Video retractor

Abstract

A retractor includes a handle portion, a blade portion coupled to the handle portion. The blade portion is configured for insertion into an internal region of a patient. The blade portion includes a first portion configured to manipulate tissue of the patient. In an embodiment, a locator element is configured to highlight an external region of the patient to indicate to a user the location of the first portion in the internal region. In an embodiment, a signal-transmission medium is coupled to the blade portion and has a port. An overmolded camera unit has a lens and is configured to couple with the port. When the camera unit is coupled with the port, the lens is oriented to capture images of the internal region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a retractor comprising:
 a handle portion; 
 a blade portion having a proximal portion coupled to the handle portion and an end portion distal to the handle portion, 
 a lifter portion coupled to the end portion, the lifter portion configured for insertion into an internal region of a patient, the lifter portion including a tip portion configured to manipulate tissue of the patient, and 
 a signal transmission medium coupled to the blade portion and having a port disposed at the end portion; and 
   a camera unit having a lens and being configured to couple with the port, wherein when the camera unit is coupled with the port, the lens is oriented to capture images of the internal region of the patient proximal to the tip portion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmission medium comprises a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmission medium comprises a cable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lifter portion comprises a plurality of laterally disposed shielding elements configured to prevent obstruction of a field of view of the lens. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion and blade portion are coupled to allow adjustability of an angle between the handle portion and blade portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip portion comprises a surface configured to grip the tissue of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the surface comprises a plurality of raised bumps or projections. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the blade portion is directly coupled to the handle portion and has an axis, and wherein the lifter portion is rotatable with respect to the axis by at least 180 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blade portion comprises at least one channel configured to serve as a conduit through which a medical device is to be inserted into the internal region of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the medical device comprises at least one of a waterjet dissection instrument, a suction tube or a cauterization laser. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a carapace member configured to be coupled to the lifter portion and to dissipate thermal energy associated with the lifter portion.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor further comprises:
 an illuminating locator element including a light source configured to highlight an external region of the patient, the highlighted external region indicating to a user the location of the end portion of the blade portion located in the internal region when the external region prevents the end portion of the blade portion from being visible to the user,   wherein the light source is aligned with the end portion of the blade portion and not aligned with the handle portion, and wherein the light source is configured to illuminate portions of the patient's neck while the blade portion is being inserted into the patient to allow the user to track movement of the end portion of the blade portion within the patient's throat.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the illuminating locator element comprises a laser. 
     
     
         14 . A retractor, comprising:
 a handle;   a blade coupled to the handle, the blade configured for insertion into a patient's throat, the blade including an end located distally with respect to the handle, and configured to manipulate tissue of the patient; and   at least one channel extending through at least a portion of the handle and the blade, wherein the at least one channel is configured to receive a medical instrument, and   wherein the blade includes a connection port located distally with respect to the handle and being configured to connect with a camera.   
     
     
         15 . The retractor of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the camera, wherein the camera includes a lens and at least one light configured to illuminate a field of view for the camera within an internal region of the patient.   
     
     
         16 . The retractor of  claim 15 , wherein the blade comprises a plurality of side walls and the end of the blade has a curved shape, wherein the side walls and curved shape are configured to prevent obstruction of the field of view of the camera. 
     
     
         17 . The retractor of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a wireless transmitter or signal cable located in the blade and coupled to the connection port, wherein the wireless transmitter or signal cable is configured to transmit output from the camera to a display.   
     
     
         18 . The retractor of  claim 14 , wherein the medical instrument comprises at least one of a dissection instrument, a suction tube or a cauterization laser. 
     
     
         19 . The retractor of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one channel comprises two channels. 
     
     
         20 . The retractor of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a locator element coupled to the handle and including a light source, wherein   the light source is configured to illuminate an external neck region of the patient, the illuminated external neck region indicating to a user the location of the end of the blade located inside the throat of the patient as the retractor is inserted into the patient's throat.