Disposable thumb light

A disposable thumb light and a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure on a patient using a disposable thumb light is described. The disposable thumb light includes a housing, a light source, and at least one attachment configured to couple the disposable thumb light to a thumb of a user or a glove. The housing can include at least one flexible portion. The disposable thumb light can further include a flex responsive switch that is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position when the housing moves from a first housing position to a second housing position and energize or de-energize the light source in response. In the method of providing direct lighting for medical procedure, the disposable thumb light is coupled to a thumb of a user; the light source is energized by moving the thumb of the user from a first position to a second position; and the light source is de-energized by moving the thumb of the user from the second position toward the first position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present invention relates generally to a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure using a thumb light, e.g., a disposable thumb light, configured to be coupled to a medical practitioner's finger in order to illuminate the field of manipulation during a procedure.

BACKGROUND

Surgeons, doctors, and other healthcare practitioners frequently perform procedures that require good visualization and direct lighting in the vicinity of the practitioner's hand. For instance, surgical wound repair such as suturing, ear lavage, location and removal of foreign objects from narrow or deep body cavities, general physical examination of body cavities and wounds, and eye examinations each require direct visualization with good lighting.

Foreign body removal is a common medical procedure which encompasses the removal of a foreign object from a body cavity, including the ear, nose, eye, vagina, and/or a wound. For instance, to remove a foreign body from the ear, various instruments such as alligator forceps, curettes, plain forceps, right angle hook, balloon catheter, lavage instruments such as a syringe or soft tip suction catheter, among others, may be used. However, visualization of the foreign object by the practitioner is required before the practitioner can determine the best suited removal procedure. Unfortunately, every individual will vary somewhat with regard to, e.g., shape, direction, and length of body parts, e.g., the ear canal, as well as location of adjacent nerves (e.g., the auricular branch of the facial nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve) and other structures that could be damaged or irritated by the procedure. As such, foreign body location and removal procedures can require patience, dexterity, and in many cases, assistance for positioning and manipulation of the body part so as to alternately visualize the area and manipulate the instrument used to remove the foreign object. For instance, it can be necessary to manipulate the outer ear with one hand to modify the shape/location of the ear canal while alternately handling the foreign body removal instrument. Similar issues exist in other foreign body location and removal protocols in which the practitioner is attempting to both see and remove a foreign object in a small, often difficult to visualize area.

In order to successfully locate and remove a foreign object from a body cavity without touching or damaging sensitive body tissues as described above, proper protocols for foreign body removal require direct visualization of the body cavity with good lighting. Often, a secondary lighting source, e.g., an additional lamp, is required to supplement the light of a procedure room. For instance, the practitioner performing the foreign body removal may wear a headlamp or may require additional personnel to hold and/or adjust a floor lamp, a hand-held lamp, or other lighting source. However, these secondary lighting sources may require continual adjustment of the positioning of the lighting source due to shadows, patient movement, movement of the foreign body removal instrument within the body cavity, etc., which can increase the procedural time, thereby increasing patient discomfort. Moreover, none of these secondary lighting sources are guaranteed to directly illuminate the area surrounding the practitioner's hand in order to best visualize and remove the foreign object.

Consequently, there is a need for a light apparatus configured to be coupled to a practitioner's thumb in order to directly illuminate the area surrounding a practitioner's manipulating hand, e.g., thereby directly illuminating the area for a medical procedure. In particular, a disposable light apparatus would also be useful.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a disposable thumb light that includes a housing, a light source, and at least one attachment configured to couple the disposable thumb light to a thumb of a user or a glove. The housing can include at least one flexible portion. The disposable thumb light can further include a power source and a flex responsive switch that is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position when the housing moves from a first housing position to a second housing position and energize or de-energize the light source in response.

The present invention is further directed to a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure on a patient utilizing the disposable thumb light. The method of providing direct lighting includes providing the disposable thumb light, coupling the disposable thumb light to a thumb of a user, e.g., on a manipulating hand of the user; energizing the light source by moving the thumb of the user from a first position to a second position, and de-energizing the light source by moving the thumb of the user from the second position toward the first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to a disposable thumb light and a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure on a patient utilizing the disposable thumb light. The disposable thumb light includes a housing, a light source, and at least one attachment configured to couple the disposable thumb light to a thumb of a user or a glove. The housing can include at least one flexible portion. The disposable thumb light can further include a power source and a flex responsive switch that is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position when the housing moves from a first housing position to a second housing position and energize or de-energize the light source in response. Disclosed devices can provide benefit to the art, such as by preventing accidental trauma and irritation to a patient—as has been known to happen previously—due to an inability to visualize an area clearly during a procedure such as foreign body removal. Disclosed devices can also save time and money for a practitioner, as the single operator use of the device can remove the necessity for a second practitioner to be present to assist with positioning of a light for a procedure. For instance, the practitioner can implement the disposable thumb light of the present invention on a manipulating hand to simultaneously manipulate, e.g., reposition, and illuminate a part or piece, e.g., a patient's body part in the specific embodiment of a medical application, while performing a procedure with the other hand. In addition, disclosed devices may have further applications outside the medical field, e.g., veterinary, military, or other applications. The specific features of the disposable finger light of the present invention may be better understood with reference toFIGS.1-6.

Referring now toFIG.1, one embodiment of a light100of the present invention is shown. As illustrated, the light100includes a housing102extending from a proximal end104, which may be configured to be positioned nearer to a proximal portion of a user's hand, e.g., nearer to the wrist, to a distal end106, which may be configured to be positioned nearer to a distal portion of a user's hand, e.g., nearer to the fingertips.FIGS.2-4illustrate the light100coupled to a user's thumb10in such a configuration. The housing102includes a flexible hinge109positioned between the proximal end104and the distal end106of the housing102. A first section105of the housing102extends from the distal end106to the flexible hinge109, and a second section107of the housing102extends from the flexible hinge109to the proximal end104.

The overall shape of the housing102of the finger light100is not particularly limited and can vary depending on which finger (e.g., thumb, pointer finger, middle finger, ring finger or pinky finger) that a user intends to attach the light100to for use in a particular procedure. In general, the housing102is configured to have dimensions that correspond generally to a user's thumb. For instance, the first portion105has a length L1that can be shorter than or about equal to a length of a distal phalange14from a tip of the thumb10to the interphalangeal joint of the thumb12, as shown inFIG.2. For example, the length L1of the first portion105can be shorter than or equal to a distance from a proximal edge of the fingernail18of the thumb10to the interphalangeal joint12such that the housing102does not rest on the fingernail18of the thumb10when it is coupled to the thumb10. The length L1can be in a range from about 10 millimeters to about 130 millimeters, such as from about 15 millimeters to about 120 millimeters; for example, from about 20 millimeters. Similarly, the second portion107has a length L2that can be shorter than or equal to the length of a proximal phalange16from the interphalangeal joint12to a proximal joint of the thumb10, as shown inFIG.2, such that the proximal end104of the housing102does not extend nearer to the user's hand than the proximal phalange16. The length L2can be in a range from about 10 millimeters to about 155 millimeters, such as from about 20 millimeters to about 120 millimeters; for example, about 30 millimeters.

The flexible hinge109is configured to be positioned generally in alignment with the interphalangeal joint12of a user's thumb10, as shown inFIGS.2-3, to enable the housing102to bend when the interphalangeal joint12flexes and to maintain the housing102in place on the user's thumb10. The inclusion of the flexible hinge109, can improve comfort while wearing an apparatus at least during flexion of the interphalangeal joint because of the large flex angle of the interphalangeal joint12. For instance, the flexibility of the device can prevent pressure between the thumb10and the apparatus at least at the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb during flex. In particular, the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10has a greater angle of flexion, alpha (α), than any other interphalangeal joint of any other finger. Such flexibility of the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10enables opposition of the thumb10and enhanced gripping ability of the thumb10, e.g., as shown inFIG.6.

In one embodiment, the housing102can have a width, or diameter D1, that can be less than or equal to a width or diameter of the user's thumb10in order to avoid increasing the profile of the user's thumb10in the width direction when the thumb light100is coupled to the thumb10, thereby reducing the potential for the housing102to obstruct the movement of the user's thumb10during a procedure, e.g., as shown inFIG.6. The diameter D1can be in a range from about 5 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, such as from about 10 millimeters to about 25 millimeters; for example, from about 12 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.

As described above, the housing102can include a flexible hinge109disposed between the first portion105and the second portion107. The flexible hinge109can be formed from a flexible polymer, an accordion-like angle-adjustable bellows segment, or other suitable flexible structure. The flexible hinge109enables the housing102to bend when the interphalangeal joint12bends when the housing102is coupled to the user's thumb10. Thus, the housing102is configured to bend at the flexible hinge109when the interphalangeal joint12bends when the housing102is coupled to the user's thumb10. When the flexible hinge109bends, the angle between the first portion105and the second portion107is changed. In general, the angle between the first portion105and the second portion107is approximately equal to the angle alpha (α) of flexion of the interphalangeal joint12when the housing102is coupled to the thumb10.

The housing102can be formed of any suitable medical grade material. In general, the housing102can be formed of a polymeric material (e.g., a molded polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, or the like) that can be either disposable for single use applications or can be reusable and optionally sterilizable.

The housing102can further include at least one attachment108, e.g., a plurality of attachments108as shown inFIGS.1-2and4, in order to hold the housing102in place relative to the user's thumb10. For instance, at least one attachment108can be on the first portion105of the housing102and at least one attachment108can be on the second portion107of the housing102, such that at least one attachment108is disposed on either side of the flexible hinge109. Each attachment may be, for example, a mating hook and loop fastener having a first attachment portion120, e.g., a hook fastener, and a second attachment portion122, e.g., a mating loop fastener. It is to be understood, however, that in some aspects of the invention, the first attachment portion120may be a loop fastener and the second attachment portion122may be a cooperating hook fastener, or that, when the housing102includes a plurality of attachments108in the form of hook and loop fasteners, the first and second portions120and122may each individually be selected as cooperating hook or loop fasteners, respectively.

Although the attachment(s)108are illustrated as cooperating hook and loop fasteners having a first attachment portion120and second attachment portion122, other types of attachments may be used in the present invention to couple the housing102of the finger light100to a user's thumb10or glove, such as a medical exam glove or a non-medical glove. For instance, the at least one attachment108can be one or more of an adhesive, e.g., a releasable adhesive or a permanent adhesive, a clip, a clamp, a strap, a tie, or other attachment mechanism. For instance, an adhesive attachment may include one or more strips of fabric or plastic having adhesive material on one side of the strip similar to those of adhesive bandages commonly used to cover wounds by adhering to the skin. A clip attachment may include a pair of cooperating clip arms configured to surround a user's thumb10to hold the housing102in place relative to the user's finger10.

The attachment(s)108are configured to be disposed on the housing102in a manner that is configured to align the flexible hinge109with the interphalangeal joint12of the user's thumb10when the disposable thumb light100is attached to the user's thumb10as shown inFIGS.2-4and6. Thus, when the knuckle of the user's thumb10flexes at the interphalangeal joint12, the flexible hinge109of the housing102is capable of bending along with the user's thumb10. However, when the flexible hinge109is not aligned with the interphalangeal joint12of the user's thumb10, the housing102may inhibit flexing of bending of the user's finger10, which can result in undesired interference with a medical procedure being performed.

In an alternative embodiment, however, the housing102may be formed from a flexible or malleable material that is configured to bend or flex at any point along the length of the housing102. In such an embodiment, any positioning of the housing102on the thumb10of the user is encompassed herein.

As shown inFIGS.1-4and6, the disposable thumb light100includes a light source110disposed at the distal end106of the housing102. The light source110, when activated, illuminates an area150extending from the light source110. For instance, when the finger light100is coupled to a user's thumb10as shown inFIGS.2and3, the area150illuminated by the light source110is configured to extend beyond the tip of the user's thumb10. The light source110can be any suitable type, and in one embodiment, can include at least one light emitting diode (LED). The housing102can include at least one transparent lens at the distal end106to enable the transmission of light out of the housing102. In general, the light source110can be designed to emit white light; however, emission of light of one or more colors may be contemplated, either by a different LED and/or providing a cover at the distal tip106of the housing102over the light source110.

In one embodiment, a light source110can deliver ultra-violet (UV) light to an area150. UV light can be desirable in examination procedures in which a luminescent material is visualized. For instance, certain abnormal tissues can be visually detected by use of UV light. Diagnostic materials can also be detected by UV light. For instance, fluorescein solution can be applied to an area150. Upon examination under UV light, tissue abnormalities can then be visually detectable. Such an embodiment can be used for the detection and/or visualization of tissues in a biopsy procedure. The finger light100can be used with cervical biopsy forceps, tissue biopsy forceps, and/or specimen biopsy forceps for any such biopsy procedure.

In another embodiment, the light source110can carry two different light emission devices, e.g., both a white LED emission source and a UV source. In this embodiment, the device can include electrical components, wires, switches, etc., examples of which are discussed further herein, that can allow the user to select which light emission is operating. Thus, during use the light emission in the area150can be modified as desired.

The thumb light100further includes related electronics necessary for the light source110to emit light from the distal end106of the housing102in an area150. The housing102contains the light source110and one or more electrical components, e.g., electrical connections111such as wires, a switch114, and power source112necessary for proper function of the light source110. The switch114can be in electrical communication with the light source110and can be a single-use switch or a multi-use switch. For instance, in those embodiments in which the light100is a single-use, disposable device, the switch114can be a single-use switch, e.g., a tab formed of a non-conductive material. Upon removal of the tab, a circuit is closed between the power source112and the light source110, and the light source110will be powered to emit light in the area150. However, any switch type may alternatively be utilized including, without limitation, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a button switch, etc.

The light source110can be in electrical connection with power supply112, such as one or more batteries112. The battery112can be contained within the housing102, such as within the handle portion105of the housing102. The size and type of the power source112, e.g., one or more batteries, can vary as is known, generally depending upon the load expected and whether the device is intended to be a single-use or multi-use device. For instance, the finger light100can include one or more 1.5V button-type batteries, e.g., disposable batteries, to power the light source110.

Alternatively, a battery source external to the housing102can be operatively connected to the light source110. For instance, a battery pack contoured to the fit the back of the hand and having an attachment or glove for the back of the hand can be provided. Similarly, a battery pack disposed in a housing that is configured to be affixed to a wearer's belt and having an electrical cable to connect to an electrical cable plug-in of the housing102can be provided as the power source112.

In some aspects of the invention, the switch114can be a flex responsive switch. For instance, the switch114can be positioned proximate to or within the flexible hinge109of the housing102such that the switch114will be subject to flexure as the user's finger10is moved between an outstretched or straight position, and a bent position. Thus, placement of the switch114proximate to the flexible hinge109will subject the switch114to the desired flexure. For instance, the flex-responsive switch114can be configured to close and establish electrical communication between the power source112and the light source110to illuminate the light source110when the flexible hinge109is in a bent configuration, and then the flex-responsive switch114can be open when the flexible hinge109is in a straight or outstretched configuration to cease the electrical communication between the power source112and the light source110. Thus, when the housing102is coupled to the user's thumb10, the user can close and open the switch114merely by flexing the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10.

In some embodiments, the thumb light100can include a control unit116configured to sense or detect flexion in the flexible hinge109in order to control the power to the light source110. For instance, the control unit116can include a flexion or strain sensor118, e.g., a strain gauge, in operable communication with the flexible hinge109that is configured to detect flexure of the flexible hinge109. The flexion or strain sensor118experiences a change in resistance due to a change in its shape in response to the flexion of the flexible hinge109. The control unit116then detects the change in resistance of the flexion or strain sensor118, and controls the power delivered to the light source110in response to the sensed resistance. For instance, the control unit116may selectively energize the light source110when the flexion or strain sensor118detects that the flexible hinge109is in a flexed or bent position and may selectively de-energize the light source110when the flexion or strain sensor118detects that the flexible hinge109is in a straight or outstretched position.

In general, when the user's thumb10is being used in a procedure, e.g., the thumb10is being used to manipulate a body part of a patient as illustrated inFIG.6, the user's thumb10is in a bent state, i.e., the interphalangeal joint12is flexed at an angle α. When the thumb light100is coupled to the user's thumb10, such bending or flexing of the user's thumb10would thus bend the housing102at the flexible hinge109, as shown inFIG.6. As such, if the flex-responsive switch114or control unit116is configured to energize the light source110when the flexible hinge109is bent, the light source110may be automatically energized when the user is using the finger10to perform a procedure.

In one embodiment, the angle α of the housing can be used to control the energizing of the light source. As discussed previously, the thumb10has a greater angle of flexion, alpha (α), than any other interphalangeal joint of any other finger, and this can be used to improve control of the light source. For instance, the light source can be designed such that it energizes at a predetermined angle α that is common for the interphalangeal joint of the thumb during ordinary grasping of the hand but that is greater than the angle of flexion of other interphalangeal joints of the hand. As such, a user can avoid energizing the light other than at the desired time of examination. By way of example, the light source110can be energized upon bending of the flexible hinge109to an angle of about 45° or more; for instance, about 50° or more, such as from about 40° to about 100°, or about 90° in some embodiments.

The disposable thumb light100of the present invention is configured to be coupled to a user's thumb10, e.g., onto an examination glove worn over a healthcare practitioner's hand for a procedure or other glove when used in a non-medical application. In particular, the size and shape of the housing102may be configured to be disposed on the thumb10of the user's hand. For instance, the dimensions of the housing may be particularly suited to the length between the tip of the thumb10, the distal phalange14, and the proximal phalange16of the thumb10such that the flexible hinge109aligns with the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10when the attachment(s)108are secured to the thumb10.

In another aspect of the invention, a glove200may be provided that incorporates the disposable thumb light100of the invention. The glove200may be a medical or a non-medical glove. For instance, a light source110, switch114, power source112, and control unit116may be integrally incorporated into a glove200, e.g., disposed on the thumb of the glove200. In such an embodiment, the disposable thumb light100and glove200can be formed of a unitary construction, i.e., formed in one piece. In another aspect, the disposable thumb light100can be incorporated into the glove200by coupling the disposable thumb light100to the glove200prior to donning of the glove200by a user. For instance, an adhesive attachment may be used to couple the disposable thumb light100to the glove200to form an integrated glove-light assembly. When the glove200is a disposable, e.g. nitrile or latex, medical exam or procedure glove, the glove200and the disposable thumb light100may be disposed of together after completion of a medical examination or procedure using the glove-light assembly, without any need to uncouple the light100from the glove200.

The disposable thumb light100of the present invention may be used in a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure on a patient. The method may include steps of providing the disposable thumb light100as described above; coupling the disposable thumb light to a thumb of the user; energizing the light source by moving the thumb of the user from a first position to a second position; and optionally, de-energizing the light source by moving the thumb of the user from the second position toward the first position. For instance, the flex sensor118may detect the movement of the thumb10from the first position to the second position and cause the switch114to energize the light source upon detection of the movement of the thumb10from the first position to the second position. Similarly, the flex sensor118may detect the movement of the thumb10from the second position to the first position and cause the switch114to de-energize the light source upon detection of the movement of the thumb10from the second position to the first position. In one possible arrangement, in the first position, the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10is straight, and in the second position, the interphalangeal joint12of the thumb10is flexed. The step of energizing the light source110may cause the light source110to illuminate an area150extending from the light source110which extends beyond the fingertip of the thumb10of the user, e.g., as shown inFIGS.3and6. For instance, the method may include a step of manipulating a patient's body part with the thumb10of the user in order to illuminate a target area of the patient's body coinciding with the area of illumination150. In some aspects of the method, the disposable thumb light100is coupled to a thumb10of a manipulating hand of a user, and the method may further include a step of performing a medical procedure with the other hand of the user. For instance, as shown inFIG.6, the left hand of the user is used to manipulate the patient's ear, including using the thumb10to grasp the patient's ear and illuminate an area150of the patient's ear and ear canal, while the right hand of the user is used to perform a procedure using a tool50. While the thumb10of the manipulating hand is used to grasp the patient's body part, i.e., ear inFIG.6, the flexion of the interphalangeal joint12necessary to grasp the ear causes the light source110to be energized to illuminate the area150including the patient's ear canal. AlthoughFIG.6illustrates the left hand utilizing the thumb light100and the right hand performing a procedure using the tool50, it is to be understood that the hand positioning can be reversed, i.e., the right hand may utilize the thumb light100and the left hand may perform a procedure.

Beneficially, through locating the light on the user's thumb, an improved field of view can be obtained, as the light from the light source109will be directed in a direction somewhat aligned with the inner wrist and forearm of the wearer, as illustrated inFIG.6. This directional control of the light can better illuminate an area that is being grasped by the wearer as compared to a light that is held by a third party, which will be either behind the grasping hand (leading to shadowing by the grasping hand) or will direct the light across the surface being grasped, as well as compared to a light that is attached to another location on the grasping hand, e.g., on the wrist (in which case the wearer's hand can block the light) or on a finger (in which case the light would be directed across the surface being grasped).

Examples of medical procedures in which the disposable thumb light100of the present invention may be employed include: foreign body removal from a variety of body cavities; suturing; ear lavage; general physical examination of the body, e.g., the throat, mouth, eye, ear, and/or wounds; detecting gross lesions in the eye lids, sclera, and cornea; detecting pupillary abnormalities, i.e., anisocoria; estimating the anterior eye chamber depth in a patient suspected of acute angle closure glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure), by using an oblique flashlight test shining the light source110perpendicular to the visual axis of the eye.