Surgical Retractor Mounting Device with Self-Positioning Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical methods using retractors result in fatigue in the surgeon's left hand due to the weight of the endoscopic camera and retractor, as well as the traction force required to lift the pectoralis major muscle, especially during long-term or multiple surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A retractor mounting device for surgery that includes a mounting unit, a main body with a retraction unit, a sub-body with an endoscope unit, and a mechanism to elevate and fix the retractor at a set height, allowing the surgeon to maintain the retractor's position without direct manual support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the surgeon directly holds the retractor to maintain its position, then the retractor position can be maintained, but the surgeon experiences fatigue in the left hand due to the weight of the endoscopic camera and retractor, as well as the traction force required to lift the pectoralis major muscle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretractor position stabilityVSAvoidsurgeon fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor system performs self-positioning and self-holding through the elevation mechanism. The retractor elevates itself to the required position and maintains that position without requiring continuous manual support, thereby eliminating surgeon fatigue while ensuring stable retraction throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical holding action by the surgeon is replaced with an automated elevation and positioning mechanism. The system uses motors or actuators to elevate and position the retractor, substituting the surgeon's manual mechanical effort with an automated mechanical system that can maintain position without fatigue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the surgeon directly holds the retractor during long-term or multiple surgeries, then the retractor can be continuously positioned, but fatigue accumulates in the surgeon's left hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous retraction capabilityVSAvoidsurgeon fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor system performs self-positioning and self-holding through the elevation mechanism. The retractor elevates itself to the required position and maintains that position without requiring continuous manual support, thereby eliminating surgeon fatigue while ensuring stable retraction throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical holding action by the surgeon is replaced with an automated elevation and positioning mechanism. The system uses motors or actuators to elevate and position the retractor, substituting the surgeon's manual mechanical effort with an automated mechanical system that can maintain position without fatigue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250185905A1Retractor mounting device for surgery

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 UI (UNIVERSITY IND FOUNDATION) YONSEI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Disclosed is a retractor mounting device for a surgery including a mounting unit, a main body provided at an end of the mounting unit, a retraction unit installed to be elevated on the main body, a sub-body disposed to be spaced apart from the main body, and an endoscope unit installed to be movable or rotatable on the sub-body.