LED LIGHTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME FOR ILLUMINATION OF A BODY CAVITY

• US 20060242884A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medical Vision Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Medical Vision Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Talieh, Yahya John
• Granted Patent: US 7,871,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/17.500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00283 with a device releasably connected to an inner wall of the abdomen during surgery, e.g. an illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

The present invention provides an LED lighting apparatus and a method of using the same for illumination of a body cavity. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of surgery in which one incision is made for hands and surgical instruments, and another incision is made for insertion of an LED lighting device. Both incisions open into the same cavity, and the lighting device provides continuous internal lighting to the body cavity where the operation is occurring. In another aspect, a method and apparatus are described that provide internal chandelier lighting to an internal body cavity using a plurality of switched LED'"'"'s for surgical without damaging tissue within the body cavity.

Claims

1. A method of surgery performed within an internal cavity of a body that is covered by skin and subcutaneous tissue comprising the steps of:

inserting a LED light into the internal cavity of the body; and

performing a surgical procedure within the internal cavity while retaining the LED light in the internal cavity of the body so that the LED light illuminates the internal cavity during the procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of inserting includes the steps of:

making a first incision into the skin and through the subcutaneous tissue into the internal cavity; and

inserting the LED light through the first incision into the internal cavity, the LED light providing illumination of the internal cavity.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of performing includes the steps of:

making a second incision into the skin and through the subcutaneous tissue into the internal cavity, the second incision being different and larger than the first incision;

and, wherein the step of performing performs the surgical procedure within the internal cavity through the second incision while retaining the LED light in the first incision.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the LED light is retained in the first incision and turned on throughout the entire surgical procedure.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the first incision is less than 3 cm long.

6. The method according to claim 3 wherein the internal cavity is a chest cavity;

and further including the steps of;

removing the LED light from the first incision upon substantial completion of the surgical procedure; and

inserting a standard chest tube into the chest cavity using the first incision.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the LED light uses a plurality of switched LED elements to provide sufficient light at a reduced heat level.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of inserting the LED light causes self-supporting of the LED light.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the LED is self-supporting at an area of an outer housing that widens between a tip end and a back end, with the LED light disposed at the tip end, and the back end remains outside the body.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the internal lighting is chandelier lighting.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the chandelier lighting allows illumination that is sufficient for field of vision that is both magnified and non-magnified.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of performing is performed with the LED light providing at least 10 Candelas of illumination.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of performing is performed with the LED light providing at least 20 Candelas of illumination.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the LED light is disposed in a tip end of an outer housing, and wherein the tip end of the outer housing rests on internal body tissue.

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein the LED light is disposed in a tip end of an outer housing, and wherein the tip end of the outer housing rests on internal body tissue.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the LED light is disposed in a tip end of an outer housing, and wherein the tip end of the outer housing rests on internal body tissue.

17. The method according to claim 1 wherein the LED light is disposed on a retractor, and wherein:

the step of inserting inserts the retractor into the internal body cavity and underneath a body tissue; and

the step of performing includes the steps of;

elevating the body tissue; and

viewing the area surrounding the elevated tissue using the LED light.

18. An apparatus that provides internal chandelier lighting to an internal body cavity for use during a surgical procedure without damaging tissue within the body cavity, the apparatus comprising:

a sterile exterior housing having a tip end and a back end, wherein the tip end allows light to pass therethrough;

a plurality of switched LED'"'"'s disposed within the sterile exterior housing at the tip end, the plurality of switched LEDs providing chandelier lighting; and

a power source that provided power to the plurality of switched LED'"'"'s disposed within the sterile exterior housing.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of switched LED'"'"'s provide at least 10 Candelas of illumination.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the plurality of switched LED'"'"'s provide at least 20 Candelas of illumination.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the chandelier lighting allows illumination sufficient for field of vision that is both magnified and non-magnified.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the unit the is adapted to be self-supporting at an area of the exterior outer housing that widens between the tip end and the back end, and wherein the self-support is assisted by being internally weighted to allow the exterior outer housing to balance at the area when the area rests upon an outer skin surface at an incision and the tip end is inserted through the incision.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of switched LED operate using a constant current source to establish uniform illumination.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the constant current source includes a stepper integrated circuit.

25. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of LEDs are each mounted on a printed circuit.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the printed circuit board is cone shaped.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the printed circuit board is a flat circular shape.

28. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s is at least 4, and different ones of the at least four LED'"'"'s each illuminate a different illumination area.

29. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of LED'"'"'s are operated at less than a maximum operating point to ensure a substantially white light.