Tissue Retractor Gear Linkage for Single-Input Blade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical access systems require multiple inputs to actuate components in multiple directions or shift the anchor point of the retractor, making it difficult to create a reproducible and customized exposure to the target surgical site efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A tissue retraction system with a drive gear and linking members that rotate along different axes, allowing for a single input source to actuate multiple blades independently or simultaneously, providing customizable exposure to the surgical site through a selector mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inputs are used to actuate components in multiple directions, then the retractor can achieve customized exposure to the target site, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single input mechanism (crank handle) is designed to control multiple retractor blades through a gear system. The crank handle rotates a drive gear that engages with multiple linking members, allowing one input action to simultaneously or independently control the movement of multiple blades, thereby achieving customized exposure without requiring separate controls for each blade
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single input mechanism. The drive gear collects the rotational input from the crank handle and distributes it through multiple linking members to control multiple blades. This merging reduces the number of separate input mechanisms from multiple individual controls to one unified control system
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inputs are used to actuate components, then multiple blades can be controlled independently, but the time required to create surgical corridor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control actions for multiple blades are merged into a single rotational input. When the crank handle is rotated, the drive gear simultaneously engages multiple linking members, allowing all selected blades to be actuated at the same time through one continuous motion, thereby reducing the total time required compared to controlling each blade separately
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotational input from the crank handle provides continuous useful action that is distributed through the gear system to multiple blades. The continuous rotation of the drive gear ensures that all linking members are actuated smoothly and continuously, maintaining productive surgical workflow without interruptions or sequential adjustments
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inputs are used to shift the anchor point, then customized exposure can be achieved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single crank handle serves multiple functions: it controls the anchoring mechanism, actuates the retractor blades, and enables position adjustment. By making the input mechanism universal, the system maintains ease of operation while achieving customized exposure, as the surgeon uses the same simple rotational motion for all adjustment tasks rather than managing multiple separate controls
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue retraction system comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft. The tissue retraction system includes a first plurality of linking members located along a second axis and configured to rotate along the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The tissue retraction system includes a linking member selector configured to rotate along the first axis, wherein the linking member selector comprises a cylindrical body integrally formed with a handle. The tissue retraction system includes a right arm assembly configured to move along a first trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a first retractor blade coupled to the right arm assembly. The tissue retraction system includes a left arm assembly configured to move along a second trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a second retractor blade coupled to the left arm assembly.