Monolithic Hand Grip System for Surgical Retractor Fatigue Reduction
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical retractors cause user fatigue due to the need for sustained force application, which negatively impacts the efficacy and efficiency of surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A hand grip system with a monolithic design featuring a convex cylindrical palm/heel region and a concave cylindrical finger wrap region, incorporating through holes to efficiently transfer forces and reduce fatigue, is integrated into surgical retractors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flat metal handle is used for strength and simplicity, then structural strength is improved, but user fatigue increases due to inability to distribute force application
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into distinct functional zones: a convex cylindrical palm/heel region and a concave cylindrical finger wrap region. This segmentation allows different parts of the hand to engage with different portions of the handle, distributing the force application across multiple anatomical structures rather than concentrating it in one location, thereby reducing user fatigue while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle incorporates curved surfaces including a convex cylindrical palm/heel region and a concave cylindrical finger wrap region. These curved geometries conform to the natural contours of the human hand, enabling more effective force distribution across the palm and fingers. The curvature allows for better ergonomic contact areas that reduce pressure points and minimize fatigue during prolonged use.
2Force
If force application is concentrated on a single point, then force transfer efficiency is improved, but user fatigue increases due to localized stress
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple force application zones including the convex cylindrical palm/heel region and the concave cylindrical finger wrap region. This segmentation enables the user to distribute force across multiple anatomical structures (palm, heel, fingers) rather than concentrating it at a single point. The monolithic construction ensures that forces applied at different locations are efficiently transferred to the retractor blade while reducing localized stress and user fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the handle are designed with distinct geometries optimized for specific functions: the convex cylindrical palm/heel region is optimized for force application through the palm and heel, while the concave cylindrical finger wrap region is optimized for finger engagement. This local quality optimization allows each region to efficiently transfer forces applied to it while distributing the overall force burden across multiple hand structures, reducing fatigue.
3Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different hand sizes and grips is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic handle is designed with universal geometric features including a convex cylindrical palm/heel region and a concave cylindrical finger wrap region that can accommodate a wide range of hand sizes and grip styles. These universal geometries enable the same handle design to be effectively used by different users with varying hand dimensions, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle incorporates geometric parameters such as convex and concave cylindrical regions that can be adjusted to optimize fit for different hand sizes. By varying parameters like diameter, length, and curvature radius of these cylindrical regions, the monolithic design can be adapted to accommodate different users while maintaining the simplicity of monolithic construction and efficient force transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand grip system for a surgical retractor includes a grip region of a rigid surgical retractor tool having at least two holes passing there through. The hand grip system also includes a monolithic hand grip encasing the grip region and filling the holes. The monolithic hand grip includes a first elongate region having a convex cylindrical shape adjoining a second elongate region having a concave cylindrical shape.