Wound Retractor Inflatable Ring Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound retractors for minimally invasive surgical procedures are not adaptable to different opening widths and depths, leading to difficulties in placement and use, and lack versatility.

Innovation Solution

A surgical apparatus with a proximal inflatable member adjustable to various radial dimensions, a distal member with a constant radial dimension, and a flexible sleeve, allowing for inflation to adjust the radial dimension and retract the tissue tract, providing a consistent view of the surgical site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wound retractor is designed with a fixed radial dimension to fit a specific opening width, then it can provide stable support for that particular opening, but it cannot adapt to openings of different widths and depths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different opening widthsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wound retractor incorporates an inflatable member that can be inflated and deflated to dynamically adjust the radial dimension of the proximal member, allowing the device to adapt to openings of different widths. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its radial dimension parameter through inflation and deflation of the inflatable member. By controlling the volume of fluid in the inflatable member, the radial dimension of the proximal member can be adjusted to match different opening widths, achieving adaptability while maintaining a single device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wound retractors with different radial dimensions are designed to fit different opening widths, then each opening can be treated with the appropriate size, but the number of devices increases and ease of use decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility to fit different opening widthsVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A single wound retractor device is designed to perform multiple functions by adjusting its radial dimension through inflation and deflation. This universal device can fit various opening widths without requiring multiple specialized retractors, thereby improving ease of use while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the proximal member is made rigid to maintain a consistent view of the surgical site, then it provides stable support, but it becomes difficult to manipulate and place

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of proximal memberVSAvoidease of placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The proximal member transitions from a flexible state during insertion to a rigid state during use. By inflating the inflatable member, the proximal member gains rigidity to maintain a consistent view of the surgical site, while remaining flexible enough for easy placement and manipulation when deflated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigidity parameter of the proximal member is changed through inflation and deflation of the inflatable member. When deflated, the proximal member is flexible and easy to manipulate; when inflated, it becomes rigid and provides stable support, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 easy adaptation to openings of different widths and depths, facilitating wound protection and maintaining a consistent surgical site view, while being easy to use and manipulate.

Implementation Method 1

a proximal member including an inflatable member adjustable to a plurality of radial dimensions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Implementation Method 2

increasing tension in the flexible sleeve to retract the tissue tract during inflation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP2630928B1Wound retractor including rigid ring

Publication Date: 2020.01.01 COVIDIEN LP

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity adapts to tissue tracts of different widths. The surgical instrument includes a proximal member, a distal member, and a sleeve extending between the proximal member and the distal member and defining a longitudinal passage therein. The proximal member includes an inflatable member that selectively adjusts the radial dimension of the proximal member. A ring member may be separately insertable by a user during a surgical procedure into the space directly adjacent to the radially-inner surface of the inflatable member, so as to selectively provide rigidity to the proximal member.