Patent ID: 8292805
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A61B,A61M,B29C,G02B

Abstract:
1. An illuminated suction device comprising: a suction tube having a proximal end and a distal end connected by a central portion, the proximal end adapted to connect to a vacuum source, the suction tube also having an inner surface and an outer surface; a layer of optical cladding on the outer surface of the central portion of the suction tube; an illumination waveguide having a cross-sectional area, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein light is transmitted through the waveguide via total internal reflection, the illumination waveguide disposed about the optical cladding on the central portion of the suction tube for conducting light around the suction tube from the proximal end to the distal end of the illumination waveguide, wherein the optical cladding is disposed between the suction tube and the illumination waveguide, and wherein the cross-sectional area of the illumination waveguide changes from the proximal end to the distal end thereof, and wherein the illumination waveguide comprises a concave region for receiving the suction tube, and wherein the optical cladding facilitates total internal reflection at the waveguide-cladding boundary; and an illumination input formed into the proximal end of the illumination waveguide for conducting light from a source to the illumination waveguide.