# US 2014/0153278 A1 · Body cavity illumination system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0153278 A1
- Document ID: US20140153278A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/175,875
- Filed: 2014-02-07
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2005-05-13
- Assignees: Invuity, Inc.
- Applicants: Invuity, Inc.
- Inventors: Alex Vayser
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153278A1

## CPC

- A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
- A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/0011: {Manufacturing of endoscope parts}
- A61B 1/0623: {for off-axis illumination}
- A61B 1/0676: {at distal tip of an endoscope}
- A61B 1/0684: {using light emitting diodes [LED]}
- A61B 1/247: with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
- A61B 1/267: for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes or bronchoscopes
- A61B 1/303: for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
- A61B 1/32: Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body
- A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
- F21V 33/0068: {Medical equipment}
- G02B 6/0048: {with stepwise taper}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A cavity illumination system according to the present disclosure may include one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi-transparent, biocompatible sterilizable polymer and one or more illumination sources. The sterilizable polymer operates as a waveguide. An illumination element may incorporate micro structured optical components such as for example gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The micro structured optical components may also be used to polarize and/or filter the light energy entering or exiting the illumination element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cavity illumination system, said system comprising:
a dental retractor having a U-shaped retraction portion formed of a polymer capable of functioning as a waveguide and a handle portion;
one or more output optical structures formed in the retraction portion; and
an illumination source disposed within the handle portion in optical communication with the polymer.