OBP Medical introduces CLEAR-TRAC family of disposable surgical retractors

OBP Medical, the leading global developer of single-use, self-contained, illuminating medical devices, today announced the launch of its CLEAR-TRAC family of disposable surgical retractors. The line—which includes CLEAR-TRAC SP (surgical pocket), CLEAR-TRAC V (vaginal) and new CLEAR-TRAC B (breast)—is the first on the market to offer a built-in, single-use light source. The result is a cost-effective, all-in-one and entirely disposable device that delivers enhanced functionality for physicians and surgeons during procedures that require illumination. CLEAR-TRAC products are now available for purchase.

Optimal visualization, retraction and hemostasis during any surgical procedure are critical to reducing complications and infections. Retractors are used to separate the edges of an incision and hold back underlying organs and tissues, allowing clinicians to see and access the procedure area. Historically, retractors providing illumination of the operative area were made from reusable stainless steel and required large up-front capital expenditure, ongoing expenses for multiple costly components, as well as complicated pre-procedure set up and reprocessing after use. In addition, an expensive external light source was needed to illuminate the procedure field. Some newer, partially disposable options still require expensive fiber optic illumination systems, as well as additional reusable parts and components.

"CLEAR-TRAC demonstrates OBP Medical's commitment to reengineering frequently used office and hospital medical devices in order to enhance efficiency, utility and the operator experience," said Douglas McConnell, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director at OBP Medical and former director of Cardiac Surgery at Shasta Regional Medical Center. "With CLEAR-TRAC, we enable physicians to achieve excellent illumination in the depths of a surgical tissue pocket or cavity quickly and without any frustrating set up or delay while waiting for external light sources. Even more, we're able to deliver this clinical innovation at a price point that provides immediate and significant value to users while enhancing patient safety."

Unlike existing options, CLEAR-TRAC devices are designed to be 100 percent single use. CLEAR-TRAC products come out of the package sterile and ready for use with everything needed to successfully retract tissue and illuminate a surgical pocket or cavity. With CLEAR-TRAC, no assembly or additional parts are required, and everything (including the light) is thrown away after a single procedure, thereby eliminating the risk of cross-contamination from the often poorly cleaned and structurally complex reusable components in other lighted retractors.

The CLEAR-TRAC family of retractors includes: CLEAR-TRAC SP, a single-use surgical pocket retractor designed for procedures requiring illumination and exposure during surgical dissection; CLEAR-TRAC V, a single-use vaginal retractor perfect for vaginal laceration repair and other operative gynecological procedures; and CLEAR-TRAC B, a single-use breast retractor ideal for breast augmentation, reconstruction, and mastectomy and lumpectomy procedures.

Additional features include:

• CLEAR-TRAC SP and CLEAR-TRAC B are made from a revolutionary fiber-reinforced polyaryamide material that provides exceptional strength and rigidity;
• CLEAR-TRAC B has an angled tip with blunt teeth for improved tissue grip;
• All CLEAR-TRAC devices offer comfortable, ergonomic design that improves balance and maneuverability, boast built-in, ultra-bright, single-use LED light sources that do not get hot, and are available for a fraction of the cost of other illuminated retractor systems.