Abstract: The invention relates to a medical lighting unit for clinical use comprising a lighting unit body containing at least one lamp and having at least one light outlet side, with the lighting unit body being vertically adjustably mounted on at least one flexible, coilable tensile carrying element supported on a room wall, in particular on the room ceiling. The tensile carrying element is connected at one end to the lighting unit body and at the other end to a drive unit secured to the room wall and containing a drive motor for extending and retracting the tensile carrying element, with the tensile carrying element extending vertically between the drive unit and the lighting unit body. The invention lies in the fact that the carrying element is a single chain with measures being taken, or means being provided, in order to be able to set the lighting unit body in a desired illuminating position despite the single chain suspension.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical light assembly is provided with a light source, and a handpiece which is adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user. The handpiece has a light guide with a proximal end optically connected to the light source, and a distal end which projects outwardly from said handpiece so as to direct light guided thereby onto a field of view determined by manipulation of the handpiece by the user. The handpiece includes a switch assembly which is operatively coupled to the light source to allow user selection between at least two different light intensities (e.g., essentially on/off) discharged by said light guide onto the field of view. In preferred forms, the switch assembly includes an electrically conductive inner core and an electrically conductive outer tubular elastomeric member concentrically positioned in surrounding, but spaced relationship, with the inner base.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical light assembly is provided with a light source, and a handpiece which is adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user. The handpiece has a light guide with a proximal end optically connected to the light source, and a distal end which projects outwardly from said handpiece so as to direct light guided thereby onto a field of view determined by manipulation of the handpiece by the user. The handpiece includes a switch assembly which is operatively coupled to the light source to allow user selection between at least two different light intensities (e.g., essentially on/off) discharged by said light guide onto the field of view. In preferred forms, the switch assembly includes an electrically conductive inner base member and an electrically conductive outer tubular elastomeric member concentrically positioned in surrounding, but spaced relationship, with the inner base member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optically-enhanced light-emitting resin-curing devices and methods of applying these devices to the purpose of curing resins. This invention permits the use of conventional curing lights and allows for curing resins more rapidly. These curing devices typically include, a conventional curing light source, a lens assembly that focuses the light into a smaller diameter and an optical guide for delivery of the focused light to the resin.

Abstract: A lighting device for an operational field of the “cast shadow” type, which is particularly useful for but not limited to field of dental surgery, includes a lighting head which is fed with light by at least one cord of optical fibers for directing the light produced by a light generator placed at a distance from the lighting head. The light generator is provided with a mechanical system for moving an inlet end piece of the cord away from or closer to a lamp which serves as the light generator. The lighting head is further configured to project the approximately rectangular light spot which is required for illuminating the operational field onto the work zone.

Abstract: A disposable light handle is designed for removable attachment to manually adjustable light fixtures employed in sterile medical settings. The light handle includes an elongated handle body, having one end closed, and an opposite end provided with a threaded portion. At the junction of handle body and threaded portion is an integrally formed circular shield that projects therefrom to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and the light fixture. The shield is sufficiently resilient and flexible to permit opposite sides of an outer periphery to bend into an overlying relationship to the handle body for minimizing width in storage. The shield is provided with loops located diametrically opposed to one another on the periphery of the shield. Connector projections are diametrically opposed to one another along the length of the handle body, and positioned to releasably receive thereon the loops when the shield is bent into an overlying relationship.

Abstract: A lighting device includes an optic light guide having a free end that emits directional light. Surrounding the free end is a sleeve having an aperture through which a beam of light emitted by the free end of the light guide passes. The sleeve may be moved in and out relative to the free end to vary the size of the beam of light passing through the aperture.

Abstract: A illuminated surgical instrument (11) includes an optical fiber (21) with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector (15) disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber, and a handpiece (13) disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber. The handpiece has a handpiece body and a needle (25) extending distally from the handpiece body, the optical fiber (21) extending generally through the handpiece and extending slightly past the distal end of the needle (25). The handpiece (13) is suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and the needle (25) is of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye. The instrument (11) includes structures at the distal end of the optical fiber (21) for dispersing light passing from an illumination source through the cable to broaden the area on which light impinges, and a shield (47) disposed proximally of a portion of the dispersing structure to prevent light from impinging upon a predetermined area.

Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a lighting device from direct contact with contaminants or components which may interfere with proper operation thereof. The contaminant (e.g., blood, body tissue, dirt, oil, grease, paint, etc.) or other component (e.g., adhesive pad) can interfere with the desired internal reflection of the light propagating through a light transmitting member, by changeing the angle of reflection of the propagating light. The result is that optical energy is absorbed by the contaminant or component and converted to heat, thus causing the contaminant or component to quickly rise to an undesirable temperature. The present invention protects a lighting device from such interference, while maintaining its versatility.

Abstract: An improved surgical headlight assembly having a detachable video camera module. The present invention allows viewers at a remote location to observe an operation procedure on a video monitor from a surgeon's visual perspective. The headlight assembly which is secured via a headband placed around the surgeon's forehead, receives light from a light source via a fiber optic cable. The light is sufficient to illuminate the surgeon's area of operation. A video camera is removably affixed to the headlight assembly and, via the use of a roof prism residing within the video camera housing, deflects an erected and accurate image to the video camera, which in turn, transmits the image to a remote video monitor via a coaxial communications cable. A microphone may be provided to allow the surgeon to provide verbal comments to the viewers observing the procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for light activation of hardenable materials, such as filling materials located on dental surfaces, through fiber optic funnels coupled to light guides. Light generated by a light unit is directed through a light guide and then concentrated by a fiber optic funnel to direct concentrated light to hardenable materials. The fiber optic funnels comprises bundles of fiber optic strands. The fiber optic funnels are able to concentrate light according to their respective tapers. The fiber optic funnels are coupled to light guides by couplers which can be either rigid or elastomeric such that the couplers can be coupled with a specific light guide or conform to light guides having different diameters. A coupler can also enable a fiber optic funnel to pivot.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopes includes a light source; a condenser lens unit for collecting light beams from the light source; a light guide for receiving the light beams collected through the condenser lens unit into its entrance end face to transmit them to its exit end face; and a reflecting mirror located on the opposite side of the condenser lens unit with respect to the light source. The light source device is designed so that a position where the light beams emitted from the light source are collected directly through the condenser lens unit does not coincide with a position where the light beams emitted from the light source and reflected back to the light source by the reflecting mirror are collected through the condenser lens unit. In an embodiment, an arc axis of the light source is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the condenser lens unit. In another embodiment, direct light and reflected light each enter an entrance face of a forked light guide.

Abstract: A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator includes a light-conveying fiber optic member having a body portion, a light-receiving end optically connectable to a source of light, and a light-delivering end. A surgical tool can be attached to, or surround, part of the body portion of the fiber optic member, and the surgical tool can be connected to the body portion of the fiber optic member. A light-transmitting member is positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member. A light-delivering port in the surgical tool can be provided. When the light-receiving end of the fiber optic member is optically connected to the source of light, light is transmitted through the fiber optic member to the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member, and through the light-transmitting member at a light density, to illuminate a surgical region adjacent the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a light box for use with a dental intraoral camera is disclosed. The light box having a lamp inside is coupled to the dental intraoral camera via fiber optic cables. The light box allows easy access to the lamp for lamp replacement by pulling a tray out containing the lamp.

Abstract: A video headlight and fiberoptic cable which includes a light and camera assembly adjustably mounted on a headband for assuming a plurality of angular positions relative to the headband. The light and camera assembly includes a light unit closely positioned relative to a video camera unit so that the visual field of the camera unit lies within the lighted field from the light unit in all adjusted positions of the light and camera assembly. The light unit is connected to the forward end of the fiberoptic cable. The rearward end of the fiberoptic cable is connectable to a source of light. The one end of the fiberoptic cable has a flexible, but non-collapsible coupler which bends uniformly when the light and camera assembly is moved relative to the headband.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp apparatus designed for both bleaching teeth and curing dental restorative materials. Both bleaching and curing modes of operation may be used in at least three different power levels designated as boost, ramp, and normal. The lamp apparatus contains a incandescent xenon-halogen bulb and a dichroic reflector which focuses filtered visible light on the end of a flexible light guide which is part a handpiece for directing the transmitted light by the light guide to a tooth being treated. The lamp apparatus employs a slave microprocessor in a control panel mountable at different positions on a housing for the xenon-halogen bulb and a master microprocessor within the housing which is detachably connected to the slave microprocessor.

Abstract: A system for supplying optical power uses an optical switch or shutter at the handpiece. The optical switch is positioned between an open light-transmitting position and a closed light-reflecting position. A detector at the base of the system can be used to detect the position of the optical shutter in some situations. This can be used to control the operation of a high-intensity light source. In this manner, the system can be controlled at the handpiece without using electrical power at the handpiece.

Abstract: The specification relates to a means of illuminating the drip chamber of intravenous bags during medical processes that are performed in a darkened atmosphere. The apparatus uses an adjustable pole that supports an intravenous bag support that is capable of holding multiple bags and a plate that supports a fiber optic light housing which illuminates all drip chambers adequately and equally and with differing colored light if necessary for distinction. The apparatus is attachable to a procedure table using an adjustable attachment means. The light housing position is fully adjustable in relation to it's target.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopes includes a light source; a condenser lens unit for collecting light beams from the light source; a light guide for receiving the light beams collected through the condenser lens unit into its entrance end face to transmit them to its exit end face; and a reflecting mirror located on the opposite side of the condenser lens unit with respect to the light source. The light source device is designed so that a position where the light beams emitted from the light source are collected directly through the condenser lens unit does not coincide with a position where the light beams emitted from the light source and reflected back to the light source by the reflecting mirror are collected through the condenser lens unit.

Abstract: A headlamp module for providing a uniform field of illumination at a predetermined distance includes a headlamp housing having a first end and a second end. A light source such as a terminated fiber optic cable is disposed within the first end of the housing. A condenser system is disposed within said headlamp housing in optical communication with a light source which is positioned close to the condenser. The condenser system, which comprises a pair of planar convex lenses oriented with the convex sides facing each other, is in optical communication with a reflecting element such as a planar mirror or a reflecting prism. The light reflected by the reflecting element is directed to an exit lens, such as a projection lens or an objective. The light exiting the exit lens provides the uniform field of illumination despite the presence of a real image of the light source termination at a distance close to the exit lens.