Abstract:
A loading unit includes an elongated body, an end effector, and a lighting unit. The elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and has a distal end portion. The end effector is supported on the distal end portion of the elongated body. The lighting unit is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and has a distal surface that is configured to emit light about the end effector to provide illumination of the end effector and an area distal to the end effector.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more specifically, to integrated illumination for surgical instruments. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    During minimally invasive surgical procedures surgical instruments are inserted through openings or incisions to access a surgical site disposed within a body cavity. During such a surgical procedure, it is necessary to provide visualization of the surgical site. The surgical site may be illuminated to assist in visualization of the surgical procedure. 
         [0005]    Generally, an access device is inserted through one opening in the body cavity to provide access for a surgical instrument and another access device is inserted through another opening to provide visualization of the surgical site. In addition, one or more additional access ports are inserted into additional openings to illuminate the surgical site or provide additional instrumentation. Each opening creates additional trauma to a patient. 
         [0006]    There is a continuing need for surgical instruments for and methods of illuminating a surgical site within a body cavity that reduces the trauma to a patient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In an aspect of the present disclosure, a loading unit includes an elongated body, an end effector, and a lighting unit. The elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and has a distal end portion. The end effector is supported on the distal end portion of the elongated body. The lighting unit is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and has a distal surface that is configured to emit light about the end effector to provide illumination of the end effector and an area distal to the end effector. The distal surface may be in the shape of a ring about the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The end effector may include first and second jaw members where one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other one of the jaw members. 
         [0008]    In aspects, the lighting unit includes a light source that is configured to generate light which is emitted through the distal surface. The light source may generate light by electron-stimulation, incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescence, gas discharge, high-intensity discharge, laser, chemoluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, or any combination thereof. 
         [0009]    In some aspects, the light source is configured to generate light having a specific wavelength to enhance visualization of the surgical site. The specific wavelength may be selectively adjustable during a surgical procedure. The distal surface may be configured to diffuse light generated by the light source. Additionally or alternatively, the distal surface may be configured to shape light emitted therethrough. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, and a loading unit. The elongated portion extends from the handle assembly. The loading unit is supported at a distal end of the elongated portion and includes an elongated body, an end effector, and a lighting unit. The elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and has a distal end portion. The end effector is supported on the distal end portion of the elongated body. The lighting unit is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body. The lighting unit has a distal surface that is configured to emit light about the end effector to illuminate a surgical site distal to the end effector. 
         [0011]    In aspects, the surgical instrument includes a light source that is configured to generate light which is emitted through the distal surface. The light source may be disposed within the lighting unit, the elongated body, or the handle assembly. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of illuminating a surgical site includes positioning an end effector of a surgical instrument adjacent the surgical site and activating a light source of the surgical instrument to illuminate the surgical site. The light source generates light which is projected through a distal surface proximal to the end effector. 
         [0013]    In aspects, the method includes treating tissue at the surgical site with the end effector of the surgical instrument. Positioning the end effector adjacent the surgical site may include inserting the end effector through an opening in a body cavity of a patient. 
         [0014]    In some aspects, the light source generates light having a specific wavelength to enhance visualization of the surgical site. The method may include injecting a dye into vasculature of the patient or into tissue having vasculature. The dye may be configured to reflect or absorb a predetermined wavelength of light. The method may include adjusting the specific wavelength to the predetermined wavelength of light. Adjusting the specific wavelength may occur during a surgical procedure after the end effector is positioned adjacent the surgical site. 
         [0015]    Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical instrument having a loading unit including a lighting unit in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away view of a body cavity of a patient with the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1  inserted through an opening in a wall of the body cavity to access a surgical site. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is farthest from the clinician. 
         [0021]    This disclosure relates generally to surgical instruments including a lighting unit for enhancing visualization of a surgical site during a procedure. The lighting unit is positioned adjacent an end effector and is configured to illuminate a surgical site during the procedure. The lighting unit includes a distal ring having a distal surface that projects light generated by a light source to illuminate the surgical site. The light may have a specific wavelength to enhance visualization of desired structures within the surgical site. The wavelength of the light may be selectively adjustable by a clinician. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a surgical instrument  10  including a loading unit  40  is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The surgical instrument  10  includes a handle assembly  20  and the loading unit  40 . The handle assembly  20  includes a distally extending elongated portion  30 . The loading unit  40  is disposed at a distal end  34  of the elongated portion  30  and includes an elongated body  50 , a tool assembly or end effector  60 , and a lighting unit  70 . The handle assembly  20  is configured to actuate the end effector  60  of the loading unit  40  and to activate the lighting unit  70  of the loading unit  40 . 
         [0023]    The elongated body  50  has a proximal end  52  that is releasably coupled to the distal end  34  of the elongated portion  30 . Alternatively, the elongated body  50  may be integrally formed with the elongated portion  30 . 
         [0024]    The handle assembly  20  is configured to actuate the end effector  60 . Specifically, a moveable handle  22  of the handle assembly  20  is actuatable to advance a drive rod (not shown) which initially approximates jaws of the end effector  60 . Additional advancement of the drive rod actuates the end effector  60  (e.g., fire staples, advance a knife, etc.). 
         [0025]    For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary handle assembly and loading unit, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,993, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0026]    As shown, the handle assembly  20  is a manually actuated handle assembly; however, it is contemplated that the handle assembly  20  may be an electromechanical handle assembly. Further, such an electromechanical handle assembly may include an adapter that couples to the electromechanical handle assembly and supports the loading unit  40 . For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary electromechanical handle assembly and adapter, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0253329 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,968,276. Each of these disclosures is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Furthermore, the instrument may be part of, or configured to be used with, a robotic surgical system. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the elongated body  50  also has a distal end  54  that supports the end effector  60 . The end effector  60  includes first and second jaw members  62 ,  64  that are moveable relative to one another. The first and second jaw members  62 ,  64  may include surgical fasteners for joining tissue together, may include gripping surfaces for manipulating tissue, may include a knife for severing tissue, may include sealing plates for delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, or may include any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the end effector  60  may include a single member (not explicitly shown) to treat tissue. 
         [0028]    With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the lighting unit  70  is configured to illuminate a surgical site S. The lighting unit  70  is disposed adjacent the distal end  54  of the elongated body  50 . The lighting unit  70  includes a light source  72  and a distal ring  74  that is in optical communication with the light source  72  such that light generated by the light source  72  is emitted from the distal ring  74 . The light source  72  may generate light any known means including, but not limited to, electron-stimulation, incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electroluminescence, gas discharge, high-intensity discharge, laser, chemoluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, or a combination thereof. 
         [0029]    It is also contemplated that the light source  72  may be located outside of the lighting unit  70 . With particular reference to  FIG. 1 , a light source  72 ′ may be positioned in the elongated portion  30  and/or a light source  72 ″ may be disposed within the handle assembly  20 . Light generated by the light sources  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ may travel through light pipes  73  positioned in or along the hand assembly  20 , the elongated portion  30 , and/or the elongated body  50  which optically connects the light sources  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ to the distal ring  74 . The lighting unit  70  may also include an energy source  71  that selectively supplies energy to one or more of the light sources  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ which then convert the energy to light. As discussed below, the light sources  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ will be detailed with reference to the singular light source  72 . 
         [0030]    As shown, the energy source  71  is positioned within the lighting unit  70  adjacent the light source  72 . It is contemplated that the energy source  71  may be positioned outside of the lighting unit  70  and may be positioned remote to the light source  72 . For example, the energy source  71  may be positioned within the handle assembly  20 , the elongated portion  30 , the elongated body  50 , or the lighting unit  70 . The energy source  71  may supply electrical energy to the light source  72 . 
         [0031]    With particular reference to  FIG. 1 , the handle assembly  20  may include a switch  78  to selectively activate the light source  72  (i.e., operatively connect the energy source  71  to the light source  72 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the switch  78  is a slide switch; however, the switch  78  may be a toggle switch, a push button, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the loading unit  40  may include a switch  78 ′ positioned on the elongated body  50  such that the lighting unit  70  may be contained and controlled entirely within the loading unit  40 . It is contemplated that the switch  78  may be on moveable handle  22 . Additionally or alternatively, the switch  78  may be positioned such that as the moveable handle  22  is actuated, the switch  78  is actuated to activate the light source  72 . 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the distal ring  74  has a distal surface  75  that is shaped to project a light cone LC from light generated by the light source  72  such that a surgical site S is illuminated. Additionally or alternatively, the distal surface  75  may be shaped to project a light cone LC from light generated by the light source  72  such that the end effector  60  is illuminated. As shown, the light source  72  has an annular shape which emits light about the entire distal ring  74 ; however, the light source  72  may generate a point source of light which is shaped by the distal ring  74  to project light from the entire distal surface  75 . As shown, the distal surface  75  is substantially planar; however, the distal surface  75  may be angular, prismatic, convex, concave, or any combination thereof to project a desired light cone LC. The distal surface  75  may also inhibit light from emitting from portions of the distal ring  74 . The distal surface  75  may also diffuse and/or filter light to enhance visualization of the surgical site. 
         [0033]    The lighting unit  70  has an outer surface  76  that extends proximally from the distal ring  74 . The outer surface  76  is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the elongated body  50  of the loading unit  40 . The outer surface  76  of the lighting unit  70  may also project light generated by the light source  72  to enhance visualization of the surgical site S. 
         [0034]    In embodiments of the present disclosure, the light source  72  generates light of a specific wavelength to highlight types of tissue at the surgical site S. For example, the light source  72  may generate light having a wavelength that enhances visualization of vasculature at the surgical site S. The wavelength of light may be absorbed or reflected by the vasculature. Additionally, a dye may be used in conjunction with a specific wavelength of light to enhance the visualization of vasculature or a specific tissue at the surgical site S. It is also contemplated that the light source  72  may generate a spectrum of light and the distal surface  75  may filter the spectrum of light such that one or more specific wavelengths of light are projected from the distal surface  75 . 
         [0035]    With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , a method of illuminating a surgical site S in accordance with the present disclosure is disclosed. Initially, the end effector  60  is positioned adjacent a surgical site S. The end effector  60  and/or the elongated body  50  may be inserted through an opening O in a wall W defining a body cavity C. The opening O may be a natural opening or an incision in the wall W of the body cavity C. An access port  110  may be inserted in the opening and the end effector  60  may be inserted through a lumen of the access port  110 . The method also includes activating the light source  72  to generate light which is projected through the distal surface  75  to form a light cone LC as detailed above. The light source  72  may be activated before or after the end effector  60  is positioned adjacent the surgical site S. As detailed above, the light source  72  may generate light that has a specific wavelength which enhances visualization of tissue of the surgical site. The method may also include injecting a dye into vasculature of the patient which is configured to reflect or absorb the specific wavelength of light. The light source  72  may be activated by actuating the switch  78  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0036]    While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. For example, the surgical instrument could be a number of different types of surgical instruments, such as a surgical stapler, or other types of instruments, such as electrosurgical which can incorporate the illumination feature described herein. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.