Surgery – Endoscope – Having imaging and illumination means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-21
2001-02-27
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Endoscope
Having imaging and illumination means
C600S171000, C600S160000, C600S161000, C600S249000, C606S004000, C606S017000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193650
ABSTRACT:
Often the illumination is transmitted from an illumination source (disposed at some distance from the patient) through an optical fiber cable to a handpiece which is manipulated by the physician/user or an assistant to provide illuminating light on the desired area. Optical fiber cables do a good job of providing broad spectrum light from a suitable illumination source, but the light output of optical fibers could be improved. For example, the numerical aperture of optical fibers are typically rather small, with the result that the field of illumination for these devices is smaller than could be desired. Moreover, these devices are most often used in liquids (saline solutions and the like) which further reduces the field of illumination. A narrow field of illumination is adequate for conventional ophthalmic surgical viewing systems, but recently viewing systems have been developed which give the surgeon a more panoramic view of the eye, and require greater dispersion of light to illuminate this larger area. To more uniformly disperse the illumination, lenses have been used as the end of the optical fiber to spread the light. Moreover, at least one device (manufactured by Trek Medical) has been proposed to spread the light by changing the distal configuration of the optical fiber itself from the standard blunt shape to a cone shape. Infinitech, Inc., licensee of the present invention, has also developed a distal configuration of the optical fiber (shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,168) which is believed to address the problem of dispersing the light in a superior manner. All these devices could be improved however. For example, it has been found that the wide angle illumination devices such as those described above result in light from the illumination probe being transmitted directly into the surgeon's eyes. This, of course, is undesirable and somewhat defeats the purpose of having a wide angle illumination device. This problem makes fine structures adjacent to the probe (e.g. vitreous fibers) quite difficult to see. In addition, glare from the probe becomes increasingly problematic in a gas-filled eye or with poor media. What would be preferred in some instances is a wide angle illumination device which provides means for protecting the surgeon's eves from direct illumination so as to not affect the surgeon's view of the surgical area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved illumination and surgical device which is especially suited for ophthalmic, laparoscopic, or arthroscopic surgery and endoscopy and the like.
Another object is the provision of such an illumination and surgical device which provides an improved field of illumination while at the same time allowing the surgeon's eyes to be protected from direct illumination.
A third object is the provision of such an illumination and surgical device which is readily controllable by the surgeon.
A fourth object is the provision of such an illumination and surgical device which is reliable, yet relatively simple to manufacture.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Briefly, an illumination and surgical device for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and a connector disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber. The connector is adapted for connection to a source of illumination and for holding the proximal end of the optical fiber in position to accept light from the illumination source. A handpiece is disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber and has a handpiece body and a surgical tool extending distally from the handpiece body. The optical fiber extends generally through the handpiece. It is preferred that the handpiece be of a size suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and that the surgical tool be of a size suitable for insertion into a cavity in the human body such as the interior of a human eye. A structure is disposed at the distal end of the optical fiber for dispersing light passing from the illumination source through the cable to broaden the area on which the light impinges. A shield is provided proximally of at least a portion of the dispersing means to prevent light from impinging upon a predetermined area, which predetermined area is disposed proximal the needle and spaced transversely therefrom.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Dvorak Linda C. M.
Ram Jocelyn Debra
Schira Jeffrey S.
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