Patent Description:
While performing a surgical procedure, a surgeon may utilize a retractor, which may permit the surgeon to draw lateral and deep layers of tissue away from underlying features. Responsive to the drawing or retracting of lateral and deep layers away from underlying features, a surgeon may focus his or her attention on, for example, repair, manipulation, and/or replacement of body organs, and other anatomical structures including, but not limited to, soft tissue, nerve, venous, arterial, tendinous, and bony structures, and/or may perform numerous other surgical procedures.

However, at times, a surgical instrument may bring about shadowing of light from an overhead source that is intended to illuminate a surgical area of interest. Additionally, other sources of blockage of overhead light may include the surgeon's head, body, and/or hands, for example, and/or one or more body parts of an assistant. Further, other instrumentation in and around the surgical field may obscure the "operator's" view. Accordingly, a surgeon may be required to reposition surgical instruments or overhead lighting or may be required to don or slip on a wearable headlight so as to provide a clear view and unobstructed illumination of an area of interest.

In many instances, light from an overhead source may be tightly directed toward an area of interest. However, since there may be a large distance between surgical instruments and an overhead light source, directed light may introduce optical artifacts, such as shadowing and glare on specific surfaces, which may reduce the visual quality of the illuminating area. Thus, the surgeon may reposition the surgical instrument or shift his or her position in a manner that reduces and/or avoids glare from overhead light sources. Accordingly, virtually any object that is between the light source and the surgical area being viewed may diminish the light in the surgical field hindering the ability of the medical personnel to visualize the important areas.

<CIT> discloses beam control for an LED luminaire.

<CIT> discloses a technique for controlling optical properties of light.

<CIT> discloses a light-guiding module and LED lamp. The invention is recited in the independent claims and preferred embodiments are recited in the dependent claims.

Briefly, particular implementations may be directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvered devices to direct light from individual illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements toward a target surgical field. In an embodiment, one or more louvered devices of the array of louvered devices may be oriented at an angle approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to a substantially planar surface. In an embodiment, one or more louvers of the array of louvered devices may be adjustable between angles such as, for example, <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. In an embodiment, a top side of one or more louvers of an array of louvered devices may be coated with a light-absorbing coating to reduce backscatter illumination from adjacent illuminating elements. In another embodiment, at least some of the illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements are anharmonically spaced relative to one another. Beamwidths of at least some of the illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements may also be situated so as to overlap with one another.

In an embodiment, one or more louvered devices of the array of louvered devices may be manually oriented at an angle that minimizes backscatter while maximizing illumination area over the target surgical field. In an embodiment, an array of angled reflective surfaces may direct the light from the individual illuminating elements toward the louvers of the array of louvered devices. Angled reflective surfaces may be oriented at an angle approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to a substantially planar substrate. In an embodiment, illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements utilize light emitting diodes and/or organic light emitting diodes having a color temperature approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees Kelvin to <NUM> degrees Kelvin. However, claimed subject matter may encompass illumination sources having a color temperatures of, for example, as low as <NUM> degrees Kelvin, for example, up to, for example, <NUM> degrees Kelvin. In particular embodiments, illumination sources may comprise a correlated color temperature approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, for example. In an embodiment, light emitting diodes having a color temperature approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM>, for example, may be utilized.

In an embodiment, an illuminating surgical device may comprise a substrate layer to accommodate an array of illuminating elements, a reflective layer to accommodate an array of reflective surfaces, a spacing layer to accommodate the array of illuminating elements and the array of reflective surfaces, in which individual illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements and individual reflective surfaces of the array of reflective surfaces are proximate to one another. An embodiment may further comprise a louvered layer to direct light from individual illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements toward a target surgical field. In an embodiment, one or more of the reflective layer, the spacing layer, and a louvered layer may be arranged to accommodate anharmonic spacing of illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements. In an embodiment, the louvered layer may utilize louvers oriented approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to a substantially planar surface. Beamwidths of at least some individual illuminating elements may overlap one another. Additionally, at least some reflective surfaces may be oriented at an angle approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to a plane of the substrate layer. In an embodiment, at least some reflective surfaces of the array of reflective surfaces may operate to provide approximately lossless reflection of light having a color temperature approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees Kelvin to <NUM> degrees Kelvin. In embodiments, at least some reflective surfaces of the array of reflective surfaces may operate to provide approximately lossless reflection of light having a color temperature that may include <NUM> degrees Kelvin. In an embodiment, a lateral dimension of at least some illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements may comprise a length approximately in the range of one half a lateral dimension of at least some orifices of the spacing layer. In an embodiment, a louvered layer may be slidable in one or more dimensions so as to bring about redirection of an illumination field emanating from illuminating elements.

In another embodiment, a method of fabricating an illuminating surgical device may comprise affixing anharmonically-spaced illuminating elements atop a substrate layer and affixing a louvered layer atop the substrate layer. The method may further comprise affixing reflective surfaces in close proximity with corresponding anharmonically-spaced illuminating elements. The method may further comprise adjusting one or more of louver angles and orientation angles of the reflective surfaces to control backscatter and illumination of a target surgical field. The method may further comprise encapsulating the louvered layer, after affixing the louvered layer atop the substrate layer, with an encapsulant substantially transparent to light having a color temperature approximately in the wavelength of <NUM> degrees Kelvin to <NUM> degrees Kelvin.

It should be understood that the aforementioned implementations are merely example implementations, and that claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to any particular aspect of these example implementations.

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both as to organization and/or method of operation, together with objects, features, and/or advantages thereof, it may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description if read with the accompanying drawings in which:.

Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designate like parts throughout to indicate corresponding and/or analogous components. It will be appreciated that components illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, such as for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration. For example, dimensions of some components may be exaggerated relative to other components. Further, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. Furthermore, structural and/or other changes may be made without departing from claimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and/or references, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be used to facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrict application of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken to limit claimed subject matter and/or equivalents.

Reference throughout this specification to "one example," "one feature," "one embodiment," "an example," "a feature," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the feature, example or embodiment is included in at least one feature, example or embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in one example," "an example," "in one feature," a feature," "an embodiment," or "in one embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same feature, example, or embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples, features, or embodiments.

As previously described, a surgeon may utilize a surgical retractor to draw or pull away lateral and deep layers of tissue to expose one or more underlying features of, for example, a human or animal body. Retraction of lateral and deep layers may permit the surgeon and/or other medical personnel to perform surgical procedures, for example, deep within the human or animal body. However, on occasion, polished, sterilized surgical instruments, such as a retractor, may produce glare from overhead illumination sources. Responsive to observing such glare, a surgeon may be required to shift his or her position and/or reposition one or more surgical instruments. Such adjustment of a surgeon's position and/or repositioning of surgical instruments may reduce a surgeon's efficiency, for example, and may increase the time required to complete a surgical procedure, which may lead to potentially increased postoperative complications associated with prolonged operating times, for example, or may render a procedure more technically difficult. In some instances, such as during very precise surgical procedures involving fine structures of the human body, an amount of overhead light utilized to illuminate a surgical area may be increased so as to permit the surgeon to clearly view the surgical area and to improve surgical safety by, for example, reducing surgeon error, such as inadvertently cutting, suturing, and/or inadvertently damaging vital anatomical structures. However, in these instances, and others, such an increase in ambient and/or overhead illumination may exacerbate glare produced by surgical instruments or create over illumination of the areas surrounding and external to the surgical incision. Presence of additional glare may, in turn, require additional repositioning of one or more surgical instruments, for example or dimming the lights below acceptable levels to reduce glare, for example.

Accordingly, an illuminating surgical retractor may represent an approach toward reducing glare introduced by various overhead and/or ambient surgical lighting systems. In an example embodiment, an illuminating surgical retractor may utilize light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which may serve to diffusely illuminate a surgical field without significant illumination of surrounding areas. In embodiments, use of an illuminating surgical retractor may reduce a need for ambient surgical lighting, such as overhead lighting, which may reduce or eliminate glare introduced by overhead and/or ambient surgical lighting as well as reducing shadowing effects. Such reduction, or elimination of glare entirely, may, for example, reduce annoying eye strain experienced by a surgeon, as well as reduce the need to reposition surgical instruments during surgical procedures, for example. Accordingly, embodiments may bring about a reduction in the time required to perform a surgical procedure as well as an increase in a surgeon's comfort and efficiency.

In embodiments, illuminating elements, which may comprise approximately in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> LEDs, may be affixed in a two-dimensional array across a substrate layer. In particular embodiments, one or more LEDs may be staggered along a third dimension (e.g., depth) to bring about a three-dimensional array of LEDs. In particular embodiments, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional array of surface-mounted, side-firing LEDs, such as those obtained from the Nichia Corporation at <NUM> Oka, Kaminaka-Cho, Anan-Shi, TOKUSHIMA <NUM>-<NUM>, Japan, may be utilized. Illuminating elements may generate light comprising a color temperature of, for example, approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees Kelvin to <NUM> degrees Kelvin. In particular embodiments, illuminating elements may generate light comprising a lower color temperature, such as approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees Kelvin, which may permit, for example, warming of tissue during a surgical procedure. In other embodiments illuminating elements may generate light outside of the visible wavelengths, such as infrared and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. It should be noted that a variety of LEDs may be utilized and claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular type of LED or LED technology.

As will be described in greater detail herein, illuminating elements, such as LEDs, may be arranged anharmonically in a manner that reduces or eliminates a possibility of noticeable and destructive interference or the over focusing of individual LED elements in the surgical field. Responsive to anharmonic spacing of LED illuminating elements, an illumination area may appear diffuse and uniformly illuminated without significant variation in light hue, color, intensity, for example. Anharmonic spacing of illuminating elements may give rise to additional benefits, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

In embodiments, a spacing layer may be disposed atop a substrate layer comprising an array of two-dimensional illuminating elements, such as LEDs. However, in some embodiments, LEDs may be staggered in a third dimension, such as depth. A spacing layer may comprise a two-dimensional array of orifices, each of which, for example, may accommodate a corresponding illuminating element of an array of two-dimensional illuminating elements. A spacing layer may additionally accommodate a two-dimensional array of reflective surfaces, which may serve to direct light from illuminating elements in an approximately upward direction away from a substrate layer.

In embodiments, a louvered layer may be disposed atop a spacing layer, which may serve to direct light from a reflective surface, for example, towards a surgical field. A louvered layer may include a two-dimensional array of individual louvers oriented at angles approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to a substantially planar horizontal surface. However, it should be noted that embodiments of claimed subject matter may embrace louvers comprising differing orientations with respect to a blade surface, such as angular orientations of less than <NUM> degrees and angular orientations of greater than <NUM> degrees, for example. In embodiments, a louvered layer may reduce backscatter, thereby confining an illumination area to encompass a surgical field.

In embodiments, one or more substrate layers, one or more spacing layers, one or more reflective layers, and one or more louvered layers may be constructed so as to form a blade, which may then be encapsulated utilizing a transparent, fluid resistant (e.g., hydrophobic) encapsulant. A transparent encapsulant, as well as reflective layers, louvered layers, and so forth may permit substantially lossless transmission of illumination from illuminating elements. In a particular embodiment, a transparent encapsulant may have intermixed particles which may homogenize light, homogenize a color temperature, and/or provide diffusion of light for example. Such an encapsulant may, for example, include a photo luminescent phosphor, such as cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (CE:YAG) or optically transparent particles comprising a differing refractive index and a matrix of such as TiO<NUM>, SiO<NUM>, or ZnO, or any combination thereof, for example.

In particular embodiments, many chromophores are possible such as quantum dot particles, which may gain popularity for application in liquid crystal displays. In embodiments, particles small enough to raise an overall refractive index of the matrix (such as less than approximately <NUM> or smaller) may be utilized. Larger particles, such as those greater than approximately <NUM> may not exhibit Rayleigh scattering but may, in some embodiments, exhibit Mie scattering. Such scattering may result in opaque matrices with increased diffuse transmissions, which may bring about a reduction in specular transmittance, for example. In an embodiment, TiO<NUM> particles comprising a radius approximately in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, for example, comprising an index of refraction approximately in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, for example, may be utilized as a scatter matrix. In embodiments, zirconia may also be utilized. Although in some embodiments, silica may be added to higher refractive index matrices to reduce a refractive index.

<FIG> is an illustration of a surgical retractor, which may embody one or more features of the present invention, in use during a surgical procedure (<NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, surgeon's hand <NUM> may be utilized to operate surgical retractor <NUM>, such as during a surgical procedure, for example, to draw or retract one or more layers of tissue. Responsive to retraction of lateral and deep layers of tissue, for example, surgical field <NUM> may be exposed. In addition to drawing or pulling lateral and deep layers of tissue in a manner that exposes surgical field <NUM>, a surgeon may adjust an angular orientation, such as a pitch angle, of surgical retractor <NUM>. In an embodiment, a surgeon may "toe in" a surgical retractor, which may comprise the upward pitching of surgical retractor <NUM>, as shown by arrow <NUM>. Upward pitching of a surgical retractor may give rise to movement of a distal portion of a surgical retractor, such as shown by arrow <NUM>. Likewise, a surgeon may "toe out" a surgical retractor, which may comprise the downward pitching of surgical retractor <NUM>, as shown by arrow <NUM>. Downward pitching of the surgical retractor may give rise to movement of a distal portion of the surgical retractor, such as shown by arrow <NUM>.

Illumination system <NUM> may comprise one or more overhead illumination devices, such as lamps, spotlights, and so forth. In some instances, such as during the surgical procedure involving a high degree of position, illumination system <NUM> may generate light having significant intensity, which may, for example, increase a surgeon's eyestrain. Additionally, as intensity of illumination system <NUM> is increased, stray light from illumination system <NUM> may produce significant nuisance glare, which may enter surgeon's eye <NUM>. Accordingly, especially during lengthy surgeries, a surgeon may experience eye fatigue, which may reduce his or her efficiency in performing surgical procedures.

Additionally, external lights may generally be poorly focused and thus may be brighter so as to maintain adequate illumination in a narrow surgical field. Responsive to increases in intensity of light, tissues in a surgical field may increase in temperature, which may, for example, bring about desiccation of tissues in the surgical field. Further, increases in intensity of light may give rise to a zone of increased surface temperature in surgical field <NUM>, which may, in some instances, increase fatigue of the surgeon and thus require an operating room to be kept cooler, which may negatively impact condition of the patient.

As shown in <FIG>, a body part of a surgical assistant, for example, as represented by hand <NUM>, may exemplify an additional source of shadowing, which may impair a surgeon's vision of surgical field <NUM>. For example, hand <NUM> is shown as manipulating an additional surgical utensil <NUM>, both of which, for example, may bring about an area of shadowing, represented by <NUM>. Accordingly, as previously discussed, several factors may bring about improper illumination of a surgical field. Thus, conventional surgical practice may benefit from one or more embodiments of claimed subject matter.

<FIG> is an illustration of an illuminating surgical device utilized during a surgical procedure according to an embodiment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, illuminating surgical device <NUM> may be utilized in place of surgical retractor <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In particular embodiments, illuminating surgical device <NUM> may utilize battery <NUM> as well as switch <NUM>, which may permit a surgeon to control illumination <NUM> emanating from blade portion <NUM>. Accordingly, intensity of light emanating from illumination system <NUM> may be significantly reduced or, in one embodiment, reduced entirely. Hence, shadowing, annoying glare, and/or other stray reflections of light produced by illumination system <NUM> may be reduced or eliminated entirely.

In particular embodiments, illumination <NUM> may be oriented at an angle of approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the vertical plane of blade portion <NUM>. Thus, surgical field <NUM> may be adequately illuminated, which may permit a surgeon to focus on surgical procedures involving surgical field <NUM>. Accordingly, as a surgeon may toe in or toe out illuminating surgical device <NUM>, or may make other fine adjustments to the position of illuminating surgical device <NUM>, surgical field <NUM> may remain significantly illuminated without exposing surgeon's eye <NUM> to extraneous and/or stray illumination from device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a general scheme toward constructing an illuminating surgical device according to an embodiment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, blade portion <NUM>, which may be rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from its orientation in <FIG>, is shown as comprising substrate layer <NUM>, spacing layer <NUM>, reflective layer <NUM>, and louvered layer <NUM>. After assembly of substrate, spacing, reflective, and louvered layers, blade portion <NUM> may be encapsulated using a transparent hydrophobic encapsulant that may resist materials that may come into contact with an illuminating surgical device such as, for example, fluids from surgical area <NUM>, cleaning solvents and surfactants, and so forth. Transparent encapsulants may be utilized to protect illuminating surgical device <NUM> from other fluids and/or materials, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

<FIG> is an illustration showing details of the construction of an illuminating surgical device according to an embodiment <NUM>. Beginning near a bottom portion of <FIG>, substrate layer <NUM> may comprise a two-dimensional array of illuminating elements, such as illuminating elements <NUM>. In an embodiment, illuminating elements <NUM> may comprise side-firing LEDs, which may generate illumination that emanates predominantly from a side, such as the left-hand side, as shown in <FIG>. However, it should be noted that claimed subject matter is intended to embrace a variety of illumination sources, such as side firing LEDs, end firing LEDs, and other LED types, without limitation.

As shown in <FIG>, certain adjacent pairs of illuminating elements <NUM> of a two-dimensional array of illuminating elements may be separated by a distance of, for example, w<NUM>, and certain other adjacent pairs of illuminating elements <NUM> may be separated from one another by a distance of, for example, w<NUM>. In embodiments, w<NUM> may be greater than w<NUM>, although other embodiments may employ differing spacings, such as, for example, spacings in which w<NUM> may be greater than w<NUM>, for example, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. In embodiments, such anharmonic and perhaps three-dimensional spacing (in which certain LEDs disposed atop a substrate layer <NUM> may be recessed with respect to one another) may be utilized to reduce, or to eliminate entirely, constructive and/or destructive interference brought about by harmonic spacing of illuminating elements <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, illuminating elements <NUM> may be arranged to prevent, for example, occurrence of n<NUM>λ = n<NUM>λ, in an illumination area, which may give rise to "banding," or other noticeable areas of non-uniform intensity which may occur within the illumination area. To reduce the possibility of banding and/or other nonuniform illumination of an area, inter-element spacing (w<NUM>) between a first pair of adjacent illuminating elements, which may be represented by n<NUM>λ may be made unequal to inter-element spacing (w<NUM>) between a second pair of adjacent illuminating elements, which may be represented by n<NUM>λ. It should be noted, however, that claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular approach toward reducing nonuniform illumination. For example, some embodiments may utilize one or more light diffusers, one or more homogenizers, etc., and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. Additionally, in particular embodiments, LEDs of different color temperature and/or wavelength may provide intentional non-uniform illumination, for example.

Spacing layer <NUM>, shown as having width "w" in <FIG>, may comprise orifices <NUM>, which may be machined into a solid material. In an embodiment, orifices <NUM> may be arranged in a two-dimensional array so as to be placed atop substrate layer <NUM>. In particular embodiments, illuminating elements <NUM> may fit within a corresponding orifice. Reflective layer <NUM>, comprising an array of reflectors <NUM>, may be placed atop spacing layer <NUM> so as to reflect light emanating from illuminating elements <NUM>. In embodiments, reflectors <NUM> may be sloped downwardly from the plane of the reflective layer so as to fit within orifices <NUM> of spacing layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, spacing layer <NUM> and reflective layer <NUM> may be provided as a single layer comprising injection-molded plastic and may utilize a metal-plated reflective surface.

Louvered layer <NUM> may be affixed atop reflective layer <NUM>, which may direct light reflected from reflectors <NUM> toward, for example, surgical area <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, louvers <NUM> may be oriented at an approximately <NUM> degree angle (θ<NUM>) relative to the plane of louvered layer <NUM>. However, as previously noted, claimed subject matter may embrace louvers oriented at a variety of angles, such as angles less than <NUM> degrees (e.g., <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees and, and so forth) and angles greater than <NUM> degrees (e.g. <NUM> degrees <NUM> degrees, and so forth) with respect to the plane of louvered layer <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration showing integration of individual portions of the illuminating surgical device of <FIG> according to an embodiment <NUM>. In <FIG>, illuminating element <NUM>, which is shown as mounted to a portion of substrate layer <NUM>, is shown as fitting within orifice <NUM>. Thus, light generated by illuminating element <NUM> may be reflected by reflector <NUM>, also shown as fitting within orifice <NUM>. In <FIG>, orifice <NUM> is shown as surrounded by a portion of spacing layer <NUM>. Louver <NUM>, shown as detached from louvered layer <NUM> for reasons of clarity only, may be placed atop spacing layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the integrated ensemble, comprising layer <NUM>, reflective layer <NUM>, spacing layer <NUM>, and substrate layer <NUM>, may bring about directed lighting of a surgical area without a significant backscattered light. It should be noted, however, that illuminating surgical instrument comprising layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be utilized for other purposes, such as a non-surgical purposes, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

<FIG> is a side view showing details of layers of the illuminating surgical device of <FIG> according to an embodiment <NUM>. In <FIG>, two of illuminating elements <NUM> are shown mounted atop substrate layer <NUM>. Although illuminating elements <NUM> may be illustrated as comprising side-firing LEDs, claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any light-generating device that may be mounted atop a substrate layer and fitted within an orifice. Illuminating element <NUM> is shown adjacent to a wall having a height w, which may correspond to a thickness dimension of spacing layer <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, while disposed within the confines of orifice <NUM>, luminous energy generated by illuminating elements <NUM> may impinge upon reflectors <NUM> and the undersides of louvers <NUM> towards an illumination area.

In embodiments, reflectors <NUM> may be oriented at an angle θ<NUM>, which may be judiciously selected to increase illumination of a target illumination area, such as a surgical field, for example, without a significant backscatter from the top sides of louvers <NUM>. It is contemplated that θ<NUM> may comprise a value approximately in the range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, although in particular embodiments, θ<NUM> may comprise values less than <NUM> degrees (e.g. <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, and so forth) or may comprise values greater than <NUM> degrees (e.g., <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, and so forth) and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. <FIG> additionally indicates a horizontal dimension of w<NUM>, which corresponds to a horizontal dimension of illuminating elements <NUM> mounted atop substrate layer <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the horizontal dimension of orifice <NUM>, which may be formed within spacing layer <NUM>, is shown as comprising twice the horizontal dimension of illuminating element <NUM>. <FIG> additionally indicates a linear dimension of louvers <NUM> as being approximately <NUM> times the horizontal dimension of illuminating elements <NUM>. However, selection of a linear dimension of louvers <NUM>, such as, for example, a linear dimension of <NUM> times the horizontal dimension of illuminating elements <NUM> may be judiciously selected according to an individual application. Thus, again, the relative dimensions of illuminating element <NUM>, orifice <NUM>, louver <NUM>, and so forth, are provided as an illustrative embodiment, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

<FIG> is a diagram showing movement of an illumination area as a function of orientation of reflective surfaces and louvers according to an embodiment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> adjustment of angle θ<NUM> and θ<NUM> may serve to redirect light from illuminating element <NUM> that may backscatter from a top side of louvers <NUM>. In one example, just for the sake of illustration, an increase in angle θ<NUM>, such as from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, may give rise to an increase in light that is backscattered from an adjacent louver <NUM>. However, such an increase in angle θ<NUM> may also give rise to movement of illumination area <NUM> in a downward direction. Likewise, adjustment of angle θ<NUM> may also bring about repositioning of illumination area <NUM> and influence and amount of the backscattered light from a top surface of an adjacent louver <NUM>. In embodiments, a top side of louvers <NUM> and/or selected portions of a bottom side of louvers <NUM>, may be coated with a substantially non-reflective material so as to reduce or eliminate backscattered light. As may be inferred from <FIG>, movement of substrate <NUM> towards illumination area <NUM>, shown by arrow <NUM>, may decrease the size of area <NUM>. Movement of substrate <NUM> away from illumination area <NUM>, shown by arrow <NUM>, may increase the size of area <NUM>.

In embodiments, the reflective nature of the internal surfaces of embodiment <NUM>, such as the reflective underside of louvers <NUM>, may give rise to a substantially high contrast ratio between illumination area <NUM> and the dark, substantially non-reflective topside of louvers <NUM>. A substantially high contrast ratio may prevent excessive glowing of the device during operation and may enhance the directionality of light emanating from illuminating element <NUM>. Accordingly, although area <NUM> may be illuminated, a negligible amount of light may be reflected back to the surgeon. A reduction in backscattered light, such as may be created by light impinging upon the top side of louvers <NUM>, may be reduced, thereby increasing the visual comfort of the surgeon.

In an embodiment, one or more Fresnel-type lenses may be integrated with, and/or utilized in place of, louvers <NUM> to efficiently direct light towards illumination area <NUM>, for example. In an implementation, a convex lens may be subdivided so as to form a Fresnel-type lens to obtain a refractive effect similar to a thicker lens, however, by utilizing a much thinner array. Accordingly, a transparent material having a relatively high index of refraction may be utilized. Louvers <NUM> may be angled at a supercritical angle to permit increased reflection toward illumination area <NUM>. In embodiments, in addition to permitting increased reflection and/or refraction of light toward an illumination area, integration of louvers <NUM> with Fresnel-type lenses may bring about decreased or negligible backscatter from, for example, top sides of louvers <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a Fresnel-type lens integrated with a reflector according to an embodiment <NUM>. In <FIG>, illuminating element <NUM>, which may be mounted atop substrate layer <NUM>, is shown as illuminating reflector <NUM>. Fresnel-type lens <NUM>, shown affixed to an underside of louvers <NUM> is shown as operating to bend light from illuminating element <NUM> towards, for example, an illumination area, such as illumination area <NUM> of <FIG>. In embodiments, use of Fresnel-type lenses may permit greater flexibility in selection of, for example, angles θ<NUM> and θ<NUM> shown in <FIG>, which may permit more compact design, of illuminating surgical devices, for example. Further, in particular embodiments may utilize adjustably-angled louvers so as to permit modulation of angle θ<NUM> of <FIG> between angles of, for example, <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees relative to substrate <NUM>.

In addition to permitting more compact design of the illuminating surgical devices, use of a Fresnel-type lens may permit greater directivity of an illuminating beam emanating from illuminating element <NUM>. Accordingly, such increased directivity may reduce the relative size of illuminating area <NUM> as well as reducing incidents of stray light impinging on, for example, a top side of adjacent louvers, such as louver <NUM> of <FIG>. In addition, a surface portion of top side of louvers <NUM> may be coated so as to bring about a light-absorbing surface. In embodiments, a top side of louvers <NUM> may be coated, for example, by depositing light-absorbing materials, which may serve to further diminish backscattered light emanating from illuminating element <NUM>. For example, a top side of louvers <NUM> may be coated with anodized aluminum, carbon black ink or paint, Catalac black paint, Chemglaze black paint, black lacquers, black velvet paint, polyethylene black plastic, and/or a variety of other materials which may be available from K&K Associates at <NUM> Nelson Street, Westminster, Colorado USA. In other embodiments, a deposition process may be utilized to deposit or impart light-absorbing material onto a top side of louvers <NUM>. Light-absorbing properties of a top side of louvers <NUM> may also be enhanced by increasing surface roughness, such as by scratching and/or abrading, for example. Claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any approach toward reducing and/or eliminating light that is reflected from top sides of louvers <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing overlapping beamwidths of illuminating elements of the illuminating surgical device of <FIG> according to an embodiment <NUM>. As mentioned with respect to <FIG>, certain embodiments may benefit from a reduction in the possibility of banding and/or other nonuniform illumination and area. Thus, in addition to adjustment of inter-element spacing of illuminating elements <NUM>, illuminating elements may also be positioned so as to exhibit overlapping beamwidths, as shown in <FIG>. In embodiments, such overlapping of beamwidths, such as beamwidth <NUM>, may further reduce the possibility of nonuniform illumination of an illumination area, such as a surgical field.

<FIG> are diagrams showing movement of a louver layer, which may operate to redirect light from illumination sources according to an embodiment. For example, in embodiment <NUM> of <FIG>, light from illumination sources <NUM> may be reflected upwards by, for example, reflective layer <NUM>. Light from reflective layer <NUM> may be re-directed into a cone-shaped area given, for example, by angle θ<NUM>, for example. In embodiments, illumination within the cone-shaped area corresponding to angle θ<NUM> may correspond to an illumination area above and slightly to the right of an imaginary vertical line extending normal to the plane embodiment <NUM>.

In embodiment <NUM> (<FIG>) louver layer <NUM> is shown as shifted slightly to the right of its position shown in embodiment <NUM> (<FIG>). In embodiments, such shifting of louver layer <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> may bring about confinement of light rays emanating from illuminating elements <NUM> to an area corresponding to θ<NUM>. In embodiments, illumination within the cone-shaped area corresponding to angle θ<NUM> may correspond to an illumination area above and considerably to the right of an imaginary vertical line extending normal to the plane of embodiment <NUM>.

In embodiment <NUM> (<FIG>) louver layer <NUM> is shown shifted slightly to the left of its position shown in embodiment <NUM> (<FIG>). In embodiments, such shifting of louver layer <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> may bring about confinement of light rays emanating from illuminating elements <NUM> to an area corresponding to θ<NUM>. In embodiments, illumination within the cone-shaped area corresponding to angle θ<NUM> may correspond to an illumination area directly above and very slightly to the right, for example, of an imaginary vertical line extending normal to the plane of embodiment <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration showing the various layers and/or structures that may be utilized in an illuminating surgical device according to an embodiment. Embodiment <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond, for example, to one or more of embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In embodiment <NUM> of <FIG>, spacing layer <NUM> may correspond to spacing layer <NUM>, for example, shown in <FIG>. Reflective layer <NUM> may be disposed atop spacing layer <NUM>, which may comprise reflectors <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment, reflectors <NUM> may be sloped towards illuminating elements <NUM> in a manner similar, for example, to the sloping of reflectors <NUM> in the direction of illuminating elements <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows louver layer <NUM> disposed atop reflective layer <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> also shows example louvers 1079a and 1079b, which may be permitted to slide over reflectors <NUM>. In an embodiment, movement of louver layer <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> may bring about redirection of example illumination fields <NUM> in a +x direction. Also in an embodiment, movement of louver layer <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> may bring about redirection of example illumination fields <NUM> in a -x direction.

<FIG> shows louver layer <NUM>, including louvers 1079a and 1079b, for example, moved in a +y direction, which brings about redirection of illumination field 1080a to the right. <FIG> shows louver layer <NUM>, including louvers 1079a and 1079b moved in a -y direction, which brings about redirection of illumination field 1080b to the left. Accordingly, louvers may be slid in + y, thereby permitting fine adjustment of illumination fields, such as illumination fields 1080a and 1080b.

Although particular illuminating elements, such as illuminating elements <NUM>, have been described, it should be noted that theoretical efficiency of both light emitting diodes and/or organic light emitting diodes may be similar and may be based on a desired spectral response. In embodiments, efficiencies of illuminating elements may be reduced if a specific correlated color temperature range and/or color quality is utilized. Correlated color temperature ranges (e.g., "cool" or "warm" color temperatures) may be tuned, for example, by modulating chemical compounds utilized in light-emitting devices. In metal-constructed illuminating surgical devices, metal may be used as a heat sink, which may permit use of illumination sources that generate increased waste heat. Accordingly, heating of the illuminating surgical device may not be of significant importance. If directional light from an illuminating surgical device is utilized, in some embodiments, organic light emitting diodes may not represent a prudent design choice. This may be of particular importance in applications in which diffuse light may be preferred over applications in which light is directed toward particular illumination areas.

The terms, "and", "or", and "and/or" as used herein may include a variety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, "or" if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term "one or more" as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, and/or characteristic in the singular and/or may be used to describe a plurality or some other combination of features, structures and/or characteristics. Though, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example.

Claim 1:
An illuminating surgical device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
an array of illuminating elements (<NUM>);
a substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) to accommodate the array of illuminating elements;
an array of angled reflective surfaces;
a reflective layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to accommodate the array of angled reflective surfaces;
a spacing layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) to accommodate the array of illuminating elements and the array of angled reflective surfaces, individual illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements and individual reflective surfaces of the array of reflective surfaces being proximate to one another; and characterised in that the illuminating surgical device further comprises
a louvered layer (<NUM>) comprising an array of louvered devices, wherein the louvered devices comprise a reflective underside;
wherein the array of angled reflective surfaces is configured to direct light from the individual illuminating elements towards the array of louvered devices,
wherein the reflective underside of the array of louvered devices is configured to direct the light from the array of angled reflective surfaces toward a target surgical field.