Adhesive Retractor for Excess Tissue Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices require separate retractors and wound exposure devices, leading to skin irritation and additional procedural steps, as they need to be removed and reapplied post-surgery, which complicates tissue management and wound healing for obese patients with excessive or redundant tissue.
Innovation Solution
A multi-ply adhesive device that can retract excess tissue during surgery and maintain it away from the wound site post-operatively, featuring a top layer, a backing layer, and a middle layer with adhesive, allowing for secure retraction and easy removal without skin irritation, utilizing stretchable and non-stretchable materials for comfort and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate retractors and wound exposure devices are used, then tissue retraction during surgery is achieved, but skin irritation and procedural complexity increase due to removal and reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retractor function and wound exposure device function into a single integrated adhesive device. The device includes a retractor portion with adhesive material that secures excess tissue away from the surgical site during surgery, and simultaneously provides wound exposure functionality. This eliminates the need to remove and reapply a separate device, thereby preventing skin irritation while maintaining effective tissue retraction.
2Reliability
If separate retractors and wound exposure devices are used, then tissue retraction during surgery is achieved, but procedural complexity increases due to multiple application steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device structure. The adhesive device comprises a retractor portion and a wound exposure portion that work together as one unit. The retractor portion secures excess tissue while the wound exposure portion maintains visibility and access to the surgical site. This single-device solution reduces procedural complexity by eliminating the need for separate application and removal steps.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If adhesive devices are used for extended wear, then wound healing is facilitated by maintaining tissue away from wound site, but skin irritation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different adhesive materials in different portions of the device to optimize performance for specific functions. The retractor portion uses an adhesive material formulated for extended wear and secure tissue attachment, while the wound exposure portion uses a different adhesive material that is gentler on the skin and promotes healing. This localized differentiation of adhesive properties allows the device to remain in place for extended periods without causing skin irritation.
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
Facilitates both surgical procedures and wound healing by securely retracting excess tissue during and after surgery, reducing procedural complexity and skin irritation, while allowing for extended wear to maintain tissue away from the wound site, promoting healing.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive material can be any adhesive material known in the art, including, but not limited to, acrylic, cyanoacrylate, and silicone adhesives
Implementation Method 2
The middle layer can comprise any number of middle plies. Each middle ply can be stretchable in at least one direction
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary adhesive retractor is provided for supporting a patient's excess/redundant tissue to maintain the excess/redundant tissue away from an incision or other existing wound. The retractor defines a top-to-bottom length and a side-to-side width greater than one-half the top-to-bottom length, and comprises a stretchable, air-permeable fabric layer adherable directly to the excess/redundant tissue by means of a silicone gel adhesive which coats at least a substantial portion of a bottom surface of the fabric layer. When the retractor is placed in tension upon application of the retractor to a patient, due to the weight of the excess/redundant tissue, forces generated by the weight of the excess/redundant tissue are transferred through the gel adhesive to the fabric layer, such that the gel substantially protects the dermis of the patient from sheer forces generated by the weight of the excess/redundant tissue being evenly distributed to the dermis of the patient.