Patent ID: 8500631

Claim:
A percutaneous illumination device for illuminating a body cavity, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end, a penetrating tip disposed on the proximal end of the elongate member configured to penetrate through a tissue layer outwardly from inside the body cavity, a distal end configured to direct light from an illumination source to illuminate an area surrounding the elongate member and configured to extend through the tissue layer into a body cavity, a diameter in the range about 1 mm to about 5 mm, and a length in the range of about 25 mm to about 300 mm; and first and second support members coupled to the elongate member and extending circumferentially therearound, the first support member being substantially rigid and having a first width, the first support member being disposed distal to the proximal end of the elongate member, the second support member being a non-jointed inflatable support member movable between an expanded configuration and a deflated configuration and having a second width in the expanded configuration that is less than the first width, the second support member being disposed distal to the first support member and proximal to the distal end, and the first and second widths being greater than a width of the elongate member and adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a tissue surface to stabilize the elongate member.