Cold Light Retractors

Client : SHIL Completed : October '07 prototypes complete

"We found Fearsomengine to be a professional and dynamic young company who delivered on time and on budget. In particular their highly communicative and interactive approach to the product design process allows any issues to be identified early."

Jim McGuire, Senior Programme Manager, Scottish Health Innovations Limited

During most open surgery procedures retractors will be used to hold open the affected area of the body while the operation is undertaken. In some circumstances - particularly where a deep incision is required - the ambient light sources in the room do not allow optimum viewing of the surgical zone.

To solve this problem, Fearsomengine were asked to design a retractor and light source in one integrated, battery powered unit. The idea is to illuminate the surgical zone from a local level, in a way that will not be affected by the shadows of the on-looking medical staff or other objects and parts of the body that might block out light.

In undertaking the mechanical and industrial design of the retractor, we continually consulted NHS personnel, drawing on their knowledge to understand the context of the product’s use and integrating their desired features into it’s design. We also worked with local electronics companies to source new and innovative LED technologies and determine how best to utilise them in the product.

The resultant Cold Light Retractor is a simple, low cost product. Its ‘blades’ are the star attraction, as they effectively become glowing panels of light for the duration of a surgical procedure and are therefore less likely than a single point source of light to be masked by the surgeon’s hands or tools.