Flexible Extension Clip for Minimizing Tissue Creep

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retractors used in minimally invasive surgery often fail to prevent tissue creep at the distal end, especially when positioned near irregular bone contours or at non-perpendicular angles, leading to additional tissue damage and complications such as bleeding and pain.

Innovation Solution

A surgical retractor extension clip system with a planar or radiused blade and a deployment instrument that allows for releasable engagement with the retractor, enabling the extension clip to be locked in place and extend beyond the distal end to contact and retract soft tissue, minimizing tissue creep.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed distal end configuration retractor is used, then the device structure is simple, but tissue creep occurs at irregular bone contours or non-perpendicular angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue creep preventionVSAvoiddistal end configuration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor blade is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt its distal end configuration to match irregular bone contours and non-perpendicular angles. The flexible blade can bend and conform to the specific anatomical geometry at the surgical site, preventing tissue creep while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blade's physical parameters (shape, curvature, orientation) are changed in real-time to match the target bone geometry. By allowing the blade to flex and assume different configurations, the system adapts to various anatomical conditions without requiring multiple fixed-configuration retractors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If tissue is cut away to address tissue creep, then tissue creep is prevented, but additional tissue damage and complications occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue creep preventionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible blade dynamically conforms to the bone surface and tissue geometry, creating effective tissue retraction through adaptation rather than through cutting or aggressive mechanical force. This prevents tissue creep while avoiding the harmful effects of tissue removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using cutting (which causes harm) to prevent tissue creep, the flexible blade's ability to bend and adapt is converted into a beneficial retraction mechanism that prevents tissue creep through gentle, adaptive contact rather than through tissue removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If shims are extended beyond the distal end of the blade, then tissue creep between blades is addressed, but the location is determined after blade positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue creep preventionVSAvoidsurgical procedure efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible blade itself serves as the tissue-contacting element that extends beyond the distal end, eliminating the need for separate shims. The blade's flexibility allows it to extend and adapt to the required location, providing tissue creep prevention as an integrated function rather than requiring additional components to be added after blade positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11844505B2Retractor extension clip systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 JGMG BENGOCHEA LLC

AI summary

A retractor extension clip deployment system for use with a surgical retractor includes at least an extension clip adapted for engagement with the surgical retractor, the extension clip having proximal and distal ends, a deployment instrument, and a fluid transport assembly adapted to be affixed to the surgical retractor and comprising one or more tubes for transporting fluid including smoke removal.