Patent ID: 7270439

Claim:
A lightweight, compact, self-contained lighting system configured to be attachable to a hand-held surgical tool, comprising: a self-contained power unit, comprising first attachment means for attaching to the surgical tool at a predetermined location thereon; a connection element, connected to the power unit primarily to convey electrical power therefrom; a light-emitting element, configured and disposed to maximize a user's field of view, connected to the connection element primarily to receive power from the power unit; and heat transfer means for transferring heat from the light-emitting element via the connection element, whereby a first portion of the transferred heat is conveyed to ambient atmosphere primarily by radiation and convection and a second portion of the transferred heat is conveyed to the power unit, the surgical tool and the user primarily by conduction, to thereby maintain all contactable surfaces of the light-emitting element within a predetermined temperature range at all times during operation of the lighting system.