Cyclo olefin polymer and copolymer medical devices

1. An illuminated medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:

an optical waveguide comprising:

a light input section having an input area for inputting light from an illumination element,

a light transmitting section, and

at least one inactive zone abutting both the light input section and the light transmitting section,

wherein the light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section,

wherein the light transmitting section is configured to transmit the light inputted into the light input section distally through the light transmitting section, and

wherein the at least one inactive zone is oriented to minimize the light entering the at least one inactive zone; and

a plurality of structures disposed along a front surface of the optical waveguide, the plurality of structures configured to shape light passing therethrough,

wherein at least some of the plurality of structures form one or more stair steps each having a primary facet and a secondary facet, the primary facet forming an acute angle relative to a plane parallel to a planar rear surface of the optical waveguide and the secondary facet forming an acute angle relative to the primary facet, the planar rear surface facing away from the front surface,

wherein the optical waveguide delivers light to the surgical field through the primary facet of at least some of the plurality of structures, and

wherein each of the one or more stair steps in a zone have a constant depth between a valley and the planar rear surface of the optical waveguide.

2. The illuminated medical system of claim 1 , wherein the light is delivered to the surgical field without forming a shadow.

3. The illuminated medical system of claim 1 , further comprising a medical instrument coupled to the at least one inactive zone of the optical waveguide.

4. The illuminated medical system of claim 3 , wherein the medical instrument is a surgical retractor.

5. The illuminated medical system of claim 3 , wherein optical waveguide is adjustably positionable relative to the medical instrument.

6. The illuminated medical system of claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises active zones through which the light passes and wherein light does not pass through the at least one inactive zone.

7. The illuminated medical system of claim 6 , wherein any active zone of the optical waveguide has an air gap surrounding it.

8. The illuminated medical system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one inactive zone comprises engagement elements configured to engage a medical instrument.

9. The illuminated medical system of claim 1 , wherein the acute angle formed between the primary facet and the secondary facet is within a range of 66 degrees to 88 degrees.

10. The illuminated medical system of claim 1 , where the optical waveguide has one or more planar surfaces, and the one or more stair steps are formed on one of the one or more planar surfaces.

11. A method of illuminating a surgical field, said method comprising:

inputting, from an illumination element, light into a light input section of an optical waveguide, wherein the optical waveguide comprises:

a light transmitting section,

at least one inactive zone abutting both the light input section and the light transmitting section, and

a plurality of structures disposed along the optical waveguide,

wherein the light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section, and

wherein the at least one inactive zone is oriented to minimize the light entering the at least one inactive zone,

wherein at least some of the plurality of structures form one or more stair steps each having a primary facet and a secondary facet, the primary facet forming an acute angle relative to a plane parallel to a planar rear surface of the optical waveguide and the secondary facet cooperatively defining an acute angle relative to the primary facet, and wherein each one of the one or more stair steps in a zone have a constant depth between a valley and the planar rear surface of the optical waveguide;

transmitting the light from the light input section through the light transmitting section;

passing light through the plurality of structures and shaping the light; and

delivering light through the primary facet of at least some of the plurality of structures thereby illuminating the surgical field with the delivered light.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising coupling the at least one inactive zone of the optical waveguide to a medical instrument.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the medical instrument comprises a surgical retractor, laryngoscope, speculum, or anoscope.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising adjustably positioning the optical waveguide relative to the medical instrument.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sliding the facets against tissue without damaging the tissue due to the angle defined by the primary and secondary facet.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein delivering the light comprises delivering focused light or diffused light.

17. An illumination element for illuminating a surgical field in a patient, said illumination element comprising:

a light input section having an input area for inputting light into the illumination element;

a light transmitting section, wherein the inputted light is transmitted through the light transmitting section, and wherein the light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section;

at least one inactive zone abutting both the light input section and the light transmitting section; and

a light output section on a front surface of the illumination element, wherein the light output section is adjacent a distal section of the light transmitting section, and wherein the light output section comprises a plurality of surface features increasing a surface area from which light is extracted relative to the input area,

wherein at least some of the plurality of surface features form one or more stair steps each having a primary facet and a secondary facet, the primary facet forming a primary angle relative to a plane parallel to a rear surface of the illumination element and the secondary facet forming a secondary angle relative to the primary facet, a sum of the primary and secondary angles being equal to or greater than 90 degrees.

18. An illuminated medical system for illuminating a surgical field, said system comprising:

an optical waveguide comprising:

a light input section having an input area for inputting light from an illumination element,

a light transmitting section, and

at least one inactive zone abutting both the light input section and the light transmitting section,

wherein the light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section,

wherein the light transmitting section is configured to transmit the light inputted into the light input section distally through the light transmitting section, and

wherein the at least one inactive zone is oriented to minimize the light entering the inactive zone; and

a plurality of structures disposed along the optical waveguide, the plurality of structures configured to shape light passing therethrough,

wherein at least some of the plurality of structures form one or more stair steps each having a primary facet and a secondary facet, the primary facet forming an acute angle relative to a plane parallel to a rear surface of the optical waveguide and the secondary facet forming an acute angle relative to the primary facet,

wherein the optical waveguide delivers light to the surgical field through the primary facet of at least some of the plurality of structures, and

wherein the acute angle formed between the primary facet and the secondary facet falls within a range of 66 degrees to 88 degrees.

19. The illuminated medical system of claim 18 , further comprising a medical instrument coupled to the at least one inactive zone of the optical waveguide.