US 12,103,256 B2
Optical tube bender
Joseph Dombrowski, Medina, OH (US); and Nicolette Diehl, Brunswick, OH (US)
Assigned to Lumitex, Inc.
Filed by Lumitex, Inc., Strongsville, OH (US)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/396,970.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/066,444, filed on Aug. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0048262 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. F21V 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01); B29C 53/08 (2006.01); B29D 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 11/00663 (2013.01) [A61B 90/30 (2016.02); B29C 53/083 (2013.01); G02B 6/0005 (2013.01); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An illuminating system for a medical instrument comprising:
a pliable light guide configured to maintains its shape until a user applies an active force against the light guide; and
a light guide bender for reshaping the light guide comprising a framework having a top receiving surface and an angled receiving surface descending from a plane of the top receiving surface, wherein the top receiving surface and the angled receiving surface are configured to receive the light guide and are so dimensioned that:
a contacting portion of the light guide is supported by the top receiving surface with a proximal portion and a distal portion of the light guide extending away from and not contacting the angled received surface of the framework; and
when the active force is applied to the light guide by the user such that the contacting portion of the light guide presses against the top receiving surface, a contoured portion of the light guide is generated from a part of the proximal portion of the light guide being bent towards the angled receiving surface;
wherein the framework further includes a housing having a channel and a projection;
wherein the projection includes the top receiving surface;
wherein the channel is shaped to receive the light guide, such that the proximal portion and distal portion of the light guide extend away from the framework;
wherein the channel includes a pressing surface opposite the top receiving surface;
wherein the projection is mechanically attached to the housing, such that when the force is applied to the light guide such that the contacting portion presses against the top receiver a surface;
a cantilevered portion of the light guide presses against the pressing surface of the housing;
wherein the cantilevered portion of the light guide is distal to the contacting portion of the light guide.