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Assignees
West Virginia University Board Of Governors On Behalf Of Wvu
MemberWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
West Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
Publication Number
US-12678260-B2
Publication Date
2026-07-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments for improved surgical devices and methods of using the same in connection with bariatric and gastroesophageal surgery. The present disclosure includes a lighted bougie device that can include an elongate member and a light source. The light source can be configured to emit near infrared light. The light source can also be positioned about the bougie such that light emitted from the light source illuminates along a portion of the bougie.
Core Innovation
A lighted device for use in a surgical procedure is described, comprising an elongated member with a distal end for inserting into an operative field and a proximal end coupled to a handle. A plurality of light sources is disposed along the elongated member to emit light in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The device includes wavelength-dependent light transmission behavior through different tissues, such that the first wavelength range is able to transmit through one or more first tissues but unable to transmit through one or more second tissues, while the second wavelength range is able to transmit through both the first and second tissues.
The illuminated portion of the elongated member has a length that is at least 50% of a length of the operative field of the patient, supporting visualization and positioning effects through tissue transillumination. The device further includes spaced-apart light sources positioned along the elongated member at a predetermined interval between 0.5 cm and 5 cm. The plurality of light sources comprises at least 8 individual light sources, arranged so that adjacent light sources are spaced apart along a length direction at the predetermined interval.
The elongated member and the light sources are used as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements, enabled by the spacing configuration and by the length of the illuminated portion relative to the operative field. Embodiments additionally describe multiple light sources spaced along the elongated member and configured for use in surgical visualization contexts including bariatric/foregut surgery such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, with near-infrared light enabling transillumination to help determine bougie position and improve visualization despite tissue thickness.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides four independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features consistently include an elongated member with a handle and multiple light sources emitting in one or two wavelength ranges, with spatial spacing and length constraints that enable the device to function as a ruler for intraoperative measurements. Additional inventive features include differential tissue transmission between two wavelength ranges and minimum counts and spacing of light sources.
Two wavelength ranges emitted by spaced light sources along an elongated member
A lighted device with an elongated member and a handle, wherein a plurality of light sources disposed along the elongated member emits light in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, including placement of the first light source closest to the distal end at a first location and the second light source closest to the proximal end at a second location.
Operative-field spanning length of the illuminated elongated portion
The length of the elongated member between the first location and the second location is at least 50% of a length of the operative field of the patient.
Ruler function via predetermined interval spacing of light sources
Light sources in at least a subset of the plurality of light sources are spaced apart along a length direction of the elongated member at a predetermined interval of between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, thereby allowing use of the elongated member and the light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements.
Minimum light-source count for measurement ruler functionality
A lighted device in which the plurality of light sources comprises at least 8 individual light sources that are spaced apart along a length direction at a predetermined interval of between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, thereby allowing use of the elongated member and the light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements.
Near-infrared wavelength range selection for spaced ruler light sources
A lighted device where the plurality of light sources comprises at least 8 individual light sources to emit light in a range of about 700 nm to about 1300 nm, with the at least 8 individual light sources spaced apart along a length direction at a predetermined interval of between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, thereby allowing use of the elongated member and the light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements.
Differential tissue transmission using first and second wavelength ranges
A lighted device where the plurality of light sources emit a first wavelength range able to transmit through one or more first tissues but unable to transmit through one or more second tissues, and a second wavelength range able to transmit through both the one or more first tissues and the one or more second tissues.
First portion length spanning at least 50% of operative field
A length of the first portion of the elongated member is at least 50% of a length of the operative field of the patient.
Ruler function with at least 8 spaced light sources emitting about 700 nm to about 1300 nm
The plurality of light sources comprises at least 8 individual light sources to emit light in a range of about 700 nm to about 1300 nm, with adjacent light sources spaced apart along a length direction at a predetermined interval between 0.5 cm and 5 cm to facilitate one or more intraoperative measurements.
The claim set centers on an elongated, handle-coupled lighted device with multiple light sources emitting in one or two wavelength ranges. The claims impose constraints on illuminated length, minimum numbers of individual light sources, and predetermined spacing intervals so the device can function as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements, with additional tissue-dependent wavelength transmission functionality in one independent claim.
Stated Advantages
Allows use of the elongated member and the light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements.
Enables visualization using emitted light transmitted through tissue, including differential transmission through first versus second tissues.
Helps determine bougie position and improve visualization despite tissue thickness.
Documented Applications
Bariatric/foregut surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, using a lighted bougie to aid visualization and positioning.
Surgical procedures involving visualization of a bougie inside a stomach by transillumination.
Heller myotomy and hiatal hernia repair are mentioned in the documented context of surgical visualization and sensing at the gastroesophageal junction.
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