Removable Retractor Tip for Adipose Tissue Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery is challenging due to difficulties in maintaining adequate exposure of the surgical field, particularly in patients with significant adipose tissue, as existing retractors struggle to navigate through multiple layers of tissue efficiently, leading to 'tenting' and prolonged procedure times.
Innovation Solution
A removable tip with a conical-shaped body, comprising a proximal hollow portion for receiving the retractor's distal portion, allows for adjustable length extension to accommodate adipose tissue, featuring disengagement means such as perforations or break lines to facilitate sliding along the retractor and ease insertion, thereby improving navigation and exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the retractor end is lengthened to accommodate more adipose tissue, then the ability to navigate through thicker tissue layers is improved, but the device becomes too long for space-constrained surgical areas such as the pelvic area
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into a permanent short retractor and a separate removable extension tip. The extension tip can be attached to the retractor end before insertion to provide additional length for navigating through adipose tissue, then removed after insertion to restore maneuverability in space-constrained areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor system transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable-length system. The extension tip can be attached or detached based on the specific surgical needs and patient anatomy, allowing the retractor to adapt its length dynamically throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the retractor end is rounded to facilitate easy insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but the length of the end limits how much adipose tissue can be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion function is separated from the length function by creating a distinct removable extension tip. The rounded insertion end remains on the short permanent retractor for easy insertion, while the detachable extension tip provides the additional length needed for thick adipose tissue without compromising insertion ease.
3Ease of operation
If the retractor is made longer to navigate through multiple tissue layers, then navigation capability is improved, but procedure time increases due to difficulty in navigating the longer retractor
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation function is segmented into two phases: initial navigation through adipose tissue using the extended retractor with attachment, and subsequent navigation within the abdominal cavity using the shortened retractor without attachment. This reduces the time spent maneuvering the long retractor while maintaining the ability to navigate through tissue layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor system dynamically changes its effective length during the procedure. The extension tip is attached only during the insertion phase when additional length is needed to navigate through adipose tissue, then removed to reduce maneuvering complexity and save time during the surgical procedure.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The exemplary embodiments illustrated provide the discovery of systems, methods, and apparatuses of removable tips for use with medical retractors in laparoscopic surgery that provide many benefits, including but not limited to, improving the efficiency and navigation to the target anatomy while maintaining adequate exposure to the target anatomy.