Cardiac Retractor Single Incision Merging Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac retractors used in minimally invasive surgery require multiple incisions, complicating the surgical process and increasing recovery times, as they need separate access points for the retractor and a manipulator/stabilizer to maintain alignment.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac retractor design featuring a fixed collar, inner tube, and keyed link system that allows for deployment through a single incision, utilizing a deployment cable mechanism to open and close the retractor, enabling alignment and surgical access without additional incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cardiac retractors are used in minimally invasive surgery, then the retractor can maintain alignment through manipulator/stabilizer coupling, but multiple access incisions are required which increases surgical complexity and recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the manipulator/stabilizer function and the retractor function into a single integrated device. The retractor includes an outer tube with a proximal end for insertion through a single incision, and an inner tube that rotates within the outer tube to provide both stabilization and retraction functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate manipulator and retractor instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the inner tube is positioned within the outer tube. The inner tube can rotate relative to the outer tube while both are inserted through a single incision site. This nested configuration allows the device to maintain alignment stability through the rotation mechanism while requiring only one access point
2Ease of operation
If multiple access incisions are made for retractor deployment, then proper retractor alignment can be achieved, but perioperative pain and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the alignment function and retraction function into a single instrument that can be deployed through one incision. The inner tube's rotation capability provides the necessary alignment control while the integrated structure eliminates multiple puncture sites, directly reducing recovery time and patient discomfort
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single incision is used for retractor deployment, then perioperative pain and recovery time are reduced, but maintaining retractor alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic functionality through the rotatable inner tube within the outer tube. This rotation mechanism allows the surgeon to dynamically adjust the retractor's alignment and orientation after insertion through a single incision, providing alignment control that would otherwise require multiple access points. The dynamic adjustment capability compensates for the limitation of single-incision deployment
Data Source
AI summary
A cardiac retractor is disclosed. The cardiac retractor has an outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a fixed collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed link fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has an inner tube rotatable within the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed key coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube and configured to rotate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a keyed link coupled to a distal end of the outer tube.