Retractor illumination system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:
- a light guide for illuminating the surgical field, the light guide having an axis and comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a rear surface and a light emitting front surface for directing light to the surgical field at an angle transverse to the axis,wherein the front surface and the rear surface span a length of the light guide from the proximal end to the distal end,wherein the light emitting front surface comprises a plurality of facets, the plurality of facets forming a plurality of stair steps, each stair step having a riser surface and a step surface, wherein an angle is formed therebetween, andwherein the riser surface refracts light emitted therefrom,wherein the step surface step surface promotes total internal reflection of the light, andwherein the angle in a first stair step is different from the angle in a second stair step.
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Abstract
Medical systems, devices and apparatuses for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade. Medical systems, devices and apparatuses for illuminating tissues and surgical work spaces within the body during surgery, especially during minimally invasive surgery.
186 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:
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a light guide for illuminating the surgical field, the light guide having an axis and comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a rear surface and a light emitting front surface for directing light to the surgical field at an angle transverse to the axis, wherein the front surface and the rear surface span a length of the light guide from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the light emitting front surface comprises a plurality of facets, the plurality of facets forming a plurality of stair steps, each stair step having a riser surface and a step surface, wherein an angle is formed therebetween, and wherein the riser surface refracts light emitted therefrom, wherein the step surface step surface promotes total internal reflection of the light, and wherein the angle in a first stair step is different from the angle in a second stair step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A medical system for illuminating a surgical field, the system comprising:
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a light guide for illuminating a surgical field, the light guide having an axis and comprising at least one light emitting surface, the at least one light emitting surface comprising an illumination zone for directing light to the surgical field at an angle transverse to the axis, wherein the light guide has a cross-section with a width and a thickness, the thickness continuously decreasing from a proximal end of the light guide to a distal portion of the illumination zone, thereby forming a low profile light guide for disposition in the surgical field, wherein the width continuously increases from the proximal end of the light guide to the distal portion of the illumination zone, thereby improving an ability of the light guide to generate a wider beam of illumination in the surgical field, and wherein the proximal end of the light guide receives the light. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification