Device to aid in the retraction of the thyroid and parathyroid glands during thyroidectomies and related procedures.

Project Overview

The function of the device is to aid in the retraction of the thyroid and parathyroid glands during thyroidectomies and related procedures. During surgery, endocrine surgeons must retract the thyroid gland medially in order to gain access to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. Depending on the procedure, they must then dissect the thyroid gland from vascular attachments, and possibly the parathyroid glands. Surgeons use stainless steel forceps with a piece of gauze clamped at the tip, referred to as a "peanut” to retract and hold the thyroid gland in place, without rupturing it. However, due to the single point of contact, the thyroid gland can often be too large to be held comfortably by this method. The device should be able to assist surgeons in retractracting and holding the thyroid in place from multiple contact points.

Team Picture

Files

• Final Notebook (April 28, 2021)
• Final Report (April 28, 2021)
• Final Poster Presentation (April 22, 2021)
• Executive Summary (April 15, 2021)
• Preliminary Report (March 3, 2021)
• Preliminary Presentation (February 25, 2021)
• PDS (February 12, 2021)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Mitchell Josvai - Team Leader
• Kate Eichstaedt - Communicator
• Ashlee Hart - BSAC
• Avani Lall - BWIG & BPAG
• Taylor Penn

Advisor and Client

• Dr. Ed Bersu - Advisor
• Dr. Amanda Doubleday - Client

Related Projects

• Spring 2022: Thyroid retractor
• Fall 2021: Thyroid retractor
• Spring 2021: Thyroid retractor