ILLUMINATED SURGICAL BARRIER
A surgical barrier or cover for covering a surgical instrument comprises an elongate bag having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The inner surface defines a cavity that is configured to receive the surgical instrument. A plurality of optical fibers or illumination elements is coupled to the elongate bag. The plurality of optical fibers or illumination elements are configured to deliver light from a light source to the distal end of the elongate bag.
1 .- 24 . (canceled)
25 . A surgical cover for covering a surgical instrument, said cover comprising:
an elongate bag having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween, the inner surface defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive the surgical instrument; and
one or more illumination elements coupled to the elongate bag, the one or more illumination elements configured to deliver light to a distal end of the elongate bag, wherein the one or more illumination elements are disposed on the outer surface of the elongate bag, disposed on the inner surface of the elongate bag, or disposed in the wall of the elongate bag.
26 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . The surgical cover of claim 25 , wherein the one or more illumination elements comprise a plurality of optical fibers.
30 . The surgical cover of claim 25 , further comprising a distal ring coupled to a distal portion of the bag, and wherein the one or more illumination elements are coupled to the distal ring.
31 . The surgical cover of claim 30 , wherein the distal ring comprises one or more lenses.
32 . The surgical cover of claim 30 , further comprising an optical window disposed in a center portion of the distal ring.
33 . The surgical cover of claim 32 , wherein the optical window or the distal ring are optical waveguides.
34 . The surgical cover of claim 25 , further comprising an optical window disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongate bag.
35 . The surgical cover of claim 34 , wherein the optical window comprises a lens for focusing light passing therethrough.
36 . The surgical cover of claim 34 , wherein the optical window comprises a central region with desired optical properties, and wherein the one or more illumination elements are disposed circumferentially around the central region.
37 . A system for protecting a surgical instrument, said system comprising:
the surgical cover of claim 25 ; and
wherein the surgical instrument comprises the a camera, and wherein the camera is disposed in the cavity.
38 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising an external light source optically coupled with the one or more illumination elements.
39 .- 44 . (canceled)