Circumferential Retractor Introduction for Small-Incision Ring Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical procedures face challenges in deploying retractors through small incisions and natural orifices due to limited visibility and difficulty in maintaining the inner ring of the retractor in a collapsed state, leading to potential dislodging and increased procedure time.

Innovation Solution

A retractor introducer system comprising a circumferential protector/retractor and a retractor introducer with an actuator, retractor blade, and handle, which facilitates the deployment of the inner ring through small incisions and natural orifices, maintaining stability and reducing the need for manual manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the inner ring is made small to fit through small incisions, then the retractor can be inserted through small incisions and natural orifices, but the surgeon's hand cannot easily collapse and guide the inner ring through the incision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinner ring diameterVSAvoidmanual collapse and guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A delivery device is introduced as an intermediary tool to collapse and guide the inner ring through the incision. The delivery device includes a delivery needle that pierces the inner ring and a delivery handle that the surgeon manipulates to control the inner ring's collapse and passage through the incision, solving the problem of manual manipulation difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical manipulation by the surgeon's hand is replaced with a mechanical delivery system consisting of a delivery needle and delivery handle. This mechanical substitution allows precise control of the inner ring's collapse and insertion without requiring direct hand manipulation of the small ring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inner ring is made flexible to pass through the vaginal canal, then the retractor can be inserted through the vaginal canal, but the ring does not remain collapsed and tends to twist and bow during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcollapsed shape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The inner ring is pre-loaded onto the delivery needle in a collapsed state before insertion. The delivery device maintains the collapsed configuration during the entire insertion process through the vaginal canal, preventing the ring from twisting or bowing. The preliminary positioning on the delivery needle ensures shape stability throughout the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery needle acts as an intermediary structure that constrains the inner ring in a collapsed state during insertion. The needle provides a rigid framework that prevents the flexible ring from deforming, twisting, or bowing while passing through the vaginal canal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the surgeon uses hands to collapse and insert the inner ring, then the retractor can be deployed, but the procedure takes multiple attempts and increases procedure time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion capabilityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device serves as a specialized intermediary tool designed specifically for inner ring insertion. It combines the collapse function and guidance function in one instrument, allowing the surgeon to complete the insertion in a single attempt without multiple tries, thereby reducing procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex manual manipulation steps are extracted and replaced by the delivery device's integrated mechanism. The delivery needle and handle combination performs the collapse and insertion functions that previously required multiple manual attempts, streamlining the process into a single efficient action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the surgeon uses forceps or clamps to insert the inner ring, then the insertion can be achieved, but film tears occur as unintended consequences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion capabilityVSAvoidfilm tears

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery needle is designed as a specialized intermediary that interacts gently with the inner ring through piercing and guiding mechanisms. Unlike forceps or clamps that apply pinching forces, the delivery needle maintains the ring's integrity while facilitating insertion, preventing film tears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pinching and grasping mechanical action of forceps is replaced with a piercing and guiding mechanical system using the delivery needle. This substitution eliminates the pinching forces that cause film tears while maintaining effective insertion capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12478364B2Retractor introducer systems

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 APPL MEDICAL RESOURCES CORP

AI summary

A retractor introducer system is provided that includes a circumferential retractor and a retractor introducer. The circumferential retractor retracts and protects a patient's body opening and the retractor introducer facilitates insertion and positioning of the circumferential retractor within the patient's body.