Lightweight Rapidly Deployable Modular Flexible Surgical Retractor System for Austere Environments

Existing surgical retraction systems have a multitude of bulky and heavy components, require up to 20 minutes for setup by two people, have fixed structures limiting reach and visualization into the surgical cavity, and are cumbersome to adjust. During tactical damage control surgery of the wounded warfighter, these challenges are greatly magnified by the lack of standard surgical support structures, rapidity of the needed intervention, heterogeneity of injuries and surgical/wound cavities, and limited spaces available. This proposal seeks to overcome these long-standing challenges by adapting the design of a Flexible Surgical Retraction System (FSRS) for surgical intervention on standard handle litters (Talon II 90C, NATO). FSRS comprises a light, compact, pre-assembled, disposable flexible retractor arm and a reusable electromechanical base unit which can be connected to standard surgical rails (including SHRAIL™). Each sterile arm enables self-retaining surgical retraction and position adjustments in seconds by a single person, providing a 20lbf holding force with negligible deflections. Each arm has full range of motion and is adjusted with a convenient release button in the sterile field. FSRS will serve multiple applications with a single versatile system and its features will create significant value for civilian and military stakeholders.