Illuminated surgical retractor

• US 20010001260A1
• Filed: 12/12/2000
• Published: 05/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffery R. Parker, Jeffrey B. Williams, Robert Caywood
• Original Assignee: Jeffery R. Parker, Jeffrey B. Williams, Robert Caywood
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R., Williams, Jeffrey B., Caywood, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,504,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/572
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/403 for operation or dentist lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A protective cover for protecting a lighting device from direct contact with contaminants or components which may interfere with proper operation thereof. The contaminant (e.g., blood, body tissue, dirt, oil, grease, paint, etc.) or other component (e.g., adhesive pad) can interfere with the desired internal reflection of the light propagating through a light transmitting member, by changeing the angle of reflection of the propagating light. The result is that optical energy is absorbed by the contaminant or component and converted to heat, thus causing the contaminant or component to quickly rise to an undesirable temperature. The present invention protects a lighting device from such interference, while maintaining its versatility.

Claims

1. A lighting device for illuminating a work area, the device comprising:

light transmitting means for propagating light from an associated light source;

cover means for allowing light to propagate through the light transmitting means with minimal disturbance to internal reflection of the light traveling therethrough; and

an air interface between the cover means and the light transmitting means.

2. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means protects said light transmitting means from contact with contaminants.

3. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means covers at least a portion of said light transmitting means.

4. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means is formed of a material having at least one of the characteristics of:

opaque, translucent, transparent, and reflective.

5. A lighting device according to

claim 4

, wherein said material is at least one of:

heat shrink plastic film, PVC heat shrinkable tubing, glass, plastic, cardboard, and metal.

6. A lighting device according to

claim 4

, wherein said cover means includes an opaque portion and a translucent or transparent portion.

7. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means diffuses light.

8. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means includes:

a first cover portion;

a second cover portion; and

bonding means for bonding the first cover portion to the second cover portion.

9. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means is generally rigid.

10. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means is generally flexible.

11. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said lighting device further comprises a connector means engageable with said cover means to seal said light transmitting means within said cover means.

12. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said lighting device further comprises an attachment means for attaching an associated device to said lighting device.

13. A lighting device according to

claim 12

, wherein said attachment means is integral with said cover means.

14. A lighting device according to

claim 12

, wherein said attachment means engages with said cover means.

15. A lighting device according to

claim 12

, wherein said attachment means includes at least one of:

an adhesive member, a Velcro fastener, clips, hooks, tabs, clamps, and snaps.

16. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover means includes:

a central body portion;

a closed end at one end of said central body portion; and

an open end at the other end of said central body portion.

17. A lighting device according to

claim 16

, wherein said closed end includes a lens member for focusing light emitted from said light transmitting means.

18. A lighting device according to

claim 16

, wherein said open end is dimensioned to interface with a connector means for sealing the open end of said cover means.

19. A lighting device according to

claim 18

, wherein said connector means including an engagement surface for engaging with the open end of said cover means.

20. A lighting device according to

claim 19

, wherein said open end includes a threaded surface, and said engagement surface includes a mating threaded surface for engaging said connector means with said cover means.

21. A lighting device according to

claim 1

, wherein said lighting device is at least one of:

a light rod, a rope light, a ring light, and a lighted medical instrument.

22. A boundary layer for covering a light transmitting means of a lighting device, said boundary layer allowing light to propagate through the light transmitting means without disturbance to internal reflection of light traveling therethrough, said boundary layer comprising:

a central body portion;

a closed end at one end of said central body portion; and

an open end at the other end of said central body portion.

23. A boundary layer according to

claim 22

, wherein said closed end includes a lens member for focusing light emitted from said light transmitting means.

24. A boundary layer according to

claim 22

, wherein said open end is dimensioned to interface with a connector means for sealing the open end of said boundary layer.

25. A boundary layer according to

claim 24

, wherein said connector means includes an engagement surface for engaging with the open end of said boundary layer.

26. A boundary layer according to

claim 22

, wherein said open end includes a threaded surface, and said engagement surface includes a mating threaded surface for engaging said connector means with said boundary layer.

27. A lighting device for illuminating a work area, the device comprising:

light transmitting means for propagating light from an associated light source; and

a coating for allowing light to propagate through the light transmitting means with minimal disturbance to internal reflection of the light traveling therethrough.

28. A lighting device according to

claim 27

, wherein said coating protects said light transmitting means from contact with contaminants.

29. A lighting device according to

claim 27

, wherein said coating covers at least a portion of said light transmitting means.

30. A surgical instrument comprising:

an illumination section for illumination of a work area; and

secondary cover or skin which protects at least a portion of the illumination section from contact with contaminants.

31. A light pipe comprising:

an illumination section for illumination of a work area; and

secondary cover or skin which protects at least a portion of the illumination section from contact with contaminants.

32. A light pipe according to

claim 31

, wherein said light pipe is attachable to an associated surgical instrument.

33. A lighting device for illuminating a work area, the device comprising:

light transmitting means for propagating light from an associated light source; and

cover means for minimizing a temperature rise of a contaminant in contact with the lighting device.

34. A lighting device according to

claim 33

, wherein said device includes an air interface between the cover means and the light transmitting means.