Project Description: 

Breast augmentation procedures have been the number one Cosmetic Procedure since 2006, and the field continues to grow. However, despite the fact that 300,000 procedures are performed annually, surgeons still lack tools which meet their needs. Many devices in the plastic surgery space are single use, not cost efficient, and not ergonomic for their users. Specifically, we have found that the muscle retractors which hold the breast pocket open during implant insertion fail to meet the needs of surgeons, operating staff, and hospitals. These needs are comfortability, reusability, and customizability. Our retractor, RETRA, creates a more ergonomic grip that can be utilized effectively by surgeons of all genders. The device incorporates a telescopic arm on the shaft that can be adjusted to fit the height preferences of any surgeon and prevent visual obstruction of the pocket. By extending the handle arm, the user can provide increased torque with less effort. Our retractor also has a joint between the shaft and the blade so that surgeons can optimize the angle that leverage is applied to the breast pocket to comfortably sustain visibility. By developing a device with the same functionality and core components – blade, handle, suction, and lighting – as the most commonly used devices on the market, our device is more likely to be adopted by surgeons for use. With our device having around the same $150 cost as typical single use retractors, a plastic surgeon who does just 100 breast augmentations a year can save $15,000 a year by using our retractor. By creating a device that maintains all the core functionality of top market retractors while allowing for customizability and reusability, we meet the needs of countless surgeons as other devices have failed to do.