Retractor illumination system
First Claim
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1. A medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:
- a light guide formed of a light conducting material, the light guide having proximal and distal ends;
a flexible input formed of a light conducting material, the flexible input coupled to the proximal end of the light guide;
a plurality of micro structures disposed along a longitudinal axis of the light guide, the plurality of micro structures configured to shape light passing therethrough and direct the light onto the surgical field while reducing shadowing; and
at least some of the plurality of microstructures form at least two stair steps each having a riser surface and a step surface, the riser surface and the step surface cooperatively defining an angle therebetween,wherein the angle changes from one stair step in the at least two stair steps to another stair step in the at least two of stair steps so that light is emitted from the one stair step at a first angle and light emitted from the another stair step is emitted at an increased angle relative to the light emitted at the first angle.
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Abstract
An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade. The surgical illumination system may include 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.
211 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:
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a light guide formed of a light conducting material, the light guide having proximal and distal ends; a flexible input formed of a light conducting material, the flexible input coupled to the proximal end of the light guide; a plurality of micro structures disposed along a longitudinal axis of the light guide, the plurality of micro structures configured to shape light passing therethrough and direct the light onto the surgical field while reducing shadowing; and at least some of the plurality of microstructures form at least two stair steps each having a riser surface and a step surface, the riser surface and the step surface cooperatively defining an angle therebetween, wherein the angle changes from one stair step in the at least two stair steps to another stair step in the at least two of stair steps so that light is emitted from the one stair step at a first angle and light emitted from the another stair step is emitted at an increased angle relative to the light emitted at the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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4. The system 2, wherein the retractor comprises grooves disposed therealong, the grooves configured to slidably receive the light guide.
Specification