Blade insert illuminator

摘要

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.

主权项

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 a light input element, at least one light conduit section, and a light output element with one or more light output structures, wherein the at least one light conduit section is disposed between the light input element and the light output element, wherein the light input element, at least one light conduit section, and the light output element are releasably engaged together so as to maintain a secure optical connection therethrough, and wherein at least one releasable engagement is disposed over the blade retractor, and wherein the at least one light conduit section and a portion of the light output element act as waveguides with light passing therethrough by total internal reflection.