Malleable Spinal Retractor with Anchor Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current retractors for spinal surgery, whether rigid or flexible, obstruct the surgeon's view and restrict instrument insertion angles due to their fixed configurations and lack of anchoring mechanisms, limiting access and visualization during minimally invasive procedures.

Innovation Solution

A malleable retractor device with a base and curved blades that can be anchored to the spine, allowing for expansion and manipulation to enhance access and visualization, featuring a base with anchor ports and hinges formed from flexible materials to facilitate better surgical exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid blades are used in retractor devices, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the device obstructs surgeon's view and restricts instrument insertion angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstrument insertion flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the retractor blades malleable rather than rigid, allowing them to be bent and shaped during surgery to create optimal viewing and instrument access angles while maintaining structural integrity when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of blade rigidity by using malleable material that can transition from a flexible state during insertion and shaping to a more stable configuration during surgery, resolving the contradiction between needing strength and needing flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If long anchor members are used to secure retractors to the spine, then anchoring reliability is improved, but device bulk increases and obstructs surgeon's view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidsurgeon's view obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the anchoring function from the main retractor body by using separate anchor members that can be independently positioned and secured to the spine, allowing the retractor blades to be optimized for visualization without the bulk of integrated long anchors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses small anchor members as intermediaries between the retractor device and the spine, providing secure attachment without requiring long anchoring structures that would obstruct the surgical field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed blade configurations are used, then device stability is improved, but adaptability to different surgical needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidsurgical access adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the blade configuration dynamic by using malleable material that can be bent and shaped during surgery to adapt to different anatomical structures and surgical requirements, while the material properties maintain stability once positioned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If the base is placed exterior to the surgical cavity, then anchoring is simplified, but the internal aperture remains restricted and obstructs visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring simplicityVSAvoidinternal aperture access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the base within the surgical cavity rather than exterior to it, allowing the blades to extend outward for anchoring while the base itself provides an open aperture for visualization and instrument access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11730463B2Malleable retractor for spinal surgery

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 BERRY BRET MICHAEL

AI summary

The present invention generally relates to a retractor. Specifically, this invention relates to a malleable retractor designed to retract soft tissue and create a surgical opening to provide visualization of and access to the spine.