US 5,353,786 A · Surgical lighting method

Abstract

A lighting device for a surgical operating room comprises a light source for generating visible electromagnetic radiation, at least one light output operatively connected to the light source for emitting and directing the electromagnetic radiation, and an attachment component connected to the light output for removably attaching the light output to a patient. The light output or outlets are mounted to a surgical retractor or, alternatively, to a flexible tube with an adhesive layer for temporarily binding the tube to a skin surface of the patient. The tube is also provided with a form retention element for enabling the tube to be bent to conform to a surgical site. A disposable transparent sheath surrounds the tube or the retractor. Other forms of the lighting device include goosenecks and a frame disposable on the operating table over the patient. In every case, the light source is a cold light source, i.e. spaced from the light output or outlets by an optical fiber.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for use in surgery to illuminate a surgical site on a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a substantially flexible elongate carrier member with at least one linear tubular end segment having a free end and a plurality of colinearly disposed individual light outlets spaced from one another longitudinally along said end segment;
forming at least a portion of said carrier member end segment into an arcuate configuration conformed to said surgical site;
fastening said free end of said end segment to a middle portion of said end segment, said end segment being maintained in said arcuate configuration at least in part by virtue of said step of fastening;
disposing at least said portion of said end segment on the patient so that said portion is at least partially juxtaposed to the surgical site and so that said light outlets can effectively illuminate said surgical site;
surgically operating on organic tissues at said surgical site;
during the step of operating, transmitting electromagnetic radiation from a light source through said carrier member and out through said light outlets to illuminate the surgical site;
and
exerting a force on said portion of said end segment to maintain said portion of said end segment in said arcuate configuration during said steps of operating and transmitting.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical lighting method

Life of this patent

Surgical lighting method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12