Nested Surgical Retractor Blades for Minimally Invasive Aperture Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical retractors are limited by the size of the incision, requiring larger incisions for larger apertures, which increases healing time and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A retractor design that allows for the insertion of compact blades into a small incision, which can then be opened and manipulated to create a larger aperture by translating, rotating, and pivoting the blades, thereby stretching the incision without increasing its initial size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional retractor with scissor-like arms is used to create a large aperture, then the aperture size is increased, but the incision size must also be increased which leads to longer healing time and more patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are nested within each other in a collapsed configuration, allowing them to be inserted through a small incision. Once inside the body, the blades are deployed outward to create a large aperture. This nesting principle enables the device to pass through a small opening while expanding to a larger functional size, resolving the contradiction between aperture size and incision size.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor transitions from a static collapsed state during insertion to a dynamic expanded state during operation. The blades are designed to be movable relative to each other, allowing the device to change its configuration from a compact insertable form to an expanded aperture-forming structure, thereby achieving large aperture with small incision.
2Area of stationary object
If a large incision is made to insert a retractor for creating a large aperture, then the aperture size is sufficient, but the invasiveness of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are nested within each other to form a compact profile that can be inserted through a minimally invasive incision. After insertion, the nested blades are deployed outward to create the required aperture. This approach allows sufficient aperture size while maintaining low surgical invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor utilizes spatial transformation by collapsing the blades along one dimension (length) for insertion, then expanding them in perpendicular dimensions (width and height) to create the aperture. This dimensional transformation enables the device to pass through a small incision while creating a large working space.
3Length of moving object
If a compact retractor design is used to minimize incision size, then the incision can be smaller, but the device complexity increases due to multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into multiple segmented blades that can move independently relative to each other. Each blade is a separate component that can be actuated to achieve the desired aperture shape and size. This segmentation allows compact insertion while providing the flexibility needed for aperture creation, balancing compactness with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple blades serve multiple functions: they provide structural support during insertion, create the aperture when deployed, and can be independently positioned to accommodate different surgical needs. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by providing versatile capabilities within a compact form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.