Abdominal Retractor Using Vaginal Arm Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing abdominal retractor systems require excessive tugging and lateral opening, leading to tissue trauma, postoperative pain, and longer operation times, as they do not effectively utilize body regions like the vagina or back for support, necessitating larger incisions and longer hospital stays.
Innovation Solution
An abdominal retractor system that uses extension levers to support the abdominal wall, incorporating a vaginal arm with soft pillows and pressure sensors to minimize tissue trauma, and adjustable components for optimal positioning, including a bowel retractor to maintain the surgical site without sliding, and an optional clamping system for fat patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing retractor arrangements use traditional support methods (operating table or lateral opening), then the abdominal wall can be opened, but excessive tugging and lateral opening are required leading to tissue trauma and postoperative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vaginal arm as an intermediary support structure that utilizes the patient's own vaginal canal to bear the retraction force. This mediator transfers the load from the abdominal wall to the vaginal structures, eliminating the need for excessive lateral opening and reducing tissue trauma at the abdominal incision site.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the patient's own body structures (vaginal wall and surrounding tissues) to provide support for the retraction function. Instead of relying on external supports like the operating table, the patient's anatomy serves the dual purpose of both the surgical target and the support mechanism, reducing external interference and tissue damage.
2Productivity
If traditional retractor systems are used without body part support, then the operation can proceed, but larger incisions and longer operation times are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal arm acts as a mechanical intermediary that provides stable support for the abdominal wall retraction. This allows the surgeon to maintain a smaller abdominal incision while achieving adequate exposure, as the vaginal structures bear the mechanical load of holding the abdominal wall open throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaginal arm is inserted and positioned before the abdominal incision is made, establishing a stable support structure in advance. This preliminary action allows the surgeon to proceed with a smaller incision knowing that the retraction support is already in place, eliminating the need for larger initial openings.
3Strength
If the vaginal arm is inserted deep into the vagina to provide support, then better retraction support is achieved, but risk of urine tube crushing and organ damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal arm features localized soft pillows at critical contact points where the urethra and surrounding structures may be at risk. These soft, compliant elements are placed precisely where needed to distribute pressure and protect sensitive structures, allowing the arm to be inserted deep enough to provide adequate support without causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Soft pillows are pre-positioned on the vaginal arm at locations that will contact the urethra and surrounding organs during insertion and operation. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the arm is inserted to the necessary depth for support, the protective elements are already in place to prevent urine tube crushing and organ damage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed retractor positions are used, then the structure is simple, but adaptability to different patient anatomies and surgical needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal arm incorporates adjustable mechanisms including a telescopic rod with locking positions and rotatable components that allow the arm to be configured for different patient anatomies and surgical requirements. This dynamic adjustability enables the same basic device to adapt to varying vaginal depths, angles, and surgical field requirements without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaginal arm is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different patient anatomies and surgical needs through its adjustable features. The same basic structure can be configured for various vaginal depths, angles of insertion, and retraction requirements, making it a multi-functional tool that replaces several fixed-position devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an abdominal retractor system using human body parts as support points by means of extension levers, and maintains approach to the surgical region by pressing abdominal wall downwards.