Bidirectional Cross-Midline Tissue Retract
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical retractors/stabilizers are not optimized for procedures requiring access to only one side of the patient, as they often retract/stabilize the entire panniculus, which is not necessary for surgeries like hip surgery, leading to inefficient tissue management and access challenges.
Innovation Solution
A retractor/stabilizer with a top layer and backing layer, featuring adhesive, grasping panels, and tabs that allow for bidirectional retraction and stabilization of excessive/redundant tissue, enabling selective tissue management and improved access to target sites without full panniculus retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-panniculus retractor/stabilizer is used, then complete tissue stabilization is achieved, but device complexity and procedural inefficiency increase for procedures requiring only unilateral access
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor/stabilizer is divided into a left side portion and a right side portion, allowing selective application to only the required side for procedures such as hip surgery, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate tissue stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor provides differentiated functionality with grasping panels positioned at specific locations (upper inner corner, lower outer edge) to apply localized retraction forces only where needed for unilateral access procedures, rather than stabilizing the entire panniculus
2Ease of operation
If the retractor is pulled in a cephalad direction only, then application is simplified, but access to lateral and posterior areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor design incorporates multiple grasping panels positioned at different orientations (upper inner corner for diagonal/cross-midline access, lower outer edge for lateral access) that enable bidirectional retraction forces, adding dimensional versatility to the application while maintaining ease of use through intuitive grasping points
3Ease of operation
If the backing layer is completely removed, then application to the patient is facilitated, but control during positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backing layer is segmented into removable portions and retained portions, where specific sections can be peeled away to expose adhesive for patient application while other sections remain attached to provide continuous control and support during the positioning process
Solution Approach 2:
The partially retained backing layer serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for adhesive exposure and the need for control, allowing the operator to maintain grip on the retractor while progressively applying it to the patient's tissue
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 efficient repositioning and stabilization of excessive/redundant tissue, reducing the distance to target areas, enhancing surgical access and procedural efficiency, while minimizing tissue compression and improving anatomical alignment for procedures like hip surgery and imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The top layer has an adhesive applied thereto which is exposed when the backing layer is separated from the top layer to enable the top layer to be applied to a surface
Data Source
AI summary
A die-cuttable retractor/stabilizer for repositioning and stabilizing excessive and/or redundant tissue comprises a top layer and a backing layer. An adhesive on the top layer is exposed when the backing layer is separated from the top layer to enable the top layer to be applied to a surface. The retractor/stabilizer comprises a body having a top edge, side edges and a bottom edge. A tab portion is associated with the removable panel, such that the backing layer remains with the tab portion and the tab portion can be used to remove at least a portion of the backing layer from the retractor/stabilizer body. The retractor/stabilizer additionally includes at least one protected grasping/holding area located at an edge or corner of said retractor/holding area as the backing layer is removed from the body to provide a protected holding area once the backing layer has been removed from the body.