Abstract: The illumination system described below comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location.

Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor.

Abstract: An illuminated medical system comprises a medical instrument and a light transmitting waveguide. The waveguide projects lights from a distal portion of the waveguide toward a target area. The waveguide is formed primarily of a cyclic olefin copolymer or a cyclic olefin polymer.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A multi-sensor lighting control system includes at least two light sensors. Each sensor gathers light from different sources, by comparing and contrasting the output signals from the two sensors, the controller can automate many lighting control and commissioning processes leading to easier, simpler installations and maintenance and happier customers, and removing the need for special tools. Applying automated closed loop lamp warm-up techniques, the daylight ratio and the maximum electric light contribution can be learned automatically by the system. A multi-sensor lighting control system may also provide intermediate zones of lighting control between adjacent task areas with different lighting requirements.

Abstract: An illuminated medical system comprises a medical instrument and a light transmitting waveguide. The waveguide projects lights from a distal portion of the waveguide toward a target area. The waveguide is formed primarily of a cyclic olefin copolymer or a cyclic olefin polymer.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and apparatuses for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade. Medical systems, devices and apparatuses for illuminating tissues and surgical work spaces within the body during surgery, especially during minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.

Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.

Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor. The light output portion of the illuminator contains from two to eight output zones, each zone having specially designed output optical structures that control and direct light to escape the illuminator to shine onto a predetermined area of interest or to form one or more predetermined shapes or footprints.

Abstract: An illuminated surgical retractor system includes a retractor and a light guide disposed over the retractor. The retractor has a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface adapted to engage tissue, a distal end, and a proximal end. The light guide conforms to the shape of the retractor and is removably secured to the retractor and conducts light through the front or rear surface of the retractor. The light guide has an input adaptor and one or more light emitting surfaces.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.