Ultraviolet sterilizer for surgery
First Claim
1. An ultraviolet sterilizer, for use during surgery, the ultraviolet sterilizer comprising:
- an ultraviolet light source for supplying ultraviolet light;
an aiming light source for supplying visible aiming light so as to selectively aim the ultraviolet light;
a base;
a lamp, the lamp being in optical communication with the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source for directing the ultraviolet light and the aiming light toward the surgery, the lamp being supported by the base;
power supplying means for supplying electrical power to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the power supplying means being electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; and
controlling means for controlling the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the controlling means being connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultraviolet sterilizer for use during surgery is mounted in a base cabinet. The UV light source can be a laser, or an LED. An optical frequency multiplier can be used that outputs UV of less than 280 nm, or greater than 320 nm, to avoid burning the patient. A visible LED aiming light directs the UV light toward the surgery. A crosshair image can be projected to position the light.
One lamp has a housing, a cavity, a handle, and an ocular plate to pass the UV and the aiming light. An articulated arm allows selective positioning of the lamp. Another lamp has a stylus, a handle, and a tip small enough for easy insertion into a small incision for arthroscopy. A fiber optic cable connects the UV and the aiming light to the lamp. Lenses or filters can be used with the fiber optic cable.
An electronic power supply and a CPU connect to the UV and the aiming light sources. A keyboard inputs commands to the CPU. A sensor provides feedback.
Another UV sterilizer is mounted on a ceiling of the operating room. A lamp has a housing with a cavity. Either a curved or a flat substrate is mounted in the cavity. Solid state UV elements are arrayed on the substrate, along with visible LEDs for aiming. Either a curved or a flat mirror is disposed behind the substrate. An ocular plate passes the UV and the aiming light, and protects the elements from damage. The ocular plate is a diffuser, a filter, or a fresnel lens.
77 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An ultraviolet sterilizer, for use during surgery, the ultraviolet sterilizer comprising:
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an ultraviolet light source for supplying ultraviolet light; an aiming light source for supplying visible aiming light so as to selectively aim the ultraviolet light; a base; a lamp, the lamp being in optical communication with the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source for directing the ultraviolet light and the aiming light toward the surgery, the lamp being supported by the base; power supplying means for supplying electrical power to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the power supplying means being electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; and controlling means for controlling the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the controlling means being connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An ultraviolet sterilizer, for use during surgery, the ultraviolet sterilizer comprising:
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a base; an ultraviolet light source received within the base for supplying ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source being selected from the group consisting of;
an ultraviolet vertical cavity surface emitting laser, an ultraviolet vertical light emitting diode, an edge emitting laser, and a fiber laser;a solid state aiming light source, received within the base, for supplying visible aiming light so as to selectively aim the ultraviolet light; a lamp, the lamp being in optical communication with the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source for directing the ultraviolet light and the aiming light toward the surgery, the lamp being supported by the base; power supplying means, received within the base, for supplying electrical power to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the power supplying means being electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; controlling means, received within the base, for controlling the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the controlling means being connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; and a fiber optic cable extending from a proximal end connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, to a distal end connected to the lamp, so as to conduct the ultraviolet light and the aiming light to the lamp. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An ultraviolet sterilizer, for use during surgery, the ultraviolet sterilizer comprising:
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a base; a lamp having a housing with a cavity and at least one handle adapted for manual grasping, the lamp being supported by the base; an articulated arm interposed between the base and the lamp for selectively directing the lamp toward the surgery; a substrate received within the housing cavity; an ultraviolet light source for supplying ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source having a plurality of solid state ultraviolet light emitting elements arrayed on the substrate; an aiming light source for supplying visible aiming light so as to selectively aim the ultraviolet light, the aiming light source having a plurality of solid state visible light emitting elements arrayed on the substrate; power supplying means for supplying electrical power to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the power supplying means being electrically connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; controlling means for controlling the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, the controlling means being connected to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; and an ocular plate mounted on the housing so as to pass the ultraviolet light and the aiming light outward toward the surgery. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of sterilizing with ultraviolet light, for use during surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
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supplying ultraviolet light with an ultraviolet light source; supplying visible aiming light with an aiming light source; providing a base; providing a lamp, and communicating the lamp optically with the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; directing the ultraviolet light toward the surgery with the aiming light; supplying electrical power to the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source; and controlling the ultraviolet light source and the aiming light source, selectively - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification