Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit
Dr. Philip Fullante, clinical associate professor at UP Manila and an Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgeon, presents the Kuchi Surgical Mouth Retractor, developed under the UP Manila Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory (UP SIBOL), at the 2nd Philippine Pharma and Healthcare Expo on Feb. 26, 2025.
A team of Filipino researchers has developed the Kuchi Surgical Mouth Retractor, an innovative medical device designed to improve patient comfort and surgical efficiency during oral and tonsillar procedures.
Dr. Philip Fullante, who presented the invention during the 2025 Philippine Pharma, is an otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgeon and a clinical associate professor from the College of Medicine. He and Dr. Miguel Sandino Aljibe spearheaded the development of the Kuchi Retractor in response to the limitations of traditional mouth gags and retractors.
Addressing Surgical Challenges with Innovation
A surgical mouth retractor is a device used in oral and dental surgery to keep the patient’s mouth open during procedures, ensuring continuous access to the oral cavity. It fits between the upper and lower jaws to prevent closure, facilitating improved visibility and access for surgeons. Retractors primarily function by moving tissue away from the surgical site, allowing for more precise and efficient operations.
“Existing mouth gags often fall short in terms of comfort, adaptability, and visibility,” Dr. Fullante explained. “Surgeons struggle with patients who have prominent or crooked dentition, making procedures challenging. Our device addresses these issues while improving patient safety.”
Additionally, prolonged procedures can cause significant discomfort due to inadequate retraction systems. The Kuchi Retractor aims to solve these problems through a modular, adaptable design that enhances both surgical efficiency and patient experience.
Kuchi Reactor Key Features, Advantages, and Applications in Surgery
With over 6,000 tonsillectomies performed annually in the Philippines and more than 100,000 babies born with cleft palate, the demand for an improved surgical tool is significant.
“Our technology may not be an enabling technology, but it has the potential to be a game-changer for ear, nose, and throat surgeons and oral-maxillofacial surgeons,” Dr. Fullante said.
“Kuchi” means “mouth” in Japanese, and its written form resembles an open mouth, making it a fitting name for the device. According to Dr. Fullante, their modular system adapts to various surgical scenarios, allowing surgeons to tailor the retraction precisely to each patient.
The Kuchi Retractor is designed for tonsillectomies, cleft palate surgeries, and transoral access to the anterior spine in orthopedic procedures. It offers several advantages over existing mouth gags. It enhances patient comfort by reducing strain and preventing soft tissue injury, improves surgical accuracy with precise tissue exposure, and provides better visualization through an optional built-in LED light source, fiber optics, and an optical camera. The device also features adjustable components tailored to various patient anatomies.
Research and Development Process
The team followed the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) design process in developing the device. Their research included key informant interviews with ear, nose, and throat surgeons, computer-aided design (CAD) modeling, and 3D printing of prototypes. The usability of the device was tested by resident trainees, yielding an above-average System Usability Score (SUS) of 75. After refining the design, the final prototype was fabricated using surgical-grade stainless steel, and a pilot clinical trial is now ongoing to validate its effectiveness.
The project was developed under the UP Manila Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory (UP SIBoL), a biomedical innovation hub that fosters cutting-edge medical solutions. UP SIBOL has 19 research teams, 20 projects, and 17 product prototypes. The team has also applied for patent protection through IPO Philippines, ensuring the product’s intellectual property security.
Future Plans and Commercialization
The Kuchi Retractor competes with well-known devices such as the Moore-Moore Evac Mouth Gag, Dingman Mouth Retractor, Jennings Mouth Gag, and Davis Boyle Mouth Gag. The Dingman Retractor, for example, costs around P80,000 to P90,000, while Kuchi will be priced competitively to ensure affordability without compromising quality. With an initial P800,000 grant secured, the team is now seeking P5 million in additional funding from the UP System to scale up manufacturing and prepare for mass production.
“The Kuchi Surgical Mouth Retractor is poised to revolutionize oral and tonsillar surgeries,” Dr. Fullante said. “It enhances patient safety, comfort, and surgeon efficiency while maintaining an affordable, high-quality design.”
With its potential to improve surgical outcomes and patient care, the Kuchi Retractor stands as a testament to Filipino innovation in biomedical technology. Its development team remains committed to refining the device and ensuring that it reaches operating rooms nationwide, where it can make a meaningful difference in surgical procedures and patient recovery.
For those interested in collaborating with or investing in this breakthrough, UP Manila encourages stakeholders to contact the TTBDO and/or IPPAO for further discussions.
Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO)
2/F UP Manila Main Building, Joaquin Gonzales Compound,
Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Email address: ttbdo.upm@up.edu.ph
Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (UP Manila-IPPAO)
Email address: upm-ippao@up.edu.ph
