Blade insert illuminator
US8047987B2 · kind B2 · utility
52Cited by
132References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi-transparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.