Lighted surgical instrument

A lighted surgical instrument comprising an instrument body formed of a single unitary piece of molded plastic and defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a mid-portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

• wherein the proximal portion is comprised of a base adapted to receive a light source and a linear section defining a first axis, with at least a portion of the linear section of the proximal portion having a cross-sectional shape of a Reuleaux triangle;
• wherein the distal portion is comprised of a linear section defining a second axis and terminating in a functional tip, and wherein at least a portion of the linear section of the distal portion is both solid in cross section and tapers towards the functional tip;
• wherein the second axis of the distal portion is parallel to but offset from the first axis of the proximal portion;
• wherein the second axis of the distal portion is co-linear with the visual axis of curettage, as defined by an imaginary line connecting the eye line of a user with the linear axis of an ear canal of a patient;
• and
• wherein the instrument body is capable of functioning as a light pipe, such that light introduced into the base of the proximal portion will be transmitted to the functional tip of the instrument by internal reflection.

A lighted surgical instrument comprising an instrument body defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a mid-portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

• wherein the proximal portion is comprised of a base adapted to receive a light source and a linear section defining a first axis;
• wherein the distal portion is comprised of a linear section defining a second axis and terminating in a functional tip, and wherein at least a portion of the linear section of the distal portion is both circular in cross section and tapers towards the functional tip;
• wherein the second axis of the distal portion is parallel to but offset from the first axis of the proximal portion;
• wherein the second axis of the distal portion is co-linear with the visual axis of curettage, as defined by an imaginary line connecting the eye line of a user with the Page 6 linear axis of an ear canal of a patient;
• and
• wherein the instrument body is capable of functioning as a light pipe, such that light introduced into the base of the proximal portion will be transmitted to the functional tip of the instrument by internal reflection.