Illuminated suction device
Inventors
Swift, Jason • Traub, Matthew • PEHL, James • Clark, Adrienne • Meyer, Steven • LESLIE, Kate
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12551610-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A suction device comprising a suction tube configured to fluidly couple to a vacuum source and to provide suction at its distal end, an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source for emitting light to a target area, an elongated heat sink thermally coupled to the at least one light source and extending along a portion of the suction tube, and a spine extending along the suction tube and overlapping with the elongated heat sink, the spine including an integrated lens, wherein the at least one direct light source and the elongated heat sink are enclosed within a space formed between the spine and a side of the suction tube.
Core Innovation
The invention is an illuminated surgical suction device comprising a suction tube and an illumination assembly. The suction tube is configured to fluidly couple to a vacuum source and provide suction at its distal end. The illumination assembly includes at least one direct light source for emitting light to a target area, an elongated heat sink thermally coupled to the light source, a flexible circuit that wraps around edges of the heat sink to secure the light source, a spine extending along the suction tube, and a lens that refracts light toward the target area.
The direct light source and elongated heat sink are enclosed within a space formed between the spine and a side of the suction tube, with a majority of the spine enclosed within an interior region of an outer housing. The design provides bright, targeted illumination with heat dissipation while limiting device bulk and visual obstruction, avoiding a fiber-optic light guide. Embodiments also disclose an ergonomic handle with illumination and optional suction controls, or an alternative configuration where the heat sink forms the spine.
Claims Coverage
The relevant claims identify one independent claim reciting four inventive features.
Suction tube configured to provide suction
A suction tube configured to fluidly couple to a vacuum source and to provide suction at a distal end of the suction tube.
Direct light source thermally coupled to an elongated heat sink
At least one direct light source for emitting light to a target area, and an elongated heat sink thermally coupled to the light source and extending along a portion of the suction tube.
Flexible circuit securing the light source
A flexible circuit to which the light source is connected, wrapping around first and second opposite edges of a distal-facing surface of the elongated heat sink to secure the position of the light source with respect to the suction tube.
Spine and lens arranged with the illumination assembly
A spine extending along the suction tube and overlapping with the elongated heat sink, with a majority of the spine enclosed within an interior region of an outer housing, and a lens connected to the spine that refracts light from the direct light source, wherein the light source and heat sink are enclosed within a space formed between the spine and a side of the suction tube.
Claim 1 combines a suction tube with an illumination assembly whose direct light source and heat sink are positioned between the tube and spine, secured by a flexible circuit, with a spine-connected lens directing refracted light toward a target area.
Stated Advantages
The design provides bright, targeted illumination with heat dissipation while limiting device bulk and visual obstruction.
The design avoids a fiber-optic light guide.
Documented Applications
An illuminated surgical suction device configured to couple to a vacuum source to provide suction at the distal end of a suction tube while emitting light toward a target area.
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