Retractor illumination system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An illuminated surgical retractor system, said system comprising:
- a plastically deformable non-fiber optic light guide wherein the light guide comprises an input adapter for optically coupling with a light source, the light guide being configured to deliver light from the light source to a surgical field;
wherein the light guide comprises one or more light emitting surfaces comprising 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,wherein the angle is an acute angle,wherein the riser surface has an external surface facing the surgical field and the step surface has an external surface facing the surgical field, andwherein the acute angle is formed directly between the external surface of the riser surface and the external surface of the step surface.
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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. This illuminated surgical retractor system may include a retractor and a light guide disposed over the retractor. The retractor has a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface adapted to engage tissue, a distal end, and a proximal end. The light guide conforms to the shape of the retractor and is removably secured to the retractor and conducts light through the front or rear surface of the retractor. The light guide has an input adaptor and one or more light emitting surfaces.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An illuminated surgical retractor system, said system comprising:
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a plastically deformable non-fiber optic light guide wherein the light guide comprises an input adapter for optically coupling with a light source, the light guide being configured to deliver light from the light source to a surgical field; wherein the light guide comprises one or more light emitting surfaces comprising 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, wherein the angle is an acute angle, wherein the riser surface has an external surface facing the surgical field and the step surface has an external surface facing the surgical field, and wherein the acute angle is formed directly between the external surface of the riser surface and the external surface of the step surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An illuminated surgical retractor system, said system comprising:
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a retractor having a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface adapted to engage tissue, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a shape, the retractor being formed of a light guide material and serving as a non-fiber optic light guide, wherein the retractor comprises an input adapter for optical coupling with a light source, the retractor being configured to deliver light from a light source to the surgical field; wherein the retractor comprises one or more light emitting surfaces comprising 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, wherein the angle is an acute angle, wherein the riser surface has an external surface facing the surgical field and the step surface has an external surface facing the surgical field, and wherein the acute angle is formed directly between the external surface of the riser surface and the external surface of the step surface. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. 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 malleable 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 wherein a distally oriented surface of said plurality of facets is angled relative to an axis of the light guide and a location of the surgical field such that light passing through the light guide is emitted and directed toward the surgical field, 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, wherein the angle is an acute angle, wherein the riser surface has an external surface facing the surgical field and the step surface has an external surface facing the surgical field, and wherein the acute angle is formed directly between the external surface of the riser surface and the external surface of the step surface. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification