Reduce manufacturing cost of retractors while making them more comfortable for surgeons
Stryker Orthopaedics
Hip Retractor
Industrial Design, User Research, Surgical Observation, Concept Modeling, Manufacturing Liaison
Stryker wanted to reduce the cost of their retractors, proposing to manufacture them out of a single piece of stainless steel. Seems simple enough, but this minimalist solution did present challenges. The instruments required a circular cross section to minimize damage to soft tissue. There were several different retractors, including a double-ended device, within this instrument set that needed to look related. Perhaps most difficult of all— how to create a comfortable, secure, elegant device out of so little material?
The Problem
The status quo for orthopaedic retractors is typically too thin, sharp, and reflective to be comfortable or stable, especially with wet, gloved hands over the course of a surgical procedure.
Intensive concept ideation explored how minimal material—bent steel—can provide users with instruments of control, comfort, and confidence. And simple but effective models (carefully molded ABS) provided the design team a more realistic user experience, enabling the team to physically evaluate performance, and also helping manufacturers determine how to sculpt some rather challenging forms. In a matter of weeks, Humanfactors took this project from sketch to fabrication, developing a series of retractors that provide intuitive performance, elegant aesthetics, and support.
Industrial Design
Concepts focused on ergonomics and aesthetics. the challenge was to create an instrument that’s a single, bent piece of stainless that provides stability and maneuverability while being elegant to behold.
Concept Modeling
Fabricating such a subtle, complex form proved a challenge even for Stryker’s exceptional manufacturing team. Humanfactors figured out a method for quickly developing full scale concept models - useful for obtaining surgeon feedback, but invaluable as a tool for helping manufacturing develop a fabrication strategy.
Production
In a matter of weeks, Humanfactors took this project from sketch to fabrication, developing a series of retractors that provide intuitive performance, elegant aesthetics, and support.