Expandable Surgical Access Device for Infection Control
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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 varying incision 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 prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device comprising a first retention ring, a second retention ring that expands from a collapsed to an expanded configuration, and a pliable membrane between the rings, which can deliver and remove fluid to and from the surgical site, allowing for adjustable incision expansion and improved access while reducing SSI risk through enhanced fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical retractors are used to accommodate varying incision sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical retractor incorporates an expandable ring structure that can dynamically adjust its diameter to match different incision sizes. The ring expands from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state during surgery, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size devices. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling one device to perform the function previously requiring multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical retractor integrates multiple functions into a single device: tissue retraction, fluid delivery, and fluid removal. The device can accommodate various incision sizes through its expandable structure, eliminating the need for multiple specialized retractors. This multi-functionality directly addresses the contradiction by reducing the number of devices needed while maintaining adaptability across different surgical scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If traditional surgical retractors are used, then incision access is achieved, but surgical site infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical retractor introduces fluid management as an intermediary mechanism to reduce infection risk. Fluid can be delivered through the device to irrigate the surgical site and remove debris, while fluid removal capability drains excess fluids that could harbor bacteria. This intermediary fluid management system addresses the infection risk without compromising the primary function of incision access.
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the potential harm of fluid accumulation at the surgical site into a benefit by providing active fluid removal capability. Excess fluids that could promote bacterial growth are actively drained through the retractor, transforming a harmful condition into a controlled environment that reduces infection risk while maintaining surgical access.
3Ease of operation
If additional personnel are assigned to operate surgical retractors, then ease of operation is improved, but healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical retractor merges multiple operations into a single device that can be managed by one operator. The expandable ring structure, fluid delivery system, and fluid removal capability are integrated into one unit that can be positioned and adjusted by a single surgeon, eliminating the need for additional personnel to manage separate retraction and fluid management devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single surgical retractor device performs multiple functions that previously required coordination between multiple personnel and devices. The expandable structure provides retraction while integrated fluid ports enable irrigation and drainage, allowing one operator to manage all aspects of incision management without requiring additional staff.
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 device facilitates easier and more controlled access to surgical sites, reduces the need for multiple retractors, and decreases the incidence of surgical site infections by providing a mechanism for fluid delivery and removal, thereby improving surgical efficiency and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
a second retention ring configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration
Implementation Method 2
The pliable membrane can comprise a fluid-permeable material and the surgical access system can be configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid delivery inlet to the fluid-permeable material
Implementation Method 3
a suction tube in fluid communication with the first retention ring and the plurality of channels, wherein the surgical access system is configured to suction the fluid into the suction tube and remove the fluid from the surgical site
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access system facilitates access to a surgical site within a patient's body through an incision in the body. Surgical access systems can have at least one retention member and a fluid transportation member configured to deliver fluid to a surgical site or to remove fluid from a surgical site. In some embodiments, a surgical access device irrigates a surgical site to reduce surgical site infections and removes fluid from the surgical site to increase a physician's visibility into the surgical site.