Laser light handle

• US 6,715,904 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Naughton
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Naughton
• Inventors: Naughton, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/909,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 362/399, 362/400, 362/253, 362/804, 362/109, 362/259, 362/295, 362/234, 164/21
• US Class Current: 362/399
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/308 Lamp handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/403 for operation or dentist lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

A light handle of an illuminating light is provided which produces a directed beam of light in order to precisely orient and align the illuminating light on a work area. Preferably, a laser producing light source is incorporated within the handle housing, and the directed beam of laser light projects from the distal end of the light handle. The laser light source may be battery powered, or may be powered by a solar panel mounted to the light handle; the illuminating light providing sufficient light to power the solar panel. To maintain sterility in a surgical environment, a light handle cover may be mounted to the light handle. For non-sterile applications, the light handle may simply be attached to the illuminating light without the light handle cover.

Claims

1. A surgical light handle especially adapted for delivering a directed beam of light to a surgical area in order to align a surgical light, said light handle comprising:

a handle portion for grasping by a user, said handle portion connected to the surgical light;

a source of light integral with said handle portion for producing the directed beam of light projecting away from said handle portion at a distal end thereof, wherein the user can orient the surgical light by manipulating the positioning of the handle portion; and

a power source integral with said light handle for powering said source of light.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said handle portion is cylindrical shaped.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said source of light is disposed near the distal end of said handle portion, and projects said beam of light away from said handle portion along a desired axis with respect to said handle portion.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said light handle extends along a longitudinal axis and said beam of light is projected away from said handle portion at the distal end thereof along said longitudinal axis.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

means attached to said handle portion for activating and deactivating the source of light.

7. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power source includes a battery disposed within said handle portion and electrically communicating with said source of fight.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power source includes a solar module mounted on said handle portion, and electrically communicating with said source of light.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a switch incorporated on said handle portion for activating and deactivating the source of light.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said source of light includes a laser light source housed within said handle portion for producing a directed laser light beam.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said switch further includes:

at least one micro-switch mounted within said handle portion; and

at least one switch activation member positioned adjacent said micro-switch and movable between a normally open position, and a closed position which operates said micro-switch to activate the source of light to produce the directed beam of light.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said at least one micro-switch includes a pair of opposing micro-switches, and said at least one switch activation member includes a pair of opposing switch activation members wherein moving at least one of said pair of opposing switch activation members to the closed position results in operation of at least one of said micro-switches for activating said source of light.

13. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a cover for covering said handle portion, said cover substantially conforming in shape to said handle portion.

14. A device, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said cover includes a distal end portion, and an opening formed in said distal end portion enabling said directed beam of light to pass therethrough.

5. A light handle especially adapted for delivering a directed beam of light to a work area, thus orienting an illuminating light used to illuminate the work area, said light handle comprising:

means for manipulating the illumination light to orient the illumination light on the work area, said means for manipulating being grasped by a user;

means for producing the directed beam of light integral with said means for manipulating; and

means for providing power communicating with said means for manipulating thereby powering said means for producing light.

15. A method of orienting an illuminating light on a work area, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an illuminating light producing a light pattern for illuminating a desired work area;

attaching a means to the illuminating light for orienting the illumination light to project light to a desired location within the work area;

incorporating a light source producing a directed beam of light within said means for orienting, the directed beam of light being differentiated from the light produced by the illuminating light; and

manipulating the means for orienting to direct the directed beam of light to the desired location within the work area thus orienting the light pattern of the illuminating light.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said means for orienting includes a handle attached to the illuminating light.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 15, further including the step of:

powering said light source by a battery.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 15, further including the step of:

powering said light source by a solar module which receives light from the illuminating light.

19. A light handle especially adapted for delivering a directed beam of light to a work area, thus orienting an illuminating light used to illuminate the work area, said light handle comprising:

a handle portion for grasping by a user, and releaseably connected to the illuminating light;

a source of light producing the directed beam of light mounted within said handle portion, wherein manipulating the handle portion to project the directed beam of light on a target within the work area orients the illuminating light on the work area; and

a power source integral with said handle portion for powering said source of light.

20. A light handle especially adapted for delivering a directed beam of light to a work area, thus orienting an illuminating light used to illuminate the work area, said light handle comprising:

means for manipulating the illumination light to orient the illumination light on the work area, said means for manipulating being grasped by a user;

a source of light producing the directed beam of light mounted to said means for manipulating; and

a power source communicating with said means for manipulating for powering said source of light.