Lighting device for attachment to handheld electrosurgical instruments

Abstract

A cordless, battery-powered illumination device is disclosed that is configured to be removably mounted to the distal end of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, and when the illumination device is mounted to the distal end of the instrument, light automatically emits from the illumination device along the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 746,933, filed Oct. 17, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 653,065, filed Oct. 15, 2019. The disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and more particularly to a battery - driven lighting device for attachment to a hand - held electrosurgical instrument.

Background Art

[0003] Lighting devices are generally used to enable an operator to illuminate a space or area where a field of view is secured by the lighting, thereby allowing the operator to more accurately control and highlight this space or area. In many situations, lighting devices can be used to illuminate enclosed or limited spaces that are not normally illuminated or are not illuminated in sufficient amounts.

[0004] Existing lighting devices can be connected to a device or tool to illuminate areas where various tools are used, such as medical devices and hand tools like screwdrivers. Such lighting devices and light sources include an attachment. An electrical cord extends from the attachment and can be connected to a power source. The attachment is battery - driven and the light source is integrally formed within the tool to direct light at a specific field of view.

[0005] In medical procedures, lighting devices are used to direct light at a specific area during a procedure or examination. For example, the lighting device can be used with electrosurgical hand - held devices such as electrosurgical pencils like the BOVIE® pencil used to incise tissue, and various other procedure instruments such as retractors and forceps. Illuminated retractors are generally used during surgery and are useful for illuminating the surgical field.

[0006] The inventors recognized several drawbacks of conventional lighting devices. For example, known lighting devices in which the light source is integrally formed are generally expensive, bulky, and can cause injury. Known cordless and corded lighting devices greatly increase the bulk of tools, preventing users from operating tools with the precision required in many situations and hindering the ability to extend tools into confined spaces.

[0007] Furthermore, many lighting devices, especially corded and overhead lights, constantly require repositioning, are cumbersome to handle, and this holding or repositioning relies on an assistant, potentially causing problems in the surgical field. Moreover, the light sources integrated into corded lighting devices and instruments can become extremely hot. Therefore, they can burn the user and / or the patient, and in some cases even cause a fire.

[0008] Headlamps can be used as an alternative to lighting devices during surgical procedures. However, like lighting devices, headlamps are bulky, generally require cables to connect to a power source, constantly need readjustment, and can pose safety problems. In addition, headlamps are not sterile. Furthermore, when worn on the surgeon's head, they are far from the surgical field, making them less effective and potentially cumbersome for the user, and prolonged wear can be tiring.

[0009] When handheld lighting devices, illuminated retractors, overhead lighting, and / or headlamps are used during surgical procedures, it is known that undesirable conditions can occur, such as the surgeon's hands / instruments obstructing the light and casting shadows on the surgical site. Furthermore, the anatomical structure of the surgical cavity can also obstruct the light and create shadows. These shadows often necessitate the user periodically repositioning the light source. In some cases, the surgeon may even need to move their head to change the angle of the headlamp directed at the surgical site.

[0010] A particularly useful illumination device, designed to be attached to a handheld electrosurgical device and especially for use with the BOVIE® pencil, is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,851,060 by the same applicant, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention provides an improvement over the illumination device disclosed therein. [Overview of the project]

[0011] The present invention relates to a novel and useful lighting device for installation on a handheld surgical instrument, preferably for detachable attachment to a handheld electrosurgical instrument.

[0012] The light source will be referred to throughout the following summary and detailed description of the present invention. These components may consist of light-emitting diodes such as blue LEDs, white LEDs, and yellow LEDs. LEDs are advantageous because they consume less energy, have a longer lifespan, are available in a smaller size, and offer fast switching compared to other types of lights. However, other types of lights may also be used. For example, the light source may be adapted and configured to generate UV light, including UV-C light, for treating or preventing infectious organisms.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device comprises a first outer body portion having a first inner body portion defining a first recess for accommodating the distal end of a surgical instrument. The first outer body portion has a first pair of light sources provided at its distal end at an arc-shaped separation. The lighting device further comprises a second outer body portion having a second inner body portion defining a second recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument. The second outer body portion has a second pair of light sources provided at its distal end at an arc-shaped separation.

[0014] The first and second body portions of the illumination device are hinged to each other and are configured to move between an open position for receiving the distal end of the surgical instrument and a closed position for engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument. Preferably, the first and second outer body portions each have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the first and second recesses each have a substantially semi-frustoconical shape. It is envisioned that the inner walls of the first and second recesses may be formed from a flexible or elastic material so that the illumination device can accommodate a variety of surgical instruments of different sizes and / or geometric shapes.

[0015] The first and second outer body sections each define an internal cavity for housing a battery to supply power to the corresponding light source. The light source in each outer body section is operably associated with its respective PCB. At the distal end of each body section, a semi-annular lens is associated with the arc-shaped, spaced-apart light source.

[0016] A flexible latch is operably associated with the first outer body to engage a tab on the second outer body when the first and second body parts are moved to the closed position. Alternatively, a magnetic or adhesive strip is operably associated with the first and second outer body parts to maintain the device in the closed position. A switch is operably associated with the recess of each outer body part to activate the associated light source when the first and second body parts are moved to the closed position. The lighting device is intended to operate automatically when the fixture is inserted into the device and the latch is closed around it, and to be stopped by removing the latch and / or the fixture.

[0017] Alternatively, the switch can be operationally associated with only one of the two outer body sections of the lighting device, with the other outer body section connected to it by a wire or sensor. It is also conceivable that one of the two outer body sections could have a button instead of a switch, thereby activating the light source when the lighting device is closed around its center. This can also be implemented using an internal switch associated with a flexible latch, in which case the lighting device can detect that the body section has been latched and closed, and then automatically turned on.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical outer body defining an internal cavity; an inner body surrounding the internal cavity of the outer body and defining a substantially semi-frustoconical recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument; and a pair of light sources arranged in an arc shape at the distal end of the internal cavity of the outer body. At the distal end of the main body, a semi-annular lens is associated with the arc-shaped light sources.

[0019] This embodiment of the present invention has several advantages. Firstly, when the surgeon looks down at the surface of the electrosurgical instrument (typically the surgeon holds the instrument and looks down at the surface with the buttons), the majority of the body of the illumination device can be kept out of the surgeon's line of sight. A second advantage of this embodiment is its open surface, which can easily accommodate instruments of different geometric shapes. For example, some instruments are sold with an integrated smoke exhaust line, and this configuration of the illumination device can easily accommodate such features.

[0020] Preferably, a resilient wedge-shaped portion projecting radially outward is mounted within the semi-frustoconical recess to engage the distal end of a surgical instrument, frictionally, elastically, or with spring load. When the device is activated, a battery is housed within the internal cavity to power the associated light source. The light source is operably associated with the PCB. A switch is operably associated with the recess to activate the associated light source. It is envisioned that the resilient wedge-shaped portion may be designed to function both as a way to receive a spring load and keep the instrument locked in place within the lighting device, and as a way to emit light if there is a switch or button beneath the wedge-shaped portion. It is also envisioned that the lighting device will operate automatically when an instrument is inserted into the device and will stop when the instrument is removed from it.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, the illumination device comprises a substantially cylindrical outer body portion including an inner body portion that defines a substantially frustoconical recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument. The outer body portion has a pair of light sources provided circumferentially separated at its distal end.

[0022] The illumination device, when received in the substantially frustoconical recess, further comprises a manual actuation engagement assembly for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument. The manual actuation engagement assembly includes a pair of spring-loaded, radially biased, radially opposing annular engagement bands, each having a plurality of engagement teeth for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument. Each of the opposing annular engagement bands has a corresponding compressible tab for releasing the distal end of the surgical instrument when compressed radially inward.

[0023] Alternatively, each of the annular engagement bands facing in the diametrical direction has an engagement member for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument. The engagement member can be made of an elastic, plastic, or metallic material. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the adaptable nature of the engagement assembly of this embodiment facilitates the use of the illumination device with surgical instruments of various sizes and / or geometries. The illumination device is assumed to be automatically activated when the instrument is received within the engagement assembly and / or to deactivate by removing the instrument therefrom.

[0024] It is also contemplated that the light source and / or the surgical instrument may comprise one or more adhesive stickers for adhering the light source to the instrument.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a hand-held surgical instrument, a battery-powered illumination device for attachment to the hand-held surgical instrument, and a packaging container for housing the surgical instrument and the illumination device. Preferably, the hand-held surgical instrument is an electrosurgical pencil.

[0026] These and other features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the following brief description of the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a first embodiment of an illumination device including two substantially U-shaped sub-assemblies hinged to each other, the sub-assemblies being shown in an open position for receiving the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the illumination device in a closed position engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 3] A first side elevation view of the illumination device engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 4]It is a second side elevation view of a lighting device engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 5] It is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a front view of a lighting device engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 7] It is a partially enlarged view of a latch for fixing a sub-assembly of the lighting device in a closed position. [Figure 8] It is a first side elevation view of the lighting device in the closed position. [Figure 9] It is a second side elevation view of a perspective view of the lighting device in the closed position. [Figure 10] It is a rear view of the lighting device in the closed position. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the lighting device in the closed position. [Figure 12] It is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a first perspective view of a PC board assembly and a battery. [Figure 14] It is a second perspective view of a PC board assembly and a battery. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of a lens. [Figure 16] It is a partially enlarged view of the hinge of FIG. 10. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view of another version of the lighting device of FIG. 11 in the open position, including a magnetic strip or an adhesive strip. [Figure 18] It is a perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 17, with the magnetic strip or the adhesive strip separated for simplicity of explanation. [Figure 19] It is a perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 17 in the closed position. [Figure 20] It is a side elevation view of the lighting device of FIG. 17 in the closed position. [Figure 21] It is a rear view of the lighting device of FIG. 17 in the closed position. [Figure 22]This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lighting device, which includes a substantially U-shaped body containing a rubber wedge-shaped structure projecting radially inward for engaging the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 23] Figure 22 is a perspective view of the illumination device engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 24] Figure 23 is a plan view of the lighting device and surgical instruments shown. [Figure 25] Figure 23 shows a side elevation view of the lighting device and surgical instruments, illustrating the advantage that the lighting device allows the surgeon to look down on the surface of the instruments without obstructing their line of sight. [Figure 26] Figure 23 is a front view of the lighting device and surgical instruments. [Figure 27] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 24. [Figure 28] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view along the EE line. [Figure 29] Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown. [Figure 30] Figure 22 is a plan view of the lighting device shown. [Figure 31] Figure 22 is a side elevation view of the lighting device. [Figure 32] Figure 22 is a rear view of the lighting device shown. [Figure 33] Figure 22 is a front view of the lighting device shown. [Figure 34] Figure 29 is a first perspective view of the PC board assembly and battery of the lighting device shown. [Figure 35] Figure 29 is a second perspective view of the PC board assembly and battery of the lighting device shown. [Figure 36] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the lens of the lighting device shown. [Figure 37] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the outer body of the lighting device shown. [Figure 38] Figure 29 is an enlarged perspective view of the elastic wedge member of the lighting device shown. [Figure 39] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the inner body of the lighting device shown. [Figure 40]This is a perspective view of another illumination device and surgical instrument, the illumination device including a manually operated latch assembly for engaging the illumination device with the distal end of the surgical instrument. [Figure 41] Figure 40 is a perspective view of the illumination device installed on the distal end of a surgical instrument. [Figure 42] Figure 41 is a plan view of the lighting device and surgical instruments shown. [Figure 43] Figure 41 is a side elevation view of the lighting device and surgical instruments shown. [Figure 44] Figure 43 is a cross-sectional view along the FF line. [Figure 45] Figure 41 is a front view of the lighting device and surgical instruments. [Figure 46] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 44. [Figure 47] Figure 40 is a first side elevation view of the lighting device. [Figure 48] Figure 40 is a second side elevation view of the lighting device. [Figure 49] Figure 40 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown. [Figure 50] Figure 40 is a perspective view of the illumination device, with the end cap separated to show the position of the engaging teeth when the latch tab is not compressed. [Figure 51] Figure 40 is a perspective view of the illumination device, with the end cap separated to show the position of the engaging teeth when the latch tab is compressed. [Figure 52] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 50. [Figure 53] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 51. [Figure 54] This is a side elevation view of a latch tab having engaging teeth. [Figure 55] This is a front plan view of a latch tab having engaging teeth. [Figure 56] This is a plan view of a latch tab having engaging teeth. [Figure 57] A perspective view of a latch tab having engaging teeth. [Figure 58]This is a perspective view of a latch tab having an overmolded elastic engagement structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Preferred embodiments thereof are described below in detail with reference to the drawings, so that those skilled in the art may easily understand how to prepare and use the present invention without excessive experimentation.

[0029] Referring to drawings where similar reference numerals identify similar structural elements of various embodiments of the present invention, Figures 1 to 21 show a cordless, battery-powered illumination device, generally referred to as reference numeral 20, which is detachably mounted on the distal end of an elongated handheld electrosurgical instrument 10, such as the BOVIE® Pencil, manufactured and sold by Bovie Medical Corporation. When in use, when the illumination device 20 is mounted on the distal end of the electrosurgical instrument 10, an annular beam of light having an illumination axis centered on the longitudinal axis of the instrument 10 is automatically and simultaneously emitted from the distal end of the illumination device 20.

[0030] As best shown in Figures 3 to 5, the elongated electrode blade 4, having a flange 6 located in the middle, is movably associated with the axial opening at the distal end 2 of the fixture 10. The electrode blade 4 can be attached to the fixture 10 either before or after the illumination device 20 is installed at the distal end of the fixture 10. Once installed, the electrode blade 4 is positioned on the focal axis of the illumination device 20.

[0031] Referring to Figures 3 to 16, in a first embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 20 has two hinged outer body portions 8' and 8''. The first outer body portion 8' has a first inner body portion 32' defining a first recess for accommodating the distal end of a surgical instrument 10. Furthermore, the first outer body portion 8' has a first pair of LED light sources 36 operably associated with its distal end and spaced apart in an arc. The second outer body portion 8'' has a second inner body portion 32'' defining a second recess for accommodating the distal end of a surgical instrument 10. Furthermore, the second outer body portion 8'' has a second pair of LED light sources 36 operably associated with its distal end and spaced apart in an arc. The LED light sources 36 are surface-mounted on a PCB 16, as best shown in Figure 14, or otherwise operably associated. These components may include blue LEDs, white LEDs, yellow LEDs, etc.

[0032] The first and second body portions 8' and 8'' of the lighting device 20 are hinged to each other and configured to move between an open position shown in Figure 1 for receiving the distal end 2 of the surgical instrument 10 and a closed position shown in Figure 2 for engaging the distal end 2 of the surgical instrument 10. More specifically, as best shown in Figures 12 and 16, the first and second outer body portions 8' and 8'' have hinge structures 26' and 26'' provided axially spaced apart for housing a pair of hinge pins 24. Preferably, the first and second outer body portions 8' and 8'' each have a substantially semi-cylindrical configuration, and the first and second inner body portions 32' and 32'' each have a recess having a substantially semi-frustoconical configuration.

[0033] The first and second outer body sections 8' and 8'' each define their respective internal cavities for housing batteries 12' and 12'' to power the associated LED light sources 36, as best shown in Figures 12 to 14. The batteries 12' and 12'' are assumed to be rechargeable or replaceable. As described above, the LED light sources 36 of each outer body section 8' and 8'' are operably associated with their respective PCBs 16' and 16''. The PCBs 16' and 16'' may be rigid or flexible. As best shown in Figures 12 and 15, semi-annular lenses 14' and 14'' are associated with the LED light sources 36, which are spaced apart in an arc shape at the distal ends of each body section 8' and 8''.

[0034] The LED light source 36 is envisioned to be adaptable and configured to generate visible light or UV light, including UV-C light. The use of a UV-C light source is intended to treat or prevent infectious organisms without requiring the surgeon to interrupt their work to process the tissue in a specific manner. Rather, the surgeon can continue to utilize devices such as the electrocautery device 10 while a cordless, detachably mounted UV-C illumination device actively irradiates the same tissue. While UV-C radiation has been shown to be more lethal to affected organisms as exposure levels increase, its effectiveness decreases with distance from the site. The fixed distance of light within the device, and the advantage of simultaneous processing while the surgeon works, make the UV-C illumination device a novel therapeutic method. Furthermore, the device is envisioned to be configured to simultaneously deliver visible light to improve illumination along with the UV-C light within the same device.

[0035] A camera may be operationally associated with either PCB 16' or 16'', and this camera may be an NIR camera for irradiating contrast agents or for detecting tissue contrast. The associated control circuitry is located elsewhere on the PCB or within the illumination device.

[0036] For example, as shown in Figure 12, mechanical switches 28' and 28'' are operably associated with recesses in each of the outer body parts 8' and 8'' to activate the associated light source 36 when the first and second body parts 8' and 8'' move to the closed position around the distal end of the fixture 10. Other types of mechanical switching mechanisms and / or sensors may be used in one or both of the body parts of the lighting device.

[0037] As best shown in Figures 6 to 11, a flexible latch 18 is operably associated with the first outer body 8' to engage a rigid tab or teeth 22 on the second outer body 8'' when the first and second outer body 8' and 8'' are moved to the closed position in Figure 2. This locks the two body parts together in the closed position. Alternatively, in the embodiments of Figures 17 to 21, elongated magnetic strips 34' and 34'' are operably associated with the first and second outer body 8' and 8'', respectively, to maintain the lighting device 20 in the closed position.

[0038] Referring to Figures 22 to 39, another embodiment of the cordless, battery-powered lighting device of the present invention, generally referred to as reference numeral 40, is shown. The lighting device 40 includes a substantially semi-cylindrical or U-shaped outer body 42 defining an internal cavity (see Figures 28 and 32), and an inner body 44 enclosing the internal cavity of the outer body 42 and defining a substantially semi-frustoconical recess for accommodating the distal end of a surgical instrument 10.

[0039] As best shown in Figure 35, a pair of LED light sources 62, spaced apart in an arc shape, are positioned at the distal end of the internal cavity of the outer body 42. As best shown in Figures 33 and 36, a semi-annular lens 58 is coupled to the spaced-apart LED light sources 62 at the distal end of the body. Preferably, as best shown in Figures 28 to 32, a pair of elastic wedge-shaped portions 48 (see Figures 38 and 39) projecting radially outward are placed within the semi-frustoconical recess of the inner body 44 to engage the distal end of the surgical instrument 10 frictionally, elastically, or otherwise in a spring-loaded manner.

[0040] Referring to Figures 29, 34, and 35, a battery 54 is housed within an internal cavity of the outer body 42 to power the associated LED light source 62, which is operably associated with the PCB 52. A mechanical switch 56 is operably associated with a recess in the inner body 44 to activate the associated light source 62 when the distal end of the fixture 10 is engaged therewith.

[0041] Referring to Figures 40 to 58, another embodiment of the cordless, battery-powered lighting device of the present invention, generally referred to as reference numeral 50, is shown. The lighting device 50 comprises a substantially cylindrical outer body (72' and 72'') including an inner body 78 that defines a substantially frustoconical recess for housing the distal end 2 of a surgical instrument 10, as best shown in Figure 44. The outer body (72' and 72'') has a pair of circumferentially spaced LED light sources mounted on a PCB substrate 86 at its distal end. An annular lens 92 corresponds to the circumferentially spaced LED light sources at the distal end of the body 72, as best shown in Figures 26 and 36. A spacer 88 is positioned between the light sources on the PCB 86 and the lens 92.

[0042] Multiple batteries 82 are housed within the internal cavity of the outer body 72 to supply power to the associated LED light sources, which are operably mapped to the PCB 86. A switch 84 is mounted on the PCB 86 and operably mapped to a recess in the inner body 78 to activate the associated light sources.

[0043] When the lighting device 50 is received in a substantially frustoconical recess of the inner body portion 78, it further comprises a manual actuation engagement assembly for detachably engaging the distal end of a surgical instrument 2. The manual actuation engagement assembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed compressible metal tabs 74' and 74'', which have a lower tab spring structure 102' and 102'' and a semi-annular set of spaced-apart engaging teeth 98 for detachably engaging the distal end of a surgical instrument 10. Each metal tab 74', 74'' includes a respective integrated hinge structure 104 for interacting with the hinge structures 96' and 96'' of the outer body portions (72' and 72'') via hinge pins 94' and 94''. The proximal end cap 76 surrounds the engaging teeth 98 of the metal tabs 74' and 74'' within the outer body portions 72', 72''.

[0044] During use, the diametrically opposed metal tabs 74' and 74'' move from the engaged radially inward position shown in Figures 50 and 52 to the disengaged radially outward position shown in Figures 51 and 53 by applying an inward force to the tabs 74' and 74''.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 58, the manually operated engagement assembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed metal or plastic tabs 112, each having a lower tab structure 102, a tab hinge structure 104, and a semi-annular upper tab structure 116, each having an overmolded elastic engagement member 118 for removably engaging the distal end of a surgical instrument 10. This feature allows the illumination device to be used with surgical instruments of different sizes and / or geometric shapes.

[0046] It is also conceivable, and is well within the scope of this disclosure, that the lighting device may be provided with a mechanism that generates an audible or visible signal indicating that the lighting device is properly engaged with the distal end of a surgical instrument. The lighting device may also conceivably include an accelerometer or similar sensor that turns on the LED light source when the surgical instrument moves from a horizontal to a vertical orientation and turns off the LED light source when the surgical instrument moves from a vertical to a horizontal orientation.

[0047] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the lighting device could be operably coupled to an inductive coupling attached to the power cord of a surgical instrument, such that the LED light source within the lighting device is activated when the surgical instrument is operated and current flows through the power cord, and the light source is not illuminated when no current is flowing through the power cord.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a handheld surgical instrument, a battery-powered illumination device for attachment to the handheld surgical instrument, and a packaging container for housing the surgical instrument and the illumination device. Preferably, the handheld surgical instrument is an electrosurgical pencil. The illumination device housed in the packing container may be any of the illumination devices disclosed herein, or an illumination device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,851,060 by the same applicant, in which the disclosures thereof have already been incorporated by reference.

[0049] While this disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications or alterations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [1] A lighting device for attachment to a handheld surgical instrument, a) A first outer body portion including a first inner body portion defining a first recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, the first outer body portion having a first set of LED light sources provided at the distal end in an arc shape, b) A second outer body portion including a second inner body portion defining a second recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, A lighting device comprising, wherein the second outer body portion has a second set of light sources provided at its distal end in an arc shape, and the first and second body portions are hinged to each other and configured to move between an open position for receiving the distal end of the surgical instrument and a closed position for engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument. [2] The lighting device according to [1], wherein the first and second outer body portions each have a substantially semi-cylindrical configuration. [3] The lighting device according to [1], wherein the first and second recesses have a substantially semi-frustoconical configuration. [4] The lighting device according to [1], wherein the first and second outer body portions each define an internal cavity for housing a battery for supplying power to the corresponding light source. [5] The lighting device according to [1], wherein the light sources of each outer body are operably associated with their respective PCBs. [6] The lighting device according to [1], wherein the light source is adapted and configured to generate visible light or UV light including UV-C light. [7] The lighting device according to [1], wherein a flexible latch is operably associated with the first outer body to engage a tab on the second outer body when the first and second body portions are moved to a closed position. [8] The lighting device according to [1], wherein magnetic or adhesive strips are operably associated with the first and second outer body portions in order to maintain the device in the closed position. [9] The lighting device according to [1], wherein a switch is operably associated with the recess of each outer body to activate the associated light source when the first and second body parts are moved to the closed position.

[10] The lighting device according to [1], wherein a semi-annular lens is attached to the distal end of each main body portion in correspondence with the light source provided at an arc-shaped separation.

[11] A lighting device for attachment to a handheld surgical instrument, a) A roughly semi-cylindrical outer body defining the internal cavity, b) An inner body surrounding the internal cavity of the outer body and defining a substantially semi-frustoconical recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, c) A pair of light sources arranged in an arc shape and spaced apart at the distal end of the internal cavity of the outer body, A lighting device equipped with the following features.

[12] The lighting device according to

[11] , wherein an elastic wedge-shaped portion is placed in the semi-frustoconical recess to elastically engage the distal end of the surgical instrument.

[13] The lighting device according to

[11] , wherein a battery is housed in the internal cavity to supply power to the associated light source.

[14] The lighting device described in

[11] , wherein the light source is operably associated with the PCB.

[15] The lighting device according to

[11] , wherein the light source is adapted and configured to generate visible light or UV light including UV-C light.

[16] The lighting device according to

[11] , wherein a switch is operably associated with the recess in order to operate the associated light source.

[17] The lighting device according to

[11] , wherein a semi-annular lens is associated with the light source provided at the distal end of the main body, separated in an arc shape.

[18] A lighting device for attachment to a handheld surgical instrument, a) A substantially cylindrical outer body portion including an inner body portion defining a substantially frustoconical recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, the outer body portion having a pair of light sources provided circumferentially separated at its distal end, b) A manually operated engagement assembly for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument when received in the substantially frustoconical recess, A lighting device equipped with the following features.

[19] The lighting device according to

[18] , wherein the outer body houses a battery for supplying power to the associated light source.

[20] The lighting device described in

[18] , wherein the light source is operably associated with the PCB.

[21] The lighting device according to

[18] , wherein the light source is adapted and configured to generate visible light or UV light including UVC light.

[22] The lighting device according to

[18] , wherein a switch is operably associated with the recess in order to activate the associated light source when the surgical instrument is received in the substantially frustoconical recess.

[23] The lighting device according to

[18] , wherein an annular lens is associated with the light source provided at a distance from the outer body portion at the distal end of the outer body portion.

[24] The illumination device according to

[18] , wherein the manual actuation engagement assembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed annular engagement bands, each having a plurality of engagement teeth for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument.

[25] The lighting device according to

[18] , wherein the manual actuation engagement assembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed annular engagement bands, each having an elastic engagement member for removably engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument.

[26] The lighting device according to

[25] , wherein each of the opposing annular engagement bands has a corresponding compressible tab for removing the distal end of the surgical instrument.

[27] a) Handheld surgical instruments, a) A battery-powered lighting device for attachment to the handheld surgical instrument, c) A packaging container for housing the surgical instruments and the lighting device, A kit that includes the following:

[28] The aforementioned handheld surgical instrument is an electrosurgical pencil, as described in the kit in

[27] .

Claims

1. A lighting device for attachment to a handheld surgical instrument, a) A first inner body portion defining a first recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, and a first outer body portion having a first set of LED light sources provided at its distal end in an arc shape, b) A second inner body portion defining a second recess for accommodating the distal end of the surgical instrument, and a second outer body portion having a second set of LED light sources provided at its distal end in an arc shape, Equipped with, A lighting device comprising: first and second outer body portions hinged to each other and configured to move between an open position for receiving the distal end of the surgical instrument and a closed position for engaging the distal end of the surgical instrument; the first and second outer body portions each define first and second internal cavities; and the first and second inner body portions each have opposing planar wings extending radially outward from their first and second recesses, the opposing planar wings of the first and second inner body portions surrounding the first and second internal cavities of the first and second outer body portions, respectively.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second outer body portions each have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses have a substantially semi-frustoconical shape.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the internal cavities of the first and second outer body portions houses a battery for supplying power to the corresponding light source.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source of each outer body is operably associated with the respective PCB.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source of each outer body is adapted and configured to generate visible light or UV light including UV-C light.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a flexible latch is operably associated with the first outer body to engage a tab on the second outer body when the first and second outer body portions are moved to the closed position.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein magnetic or adhesive strips are operably associated with the first and second outer body portions in order to maintain the lighting device in the closed position.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a switch is operably associated with the recess of each outer body portion in order to activate the associated light source when the first and second outer body portions are moved to the closed position.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein at the distal end of each main body, semi-annular lenses are provided in correspondence with the first and second sets of light sources, which are spaced apart in an arc shape.

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