Arthroscopic Retractor With Overlapping Claws for Wide Wound Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractors used in arthroscopic surgery fail to effectively secure a sufficient work space and maintain a wide opening of the wound area, leading to reduced workability due to linear extension and obstruction issues during claw portion insertion.
Innovation Solution
A retractor design with a pair of first arm portions and a second arm portion, featuring claw portions that overlap in a closed state for easy insertion and separate to open the wound area widely, ensuring deep hanging and three-point abutment for secure expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If claw portions protrude orthogonally to the arm portion extension direction, then insertion depth increases, but the arm portion becomes an obstacle and hanging becomes shallow
Solution Approach 1:
The claw portions are configured to protrude in the extension direction of the arm portions rather than orthogonally, changing the dimensional orientation of the claw portions relative to the arm portions. This allows the claw portions to extend beyond the arm portions in the same direction, increasing insertion depth without the arm portion interfering with the hanging stability on the wound area entrance edge
2Area of stationary object
If two retractors are used to open wound area in quadrangular shape, then work space can be secured, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple retractors into a single retractor by providing multiple first arm portions (at least two) with claw portions that can abut different positions of the wound area entrance edge. This single retractor with multiple arm portions can open the wound area in a quadrangular shape and secure adequate work space, eliminating the need to use multiple separate retractors
3Shape
If claw portions are positioned to abut mutually different positions, then wound area does not linearly extend, but device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple claw portions are combined into a single retractor device, where each first arm portion has a claw portion that can abut different positions of the wound area entrance edge. The claw portions are arranged to extend in the extension direction of their respective arm portions, allowing them to abut different positions without requiring complex positioning mechanisms, thereby preventing linear extension of the wound area while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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 retractor provides a sufficient work space for arthroscopic surgeries by preventing linear extension and maintaining a wide opening, allowing for effective use of surgical instruments and endoscopes, and facilitating the application of formulations for joint treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a base end side of the second arm portion being rotatably coupled with the first arm portions via a shaft portion
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor is provided that can form a joint cavity internal space for a field of view for an endoscope and practice of a treatment in a state where a wound area is spread. A retractor includes first arm portions 2 and 3 and a second arm portion 4 positioned between the first arm portions 2 and 3. The first arm portions 2 and 3 include first claw portions 12 and 13 to be hung on a wound area entrance edge. The second arm portion 4 includes a second claw portion 14 to be hung on the wound area entrance edge. When the first arm portions 2 and 3 and the second arm portion 4 are in a closed state, the first claw portions 12 and 13 and the second claw portion 14 overlap with each other.