Cardiac Retractor With Nested-Tube Single-Incision Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac retractors used in minimally invasive surgery require two incisions, one for the retractor and another for a manipulator/stabilizer, complicating the procedure and increasing surgical trauma.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac retractor design that allows deployment through a single incision, utilizing a fixed collar, inner and outer tubes, and a keyed link mechanism with a deployment cable system to facilitate rotation and deployment of the inner tube relative to the outer tube, enabling single-incision operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional cardiac retractor is used in minimally invasive surgery, then the retractor can maintain an opening in the heart wall, but it requires two incisions (one for the retractor and another for the manipulator/stabilizer), increasing surgical trauma and procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the manipulator/stabilizer and the retractor into a single integrated device that can be inserted through one incision. The inner tube contains the manipulator while the outer tube forms the retractor, allowing both functions to be performed through a single access point rather than requiring separate incisions for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested tube structure where the inner tube (containing the manipulator) is inserted within the outer tube (forming the retractor). This nested configuration allows the entire assembly to pass through a single incision while maintaining both the retractor and manipulator functions, eliminating the need for a second incision.
2Reliability
If a cardiac retractor requiring two incisions is used, then the manipulator can be coupled to the retractor for alignment, but the procedure becomes more complex and recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the manipulator and retractor into a single device with a shared control mechanism, the patent eliminates the need for separate coupling procedures. The keyed link mechanism provides inherent alignment between the inner and outer tubes, simplifying the deployment process while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed link and key mechanism automatically maintain alignment between the inner and outer tubes during insertion and deployment. This self-aligning feature eliminates the need for complex manual coupling procedures, allowing the device to self-position correctly through the single incision without requiring additional alignment incisions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single-incision deployment mechanism is implemented, then surgical trauma is reduced, but the deployment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tube design allows the inner tube with manipulator to be inserted within the outer tube with retractor through a single incision. This nesting approach consolidates what would traditionally require two separate access points into one, reducing surgical trauma while using a well-established mechanical configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed link acts as an intermediary mechanism that couples the inner and outer tubes while maintaining their relative alignment. This intermediary component enables the complex single-incision deployment by providing a mechanical interface that coordinates the movement and positioning of both tubes through the shared incision.
Data Source
AI summary
A cardiac retractor is disclosed. The cardiac retractor has an outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a fixed collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed link fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has an inner tube rotatable within the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed key coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube and configured to rotate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a keyed link coupled to a distal end of the outer tube.