Novel retractor device applied to subclavian approach endoscopic thyroid surgery
By designing a novel retractor device with a unique structure, the problems of insufficient exposure and inadequate protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery were solved. This achieved full exposure of the upper pole of the thyroid gland and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, thus improving the safety and precision of the surgery.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANDONG UNIV QILU HOSPITAL
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing laparoscopic retractors have limited exposure range in subclavian laparoscopic thyroid surgery, especially insufficient exposure of the upper pole of the thyroid gland, and insufficient protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, resulting in inflexible surgical operation and a high risk of nerve damage.
A novel hook device, comprising a handheld device, an upper hook, and a lower hook, has been designed. Made of stainless steel, it features a unique structural design and angle adjustment function, which can significantly improve the exposure of the upper pole of the thyroid gland and surrounding nerve structures, protect the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and avoid tracheal obstruction.
It significantly improves the exposure of the upper pole of the thyroid gland and surrounding important neural structures, reduces the risk of bleeding and nerve damage, and ensures surgical safety and precision.
Smart Images

Figure CN224125993U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model mainly relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically a novel retractor device used in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery exhibits significant advantages over other approaches such as the axillary, trans-thoracic, trans-areolar, and transoral approaches: the surgical path is shorter, the procedure is more direct and convenient, and the use of a pneumatic cavity construction method avoids carbon dioxide accumulation, resulting in a clear surgical field; the incision is located below the clavicle, offering excellent concealment and cosmetic results; it better protects important structures such as nerves during the procedure, reducing complications and alleviating postoperative swallowing difficulties; furthermore, this technique has broad applicability and is suitable for treating various thyroid diseases. Therefore, subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery is widely favored due to its minimally invasive nature and rapid recovery. However, effectively exposing and protecting the superior pole of the thyroid gland and the recurrent laryngeal nerve during the procedure remains a technical challenge.
[0003] In existing technologies, some endoscopic retractors have been used in thyroid surgery, such as the thyroid surgery retractors disclosed in certain patents. Although they can assist in exposing the surgical field to a certain extent, their operational flexibility and exposure effect still need to be improved in subclavian approach surgery. Most of these existing technologies have problems such as limited exposure range (especially exposure of the upper pole of the thyroid gland) and insufficient protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, this utility model aims to provide a novel retractor device for use in subclavian approach endoscopic thyroid surgery. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a novel retractor device for use in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model employs the following technical solution:
[0006] A novel retractor device for use in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery includes a handheld device, the two ends of which are fixedly connected to an upper retractor and a lower retractor, respectively. The upper retractor includes a horizontal end and a vertical end, both of which are cylindrical. The bottom end of the lower retractor includes a horizontal end and a vertical end, both of which are flat rectangles. The handheld device includes a left holding end, a right holding end, and a partition block.
[0007] The handheld device, upper hook, and lower hook are made of stainless steel.
[0008] The bottom of the vertical end is provided with a thread.
[0009] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0010] This invention presents a novel retractor specifically designed for subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery, suitable for both unilateral and bilateral total thyroidectomy. Its core lies in its unique structural design and operating mechanism. Through innovative angle adjustment and traction functions, this retractor significantly improves the exposure of the superior pole of the thyroid gland and surrounding important nerve structures, overcoming the problems of insufficient exposure, high bleeding risk, and nerve damage in existing techniques. Simultaneously, its special design bypasses tracheal obstruction, effectively exposing the contralateral recurrent laryngeal nerve, ensuring surgical safety and precision. The scope of protection of this invention covers the structural design, manufacturing method, and application of this retractor in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery. Attached Figure Description
[0011] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.
[0012] The following labels are shown in the attached diagram: 1. Handheld device; 2. Upper hook; 3. Lower hook; 4. Horizontal end; 5. Vertical end; 6. Horizontal end; 7. Vertical end; 8. Left holding end; 9. Right holding end; 10. Divider block. Detailed Implementation
[0013] The present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the present invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined in this application.
[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, a novel retractor device for laparoscopic thyroid surgery via a subclavian approach includes a handheld device 1. The two ends of the handheld device 1 are fixedly connected to an upper retractor 2 and a lower retractor 3, respectively. The upper retractor 2 includes a horizontal end 4 and a vertical end 5, which are cylindrical. The bottom end of the lower retractor 3 includes a horizontal end 6 and a vertical end 7, which are flat rectangles. The handheld device 1 includes a left holding end 8, a right holding end 9, and a partition block 10.
[0015] Furthermore, the handheld device 1, the upper hook 2, and the lower hook 3 are made of stainless steel.
[0016] Furthermore, the bottom of the vertical end 5 is provided with threads.
[0017] Working principle:
[0018] In subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery, when dealing with the upper pole of the thyroid gland, hold the right end of the hand and hook the upper retractor outward and upward to the omohyoid muscle, thereby better exposing the upper pole of the thyroid gland, making the treatment of the larynx entry point, the transection of the upper pole blood vessels, and the location of the superior laryngeal nerve simpler.
[0019] When performing a total thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach, after locating the contralateral recurrent laryngeal nerve at the contralateral lower pole, gradually separate upwards along the recurrent laryngeal nerve. When separating the recurrent laryngeal nerve near its entry point into the larynx, you can hold the right end of the hand and place the left vertical end threaded above the trachea, pressing the trachea outwards and downwards to help expose the entry point of the recurrent laryngeal nerve into the larynx, thus facilitating the successful completion of the contralateral thyroidectomy.
Claims
1. A novel retractor device for use in subclavian endoscopic thyroid surgery, characterized in that, The device includes a handheld device (1), which is fixedly connected to an upper hook (2) and a lower hook (3) at both ends. The upper hook (2) includes a horizontal end (4) and a vertical end (5), which are cylindrical. The lower hook (3) has a horizontal end (6) and a vertical end (7) at its bottom, which are flat rectangles. The handheld device (1) includes a left holding end (8), a right holding end (9), and a partition block (10).
2. The new type of retractor device applied to subclavicular approach endoscopic thyroid surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handheld device (1), the upper hook (2) and the lower hook (3) are made of stainless steel.
3. The new type of retractor device applied to subclavicular approach endoscopic thyroid surgery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical end (5) has a threaded bottom.