Patent ID: 8568304

Claim:
An illuminated suction device, said device comprising: a suction tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central portion therebetween, the proximal end fluidly connectable to a vacuum source, wherein the suction tube further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface; an inner layer of optical cladding disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the central portion of the suction tube; a non-fiber optic optical waveguide having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central portion therebetween, wherein light is transmitted through the waveguide by total internal reflection and the light exits the distal end to illuminate a surgical field, and wherein the optical waveguide is disposed against the suction tube with the inner layer of optical cladding disposed therebetween; and an outer layer of optical cladding disposed circumferentially around the suction tube, and the optical waveguide.