Tissue vitality comparator with light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle

• US 20070299468A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,114,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation

Abstract

A surgical instrument having a tissue vitality comparator is provided to view images of tissue relative to the surgical instrument and compare the images with predetermined reference images. The surgical instrument includes a pair of jaws for capturing tissue and one or more light sources 14 illuminating the captured tissue. The surgical instrument additionally includes a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle having a first end for viewing the tissue between the jaws and a second end on a handle portion of the surgical instrument for observing the tissue. A tissue comparison chart having a plurality of reference images is provided on the handle of the surgical instrument for comparison with the image observed through the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

at least one jaw extending from the housing;

a light source on the at least one jaw; and

a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle extending between the at least one jaw and the housing, wherein the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle has a first end positioned on the at least one jaw and a second end positioned on the housing such that an image illuminated by the light source on the at least one jaw is visible at the housing.

2. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing has an elongate member extending distally from the housing and the at least one jaw includes a first jaw and a second jaw mounted on the distal end of the elongate member, the first jaw and the second jaw being relatively movable to each other.

3. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other.

4. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are mounted for parallel movement relative to each other.

5. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, wherein the first end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle is positioned on the first jaw.

6. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5, wherein the light source is positioned on the first jaw.

7. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5, a wherein the light source is positioned on the second jaw.

8. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5, wherein the light source includes a first light source positioned on the first jaw and a second light source positioned on the second jaw.

9. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5, wherein the light source is an LED light source.

10. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein the housing includes a power source for the LED light source and a switch to turn the LED light source on and off.

11. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5, further comprising a tissue comparison chart positioned on the housing adjacent the second end of the light source.

12. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the tissue comparison chart at least partially surrounds the second end of the light source.

13. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 8, wherein the housing includes a power source for the first and second light sources and a switch for controlling the first and second light sources.

14. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 11, where in the tissue comparison chart includes an first reference image corresponding to healthy tissue and a second reference image corresponding to unhealthy tissue.

15. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

an elongate member extending distally from the housing;

a first jaw and a second jaw mounted for relative movement on a distal end of the elongate member;

a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle having a first end positioned on the first jaw and a second end positioned in the housing;

at least one light source positioned on at least one of the first and second jaws;

a power source for the light source positioned in the housing; and

a tissue comparison chart positioned on the housing.

16. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is positioned on the first jaw adjacent the first end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.

17. Surgical instrument as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is positioned on the second jaw opposite the first end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.

18. A method of visualizing tissue using a surgical instrument comprising:

a) providing a surgical instrument having;

i) a housing;

ii) an elongate member extending distally from the housing;

iii) a first jaw and a second jaw mounted for relative movement on a distal end of the elongate member;

iv) a fiber optic imaging device having a first end positioned on the first jaw and a second end positioned in the housing;

v) at least one light source positioned on at least one of the first and second jaws; and

vi) a tissue comparison chart positioned on the housing;

b) delivering power to the at least one light source;

c) illuminating tissue positioned between the first and second jaws with the at least one light source; and

d) viewing the illuminated tissue through the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle positioned in the housing.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the step of illuminating includes illuminating the tissue with the at least one light source positioned on the first jaw such that the tissue is viewed with light reflecting off the tissue.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the step of illuminating includes illuminating the tissue with the at least one light source positioned on the second jaw such that the tissue is viewed with light transmitted through the tissue.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of comparing the illuminated tissue viewed through the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle with a tissue comparison chart positioned on the housing.