Textile Displacement Wrap for Minimizing Soft Tissue Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical methods for shoulder repair procedures often cause unnecessary damage to tissues like the subscapularis tendon due to the use of retractors and metal clamps, which apply unnatural tension and hinder visualization and access to the surgical site.
Innovation Solution
A displacement wrap made of textile or silicone materials with locking features, such as slits, that can be securely positioned around the tissue to minimize damage by distributing tension and allowing for controlled movement of the tissue out of the way, improving access to the surgical site without detachment from its natural attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional retractors and metal clamps are used to move tissue out of the way, then access to the surgical site is improved, but tissue damage increases due to unnatural tension and gripping forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a textile wrap as an intermediary device between the surgeon's manipulation and the tissue. The wrap engages the tissue through friction and distributed pressure rather than direct clamping, mediating the interaction to reduce harmful concentrating forces while maintaining tissue displacement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible textile wrap instead of rigid metal clamps or retractors. The flexible nature of the textile allows it to conform to tissue contours and distribute forces across a larger surface area, reducing localized stress and preventing tissue damage while maintaining effective tissue displacement
2Ease of operation
If tissue is detached from its natural attachment points to provide access, then surgical access is improved, but healing time increases and tissue function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tissue displacement function from the attachment-detachment mechanism. Instead of detaching tissue from its natural attachments to move it, the textile wrap is introduced to mechanically displace the tissue while it remains attached, separating the displacement function from the attachment status
Solution Approach 2:
The textile wrap serves as a mediator that enables tissue displacement without requiring detachment from natural attachments. It provides the mechanical means to move tissue out of the surgical path while preserving the tissue's anatomical connections, thereby maintaining tissue function and reducing healing requirements
3Ease of operation
If metal clamps are used to hold tissue in position, then tissue manipulation is simplified, but unnatural tension is applied to the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid metal clamps with a flexible textile wrap that distributes tension forces across a larger surface area of the tissue. The flexibility of the textile allows it to adapt to tissue movement and reduces concentrating stresses, thereby simplifying manipulation while minimizing unnatural tension
Solution Approach 2:
The textile wrap can be segmented or folded to create multiple engagement points with the tissue, distributing the holding force across several locations rather than concentrating it at a single clamp point. This segmentation reduces localized tension while maintaining overall tissue position control
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for improved access to a surgical site are the basis of the present disclosure. The improved access can be provided by way of a displacement wrap that can be used to engage tissue that impedes access to the surgical site. The displacement wrap, which can be a textile, can be wrapped around the tissue and subsequently manipulated to move the wrap, and thus the tissue, out of the way to improve access. The displacement wrap includes locking features formed in it that allow for selective tensioning of the tissue being engaged and moved. The locking features can engage another portion of the wrap and/or can be engaged by another component associated with the wrap, such as a locking suture. Methods of using the wrap in various surgical procedures that would benefit from moving tissue to improve surgical site access are also provided.