Case Study

Problem: During open-heart surgery, sternotomy procedures require constant suction to clear blood from the operating site—often demanding a second caregiver to manually vacuum, which complicates workflow and reduces surgical efficiency.

Solution: HaA PD collaborated with Mass General surgeons to develop a retractor system that integrates passive blood removal. After live procedure observation and rapid prototyping, we designed a vacuum-assisted retractor with blood-wicking foam and tubing routed to a standard cell saver. Our design eliminated manual suction needs, improved visibility, and seamlessly fit within existing surgical protocols.

Services: Ideation, User Feedback, Sketched Concepts, CAD, & Prototpying