Shapeable Surgical Retractors for Uniform Tissue Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical retraction methods, such as rigid retractors, can cause tissue damage due to excessive pressure and movement during procedures, leading to complications like ileus and adhesions, and existing shapeable pads do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

Development of shapeable articles made from ductile metals that can be manually deformed into desired shapes without tools, providing uniform pressure distribution and reducing pressure points by controlling bending paths and creasing, with a coefficient of friction suitable for tissue retention without abrasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rigid retractors are used to restrain tissues and organs during surgical procedures, then surgical access and visualization are improved, but tissue damage occurs due to excessive pressure and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible pad made of elastomeric material that can be manually deformed into various shapes to conform to tissue contours. The flexible nature of the pad allows it to adapt to irregular tissue surfaces while distributing pressure uniformly, preventing the concentrated pressure points that cause tissue damage with rigid retractors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by changing the physical state and properties of the restraining device from rigid to flexible. The elastomeric material's ability to undergo elastic deformation allows the pad to absorb mechanical energy and adapt to tissue movement, transforming the interaction from rigid contact to flexible conformity, thereby reducing tissue damage while maintaining surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If malleable pads are used to restrain tissues, then tissue damage is reduced, but the pads require manual shaping and may not maintain consistent pressure distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidpressure distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by designing the pad with a curved, conformable surface that can be manually shaped to match the contours of tissues and organs. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity allows it to maintain consistent pressure distribution across curved surfaces, ensuring uniform contact without creating pressure points while reducing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If ductile metals are used to create shapeable articles, then the articles can be manually deformed into desired shapes without tools, but the material must maintain both deformability and shape retention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveshapeabilityVSAvoidshape retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by selecting materials with specific mechanical properties that allow transition between deformable and rigid states. The ductile metal materials are chosen to have appropriate yield strength and elasticity, enabling manual deformation into desired shapes while retaining those shapes under surgical loading conditions. The material parameters are optimized to balance formability with structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The shapeable articles improve tissue restraint during surgery by minimizing tissue damage, reducing pressure points, and preventing unnecessary movement, thereby reducing complications and improving surgical access.

Implementation Method 1

the shapeable articles described herein incorporate one or more ductile metals to provide the required deformation and shapeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

with a coefficient of friction suitable for tissue retention without abrasion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10639021B2Shapeable articles and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Shapeable articles, kits including one or more of the shapeable articles, and methods of making and/or using the shapeable articles. The shapeable articles include a shapeable member that can be shaped or manipulated into three-dimensional shapes without the use of tools and hold those shapes after removal of the force required to achieve the shape. The shapeable articles could have a variety of uses including use as surgical retractors to move and/or restrain non-target tissue and/or organs to improve access to the target tissue and/or organs.