Surgical Retractor With Adjustable Tilting Blades
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical retractors for minimally invasive procedures lack the ability to provide a clear and adjustable path to the operating field, especially in spinal surgery, where nerve compression issues require precise access and visualization.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor with a blade holder and adjustable blades that can tilt and extend, allowing for customizable retraction through a length adjustment mechanism and angle adjustment, along with removable blades and shims to optimize tissue retraction and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgical procedures are used, then tissue destruction is reduced and recovery time is shortened, but the ability to provide a clear operating field is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into multiple independent blade assemblies that can be inserted through separate incisions. Each blade assembly operates independently to retract tissue, allowing the surgeon to create a clear operating field through multiple small portals rather than requiring a single large incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assemblies are configured to engage tissue from multiple angles and dimensions. The blades can be positioned at different orientations and depths, creating a three-dimensional retraction field that provides clear access to the surgical site while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
2Device complexity
If fixed blade retractors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different surgical sites and tissue types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor features adjustable blade assemblies that can be dynamically reconfigured during surgery. The blades can be positioned at different angles, extended to varying lengths, and adjusted to different depths, allowing the device to adapt to different surgical sites and tissue types without increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assemblies are designed with universal adjustability features that allow a single retractor device to perform multiple functions across different surgical applications. The same basic structure can be configured for various incision sizes, tissue types, and surgical approaches, making the device versatile without requiring multiple specialized tools.
3Ease of operation
If multiple blade assemblies are used to improve retraction, then operating field access is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple blade assemblies are merged into a single integrated retractor structure that can be controlled as a unified system. The blade assemblies share common mounting mechanisms and control features, allowing them to work together to create a clear operating field while avoiding the complexity of completely separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various embodiments that related to a surgical retractor. In certain embodiments, the retractor may include a blade holder with a single blade tilting mechanism capable of adjusting the angle of a plurality of pivoting blades relative to the blade holder. In certain embodiments, the adjustment occurs from the proximal face or top of the retractor. In other embodiments, blade supports are used to couple the blade holder to a variety of removable blades of different lengths. In certain embodiments, the blades may be a translucent material capable of transmitting light from a proximal portion of the blade to a distal portion. In some embodiments, the distance between the blade holder and the removable blades may be adjusted.