Surgical Retractor Attachment for Stable Soft Tissue Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soft tissue can move or 'creep' into the distal opening of an access tube during surgical procedures, impeding visualization of the treatment site, including the exiting nerve, in minimally invasive procedures.

Innovation Solution

A retractor member with an attachment device that allows selective attachment to an access member, enabling translation and rotation relative to the access member, and includes compliant members to secure the retractor in place while allowing adjustment and repositioning as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If retractor members are inserted through the working channel to engage and pull soft tissue toward the wall of the access tube, then visualization of the treatment site is improved, but soft tissue can move or 'creep' into the distal opening of the access tube during the procedure, impeding visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization of treatment siteVSAvoidstability of soft tissue retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor member incorporates a compliant member that allows dynamic adjustment between locked and unlocked states. In the locked state, the retractor maintains stable retraction of soft tissue. In the unlocked state, the retractor can be repositioned or adjusted. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between stability (preventing tissue creep) and adjustability (maintaining optimal visualization) as needed during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the retractor member is securely attached to the access member to prevent soft tissue creep, then stability of retraction is improved, but the ability to adjust and reposition the retractor to accommodate variations in patient anatomy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of retractor positioningVSAvoidadjustability to patient anatomy variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device includes a compliant member with locked and unlocked configurations. When locked, the retractor is securely fixed to the access member, providing stable positioning that prevents soft tissue creep. When unlocked, the retractor can be freely adjusted and repositioned to accommodate variations in patient anatomy. This dynamic locking mechanism resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability by allowing the operator to switch between these states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The compliant member changes its mechanical state between locked and unlocked configurations, altering the degree of constraint on the retractor. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a rigid, stable attachment to a flexible, adjustable attachment, resolving the contradiction between reliable positioning and adaptability to anatomical variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the retractor member allows translation and rotation relative to the access member for positioning adjustments, then ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the retractor attachment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of retractor positioningVSAvoidstability of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compliant member provides a dynamic attachment mechanism that allows free translation and rotation of the retractor when in the unlocked state, enabling easy positioning and adjustment to accommodate anatomical variations. When the locked state is engaged, these movements are constrained, providing stable attachment that prevents soft tissue creep. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and attachment stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12496055B2Retractor members, and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 MEDOS INT SARL

AI summary

A retractor member is configured for insertion through a channel of an access member and for moving soft tissue at a treatment site that is accessible through the channel. The retractor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction. The distal end defines a retractor blade and the body defines a first surface and a second surface opposite each other along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The retractor includes an attachment device configured to selectively attach the body to a portion of the access member such that the body is extendable through the working channel while the body is attached to the portion of the access member.