in  FIGS.  164 - 167   . The shield  5000  provides retraction of tissue at the incision/orifice. When inserted into an incision/orifice, the shield  5000  is curled into a reduced configuration to be inserted into a small incision/orifice and then the shield  5000  is uncurled into a larger diameter configuration with a plurality of locking positions available to customize the locking position of the shield. As such, the shield  5000  serves the function of retraction, enlarging the incision or orifice simultaneous with the enlargement of the shield diameter and working channel. With the shield  5000  of  FIGS.  164 - 167   , the shield provides retraction and can conform to incisions up to approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. The retraction of surrounding tissue will increase the working space and provide better stability for the user. 
     Furthermore, the shield  5000  locking mechanism is unique as it relies on radial pressure exerted onto the shield  5000  from the outside and onto the outer surface  5004 . Hence, the shield  5000  and, in particular, the locking mechanism of the shield, in one variation, functions when the shield is inserted into an incision size equal to or less than the inner diameter of the smallest reduced configuration of the shield. The surrounding tissue will exert a radial force circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the shield  5000  that forces the first end  5010  into abutment with one or more of the inner abutments or inner ridge and/or forces one or more inner abutment into abutment with one or more outer abutment. The surrounding tissue margin exerts a compressive force onto the shield. The shield is configured to take advantage of the force component that is tangential to the circumference of the shield to move the perpendicular abutments both inner and/or outer, and/or ridge and/or first end into contact with one or more other abutment or ridge, first end or other perpendicular structure, thereby, preventing the collapse of the shield while at the same time providing a locking feature. The structures of the shield that are perpendicular to the circumferential surfaces such as the abutments/ends/ridges support the structure and reinforce it making the shield stronger. Variations of the shield having locking positions and configurations in which more than one pair of abutment surfaces are in contact simultaneously for a giving locking position make the shield stronger and more capable of withstanding forces tending to collapse a retracted tissue position. To further increase the radial strength of the shield while retracting tissue and subject to tissue pressure surrounding the shield when inside a tissue opening any one or more of the abutments/ridges/ends that form contact surfaces that serve a locking function extend from the top end  5006  or nearly the top end  5006  to the bottom end  5008  or nearly the bottom end  5008 , or at least equal to or greater than 50 percent surface length of shield in order to provide strength and substantially uniform reinforcement along the a length of the shield from the top to the bottom. The tissue pressure onto the shield while it is located in an incision/orifice forces the leading edge and the outer abutments into the corresponding inner abutments and also allows the overlapping faces of the shield to sit flush within the shield due to the ridge and jog formed in the shield, the distance of which equals the width of the shield wall. Without the tissue pressure onto the shield, a shield that is configured into a reduced configuration in which surfaces are in abutment will not remain in the reduced and locked configuration because the shield is molded and biased towards a larger resting configuration. Hence, the lock is a living lock requiring tissue pressure to effect a locked configuration in one variation. The tissue pressure at the locus of incision/orifice cooperates to bring the abutment surfaces into a locking configuration and keeping it there. In use, the shield is placed into a reduced configuration from a resting configuration by first closing the gap and bringing the first end of the band into an overlapping configuration with at least part of the second end of the band. The overlapping portion is increased by curling down the band to further reduce the inner diameter to a size that will fit into an incision/orifice. The shield is inserted into the incision/orifice and released inside the incision/orifice and is subjected to pressure from the surrounding tissue arising from the incision/orifice diameter being smaller than the reduced configuration of the shield or arising from increasing the size of the shield by uncurling it from the reduced configuration. The shield is curled in a reverse direction to increase the inner diameter of the shield. Increasing the inner diameter will tend to retract tissue at the margin of the incision/orifice. The retraction of tissue will increase the bias force of the tissue back onto the shield. Reducing the amount of overlapping shield will ratchet the abutments into consecutive locked positions in which one or more abutments are in contact with each other or with an end or ridge. Contact with the abutments will prevent collapse of the shield and will fix the inner diameter. When viewed from the top along the longitudinal axis of the shield, the shield will form a spiral shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when it is in a reduced configuration. When in a resting configuration, the shield forms an open circle or open ellipse in one variation. In another variation, the first end of the shield slightly overlaps at the second end of the shield. The locking mechanism in cooperation with the tissue pressure serves to anchor the shield within the incision/orifice. An aggressive C-shaped curvature of the outer surface is not as necessary to help anchor the shield into the incision/orifice because of the lock. Without a lock, wedging a lower flange of an aggressive C-shaped outer surface into the incision/orifice and resting an upper flange against the tissue surface helps to anchor the shield with respect to the patient. The locking mechanism advantageously allows the working channel and inner diameter to be maximized without it being decreased by an aggressive C-shaped curvature to the sidewall of the band. In one variation, the shield does not have a curved profile or only a very slightly curved profile in order to maximize the inner diameter with greater reliance on the locking mechanism to anchor the shield with respect to the patient. The outward jog at the second end of the band further maximizes the inner diameter in the location where one portion of the band overlaps with another portion of the band creating a uniform and flush inner diameter instead of the inner diameter being reduced in the location of the overlap. In one variation, the shield does not have outer abutments, but instead, has receiving areas sized and configured to receive the inner abutments when the shield is spiraled to overlap inner abutments. The receiving areas prevent the overlapping band from buckling inwardly toward the central lumen. Instead, the inner abutments are received within the receiving areas to maximize the inner diameter and to create a flush arrangement of the band around the inner diameter even in the location of the overlapping portion of the band. In the most reduced configuration, in which the shield has the smallest inner diameter, the first end contacts the inner ridge and all of the inner abutments are either received in the receiving areas or are in contact with corresponding outer abutments. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  168   , there is shown another shield  5000  to illustrate another locking mechanism according to the present invention wherein like reference numbers are used to describe like parts. The first end  5010  includes a projection  5034  sized and configured to fit inside a slot  5036  formed in the second end  5012 . The abutment of the projection  5034  against the slot  5036  creates a locking configuration and prevents further reduction in the inner diameter. As seen in  FIG.  168   , the slot  5036  is substantially vertically orientated and the slot  5034  is curved to conform to the curvature of the shield band. Although one slot  5036  is shown, a plurality of slots  5036  may be provided to afford variability in locking diameters. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  169 - 170   , there is another variation of a locking shield  5000 . The shield  5000  includes a first end  5010  configured to slide into a slot  5036  formed at the second end  5012 . A plurality of slots  5036  is provided to afford variability in locking diameters. Each slot  5036  is substantially C-shaped forming a tongue  5038  behind which the first end  5010  is inserted to fix the inner diameter. The shield  5000  is unlocked by increasing the diameter by pulling apart the interlocked segments of the band. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  171   , there is another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The shield  5000  includes one or more vertical slots  5036  formed at the second end  5012 . A plurality of slots  5036  is provided to afford the shield  5000  with variable locking positions. The first end  5010  includes a projection  5034  having an outwardly extending hook  5040  that is sized and configured to be received inside any one of the slots  5036 . The hook  5040  abuts the slot  5036  openings to restrain reduction or expansion of the inner diameter. The lock is released by flexing the first end  5010  inwardly to remove the hook  5040  from the slot  5036  opening. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  172 - 174   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The shield  5000  includes a first end  5010  provided with one or more apertures  5042 . A plurality of apertures  5042  is provided to afford variable locking positions along the band to adjust the inner diameter and lock it into place as desired. The second end  5012  of the shield  5000  includes a projection  5034 . The projection  5034  includes a circular head connected to a neck portion  5044 . The projection  5034  extends radially inwardly from the inner surface  5002  of the band. Each aperture  5042  has two parts. The first part of the aperture  5042  includes an opening that is shaped to correspond to the head of the projection  5034  and sized to permit the head of the projection  5034  to pass into the aperture  5042  as shown in  FIG.  172   . As shown in  FIG.  174   , the projection  5034  is then moved into the second part of the aperture  5034  that forms a channel for the neck portion  5044  and a constraint for the head portion such that when the projection  5034  resides inside the second part of the aperture  5034 , the head portion cannot be removed unless the head portion is aligned with the first part of the aperture  5034  and passed therethrough. The slot-lock fixes the head portion of the projection  5034  at the second end  5012  in one of the apertures  5042  along the first end  5010  to fix and lock the inner diameter and prevent it from being expanded or reduced in size. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  175   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The lock includes a projection  5034  extending outwardly from the outer surface  5004  near the first end  5010 . The projection  5034  is vertically oriented. The second end  5012  includes one or more correspondingly-shaped, vertically oriented slots  5036 . A plurality of slots  5036  is provided for variability in the adjustment of the size and inner diameter of the shield  5000 . The first end  5010  is flexed inwardly and nested inside the second end  5012  to spiral the shield  5000  into a smaller inner diameter. When the desired inner diameter is achieved for the particular surgical purpose, the projection  5034  is aligned with the desired slot  5036  for the desired inner diameter and the projection  5034  is inserted into the slot  5036 . The projection  5034  abuts the slot  5036  preventing the expansion or reduction in size and inner diameter of the shield  5000 , thereby, locking the inner diameter of the shield  5000  in the desired configuration. To unlock the shield  5000 , the projection  5034  is reversed and pushed back out of the slot  5036  by flexing the first end  5010  inwardly or the second end  5012  outwardly to release the projection  5034  from the slot  5036 . In the unlocked configuration, the inner diameter may be reduced in sized so that it can be easily pulled out of the incision or body orifice. The shield  5000  may be readjusted to have an increased or decreased inner diameter and re-locked as desired while resident in the incision/orifice. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  176   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The lock includes one or more projection  5034  extending outwardly from the inner surface  5002  near one of the first end  5010  and second end  5012 . The projection  5034  is oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  and/or the longitudinal axis. In  FIG.  176   , one projection  5034  is located near the top end  5006  and another projection (not shown) is located near the bottom end  5008 . The second end  5012  includes one or more correspondingly-shaped, horizontally oriented slots  5036  that are sized and configured to receive the one or more projections  5034 . A plurality of slots  5036  is provided along the circumference of the shield  5000  to provide variability in the adjustment of the size and inner diameter and locking positions of the shield  5000 . The first end  5010  is flexed inwardly and nested inside the second end  5012  to spiral the shield  5000  into a smaller inner diameter. When the desired inner diameter is achieved for the particular surgical purpose, size of incision, orifice or tissue to be extracted, the one or more projection  5034  is aligned with a corresponding one or more slot  5036  for the desired inner diameter. Each projection  5034  is inserted into the corresponding slot  5036 . The projection  5034  abuts the slot  5036  preventing the expansion or reduction in size and inner diameter of the shield  5000 , thereby, locking the inner diameter of the shield  5000  in the desired configuration. The top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008  are uniformly locked with respect to each other. To unlock the shield  5000 , the projection  5034  is pushed back out of the slot  5036  by flexing the first end  5010  inwardly or the second end  5012  outwardly to release the projection  5034  from the slot  5036  to achieve an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the inner diameter may be reduced in sized so that it can be easily pulled out of the incision or body orifice. The shield  5000  may be readjusted to have an increased or decreased inner diameter and re-locked as desired while resident in the incision/orifice. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  177   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The lock includes at least one abutment  5020  extending outwardly from and perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  near the second end  5012 . The abutment  5020  is vertically oriented extending between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . A plurality of abutments  5020  is provided and each is spaced apart from each other from the second end  5012  to provide variability in the adjustment of the size and inner diameter of the shield  5000 . The plurality of abutments  5020  form a step-like arrangement of a plurality of curved steps along the inner surface  5002  against which the first end  5010  is configured to abut. The first end  5010  is a curved edge that corresponds to the curvature of the shield  5000 . Any size and shape abutment may be provided at one location together with a correspondingly shaped abutment such as the first end  5010  on the other side of the shield  5000  or other location along the inner or outer surface of the shield. The first end  5010  is flexed inwardly and nested inside the second end  5012 . The shield is spiraled into a smaller inner diameter. When the desired inner diameter is achieved for the particular surgical purpose, the first end  5010  or other abutment at or near the first end  5010  is aligned and placed into contact with one of the abutments  5020  near or at the other side or the second end  5012  of the shield  5000 . The contact of the first end  5010  with the abutment  5020  creates a lateral/diametrical lock that prevents reduction in the size of the shield and its inner diameter. This lock configuration, however, permits expansion of the lateral/diametrical dimension. If expansion occurs, the first end  5010  may be moved into contact with an adjacent abutment  5020  and snap against it to create another locking position. To release the lock, the first end  5010  is moved out of contact with the abutment  5020  to free the variability of shield size. In the unlocked configuration, the inner diameter may be reduced in sized so that it can be easily pulled out of the incision or body orifice. The shield  5000  may be readjusted to have an increased or decreased inner diameter and re-locked as desired. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  178   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The lock includes at least one abutment  5020  extending outwardly from and perpendicular to the inner surface  5002  near the second end  5012 . The abutment  5020  is vertically oriented extending between the top end  5006  and the bottom end  5008 . A plurality of abutments  5020  is provided and each is spaced apart from each other from the second end  5012  to provide variability in the adjustment of the size and inner diameter of the shield  5000 . The plurality of abutments  5020  form a step-like arrangement of a plurality of curved steps along the inner surface  5002  against which the first end  5010  is configured to abut. The first end  5010  is a curved edge that corresponds to the curvature of the shield  5000 . Any size and shape abutment may be provided at one location together with a correspondingly shaped abutment such as the first end  5010  on the other side of the shield  5000  or other location along the inner or outer surface of the shield. The shield  5000  further includes one or more projection  5034  extending outwardly from the inner surface  5002  and located adjacent to the at least one abutment  5020 . One projection  5034  is provided adjacent to each abutment  5020 . In the variation, shown in  FIG.  178   , three abutments  5020  are shown and three projections  5034  are shown adjacent to each abutment  5020 . The projection  5034  is cylindrical in shape but can be any shape. The abutments  5020  and the projections  5034  are associated with the second end  5012  of the band. The band includes one or more apertures  5042  formed at or near the first end  5010 . The apertures  5042  are sized and configured to receive the projections  5034  and spaced apart such that in one diametrical arrangement of the shield  5000 , all of the projections  5034  are insertable into corresponding apertures  5042 . The first end  5010  is flexed inwardly and nested inside the second end  5012 . The shield is spiraled into a smaller inner diameter. When the desired inner diameter is achieved for the particular surgical purpose, the first end  5010  or other abutment at or near the first end  5010  is aligned and placed into contact with one of the abutments  5020  near or at the other side or the second end  5012  of the shield  5000 . In doing so, the corresponding one or more projections  5034  is passed through the corresponding aperture  5042  to lock the shield into place. The contact of the first end  5010  with the abutment  5020  creates a lateral/diametrical lock that prevents reduction in the size of the shield and its inner diameter. The abutment of the projection  5034  against the aperture  5042  further creates a lateral/diametrical lock that prevents the increase as well as the reduction in the size of the shield and its inner diameter. To release the lock, the one or more projection  5034  of the second end  5012  is moved out of the one or more apertures  5042  of the first end  5042  and the first end  5010  is moved out of contact with the abutment  5020  to free the variability of shield size. In the unlocked configuration, the inner diameter may be reduced in sized so that it can be easily pulled out of the incision or body orifice. Of course, the shield  5000  may be readjusted to have an increased or decreased inner diameter and re-locked as desired. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  179 - 180   , there is shown another variation of a shield  5000  having a locking mechanism. The shield  5000  includes a plurality of corrugations  5046  around band or in at least near the first end  5010  and near the second end  5012 . The variation in  FIGS.  179 - 180    includes corrugations all the way around the circumference of the shield  5000 . The corrugations  5046  are vertically oriented folds that extend along the longitudinal axis. The folds form a plurality of peaks  5048  alternating with valleys  5050  around the circumference of the shield  5000 . The peaks  5048  project inwardly into the central lumen toward the longitudinal axis and the valleys  5050  are located between the peaks  5048 . The valleys  5050  project outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and away from the central lumen. The peaks  5048  and valleys  5050  are correspondingly shaped such that each peak  5048  is received or nested in an interlocking fashion within each valley  5050 . A peak  5048  is formed by a bend in the band. The corrugations  5046  are vertical folds or bellows that extend along the longitudinal axis. The corrugations  5046  facilitate reduction of the diametrical/lateral dimension of the shield  5000  by providing a plurality of hinge locations around the circumference. A peak  5048  at the inner surface  5002  forms a valley  5050  at the outer surface  5004 . The first end  5010  or second end  5012  is flexed inwardly and nested inside the other of the first end  5010  or second end  5012 . The shield  5000  is spiraled or curled into a smaller inner diameter. When the desired inner diameter is achieved, one or more peaks  5048  are nested within one or more valleys  5050  to create a locking configuration, as shown in  FIG.  180   , in which the reduction and expansion of the lateral/diametrical dimension of the shield  5000  is fixed. One or more peaks  5048  at the inner surface  5002  at the second end  5012  are nested into tangential, circumferential abutment within one or more valleys  5050  at the outer surface  5004  of the first end  5010 . To release the lock, the one or more peaks  5048  are removed from abutment within the one or more valleys  5050 . In the unlocked configuration, the inner diameter may be reduced in sized so that it can be easily pulled out of the incision or body orifice. Of course, the shield  5000  may be readjusted to have an increased or decreased inner diameter and re-locked as desired. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  181   , there is shown another variation of the shield  6000 . The shield  6000  is made of rigid material such as plastic or metal or other material. The shield  6000  includes a first end  6002  interconnected with a second end  6004  between an outer perimeter  6006  and an inner perimeter  6008 . Between the outer perimeter  6006  and the inner perimeter  6008 , the shield  6000  defines an inflection line that extends between the first end  6002  and the second end  6004 . The inflection line in  FIG.  181    is a curve; however, the invention is not so limited. The shield  6000  includes a flange  6010  having an upper surface  6012  opposite from a lower surface  6014  defining a thickness therebetween. The flange  6010  is substantially planar and provides a cutting-board like surface for performing manual morcellation and protecting adjoining tissue. The flange  6010  is interconnected with a depending portion  6016 . The depending portion  6016  includes an inner surface  6018  that is contiguous with the upper surface  6012  of the flange  6010 . The depending portion  6016  includes an outer surface  6020  that is contiguous with the lower surface  6014  of the flange  6010 . The depending portion  6016  is curved. In one variation, the arc defined between the first end  6002  and the second end  6004  is less than or equal to approximately 180 degrees. In another variation, the arc defined between the first end  6002  and the second end  6004  is between approximately 45 degrees and 290 degrees. The shield  6000  is configured such that the depending portion  6016  is insertable into an incision or orifice or other body opening to partially circumferentially retract the tissue margin at the incision. The depending portion  6016  serves as a hook for securing the flange  6006  at the incision site and providing protection to the surrounding tissue. The shield  6000  is rigid and cut resistant such that the surgeon can safely morcellate against the flange  6012 . The shield  6000  of  FIG.  181    can be used by itself and inserted directly into an incision/orifice or employed in combination with a retractor and/or containment bag of the like describe in this specification. A two ring retractor with webbing therebetween is inserted into the incision site or orifice and the tissue margin is retracted by rolling to top ring to wrap the webbing around the top ring as described herein. After the incision/orifice is retracted, the shield  6000  is placed inside the retractor to protect the surrounding tissue and the retractor webbing from inadvertent incision during a morcellation procedure. The flange  6010  is large enough to overlay the outer tissue such as the abdominal wall to provide a shelf/apron of protection for the patient. Although the depending portion  6016  is shown to be curved, the invention is not so limited and the depending portion may be flat or C-shaped. A C-shaped depending portion may assist in hooking the shield  6000  at the incision site. All of the methods described in this application for a guard and/or shield are interchangeable and applicable to all of the guards and shields described herein including but limited to their use with or without containment bags and/or retractors and/or other devices described herein or known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
     It is understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.