Abdominal Stabilizer for Pannus Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pannus retraction systems for procedures like Cesarean sections are cumbersome, require multiple staff members, and can cause skin discomfort and embarrassment, especially for obese patients, as they hinder skin-to-skin contact and are impractical for solo application.
Innovation Solution
An abdominal stabilizer with a central region for the abdomen, proximal and distal ends for back immobilization, and adhesive inner surfaces that form an X-shaped structure with straps for additional chest support, allowing for easy, single-user application and durable adhesion to lift the pannus effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pannus retraction systems are used, then pannus retraction is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and requires multiple staff members
Solution Approach 1:
The abdominal stabilizer is divided into distinct functional segments: a central region for abdominal placement, proximal and distal ends for back immobilization, and optional chest straps. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall pannus retraction effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive inner surface enables the device to self-secure to the patient's body without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or multiple staff members for application. The adhesive property allows the stabilizer to maintain its position and provide continuous pannus retraction automatically once applied, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and multiple operators.
2Reliability
If traditional pannus retraction systems are used, then pannus retraction is achieved, but application time and manpower increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive inner surface is pre-prepared and integrated into the stabilizer structure, allowing for rapid application to the patient's abdomen and back without requiring separate fastening steps. The chest straps are pre-positioned to form an X-shaped structure, enabling quick securing. This preliminary preparation of adhesive surfaces and strap configurations significantly reduces application time while maintaining effective pannus retraction.
3Reliability
If traditional pannus retraction systems are used, then pannus retraction is achieved, but skin discomfort and embarrassment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The abdominal stabilizer utilizes a flexible, thin-film adhesive surface that conforms to the patient's body contours without creating rigid pressure points or skin folds. This flexible design allows the stabilizer to move with the patient's body while maintaining secure adhesion and effective pannus retraction, thereby reducing skin discomfort and patient embarrassment compared to rigid traditional systems.
4Reliability
If traditional pannus retraction systems are used, then pannus retraction is achieved, but skin-to-skin contact is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The abdominal stabilizer is designed to be applied only to the necessary areas (abdomen and back) for effective pannus retraction, leaving the chest and other areas exposed. The optional chest straps can be adjusted or removed to allow skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant during Cesarean sections, while the core stabilizer maintains pannus retraction effectiveness. This selective application extracts only the minimum necessary coverage, preserving skin-to-skin contact opportunities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The abdominal stabilizer facilitates efficient and discreet pannus retraction, reducing application time and manpower, preventing skin folds, and ensuring skin-to-skin contact during procedures, making it more reliable and comfortable for patients.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface includes an adhesive operational to adhere to the skin of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to an abdominal stabilizer that is operational to wrap around an abdomen of a subject. The abdominal stabilizer includes a central region operational to be placed on the subject's abdomen, a proximal end operational to be immobilized on a first back region of the subject, a distal end on the opposite side of the proximal end that is operational to be immobilized on a second back region of the subject, an outer surface operational to face away from the subject, and an inner surface operational to face towards the subject. The abdominal stabilizers may also include a first strap and a second strap positioned above the central region and operational to adhere to a chest region of the subject. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of lifting an abdominal pannus of a subject through the utilization of the aforementioned abdominal stabilizers.