Film illumination system

Abstract

An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for illuminating a surgical field, said method comprising:
 providing an optical waveguide having an optical film disposed thereon;   illuminating the surgical field with light passing through the optical waveguide and the optical film.   
     
     
         2 . A medical illumination device for illuminating a surgical field, said device comprising:
 an optical waveguide; and   an optical film coupled to the optical waveguide, wherein light passes through the optical waveguide and the light is extracted by the optical film and directed toward the surgical field.