Patent ID: 6129662
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator, comprising:a) a light-conveying fiber optic member having a body portion, a light-receiving end optically connectable to a source of light, and a light-delivering end;b) a rigid, elongated surgical tool surrounding part of the body portion of said fiber optic member adjacent the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member, wherein said surgical tool is releasably connected to said body portion of said fiber optic member;c) a light-transmitting member positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member; andd) a light-delivering port formed as an opening through a distal endface of said surgical tool, wherein, when said light-receiving end of said fiber optic member is optically connected to said source of light, light is transmitted through said fiber optic member to said light-delivering end of said fiber optic member, out said port of said surgical tool and through said light-transmitting member at a light density, said light-delivering end being adjacent said light-transmitting member so as to illuminate a surgical region adjacent said light-transmitting member; wherein said surgical tool is fixedly connected to an intermediate section of said body portion of said fiber optic member.