BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and in the drawing figures.
FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view of a first embodiment of the optic fiber surgical instrument of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of a second embodiment of the optic fiber surgical instrument of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view of a third embodiment of the optic fiber surgical instrument of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the electronic encoded circuit of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of the optic fiber surgical instrument 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. This instrument can generally be described as a laser probe assembly 12 with a light source connector 14 and an electronic identification connector 16. Although the instrument 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a laser probe 12, it should be understood that the concept of the invention can be used in any type of surgical instrument that employs a length of optic fiber that communicates illumination light or laser light to a surgical site from a surgical light source. In FIG. 1 the surgical light source 18 is represented schematically. The light source 18 is similar to that disclosed in the previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,492 of Kelsoe et al. A prior art light source of this type typically includes an externally threaded bushing that functions as the light source connector 20, and a RCA plug 22 that functions as an auxiliary connection, typically for a power connection for a separate headlamp used by the surgeon during surgical procedures. The RCA plug 22 connects to a typical RCA jack, with the jack having a hot connection and a ground connection. Thus, the RCA plug 22 functions as a ground connection to the housing of the surgical light source 18.
In the embodiment of the instrument shown in FIG. 1, the instrument has a handpiece 26 that can be manually manipulated by a user of the instrument. A ridged tubular tip 28 projects from the handpiece. A length of optic fiber 30 having opposite distal 32 and proximal 34 ends extends through the handpiece 26 and through the tip 28 to the optic fiber distal end 32 positioned adjacent the tip distal end. Ophthalmic instruments of this type are known in the art. As in prior art instruments, the optic fiber 30 can be secured stationary relative to the handpiece 26 and the tip 28. Alternatively, a mechanism can be provided on the handpiece 26 for selectively moving the optic fiber 30 through the handpiece 26 and the tip 28. As is also known in the prior art, the optic fiber 30 could be held stationary relative to the handpiece 26, and a mechanism could be provided on the handpiece for selectively moving the tip 28 relative to the handpiece 26 and the optic fiber distal end 32. Although the optic fiber length 30 is shown fragmented in FIG. 1, a majority of the optic fiber length extends from the handpiece 26 to the optic fiber proximal end 34. This elongated length of the optic fiber 30 enables the user of the instrument to freely manipulate the handpiece 26 independently of the optic fiber proximal end 34.
The light source connector or optic fiber connector 14 is provided on the optic fiber adjacent the optic fiber proximal end 34. The optic fiber connector 14 shown in FIG. 1 is only one example of an optic fiber connector that may be used with the instrument of the invention. Because the optic fiber connector 14 can have different constructions other than that shown, the construction shown is described only generally herein. Basically, the optic fiber connector 14 includes a center ferrule 38 and an internally threaded nut 40 mounted on the ferrule. The ferrule 38 is constructed of electrically conductive materials. The internally threaded nut 40 is constructed of plastic and has internal screw threads that are complementary to the external screw threads of the laser light connector bushing 20 of the laser light source with which the instrument 10 is to be used. The ferrule 38 has a center hole at an end of the ferrule that receives the proximal end 34 of the optic fiber 30. A bushing 42 is provided in the interior of the ferrule 38 that securely holds the optic fiber 30 in the ferrule and centers the optic fiber relative to the interior of the ferrule. A retainer 44 is mounted on the ferrule 38 adjacent the nut 40. The retainer 44 limits the axial movement of the nut 40 on the ferrule 38, and allows the nut 40 to rotate on the ferrule 38. A resilient, strain relief boot 46 is secured around the retainer 44. A cylindrical sleeve 48 is secured to the nut 40 and functions as an extension of the nut. The opposite end of the boot 46 from the nut 40 has a tapered configuration 50. The length of optic fiber 30 enters the optic fiber connector 14 through the tapered end 50 of the boot.
An electrical conductor 54 is connected to the optic fiber connector 14. The electrical conductor 54 comprises a single length of electrically conductive wire 56 having opposite distal 58 and proximal 60 ends. In alternative embodiments, multiple electrical conductive wires could be employed instead of the single wire 56. The wire distal end 58 is operatively, electrically connected to the optic fiber ferrule 38. The electrical connection is provided by the wire distal end 58 being secured both physically and electrically to the optic fiber connector ferrule 38. The wire exits the optic fiber connector 14 through the tapered end 50 of the boot 46. The portion of the wire 56 outside of the optic fiber connector 14 is protected by an exterior insulating layer 62.
In the embodiment of the instrument shown on FIG. 1, the electrical conductor 54 includes an electrical identification device 64 that is secured in series between two portions of the length of the conductor wire 56. In this embodiment the electrical identification device 64 is a resistor. However, it should be understood that other types of electrical identification devices could be used. In other embodiments, the electrical identification device could be some other type of identification device. For example, the electrical identification device could be some type of capacitor, some type of inductor, or some type of diode. In addition, the electrical identification device could be a memory chip. It is also possible for the electrical identification device to be a serial data device that communicates by rapidly changing the current flow through the electrical identification device to represent 1s and 0s. Such a device could be powered by the voltage present on the ferrule receptacle of the laser light source and would only require the connection of the instrument ferrule to the receptacle and the ground connection provided by the RCA connector. Still further, a zener diode could be used as the electrical identification device. Such a diode would break down at a pre-determined reverse voltage and appear as a specific sized resistor to the identification control system circuit in the laser light source. The resistor 64 is chosen as the electrical identification device that is recognized by the particular surgical light source 18 with which the instrument is to be used.
The electrical conductor proximal end 60 is secured to the auxiliary connector 16. The length of the electrical conductor 54 allows the auxiliary connector 16 to be freely manually moved relative to the optic fiber connector 14. In the embodiment shown on FIG. 1, the auxiliary connector 16 is a standard RCA type connector. As is typical of this type of connector, the auxiliary connector 16 has an electrically conductive center post 66, and electrically conductive cylindrical sleeve 68 surrounding the center post. A ring 70 of electrically insulating material surrounds the center post 66 and secures the sleeve 68 around the center post. The wire 56 at the electrical conductor proximal end 60 is operatively electrically connected to the sleeve 68 of the auxiliary connector 16. An electrically insulating strain relief boot 72 is secured around the exterior of the sleeve 68 and extends around the electrical conductor proximal end 60. The opposite end 74 of the strain relief boot 72 from the connector sleeve 68 is provided with a small hole through which the electrical conductor 54 passes.
In use of the instrument 10 of FIG. 1 with the laser light source 18, the ferrule 38 of the optic fiber connector 14 is inserted into the center of the laser light source bushing 20 and the threaded nut 40 is screw threaded on the exterior screw threading of the bushing. This positively positions the optic fiber proximal end 34 relative to a beam of laser light delivered by the surgical light source 18.
With the optic fiber connector 14 secured to the surgical light source 18, the length of the electrical conductor 54 enables the free movement of the auxiliary connector 16 to position the auxiliary connector 16 on the auxiliary connection 22 of the laser light source. The RCA jack of the auxiliary connector 16 is press fit on the RCA plug 22 of the laser light source 18. This establishes a grounding connection of the wire 56 at the electrical conductor proximal end 60 to the laser light source 18. With the optic fiber connector 14 and the auxiliary connector 16 connected to the laser light source 18 in this matter, an electrical circuit is established from the laser light source bushing 20, through the optic fiber connector ferrule 38, the wire 56 of the electrical conductor which includes the electrical identification device 64, the sleeve 68 of the auxiliary connector 16, and the RCA plug 22 of the surgical light source 18 which is typically connected to an electrical ground of the light source. The electric circuit is completed through a control system of the laser light source 18 which provides for electrical communication of the laser light source bushing 20 to the auxiliary connection 22. This electric circuit enables the electrical identification device 64 to be recognized by the control system of the laser light source 18, and enables the use of the instrument 10 with the laser light source.
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the instrument of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the laser probe 82 is slightly different than the laser probe 12 of FIG. 1. The laser probe 82 of FIG. 2 is of a type described earlier, where the instrument tip 84 can be selectively moved relative to the optic fiber distal end 86. This enables the optic fiber distal end 86 to be moved through a gradual bend, and enables the directing of the laser light emitted from the optic fiber distal end. Instruments of this type are known in the art.
The primary difference between the embodiment of FIG. 2 and the embodiment of FIG. 1 is the repositioning of the electrical identification device 90 to the proximal end 92 of the electrical conductor wire. The electrical identification device 90 is connected between the wire proximal end 92 and the RCA connector sleeve 94 of the auxiliary connector 96. As in the first described embodiment, the electrical identification device 90 is operatively electrically connected between the electrical conductor wire proximal end 92 and the auxiliary connector sleeve 94. Thus, the electrical identification device 90 operates in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment of the instrument that is similar to that of FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the electrical identification device 100 is moved from the length of the electrical conductor 102 into the interior of the auxiliary connector 104. As in the previously described embodiment, the electrical identification device 100 is operatively electrically connected to the wire proximal end 106 of the electrical conductor 102. However, the embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the electrical identification device 100 is also operatively electrically connected to the center post 108 of the RCA auxiliary connector 104, and to the sleeve 110 of the RCA auxiliary connector. The electrical identification device 100 is operatively electrically connected through a first diode 112 to the auxiliary connector center post 108, and is operatively electrically connected through a second diode 114 to the auxiliary connector sleeve 110. FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the portion of the circuit defined by the electrical identification device 100 and the first 112 and second 114 diodes. The embodiment of the instrument shown in FIG. 3, and in particular the auxiliary connector 104 was developed for use with a laser light source such as that of FIG. 1 that has an alternative wiring of the RCA connector 22 of the light source.
In the typical laser light source such as that shown in FIG. 1, the light source is provided with a headlamp power output receptacle in the form of an RCA plug. The outer conductive sleeve of the RCA plug is connected to a ground of the laser light source. The center terminal of the RCA plug is at low voltage potential to operate a headlamp when an RCA jack of the headlamp is inserted into the RCA plug.
It has been discovered that a significant number of laser light sources have been wired in reverse, i.e., with the center terminal of the RCA plug being an electrical ground and with the outer sleeve of the RCA plug at a low voltage potential. As a result, as to those reversed wired electric light sources, the laser instrument of FIGS. 1 and 2 would not operate because the auxiliary connectors 16, 96 would not be provided with the necessary electrical ground. To address this problem, the modified auxiliary connector 104 of FIG. 3 was designed. This connector 104 connects the electrical identification device 100 to both the center post 108 and the sleeve 110 through the first 112 and second 114 diodes, respectively. In this way, the one side of the electrical identification device 100 is connected to an electrical ground upon connecting the auxiliary connector 104 to the headlamp power output RCA plug 22 of the laser light source, no matter which of the center post 108 or sleeve 110 is electrically grounded. The diode 112, 114 in the other branch of the circuit shown in FIG. 4 blocks current from the RCA post 108 or sleeve 110 connected to the RCA plug 22 that is at voltage potential. Thus, regardless of whether the RCA plug 22 has been incorrectly wired, an electric circuit is established from the laser light source bushing, through the optic fiber connector, the electrical conductor 102, the electrical identification device 100, and one of the two diodes 112, 114 to the electrical ground of the RCA plug 22.
Thus, the laser probe assembly with the laser light source connector and the electronic identification connector of the invention provides an alternative optic fiber surgical instrument that can be used with a laser light source that requires an electronic identification of the instrument used with the laser light source.
Although the laser probe assembly of the invention has been described above by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the modifications and variations to the probe assembly could be arrived at without departing from the intended scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20070239148
