Deep Orbital Access Retractor with Flexible Articulating Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical orbital retractors are rigid and fail to conform to the unique contours of the orbit, leading to gaps that allow soft tissues to obstruct the surgical field, prolonging operations and increasing the risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and expandable deep orbital access retractor with a compressible handle and a flexible head section that articulates to fit the orbital walls, using a hinge-like structure for asymmetrical movement and a diaphragm to maintain tension for retraction without obstructing the view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid retractors are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to conform to orbital walls is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into a rigid handle section and a flexible head section. The head section includes multiple arms that can move independently relative to each other, allowing each segment to conform to the orbital wall contours while the handle maintains structural strength for surgical manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the head section can articulate and adjust its configuration. The arms can move relative to the handle and to each other, enabling the retractor to adapt to varying orbital anatomies during surgery.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid retractors are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but gaps between retractor and bony walls are created
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible head section with multiple articulated arms provides a segmented structure that can be manufactured separately from the handle, allowing for precise fitting to bony walls while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The head section utilizes flexible materials that can conform to the contours of orbital walls, creating a sealed barrier without gaps. This flexibility allows the retractor to match the unique anatomy of each patient's orbit while remaining manufacturable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid retractors are used, then structural stability is maintained, but soft tissue compression injury is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the rigid handle from the flexible head allows the retractor to provide stable structural support where needed while using flexible materials in contact with soft tissues to distribute pressure and prevent compression injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible head section made of compliant materials contacts and supports soft tissues without concentrating compressive forces, thereby preventing injury while maintaining the structural stability needed for surgical retraction.
4Ease of operation
If rigid retractors are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but visualization is impeded due to soft tissue spill
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arms can be independently positioned and secured against orbital walls, providing stable retraction that clears soft tissues from the surgical field and improves visualization while remaining easy to manipulate through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible head section conforms to orbital contours to create an effective barrier that prevents soft tissue from spilling into the operative field, thereby improving visualization and detection of bony structures during surgery.
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 effective tissue retraction with minimal obstruction, reducing operative time and complications by conforming to the orbit's irregular shape and maintaining a sealed barrier, allowing precise surgical access.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible diaphragm attached to and extending between said to arms to provide a generally spoon-shaped flexible head section... when compression is released the flexible diaphragm develops sufficient tension and rigidity for applying sufficient force to retract the orbital contents
Implementation Method 2
the flange material enveloping and enclosing the two arms and the gap may have a material density variation in a vicinity of the gap configured to produce a hinge-like structure of the distal tip section that provides asymmetrical or universal movement and out-of-plane movement of the distal ends of the arms
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a deep orbital access retractor (DOAR) device which includes a manipulable body section including a compressible handle having a size and shape to be manipulated by at least two (2) digits of a clinician. A flexible head section having two (2) arms with each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, with the distal ends of the arms spaced apart forming a gap there-between at a distal tip section. A flexible flange material envelops and encloses the two arms and the gap and extends around a periphery of the flexible head section. A flexible diaphragm is attached to and extends between the two arms to provide a generally spoon-shaped flexible head section. The flexible head section is linked to the compressible handle section with the linkage being configured such that upon compression of the handle section the arms articulate with respect to each other thereby causing narrowing of the flexible head section to allow for insertion into the orbit and positioning between soft tissue and bone while the flexible diaphragm remains in sufficient tension to not obstruct the view of the operator into the orbit. When compression is released the flexible diaphragm develops sufficient tension and rigidity for applying sufficient force to retract the orbital contents of a patient to allow access to orbital walls.