Retractor with Improved Light Source, and Light Source for an Improved Retractor

Abstract

The invention provides a retractor having a lighting module which is removeably attached to a paddle of the retractor. The retractor is able to provide improved illumination of a workspace within the body by attaching the light source directly to the paddle. As the light source is removeable from the paddle, it enables the light source to be removed after use and discarded while the retractor can be re-used. Furthermore, as the light source is removeably attached at a distal end of the paddle, the illumination is provided closest to the workspace, regardless of the length of the paddle.

Claims

1.-33. (canceled)

34. A retractor comprising at least one paddle and at least one light source, wherein the at least one light source is removeably attached to the at least one paddle, the light source comprising a lighting module having a first housing portion and a second housing portion attached to the first housing portion, the first housing portion comprising a first and a second section wherein the first section has a thickness that is greater than that of the second section.

35. The retractor of claim 34, wherein the at least one light source is removeably attached to or towards a distal end of the paddle.

36. The retractor of claim 34, wherein the at least one paddle is longer than the at least one light source.

37. The retractor of claim 34, comprising a single paddle and a single light source removeably attached to the paddle.

38. The retractor of claim 37, wherein the retractor is of the Farabeuf type.

39. The retractor of claim 34, comprising two paddles arranged at the ends of corresponding arms mechanically connected by a pivot which permits the retractor to be moved between a closed and an open position, wherein a light source is removeably attached to a distal end of each paddle.

40. The retractor of claim 39, wherein the retractor is of the Williams type.

41. The retractor of claim 34, comprising a retention feature by which the at least one light source is removeably attached to the at least one paddle.

42. The retractor of claim 41, wherein the retention feature comprises a male runner and a female runner which receives the male runner.

43. The retractor of claim 42, wherein the male runner is disposed on the light source and the female runner is disposed on the paddle.

44. The retractor of claim 42, wherein the male runner comprises an end face which abuts a corresponding end face of the female runner.

45. The retractor of claim 41, wherein the retention feature comprises one or more male pips and one or more female slots which receive the one or more male pips.

46. The retractor of claim 41, wherein the retention feature comprises a recess in the paddle which receives the light source.

47. The retractor of claim 41, wherein the retention feature comprises one or more of studs, corresponding ridges and channels, and plugs and sockets.

48. The retractor of claim 34, wherein the second housing portion is welded to the first housing portion so as to form a hermetic seal.

49. The retractor of claim 34, wherein one or more LEDs are located between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

50. The retractor of claim 49, wherein the LEDs are side-emitting LEDs.

51. The retractor of claim 49, wherein the first section is configured to align with the location of the one or more LEDs to form a light exit surface at the interface between the first and second sections of the first housing portion.

52. The retractor of claim 49, wherein the first housing portion is configured, arranged or adapted to function as a waveguide which receives light from the one or more LEDs.

53. The retractor of claim 34, wherein the first housing portion comprises a diffusing surface which enables the first housing portion to function as a light guide panel.

54. The retractor of claim 53, wherein the diffusing surface comprises etching, moulding or printing on an internal face of the first housing portion.

55. The retractor of claim 49, wherein the first housing portion comprises recesses which receive the one or more LEDs to enable coupling of light into the first housing portion.

56. The retractor of claim 49, wherein the lighting module comprises a switch configured to selectively provide electrical power to the one or more LEDs.

57. The retractor of claim 56, wherein the switch comprises a press switch actuable via the first housing portion.

58. The retractor of claim 57, wherein the first housing portion comprises a dome feature aligned with the switch which actuates the switch when depressed.

59. The retractor of claim 56, wherein the switch is configured to actuate automatically when the lighting module is attached to the paddle.

60. The retractor of claim 59, wherein the switch is located on a surface of the lighting module which contacts a corresponding surface of the paddle.

61. The retractor of claim 34, comprising two paddles arranged at the ends of corresponding arms mechanically connected by a pivot which permits the retractor to be moved between a closed and an open position by handles opposing the paddles, a light source removeably attached to a distal end of each paddle by means of a retention feature comprising a male runner disposed on the light source and a corresponding female runner disposed on the paddle which receives the male runner, each light source comprising one or more side-emitting LEDs and a waveguide arranged and/or adapted to provide diffuse illumination of a workspace between the paddles.

62. A retractor light source, wherein the retractor light source comprises a lighting module having a first housing portion and a second housing portion attached to the first housing portion, the first housing portion comprising a first and a second section wherein the first section has a thickness that is greater than that of the second section.

63. A retractor light source as claimed in claim 62 wherein the retractor light source is removeably attachable to a distal end of a blade of a retractor.

64. A kit of parts comprising at least one retractor comprising at least one paddle adapted, arranged or configured to receive a light source at a distal end, and at least one light source adapted as claimed in claim 62.

65. The kit of parts of claim 64 wherein the at least one light source is arranged or configured for removeable attachment to the distal end of the paddle of the at least one retractor.

66. The kit of parts of claim 65, comprising a plurality of retractors and a plurality of light sources.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of aspects of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art surgical retractor comprising an integrated light source;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows in (a) side elevation, (b) front elevation and (c) isometric view a retractor paddle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows in perspective view the retractor paddle assembly of FIG. 2 in a disassembled configuration with the paddle and light module separated;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates (a) the retractor paddle assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 in (b) sectional view and (c), (d) and (e) enlarged sectional views, showing how the lighting module is received and retained on the paddle;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates the rear surface of the lighting module showing retention features comprised thereon;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates in (a) exploded view and in (b) and (c) enlarged sectional views the lighting module assembly showing interior components and arrangements;

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a surgical retractor comprising paddle assemblies with removeable lighting modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a surgical retractor comprising paddle assemblies with removeable lighting module in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the paddles are longer than those of the surgical retractor illustrated in FIG. 7;

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative surgical retractor comprising a paddle assembly with a removeable lighting module.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a retractor paddle assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 11 shows side view the light module of the retractor paddle assembly of FIG. 10; and

[0040] FIG. 12 shows in (a) an isometric view and (b) a side elevation a retractor paddle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7 and provides many and significant advantages over the prior art.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a retractor paddle assembly 103 located at the end of an elongate arm 105 of a retractor 101. The paddle assembly 103 comprises a paddle 107 and a lighting module 109 which is removeably attached to an inner face of the paddle 107. The outer face of the paddle 107, in use, engages the tissue and/or organs to be held away from the workspace and a lip 108 at the distal end of the paddle 107 assists in this regard. The lighting module 109 is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0043] As envisaged above in the summary of the invention, the lighting module 109 is attached to the distal end of the paddle 107. Although in this embodiment the lighting module 109 is of comparable size to the paddle 107, the relative location of the lighting module 109 may be more readily appreciated in the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and described further below. In any case, the location of the lighting module 109 on the paddle 107 is such that when in use the lighting module is able to illuminate the workspace because it will be inherently proximal to the workspace. Note that the lighting module is self-contained and wholly located on the paddle.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the above-described retractor paddle assembly 103 in a disassembled configuration which may be prior to attachment of the lighting module 109 to the retractor paddle 107, or after detachment of the lighting module 109 from the retractor paddle 107. The lighting module 109 is attached to the retractor paddle 107 as follows. The lighting module 109 in this embodiment comprises an elongate male runner 111 located on a rear surface of the lighting module 111, which is received in a corresponding elongate female runner 113 on a front surface of the paddle 107. The upper end of the male runner 111 (which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, described below) is aligned with the lower end of the female runner 113, inserted into the female runner 113, and advanced until it abuts a corresponding upper end face of the female runner 113. This arrangement prevents the lighting module 109 from being pushed upwards off, or away from the distal end, of the paddle 107 when inserted into an incision or wound in a body.

[0045] Further retention is provided by the provision of female slots 117 on the front surface of the paddle 107 which receive corresponding male pips 115 (not shown, but which can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, described below). This prevents the lighting module 109 from being easily pushed off of the paddle 107 for example when inserting a surgical instrument into the workspace which might brush or knock the lighting module 109. Note that the paddle 107 comprises a recess 119 which also receives the lighting module 109 and thereby limits lateral movement which might otherwise dislodge the lighting module 109.

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates in more detail the engagement between the lighting module 109 and the paddle 107. FIG. 4(a) shows the paddle 107 from behind, with the female runner 113 and female slots 117 on the opposing face visible for reference. FIG. 4(b) shows an enlarged view through section A-A, wherein the lighting module 109 is attached to the paddle 107 with male runner 111 engaged within female runner 113, and the lighting module 109 located within the recess 119. FIG. 4(c) shows in further detail the diverging bevelled cross-section of the female runner 113 and the corresponding converging bevelled cross-section of the male runner 111 which serves as a further retention feature holding the lighting module 109 onto the paddle 107. FIG. 4(d) shows an enlargement of section B-B of FIG. 4(e) in which the male pip 115 is located in the corresponding female slot 117. The male pip 115 has a domed surface which acts as a lead in then snaps into place when aligned with the slot 117.

[0047] As referred to above, FIG. 5 shows further detail of the back face of the lighting module 109, clearly showing the male runner 111 and the male pips 115 which cooperate with the female runner 113 and female slots 117 of the paddle 107, respectively.

[0048] Further detail of the lighting module 109 is illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 6(a). The lighting module 109 can be seen to comprise a front piece 151 and a rear piece 153, which contain the other components of the lighting module 109. The front piece 151 and rear piece 153 may be welded together to form a hermetic seal to avoid contamination.

[0049] Sandwiched between the front piece 151 and rear piece 153 are a battery 155, a printed circuit board 157 bearing a dome switch 159 and three side-emitting LEDs 161, and a reflector 163 with apertures corresponding to the dome switch 159 and LEDs 161 which protrude there through. The front piece 151 is provided with a dome feature 165 aligned with the dome switch 159, as shown in FIG. 6(b), and the dome feature 165 can be pressed to actuate the dome switch 159 to switch the LEDs 161 on and off as required. As shown in FIG. 6(c) each LED 161 is received in a corresponding recess of the front piece 151, and the front piece then acts as a waveguide. A light scattering pattern is etched (or may be moulded or printed) onto the internal face of the front piece 151 to create a light guide panel for relatively diffuse illumination of the workspace.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates a scissor-type or “Williams” retractor 101 comprising a pair of pivotally attached elongate arms 105; at the end of each arm is located a paddle 107 and a lighting module 109 attached to the paddle in the manner described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. The lighting modules 109 are attached to respective paddles 107 prior to use and illumination switched on by pressing the dome feature 165 to actuate the dome switch 159. The light guide panel provided by the front piece 151 then provides illumination to the workspace created by the retractor when used to separate and hold apart tissues and/or organs.

[0051] A particular advantage of the use of a lighting module which is removeably attached to the paddles is that different sizes, shapes and types of retractor may be used to suit the particular application. For example, FIG. 8 shows a scissor-type or “Williams” retractor 101a similar to that shown in FIG. 7, however employing longer paddles 107a. As can be seen, the lighting modules 109a are attached to the paddles 107a in a similar manner. However, as the paddles 107a are longer than the paddles 107 shown in FIG. 7, the lighting modules 109a are more obviously located toward the distal end of the paddles 107a. In use this means that the light provided by the lighting modules 109a provides effective illumination of the workspace regardless of the increased length of the paddles.

[0052] A retractor kit is envisaged in which one or more retractors of different size, shape and type, and particularly of different paddle length, are provided, with one or more lighting modules which can be attached to any of the retractors by virtue of a common retention feature.

[0053] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative retractor 201 of the “Farabeuf” type which comprises a single paddle 207 which is yet longer than the paddle 107a shown in FIG. 8. Again, it can be seen that the lighting module 209 is located at a distal end of the paddle 207 and therefore provides effective illumination of a correspondingly deeper workspace than that accessed by the retractors 101, 101a of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively.

[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative retractor paddle assembly 303 located at the end of an elongate arm 305 of a retractor. The paddle assembly 303 again comprises a paddle 307 and a lighting module 309 which is removeably attached to an inner face of the paddle 307. The outer face of the paddle 307, in use, again engages the tissue and/or organs to be held away from the workspace and a lip 308 at the distal end of the paddle 307 assists in this regard. The main difference within the retractor paddle assembly 303 when compared to those described above relates to the form of the lighting module 309. For ease of understanding a side view of the lighting module 309 is presented within FIG. 11.

[0055] The lighting module 309 can be seen to comprise a front piece 351 and a rear piece 353, which contain the other components of the lighting module 309. The front piece 351 and rear piece 353 may again be welded together to form a hermetic seal to avoid contamination.

[0056] Sandwiched between the front piece 351 and rear piece 353 is the battery 355; the printed circuit board 357 which again bears the dome switch 359 and three side-emitting LEDs 361; and a reflector 363 again having apertures corresponding to the dome switch 159 and LEDs 161 which protrude there through.

[0057] In this embodiment, the front piece 351 can be seen to comprise a first 371 and a second section 372 wherein the first section 371 has a thickness that is greater than that of the second section 372. The first section 371 is configured such that it aligns with the location of the printed circuit board 357 and is provided with a dome feature 365 that aligns with the dome switch 359, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0058] As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11 this arrangement allows the three side-emitting LEDs 361 protrude from the PCB by an amount that allows them to extend beyond the thickness of the second section 372 of the front piece 351 i.e. the three side-emitting LEDs 361 sit proud of the second section 372 of the front piece 351 and the reflector 363. This arrangement results in a light exit surface 373 effectively being formed at the interface between the first 371 and second sections 372 of the front piece 351.

[0059] As a result, during use, the majority of the light emitted by the three side-emitting LEDs 361 exits the lighting module 309 via the light exit surface 373, rather than being guided through the front piece and into the second section 372. It should be noted that some of light from the three side-emitting LEDs 361 does however propagate into the second section 372, this mainly be done for cosmetic effects.

[0060] The use of the lighting module 309 results in more light propagates directly into the workspace as compared to those embodiments as described above while also helping to protect against upward glare be experience by an operator. The light exit surface 373 also provides an operator with a finger grab facility that can be employed to assist in the removal of the lighting module 309.

[0061] FIG. 12 presents an isometric view and a side elevation a retractor paddle 407 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The retractor paddle 407 is particularly suited for use with the lighting module 309 described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment the recess 419 of the retractor paddle 407 is arranged such that its open end is opposite the distal end of the retractor paddle 407 i.e. the lighting module 309 is inserted into the retractor paddle 407 from the side of the retractor arm 405. Additional retention means, as described above may also be incorporated into the retractor paddle 403. The lip 408 of the retractor paddle 407 can be seen to comprise a serrated edge which is found to assists in the formation of the workspace.

[0062] As envisaged above in the summary of the invention, the lighting module 309 is attached to the distal end of the paddle 407. Although in this embodiment the lighting module 309 is of comparable size to the paddle 407 this need not necessarily be the case. It is however again noted that the lighting module 309 is self-contained and wholly located on the paddle 407.

[0063] After use (of any of the retractor embodiments described herein) the lighting module or modules may be removed from the respective paddle or paddles and discarded, and the retractor—which may be comprised of surgical steel for example—can be easily sterilised prior to subsequent use at which time a new lighting module or new lighting modules can be attached.

[0064] Note that the retention arrangement described herein is but one example of a suitable retention arrangement to removeably attach a lighting module to a paddle in accordance with the present invention. For example, one or more of the described retention features above may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Likewise, male and female components such as the runners of the lighting module and paddle, respectively, may be alternated for their opposite gender. For example, the male runner may be located on the paddle and the female runner on the lighting module. Alternative retention features such as studs, ridges along side edges of the lighting module and corresponding channels in the paddle (or vice versa), plugs and sockets, or other fastening means may be employed in the alternative or indeed in addition to other retention features.

[0065] The dome switch of the lighting module may be replaced with any other kind of user actuable switch, or indeed may be omitted in favour of a switch which is automatically actuated when the lighting module is attached to the paddle. For example, a switch may be located at an end face of the male runner of the lighting module which is then activated when the male runner abuts an end face of the corresponding female runner. In this way when the lighting module is attached the light source switches on and when the lighting module is detached the light source switches off. A proximity switch may provide similar functionality.

[0066] In the examples above the light source is exemplified by way of three side-emitting LEDs such as described with reference to FIG. 6 above. However, any number of any type of LEDs may be employed, and indeed it will be recognised that any suitable light source may be employed. For example, a planar LED, LED array or OLED panel may be employed to provide uniform illumination without the need for a waveguide (although a waveguide may still be used). In fact, the light source can be shaped or otherwise configured or arranged to provide a desired illumination profile. The illumination may be of any desired colour dependent on application and it is envisaged that repeated presses of a button (such as the dome switch) might permit cycling through a range of useful colours.

[0067] As compared to the retractor of WO2009/037498 discussed in the background to the invention, the retractor of the present invention provides a number of advantages. In the prior art retractor, the paddles can be enlarged but this has the effect of increasing the distance between the light sources and the workspace—whereas in the present invention larger paddles can be adopted but the light sources remain proximal to the workspace by virtue of attachment to the ends of the paddles. Furthermore, the light sources can be removed from the paddles which allows for greater flexibility in the choice of materials for the body of the retractor—for example surgical steel can be used which reduces costs not only in terms of manufacture, but also in terms of sterilisation as the light sources can be removed and disposed of leaving a device comprised solely of surgical steel. In addition, the legs of such retractors can be deformed manually to accommodate wider—or indeed narrower—incisions, apertures or wounds—not achievable using the retractor of WO2009/037498.

[0068] The invention provides a retractor having a lighting module which is removeably attached to a paddle of the retractor. The retractor is able to provide improved illumination of a workspace within the body by attaching the light source directly to the paddle. As the light source is removeable from the paddle, it enables the light source to be removed after use and discarded while the retractor can be re-used. Furthermore, as the light source is removeably attached at a distal end of the paddle, the illumination is provided closest to the workspace, regardless of the length of the paddle.

[0069] Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms “comprise” or “include”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “includes” or “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0070] Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as herein intended, and embodiments of the invention may include combinations of features other than those expressly claimed.