METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL ILLUMINATION

An illuminated electrosurgical instrument (1002) comprises: a handle (12; 204; 1004; 1302; 1502; 2304) with a proximal portion and a distal portion, an electrosurgical tip (1802; 2114; 2214) extending distally of the handle (12; 204; 1004; 1302; 1502; 2304), wherein the electrosurgical tip (1802; 2114; 2214) is configured to perform electrosurgery using a radiofrequency (RF) energy, and an optical waveguide (202; 702; 1006; 1202; 1304; 1402; 15101; 1808; 2302) that extends continuously and at least partially circumferentially about the electrosurgical tip (1802; 2114; 2214), wherein the optical waveguide (202; 702; 1006; 1202; 1304; 1402; 15101; 1808; 2302) has a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of light sources (216; 306, 324; 416, 422; 606, 652; 706; 1110; 1410; 1606; 1828; 2116) optically coupled to the proximal end of the optical waveguide (202; 702; 1006; 1202; 1304; 1402; 15101; 1808; 2302), wherein the plurality of light sources (216; 306, 324; 416, 422; 606, 652; 706; 1110; 1410; 1606; 1828; 2116) is configured to generate light at a plurality of colors, and an illumination switch (206) that is configured to control the plurality of light sources (216; 306, 324; 416, 422; 606, 652; 706; 1110; 1410; 1606; 1828; 2116), wherein the illumination switch (206) comprises a slidable switch that is configured to control at least one of an intensity of the light or a color of the light based on how far the slidable switch has been slid, and wherein the optical waveguide (202; 702; 1006; 1202; 1304; 1402; 15101; 1808; 2302) is configured to transmit the light from the plurality of light sources (216; 306, 324; 416, 422; 606, 652; 706; 1110; 1410; 1606; 1828; 2116).