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Developing novel medical devices is essential for enhancing precision and accessibility for several oral and maxillofacial procedures. This study focuses on designing an advanced tongue retraction device that overcomes shortfalls in the current instruments while improving ergonomic efficiency and patient comfort. A comprehensive literature review identified key challenges, including anatomical variability, limited adaptability to diverse demographics, and unsustainable design practices. Critical factors such as gender-specific mouth-opening dimensions, tongue viscoelastic properties, and ergonomic principles were integrated into the design. The proposed device incorporates sustainable materials, adjustable design elements, and improved stabilization techniques to meet clinical demands. Using CATIA for 3D modelling and finite element analysis, the designed tongue retractor was optimized to enhance surgical access, visualization, and precision while reducing operative time and surgeon fatigue. Preliminary testing in simulated surgical environments demonstrated significant ease of use, patient comfort, and retraction stability improvements. Furthermore, the design aligns with emerging trends in sustainable product development and minimizing environmental impact. This study bridges the gap in accommodating diversity, addressing ecological concerns, and offering a transformative solution that integrates functional innovation and sustainability to improve procedural outcomes and enhance patient safety, especially for kids.
Othman et al. (Sun,) studied this question.