Patent ID: 8088066
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical retractor comprising: a retractor blade having a front side, a back side, and one or more engagement elements disposed on the retractor blade, wherein the back side is adapted to engage tissue at a surgical site; and an illuminator blade having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the illuminator blade further comprises a plurality of active zones through which light passes by total internal reflection, and one or more dead zones where total internal reflection does not occur, and one or more engagement elements disposed in the one or more dead zones, wherein the illuminator blade is disposed adjacent the retractor blade such that the rear surface of the illuminator blade is disposed adjacent the front side of the retractor blade, and wherein the one or more engagement elements on the retractor blade releasably engage the one or more engagement elements in the dead zones so as to maintain an air gap between active zones of the illuminator blade and the retractor blade wherein the illuminator blade projects light onto the surgical site, and wherein the illuminator blade comprises a light input portion having an input dead zone where total internal reflection does not occur, and an input collar connected to the illuminator blade in the input dead zone, the collar surrounding the light input portion and forming an input air gap circumferentially therearound.