Illuminated Surgical Clip With Waveguide Light Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination methods for surgical fields, such as overhead lighting and fiber optic bundles, are cumbersome, obstructive, and inadequate, generating heat and requiring constant adjustment, while materials like acrylic and polycarbonate have unstable light transmission and mechanical limitations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip with expandable arms and a waveguide illuminator that uses total internal reflection to direct light to the surgical field, featuring adjustable pitch and a shield to prevent glare and damage, and can be easily sterilized and manufactured for improved visibility and reduced scarring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fiber optic bundles are used to illuminate the surgical field, then light can be delivered to the surgical site, but the fiber optics obstruct the surgeon's view and generate significant heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light delivery function from the traditional fiber optic bundle and implements it through a rigid rod with integrated light guides. The light guides are embedded within the rod structure, separating the illumination function from the obstructive fiber optic bundle while maintaining effective light delivery to the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rigid rod as an intermediary structure that carries integrated light guides to deliver illumination. This mediator replaces the problematic fiber optic bundle, providing a stable structural platform that eliminates visual obstruction and heat generation issues while maintaining the essential light delivery function.
2Illumination intensity
If acrylic or polycarbonate waveguides are used, then light transmission is achieved, but the materials have unstable transmission characteristics and mechanical limitations under extended use and sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting a rigid polymer with superior optical and mechanical stability compared to traditional acrylic or polycarbonate. This material parameter change ensures stable light transmission characteristics and maintained mechanical properties even after repeated sterilization cycles, directly addressing the reliability concerns.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional illuminated retractors are used, then the surgical field can be illuminated, but the device takes up significant space and obstructs the surgical workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function from the traditional retractor structure by using a separate illuminated rod that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the illumination device to be placed precisely where needed without requiring a large retractor structure, thereby reducing the space occupied in the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional retractor blade structure to a three-dimensional rod configuration with integrated light guides. This dimensional change allows the illumination device to occupy minimal surgical space while effectively delivering light to the target area through its elongated, flexible structure.
4Illumination intensity
If headlamps are used for illumination, then portable lighting is achieved, but the device is heavy, uncomfortable, and generates considerable heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical headlamp system with a lightweight rod structure that has integrated light guides. This substitution eliminates the need for a power source and mechanical adjustment mechanisms found in headlamps, dramatically reducing weight while maintaining illumination capability through the rod's embedded optical elements.
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
The solution provides consistent, efficient illumination that conforms to the surgical anatomy, reduces heat and weight, and is easy to manufacture and sterilize, enhancing visualization and reducing scarring and hospital stay times.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide illuminator has a light input portion, a light output portion, and a light conducting portion extending between the light input portion and the light output portion. Light passes through the waveguide illuminator by total internal reflection, and the waveguide illuminator directs light to the tissue in the surgical field.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clip for illuminating tissue in a surgical field has first and second elongate arms and a connector joining the arms together. The arms are biased to expand laterally outward into an expanded configuration in which the arms engage the tissue in the surgical field with enough force to seat the clip without retracting the tissue. A waveguide illuminator is coupled to the first arm, and has a light input portion, a light output portion, and a light conducting portion extending between the light input portion and the light output portion. Light passes through the waveguide illuminator by total internal reflection, and the waveguide illuminator directs light to the tissue. Methods of using the illuminated clip are also disclosed.