Tissue vitality comparator with light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- a housing;
a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the housing;
a first light source and a second light source disposed on the first and second jaws, respectively;
a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle extending between the second jaw and the housing, wherein the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle has a first end positioned on the second jaw and a second end positioned on the housing such that an image illuminated by the light sources on the first and second jaws is visible at the housing; and
a tissue comparison chart integrated into the housing adjacent the second end of the light pipe, said tissue comparison chart including a plurality of reference images for comparison to the image illuminated by the light sources, whereinthe first and second light sources are disposed on opposing surfaces of the first and second jaws, respectively,the first light source is spaced apart from the first end of the light pipe and transmits a first light beam that is reflected off the section of tissue and into the light pipethe second light source opposes the first end of the light pipe and transmits a second light beam through a section of tissue and into the light pipe.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a housing; a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the housing; a first light source and a second light source disposed on the first and second jaws, respectively; a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle extending between the second jaw and the housing, wherein the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle has a first end positioned on the second jaw and a second end positioned on the housing such that an image illuminated by the light sources on the first and second jaws is visible at the housing; and a tissue comparison chart integrated into the housing adjacent the second end of the light pipe, said tissue comparison chart including a plurality of reference images for comparison to the image illuminated by the light sources, wherein the first and second light sources are disposed on opposing surfaces of the first and second jaws, respectively, the first light source is spaced apart from the first end of the light pipe and transmits a first light beam that is reflected off the section of tissue and into the light pipe the second light source opposes the first end of the light pipe and transmits a second light beam through a section of tissue and into the light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification