Patent ID: 8864662
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: A61B,A61L

Abstract:
1. An illuminated surgical retractor system, said system comprising: only a single optical waveguide for conducting light, the optical waveguide forming a cannula and having a proximal portion, a distal edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the cannula formed primarily of a cyclo olefin polymer and also having a bore sized and dimensioned to accommodate one or more surgical instruments; one or more light conducting conduits coupled to the proximal portion of the waveguide for introducing light thereinto, wherein the one or more light conducting conduits conduct light from a light source to the waveguide; and a plurality of light extracting structures disposed on either the inner surface or the outer surface proximal of the distal edge and distal to the proximal portion, the plurality of light extracting structures disposed at least partially circumferentially around the waveguide and adapted to extract light therefrom, the extracted light exiting a plurality of surfaces of the waveguide radially outward away from the plurality of light extracting structures.