Tissue vitality comparator with light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle
View Patent ↗A surgical instrument having a tissue vitality comparator is provided to view images of tissue relative to the surgical instrument and compare the images with predetermined reference images. The surgical instrument includes a pair of jaws for capturing tissue and one or more light sources 14 illuminating the captured tissue. The surgical instrument additionally includes a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle having a first end for viewing the tissue between the jaws and a second end on a handle portion of the surgical instrument for observing the tissue. A tissue comparison chart having a plurality of reference images is provided on the handle of the surgical instrument for comparison with the image observed through the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
a housing;
a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the housing;
a first light source and a second light source disposed on the first and second jaws, respectively;
a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle extending between the second jaw and the housing, wherein the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle has a first end positioned on the second jaw and a second end positioned on the housing such that an image illuminated by the light sources on the first and second jaws is visible at the housing; and
a tissue comparison chart integrated into the housing adjacent the second end of the light pipe, said tissue comparison chart including a plurality of reference images for comparison to the image illuminated by the light sources, wherein
the first and second light sources are disposed on opposing surfaces of the first and second jaws, respectively,
the first light source is spaced apart from the first end of the light pipe and transmits a first light beam that is reflected off the section of tissue and into the light pipe
the second light source opposes the first end of the light pipe and transmits a second light beam through a section of tissue and into the light pipe.
2. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing has an elongate member extending distally from the housing, and the first jaw and the second jaw are relatively movable to each other.
3. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other.
4. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle is positioned on the first jaw.
5. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one light source is an LED light source.
6. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 5 , wherein the housing includes a power source for the at least one LED light source and a switch to turn the at least one LED light source on and off.
7. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tissue comparison chart at least partially surrounds the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.
8. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a power source for the first and second light sources and a switch for controlling the first and second light sources.
9. The surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tissue comparison chart includes a first reference image corresponding to healthy tissue and a second reference image corresponding to unhealthy tissue.