Abstract: A surgical instrument for illuminating a surgical field has an optical waveguide for transmitting light by total internal reflection. One or more control elements are disposed on the optical waveguide. The control elements extract light from the optical waveguide and control first and second optical properties of the extracted light Another surgical instrument includes a first and second optical waveguide for transmitting light by total internal reflection. A coupling element is attached to both optical waveguides such that the optical waveguides are movable and pivotable relative to one another.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrosurgical electrode extending in a distal direction from the distal end of the housing, a plurality of light sources in the housing, and an optical lens assembly including a plurality of optical components that are (i) coupled to each other at a distal end of the optical lens assembly and (ii) separated from each other at a proximal end of the optical lens assembly. Each optical component includes a proximal reflector surface and a distal transmission surface. Each proximal reflector surface extends distally from a respective light source and has an aspheric shape that is configured to substantially collimate the light reflected by the proximal reflector surface. Each distal transmission surface is configured to output the light from the optical component in the distal direction.

Abstract: A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material from a suction line during a medical procedure. The waste collection cart assembly includes a housing having a top portion defining a work surface. A waste container is coupled to the housing for collecting the waste material from the suction line. A manifold receiver defining an opening is coupled to the waste container. A manifold having a specimen trap is received within the opening of the manifold receiver. A vacuum source is coupled to the waste container. The vacuum source provides a vacuum on the waste container to draw the waste material from the suction line through the manifold and into the waste container. The specimen trap collects a specimen from the waste material while being drawn into the waste container. The specimen may be transferred to a specimen container disposed on the work surface.

Abstract: A waste collection cart for collecting waste material. A waste container and a vacuum source are supported on a chassis. A manifold receiver is disposed on a front of the waste collection cart, and a handle is disposed on the rear of the waste collection cart. A docking control panel is also disposed on the rear of the waste collection cart. The docking control panel is configured to receive a user input with the waste collection cart assembly coupled to a docking station so as to cause the docking station to offload the waste material from the waste container. The docking control panel may be spaced apart from a grasping section of the handle, and/or disposed at an oblique angle such that it is facing upwardly away from a floor surface. A suction control panel may be disposed on the front of the waste collection cart.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system for collecting waste material. A level sensor is coupled to at least one waste container to generate a signal indicating a fluid level of waste material therein. A controller is configured to operate a light source assembly based on the signal such that a portion of the interior of the waste container disposed beneath the fluid level of the waste material is illuminated. A cover assembly may include a rack and pinion and/or polarizing segments to selectively limit visibility of portions of the waste container. The controller may initiate an unclogging protocol to create a pressure differential between an upper waste container and a lower waste container based on a determination that a transfer valve between the waste containers may be clogged. The determination may be based on a rate of change of the fluid level as measured by the level sensor(s).

Abstract: In an example, a surgical retractor includes an elongated shaft extending from a first end to a second end, and a retractor blade extending from the second end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines an internal chamber. The elongated shaft includes a handle portion at the first end of the elongated shaft, a suction conduit in a first lateral portion of the internal chamber, and a light conduit in a second lateral portion of the internal chamber. The suction conduit extends from a suction port at the first end to a suction aperture at the second end. The light conduit extends from a light-input port at the first end to a light aperture at the second end. The suction conduit and the light conduit are substantially coplanar. The surgical retractor also includes an optical waveguide in the light conduit of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A lens assembly comprising one or more lenses is provided. The one or more lenses together comprise a first surface and a second surface. An optical axis of the lens assembly extends in the z-direction. The first surface comprises a first cross-section in a y-z plane, wherein the first cross-section comprises an aspheric first curve that varies in the y-z plane, wherein the first aspheric curve is non-circular, non-elliptical, and non-conical. One surface selected from the first surface and the second surface comprises a second cross-section in a x-z plane, wherein the second cross-section comprises an aspheric second curve in the x-z plane, wherein the second first aspheric curve is non-circular, non-elliptical, and non-conical.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft coupled to the housing, and an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the shaft. The shaft extends distally from the interior bore of the housing. The shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the housing. The shaft includes a smoke evacuation channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A distal portion of the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the shaft, and wherein the electrosurgical electrode is rotatable relative to the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: An illumination element has a light input section, a light transmitting section, and a light output section. The light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section and inputs light into the illumination element. The light transmitting section transmits the light by total internal reflection or by other transmission means. The light output section is adjacent a distal section of the light transmitting section which has a light extraction area from which the light exits with an energy density. The light extraction area comprises a bore extending at least partially inward into a distal end of the light output section. A plurality of optical structures is disposed on an inner wall of the bore. The optical structures are configured to extract light from the light output section and direct it toward the surgical field.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft coupled to the housing, and an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the shaft. The shaft extends distally from the interior bore of the housing. The shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the housing. The shaft includes a smoke evacuation channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A distal portion of the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the shaft, and wherein the electrosurgical electrode is rotatable relative to the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: An illumination element has a light input section, a light transmitting section, and a light output section. The light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section and inputs light into the illumination element. The light transmitting section transmits the light by total internal reflection or by other transmission means. The light output section is adjacent a distal section of the light transmitting section which has a light extraction area from which the light exits with an energy density. The light extraction area comprises a bore extending at least partially inward into a distal end of the light output section. A plurality of optical structures is disposed on an inner wall of the bore. The optical structures are configured to extract light from the light output section and direct it toward the surgical field.

Abstract: An illuminated energy device includes a handle, an optical waveguide coupled to the handle, and an energy tip such as an electrode coupled to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is preferably adjustably coupled to the optical waveguide, and adjustment of the optical waveguide moves a distal end of the optical waveguide closer to or further away from a target such as tissue in a surgical field.

Abstract: An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance illumination waveguide with suction. This device would be useful in a wide array of various surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.

Abstract: In an example, a surgical retractor includes an elongated shaft extending from a first end to a second end, and a retractor blade extending from the second end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines an internal chamber. The elongated shaft includes a handle portion at the first end of the elongated shaft, a suction conduit in a first lateral portion of the internal chamber, and a light conduit in a second lateral portion of the internal chamber. The suction conduit extends from a suction port at the first end to a suction aperture at the second end. The light conduit extends from a light-input port at the first end to a light aperture at the second end. The suction conduit and the light conduit are substantially coplanar. The surgical retractor also includes an optical waveguide in the light conduit of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: An illuminated energy device includes a handle, an optical waveguide coupled to the handle, and an energy tip such as an electrode coupled to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is preferably adjustably coupled to the optical waveguide, and adjustment of the optical waveguide moves a distal end of the optical waveguide closer to or further away from a target such as tissue in a surgical field.

Abstract: In an example, a surgical retractor includes an elongated shaft extending from a first end to a second end, and a retractor blade extending from the second end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines an internal chamber. The elongated shaft includes a handle portion at the first end of the elongated shaft, a suction conduit in a first lateral portion of the internal chamber, and a light conduit in a second lateral portion of the internal chamber. The suction conduit extends from a suction port at the first end to a suction aperture at the second end. The light conduit extends from a light-input port at the first end to a light aperture at the second end. The suction conduit and the light conduit are substantially coplanar. The surgical retractor also includes an optical waveguide in the light conduit of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A surgical illumination apparatus comprises a fiber optic input, and illuminated surgical instrument, and an optical coupling bracket for coupling the fiber optic input to the illuminated surgical instrument. The coupling bracket comprises an elongate frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central channel extending therebetween, wherein the central channel is sized to receive and support optical fibers of the fiber optic input. The proximal end of the bracket is coupled to the fiber optic input, and the distal end of the bracket is coupled to an illumination element of the illuminated surgical instrument. The apparatus may further comprise a shroud disposed around the illumination element that is coupled to the bracket.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrosurgical electrode extending in a distal direction from the distal end of the housing, a plurality of light sources in the housing, and an optical lens assembly including a plurality of optical components that are (i) coupled to each other at a distal end of the optical lens assembly and (ii) separated from each other at a proximal end of the optical lens assembly. Each optical component includes a proximal reflector surface and a distal transmission surface. Each proximal reflector surface extends distally from a respective light source and has an aspheric shape that is configured to substantially collimate the light reflected by the proximal reflector surface. Each distal transmission surface is configured to output the light from the optical component in the distal direction.

Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft coupled to the housing, and an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the shaft. The shaft extends distally from the interior bore of the housing. The shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the housing. The shaft includes a smoke evacuation channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A distal portion of the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the shaft, and wherein the electrosurgical electrode is rotatable relative to the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical illumination apparatus comprises a fiber optic input, and illuminated surgical instrument, and an optical coupling bracket for coupling the fiber optic input to the illuminated surgical instrument. The coupling bracket comprises an elongate frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central channel extending therebetween, wherein the central channel is sized to receive and support optical fibers of the fiber optic input. The proximal end of the bracket is coupled to the fiber optic input, and the distal end of the bracket is coupled to an illumination element of the illuminated surgical instrument. The apparatus may further comprise a shroud disposed around the illumination element that is coupled to the bracket.