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Design Constraints
Design Constraints
Our team wanted the device to be lightweight and handheld, enabling easy, single-handed maneuverability during surgery. To meet the demands of sterile environments, it must also be fully sterilizable without compromising functionality. A user-friendly, intuitive interface is essential to ensure seamless operation and integration into existing surgical workflows, allowing clinicians to focus on the procedure with minimal distraction.
Initial Design Sketches
Initial Design Sketches
Design 1
Design 2
Design 3
Design 4
Design 5
We decided to move forward with Design 5, a scissor-styled handle, to provide clinicians with precise, on-demand control of electrode spacing.
Handle Testing
Handle Testing
We evaluated two retractor styles: Weitlaner and Gelpi. They are surgical instruments commonly used for tissue retraction. This design allows clinicians to maintain electrode positioning without constant manual effort, reducing hand fatigue and enhancing usability during prolonged procedures. The Weitlaner retractor, with its multiple prongs, offers broader wire stabilization and is typically used for superficial applications, while the Gelpi’s single-pointed tips enable access to deeper tissue applications.
We tested two different sizes for each retractor: 4” Weitlaner, 6.5” Weitlaner, 5.5” Gelpi, 7” Gelpi. To evaluate which retractor was perferred, a series of test were performed by both naive and experienced users, and left and right handed users. Each user had two tests to complete: adjust electrode spacing of the retractor and reposition the device along the nerve. The time it took to complete each task was taken. Each test was meant to mimic how the device would be used in surgery.
Weitlaner Retractor
Gelpi Retractor
Results
Results
After each user performed the tests, a survery was conducted with a series of questions to help our team decide which handle would be best for our device. Overall, users prefered the Gelpi retractor to the Wetlaner retractor, but were split on the large and small Gelpi retractors.
Final Design
Final Design
We decided to move forward with the 7" Gelpi because it gave better adaptability to the size of the electrode and would allow for easier attachment to the handle.
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