Surgical Retractor Coupler for Independent Slider Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical retractors with long aspect ratios can obstruct imaging during oblique procedures like oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) due to their design, making it difficult for surgeons to visualize the surgical site effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor system with sliders and a coupler mechanism that allows for independent or simultaneous movement of tissue engaging members, minimizing obstruction by positioning pivot connections above the intermediate frame and using a bone screw adapter for secure attachment to bones, enabling flexible retraction and reduced footprint during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the retractor uses a long aspect ratio design with elongate assemblies to cover a large area of the patient, then the retraction coverage is improved, but the surgical site imaging is obstructed during oblique procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into multiple independent sliders (first slider, second slider, third slider) that can move separately along the frame. Each slider controls a specific tissue engaging member, allowing selective retraction of individual blades rather than moving the entire long retractor structure, thus reducing imaging obstruction while maintaining coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor employs movable sliders that can dynamically adjust their positions along the frame independently. The first slider moves relative to the base frame, while the second and third sliders move relative to the intermediate frame, enabling flexible retraction configurations that adapt to surgical needs without requiring the full length of the retractor to be in use at all times
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pivot connections are positioned above the intermediate frame to minimize imaging obstruction, then the imaging visibility is improved, but the structural complexity of the retractor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connections for the second and third sliders are positioned above the intermediate frame in the vertical dimension, separating them from the surgical field below. This spatial reconfiguration in the vertical dimension allows the pivot connections to be out of the imaging path without compromising the lateral retraction function, as the sliders still move horizontally along the frame
3Ease of operation
If the coupler connects all slider drives together so that rotating one operating member moves all sliders simultaneously, then the operation simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different retraction needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed as a dynamic coupling mechanism that can switch between connected and disconnected states. When connected, it couples the first, second, and third slider drives together for simultaneous movement. When disconnected, it allows independent operation of each slider drive, enabling the surgeon to selectively retract individual tissue engaging members based on specific surgical requirements
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a surgical retractor having sliders configured to have tissue engaging members connected thereto and slider drives including operating members. The operating members are rotatable to cause the slider drives to shift the sliders relative to one another. The surgical retractor includes a coupler having a coupling configuration wherein the coupler connects the slider drives and rotation of one of the operating members causes movement of the sliders. The coupler also has a decoupling configuration wherein the coupler disconnects the slider drives and rotation of the one operating member causes movement of fewer sliders than the sliders that are moved with the coupler in the coupling configuration. The retractor has an actuator connected to the coupler and movable between a dependent slider movement position and an independent slider movement position to shift the coupler between the coupling configuration and the decoupling configuration.