Patent Abstract:
A light handle of an illuminating light is provided which produces a directed beam of light in order to precisely orient and align the illuminating light on a work area. Preferably, a laser producing light source is incorporated within the handle housing, and the directed beam of laser light projects from the distal end of the light handle. The laser light source may be battery powered, or may be powered by a solar panel mounted to the light handle; the illuminating light providing sufficient light to power the solar panel. To maintain sterility in a surgical environment, a light handle cover may be mounted to the light handle. For non-sterile applications, the light handle may simply be attached to the illuminating light without the light handle cover.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device which provides a directed beam of light for alignment of another device, and more specifically, to a laser light source which is incorporated within the handle of a surgical light wherein the light handle itself acts as a pointing device to properly orient the surgical lights on a surgical area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Surgical lights are used in surgical procedures to provide the appropriate amount of illumination so that a surgeon and other operating room personnel can clearly see the surgical area. In any surgical procedure, it is critical that the surgeon and other operating room personnel have a clear unobstructive view of the surgical area in order that the surgical procedure be carried out without distractions created by poor lighting conditions. Typically, surgical lights produce a light pattern that is brightest in the middle and then diminishes toward the exterior edges of the light pattern. At the exterior edges of the light pattern, the brightness may be reduced by as much as 80% in comparison to the middle of the light pattern. Human tissue, particularly human tissue within a surgical cavity, absorbs most of the light which it is exposed to. Accordingly, it becomes exceedingly difficult to adequately illuminate many surgical cavities. Additionally, many surgical cavities have overlapping tissues which create shadows thus making proper viewing of the surgical cavity more difficult. Surgical lights are extremely bright in comparison to most other lights used for indoor illumination. Typically, surgical lights have an output of 11,000 foot candles or higher. Also, surgical lights are commonly used in tandem to overcome any shadow effects which may be caused by a single light itself, or by conditions within the surgical cavity. The surgical lights must be properly oriented over the surgical area to maximize the illumination of the lights. 
     Although human tissue reflects very little light, the various coverings and wraps placed around the surgical area reflect much more light. In order to minimize glare produced by light reflected from the area surrounding the surgical area, it is desirable to exactly position the surgical lights so that the middle portion of the light patterns directly intersect with the surgical area. Improperly aligned surgical lights can result in inadequate illumination of the surgical area and increased glare. These conditions can produce eye fatigue and can disrupt efficient handling of the surgical procedure. 
     Most surgical lights have a single, centrally located handle which coincidentally defines the geometric center of the light and thus, the center of the light pattern produced by the light. The handle of a surgical light is made sterile by providing the handle with a disposable cover which is replaced after each surgical procedure. Operating room personnel to include the surgeon may grasp the light handle many times during a surgical procedure to best orient the light during the procedure. 
     An example of a disposable cover for a surgical light handle includes the U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,124. This reference also illustrates a common surgical light. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference for purposes of disclosing not only typical surgical lights, but also a light handle cover which is used to cover a centrally located light handle. Another example of a disposable cover for the light handle of a surgical light includes the U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,288. While these references disclose a single centrally located light handle, there are no means provided to directly aim the surgical light at its intended target. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing, it is apparent that a need exists for having the capability to orient surgical lights on their intended target within the surgical area. 
     The invention disclosed and claimed herein provides an aiming device which is incorporated within the light handle to efficiently and quickly orient surgical lights. As further discussed below in connection with the preferred embodiment, a laser light handle is provided which combines a laser light source within the light handle of the surgical light. A directed beam of laser light is transmitted from the distal tip of the laser light handle by operating a switch which turns the laser light on or off. The laser light may be powered by a battery housed within the light handle, or solar power can be used to power the laser by incorporating a thin film solar panel mounted around the light handle. The solar panel receives light from the surgical light(s). The laser light beam is of a sufficient brightness which makes it clearly distinguishable from light produced by the surgical lights. In order to orient the surgical lights, the surgeon or other operating room personnel simply grasp the surgical light by the light handle, then adjust the positioning of the light to direct the laser light beam on the target. The laser light beam appears as a very bright spot of light on the target. Since the light handle is centered within the surgical light, the spot of laser light acts as a simple pointer to exactly align the light pattern of the surgical light on the target. 
     If the light handle is to be used in a sterile procedure, a light handle cover is used to cover the light handle. The light handle cover is modified to include a small opening which allows the directed beam of laser light to reach its target. The switch includes a unique arrangement on the exterior surface of the light handle which enables the user to easily activate or deactivate the laser light source. This switch may also be centered along identifiable exterior features of the light handle cover thus enabling the user to activate the laser light by touch alone, while keeping eyes centered on the target. 
     The proximal end of the light handle may include one or more adaptors which allow it to be used with different types of surgical lights. Accordingly, the light handle of this invention is not restricted to use with any particular type of surgical light. 
     While the invention disclosed and claimed herein has particular utility with respect to surgical lights, the invention herein also lends itself to use in many other fields. In any endeavor requiring the use of an illuminating light which needs to be centered over a particular work area, the light handle of this invention may be used to orient the illuminating light on its target. Because of its cylindrical shape, the light handle acts as a pointer which can be directed for aligning an illuminating light. 
     Various other advantages will become apparent in conjunction with the detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pair of surgical lights used to illuminate a surgical area attended to by a surgeon and a surgeon&#39;s assistant, the surgical lights each incorporating the laser light handle of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser light handle of this invention, and an example of a light handle cover (in dotted lines) mounted over the light handle; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the details and components of the surgical light handle, and a perspective view of the light handle cover; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged elevation views of the switch which is used to activate/deactivate the laser light, and the switch activation members used to operate the switch; 
     FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the light handle, but incorporating a solar module as an alternate source of power for powering the laser light; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the solar module separated from the light handle further illustrating the details thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the light handle of the invention  10  used in conjunction with surgical lights L which are mounted upon adjustable brackets B. As shown, a surgeon S and an operating room assistant A are conducting a surgical procedure on a patient P. The lights L are directed or pointed in alignment with a surgical area or site  14 . Light handles  10  are mounted to each light L, and are aimed directly at the surgical site  14 . Each of the light handles  10  can produce a directed beam of light  12  to the surgical site  14  which results in precise alignment of the surgical lights L. FIG. 1 also shows the simple manner in which the light handle L may be activated. As shown, the operating room assistant A simply reaches up and grasps the light handle  10 , and then selectively activates/deactivates the light handle  10  to produce the directed beam of light  12  to align the corresponding surgical light L onto the surgical area  14 . 
     It shall be understood that surgical lights L and brackets B represent common or generic surgical lights and the lights L are adjustable either by brackets B or some other known mechanical linkage. With respect to the specific style of lights shown in FIG. 1, each of the lights L include a housing  15 , an opaque central portion  16  which serves as a mounting structure for a corresponding light handle  10 , and an annular light emitting portion  17  which includes a plurality of lamps or other light emitting elements which illuminate the surgical area  14  in a round light pattern. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the light handle  10  prior to mounting on the lights L, and a light handle cover  18  (illustrated in dotted lines) which may be mounted over the light handle  10  in order to provide sterile conditions for surgical procedures. The light handle cover  18  simply fits over the distal end of the light handle  10 , as further discussed below. 
     The light handle cover  18  can be a commercially available light handle cover which is then adapted for use with the light handle  10  of this invention. One example of a manufacturer who makes light handle covers includes Devon Industries, Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif. This company makes and sells a product known as the “Lite Glove”®. As used with the light handle of this invention  10  and as further discussed below, the light handle cover  18  includes an opening  100  formed at the distal end thereof which allows the directed beam of light emanating from the light handle to reach its target. The light handle cover  18  can be made of a plastic for a disposable type of light handle cover, or the light handle cover may be made of aluminum or some other known metal whereby the light handle cover is resterilizable for multiple uses. 
     Because of the cylindrical shape of the light handle  10 , and its symmetry with respect its longitudinal axis X—X, the light handle is well suited as a pointer for directing or pointing the directed beam of laser light onto a target. 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, the light handle  10  is illustrated to disclose its components. A distal adaptor  19  includes an adaptor housing  20 , and a threaded well  22  for receiving the threaded proximal end  108  of the light handle cover  18 . The opposite end of the distal adaptor  19  includes an external threaded portion  24  which may connect directly to a threaded well (not shown) within the central opaque area  16  of the light L. The threads  24  may be sized to fit the particular threaded well of the light L. Depending upon the type of light L used, the connection between the light handle and the light L may be a bayonet type connection, friction fit, or others. Thus, threaded portion  24  can be replaced with the desired type of fitting so to match the particular type of light L. The proximal end of the threaded portion  24  is capped or closed by a threaded proximal plug  26  which screws into internal thread (not shown) at the proximal end of the threaded portion  24 . As discussed below, an optional additional adapter  90  may also be used. 
     A battery housing  30  is provided distally of the distal adaptor  19 . The battery housing  30  is defined by a body  32 , an exterior threaded proximal end  34  which is received in another threaded well (not shown) within the bore of distal adaptor  19  positioned proximally of threaded well  22 . The housing  30  further includes an interior threaded distal end  36 . The battery housing  30  is cylindrical shaped, and includes a bore extending completely therethrough. 
     A battery  38  is provided for powering the laser light source  60 . The battery  38  is electrically connected to the laser source  60  via conducting strip  40 , battery connector  42 / 44 , and switch assembly  50 . Male portion  42  of the battery connector may be removably connected with female portion  44  of the battery connector. The male portion  42  of the battery connector includes a set of conductive clips  43  which mate with corresponding structure on the female portion  44 . The battery  38  simply fits between perpendicular extending contacts  45  of the conducting strip  40 . The battery  38  along with the conducting strip  40  and battery connector  42 / 44  are inserted within the bore of the battery housing  30 . 
     A distal cap  46  including threaded portion  48  is mounted over the distal end of the battery housing  30 . One or more conductors  56  interconnect switch assembly  50  with connector  42 / 44 . One or more conductors  56  may also interconnect the connector  42 / 44  with circuitry  64  of the laser light source  60 . The switch assembly  50 , in turn, connects directly to the laser light source  60 . When the light handle is assembled, the switch assembly  50  and a pair of switch activation members  70  are positioned between the laser housing  76  and the battery housing  30 . 
     Now also referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the switch assembly  50  includes a pair of opposing micro-switches  52  which are mounted in opposing relationship on switch mounting board  54 . An example of an acceptable laser source  60  includes a Class III visible diode laser (3 volts, 5 milli-watts, 635 nanometers). One manufacturer of such lasers is Quarton Inc., of City of Industry, Calif. This type of laser represents one which will produce a very bright laser light which is bright enough to overcome and be distinguished from surgical lights; however, the laser is not of such an intensity that will result in damage to the tissue of a patient, so long as exposure of the tissue to the laser is only of short duration. This type of laser produces a very clear and bright spot of light on the target in which it is viewed. The laser source  60  includes a projection window  62  from which the directed beam of laser light is projected. Typically, this type of laser source  60  includes its own control circuitry, shown as the circuit board  64 . 
     The switch activation members  70  each include a pivot/rotation bore  72 , and a travel bore  74 . A plurality of screws  84  and bushings  86  are used to secure the components of the light handle. The distal cap  46  includes slots/cutouts  88  which receive corresponding screws  84 . The screws  84  extend through openings  89  in the distal cap  46 , through rotation bores  72  and travel bores  74 , and are then screwed into corresponding threaded wells (not shown) formed on the periphery of the laser housing  76  at the proximal end thereof. 
     The travel bores  74  are elliptical in shape. Force applied in the direction of force arrows F allow the switch activation members to pivot or rotate about the screws  84  in pivot/rotation bores  72 . The length or travel of the pivoting action is delimited by the available gap G between the interior edge of the bore  74  and the bushing  86 . The switch activation members  70  are aligned such that their internal contacting surfaces  75  depress the corresponding micro-switches  52  when force is applied, thus activating the laser source  60  to produce a laser light beam. When no force is applied, the activation members  70  return to their normally open positions as shown in FIG.  4 . One or both of these micro-switches  52  when depressed may activate the light source  60 . 
     The laser housing  76  is the most distal component of the light handle, and includes a cylindrical body  80 , a rounded tip  82 , and an opening  78  which allows the directed beam of light from the laser source  60  to pass therethrough. 
     Optionally, an additional adaptor  90  may be used to connect the light handle  10  to the desired surgical light L. Proximal adaptor  90  simply includes a threaded proximal well  92  for receiving the external threaded portion  24 , and external threaded portion  94  which can be modified in its size and thread configuration for connection to the desired type of surgical light. Because the construction of the distal adaptor  19  is somewhat more complex than the adaptor  90  (adaptor  19  also includes the set of internal threads for receiving the proximal end  34  of the battery housing) it may be more cost effective to use adaptor  90  and modify it for the particular type of surgical light used. 
     Now referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the light handle cover  18  is characterized by a handle portion  96  which may optionally include one or more exterior features such as ridges/slots  98 . These features of the handle portion  96  are easily identified by touch. As desired, the ridges/slots  98  may be aligned over one of the switch activation members  70  so that a user simply has to feel for the ridges/slots  98 , and then depress the light handle cover at or near the longitudinal location of the switch activation member  70  in order to activate/deactivate the laser light source. The opening  100  in the light handle cover allows the laser light source to pass therethrough. A shield  102  connects to the proximal end of the handle  96 , and extends substantially perpendicular thereto. In order to reduce the size of the light handle cover  18  when it is packaged for shipment, tabs or ears  104  are provided which engage flanges  106 , thus reducing the cross-sectional profile of the light handle cover. The light handle cover  18  is typically made of a plastic disposable material, and the shield portion  102  is of sufficient thinness which allows it to be bent so that tabs  104  may engage flanges  106 . FIG. 2 shows the distal end of the light cover  18  extending beyond the distal end of the light handle  10 , thus creating an offset or gap between the distal ends. This offset helps to prevent contamination that may enter through opening  100  from reaching the light handle  10 . Although the light handle  10  is not sterile, use of the same light handle  10  in multiple procedures might cause a contamination problem if the distal end of the light handle was exposed to contamination and the distal end was placed in close proximity to the distal end of the light handle cover  18  whereby the contamination could travel back out through opening  100  into the sterile field. As mentioned above, the light handle cover  18  is secured to the light handle  10  by engaging the threaded end  108  of the light handle cover with the threaded well  22  of the light handle. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate source of power may be used in the form of solar electric generating assembly  110 . The solar electric generating assembly  110  is a frusto-conical shaped component having a cylindrical shaped attachment flange  118  which mounts over adaptor housing  20 . Referring also to FIG. 7, the solar electric generating assembly  110  includes the frusto conical shaped housing  112 , a circumferential bead  114 , and a thin film solar module  116  which is mounted over the proximal facing surface of the housing  112 . As well as understood by those skilled in the art, the solar module  116  collects light thereon, and converts the light photons to electrical energy. The electrical charge created by the solar module  116  may be delivered to the switch assembly  50  by conductor  120 , and an integral male connector  122  which plugs into the female portion  44  of the original battery connector. Accordingly, the battery  38 , conducting strip  40 , and male portion  42  of the battery connector are removed to allow the male connector  122  to provide voltage for the laser source  60 . 
     Examples of commercially available thin film solar modules which may be used with the solar electric generating assembly  110  include various flexible solar modules as marketed and sold by Solar-World.com. A flexible solar module having a plastic substrate which is lightweight, flexible, and which produces a four volt/five milliamp output is adequate to power the laser source  60 . 
     If the solar module assembly  110  is used as a power source, the light handle cover  18  is still easily usable with the invention. The proximal facing side of the shield  102  simply abuts the bead  114  of the solar assembly  110 . 
     Preferably, the distal adaptor  19 , battery housing  30 , distal cap  46 , switch activation members  70 , and laser housing  76  are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or other commonly accepted metals used in surgical equipment. Aluminum is an excellent choice because it is lightweight and has high strength. 
     This invention has been described with respect to a particular disclosed preferred embodiment; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5