Patient-Specific Surgical Retactor for Spinal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical procedures for spinal surgery require multiple retractors of varying sizes and complexities, leading to logistical challenges and increased costs due to the need for extensive instrument preparation, sterilization, and tracking, which can complicate the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific surgical access retractor is designed using medical imaging and computer-aided design, allowing for precise shaping and customization to match individual anatomy, which can be manufactured using three-dimensional printing, facilitating secure fixation to both the skin and anatomical structures, thus reducing the need for multiple retractors and simplifying surgical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple retractors of varying sizes and complexities are used, then surgical access can be achieved, but logistical challenges and costs increase due to extensive instrument preparation, sterilization, and tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal retractor system with interchangeable adapters that can accommodate different surgical sites and patient anatomies. The main retractor body remains the same, but different adapters (e.g., anterior, lateral, posterior adapters) allow it to function for various surgical approaches, eliminating the need for multiple specialized retractors while maintaining adaptability to different surgical requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple retractors of varying sizes and complexities are used, then surgical access can be achieved, but the need for extensive cleaning, sterilisation and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using a single retractor body with multiple interchangeable adapters, the number of items requiring cleaning and sterilization is dramatically reduced. Instead of processing multiple complete retractor assemblies of different sizes, the surgical team only needs to process the universal body and individual adapters, significantly reducing sterilization time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor system is divided into separable components (main body and adapters) that can be independently processed. This segmentation allows for more efficient sterilization workflows where components can be prepared separately and assembled, reducing overall preparation time compared to sterilizing multiple complete assemblies
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple retractors of varying diameters and lengths are used, then surgical access can be achieved, but delivery and transfer of components becomes time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The universal retractor system consolidates multiple retractor functions into a single platform with interchangeable adapters. This reduces the number of components that need to be delivered from the warehouse and transferred to the operating room, as the universal body can serve multiple surgical sites, thereby reducing delivery and transfer time and associated costs
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple retractors are used, then surgical access can be achieved, but stock must be replaced and accounted for and can be difficult to track and validate
Solution Approach 1:
The universal retractor system with interchangeable adapters simplifies inventory management by reducing the number of unique retractor items that need to be tracked. Instead of managing stock for multiple different retractor sizes and types, the hospital can track a single universal body design and a limited set of adapters, making validation and accounting significantly easier
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a patient specific access retractor and methods for use in surgery, for example, minimally invasive spinal surgery. The surgical access retractor is for maintaining an enlarged surgical corridor, said retractor having a length sufficient to span from a skin surface through to a region of surgical interest, said retractor having at least one portion shaped to match with the region of surgical interest, wherein the shape of said portion is, at least in part, based on patient specific medical imaging.