Surgical Illuminator Drop-In Anchor for Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical illumination devices are limited by their attachment to retractor blades or frames, which can be inconvenient and interfere with the surgical field when retractors are moved, and often require cumbersome coupling mechanisms, making it difficult to adjust or reposition the illumination during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical illumination system featuring an anchor element that can be releasably coupled to the patient or adjacent surgical equipment, allowing the illumination element to be easily positioned and repositioned without attachment to surgical instruments, using adhesives, hooks, loops, or magnets for secure anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the illumination device is attached to retractor blades or frames, then the illumination device can be securely positioned, but it interferes with the surgical field when retractors are moved and requires cumbersome coupling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure positioningVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device is separated from the retractor system into an independent unit that can be positioned and anchored separately, allowing the retractor to move freely while the illuminator remains stationary or is repositioned independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An anchor element serves as an intermediary between the illumination device and the patient/surgical field, providing secure attachment without requiring connection to the retractor system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the illumination device is permanently attached to retractors, then the coupling mechanism is simplified, but the illumination device cannot be easily repositioned when retractors are moved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling mechanismVSAvoidrepositioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a fixed permanent connection to a dynamic system where the illumination device can be easily detached and repositioned by simply removing and reattaching the anchor element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor element is designed to be pre-positioned or easily insertable into the surgical field, allowing rapid deployment and repositioning of the illumination device without complex coupling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the illumination device requires attachment to surgical instruments, then the illumination device can be securely anchored, but it cannot be easily dropped into the surgical field for flexible positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is extracted from the surgical instrument (retractor) and applied directly to the patient's tissue or surgical field, allowing the illumination device to be dropped in independently without requiring instrument attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor element is designed to self-anchor into the tissue or surgical drape without requiring additional surgical instruments or complex attachment procedures, enabling simple drop-in deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 flexible and efficient illumination of the surgical field by allowing the illumination element to be moved freely without interfering with adjacent surgical instruments, improving the surgeon's ability to adjust lighting as needed during procedures.

Implementation Method 1

using adhesives, hooks, loops, or magnets for secure anchoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

using adhesives, hooks, loops, or magnets for secure anchoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9999345B2Drop in surgical illuminator

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 INVUITY INC

AI summary

An illumination system for adjustably positioning an illuminator in a surgical field in a patient includes an anchor element and an illumination element. The anchor element is configured to be releasably coupled with the patient, and the illumination element is coupled to the anchor element. The anchor element or the illumination element is configured to be coupled, uncoupled, and recoupled with the patient or adjacent surgical equipment. This allows repositioning of the illumination element at a plurality of positions in the surgical field without interfering with adjacent surgical instruments, and further permits adjustment of illumination in the surgical field.