Illuminated medical retractor

Abstract

Medical retractor (1) featuring: a handle section (2); and a hook section (3); wherein the handle section (2) is designed at least partially as a hollow body having a cavity (4), wherein the hook section (3) has at least one light guide (5) with a light entry surface and a light exit surface, wherein the handle section (2), the hook section (3) and the light guide (5) are formed in one piece; wherein the light entry surface (51) of the at least one light guide (5) is arranged in the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2), or is arranged flush with an inner wall of the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2), and wherein the light emission surface (52) of the at least one light guide (5) is oriented away from the handle section (2), characterized by the fact that the optical fiber (5) has a cross-sectional area (D) which increases in the region of the light-emitting surface (52) towards the light-emitting surface (52); and the handle section (2) has two connection areas (9) projecting radially from the handle section (2) on both sides of the hook section (3), each with a bore (91).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an illuminated medical retractor and thus a medical holding hook, with the help of which access to an operating field is kept open or enabled by tissue spreading during surgical procedures.

[0002] To ensure the clearest possible access to the surgical field of interest, it is often necessary during surgical procedures to retract or spread away surrounding tissue using a retractor. For this purpose, the retractor is usually held by a specialist nurse on the operating room staff (e.g., a surgical technologist, a surgical assistant, or an operating room nurse) or by an assisting physician. If retractors need to be held in a constant position for the duration of a surgical procedure, it is also common practice to attach them to the operating table for the duration of the procedure.

[0003] A retractor is often designed as an essentially rectangular body made of stainless steel, one leg of which is rounded and flattened, and the other leg of which is thickened to form an essentially cylindrical handle.

[0004] During a surgical procedure, good illumination of the surgical field is of paramount importance. Homogeneous and, if possible, shadow-free illumination with high illuminance across the entire surgical field is desirable. Surgical lights, typically mounted on a ceiling stand above the operating table, are usually used to illuminate the surgical field.

[0005] When surgical fields are located deep within a patient's tissue, achieving the desired homogeneous and shadow-free illumination is often difficult, as there is a risk that the operating light will be obscured by the treating physician or a surgical instrument being used by the physician. This risk is particularly high during minimally invasive procedures.

[0006] US patent 2007 / 0208226A1 discloses the arrangement of an optical fiber along the top surface of a retractor, optically connected to a light source located in the area of ​​the retractor's handle. However, the method of attaching the optical fiber to the retractor is unsatisfactory. Furthermore, handling is complicated because different retractors require different optical fibers. Finally, there is a risk that the optical fiber could detach during a surgical procedure and obstruct the surgeon.

[0007] Document US 2011 / 0013868 A1 discloses an optical fiber formed on a substrate with spaced-apart light-entry and light-emission surfaces. The light-emission surface can be larger or smaller than the light-entry surface. The light-emission and light-entry surfaces can form an angle of 90° relative to each other. Preferably, the light-emission surface has a cross-section that is at most 70% of the largest cross-section of the optical fiber. The described optical fiber is said to be particularly well-suited for illuminating the LCD display of small electronic devices.

[0008] A handle connected to a surgical instrument, comprising a base body and at least one manually operable actuating means connected to a consumer, is known from DE 20 2009 017 971 U1. The handle part, connected to the base body, is made of an elastic material and terminates at least partially at an outer grip surface. It covers the actuating means in such a way that the actuating means can be operated by applying pressure to the elastic material.

[0009] From DE 20 2007 002 593 U1, an endoscope for medical purposes with a fiber optic connection is known. A light source with a battery and a light-emitting diode (LED) is connected to the fiber optic connection. The LED has a switch that automatically connects the LED to the battery when the light source is connected to the fiber optic connection.

[0010] US patent 2005 / 0128751 A1 discloses lighting devices for a wide variety of applications, including a "surgical tool retractor". It also discloses a circuit that regulates the brightness of an LED used for illumination by pulse-width modulation.

[0011] A device for keeping surgical channels open, comprising a wall element and an inner surface including a luminescent emitter, is known from DE 10 2009 030 606 A1. To prevent contamination, the luminescent emitter can have a lotus-effect coating.

[0012] Features of the preamble of claim 1 are known from document DE 20 2004 001 136 U1.

[0013] From WO 2012 / 045459 A1, an illuminated retaining hook is known with a replaceable hook element made of a polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate plastic material of high mechanical strength and high impact resistance. This hook element is connected to the front end of a handle via a positive-locking coupling. The handle is designed as a hollow body to accommodate an energy storage device. A white light-emitting diode and its power supply circuit are inserted into the front end of the handle facing the hook element. A light guide strand is integrated into the hook element. This strand has a curved cross-section and is conically tapered at its free light-exit end, with a narrowed light-exit surface that ensures a point-like light emission.

[0014] The hook element is designed as a replaceable, disposable component, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning and sterilization. However, the two-part design of the retaining hook is a disadvantage. Because the entire force must be transmitted via the coupling between the retaining hook and the handle, there is a risk that the handle could detach from the retaining hook during a surgical procedure and obstruct the surgeon. Furthermore, only a very small portion of the surgical field can be irradiated. Additionally, the handle must be sterilized after each use, which significantly reduces the lifespan of the energy storage device and the diode. In particular, the optical properties of the handle's light-emitting surface can be compromised during sterilization, resulting in progressively less light being coupled into the light guide of the hook element with increasing usage.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated medical retractor that has a simple design, is easy to handle, and allows sufficient illumination of a surgical field. It is emphasized that embodiments of the invention need not possess all or even a single one of these advantages. The object is achieved by a medical retractor combining the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are found in dependent claims.

[0016] A medical retractor has a handle section and a hook section. The handle section is at least partially designed as a hollow body containing a cavity. For example, the handle section can be completely hollow along its longitudinal direction (direction of its greatest extent). A wall of the handle section bounding the cavity can have a constant thickness over the entire extent of the hollow body. The hook section has at least one optical fiber with a

[0017] The device consists of a light entry surface and a light exit surface. The handle section, the hook section, and the light guide are formed as a single piece and are thus permanently and rigidly connected. The handle section, the hook section, and the light guide cannot be separated from each other without damage. The light entry surface of the at least one light guide is located in the cavity formed in the handle section or flush with an inner wall of the cavity formed in the handle section. The light entry surface is oriented towards the interior of the cavity, so that light generated inside the cavity can enter the light guide via the light entry surface. The light exit surface of the at least one light guide is oriented away from the handle section.The light-entry and light-emission surfaces can, for example, be oriented in opposite directions or form an angle greater than 60° with each other. The optical fiber itself can extend in a straight line or be curved. In particular, it can follow the path of the retaining hook, at least in sections. The optical fiber has a cross-section that is constant or increases in the region of the light-emission surface towards the light-emission surface. The cross-section of the optical fiber can also be constant or continuously increasing along its entire length from the light-entry surface to the light-emission surface.

[0018] By forming the handle section, hook section, and light guide as a single unit, the need to mount the light guide to the hook section of the retractor is eliminated. This also prevents the risk of the light guide unintentionally detaching from the hook section. Furthermore, the handle section, hook section, and light guide can be designed so that no gaps remain between them, which offers hygienic advantages. The retractor can be designed as a single-use item.

[0019] Because the cross-section of the optical fiber remains constant or increases towards the light-emitting surface, light exiting the fiber does not focus but rather scatters, thus illuminating a larger area of ​​the surgical field compared to previous technologies. It should be noted that the hook section of the retractor is often positioned very close to the surgical field during operation.

[0020] By designing the handle section, at least partially, as a hollow body, it can be made sufficiently thick for a good grip with minimal material usage. Furthermore, it can house a light source and a power source inside, eliminating the need for sterilization.

[0021] The retractor can be designed, for example, as a Roux hook, Langenbeck hook or Fritsch hook.

[0022] According to one embodiment, no joint is provided between the handle section, the hook section and the light guide.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the light guide has a diverging lens or a flat surface at its light-exiting surface, which is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (direction of greatest extent) of the light guide. This allows the emitted light to be scattered.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the medical retractor further comprises a lid which seals the cavity formed in the handle section, particularly in a liquid-tight and, moreover, airtight manner. The lid can be designed, for example, as a screw cap, lever-lock, or bayonet closure, and may include a separate seal, for example, made of plastic. In this way, it is possible to place a non-sterile body within the cavity of the retractor and shield it from external influences. It is then sufficient if the retractor is sterile outside the cavity of the retractor. This can be easily achieved, for example, by designing the retractor as a sterile, individually packaged, single-use item.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the handle section has an opening in the hollow body area that penetrates a wall enclosing the hollow body, and this opening is sealed liquid-tight and, in particular, airtight by a cover made of elastomer, and especially silicone. In this way, it is possible to exert pressure on a body contained within the hollow body without any exchange of substances between the hollow body and an outer surface of the retractor. This enables, for example, the actuation of pressure switches located inside the hollow body.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the handle section has at least one area on its surface made of a non-slip material, and in particular an elastomer, which is bonded to the handle section over its entire surface. This is advantageous because retractors are frequently used in damp environments and must be held securely with gloves.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the handle section has a connection area designed to be attached to a holding system of an operating table. Consequently, the retractor does not need to be held continuously during a surgical procedure, but can be fixed intermittently or continuously. The connection area is thus formed integrally with the handle section and made of the same material.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the handle section, the hook section, and the light guide are made of the same material. As a result, the retractor can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively using injection molding.

[0029] According to an alternative embodiment, the handle section and the hook section are formed from a first material, and the light guide is formed from a second material different from the first, which is co-extruded together with the first material. The use of different materials allows for the use of a material with particularly good light-conducting properties for the light guide, and a material that is particularly stiff and / or break-resistant for the handle and hook sections. Despite this, co-extrusion makes manufacturing cost-effective.

[0030] According to an alternative embodiment, the handle section and the hook section are made of a plastic material, and the light guide is an insert made of a second material different from the plastic material, and in particular quartz glass, which is permanently bonded to the plastic material over a flat surface by overmolding. The use of different materials allows for the use of a material with particularly good light-conducting properties for the light guide, and a material that is particularly rigid and / or break-resistant for the handle and hook sections. The overmolding ensures a permanent and secure connection between the light guide and the hook section.Furthermore, it is even possible to use a material for the light guide that splinters when overloaded, since overmolding the light guide with the plastic material prevents splinters from entering the surgical field.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the light guide is made of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, or quartz glass. These materials exhibit good light-guiding properties, as total internal reflection can occur at interfaces.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the handle section and the hook section are made of polymethyl methacrylate, polyetheretherketone, or polycarbonate. These materials exhibit good heat resistance, optical clarity, high mechanical strength, and impact resistance. Furthermore, these materials allow the optical fiber, handle section, and hook section to be manufactured from the same material.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the cavity formed in the handle section has an oval or polygonal internal cross-section. This allows for a rotationally secure arrangement of a correspondingly shaped body within the cavity enclosed by the hollow body. If this shape is also found on the outside of the handle section, the retractor can also be held in a rotationally secure position.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the cavity formed in the handle section has a length of between 5 cm and 20 cm, and in particular a length of between 7.5 cm and 15 cm. According to another embodiment, the cavity formed in the handle section has a maximum inner diameter of between 1 cm and 8 cm, and in particular between 2 cm and 5 cm, and further, in particular, 3 cm. If this dimension, with an additional dimension of at most one centimeter, is also found on the outside of the handle section, the retractor can be comfortably held by a user's hands.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the light guide has a round, oval, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular cross-section.

[0036] According to one embodiment, a (main) extension direction of the handle section and a (main) extension direction of the hook section enclose an angle of between 60° and 180° and in particular between 80° and 100° and further in particular 90°.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the hook section has a length of between 1 cm and 40 cm, and in particular between 10 cm and 30 cm, and further, in particular, between 20 cm.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the hook section has a width of between 0.5 cm and 10 cm, and in particular between 1.5 cm and 5 cm, and further in particular between 4 cm.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the light guide has a length that corresponds to between 50% and 100%, and in particular between 60% and 90%, of the length of the retaining hook. By allowing light to exit the light guide only in the area of ​​the retaining hook facing away from the handle section, unwanted glare and scattering effects can be suppressed.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the medical retractor further comprises a light source which, together with a power source, in particular a battery or accumulator, is arranged in a common housing. This housing has a light-emitting surface that is optically connected to the light source. The housing containing the light source can be arranged in the cavity formed in the handle section such that the light-emitting surface of the housing is oriented towards the light-intake surface of the at least one optical fiber. For example, the shape and size of the housing containing the light source can be selected such that the housing rests flat against an inner wall of the cavity formed in the handle section. The light source can, for example, be a light-emitting diode (LED), and in particular a high-power LED or a laser diode.Alternatively, a gas discharge lamp or incandescent lamp can be used.

[0041] According to one embodiment, at least one hook is formed inside the cavity in the handle section. This hook holds the housing containing the light source within the handle section when the housing is positioned there. The hook has a predetermined breaking point, allowing the housing to be removed from the handle section by breaking off the at least one retaining hook. For this purpose, the retaining hook can, for example, elastically pre-tension the light-emitting surface of the housing in the direction of the light-intake surface of the optical fiber, thus ensuring good contact between the housing's light-emitting surface and the optical fiber's light-intake surface. This ensures that retractors designed as single-use items can indeed only be used once. The hook can be formed integrally with the handle section.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the light-emitting surface of the housing containing the light source is designed to be complementary to the light-intake surface of the at least one light guide. This allows the two surfaces to be in contact with each other and enables low-loss transmission of the guided light.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the retractor further comprises a switch, the switch being arranged between the power source and the light source and configured to selectively connect the light source to the power source. Switches are very cost-effective and reliable passive components.

[0044] According to an alternative embodiment, the retractor further comprises a control unit and a switch, wherein the control unit is connected to the power source, the switch, and the light source and is configured to control the light source as a result of the switch being actuated. The use of a single control unit allows more than two operating states of the light source to be selected without requiring a multitude of switches for user input.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the switch is designed as a push button, and in particular as a membrane switch or sensor switch, and the control system is designed to switch the light source successively between at least the following operating states as a result of repeated actuation of the push button: The light source is operated at reduced power; The light source is operated at maximum power; The light source is not operating.

[0046] The sensor button can, for example, operate according to the Hall principle or be designed as a capacitive button or piezo button.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the radiant power of the light source at reduced power is between 25% and 75% of the radiant power of the light source at maximum power.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the handle section has an opening in the cavity that penetrates a wall surrounding the cavity and is sealed liquid-tight and, in particular, airtight by a cover made of elastomer, and especially silicone. The housing containing the light source can then be arranged in the cavity formed in the handle section such that the switch is located adjacent to the opening. In this way, the switch can be actuated via the elastomer cover.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the housing containing the light source has an oval or polygonal outer cross-section. This outer cross-section can be complementary to an inner cross-section of the cavity in the handle section. Alternatively, projections for guiding the housing can be formed on the inner wall of the cavity inside the handle section.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the housing accommodating the light source has a length of between 5 cm and 20 cm, and in particular a length of between 7.5 cm and 15 cm.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the housing accommodating the light source has a maximum outer diameter of between 1 cm and 8 cm, and in particular between 2 cm and 5 cm, and further in particular 3 cm.

[0052] According to one embodiment, at least the light-emitting surface of the at least one optical fiber has a nanocoating that imparts a superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic property to the surface of the light-emitting surface. According to another embodiment, at least the entire hook section has a nanocoating that imparts a superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic property to the surface of the entire hook section. This makes it easier to keep the light-emitting surface free of contaminants, so that the light guided in the optical fiber is attenuated as little as possible.

[0053] According to one embodiment, at least the light-emitting surface of the at least one light guide has a microstructured surface that imparts a lotus effect to the surface of the light-emitting surface. According to another embodiment, at least the entire hook section has a microstructured surface that imparts a lotus effect to the surface of the entire hook section. This makes it easier to keep the light-emitting surface free of contaminants, so that the light guided in the light guide is attenuated as little as possible.

[0054] Embodiments of a lighting device for a medical retractor include a light source arranged together with a power source, in particular a battery or accumulator, in a common housing. This housing has a light-emitting surface that is optically connected to the light source. The lighting device further includes a control unit and a switch. The control unit is connected to the power source, the switch, and the light source and is configured to control the light source when the switch is actuated. The switch is designed as a push button, and in particular as a membrane switch or sensor switch. The control unit is configured to switch the light source successively between at least the following operating states as a result of repeated actuation of the push button: light source is operated at reduced power; light source is operated at maximum power; light source is not operated.The radiant power of the light source at reduced power is between 25% and 75% of the radiant power of the light source at maximum power. The housing containing the light source can have an oval or polygonal cross-section. The housing containing the light source can have a length of between 5 cm and 20 cm, and in particular a length of between 7.5 cm and 15 cm. The housing containing the light source can have a maximum outer diameter of between 1 cm and 8 cm, and in particular between 2 cm and 5 cm.

[0055] In this context, it should be noted that the terms “comprise”, “exhibit”, “include”, “contain” and “with”, as well as their grammatical variations, used in this description and the claims to list features are generally to be understood as a non-exhaustive list of features such as process steps, facilities, areas, sizes and the like, and in no way exclude the presence of other or additional features or groupings of other or additional features.

[0056] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the claims and the figures. In the figures, identical or similar elements are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of the described exemplary embodiments, but is defined by the scope of the accompanying patent claims. In particular, the individual features may be implemented in a different number and combination in embodiments of the invention than in the examples listed below. In the following explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures, of which Fig. 1A shows a side view of a medical retractor according to one embodiment; Fig. 1B a rear view of the medical retractor according to the embodiment from Fig. 1A shows; Fig. 1C a top view of the medical retractor from Fig. 1A shows according to a first embodiment; Fig. 1D a top view of the medical retractor Fig. 1A shows according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of a lighting system for the medical retractor according to the embodiment Fig. 1A shows.

[0057] The following refers to the Fig. Figures 1A to 1C describe a medical retractor 1 according to a first embodiment. Hidden elements are shown with dashed lines in the figures.

[0058] The medical retractor 1, which is designed overall in the form of a Fritsch hook, has a handle section 2 and a hook section 3, the respective longitudinal extensions (direction of greatest extension) of which enclose an angle α of 90° with each other.

[0059] The handle section 2 is designed as a hollow body with an oval cross-section and encloses a cavity 4, also with an oval cross-section. The cavity 4 has a length of 15 cm, a maximum diameter of 3.5 cm, and a minimum diameter of 3 cm. The wall of the handle section 2, which delimits the cavity 4, has a constant thickness of 2 mm along its entire length. At its end facing the hook section 3, the handle section 2 has two symmetrically designed connection areas 9 with bores 91, which project radially from the handle section and can be attached to a (not shown) holding system of an operating table. At its end opposite the hook section 3, the handle section 2 has a cover 6 designed as a snap closure, which seals the cavity 4 formed in the handle section 2 in a liquid-tight and airtight manner.To ensure a tight seal, the lid 6 has a silicone O-ring (not shown). On its side facing away from the hook section 3, the handle section 2 has an opening that penetrates the wall enclosing the cavity 4 and is sealed liquid-tight and airtight by a silicone cover 7. A snap hook 15 is formed in the handle section of the lid 6. The dimensions of the snap hook are shown in [reference missing]. Fig. 1A strongly exaggerated. Finally, the handle section 2 has four oval areas 8 on its surface, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the handle section, which are formed from elastomer and are connected to the handle section 2 over a flat surface.

[0060] The hook section 3 has a length of 20 cm and a width of 4 cm and a U-shaped cross-section. The hook section 3 has a light guide 5 with a light entry surface 51 and a light exit surface 52, which follows the path of the hook section over 74% of its longitudinal extent.

[0061] The light-entry surface 51 of the light guide 5 is flush with an inner wall of the cavity 4 formed in the handle section 2 and is oriented towards the interior of the cavity 4. The light-emission surface 52 of the light guide 5 is oriented in the opposite direction to the light-entry surface 51 and thus away from the handle section 2. The light guide 5 has a circular cross-section with an outer diameter D, which outer diameter D is constant over the entire longitudinal extent L of the light guide 5, including the light-entry surface 51 and the light-emission surface 52.

[0062] In this first embodiment, the handle section 2, the hook section 3, and the light guide 5 are formed as a single-piece injection-molded part made of polymethyl methacrylate. The retractor 1 is shaped such that there are no gaps between the handle section 2, the hook section 3, and the light guide 5. The surfaces of the handle section 2, the hook section 3, and the light guide 5 are provided with a nanocoating that gives these surfaces a superhydrophobic property.

[0063] The following refers to the Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 10 a second embodiment of a medical retractor 1 is described.

[0064] Since this second embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment described above, only differences will be discussed below, and otherwise reference will be made to the descriptions of the first embodiment.

[0065] The second embodiment differs from the embodiment described above in that the light guide 5' is an insert made of quartz glass, which, with the exception of its light entry surface 51' and its light exit surface 52', is overmolded with polyetheretherketone, from which the handle section 2 and the hook section 3' are formed.

[0066] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the light entry surface 51' of the light guide 5' projects into the cavity 4, which is formed in the handle section 2.

[0067] In addition, the light guide 5', which in the second embodiment has a round cross-section, diverges along its longitudinal direction L towards the light emission surface 52', so that its diameter steadily increases towards the light emission surface 52'.

[0068] Finally, in the second embodiment, a diverging lens is formed at the light-exiting surface 52' of the light guide 5', the surface of which is microstructured in such a way that a lotus effect (low wettability of the surface of the diverging lens, as can be observed in the lotus plant) occurs. An additional nanocoating of the handle section 2, the hook section 3 and the light guide 5 can then be omitted.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the cavity 4 formed in the handle section 2 is closed by a lid 6 designed as a screw cap. For this purpose, the handle section 2 has a round cross-section in the area of ​​the lid 6.

[0070] The following refers to the Fig. 2 describes an embodiment of a lighting system as it can be used in the medical retractors 1 described above.

[0071] The light fixture comprises a housing 10 made of opaque plastic, which contains a light source in the form of a white laser diode 11, a switch 13 designed as a push button, a control circuit 14, and a power source in the form of a battery 12. To allow replacement of the battery 12, the end of the housing 10 facing away from the laser diode 11 is sealed by a screw cap 16. In the area of ​​the laser diode 11, the housing has a light-emitting surface in the form of a quartz glass window 12, which is optically connected to a light outlet of the laser diode 11. The housing has a slightly oval cross-section, a length of 10 cm, a maximum outer diameter of 3.45 cm, and a minimum outer diameter of 2.95 cm. Thus, the cross-section of the housing 10 is well adapted to the cross-section of the cavity 4 in the handle section 2 of the medical retractor 1 described above.

[0072] The control circuit 14 is connected to the battery 12, the push button 13 and the laser diode 11 and is designed to switch the laser diode 11 successively between the following operating states as a result of repeated activation of the push button 13: Laser diode 11 is operated at 50% of its maximum power; Laser diode 11 is operated at its maximum power; laser diode 11 is not operated.

[0073] During a surgical procedure, the housing 10 of the light is arranged in the cavity 4 formed in the handle section 2, the window 12 in the housing 10 is aligned towards the light entry surface 51 of one light guide 5, and the push button 13 is located behind the silicone cover 7 of the handle section 2. In this way, the switch can be actuated via the silicone cover 7.

[0074] In the embodiment shown, an outer surface of the window 12 is adapted to the light entry surface 51 and, when lighting is arranged in the cavity 4 of the handle section 2, lies flat against the light entry surface 51.

[0075] The housing 10 of the light fixture is pre-tensioned in the direction of the hook section 3 by the snap hook 15 when the light fixture is located in the cavity 4 of the handle section 2. The snap hook 15 has a predetermined breaking point 15', which allows the light fixture to be removed from the handle section 2 by breaking off the snap hook 15.

Claims

[1] Medical retractor (1) featuring: a handle section (2); and a hook section (3); wherein the handle section (2) is designed at least partially as a hollow body having a cavity (4), wherein the hook section (3) has at least one light guide (5) with a light entry surface and a light exit surface, wherein the handle section (2), the hook section (3) and the light guide (5) are formed in one piece; wherein the light entry surface (51) of the at least one light guide (5) is arranged in the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2), or is arranged flush with an inner wall of the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2), and wherein the light emission surface (52) of the at least one light guide (5) is oriented away from the handle section (2), characterized by , that the optical fiber (5) has a cross-sectional area (D) which increases in the region of the light-emitting surface (52) towards the light-emitting surface (52); and the handle section (2) has two connection areas (9) projecting radially from the handle section (2) on both sides of the hook section (3), each with a bore (91). [2] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light guide (5) has a diverging lens or a planar surface at its light exit surface (52) which is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (L) of the light guide (5). [3] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lid (6) which closes the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) in a liquid-tight manner. [4] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle section (2) has an opening in the area designed as a hollow body which breaks through a wall enclosing the cavity (4); and wherein the opening is sealed liquid-tight by a cover (7) made of elastomer. [5] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle section (2) has at least one area (8) on its surface which is formed of anti-slip material and is connected to the handle section (2) over a flat surface. [6] Medical retractor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle section (2) and the hook section (3) are formed from a plastic material, and the light guide (5) is formed from a second material different from the plastic material and in particular quartz glass, and the light guide (5) is an insert which is permanently bonded to the plastic material by overmolding with plastic material. [7] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the optical fiber (5) is made of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone or quartz glass; and / or wherein the handle section (2) and the hook section (3) are formed from polymethyl methacrylate, polyetheretherketone or polycarbonate. [8] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) has an oval or polygonal internal cross-section; and wherein the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) has a length of between 5 cm and 20 cm; and wherein the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) has a maximum internal diameter of between 1 cm and 8 cm. [9] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the optical fiber (5) has a round or oval or rectangular or trapezoidal or triangular cross-section. [10] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an extension direction of the handle section and an extension direction of the hook section enclose an angle (α) of between 60° and 180°. [11] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hook section (3) has a length of between 1 cm and 40 cm; and wherein the hook section (3) has a width of between 0.5 cm and 10 cm. [12] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the optical fiber (5) has a length which is between 50% and 100% of the length of the retaining hook. [13] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a light source (11) which is arranged together with a power source (12) in a common housing (10), the housing (10) having a light emission surface (12) which is optically connected to the light source (11); wherein the housing (10) with the light source (11) can be arranged in the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) such that the light emission surface (12) of the housing (10) is aligned towards the light entry surface (51) of the at least one light guide (5). [14] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 13, wherein at least one hook (15) is formed inside the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2), which holds the housing (10) receiving the light source (11) inside the handle section (2) when it is arranged in the handle section (2), wherein the hook (15) has a predetermined breaking point which allows the housing (10) to be removed from the handle section (2) by breaking off the at least one hook (15). [15] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 13 or 15, wherein the light emission surface (12) of the housing (10) is designed to be complementary to the light entry surface (51) of the at least one light guide (5). [16] Medical retractor (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a switch (13) is further provided, wherein the switch (13) is arranged between the power source (12) and the light source (11) and is configured to selectively connect the light source (11) to the power source (12). [17] Medical retractor (1) according to one of claims 13 to 16, wherein a control unit (14) and a push button (13) are further provided, the control unit (14) being received together with the light source (11) and the power source (12) in the housing (10), wherein the control unit (14) is connected to the power source (12), the push button (13) and the light source (11) and is configured to control the light source (11) as a result of actuation of the push button (13). [18] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 17, wherein the control (14) is configured to switch the light source (11) successively between at least the following operating states as a result of repeated actuation of the button: The light source (11) is operated at reduced power; Light source (11) is operated at maximum power; Light source (11) is not operated. [19] Medical retractor (1) according to claim 18, wherein the radiant power of the light source (11) at reduced power is between 25% and 75% of the radiant power of the light source (11) at maximum power. [20] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the handle section (2) has an opening in the area designed as a hollow body which breaks through a wall enclosing the cavity (4); wherein the opening is sealed liquid-tight by a cover (7) made of elastomer; and wherein the housing (10) receiving the light source (11) can be arranged in the cavity (4) formed in the handle section (2) such that the switch (13) is located adjacent to the opening. [21] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the housing (10) receiving the light source (11) has an oval or polygonal outer cross-section; and wherein the housing (10) receiving the light source (11) has a length of between 5 cm and 20 cm; and wherein the housing (10) receiving the light source (11) has a maximum outer diameter of between 1 cm and 8 cm. [22] Medical retractor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein at least the light-emitting surface (52) of the at least one optical fiber (5) has a nanocoating which imparts a superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic property to a surface of the light-emitting surface (52) or to a surface of the entire hook section (3); or wherein at least the light emission surface (52) of the at least one light guide (5) has a microstructured surface which gives the surface of the light emission surface (52) or the surface of the entire hook section (3) a lotus effect.

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