BLADE INSERT ILLUMINATOR

• US 20110319720A1
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invuity, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Invuity, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Grey, Thomas L., Vayser, Alex, Gasson, Jonathan G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0623 for off-axis illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00

Abstract

A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Claims

1. A modular retractor illumination system comprising:

a blade retractor; and

a blade insert illuminator system releasably coupled with the blade retractor, the blade insert illuminator system including an input element with a light input coupling , a plurality of light conduit sections, and an output element with one or more light output structures,

wherein the plurality of light conduit sections are disposed between the light input element and the output element, and

wherein the plurality of light conduit sections are arranged such that light is directed from a first light conduit section to an adjacent light conduit section,

wherein adjacent light conduit sections are releasably engaged with one another so as to maintain a secure optical connection therebetween, and

wherein each light conduit section acts as a waveguide with light passing therethrough by total internal reflection.