SURGICAL TOOL WITH SURGICAL FIELD ILLUMINATOR

Abstract: A surgical tool (20) with surgical field illuminator includes a light-conveying fiber optic member (10) having a body portion (12), a light-receiving end (14) optically connectable to a source of light (18), and a light-delivering end (16). A surgical tool (20) can be attached to, or surround, part of the body portion (12) of the fiber optic member (10), and the surgical tool (20) can be connected to the body portion (12) of the fiber optic member (10). A light-transmitting member (32) is positioned adjacent the light-delivering end (16) of the fiber optic member (10). A light-delivering port (34) in the surgical tool (20) can be provided. When the light-receiving end (14) of the fiber optic member (10) is optically connected to the source of light (18), light is transmitted through the fiber optic member (10) to the light-delivering end (16) of the fiber optic member (10), and through the light-transmitting member (32) at a light density, to illuminate a surgical region adjacent the light-transmitting member (32).

Description: SURGICAL TOOL WITH SURGICAL FIELD ILLUMINATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the fields of surgical tools and surgical field illuminators. Description of the Background Art Fiber optic technology has facilitated the development of various surgical illumination systems. Such systems can utilize bundles of fiber optic filaments to transmit light. Alternatively, light can be transmitted utilizing a single fiber optic filament in light-weight systems. An example of a surgical headlamp utilizing a fiber optic cable, i.e. , a bundle of fiber optic filaments, is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,516, 190 to Kloots. U.S. Patent No. 5,430,620 to Li et al., assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, discloses a compact surgical headlamp utilizing a single core fiber optic delivery lightguide, in a particularly light-weight system. U.S. Patent No. 4,870,952 discloses a single filament fiber optic ttluminator for use in ophthalmic surgery to direct light to various parts of the eye. The device includes a rigid cannula to be held by a surgeon, through which extends a fiber optic element, terminating a distal end of the rigid cannula, to direct light out the end of the cannula and into a patient's eye. Although various surgical illuminators are disclosed in the patents discussed above, and other illuminated surgical tools can be found in the market, none both combines a surgical tool with a fiber optic light-conveying member, and provides the features necessary to deliver high-intensity light without creating tissue desiccation and damage. There remains a need in the art for a combination surgical tool with high- intensity surgical field illumination. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a surgical tool with surgical field illuminator comprises 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. A surgical tool is connectable to the fiber optic member. A light- transmitting member is positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member. When the light-receiving end of the fiber optic member is optically connected to the source of light, light is transmitted through the fiber optic member to the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member, and through the light-transmitting member at a light density, so as to illuminate an adjacent surgical region. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded elevational view, somewhat schematic, of a surgical tool with surgical field illuminator in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an elevational view, somewhat schematic and in partial cross- section, of a surgical field illuminator in accordance with a second embodiment; FIG. 3 is an elevational view, somewhat schematic and in partial cross- section, of a portion of a surgical tool with surgical field illuminator in accordance with another embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic view in partial cross-section showing a light- conveying member for use with the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view, somewhat schematic and in partial cross- section, of a fiber optic bundle for use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1 , a surgical tool with surgical field illuminator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a light- conveying fiber optic member 10 having a body portion 12, a light-receiving end 14 and a light-delivering end 16. Adjacent the light-receiving end 14 of fiber optic member 10 is a connector 17 which may be formed of any suitable material, such as stainless steel tubing. The light-receiving end 14 of fiber optic member 10 is optically connectable to a source of light 18. The present invention may include a surgical tool such as a micro-retractor cannula 20. Cannula 20 includes a malleable stainless steel tube 22. When the surgical tool 20 is a micro-retractor cannula as shown in FIG. 1, the cannula advantageously has a length within the range of from about 4-8 inches, more preferably about 6 inches. Tube 22 preferably has an outer diameter of about 1.5-3 mm, more preferably about 2 mm, and an inner diameter of about 1-2 mm, more preferably about 1.2 mm. When assembled, stainless steel tube 22 of cannula 20 can surround a part 24 of the body portion 12 of fiber optic member 10 adjacent the light-delivering end 16 of fiber optic member 10. In accordance with this embodiment, a connector is provided for connecting the fiber optic member 10 with a surgical tool 20 such as shown in FIG. 1. In accordance with this embodiment, the connector is comprised of a Leur lock member 26 which mates with corresponding Leur lock member 28. In accordance with this embodiment, connector member 26 is connected to an intermediate section 30 of the body portion 12 of fiber optic member 10 spaced away from the light-delivering end 16. A tool-insertable section 24 of fiber optic member 12 extends between connector member 26 and the light-delivering end 16 of fiber optic member 12. When the light-delivering end 16 of fiber optic member 12 and the tool-insertable section 24 thereof is received within the surgical tool 20, Leur lock connector member 28 thereof is mated with Leur lock connector member 26. In accordance with this embodiment, connector members 26 and 28 provide a releasable connection between the fiber optic member 12 and surgical tool 20, so as to releasably attach tool 20 to fiber optic member 12. In this embodiment, fiber optic member 12 is positioned in a corresponding opening 38 through connector member 26. Leur lock member 26 is fixedly connected to an intermediate section 30 of the body portion 12 of fiber optic member 10 by any suitable means, such as epoxy adhesive. Similarly, Leur lock member 28 can be fixedly connected to the malleable stainless steel tube 22 of cannula 20 by any suitable means, such as press-fitting, epoxy adhesive and the like. In accordance with another embodiment, a surgical tool 20 is fixedly connected to an intermediate section 30 of the body portion 12 of the fiber optic member by any suitable means, such as by epoxy adhesive 44 as shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG, 1, a light-transmitting member 32 is provided adjacent a light-delivering port 34 in surgical tool 20. Member 32 is at the end of stainless steel tubing 22 opposite Leur lock member 28. When assembled, the light-transmitting member 32 is positioned adjacent the light- delivering end 16 of the fiber optic member 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the light-transmitting member 32 is attached to port 34 of stainless steel tubing 22 of tool 20 by any suitable means, such as epoxy adhesive, press-fitting, etc. In alternative embodiments, the light-transmitting member 32 can be attached directly to the fiber optic member 10 as shown in FIG. 2, and include an external heat-shrink polymeric tubing 42. In accordance with this embodiment, the fiber optic member 10 and the light-transmitting member 32 can both be insertable into a corresponding surgical tool 20. Alternatively, fiber optic member 10 attached to light-transmitting member 32 are externally attachable (by any suitable attachment member 19 such as a clip, tape or the like) to a non- illuminated surgical tool 20' such as a suction or suction-irrigation cannula, retractor, electrocautery device, and the like. In preferred embodiments, the light-transmitting member is a window of light-transmitting material having a thickness sufficient to reduce the light density transmitted through window 32 and out port 34 of surgical tool 20 so that a surface temperamre of adjacent surgical region 36 rises less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through window 32 to region 36. In preferred embodiments, window 32 is about 2-6 mm in thickness, and more preferably about 4 mm in thickness. The light-transmitting member can be formed of a plastic, glass or the like. Suitable plastics include acrylic plastics such as PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), polycarbonate plastics, and the like. Suitable glass materials include borosilicate glass such as BK 7, silica (quartz) glass, and the like. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where the light-transmitting member 32 is a window of light-transmitting material, the window being spaced away from the light-delivering end 16 of the fiber optic member 10 by a distance greater than about 0.001 inch and less than about 0.1 inch, so that light transmitted out port 34 and through window 32 raises the surface temperature of an adjacent surgical region less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through window 32 to the region. In preferred embodiments, a proximal strain-relieving member 40 formed of flexible rubber-like material is provided proximal to Leur lock connector member 26. When assembled, and when the light-receiving end 14 of the fiber optic member 12 is optically connected to the source of light 18, light is transmitted through the fiber optic member 10 to the light-delivering end 16 of the fiber optic member 10, out the port 34 of the surgical tool, and through the light-transmitting member 32, so as to illuminate a surgical region 36 adjacent the light-transmitting member 32. In preferred embodiments wherein surgical tool 20 is a micro-retractor cannula, the malleable stainless steel tubing 22 is covered on its outer surface with medical grade heat-shrink polymeric tubing 42. In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a second light-conveying member 46 is provided, positioned between the light-receiving end 14 and the source of light 18, for optically connecting the light-receiving end 14 with source of light 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the light-delivering end 47 of the second light-conveying member 46 is spaced apart from the light-receiving end 14 of fiber optic member 10. In preferred embodiments, the light-delivering end 47 of the second fiber optic member 46 is spaced apart from the light-receiving end 14 a distance greater than about 0.01 inch and less than about 0.1 inch. For example, with a 2 Watt output of visible light from a 0.47mm diameter quartz fiber, the spacing between the quartz fiber and a 1.0mm diameter acrylic fiber optic should approximate 0.07 inch, corresponding to about 18% coupling efficiency, so as to minimize potential damage to the acrylic fiber. This embodiment can utilize a fiber optic connector 49 such as is disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,446,818, incoφorated herein by reference, with or without a fiber optic coupler 51 as disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,452,392, also incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic member 10 is a single fiber optic filament having a diameter of from about 0.1-2 mm, preferably about 1 mm and most preferably is formed of a flexible plastic material, preferably acrylic. In other embodiments, the light-conveying fiber optic member 10 is a bundle 10' of optical fibers, as shown in FIG. 5. The invention also may utilize surgical tools other than a micro-retractor cannula, including surgical suction or suction- irrigation cannulae, electrocautery devices, non-malleable retractors, and power tools. In addition, a surgical tool in accordance with the present invention may itself be attached to other non- illuminated surgical tools 20' by a suitable attachment member 19 (see FIG. 3). Suitable surgical tools 20' are exemplified above, and in accordance with this embodiment, provide illuminated surgical devices as exemplified in FIG. 3. The present invention can provide a lighted device which also may be malleable, such that the illumination can be directed to a desired position by the surgeon during a surgical procedure. At the same time, the malleable end can also be used as a retractor. In addition, by minimizing the potential for thermal damage to tissue, such malleable lighted retractors can be used for trans- illumination of tissue during retraction. The present invention provides several advantages over other types of lighted retractors, as such typically are fixed in configuration and cannot be modified in shape during a surgical procedure. The invention also provides embodiments in which the tool 20 can be disposable and easily replaced utilizing a Leur lock connecting member. Additional advantages of the single fiber embodiment are low cost, versatility, and single fiber flexibility and convenience, avoiding the bulkiness and potential added fragility of a fiber optic bundle. Because many modifications, variations and changes in detail may be made to the described embodiments, it is intended that matter in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be inteφreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. 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 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 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; and d) a light-delivering port in 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, so as to illuminate a surgical region adjacent said light-transmitting member. 2. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said surgical tool is fixedly connected to an intermediate section of said body portion of said fiber optic member. 3. The surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a connector for connecting said fiber optic member with a surgical tool, said connector being connected to an intermediate section of the body portion of said fiber optic member spaced away from said light-delivering end, so that a tool-insertable section of said fiber optic member extends between said connector and the light- delivering end of said fiber optic member, wherein the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member and said tool-insertable section of said fiber optic member is received within said surgical tool when said surgical tool is connected to said connector. 4. The surgical tool of claim 3, wherein said connector provides a releasable connection between said fiber optic member and said surgical tool. 5. The surgical tool of claim 3, wherein said fiber optic member is positioned in a corresponding opening through said connector, and said connector is attached to said intermediate section of the body portion of said fiber optic member. 6. The surgical tool of claim 5, wherein said tool has a corresponding connector member which is joinable with the connector attached to said fiber optic member, so as to attach said tool to said fiber optic member. 7. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said fiber optic member is a single fiber having a diameter of from about 0.1-2 mm. 8. The surgical tool of claim 7, wherein said fiber is formed of a plastic material. 9. The surgical tool of claim 8, wherein said fiber is flexible. 10. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting member is attached to said port of said surgical tool. 11. The surgical tool of claim 1 , wherein said light-transmitting member is attached to said fiber optic member. 12. The surgical tool of claim 11, wherein said fiber optic member and said light-transmitting member are both insertable into said surgical tool. 13. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting member is a window of light- transmitting material having a thickness sufficient to reduce the light density transmitted out said port of said surgical tool and through said window so that a surface temperature of said adjacent surgical region rises less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through said window to said region. 14. The surgical tool of claim 13, wherein said window is about 4 mm in thickness. 15. The surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a second light- conveying fiber optic member positioned between said light-receiving end and said source of light, and spaced apart from said light-receiving end, for optically connecting said light-receiving end with said source of light. 16. The surgical tool of claim 15, wherein said second fiber optic member is spaced apart from said light-receiving end a distance greater than about 0.01 inch and less than about 0.1 inch. 17. The surgical tool of claim 15, further including a stainless steel tube surrounding said light-receiving end and at least a portion of said second fiber optic member. 18. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said surgical tool comprises a body portion comprising a malleable stainless steel tube within which a tool- insertable section of said fiber optic member is received. 19. The surgical tool of claim 18, further comprising a polymeric sheath of heat-shrinking material surrounding said malleable stainless steel tube. 20. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting member is a window of light-transmitting material, said window being spaced away from the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member so that light transmitted through said window and out said port of said surgical tool raises the surface temperature of said adjacent surgical region less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through said window to said region. 21. The surgical tool of claim 1 , further including an attachment member for attaching said surgical tool to another surgical tool. 22. The surgical tool of claim 16, wherein said second fiber optic member is spaced apart from said light-receiving end a distance of about 0.07 inch. 23. A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator, comprising: 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; a light-transmitting member positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member and attached to said fiber optic member, 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, through said light- transmitting member at a light density, so as to illuminate a surgical region adjacent said light- transmitting member, the light-transmitting member and light-conveying fiber optic member together forming a light-conveying assembly; and an attachment member for attaching the light-conveying assembly to a surgical tool so as to provide an illuminated surgical device. 24. A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator, comprising: a) a light-conveying bundle of optical fibers having a body portion, a light- receiving end optically connectable to a source of light, and a light-delivering end; b) a surgical tool surrounding part of the body portion of said bundle adjacent the light-delivering end of said bundle; c) a connector for connecting said bundle with said surgical tool, said connector being connected to an intermediate section of the body portion of said bundle spaced away from said light-delivering end, so that a tool-insertable section of said bundle extends between said connector and the light-delivering end of said bundle, wherein the light-delivering end of said bundle and said tool-insertable section of said bundle is received within said surgical tool when said surgical tool is connected to said connector; d) a light-transmitting member positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of said bundle; and e) said light-delivering end of said bundle being positioned adjacent a light-delivering port of said surgical tool, so that when said light-receiving end of said bundle is optically connected to said source of light, light is transmitted through said bundle to said light-delivering end of said bundle, out said port of said surgical tool and through said light-transmitting member at a light density, so as to illuminate a surgical region adjacent said light-transmitting member. 25. The surgical tool of claim 24, wherein said light-transmitting member is attached to said port of said surgical tool. 26. The surgical tool of claim 24, wherein said light- transmitting member is attached to said bundle. 27. The surgical tool of claim 24, wherein said light-transmitting member is a window of light-transmitting material having a thickness sufficient to reduce the light density transmitted out said port of said surgical tool and through said window so that the surface temperature of said adjacent surgical region rises less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through said window to said region. 28. The surgical tool of claim 24, wherein said light-transmitting member is a window of light-transmitting material, said window being spaced away from the light-delivering end of said fiber optic member so that light transmitted out said port of said surgical tool, and through said window, raises the surface temperature of said adjacent surgical region less than about 55 °C when light is transmitted through said window to said region. 29. The surgical tool of claim 24, further including an attachment member ching said surgical tool to another surgical tool.

Inventors: BRENNER DOUGLAS M, DAVIES RICHARD B, LI KENNETH K, SMITH WAYNE, BRENNER, DOUGLAS, M., DAVIES, RICHARD, B., LI, KENNETH, K., SMITH, WAYNE
Applicants: COGENT LIGHT TECH, COGENT LIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G02B6
IPC codes: A61B19, F21V8, G02B6