Modular Tubular Retractor With Break-Off Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical retractors lack the ability to be efficiently adjusted in length to fit the specific anatomical site of a patient, often causing obstructions in the surgical field and limiting access to the surgical site.
Innovation Solution
A length adjustable tubular retractor with scored and/or slotted cylindrical body that allows breakage at predetermined positions, enabling customizable length adjustment and minimization of obstructions, incorporating features for affixing fluid movement and light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length retractor is used, then the device structure is simple, but the retractor cannot be adjusted to fit different anatomical sites causing obstructions and limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor body is divided into multiple segments of fixed lengths (e.g., 5cm, 10cm, 15cm) that can be combined in different configurations. Each segment can be independently selected and connected to create custom length combinations, allowing the retractor to adapt to various anatomical sites without requiring a completely different device for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic modification of its length during the surgical procedure. This includes telescoping mechanisms or interchangeable segments that can be added or removed based on real-time surgical needs, transforming the retractor from a static fixed-length device to a dynamically adjustable one.
2Ease of operation
If a longer retractor is used to reach deep anatomical sites, then access is improved, but the retractor creates obstructions in the surgical field and reduces visibility
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the retractor into modular sections, the system allows selection of the minimum necessary length to reach the target anatomical site. This prevents the use of excessively long retractors that would create obstructions, while still providing sufficient access depth when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor design allows different segments to have optimized properties for their specific functions - the proximal segments can be longer for deep access while distal segments can be shorter and more flexible to minimize field obstruction. Each segment can be tailored with specific curvature or rigidity characteristics appropriate to its position in the surgical field.
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable or reusable length adjustable tubular retractor, a surgical system, and a tube breaker for adjusting the length of the length adjustable tubular retractor are provided. The length adjustable tubular retractor includes a cylindrical body and at least one or a plurality of grooves or through slots or a combination thereof circumferentially disposed along the cylindrical body at predetermined positions. Each of the at least one or a plurality of grooves, through slots, or a combination thereof is configured such that the cylindrical body is breakable at each of the predetermined positions to form a size-selected length adjustable tubular retractor. A surgical system includes the length adjustable tubular retractor and a retractor handle.