Spine Surgery Muscle Retractor with Segmented Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional muscle retractors for spine surgery face challenges in uniformly retracting muscles, securing a surgical space, and maintaining a clear view due to varying muscle depths and complexities in blade insertion and coupling processes.
Innovation Solution
A muscle retractor system comprising first and second retractors with blades, expansion arms, a gear rack, ratchet, and an auxiliary plate, allowing for easy insertion and expansion to grip muscles uniformly, with side surface grooves and resilient members for secure coupling and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a self retractor with two separated sections is used to exchange blades of different lengths, then adaptability to varying muscle depths is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into two separable sections: a blade section with interchangeable blades of different lengths and a retraction section. This segmentation allows the blade section to be exchanged based on muscle depth requirements while keeping the retraction section reusable, thus providing adaptability without requiring complete replacement of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction section is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple blade sections of different lengths. The coupling mechanism between blade and retraction sections uses standardized interfaces (cylindrical projections and grooves), allowing any blade to be coupled with the retraction section, thereby providing multi-functionality and reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the blade section is coupled to the retraction section after blade insertion into muscles, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of losing muscle grip during coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The blade section is pre-loaded with the desired blade before insertion. The cylindrical projection at the upper end of the blade and the corresponding groove in the retraction section are pre-configured to align during insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the retraction section is lowered over the blade, the coupling occurs smoothly without requiring upward force, thus preventing loss of muscle grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical projection and groove interface acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates smooth coupling between the blade section and retraction section. This intermediate coupling structure allows the sections to connect without requiring forceful manipulation, thereby maintaining reliable muscle grip throughout the coupling process.
3Reliability
If the lower end of the blade section is bent to grip muscles stably, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to interference with muscle insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The lower end of the blade section is bent at an appropriate angle to create a dynamic gripping structure. This bent portion flexes and adapts to the muscle tissue during insertion, allowing the blade to navigate between muscle strips more easily. Once inserted, the bent portion naturally conforms to the muscle surface, providing stable grip without interfering with the insertion process.
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
Enables uniform muscle retraction and secure surgical space with simplified coupling and reduced risk of muscle damage, improving the efficiency and clarity of the surgical procedure.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member configured to resiliently support the inclined protrusion may be installed between the inclined groove and the inclined protrusion
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet installed at the expansion arm moving along the gear rack and locked to or released from the gear section of the gear rack
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a muscle retractor for spine surgery including: first and second retractors having blades configured to support a spine and muscles, and insertion blocks extending from the blades and having facing open surfaces; an expander having expansion arms slidably inserted into the insertion blocks of the first and second retractors, a gear rack movably installed at both of the expansion arms and having a gear section formed at one surface thereof, and a ratchet installed at the expansion arm moving along the gear rack and locked to or released from the gear section of the gear rack; a slider accessibly inserted into the blade of the first retractor or the second retractor in a projected state; and an auxiliary plate pivotally installed at a lower portion of the blade of the first retractor of the first and second retractors supporting the muscles.