Illuminated surgical retractor

• US 20030095781A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumitex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lumitex Incorporated
• Inventors: Williams, Jeffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/146
• 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 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support 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 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• 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

Abstract

Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. In some embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system includes a light emitter in the form of an elongated light emitting blade portion extending along the length of the retractor blade. The light emitter may be coupled to a light source integral with the retractor for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the light emitter or retractor blade. In other embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

Claims

1. An illuminated surgical retractor comprising a support, an elongated first blade portion having one end connected to said support and another end remote from said support, an elongated second blade portion extending along a length of said first blade portion, a connector for coupling said second blade portion to a light source integral with said retractor for illuminating at least a portion of at least one of said first blade portion and said second blade portion, and a heat sink to which said light source is thermally coupled.

2. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a solid-state light source.

3. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

4. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises at least one of an incandescent lamp and a halogen lamp.

5. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said heat sink includes said support.

6. The retractor of claim 5 wherein said light source includes a lead in thermal contact with said support.

7. The retractor of claim 6 wherein said light source has a body portion in thermal contact with said support.

8. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said support includes a handle portion.

9. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said support includes a mounting post.

10. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said light source is powered by an integral power source.

11. The retractor of claim 10 wherein said integral power source comprises at least one of a battery and a fuel cell contained within said handle.

12. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said light source is powered by a remote power source.

13. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said second blade portion is disposable, further comprising an attachment member for removably attaching said second blade portion to said first blade portion.

14. The retractor of claim 13 wherein said attachment member comprises at least one clip on one of said first blade portion and said second blade portion for removably engaging the other of said first blade portion and said second blade portion.

15. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said second blade portion is transparent.

16. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said second blade portion is a light guide.

17. The retractor of claim 16 wherein said light guide has a gradient printed dot pattern on at least one surface thereof for causing light to be emitted from at least a portion of said light guide.

18. The retractor of claim 16 wherein said light guide has a gradient pattern of light extracting deformities on at least one surface thereof for causing light to be emitted from at least a portion of said light guide.

19. The retractor of claim 18 wherein said light extracting deformities are arranged to direct light away from a user'"'"'s eyes and toward a viewing area in proximity of said first blade portion.

20. The retractor of claim 16 wherein said light guide is flexible.

21. The retractor of claim 16 wherein said light guide is rigid.

22. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said first blade portion is flexible.

23. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said first blade portion is rigid.

24. The retractor of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first blade portion and said second blade portion is illuminated by said light source substantially the entire length of said at least one of said first blade portion and said second blade portion.

25. The retractor of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first blade portion and said second blade portion has more than one area that is illuminated.

26. The retractor of claim 1 wherein said other end of said first blade portion includes an angled tip for retaining or gripping tissue.

27. The retractor of claim 26 wherein said tip is serrated.

28. An illuminated surgical retractor comprising a pair of opposed elongated blade portions, at least one elongated substantially transparent light emitter extending along a length of at least one of said blade portions, a connector for coupling said light emitter to a light source integral with said retractor for illuminating at least a portion of at least one of said light emitter and said blade portions, and a heat sink to which said light source is thermally coupled.

29. An illuminated surgical retractor comprising a support, an elongated blade portion having one end connected to said support and another end remote from said support, and an array of lights along at least a portion of a length of said blade portion for illuminating said blade portion.

30. The retractor of claim 29 further comprising a heat sink to which said lights are thermally coupled.

31. The retractor of claim 30 wherein said heat sink includes said blade portion.

32. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said lights are attached directly to said blade portion.

33. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said lights are attached to a support extending along the length of said blade portion.

34. The retractor of claim 33 wherein said support is in the shape of a blade.

35. The retractor of claim 34 wherein said support is a printed circuit board.

36. The retractor of claim 33 wherein said lights are powered by an integral power source.

37. The retractor of claim 36 wherein said power source comprises at least one of a battery and a fuel cell contained within said support.

38. The retractor of claim 33 wherein said support is disposable, further comprising an attachment member for removably attaching said support to said blade portion.

39. The retractor of claim 38 wherein said attachment member includes at least one clip.

40. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said lights are oriented along the length of said blade portion for directing light away from a user'"'"'s eyes and toward a viewing area in proximity to said blade portion.

41. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said support includes a handle.

42. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said support includes a mounting post.

43. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said lights comprise light emitting diodes.

44. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said blade portion is flexible.

45. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said blade portion is rigid.

46. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said array of lights illuminate said blade portion along substantially the entire length thereof.

47. The retractor of claim 29 wherein said blade portion includes an angled tip for retaining or gripping tissue.

48. The retractor of claim 47 wherein said tip is serrated.