US 12,402,974 B1
Lighted surgical instrument
James Huttner, Sylvania, OH (US); and Mackenzie Eickhoff Vocke, Napoleon, OH (US)
Assigned to Bionix, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed by Bionix, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/841,835.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/213,270, filed on Jun. 22, 2021.
Int. Cl. A61B 90/30 (2016.01); A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61F 11/00 (2022.01); A61F 11/20 (2022.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/3207 (2006.01); A61B 17/50 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 90/30 (2016.02) [A61B 17/1679 (2013.01); A61F 11/006 (2013.01); A61F 11/20 (2022.01); A61B 2017/00738 (2013.01); A61B 17/320708 (2013.01); A61B 17/50 (2013.01); A61B 2090/309 (2016.02)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lighted surgical instrument comprising an instrument body defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a mid-portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
wherein the proximal portion is comprised of a base adapted to receive a light source and a linear section defining a first axis;
wherein the distal portion is comprised of a linear section defining a second axis and terminating in a functional tip, and wherein at least a portion of the linear section of the distal portion is both solid in cross section and tapers towards the functional tip;
wherein the second axis of the distal portion is parallel to but offset from the first axis of the proximal portion;
wherein the second axis of the distal portion is co-linear with the visual axis of curettage, as defined by an imaginary line connecting the eye line of a user with the linear axis of an ear canal of a patient; and
wherein the instrument body is capable of functioning as a light pipe, such that light introduced into the base of the proximal portion will be transmitted to the functional tip of the instrument by internal reflection.