Multi-Axis Joint Surgical Retractor for Oblique Tissue Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical retractors lack flexibility in adapting to various surgical situations, particularly when obliquely directed holding forces are required, as they are optimized for perpendicular or transverse tissue engagement.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor with a multi-axis joint system allowing blades to rotate and pivot about two perpendicular axes, enabling adjustable blade orientation and fixation, combined with a modular design for interchangeable blades and a spherical joint for three rotational degrees of freedom, to accommodate different tissue retraction requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If blades extend perpendicular or transverse to the holding arms and rail, then the retractor is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the retractor lacks flexibility in adapting to various surgical situations requiring obliquely directed holding forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the blade orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The blade can be rotated about two perpendicular axes (first and second rotational axes) allowing it to change its orientation dynamically to match different surgical requirements. This transforms the static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to various surgical situations while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of rotational joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by adding rotational degrees of freedom to the blade assembly. The blade can rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first, effectively adding angular dimensions to the originally linear arrangement. This enables the blade to exert holding forces in multiple directions (including oblique directions) without fundamentally complicating the overall retractor structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the retractor uses fixed blade orientation, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot accommodate different tissue retraction requirements in various surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly incorporates two rotational axes that allow the blade to be dynamically positioned at different angles during surgery. The first rotational axis enables rotation in one plane, while the second rotational axis (perpendicular to the first) enables rotation in a different plane. This dynamic positioning capability allows the surgeon to adapt the blade orientation to match specific tissue retraction requirements without complicating the basic operation of the retractor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If blades are mounted rigidly on the arms, then the structure is stable and reliable, but the retractor cannot provide obliquely directed holding forces when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mounting with rotational joints that allow the blade to pivot about two perpendicular axes. This dynamic mounting approach maintains structural reliability through proper joint design while enabling the blade to orient itself in the required direction for exerting holding forces. The rotational axes are configured to maintain stable engagement while allowing necessary angular adjustments for oblique force application.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing two perpendicular rotational axes, the patent adds angular dimensions to the blade mounting system. This allows the blade to achieve oblique orientations that were impossible with rigid mounting, while the rotational joint design ensures that structural stability is maintained through proper mechanical engagement and locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical retractor has a rail, a first arm protruding from the rail at an angle, a second arm being movably mounted on the rail and extending substantially parallel to the first arm, and a multiplicity of holding elements mounted on the first and second arms. A holding element has a multi-axis joint for pivotably holding a blade for engaging tissue to be retracted. In this way, a most flexible surgical retractor is provided.