Team 1

Immediate Exposure: Abdominal Surgical Tissue Retractor Device

Team Members: Tori Johnson, Karolena Lein, Michelle Loui, Gabrielle Wipper - SBHSE

Team Mentors: Dr. Paul Del Prado MD - District Medical Group & Maricopa Integrated Health System
Dr. Brent Vernon - SBHSE

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/5996741742

Abstract

Abdominal retractors are used to separate surgical incisions and provide appropriate exposure by restraining the underlying organs and tissues that hinder the surgeons’ progression. During surgery, time and resources are especially important as each minute costs approximately $62. Popular surgical retractors that are currently on the market are difficult to assemble (depleting valuable resources such as time and manpower) and aren’t able to accommodate effectively for different body types. Furthermore, laparotomy pads are crudely used to isolate and prevent damage to surrounding organs and tissues, but often cause more damage and may be forgotten inside the patient. Immediate customer needs we seek to meet are creating a surgical retractor with minimal setup time that is sterilizable and allows for easy organ isolation. We are proposing a new design of a Class I abdominal retractor that meets the following requirements: provides immediate exposure, is quick and fool-proof, and offers attachments for organ isolation and protection. The planned device will be versatile and adjustable to allow for use on various body types. After the incision is made, the device will be inserted into the abdominal cavity and will be deployed using an electrical current, offering immediate access to the surgical area. Once the proper area is exposed, attachments can be added to the retractor that keep the healthy tissues and organs safe and out of the way of the surgeon. The designed prototype of this retractor provides a proof of concept that, with more time and resources, will be able to be developed and will be able to fulfill the desired customer and engineering requirements.