Expandable Surgical Access Device with Pliable Membrane for Infection Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical retractors are difficult to use, require additional time and personnel, and often necessitate multiple devices due to their fixed sizes, leading to increased healthcare costs and infection risks, particularly in procedures like colorectal surgery where large incisions are required, and they do not effectively address the challenge of surgical site infections (SSIs).
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device featuring a pliable membrane and expandable retention members with a locking mechanism, allowing for adjustable incision sizes and integrated fluid delivery and removal functions to reduce the risk of SSIs by providing barrier wound protection and improved access to the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size surgical retractors are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different incision sizes is reduced and multiple devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical retractor incorporates an expandable retention member with linkages that can dynamically adjust the size of the incision opening. The retention member transitions from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, allowing the device to adapt to different incision sizes while maintaining a single-device solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable retention member is designed with nested linkages that can be collapsed into a compact form for insertion and then expanded to provide the required incision size. This nesting principle allows the device to maintain simplicity in its stored state while providing adaptability during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-size retractors are used to accommodate different incision sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical retractor is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple incision sizes through its expandable retention member. This single device performs the function of multiple fixed-size retractors, eliminating the need for personnel to select and switch between different device sizes during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic expandability of the retention member allows the device to be easily adjusted to different configurations during surgery, improving ease of operation by eliminating the need to handle multiple fixed-size devices.
3Productivity
If fixed-size retractors are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to additional time and personnel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable retention member with its dynamic configuration capability allows the surgical procedure to proceed more efficiently. The device can be quickly adjusted to the required incision size without requiring additional personnel or time to select and install multiple fixed-size retractors.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the functionality of multiple fixed-size retractors into a single expandable unit, improving productivity by eliminating the need for additional personnel and time associated with handling multiple devices during the surgical procedure.
4Reliability
If barrier wound protection is provided, then surgical site infection risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable membrane providing barrier wound protection is integrated with the expandable retention member structure. This merging of the barrier function with the retraction mechanism provides surgical site infection prevention without requiring a separate complex barrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
A pliable membrane is used to provide barrier wound protection. The flexible nature of this thin film allows it to conform to the expandable retention member structure, providing effective infection prevention while maintaining device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access device and methods for facilitating access through an incision or wound to a surgical site in a patient's body comprising an inferior retention member, a superior retention member, and a pliable membrane therebetween. The pliable membrane includes a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer, and a fluid delivery region disposed between the layers. The fluid delivery region is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. The fluid is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane. The inferior retention member provides for fluid removal from the surgical site. Methods are provided for use of the surgical access device to retract tissue and deliver fluid to the tissue from the pliable membrane.