Surgical Lingual Retractor Plus Integrated Suction and LED
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures in the oral cavity often result in iatrogenic injuries, particularly lacerations and nerve alterations, due to the mobility of the tongue and limited control during surgeries, leading to temporary or permanent sensory alterations and potential legal issues.
Innovation Solution
The Surgical Lingual Retractor Plus device provides stable retraction and protection of the tongue and surrounding tissues through a stainless steel design with a concave surface, multi-perforated edge, and integrated lighting, connected to a suction system for fluid aspiration, enhancing visualization and simplifying surgical maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional retraction methods are used during oral surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the tongue remains mobile and difficult to control, leading to iatrogenic injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is positioned and secured before the surgical procedure begins, establishing stable tissue retraction in advance. The device is inserted into the mouth, positioned against the tongue and soft tissues, and secured with a retention mechanism before any cutting or surgical manipulation occurs, preventing tongue mobility issues from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor device acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the tongue/soft tissues. It provides a mechanical interface that translates the surgeon's need for stable exposure into actual tissue positioning, using the stem and retention mechanism to mediate between surgical requirements and tissue behavior
2Reliability
If the tongue is retracted to prevent injuries, then tissue protection improves, but visualization of the surgical area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: tissue retraction through the concave surface, fluid management through the integrated suction channel, and illumination through the LED light source. This merging eliminates the need for separate instruments and ensures all functions work together to maintain both protection and visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it retracts tissues to prevent injury, provides illumination via LED, and manages fluids through suction. This multi-functionality ensures that tissue protection and surgical visualization are achieved together rather than traded off against each other
3Reliability
If a comprehensive retraction device is used to protect all tissues, then the device provides stable retraction and protection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into distinct functional segments: the head with concave retraction surface, the stem with retention mechanism, the integrated suction channel, and the LED light source. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the device have specialized properties where needed: the head has a concave surface for retraction, the stem has a retention mechanism for securing, and the integrated suction channel provides fluid management. Each region is designed with the specific quality needed for its function, avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas
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
This device reduces the risk of iatrogenic injuries by maintaining tissue stability, protecting organs, increasing visibility, and simplifying surgical procedures, thereby minimizing complications and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Part 5: Led light, which will broaden the vision of the operative field by lighting it
Implementation Method 2
Part 1: Aspiration anchor, which will connect with the high volume suction of the dental unit
Data Source
AI summary
The Surgical Lingual Retractor Plus device is unique because there are not retractors similar to it, either due to its simplification that allows to retract tissue and protect anatomical structures at the same time, it can fulfill the function of suction of fluids and illumination of the surgical area to be treated by the dental professional or other medical professionals. The protection that it provides to the tissues is contemplated by the fact that it is a device made of stainless steel, providing protection against cutting and high-speed rotating instruments. This device will have a grip component, a retraction component and a protection component connected to a suction and lighting system, all with the purpose of being able to perform all the functions at the same time during the surgery, once simplifies the psychomotor actions by the operator (dental or medical professionals).