Elastic Retractaor Body for Mitral Valve Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreaders for the atrium in heart surgery do not effectively maintain an unobstructed view and instrument access to the mitral valve while being reliably fixed in position during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cone-shaped retractor body made of elastically deformable material, with a gap in its wall that can be compressed for insertion and expand for tissue spread, and a pivotable fixing rod for secure positioning without obstructing the surgical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a retractor body is made expandable to provide wide exposure, then the view and access to the mitral valve is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for expansion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor body is designed to be dynamically expandable from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded exposure configuration. The expandable structure allows the device to transform its geometry during the procedure, providing wide exposure when needed while maintaining a small profile for minimally invasive insertion through the right atrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor body employs a nested structure where components can be collapsed or folded into one another during insertion, similar to nested dolls. This allows the device to be introduced through a small incision in the right atrium and then deployed to provide extensive exposure of the mitral valve and left atrium.
2Reliability
If rods or clamps are used to secure the retractor body, then the reliability of positioning is improved, but they may obstruct the view and surgical process
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is extracted from the surgical field by extending the rod through the thorax wall outside the body. This allows the retractor body to be securely positioned within the heart while the fixation component is removed from the visual and operational path of the surgeon, eliminating obstruction of the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod serves as an intermediary element that connects the retractor body to the external fixing point. It transmits the positioning force from outside the body to the retractor inside the heart, allowing secure fixation without requiring any obstructive components within the surgical field.
3Ease of operation
If the retractor body is made of elastically deformable material, then the ease of insertion is improved through compression, but the strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The material properties of the retractor body are strategically selected to exhibit elastic deformability that allows compression for insertion while maintaining sufficient structural strength for expansion and fixation. The elastic characteristics enable the device to be compressed into a small configuration for minimally invasive insertion and then expand to provide robust exposure and positioning capability.
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 body provides optimal exposure and access to the mitral valve by securely maintaining its position throughout the surgery without obstructing the view or instrument access.
Implementation Method 1
The wall of the retractor body is made of a flat material, which can be elastically deformed from its stress-free initial form. In a surface line, the wall is divided by an axially extending gap. Thus, it is possible to compress the retractor body against the elastic restoring force of its wall to a smaller diameter, wherein the retractor body elastically spreads back to its initial form when force is no longer applied to the wall.
Data Source
AI summary
A spreader for the atrium of the heart is disclosed, particularly for the exposure of the mitral valve, having a thin-walled axially continuous hollow retractor body, the diameter of which expands from a distal edge to a proximal edge. The wall of the retractor body is made of an elastically deformable flat material, preferably of a shape memory metal. At the proximal edge of the retractor body, a receptacle is arranged, into which a fixing rod for positioning and fixing the retractor body can be inserted.