Name: Pooja Kulkarni

Guide: Prof. V. P. Bapat

Course: Industrial Design

Credits: BETiC

Design of a deployer device for Endoretractor

Endogun is a collaborative project with BETiC lab, IIT Bombay. Endoretractor is a gallbladder retraction device designed for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder). Endogun is a deployment device for the endoretactor. The device reduces an incision, thus reducing costs involved, chance of error and human engagement.

The project includes conceptualization and development of a product, from mechanism concept, to the user and device interaction, and optimization of time and steps involved in the endoretractor deployment. The project integrates three different devices currently used into one device that is easy to use.

The Endoretractor is a small device that is used to hold the gallbladder to expose its underside that needs to be cauterized. This device has been developed by Lata Chawla, at the BETiC lab. A change of 3 instruments and about 15 mins are required to insert the retractor.

The gallbladder is a very soft organ and thus piercing it is very difficult as it shifts on application of pressure. A few mock up models were tested on a sheep’s gallbladder for their stabilization efficiency.