Device and method for illumination of vaginal fornix with ureter location, isolation and protection during hysterectomy procedure

Abstract

The present invention comprises devices and methods that, in certain embodiments, provide a lighted cup, ring or cap that comprises a customizable size and fit, for use in hysterectomy procedures, whereby the ring or cup engages the vaginal fornix and is covered by the vaginal cervical tissue. The lighting allows the surgeon to visualize the location of the lighted cup, ring or cap, thereby quickly and accurately identifying the incision site while providing protection of the associated vasculature and the ureters.

1 . A cervical cup, comprising:
 a body comprising a rim, an outer lip, a hollow therein and a central aperture therethrough;   a catheter having a lumen therethrough, the catheter disposed within central aperture;   a light source for illuminating a lighting structure disposed on the outer lip and comprising a lighting pattern of lights thereon, the light source providing light selected from the group consisting of visible light wavelengths, ultraviolet light wavelengths and infrared light wavelengths; and   a pressure sensor switch disposed on the catheter and in operable communication with a power source and the lights, whereby the lighting structure is actuated to illuminate at least one of the light to achieve at least one lighting effect.   
     
     
         2 . The cervical cup of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting structure is further illuminated by a light tube. 
     
     
         3 . The cervical cup of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting structure is further illuminated by optical fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The cervical cup of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting structure is further illuminated by chemical induction. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The cervical cup of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor switch engages the cup and is capable of moving through a distance, each of the at least one lighting effects correspondent to the distance moved by the pressure sensor switch. 
     
     
         7 . The cervical cup of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensor switch is mounted in the cup and comprises an aperture therethrough for sliding passage of the catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The cervical cup of  claim 7 , wherein the sliding passage of the catheter through aperture of pressure sensor switch comprises a distance, each of the at least one lighting effects correspondent to the distance moved by the catheter through the aperture of pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The cervical cup of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one lighting effect is within the group consisting of: at least one of the lights being continually on; at least one of the lights blinking; shortening the time between the blinking of at least one of the lights; lengthening the time between the blinking of at least one of the lights; and changing the wavelength within the visible light spectrum for at least one of the lights. 
     
     
         10 . The cervical cup of  claim 9 , wherein the lighting structure further comprises at least one LED light series in the visible light wavelengths, the series consisting of 1 LED light in the red spectral region, 1 LED light in the green spectral region, 1 LED light in the blue spectral region and 1 LED light in the violet spectral region. 
     
     
         11 . A cervical cup, comprising:
 a body comprising a rim, an outer lip, a hollow therein and a central aperture therethrough;   a catheter having a lumen therethrough, the catheter disposed within central aperture;   a light source for illuminating a lighting structure disposed on the outer lip and comprising a regular lighting pattern of lights comprising at least one LED series, the series consisting of 1 LED in the red spectral region, 1 LED in the green spectral region, 1 LED in the blue spectral region and 1 LED in the violet spectral region; and   a pressure sensor switch disposed on the catheter and in operable communication with a power source and the LED lights, whereby the lighting structure is actuated to illuminate at least one of the LED lights to achieve at least one lighting effect.   
     
     
         12 . The cervical cup of  claim 11 , wherein the lighting structure is further illuminated by one of the group consisting of a light tube, optical fibers, and chemical induction. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The cervical cup of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure sensor switch engages the cup and is capable of moving through a distance, each of the at least one lighting effects correspondent to the distance moved by the pressure sensor switch. 
     
     
         15 . The cervical cup of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure sensor switch is mounted in the cup and comprises an aperture therethrough for sliding passage of the catheter. 
     
     
         16 . The cervical cup of  claim 15 , wherein the sliding passage of the catheter through aperture of pressure sensor switch comprises a distance, each of the at least one lighting effects correspondent to the distance moved by the catheter through the aperture of pressure sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The cervical cup of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one lighting effect is within the group consisting of: at least one of the lights being continually on; at least one of the LED lights blinking; shortening the time between the blinking of at least one of the LED lights; lengthening the time between the blinking of at least one of the LED lights; and changing the wavelength within the visible light spectrum for at least one of the LED lights. 
     
     
         18 . A system for retracting and expanding a lighted cervical cup, comprising:
 a conical cervical cup comprising a body formed of a plurality of radiused,   overlapping and slidable leaves defining a rim and an outer lip,   a lighting structure disposed on the body's outer lip; and   a small diameter sheath having a lumen, wherein the conical cervical cup may be collapsed and retracted into a first retracted position, the first retracted position comprising a substantially cylindrical profile and wherefrom the conical cervical cup may be released into a second expanded position,   wherein the cervical conical cup automatically achieves the second expanded position upon exposure to a patient's body temperature.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising the conical cervical cup comprising a bias to the second expanded position. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one spring connecting the plurality of radiused, overlapping and slidable leaves, wherein the at least one spring provides a biasing force to bias the conical cervical cup to the second expanded position. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising the cervical conical cup formed of nitinol, wherein the cervical conical cup is biased to the second expanded position and is deformed when in the first retracted position. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)