3D Retractor Displaces Organs During Laparoscopic Surgery

An innovative, variable space retractor made of a soft mesh pushes away organs that hinder the surgeon during laparoscopic surgery.

The A-Lap is a three dimensional (3D) combined retractor and displacement device that is intended for use during laparoscopic surgery, designed to be deployed via a dedicated soft flexible port, or through an existing skin incision. Among the features of the retractor are an atraumatic mesh controlled by an intuitive handle design, allowing the user to manipulate and lock-in the degree to which the device is opened. This feature accommodates for multiple applications, including intra-abdominal retraction, liver retraction, lung retraction, or any location where atraumatic tissue or organ displacement is required. When the device is opened, there is no volume loss as is commonly the case with other "fan” like devices that are limited by a single plane of retraction, which could lead to potential damage to tissue when the fan blades are closed.


The A-Lap is supplied in a surgical set that is comprised of three components: the A-lap retractor itself, a dedicated 5 mm blunt tipped, winged introducer, and the proprietary EZaxess flexible port. The A-Lap is a product of EZ Surgical (Yoqneam, Israel), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"A-Lap is the most innovative laparoscopic retractor I have seen so far,” said Desmond Birkett, M.D., chairman of the department of surgery at Lahey Clinic medical Center (Burlington, MA, USA). "It's design permits gentle retraction over a wide area, reducing the danger of organ and vascular damage.”

Related Links:
Ezsurgical
Lahey Clinic medical Center