Light delivery systems and applications thereof

• US 20020001202A1
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumtex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lumtex Incorporated
• Inventors: Broer, Peter W., Williams, Jeffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,739,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/572
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats trocars attached to inner organs or inner body tissue A61B2017/3488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0068 Medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• 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: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A lighting device includes an optic light guide having a free end that emits directional light. Surrounding the free end is a sleeve having an aperture through which a beam of light emitted by the free end of the light guide passes. The sleeve may be moved in and out relative to the free end to vary the size of the beam of light passing through the aperture.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising an optic light guide for receiving light from a light source and propagating light therethrough via internal reflection, said light guide having a free end that emits directional light, and a sleeve surrounding said free end, said sleeve having an aperture spaced from the free end through which a beam of light passes.

2. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is movable in and out relative to said free end to vary the distance between said aperture and said free end to vary the size of the beam of light passing through said aperture.

3. The lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a lens covering said aperture to focus the beam of light passing through said aperture.

4. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said light guide is flexible.

5. The lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said light guide, said sleeve surrounding said protective cover.

6. The lighting device of claim 5 wherein there is an air interface between said protective cover and said light guide.

7. The lighting device of claim 5 wherein said protective cover has a closed end that covers said free end of said light guide.

8. The lighting device of claim 7 further comprising a connecting member attached to an other end of said light guide remote from said free end, said protective cover being sealed against said connecting member.

9. The lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a support member for supporting said light guide.

10. The lighting device of claim 9 further comprising a connecting member attached to an other end of said light guide remote from said free end, said support member being integral with said connecting member.

11. The lighting device of claim 9 wherein said support member is shaped to fit a particular application.

12. The lighting device of claim 11 wherein said support member is used to attach said lighting device to a patient.

13. The lighting device of claim 11 wherein said support member is used to attach said lighting device to a surgical instrument.

14. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said lighting device is a surgical lighting device.

15. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said light guide is flexible, and a malleable member extends along a portion of said light guide, said malleable member being bendable to hold the shape of said portion of said light guide once arranged in a desired position.

16. A lighting device for illuminating a viewing area comprising a light distributor for receiving light from a light source and propagating light therethrough via internal reflection, a light emitter for receiving light propagated by the light distributor and emitting directional light from a free end of said light emitter, and a sleeve surrounding said free end of said light emitter, said sleeve having an aperture spaced from said free end through which the directional light from said free end is beamed.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said sleeve is movable in and out relative to said free end of said light emitter to vary the size of a beam of light passing through said aperture.

18. The lighting device of claim 17 further comprising a lens covering said aperture to focus the beam of light passing through said aperture.

19. The lighting device of claim 16 wherein said light emitter also emits diffuse light along a portion of the length of said light emitter.

20. The lighting device of claim 16 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said light emitter, said protective cover having a closed end covering said free end of said light emitter, and said sleeve surrounding said closed end of said protective cover.

21. The lighting device of claim 20 wherein there is an air interface between said protective cover and said light emitter.

22. The lighting device of claim 20 further comprising a connecting member attached to an end of said light distributor remote from said light emitter, said protective cover being sealed against said connecting member.

23. The lighting device of claim 20 wherein said light emitter and said protective cover are flexible.

24. The lighting device of claim 23 wherein said protective cover is made of a translucent or transparent material.

25. The lighting device of claim 16 further comprising a support member for supporting said lighting device.

26. The lighting device of claim 25 wherein said support member is shaped to fit a particular application.

27. The lighting device of claim 25 wherein said support member is attached to an associated device.

28. The lighting device of claim 27 wherein said associated device comprises a surgical instrument.

29. The lighting device of claim 16 wherein said light emitter is flexible, and a malleable member extends along said light emitter, said malleable member being bendable to hold the shape of said light emitter once arranged in a desired position.

30. The lighting device of claim 29 further comprising a flexible protective cover surrounding said light emitter.

31. The lighting device of claim 30 wherein said malleable member is disposed within said protective cover, and said sleeve surrounds said protective cover.