Retractor illumination system
First Claim
1. A medical retractor illumination system comprising:
- a retractor having a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface, a distal and a proximal end and a shape, wherein the rear surface is adapted to engage tissue to expose the surgical field;
a light guide disposed over the front surface and conforming to the shape of the retractor and removably secured to the retractor to conduct light through the front and rear surfaces of the retractor, the light guide having an input adapter and one or more light emitting surfaces comprising a plurality of facets, and wherein the light guide has a cross-section with a width and thickness, the thickness changing from a proximal end of the light guide toward a distal end thereof, andwherein the light guide comprises a plurality of zones for illuminating the surgical field, the plurality of facets disposed in the plurality of zones, and wherein at least some of the plurality of facets in a first zone are different than the plurality of facets in a second zone; and
a light source providing illumination energy to the input adapter.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical illumination system includes a retractor having a proximal handle portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a surgical field and retraction of body tissue, and a light guide disposed on the retractor, said light guide having a distal surface adapted to face the surgical field when in use in retracting body tissue away from a surgical field, and a proximal aperture adapted to receive light from a light engine or other light source wherein a portion of the distal surface adapted to face the surgical field is faceted with a plurality of facets, ridges, steps or shoulders, wherein the distally oriented surface of said facets, ridges, steps or shoulders are angled relative to the axis of the light guide and the location of the surgical field such that light passing through the light guide is emitted and directed toward the surgical field.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A medical retractor illumination system comprising:
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a retractor having a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface, a distal and a proximal end and a shape, wherein the rear surface is adapted to engage tissue to expose the surgical field; a light guide disposed over the front surface and conforming to the shape of the retractor and removably secured to the retractor to conduct light through the front and rear surfaces of the retractor, the light guide having an input adapter and one or more light emitting surfaces comprising a plurality of facets, and wherein the light guide has a cross-section with a width and thickness, the thickness changing from a proximal end of the light guide toward a distal end thereof, and wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of zones for illuminating the surgical field, the plurality of facets disposed in the plurality of zones, and wherein at least some of the plurality of facets in a first zone are different than the plurality of facets in a second zone; and a light source providing illumination energy to the input adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical illumination system comprising:
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a retractor having a proximal handle portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a surgical field and retraction of body tissue, and wherein the retractor has a front surface facing the surgical field and a rear surface adapted to engage tissue to expose the surgical field; a light guide disposed over the front surface of the retractor, said light guide having a distal surface adapted to face the surgical field when in use in retracting body tissue away from a surgical field, and wherein the light guide has a cross-section with a width and thickness, the thickness changing from a proximal end of the light guide toward a distal end thereof; and a proximal aperture adapted to receive light from a light engine or other light source; wherein a portion of the distal surface of the light guide is faceted with a plurality of facets, ridges, steps or shoulders, wherein a distally oriented surface of said plurality of facets, ridges, steps or shoulders are angled relative to the axis of the light guide and the location of the surgical field such that light passing through the light guide is emitted and directed toward the surgical field, and wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of zones for illuminating the surgical field, the plurality of facets disposed in the plurality of zones, and wherein at least some of the plurality of facets in a first zone are different than the plurality of facets in a second zone. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification