Surgical Retractor with Nested Dilators for 360-Degree Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical retractors often require significant space for insertion and do not provide adequate 360-degree access and visualization of the operative field.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor with a rotatable adjuster and a plurality of dilators, each with a scroll gear and a finger, that can be easily inserted through an incision in its closed position and expanded radially to provide 360-degree access and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional surgical retractor is used, then it can provide access to the surgical field, but it requires significant space for insertion and does not provide adequate 360-degree access
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor features a nested configuration where multiple dilators are arranged concentrically within a housing, allowing the device to be collapsed into a compact form for insertion and then expanded to provide 360-degree access. The dilators can be independently positioned and locked in expanded or collapsed states, enabling minimal insertion profile while maintaining full retraction capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor employs dynamic elements including rotatable adjusters and scroll gears that enable the dilators to transition between compressed and expanded states. The adjusters allow controlled movement of the dilators radially inward or outward, providing adaptability during surgical procedures. This dynamic mechanism enables the device to change its configuration based on surgical needs while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a retractor is designed to provide 360-degree access, then visualization of the operative field is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into multiple independent dilators, each capable of being adjusted and locked independently. Each dilator contains its own scroll gear mechanism that can be operated separately through the adjuster. This segmentation allows the complex 360-degree retraction function to be achieved through multiple simple, identical units, making the overall system more manageable and easier to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and adjuster mechanism serve multiple functions: they contain the dilators, provide the interface for operation, enable radial movement, and facilitate locking in position. The scroll gears in each dilator both drive the expansion motion and provide self-locking capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving 360-degree access.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for retracting a patient's tissues. More specifically, a surgical retractor is provided which can be easily inserted through an incision in a closed position, and opened to radially actuate a plurality of fingers in contact with the incision to desirably provide 360 degree access to, and visualization of, an operative field. The surgical retractor comprises a housing, a rotatable adjuster mounted to the housing, and a plurality of dilators received in the housing and operatively connected to the rotatable adjuster. Each dilator includes a scroll gear radially movable in the housing, and a finger extending from the scroll gear.