Illuminatable Medical Retaining Hook with Integrated Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical holding hooks for tissue spreading during surgical interventions often fail to provide adequate local illumination of the operating site, leading to shadowing and insufficient lighting, especially with existing overhead lighting systems, and introduce additional cable connections that complicate the surgical environment.
Innovation Solution
A medical holding hook with a hook element made of light-conducting polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate material, integrated with a white light LED light source and a light guide that focuses light onto a tapered, pointed end for concentrated illumination, eliminating the need for external power sources and reducing heat radiation, while maintaining mechanical strength and optical clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If overhead lights with multiple observation heads are used to illuminate the operating site, then the overall illumination level is improved, but shadowing occurs between the overhead light and the operating site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber as an intermediary to transmit light from a remote cold light source directly to the operating site via the retaining hook. This mediator delivers illumination without physical obstruction, eliminating shadowing while maintaining high illumination intensity at the target location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical overhead lighting system with an optical-based illumination system using optical fibers and a cold light source. This substitution eliminates the physical presence of large light fixtures that cause shadowing, while delivering concentrated light directly to the surgical site through the retaining hook.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical fibers with cold light sources are used to illuminate the operating site via the retaining hook, then shadowing is eliminated, but additional cable connections are required which complicate the surgical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retaining hook with the light guide function by integrating an optical fiber directly into the hook structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate cable connections, as the hook itself serves as the light transmission pathway, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining hook is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: tissue retraction and light guidance. By making the hook itself light-conductive or integrating an optical fiber within it, the device becomes a multi-functional tool that eliminates the need for additional dedicated lighting equipment and cables.
3Strength
If traditional metal retaining hooks are used for tissue spreading, then mechanical strength is ensured, but heat radiation from light sources may affect the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional incandescent or halogen light sources that generate significant heat with a cold light source (such as LED or laser) that emits minimal thermal radiation. This substitution maintains effective illumination while eliminating heat radiation that could affect the surgical site or surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the light source by using cold light technology that operates at lower temperatures. This parameter change allows the light source to deliver sufficient illumination intensity without generating harmful heat radiation, making the system safe for use near sensitive surgical tissues.
4Device complexity
If the hook element is made of light-conducting material to integrate light guidance, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanical strength and impact strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the retaining hook, combining light-conducting materials (such as acrylic or polycarbonate) with reinforcing elements or structural designs that maintain mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the hook to function both as a structural retaining tool and as a light-guiding element without compromising either property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures effective, self-sufficient local illumination of the surgical site with low-power LEDs, reducing the complexity of cable connections and enhancing the surgical environment's lighting without additional heat radiation, while maintaining mechanical integrity and ease of sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
the hook element, which also serves as a light guide, is made of a light-conducting polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate material
Data Source
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AI summary
The illuminatable medical retaining hook (1) for holding tissue open during surgical interventions has, according to the invention, an exchangeable hook element (2) made of a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate plastic material with a high mechanical load-bearing capacity and high impact toughness, which is connected preferably by a form-fit coupling (5) to a front end of a handle (6) designed as a hollow body for receiving an energy storage means (7). A light source (11), in particular a white-light-emitting diode (LED), and its supply circuit (10) are fitted into the front end of the handle directed towards the hook element. A light guide can be integrated in the hook element (2) and has a flat-oval or rectangular or concave cross section. The hook element (2) is provided as an exchangeable disposable element, such that subsequent cleaning and sterilization are not needed.