Light delivery systems and applications thereof

• US 6,739,744 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumtex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lumitex Incorporated
• Inventors: Williams, Jeffrey B., Broer, Peter W.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/935,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 362/572, 362/573, 362/574, 362/581, 362/582, 362/606, 362/607, 385/901
• US Class Current: 362/552
• 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
• 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 axially outwardly spaced from said free end through which a beam of light from said free end passes, said sleeve being selectively axially movable in and out relative to said free end prior to and during use of the device to vary the distance between said aperture and said free end to vary the size of the beam of light passing through said aperture.

2. The lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a lens attached to said sleeve, said lens covering said aperture to focus the beam of light passing through said aperture by moving said sleeve in or out relative to said free end of said light guide.

3. The lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a translucent or transparent protective cover surrounding said light guide, said protective cover having a closed end that covers said free end of said light guide, said sleeve surrounding said protective cover and being axially movable in and out relative to said protective cover.

4. The lighting device of claim 3 wherein there is an air interface between said protective cover and said light guide.

5. The lighting device of claim 3 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.

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

7. The lighting device of claim 6 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.

8. The lighting device of claim 6 said support member is shaped to fit a particular application.

9. The fighting device of claim 8 wherein said support member is used to attach said lighting device to a patient.

10. The lighting device of claim 8 wherein said support member is used to attach said lighting device to a surgical instrument.

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

12. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said tight guide is flexible, further comprising a flexible protective cover surrounding said light guide, and a malleable wire extending between a portion of said light guide and said protective cover, said malleable wire being bendable to hold the shape of said portion of said light guide once arranged in a desired position.

25. The lighting device of claim 1 wherein said sleeve has an outer end wall axially outwardly spaced from said free end containing said aperture, said aperture having a substantially smaller diameter than the inner diameter of said sleeve adjacent said outer end wall.

13. A lighting device tot 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 axially outwardly spaced from said free end through which the directional light from said free end is beamed, said sleeve being selectively axially movable in and out relative to said free end of said light emitter prior to and during use of said device, said sleeve containing a lens covering said aperture to focus the beam of light passing through said aperture by moving said sleeve and thus said lens in or out relative to said free end of said light emitter.

14. The lighting device of claim 13 wherein said light emitter also emits diffuse light along a portion of the length of said light emitter immediately adjacent said free end.

15. The lighting device of claim 13 further comprising a translucent or transparent 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 and being axially movable in and out relative to said protective cover.

16. The lighting device of claim 15 wherein there is an air interface between said protective cover and said right emitter.

17. The lighting device of claim 15 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.

18. The lighting device of claim 15, wherein said light emitter and said protective cover are flexible.

19. The lighting device of claim 13 further comprising a support member for supporting said lighting device.

20. The lighting device of claim 19 wherein said support member is shaped to fit a particular application.

21. The lighting device of claim 19 wherein said support member is attached to an associated device.

22. The lighting device of claim 21, wherein said associated device comprises a surgical instrument.

23. The lighting device of claim 13 wherein said light emitter is flexible, and a malleable member extends along one side only of said light emitter, said malleable member being bendable to hold the shape of said light emitter once arranged in a desired position.

24. The lighting device of claim 23 further comprising a flexible protective cover surrounding said light emitter and said malleable member, said sleeve surrounding said protective cover and being axially movable in and out relative to said protective cover.