Patent Application
20100030033
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a light source for use in illuminating a surgical site. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a reusable surgical light apparatus that may be removably attached to a surgical instrument and be positioned in close proximity to a surgical site.
Proper illumination of a surgical site is often a critical aspect of surgery. The lighting of the surgical site often entails the placement of light sources that not only sufficiently illuminate the surgical site, but also minimize the potential for the surgical site to be obscured by shadows created by the placement and/or movement of the surgeon and other members of the surgical team during surgery. Accordingly, the ability to place a light source in close proximity to the surgical site may reduce the risk that these undesirable shadows may be created during surgery. But the lights used during surgery typically generate, or operate at, relatively high temperatures. Moreover, if placed too close to the surgical site, the heat generated by such lights may burn the patient or cause other undesirable cell damage.
Accordingly, lights, or light emitting equipment, are generally placed at a distance away from the patient so as to prevent the patient from either being burned or experiencing other forms of cell damage. For example, a light or light emitting device may be mounted to the surgeon's head or to a headpiece worn by the surgeon. Further, lights may be positioned above the surgeon or around the surgeon. Yet, such lights or light emitting devices typically must be sized to compensate for the distance between these apparatuses and the surgical site. For example, a surgeon's headlight may typically only come within approximately two feet of the surgical site. Therefore, the size and/or the power used to operate and/or emit the light source of the headlight must be configured to accommodate both the distance the light needs to travel from the light source to the surgical site, and the brightness of the illumination needed to be delivered to the surgical site. But by increasing the size of the light source and/or the power used to operate the light source, the amount of heat generated by the light source and transmitted from the headlight may also increase. Moreover, the heat generated by and/or transmitted from the light source may add to the discomfort a surgeon may experience when wearing the headlight. Additionally, other surgeons or staff that are assisting during the surgery that are not wearing a headlight may not benefit from the surgeon's headlight during periods in which the surgeon wearing the headlight is not looking at the surgical site. Accordingly, such situations may increase the chances that the surgical site may be at least partially obscured by shadows.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surgical light apparatus that may be removably attached to a surgical instrument. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a bundle of reusable and light transmitting fiber optical cables that may be attached to a surgical instrument and be placed in close proximity to a surgical site.
According to certain embodiments, the surgical light apparatus of the present invention may include a light housing, a bundle of fiber optical cables, and a cable connector. The bundle of fiber optical cable includes a proximate end and a distal end. The proximate end of the bundle of fiber optical cables may be operably connected to the cable connector. Further, the proximate end of the bundle of fiber optical cables may be generally oriented in, or by, the cable connector so as to receive light that is emitted from a light source. For example, the cable connector may be configured to operably connect or couple the proximate end of the bundle of fiber optical cables to a lamp housing that houses the light source, or to another cable that is transmitting light emitted from the light source. According to certain embodiments, the light source may be a light bulb, for example a xenon light bulb.
The distal end of the bundle of fiber optical cables may be housed in the light housing. The light housing may include an outlet, about which the distal end of the fiber optical cables may be positioned and/or dispersed. For example, according to certain embodiments, the light housing may include an outlet, such as a slot, pocket, or opening, among others, that orients and/or positions the distal end of the fiber optical cable about a core area of the light housing. According to some embodiments, the light housing may include a main body and a cover. The main body and/or cover may be configured so that the main body or housing either separately, or when joined together, provide an outlet that may have a slot configuration through which the exposed distal ends of the fiber optical cables may be placed so as to emit the transmitted light to the surgical site.
The outlet may have a variety of geometric configurations, including, but not limited to, generally circular, rectangular, square, linear, non-linear, triangular, or oval. According to certain embodiments, the outlet may have a generally circular, oval, or elliptical shape that surrounds an inner core area, such as, for example, creating a ring around the inner area. Further, the outlet may be comprised of one or more than one opening in the light housing. Additionally, the outlet may be sized so that only a portion of the outlet is occupied by the light emitting portion of the distal ends of the fiber optical cables. Moreover, the outlet may be configured to allow at least a portion of the bundle of fiber optical cables to be dispersed along the outlet. This dispersal of the fiber optical cables may assist in dispersing the heat generated or transmitted at the distal end of the fiber optical cables while light is being emitted from the fiber optical cables. According to some embodiments, filler material may also be included in the outlet, and may also be used in dispersing the bundle of fiber optical cables about the outlet so that the distal ends of the fiber optical cables may operate at lower temperatures when light is being emitted from the fiber optical cables.
According to certain embodiments, the fiber optical cables may include at least one gap between the proximate end and the distal end of the cables. This gap may create an air space between adjacent first and second surfaces of the fiber optical cables. The gap may occur along a number of different locations in the fiber optical cables. Moreover, the first surface may be generally aligned with the corresponding second surface of the fiber optical cables so that at least a portion of the light emitted from the first surface of the fiber optical cables may pass through the gap and to the second surface, whereupon the light may continue to be transmitted to the distal end of the fiber optical cables. The first and second surfaces may be retained in alignment through the use of a connector. According to such embodiments, the gap may act as a resistor that assists in reducing or eliminating the amount of heat at the distal end of the fiber optical cables.
According to certain embodiments, the bundle of fiber optical cables may pass through a flexible conduit or tube, or sheath, before reaching the light housing. According to certain embodiments, the sheath may be operably connected to the light housing, such as, for example, through a mechanical connection, weld, or adhesive. The sheath may provide protection to the fiber optical cables. Further, the sheath may be turned, twisted, flexed, or otherwise manipulated, and retain a desired configuration so that light passing through the distal end of the optical cables may be directed to the desired location.
The surgical light apparatus may also be removably positioned on the surgical instrument by an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may also include a passage that is sized to receive the insertion of at least a portion of the surgical instrument. According to such an embodiment, at least a portion of the attachment mechanism may be configured to exert a force against at least a portion of the surgical instrument located in the passage so as to enable the light housing to stay at a desired position on the surgical instrument.
According to some embodiments, the attachment mechanism may be integrally formed as part of the light housing. According to other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may be removably attached to the surgical light apparatus. According to such embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include a chamber that is sized to removably receive or mate with at least a portion the surgical light apparatus, such as being configured to be attached to the sheath. According to other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may be operably connected to the surgical light apparatus, such as through the use of a mechanical connection, including, for example, through the use of a snap, clasp, clip, retention arm, pin, or threaded connection, among others. Such embodiments may allow different types and/or sizes of attachment mechanisms to be used with the surgical light instrument. For instance, a retractor blade may require a different attachment mechanism than a suction tube assembly. By being able change the attachment mechanism, or change at least a portion of the attachment mechanism, the surgical light apparatus can be used with a variety of different surgical instruments.
a and 14b illustrate a side view and a front view, respectively, of a surgical light apparatus attached to a suction tube assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.
According to the embodiment shown in
The cable connector 106 may be operably connected to a standard lamp housing (not shown). The lamp housing may include a connector that may mate with, or be coupled to, the cable connector 106, or other cable that is operably connected to the cable connector 106. For example, the cable connector 106 and the connector of the lamp housing, or other cable that is operably connected to the lamp housing, may be configured for a mechanical male-female connection. Alternatively, the connector of the lamp housing may be a coupling apparatus that joins with the cable connector 106.
The lamp housing may include a light source, such as a light bulb, among others. For example, according to certain embodiments, the light source may be a 300 watt xenon light bulb. The light source may be powered by a power source, for example by electrical utility power or one or more than one battery, among others. Further, the lamp housing may include a light illumination control, which may control the power supplied to the light bulb, and thus control the intensity of the illumination emitted by the light source.
The main body 114 of the surgical light housing 102 illustrated in
The main body 114 may also include an aperture 126 that is configured to receive the insertion of at least a portion of the bundle of fiber optical cables 104. Further, the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 may be operably connected to the surgical light housing 102, such as though the use of an adhesive, for example a surgical grade epoxy, and/or a mechanical connection. Further, the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 may pass through, or be attached to, a tube 130, as shown in
The cover 116 and/or main body 114 may be configured so that, when operably joined together, an outlet having a slot 117 configuration is provided along at least a portion of the front wall 125, as illustrated in
As shown by the embodiment in
According to certain embodiments, the slot 117 may be configured to create dead space around, or between the fiber optical cables 104, and more particularly between the cables in the bundle of fiber optical cables 104. For example, according to embodiments in which the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 has a diameter of about 2 millimeters, the optical fiber cables 104 may be spread about at least a portion of a slot 117 that is approximately 0.250 inches long by approximately 0.012 inches wide. The relatively large size of the slot 117 for the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 may result in larger or more spaces being created along the slot 117 that are not occupied by fiber optical cable 104. The spreading of the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 about the slot 117 may assist in dispersing the heat associated with light being emitted from the distal ends 110 of the bundle of fiber optical cables 104. The dispersal of such heat may allow for a lower operating temperature about the distal end 110 of the fiber optical cables 104 and/or the front wall 125 of the surgical light housing 102. Moreover, the reduced temperature may permit the surgical light housing 102 to be placed in close proximity to the surgical site with a reduced risk of the heat emitted from the distal end 110 burning the patient.
According to certain embodiments, at least a portion of the spaces between the dispersed fiber optical cables 104 may be filled or at least partially occupied by filler material, for example glass, plastic, or diamond based fillers, among others. Along with occupying these spaces, the filler may also assist with the dispersal of the bundle of optical fiber cables 104, and thereby assist in dispersing the heat associated with transmitting light from the distal end of the fiber optical cable.
The gap 132 may be sized so that heat may be released between the first and second surfaces 134, 136 may be dispersed, while also allowing for light to be transmitted from the first surfaces 134, through the gap 132, and to the second surfaces 136. Moreover, the first surfaces 134 may be generally aligned with the corresponding second surfaces 136 of the fiber optical cables 104 so that at least a portion of the light emitted from the fiber optical cables 104 at the first surfaces 134 may pass through the gap 132 and to the second surfaces 136, whereupon the light may continue traveling through the fiber optical cables 104 to the distal end 110 of the cables 104. The first and second surfaces 134, 136 may be retained in alignment through the use of a connector 138, such as a tube, cable adapter, or cable connector that is used to connect or couple fiber optical cables together, among others. According to certain embodiments, the connector 138 may be positioned within the jacket 111 of the fiber optical cables 104, outside of the jacket 111, or may abut against at least a portion of fiber optical cables 104 that do not have a jacket 111 or have had the jacket 111 removed.
According to certain embodiments, the sheath 302 may be a flexible conduit or tubing, such as, for example, a flexible metal conduit that includes a helically wound metal strip having square locked or interlocked construction, among others. According to some embodiments, the sheath 302 is constructed from stainless steel. The sheath includes a proximate end 303 and a distal end 305. At least a portion of bundle of the fiber optical cables 104 passes through the sheath 302. However, the bundle of fiber optical cables 302 may or may not be attached to the sheath 302. For example, in some embodiments in which the bundle of fiber optical cables 104 are attached to the sheath 302, an epoxy, such as for example a surgical grade epoxy, may be used to operably attach the jacket 111 to the proximate 303 and/or distal end 305 of the sheath 302.
According to certain embodiments, the proximate end 303 of the sheath 302 may be operably connected to a collar 307, such as, for example, by being soldered, welded, a mechanical connection, or adhered. Alternatively, the sheath 302 may be formed or constructed to include the collar 307. The collar 307 may also be operably attached to a second strain relief 306, which may be operably connected to the bundle of fiber optical cables 104, such as, for example, through an epoxy, among others. According to some embodiments, the collar 307 may be soldered to the second strain relief 306.
The attachment mechanism 312 also includes a chamber 326 that is configured to receive the removable placement of at least a portion of the light apparatus 300. For example, the chamber 326 may be configured to receive the placement of the sheath 302 of the surgical light apparatus 300. According to such an embodiment, the chamber 326 may be sized so that, when the light apparatus 300 is placed in the chamber 326, at least a portion of the attachment mechanism 312 exerts a force on the adjacent portion of the light apparatus 300, and thereby may securely attach the attachment mechanism 312 to the light apparatus 300. However, as previously discussed, the attachment mechanism 312 may be connected to the surgical light apparatus 300 by a variety of different mechanical connections.
The attachment mechanism 312 may also be constructed to be detectable by x-ray in the event the clip is lost of forgotten in a patient. For example, the attachment mechanism may be constructed from a radio opaque material that may be detected or shown on an x-ray image. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may be include an x-ray detectable attachment, such as a stainless steel plate or pin that may fit against, or into the attachment mechanism 312. For example, a stainless steel pin may be placed in a hole 328 that may run through a part of, or all of, the attachment mechanism 312.
The attachment mechanism 312 may be secured at a number of locations along the light apparatus 300. For example, as shown in
The attachment mechanism 312 may also be attached at a variety of locations along the retractor blade 200. For example, during surgery, moving the attachment mechanism 312 up on the vertical portion of the retractor blade 200 may expand the size of the area of the surgical site that is illuminated by the light emitted from the distal end 110 of the fiber optical cables 104. Alternatively, moving the attachment mechanism 312 down the vertical portion of the retractor blade 200 may concentrate the light emitted from the distal end 110 of the fiber optical cables 104 to a smaller area of the surgical site, which may also increase the brightness of the smaller illuminated area.
a and 14b illustrate a side view and a front view, respectively, of a suction tube light apparatus 220 attached to a suction tube assembly 210, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The suction tube light apparatus 220 may include a light housing 222, fiber optical cable 224, and a cable connector 106. The suction tube assembly 210 may include a suction head 202, a suction tube 204, and a grasp 206. The light housing 222 may include, or be operably connected to, an attachment mechanism 226 that may be attached to the suction tube assembly 210 at a variety of locations. For example, as shown in.
While the embodiments of the surgical light apparatuses of the present invention have been discussed above with relation to embodiments used with retractor blades 200 and suction tube assemblies 210, the surgical light apparatus of the present invention may be used with a variety of different surgical instruments, including clamps, drills, and powered saws, among others.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
