DE102011111285A1 - Device for introducing light and aura in e.g. eyes during surgical operation for illuminating surgical site, has light conductor executed in distal end region and allowed to open with hollow end region to form application region - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a light conductor (1) i.e. mono fiber, coupling a light source (2) e.g. LED, and a fluid conductor (3) coupling a fluid source. An aura and the light are combined along a common path in an application region (4), where the light is emitted from a part of the light conductor. The light conductor is hollowly executed in a distal end region and allowed to open with a hollow end region toward a distal end to form the application region. A passage is formed at the application region with diameter as that of the fluid conductor. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a device for introducing light and an aura in parts of human or animal bodies.

Description

The invention relates to a device for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body, in particular into an eye, with a light guide for coupling a light source, a fluid conductor for coupling a fluid source, and an application region in which the fluid and at least one Part of the light guide emerging light can be united in a common path. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a corresponding device.

It should be noted that the term "light" is to be understood in the broadest sense. This may be visible to humans light to illuminate an operation site. Furthermore, it can be, for example, radiation from the ultraviolet or infrared range or another spectral range for illuminating or treating a human or animal body.

The illumination of a human or animal body during surgery is necessary as well as the supply of fluid into the body for a variety of reasons. For example, during operations on the eye, the surgeon requires a good illumination of the surgical site and the eye must be supplied with an infusion solution at the same time. For this purpose, in practice, the eye is provided with two incisions through which light is introduced via an optical fiber and fluid into the eye via an infusion cannula.

For a quick recovery of the patient from the surgery, however, the aim is to produce the least possible trauma through the operation. Therefore, devices are known from the prior art through which both light and fluid can be simultaneously introduced into a human or animal body, so that a single incision is sufficient. For this purpose, for example, on the EP 1 959 886 B1 directed. From this document, a device for simultaneously introducing light and fluid through a single incision into an eye is previously known. For this purpose, a light guide and a fluid conductor extend parallel to each other as far as into an application area, wherein the application area can be inserted into the eye. The light guide protrudes into the application area and is surrounded by the fluid around it.

The generic device has the disadvantage that the application area to be introduced into the eye must have a relatively large diameter in order to introduce the required amount of fluid into the eye, since the application area both accommodates the light guide and forms the flow path for the fluid. Reducing the diameter of the application area with a constant flow rate of fluid can only be achieved by means of a light guide with a smaller diameter. However, this causes the supply of light to be degraded. Thus, while light and fluid can be introduced through an incision into the body simultaneously with the generic device, this incision is relatively large. Due to the associated trauma, the patient requires a longer period to recover from the operation.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to design a device of the type mentioned and further, that light and fluid can be introduced at the same time over the smallest possible incision in the human or animal body with the simplest construction. In addition, a method for producing a corresponding device is to be specified.

The above object is achieved with respect to a device according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the generic device is characterized in that the light guide is hollow in its distal end portion and opens with the hollow end portion to the distal end, thus forming the application area.

With regard to the method according to the invention, the aforementioned object is solved by the features of patent claim 10. Thereafter, the generic method is characterized in that the distal end region of the light guide, preferably by machining, is hollowed out or a corresponding recess with an open end is formed by injection molding and thus forms the application region.

In the inventive manner has been recognized that the above object can be achieved by a clever design of the light guide in a surprisingly simple manner. For this purpose, the light guide is hollow in its distal end region and opens with the hollow end region towards the distal end, so that the distal end of the light guide forms the application region. By this constructive feature an application range is created with the simplest means, which corresponds in its outer diameter to the outer diameter of the light guide and consequently by a minimal incision in the body can be introduced. The hollow distal end portion of the light guide is ideally suited as a flow path of fluid so that it can be introduced into the human or animal body through the distal end portion and the opening in the distal end of the light guide. The fluid thus serves in the distal end region as a light-conducting medium, so that an optimal introduction of light is possible. In this case, optical fibers can be used in the popular sizes. Thus, a device is provided which allows the surgeon to introduce fluid and light into the body simultaneously through a single, minimal size incision to minimize patient recovery time.

To produce a flow connection between the fluid conductor and the application region that is as simple and reliable as possible, a passage can be provided at the application region, for example in the lateral surface. Preferably, the passage may have at least the same diameter as the fluid conductor, so that the flow rate of fluid or the pressure of the fluid remains constant. The fluid conductor can be coupled to the passage of the application area, for example via a plug-in, screw, bayonet or luer connection.

In an advantageous manner, the fluid conductor opens obliquely into the application region, for example at an angle of 1 ° to 90 °. This arrangement of fluid conductor and light guide facilitates the handling of the device for the surgeon.

In order to be able to introduce an optimal amount of fluid into the body, the diameter of the application region can correspond at least to the diameter of the fluid conductor. In a particularly advantageous manner, the diameter of the application area corresponds to the diameter of the fluid conductor, so that the flow rate of fluid is not reduced by the application area.

Specifically, the application area and / or the passage at the application area may be formed as a bore in the light guide. Thus, the application area and / or its flow connection to the fluid conductor are created with structurally simple means.

In a further advantageous manner, the area limiting the area of application to the proximal end is made like a lens. As a result, the emission angle of the light can be defined into the application area or through the application area. It should be noted at this point that a lenticular configuration is understood as meaning, for example, a convex surface of the area bounding the application area. Furthermore, the surface can have a concave, pointed or any other geometry, so that the radiation required or desired in the individual case of the light into the application region is possible.

Specifically, the optical fiber may be formed as a monofilament and be made of plastic or glass. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or quartz glass can be used as the material here.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it is conceivable that the light source, for example a light-emitting diode, is provided directly on the surface delimiting the region of application towards the proximal end. The light source is thus firmly coupled to the light guide, so that only a power supply to the light source is necessary to operate the light source. The length of the light guide is thereby reduced to a minimum.

The inventive method is used in particular for producing a device according to the invention, wherein it is important to hollow out the distal end region of the light guide in such a way that it forms the application region. This can be achieved by machining or by injection molding.

With regard to the method according to the invention, the same statements apply as with the device according to the invention.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of three preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are explained in Aligemeinen. In the drawing show

1 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body;

2 the application area of the embodiment 1 in an enlarged view,

3 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body;

4 the application area of the embodiment 3 in an enlarged view,

5 in a schematic view of a third embodiment of an inventive device for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body and

6 the application area of the embodiment 5 in an enlarged view,

1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body. The device comprises a light guide 1 that is connected to a light source 2 is coupled. Furthermore, the device has a fluid conductor 3 for coupling to a fluid source. The fluid conductor 3 and the light guide 1 lead into an application area 4 , where the application area 4 through the hollow-shaped distal end region of the light guide 1 is formed. The hollow end region opens to the distal end of the light guide 1 out. In the embodiment shown here, the fluid conductor opens 3 diagonally into the application area 4 ,

2 shows in an enlarged view the application area 4 of the first embodiment according to 1 , Out 2 clearly shows that the light guide 1 is formed as a monofilament and is hollowed out in its distal end region by a bore, so that the distal end region of the light guide 1 the application area 4 forms. About a passage 5 in the lateral surface of the application area 4 is the fluid conductor 3 in fluid communication with this. At the passage 5 are fasteners 6 provided, in which the fluid conductor 3 for secure fixation can be inserted. The fluid is thus inclined over the fluid conductor 3 in the application area 4 initiated. The application area 4 is at least partially introduced into the human or animal body so as to introduce fluid into the body. The application area 4 is open towards the distal end and toward the proximal end through a surface 7 limited. Through the area 7 emits light from the light guide 1 in the application area 4 into it. In the application area 4 the fluid serves as a transmission medium for the light in the body. Thus, light becomes centric and fluid laterally into the application area 4 coupled and over the application area 4 initiated together in the body.

In 2 is clearly shown that the application area 4 , the passage 5 and the fluid line 3 each have almost the same diameter. As a result, the flow rate of the fluid is not through the application area 4 or the light guide 1 reduced. The area 7 is smooth in this embodiment. Furthermore, the area is conceivable 7 convex or pointed, so the light in a different angle range in the application area 4 or through the application area 4 to radiate through.

3 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the fluid conductor opens 3 at right angles in the light guide 1 ,

4 shows the application area 4 of the embodiment of the invention 3 in an enlarged view. The fluid conductor 3 opens at a right angle into the application area 4 passing through the distal end of the light guide 1 is formed. For secure fixation of the fluid conductor 3 at the passage 5 are fasteners 6 intended. fluid conductor 3 and application area 4 are thus over passage 5 in fluid communication. About the application area 4 to the proximal end limiting surface 7 Light comes out of the light guide 1 in the application area 4 out. In the application area 4 this serves as a fluid conductor 3 inflowing fluid as a photoconductive medium.

That in the 5 and 6 shown third embodiment corresponds to the second embodiment of the 3 and 4 , The only difference is that the fluid conductor 3 directly with the passage 5 of the application area 4 connected is. On a fastener 6 as shown in the second embodiment is omitted here. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the description of the second embodiment for further description.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the teaching of the invention reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly understood that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention are only for the purpose of discussion of the claimed teaching, but not limit these to the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

optical fiber

2

light source

3

fluid conductor

4

application area

5

passage

6

fastener

7

area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1959886 B1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Device for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body, in particular into an eye, with a light guide ( 1 ) for coupling a light source ( 2 ), a fluid conductor ( 3 ) for coupling a fluid source and an application area ( 4 ), in which the fluid and at least a part of the light guide ( 1 ) are combined in a common path, characterized in that the light guide ( 1 ) is hollow in its distal end region and opens with the hollow end region towards the distal end and thus the application region ( 4 ). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at the application area ( 4 ) a passage ( 5 ), preferably at least the same diameter as the fluid conductor ( 3 ), for establishing a flow connection with the fluid conductor ( 3 ) is trained. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid conductor ( 3 ) obliquely, preferably at an angle of 1 ° to 90 °, in the application area ( 4 ) opens. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the diameter of the application area ( 4 ) at least the diameter of the fluid conductor ( 3 ) corresponds. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the application area ( 4 ) and / or the passage ( 5 ) as a hole in the light guide ( 1 ) are / is formed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the application area ( 4 ) to the proximal end limiting surface ( 7 ) is designed in a lens-like manner in order to reduce the angle of emission of the light into or through the application area (FIG. 4 ) define. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light guide ( 1 ) is designed as a monofilament. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the light guide ( 1 ) made of plastic, for example polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or made of glass, for example quartz glass. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the light source ( 2 ), preferably a light-emitting diode, directly at the application area ( 4 ) to the proximal end bounding surface ( 7 ) is provided. Method for producing a device for introducing light and fluid into a human or animal body, in particular into an eye, with a light guide ( 1 ) for coupling to a light source ( 2 ), a fluid conductor ( 3 ) for coupling to a fluid source, and an application area ( 4 ), in which the fluid and at least a part of the light guide ( 1 ) are combined in a common path, in particular for producing a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the distal end region of the light guide ( 1 ), preferably by machining, is hollowed out or by injection molding a corresponding recess is formed with an open end and thus the application area ( 4 ).

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