Abstract: An image capturing and illumination system comprises a headband, a camera head mounted on the headband and having a camera lens defining a focal point, and a fiber-optic lens assembly for transmitting light therefrom. The fiber-optic lens assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart lenses flanked on opposite sides of the camera lens for directing beams of light toward the focal point.

Abstract: A portable, sterilizable light source unit for being coupled to an instrument is provided. The unit includes a sealed housing having an anodized coating and a port for receiving an end tip of a light guide of a separate instrument, a light source mounted within the sealed housing for directing light through the port, a battery mounted within the housing for powering the light source, a switch assembly mounted on the housing for controlling light output of the light source, and an O-ring in a compressed condition between the switch assembly and the housing providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween that prevents liquid intrusion into the housing during an immersion sterilization process.

Abstract: A releasable light carrier mounting frame includes an upper portion having a receptacle for receiving a light carrier. One or more clips are attached to the upper portion and engaged with an underlying surgical instrument to secure the light carrier to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A mounting clamp is disclosed for an illuminated surgical retractor system having a handle that supports an illuminated surgical retractor blade. The mounting clamp is attached to and depends from the handle. The mounting clamp includes a receptacle for receiving a slide bar or other fixed component of an operating room table. The clamp further includes a fastener that is selectively tightened to secure the retractor assembly to the fixed component of the table. The fastener is selectively loosened to disengage the retractor assembly from the fixed component of the table.

Abstract: A portable light source unit for being coupled to an instrument is provided. The unit includes a housing having a port for receiving a light guide end tip of the instrument, a battery and LED mounted within the housing, and a pull tab that extends through the housing and electrically isolates the LED from the battery. Upon removal of the pull tab, an electrical connection is completed between the battery and the LED. The unit also includes driver circuitry for the LED ensuring that a constant level of current is provided to the LED so that the LED produces light of a constant brightness. The driver circuitry also produces a current spike for breaking an inline fuse when a remaining charge of the battery is unable to provide a voltage at the constant level of current above a pre-determined threshold level thereby de-energizing the LED.

Abstract: A surgical lighting system includes a connector for communicably joining a light carrier to a fiberoptic cable. The connector includes an inlet section having a receptacle for operatively engaging a light discharge outlet of the fiberoptic cable. A chuck mechanism includes a body that is rotatably interconnected with the inlet section. The chuck body has a passageway that communicates with the outlet of the fiberoptic cable engaged with the receptacle of the inlet section. The chuck mechanism also includes a set of adjustable jaws that are selectively opened and closed by turning a cap attached to the chuck body. Opening the jaws exposes the passageway through the chuck mechanism. The light carrier is engaged with the exposed passageway and the jaws are closed to grip the light carrier and communicably connect the fiberoptic cable to the light carrier.

Abstract: A releasable light carrier mounting frame includes an upper portion having a receptacle for receiving a light carrier. One or more clips are attached to the upper portion and engaged with an underlying surgical instrument to secure the light carrier to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A flexible lightguide having at least one fused fiberoptic end secured within an end fitting with a layer of cushioning material sandwiched between the fused fiberoptic end and end fitting. The layer of cushioning material accommodates the differences in thermal expansion and contraction of the fused fiberoptic end and end fitting to prevent damage to the fused fiberoptic end such as during multiple cycling in an autoclave. As one example, the layer of cushioning material may be provided by wrapping the fused fiberoptic end with PTFE tape, thread seal tape, or the like.

Abstract: A flexible lightguide having at least one fused fiberoptic end secured within an end fitting with a layer of cushioning material sandwiched between the fused fiberoptic end and end fitting. The layer of cushioning material accommodates the differences in thermal expansion and contraction of the fused fiberoptic end and end fitting to prevent damage to the fused fiberoptic end such as during multiple cycling in an autoclave. As one example, the layer of cushioning material may be provided by wrapping the fused fiberoptic end with PTFE tape, thread seal tape, or the like.

Abstract: A portable light source unit for being coupled to an instrument is provided. The unit includes a housing having a port for receiving a light guide end tip of the instrument, a battery and LED mounted within the housing, and a pull tab that extends through the housing and electrically isolates the LED from the battery. Upon removal of the pull tab, an electrical connection is completed between the battery and the LED. The unit also includes driver circuitry for the LED ensuring that a constant level of current is provided to the LED so that the LED produces light of a constant brightness. The driver circuitry also produces a current spike for breaking an inline fuse when a remaining charge of the battery is unable to provide a voltage at the constant level of current above a pre-determined threshold level thereby de-energizing the LED.

Abstract: A lamp mounting system for an illuminator is provided. The lamp mounting system includes a framework assembly having separate, spaced-apart front and rear mounting components. The front and rear mounting components are movable relatively toward and away from each other between open and retracted positions. The lamp mounting system also includes a separate lamp module having opposite ends. The front and rear mounting components, in the retracted position, capture and suspend the lamp module therebetween in a manner ensuring proper alignment between the lamp module and collection optics.

Abstract: A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator is disclosed. The light engine has a light emitting diode (LED) and collimating optics for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED. The collimating optics is provided by a fused fiberoptic rod having an outer glass cladding which provides a seal for a bundle of optic fibers drawn and tightly packed and fused together. The fused fiberoptic rod has an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a fused tapered tip. The fused tapered tip having a proximal end face disposed adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED.

Abstract: A fiberoptic cable assembly includes a cable provided as a continuous length of a bundle of optic fibers enclosed within a flexible sheathing and a rigid or semi-rigid protective pistol-grip handle formed about at least a portion of one of the ends of the bundle of optic fibers. The handle includes a grip section, an elongate extension extending from the grip section, and an end fitting connected to an end tip on the extension. The extension extends from the grip section at an angle in a manner forming an elbow therebetween and providing a pistol grip configuration. Preferably, the elongate extension is of a length multiple times greater than its diameter or width.

Abstract: A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator is disclosed. The light engine has a light emitting diode (LED) and collimating optics for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED. The collimating optics is provided by a fused fiberoptic rod having an outer glass cladding which provides a seal for a bundle of optic fibers drawn and tightly packed and fused together. The fused fiberoptic rod has an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a fused tapered tip. The fused tapered tip having a proximal end face disposed adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED.

Abstract: Headgear for mounting a headlight on a surgeon's head includes a headband and a stabilizer. The headband encircles the wearer's head and the stabilizer is connectable to a rear section of the headband for engaging and cradling a substantial portion of at least a lower back region of a wearer's head when the headgear is worn by the wearer. The stabilizer includes a peripheral extending portion extending beneath the headband on opposite sides of the wearer's head corresponding to a location of a lower portion of an occipital bone of the wearer's head and a peripheral portion extending above the headband on opposite sides of the wearer's head corresponding to a location of a top of the occipital bone. The headgear can also include a connection element for removably connecting the stabilizer to the headband so that the headgear can be worn with or without the stabilizer.

Abstract: Headgear for mounting a headlight on a surgeon's head includes a headband and a stabilizer. The headband encircles the wearer's head and the stabilizer is connectable to a rear section of the headband for engaging and cradling a substantial portion of at least a lower back region of a wearer's head when the headgear is worn by the wearer. The stabilizer includes a peripheral extending portion extending beneath the headband on opposite sides of the wearer's head corresponding to a location of a lower portion of an occipital bone of the wearer's head and a peripheral portion extending above the headband on opposite sides of the wearer's head corresponding to a location of a top of the occipital bone. The headgear can also include a connection element for removably connecting the stabilizer to the headband so that the headgear can be worn with or without the stabilizer.

Abstract: A fiberoptic illuminator has a housing with an interface enabling an end fitting of a fiber optic bundle of a medical device to be connected to the housing. The illuminator includes a lamp assembly mounted within the housing for directing a high intensity beam of light through an optics assembly and into the fiber optic bundle. The lamp assembly includes a ceramic xenon lamp of greater than 300 watts. Preferably, the ceramic xenon lamp is at least 400 watts.

Abstract: A fiberoptic cable assembly includes a cable provided as a continuous length of a bundle of optic fibers enclosed within a flexible sheathing and a rigid or semi-rigid protective pistol-grip handle formed about at least a portion of one of the ends of the bundle of optic fibers. The handle includes a grip section, an elongate extension extending from the grip section, and an end fitting connected to an end tip on the extension. The extension extends from the grip section at an angle in a manner forming an elbow therebetween and providing a pistol grip configuration. Preferably, the elongate extension is of a length multiple times greater than its diameter or width.

Abstract: A fiberoptic illuminator has a housing with an interface enabling an end fitting of a fiber optic bundle of a medical device to be connected to the housing. The illuminator includes a lamp assembly mounted within the housing for directing a high intensity beam of light through an optics assembly and into the fiber optic bundle. The lamp assembly includes a ceramic xenon lamp of greater than 300 watts. Preferably, the ceramic xenon lamp is at least 400 watts.

Abstract: A kit, or family, of interchangeable headlamp parts for a headlight system is provided that enables illuminated light spots of different sizes and/or different light distribution styles to be produced. The headlight system includes a headband, a headlamp mounted on the headband, a light source, and a fiber optic cable having one end connected to the light source and an opposite end tip connected to the headlamp. According to one embodiment, an upper assembly of the headlamp includes a cable mounting module that is moveable relative to a core module and that permits the distance between the end tip of the fiber optic cable and a convergent lens to be adjusted to permit spots with different light distributions to be produced. A method of adjusting the light projected by a headlight system is also provided.