Specialized Lateral Retractor Systems for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857173_0009_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Specialized Lateral Retractor Systems for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857173_0009_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857173_0009_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,173.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept relates to lateral retractor systems adapted for use in specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments, such as disaster relief, high-security needs, extreme weather conditions, and remote or rural areas. The systems provide improved ease of use, stability, visibility, and robustness in these challenging contexts.

Background and Problem Solved

Current lateral retractor systems are not optimized for use in specialized environments, often lacking the necessary features and adaptations to ensure successful surgical procedures. The original patent's limitations include a lack of portability, security features, and environmental adaptability. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing specialized lateral retractor systems that cater to the unique needs of niche environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept comprises a family of lateral retractor systems, each designed for a specific niche environment. For disaster relief operations, the system features a portable retractor body and blades adapted for emergency surgical procedures. For high-security environments, the system includes enhanced security features and a surgical distraction corridor adapted for use in secure facilities. For extreme weather conditions, the system boasts a waterproof and dustproof design, with blades adapted for use in harsh environments. For remote or rural areas, the system features a compact and lightweight design with a battery-powered drive system. Each system is designed to provide improved ease of use, stability, visibility, and robustness in its respective environment.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features and adaptations that are not obvious from the original patent. The inventive concept's focus on specialized environments and the incorporation of unique features, such as portability, security features, and environmental adaptability, provide a non-obvious solution to the problems faced in these niches.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include specialized lateral retractor systems for other niche environments, such as search and rescue operations, military field hospitals, or space exploration. Variations could also include different materials, sizes, or configurations of the retractor systems to cater to specific needs and preferences.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The specialized lateral retractor systems have significant commercial potential in various industries, including disaster relief, high-security facilities, extreme weather operations, and remote or rural healthcare providers. The market for these systems is substantial, with potential customers including government agencies, private contractors, and healthcare organizations operating in these niche environments.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/0206
A A61 A61B17/025
A A61 A61B17/7079
A A61 A61B2017/00477
A A61 A61B2017/0256

Field of Art

Surgical instrumentation, specifically lateral spine surgical retractor systems, requiring expertise in medical device design, mechanical engineering, and surgical procedural techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or surgical instrument designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in orthopedic/spinal surgical device development, familiar with mechanical adaptations for specialized medical environments

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental lateral retractor mechanism provides a flexible platform for environmental adaptations. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of existing surgical retractor technology by applying known design modification principles to specific use contexts. The core mechanical functionality remains substantially unchanged, with modifications representing routine engineering adaptations to address niche market requirements.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Pivotable armatures with interchangeable blades for surgical retraction
PTD Variation
Specialized blade configurations for disaster relief, high-security, and extreme weather environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Blade interchangeability is an inherent design feature, and adapting blade geometry/materials for specific environments represents a predictable design optimization known in medical device engineering
Source Patent Element
Retractor body with mechanical gear-based positioning mechanism
PTD Variation
Battery-powered drive system for remote/rural area implementations
Obviousness Reasoning
Electromechanical power adaptation is a standard engineering approach for extending device functionality, representing a known technique for improving device portability and operational flexibility
Source Patent Element
Surgical retractor with modular component design
PTD Variation
Enhanced security features and surgical distraction corridor adaptations
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design principles inherently support configuration modifications, and security/procedural adaptations represent foreseeable design iterations within the established mechanical framework
Source Patent Element
Retractor system with adjustable mechanical components
PTD Variation
Waterproof and dustproof design for extreme environmental conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Material and sealing modifications are routine engineering solutions for expanding device operational environments, representing predictable technological extensions
Source Patent Element
Surgical retraction mechanism with multiple positioning options
PTD Variation
Compact and lightweight design for temporary medical facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Size and weight optimization represents a standard design approach for medical devices, particularly for portable or emergency medical contexts
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857173's disclosure of a lateral retractor system, the present publication demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious through routine engineering adaptations. The disclosed environmental and functional modifications represent predictable extensions of the foundational surgical retractor technology, thereby establishing anticipatory prior art under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,173
TitleLateral retractor system and methods of use
Assignee(s)Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.