Retractor Arm With Detachable Handle For Surgical Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical retraction devices often obstruct the surgical site and require manual handling, limiting access and flexibility during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A retractor system with articulating arms and detachable handles that position and secure retractor blades, allowing for adjustable positioning and reduced encumbrance, enabling unobstructed access to the operative site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional surgical retraction device is used, then the retractor can hold back soft tissue and provide access to internal structures, but the device obstructs the surgical site and requires manual handling, limiting access and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to surgical siteVSAvoidmanual handling requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retraction device is divided into separate functional components: a retractor blade for tissue retraction, an articulating arm for positioning, and a detachable handle for manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the handle to be removed after positioning, reducing encumbrance at the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is designed to be detachable from the articulating arm, allowing it to be extracted and removed after the retractor blade is positioned. This extraction of the handle eliminates the need for continuous manual handling during the surgical procedure, reducing obstruction at the operative site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a detachable handle is attached to the articulating arm, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the device becomes more complex with additional attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating arm is designed with a universal interface that can accept different handle types or configurations. The attachment mechanism is designed to be simple and standardized, allowing for easy interchangeability without requiring complex custom assemblies for each positioning scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle attachment is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it can be easily attached and detached as needed during the procedure. This dynamic attachment mechanism provides positioning flexibility when required while allowing for simplified operation when the handle needs to be removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240008862A1Retractor system and retractor arm with detachable handle

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A retractor system may include a mounting assembly, an articulated arm, and a retractor blade. The mounting assembly may include a post and a bed mount. The articulated arm may include arm segments, a retractor connector, and a handle segment. The retractor blade may be attached to the retractor connector. A proximal end of the arm segments may be coupled to the post. A proximal end of the handle segment may be coupled to a distal end of the arm segments. A distal end of the handle segment may be coupled to the retractor connector. The handle segment may include a handle that extends longitudinally along the handle segment.