Biportal Endoscopic Retractor for Stable Port Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biportal endoscopic surgery requires precise triangulation between the endoscope and surgical instruments, which is challenging for less experienced surgeons, and frequent instrument traversals through ports risk tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A retractor device with a head, tail, and elongate member that engages with both ports to maintain triangulation, retract tissue, and minimize instrument movement, using pivot zones and flanges to stabilize the surgical instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation is maintained between endoscope and instruments, then surgical precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into distinct segments: head portion, elongate member, and tail portion. Each segment performs a specific function - the head engages with the endoscope, the elongate member spans between ports, and the tail retracts tissue. This segmentation allows the complex function of maintaining triangulation to be achieved through coordinated simple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor acts as an intermediary device that connects and coordinates the endoscope and surgical instruments. By engaging the endoscope through the head portion and spanning between ports via the elongate member, it mediates the spatial relationship between viewing and working ports, automatically maintaining triangulation without requiring complex active control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If instruments traverse the working port frequently, then surgical manipulation flexibility is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is deployed before surgical instruments are inserted, establishing the triangulation geometry and retracting tissue in advance. This preliminary positioning creates a stable working environment that reduces the need for frequent instrument adjustments and re-traversals through the port.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains triangulation geometry, retracts tissue to expose the surgical field, and stabilizes the relative positions of ports and instruments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate devices and minimizes port traversals.
3Ease of operation
If endoscope and instruments move independently, then surgical freedom of movement is improved, but triangulation maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor automatically maintains triangulation through its mechanical structure without requiring active control. As instruments and endoscope move within their respective ports, the elongate member spanning between ports and the head engaging the endoscope passively maintain the geometric relationship, making triangulation maintenance self-regulating.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a retractor to maintain triangulation during biportal endoscopic surgery, the retractor comprising: a head and a tail connected by an elongate member; wherein: the head is adapted to engage with a central portion adjacent the tail; a first portion of the elongate member is adapted to engage with a surgical instrument; and the retractor is adapted to traverse a working port and a viewing port such that, in use, the tail is advanced into the head to retract tissue surrounding the working port and the viewing port.