Transilluminator device
OwnerJames M. Davis, Martin J. Bluminventors
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Abstract
A medical transilluminator device is disclosed. The device includes a fiberoptic cable that is interconnected at one end to a fiberoptic illuminator. The opposite end of the cable is interengaged to a transilluminating spacer component that transmits light toward tissue being examined. A light intensity adjusting mechanism may be interengaged between the fiberoptic cable and the spacer component.
Claims17
A device adapted to be used in combination with a light source for transilluminating a sample of organic tissue, said device comprising:
- a light conductor having a first end that is operably interengagable with the light source, said conductor capable of emitting light from a distal second end thereof, which light generates heat proximate said distal end of said conductor;
- and
- a transilluminating spacer body that is communicably interengaged with said distal end of said conductor, said spacer body including an inlet that is communicably engaged with and capable of receiving the emitted light from said light conductor, an outlet spaced apart from said inlet and an unobstructed and completely open channel that extends fully through said body from said inlet to said outlet for transmitting light from said inlet to said outlet, which light is discharged from said outlet, said conductor including a fiberoptic cable that directs said light to a focal point within said channel between said inlet and said outlet, whereby said outlet is directly engagable with the organic tissue sample to transilluminate the sample;
- said spacer body providing means for thermally insulating the tissue sample from said distal end of said light conductor.
A device for use in combination with a light source to transilluminate a sample of organic tissue, said device comprising:
- a light conductor having a first end that is operably interengagable with the light source, said conductor capable of emitting light from a distal second end thereof, which light generates heat proximate said distal end of said conductor;
- and
- a transilluminating spacer body that is communicably interengaged with said distal end of said conductor, said spacer body including an inlet that is communicably engaged with and capable of receiving the emitted light from said light conductor, an outlet spaced apart from said inlet, and a single, unobstructed and completely open channel formed axially centrally through said body from said inlet to said outlet, said channel transmitting light from said inlet to said outlet, which light is discharged from said outlet, said conductor directing light emitted therefrom to a focal point within said channel, said focal point being spaced at least 60 millimeters and not greater than 80 millimeters apart from said distal end of said conductor, said focal point being spaced at least 1 inch apart from said outlet of said body, whereby said outlet is directly engagable with the organic tissue sample to transilluminate that sample;
- said spacer body comprising a heat sink and providing means for thermally insulating the tissue sample from said distal end of said light conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.