Modular Surgical Retactor with Disposable Camera Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractors with integrated lighting and camera systems face premature deterioration due to sterilization, require multiple systems for different uses, and incur high maintenance and replacement costs, with camera systems being unavailable during cleaning cycles.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor with a modular design featuring a reusable handle with interchangeable blades, a disposable camera unit, and LED lighting, allowing for variable blade configurations and integrated channels for instruments and gases, along with a tip location beacon for improved visibility and tissue stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If cameras and lighting systems are integrated into retractors for improved viewing, then viewing ability is improved, but the components deteriorate prematurely due to sterilization procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system is divided into separate components: a sterilizable retractor body and a disposable camera/lighting unit. The camera unit is attached to the retractor body only when needed for use, allowing the electronic components to be isolated from repeated sterilization cycles that would otherwise damage them.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and lighting system are packaged as a disposable unit that is discarded after a single use or limited number of uses. This eliminates the need to repeatedly sterilize and maintain expensive electronic components, extending the effective lifespan of the retractor system while maintaining viewing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each retractor type has its own dedicated camera and lighting system, then each retractor is optimized for its specific use, but the number of systems and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single disposable camera and lighting unit can be attached to multiple different retractor types (laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes, etc.). The universal mounting system allows one camera unit to serve multiple retractor configurations, eliminating the need for dedicated camera systems for each retractor type while maintaining optimized viewing for each specific use.
3Loss of information
If camera systems are integrated into retractors, then video capability is provided, but the camera system is out of service during cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is designed as a disposable component that does not require cleaning or sterilization. It can be discarded after use, eliminating the need to take the camera out of service for cleaning cycles. This ensures continuous availability of video capability when needed, as a fresh disposable unit is always ready for use.
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 solution extends the lifespan of retractor components, reduces costs by allowing a single handle to be used with multiple blades, maintains camera functionality during cleaning, and enhances surgical visibility and precision with adjustable blade configurations and integrated lighting.
Implementation Method 1
LED lighting
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor includes a handle portion, a blade portion coupled to the handle portion. The blade portion is configured for insertion into an internal region of a patient. The blade portion includes a first portion configured to manipulate tissue of the patient. In an embodiment, a locator element is configured to highlight an external region of the patient to indicate to a user the location of the first portion in the internal region. In an embodiment, a signal-transmission medium is coupled to the blade portion and has a port. An overmolded camera unit has a lens and is configured to couple with the port. When the camera unit is coupled with the port, the lens is oriented to capture images of the internal region.