Surgical Retractor Holding Arm Displacement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical retraction devices for spreading the sternum often have a bulky design due to the need for one holding arm to protrude laterally, which can interfere with surgical access and increase wear on the drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A compact retraction device design featuring broad and narrow sides on the retaining arms that guide each other during displacement, with a single drive device allowing both holding arms to move relative to each other, reducing overall width and wear by arranging the drive components centrally between the spreader arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If one holding arm protrudes laterally beyond the other restraint device to achieve sufficient distance between spreader arms in spread position, then the spreading function is achieved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase, interfering with surgical access
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the displacement function between two holding arms, each covering part of the required displacement path relative to the holding device. This segmentation allows the spreader arms to achieve sufficient distance without one holding arm needing to protrude excessively, as both arms contribute to the overall displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arms are designed to move in opposite directions along the retraction direction (away from each other), utilizing the dimensional space between the spreader arms more efficiently. This bidirectional movement along the retraction axis eliminates the need for lateral protrusion of one holding arm beyond the other device.
2Length of moving object
If one holding arm protrudes laterally to achieve sufficient spread distance, then the spreading function is achieved, but wear on the drive device increases due to single-sided driving
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is configured to drive both holding arms separately, with each holding arm having its own drive mechanism interaction point. This segmentation of the driving function distributes the mechanical stress and wear across two interaction points rather than concentrating it on a single holding arm, thereby reducing overall wear on the drive device.
3Stability of the object's composition
If holding arms are designed to lie flat against each other with broad sides in overlapping area, then guidance and stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding arms feature a differentiated geometry with broad sides and narrow sides. The broad sides are specifically designed to lie flat against each other in the overlapping area to provide mutual guidance and stability during displacement. This local quality enhancement (broad sides) is concentrated only where needed for guidance, rather than making the entire holding arm structure complex.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances handling simplicity, reduces wear on the drive device, and minimizes interference with the surgical field by maintaining a compact and flat profile, allowing for efficient sternum spreading with reduced operator obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one drive element interacts with the respective drive track
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical retractor, in particular, for spreading a severed sternum, comprising a first retaining device and a second retaining device, which each have a spreader arm with at least one retaining element held thereon, a holding device for holding the retaining devices on each other, and a drive device with which the distance of the spreader arms from each other along a retraction direction is alterable for transfer to a spread position. In order to provide a retractor of this kind which, having a compact design, is easy to handle, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the retaining devices each have a holding arm connected to the respective spreader arm, and both holding arms couple with the drive device and be displaceable via the drive device relative to each other and relative to the holding device along a displacement direction.