Expandable Surgical Retractor with Illuminated Cannula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical retractors are large and cumbersome, requiring long incisions that cause significant trauma to patients' muscles and tissues, and often necessitate sequential dilation methods that are invasive and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical retractors with an expandable frame and retractor blades that can be adjusted to create a working space, allowing for minimally invasive incisions and reduced tissue trauma, along with an illuminated cannula to eliminate the need for external light sources that restrict the surgical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional surgical retractors are used to provide clear view of operating field, then visibility is improved, but incision length and tissue trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system is divided into multiple adjustable blades that can be independently positioned to create optimal exposure. The frame structure is segmented into adjustable components that can be configured to match the specific surgical site geometry, allowing minimal incision access with maximal visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor features dynamically adjustable blades and frame components that can be repositioned during surgery to adapt to different surgical stages and patient anatomy. This dynamic adjustability allows the same device to provide optimal visibility for various surgical approaches without requiring larger incisions.
2Ease of operation
If sequential dilation is used to insert retractor, then access to surgical site is achieved, but tissue trauma and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are nested within the frame structure in a compact configuration that allows insertion through minimal incisions. The nested design eliminates the need for sequential dilation by enabling the entire retractor assembly to be introduced through a single small access point, then deployed to full configuration inside the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is pre-assembled in a compact, insertion-ready configuration before surgery. The blades are pre-positioned within the frame structure, eliminating the need for intraoperative assembly or sequential dilation steps. This preliminary preparation simplifies the surgical procedure and reduces tissue trauma.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple dilators are used for step-wise dilation, then incision expansion is achieved, but time and number of instruments increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor frame is segmented into adjustable components that can be independently positioned to expand the incision to the required size. This segmentation allows the incision to be expanded progressively by adjusting individual frame components rather than requiring multiple dilators, reducing both time and instrument count.
4Ease of operation
If large retractors are used to create working space, then surgical access is improved, but tissue trauma and incision size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are designed with locally optimized features including tapered distal ends for gentle tissue engagement, textured surfaces for improved grip on specific tissue types, and contoured shapes that match the anatomy of the surgical site. These local quality enhancements allow effective retraction with minimal blade size, reducing tissue trauma while maintaining surgical access.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing component that includes a cylindrical portion and a contiguous blade portion, assemblies comprising a surgical retractor assembled to at least one obtruator, illuminated surgical cannulas, and methods of using the same during a surgical procedure.