Patent Publication Number: US-2020289233-A1

Title: Light Carrier Mounting Clip for a Surgical Cannula

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/778,564 filed Dec. 12, 2019. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a mounting clip that securely and effectively attaches a light carrier to a surgical cannula or a tube of the type used for spinal surgery and other surgical and medical procedures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Surgeons and other medical personnel commonly employ a tubular surgical instrument known as a cannula during spinal surgery and other types of surgical/medical procedures. The surgical cannula is especially effective for use during minimally invasive spinal surgery and permits the surgeon to introduce surgical instruments into the patient&#39;s body so that surgery may be effectively performed on the spine or other part of the body being treated. 
     Providing adequate lighting for minimally invasive spinal and other types of orthopedic surgery can be problematic. It can be particularly difficult to provide adequate illumination when working through a surgical cannula. Improving illumination would facilitate such surgery and contribute to improved surgical outcomes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting clip that allows a light carrier of the type suited for illuminating surgical and medical procedures to be effectively and securely attached to a surgical cannula so that significantly improved illumination is provided for spinal and orthopedic surgeries and other medical procedures that utilize such cannulas. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a light carrier mounting clip that is adapted to be quickly, reliably and securely attached to surgical cannulas having an assortment of diameters and lengths for addressing different surgical applications. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a light carrier mounting clip for a surgical cannula that features a relatively simple construction and which is easy to install and utilize for various surgical and medical purposes. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a mounting clip that permits a surgical or medical light carrier to be quickly, securely and effectively mounted to surgical cannula and other types of tubular surgical and medical instruments as required. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a mounting clip that that is especially effective for mounting a blade-type light carrier to a surgical cannula. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide for a mounting clip for a light carrier that is effective for improving lighting in all types of medical procedures involving the use of a surgical cannula or other tubular surgical instrument. 
     This invention features a light carrier mounting clip for a surgical cannula. The clip includes a resilient split sleeve or ring that is axially or longitudinally split between opposing circumferential ends of the sleeve to provide the sleeve with split edges that extend fully between the opposing circumferential ends of the sleeve. The longitudinal split in the sleeve allows the sleeve to be resiliently expanded and contracted diametrically. Contracting the sleeve enables the sleeve to be inserted into and retained within the central channel of a surgical cannula. Diametrically expanding the sleeve allows the sleeve to be wrapped about the exterior surface of a cannula. A retaining bracket for holding a light carrier is mounted to an inside circumferential surface of the sleeve. The retaining bracket has a slot that extends transversely through the sleeve. The slot receives the light carrier and holds the light carrier releasably in place within the sleeve to illuminate surgical procedures being performed through the cannula. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the split edges of the sleeve may be separated by a gap that is closed to diametrically contract the sleeve. Alternatively, the split edges of the sleeve may overlap one another. In such cases the edges are spread apart to diametrically expand the sleeve. 
     One or more mounting tabs may be secured to the sleeve proximate one of the circumferential ends of the sleeve. Such tabs extend radially outwardly from the sleeve to support the sleeve in place within the surgical cannula. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of a preferred light carrier mounting clip in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational enlarged end view of the mounting clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a representative tab employed by the mounting clip to support the clip within the cannula; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the support tab; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded top view of a surgical cannula, a mounting clip in accordance with this invention, and a surgical light carrier depicted adjacent to one another and prior to operable interconnection of those components for use in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an alternative exploded side view of the surgical cannula, the light carrier and the light carrier mounting clip; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the surgical cannula in which the mounting clip of this invention is utilized; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the mounting clip of this invention holding a surgical light carrier and interengaged with a surgical cannula in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top plan view of the assembled components depicted in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is an elevational side view showing the illuminated surgical cannula interengaged with a patient&#39;s spine during spinal surgery; the surgical cannula is mounted to conventional surgical support structure and the mounting clip operatively supports and positions a surgical light carrier within the surgical cannula to illuminate the surgery. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     There is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a mounting clip  10  for securely holding and positioning a light carrier within a conventional surgical cannula so that a surgery or other medical procedure may be more effectively illuminated by the light carrier. It should be understood that tubular surgical cannulas and other tubular instruments of varying lengths and diameters are commonly utilized during spinal surgery, as well as other minimally invasive operations and medical procedures. The particular application for which the mounting clip is employed is not a limitation of this invention. Moreover, the mounting clip may be utilized with assorted types of surgical cannulas for analogous medical devices. Fundamentally, the mounting clip is designed to be releasably secured to the cannula and adapted to securely and releasably hold a surgical light carrier. Such light carriers may include an elongate blade composed of a light transmitting and projecting material. Various other types of light carriers may be supported within or otherwise on a surgical cannula by the mounting clip within the scope of this invention. 
     Mounting clip  10  includes a split annular band, ring or sleeve  12  preferably composed of a sturdy and durable, yet lightweight and resilient material. Typically, sleeve  12  is composed of a resilient or spring loaded metal or metal alloy. In alternative embodiments, a resilient plastic may be utilized. Sleeve  12  has a generally annular, cylindrical or tubular shape. As used herein, the term “sleeve” should be construed broadly to include all types of such shapes and analogous configurations. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , a longitudinal or axial split  14  is formed in sleeve  12 , which split extends between the opposing ends  31 ,  33  of sleeve  12 . This provides sleeve  12  with a split pair of opposing edges  16  and  18  that extend longitudinally or axially between opposing open circumferential ends  31  and  33  of the sleeve. Split  14  is effectively defined by the gap formed between edges  16  and  18 . As used herein, “axial” and “axially” should be understood to mean that split  14  and edges  16  and  18  extend generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Sleeve  12  may be resiliently compressed by pushing the split transverse edges  16  and  18  together as indicated by arrows  20  and  22 . This narrows the width of gap or split  14 , which in turn, reduces the diameter of sleeve  12 . Alternatively, split  14  may be widened by urging edges  16  and  18  of sleeve  12  apart from one another. This resiliently expands the diameter of sleeve  12 . 
     An inside circumferential surface  24  of sleeve  12  supports a light carrier retaining bracket  26  or alternative component for retaining or holding a fiberoptic light carrier onto sleeve  12 . The retaining bracket includes a generally flat base  30  and a pair of inwardly inclined side walls  32  and  34  that are attached unitarily and typically at least slightly resiliently to base  30 . As a result, retaining bracket  26  defines a longitudinally or axially oriented slot  38  that extends longitudinally along the inside circumferential surface of sleeve  12  and generally parallel to the central axis of the sleeve between the opposite open ends of sleeve  12 . Retaining bracket  26  is fastened permanently to the inner surface  24  of sleeve  12  by welding, pins, rivets or other fixed means of attachment. Various alternative forms of retaining brackets may be utilized to support a light carrier on the resilient sleeve in accordance with this invention. 
     Three support tabs  40 ,  42  and  44  are welded or otherwise permanently fastened to an open upper end  31  of sleeve  12 . These tabs are spaced evenly about the circumference of sleeve  12 . As shown by representative tab  40  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each tab includes a generally rectangular configuration having four rounded corners. Each tab also features two sides, which taper inwardly from back to front. Tabs  40 ,  42  and  44  facilitate positioning sleeve  12  at one end of a surgical cannula as described below. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate mounting clip  10  positioned between a surgical light carrier  50  and a surgical cannula C. The mounting clip is used to support and position the light carrier on the surgical cannula to improve illumination during surgery or other medical procedure. 
     Surgical cannula C, which is shown alone in  FIG. 7 , includes an elongate tubular body  52  that has open upper and lower ends  54  and  56  respectively. An annular lip  58  surrounds open upper end  54  and a support arm  60  is attached integrally to lip  58 . The support arm includes an upwardly inclined segment  62  and an upper plate  64 . A notch  66  formed centrally in plate  64  is interengaged with a standard cannula holder, as shown more fully below in  FIG. 10 , such that the cannula may be securely mounted to a surgical table or other supportive structure in the operating room, in a manner that will be known to persons skilled in the art. 
     Light carrier  50  comprises a structure as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,064,613 (hereinafter U.S. Pat. No. &#39;613) and Publication No. US2016/0361133 (hereinafter Pub. No. &#39;133). The light carrier includes a generally flat blade  51  that is unitarily interconnected through a curved neck  53  to an inlet section  55 . Each of blade  51 , neck  53  and inlet section  55  includes a light conducting material. At least blade  50  also includes a light projecting material. Preferably, inlet section  55 , neck  53  and blade  51  are composed of a single piece of light transmitting and projecting material of the type described in the foregoing references. The inlet section  55  is communicably and operably interconnected to an illumination source, again in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;613 and Pub. No. &#39;133. 
     Light carrier  50 , mounting clip  10  and surgical cannula C are operably interengaged in the manner shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Light clip  10  may be initially inserted into the central channel formed through surgical cannula C. In particular, sleeve  12  of clip  10  is diametrically compressed by urging the opposing, split edges of the sleeve together, as shown by arrows  20 ,  22  in  FIG. 2 , and inserting the compressed sleeve into the central channel of the surgical cannula. It should be understood that in such versions, the spring biased sleeve is constructed such that it has a normal relaxed or unbiased diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of the cannula&#39;s central channel. Sleeve  12  is compressed and clip  10  is inserted into cannula C until the previously described tabs (which are not shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) interengage circumferential lip  58  of cannula C. This limits insertion of clip  10  into cannula C. The normal spring bias of sleeve  12  urges the sleeve diametrically outwardly against the interior circumferential channel wall of cannula C. As a result, clip  10  snugly interengages and is held within cannula C. 
     Light carrier  50  is next interengaged with and supported by retaining bracket  26  of clip  10 . More particularly, light projecting blade  51  is inserted into the previously described transverse slot  38  ( FIG. 2 ) formed through bracket  26 . See  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Blade  51  is held in place by opposing inclined arms  32  and  34  of bracket  26 . The arms are spring biased or otherwise configured to securely engage and constrain movement of blade  51  within cannula C. This effectively positions blade  51  of light carrier  50  such that it extends at least partially, if not fully through the interior central channel of cannula C. The interconnected inlet section  55  and neck  53  of light carrier  50  are operatively interconnected to a standard fiberoptic light source by means not shown herein but described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;613. Light is thereby transmitted through light carrier  50  and projected from blade  51  into the cannula. As a result, improved illumination is provided through cannula C to the surgical site beyond the open lower end of the cannula. In alternative embodiments, the light carrier may be attached to clip  10  before the diametrically compressed sleeve is inserted into surgical cannula C. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a surgical operation and namely a minimally invasive spinal procedure, performed using a surgical cannula C equipped with the mounting clip of this invention and wherein a light carrier  50  is attached to the clip and thereby to the cannula. In particular, light carrier  50  is part of a handheld illumination system  100  of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. &#39;613. In  FIG. 10 , surgical cannula C is introduced surgically into the patient&#39;s back such that the lower end of the cannula engages the patient&#39;s spine. As will be understood by persons skilled in the art, surgery upon the spine is typically performed by inserting surgical instruments through the central channel of cannula C. The cannula itself is supported by a conventional holder or frame F that is attached to the support arm  60  of cannula C. Light carrier  50  of surgical illumination assembly  100  is inserted into the cannula and held in place by mounting clip  10  as shown in  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 . The generally flat light carrier blade  51  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is securely interengaged and held by bracket  26  ( FIGS. 2, 8, and 9 ). The lower end of the light carrier blade extends into the central opening of cannula C ( FIGS. 8-10 ) such that the patient&#39;s spine and the areas to be surgically operated upon are clearly illuminated. The mounting clip holds light carrier  50  securely in place to achieve consistent and much improved illumination of the area being surgically addressed. 
     It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the light clip may be adapted to interengage an outer circumferential wall of a surgical cannula. In such cases, the sleeve of the clip should be manufactured and spring loaded to be normally smaller than the outer diameter of the applicable surgical cannula. The clip may then be diametrically expanded by opening the sleeve along the axial split so that the sleeve can be wrapped about the exterior surface of the cannula. The spring bias then urges the clip to diametrically contract against the outer cannula wall, which holds the clip in place. An alternatively configured light carrier may then be interengaged with a retaining bracket or other light carrier retaining structure on the clip and configured to extend into the central opening of the cannula so that the area on which surgery is being performed can be better illuminated. 
     Although the axial split formed in the mounting clip sleeve illustrated herein forms opposing longitudinally split sleeve edges that are spaced apart by a gap, in alternative embodiments, the split sleeve may extend for more than 360° between the respective split edges and be spring loaded such that the split edges of the sleeve overlap one another. Otherwise, in such versions the diameter of the sleeve is expanded and contracted as required in a manner analogous to that previously described. 
     Accordingly, this invention relates to a light carrier mounting clip that is particularly effective for supporting a light carrier on a surgical cannula. Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention.