LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting arrangement comprising at least one light source, with at least one camera and a controller.

[0002] It is known that when illuminating an area, the color and / or color temperature of the lighting has a decisive influence on the visibility of different structures located in the area.

[0003] In the operating or medical environment, the color and / or color temperature can currently be adjusted, particularly in the case of operating lights. This means that, depending on the tissue being illuminated, differences and contours in the tissue can be made more or less visible using different colors and / or color temperatures. For example, the difference between tumor-affected tissue and healthy tissue may be more clearly visible using a first color temperature, while the difference between muscle tissue and nerve tissue may be more clearly visible using a second color temperature. For this purpose, different colors and / or color temperatures can be set manually, with an operator assessing the effect of the respective color and / or color temperature and then illuminating the operation area with the desired color and / or color temperature. This necessarily always represents a compromise. Furthermore, in the operating or medical environment, differences in color and / or color temperature are often important.In medical settings, a camera is often used to capture an image of the surgical area. This allows the surgical area to be magnified, for example, and / or made accessible to a person who does not have direct access to the area. The latter is particularly true with an endoscopy camera.

[0004] The reference just made to a surgical environment is merely exemplary and serves to illustrate the problem. The possibility of changing the color and / or color temperature of lighting and thus improving the visibility of structures can also be used in other technical fields. This is preferably used when good visibility of different structures in an illuminated area is a particularly high priority.

[0005] However, the aforementioned method of color and / or color temperature adjustment has disadvantages. First, it requires an operator to manually change the color and / or color temperature of the lighting, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, for example, a camera image captured during illumination with a specific color and / or color temperature may only reveal the advantageous visibility of structural differences achieved by the specific color and / or color temperature, while areas of the structure that would be clearly visible with a different color and / or color temperature are illuminated disadvantageously.

[0006] From document WO 2009 / 002467 A2, an endoscopic visualization system is known that uses a selectively reflective element that enables rearward and forward viewing with an endoscope with a single camera. The endoscopic visualization system can be switchable from a forward viewing mode to a rearward viewing mode or to a mode that allows simultaneous viewing of forward and rearward images. It is stated that the scanned forward and rearward views are subjected to suitable image processing to obtain an integrated output. The forward and rearward images can be displayed on separate monitors or integrated into a single display on one monitor. One such step can be synchronizing the displayed image with the position of the reflector. The front image can be projected onto an image separate from the rear image.Different wavelengths of light can be used, e.g., for diagnosing suspected lesions. Images at different wavelengths can be displayed separately or integrated into a single image, e.g., using false color to display the results of tissue analysis on the screen.

[0007] US 2015 / 078615 A1 describes another endoscopic method. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a lighting arrangement with improved properties.

[0008] This object is achieved by a lighting arrangement according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] The present invention comprises a lighting arrangement comprising at least one light source, with at least one camera and a controller, wherein the color and / or color temperature of the light source is variable and the camera takes images of an area illuminated by the light source. The controller controls the lighting arrangement such that the light source illuminates the illuminated area successively with light of different colors and / or color temperatures, wherein the controller separately evaluates and / or outputs at least a first image taken at a first color and / or color temperature of the illumination. Thus, the optical effect of the first color and / or color temperature of the illumination can be assessed and / or utilized based on the first image without permanently setting the color and / or color temperature of the lighting arrangement to the first color and / or color temperature.

[0010] As described above, the present invention therefore initially comprises a first variant in which the light source emits white light whose color temperature is variable. In a second variant, however, the light source emits colored light, the color of which is variable. Therefore, reference to color temperature in the following refers to the color temperature of the white light emitted according to the first variant.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the camera takes color images of the illuminated area.

[0012] According to the present invention, the controller controls the light source in at least one operating mode such that the change in color and / or color temperature occurs so quickly that it is imperceptible to the human eye upon direct observation of the illuminated area. Thus, for example, such a change can also occur during an ongoing surgical procedure without the surgeon being disturbed by this change in lighting conditions upon direct observation of the illuminated area.

[0013] Preferably, the operating mode just mentioned can be switched on and / or off by means of a manually operable input device.

[0014] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a main illumination color and / or color temperature perceptible to the human eye, with which the light source illuminates the area, can be manually adjusted.

[0015] Preferably, the main lighting color and / or color temperature can be adjusted by means of a manually operable input device.

[0016] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the first color and / or color temperature of the illumination at which an image is recorded, which is evaluated and / or output separately, is adjustable.

[0017] Preferably, the first color and / or color temperature of the lighting can be adjusted by means of a manually operable input device.

[0018] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the light source is controlled in an operating mode such that the light source illuminates the area with a main illumination color and / or color temperature and changes from this main illumination color and / or color temperature to the first color and / or color temperature for a period of time, wherein at least one image is recorded during this period of time, which image is evaluated and / or output separately.

[0019] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the time period is preferably so short that, when the illuminated area is viewed directly, a perceived color and / or color temperature does not change as a result of the change.

[0020] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the time period is less than 200 ms, preferably less than 50 ms.

[0021] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the light source is an LED light source, wherein the LEDs of the LED light source are operated in a pulsed manner by means of the controller.

[0022] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller controls the illumination arrangement in at least one operating mode such that the color and / or color temperature of the pulses does not change during the recording of the image.

[0023] However, this is not absolutely necessary. What is crucial is that the averaged color and / or color temperature during the exposure time of the separately evaluated and / or output image differs from a previous and / or subsequent period.

[0024] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller controls the lighting arrangement in at least one operating mode such that pulses occurring during the recording of an image result on average in a desired color and / or color temperature.

[0025] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller controls the lighting arrangement in at least one operating mode such that the lighting is carried out successively with a plurality of different colors and / or color temperatures, wherein the controller separately evaluates and / or outputs a plurality of images recorded with different colors and / or color temperatures of the lighting.

[0026] Preferably, the illumination is carried out with one of the plurality of different colors and / or color temperatures in each case in a time period which is less than 200 ms, preferably less than 50 ms long.

[0027] Preferably, the control returns to a main lighting color and / or color temperature before lighting again with a different color and / or color temperature.

[0028] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller controls the lighting arrangement in at least one operating mode such that a change is made from a main lighting color and / or color temperature to one of the different colors and / or color temperatures and back.

[0029] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, in an operating mode, an image is displayed on a display of the lighting arrangement, which image shows the illuminated area at a different color and / or color temperature of the illumination than the color and / or color temperature of the light source that is perceptible during the display of the image upon direct observation of the illuminated area.

[0030] This allows an operator, such as a surgeon, to view the illuminated area on a display with a different color and / or color temperature than the one they directly perceive when viewing the illuminated area. This allows for the inspection of structures on the display that are not or only poorly perceptible upon direct observation due to the unfavorable color and / or color temperature.

[0031] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the other color and / or color temperature of the illumination at which the image shown on the display is recorded is adjustable.

[0032] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, in an operating mode, a plurality of images are shown on a display of the lighting arrangement, each of which shows the illuminated area with a different color and / or color temperature of the lighting.

[0033] For example, an image with a different color and / or color temperature than the main color and / or color temperature can be displayed as picture-in-picture.

[0034] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, in an operating mode, at least one image is shown on the display, which shows the illuminated area with an illumination that changes in its color and / or color temperature.

[0035] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the lighting arrangement is controlled such that when a color and / or a color temperature of the illumination of an image shown on the display changes, a color and / or color temperature of the illumination perceived upon direct observation of the illuminated area does not change and / or at least one other image shown on the display reproduces the area with illumination whose color and / or color temperature does not change.

[0036] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a desired main illumination color and / or color temperature with which the light source illuminates the area in normal operation can be set, in particular by an operator on the basis of images that can be displayed on a monitor, each with a different color and / or color temperature of the illumination, and / or on the basis of an image shown on the display with a changing color and / or color temperature of the illumination.

[0037] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a first color and / or color temperature at which an image is recorded, which is evaluated and / or output separately, can be set, in particular based on an image shown on the display with a changing color and / or color temperature of the illumination, in particular based on a color scan shown on the display.

[0038] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the recorded images are evaluated in at least one operating mode by means of the controller in such a way that information from at least two images recorded under illumination of different color and / or color temperature is integrated into a resulting image.

[0039] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the resulting image is shown on a display in at least one operating mode.

[0040] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the images are evaluated in at least one operating mode by means of structure detection.

[0041] Preferably, an evaluation of at least two images of the illuminated area taken under illumination of different colors and / or color temperatures is carried out in such a way that, by means of the structure detection, information from at least two images taken under illumination of different colors and / or color temperatures is integrated into a result image.

[0042] In particular, the two or more images taken with different colors and / or color temperatures can first be evaluated individually and structures recognizable at the respective color and / or color temperature of the image can be extracted from the image and displayed in combination in the resulting image.

[0043] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, an evaluation is carried out of at least three images of the illuminated area taken under illumination of different colors and / or color temperatures.

[0044] In these embodiments, therefore, a separate evaluation of the images taken at different colors and / or color temperatures is carried out, with the result of the evaluation being displayed in a common result image.

[0045] In some of the previously described embodiments, however, an image which was taken under a different colour and / or colour temperature of the illumination was output separately, in particular displayed.

[0046] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the separately output and / or evaluated image is continuously updated.

[0047] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the separately output and / or evaluated image is updated at times specified by the controller.

[0048] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the separately output and / or evaluated image is created and / or updated on the basis of a signal caused by a manual input from an operator.

[0049] These three variants for creating and / or updating are also available in the same way for creating and / or displaying a result image created from images taken under several different colors and / or color temperatures of the lighting.

[0050] Preferably, the lighting arrangement may comprise an input device with a foot switch, wherein the separately output and / or evaluated image is created and / or updated on the basis of a signal caused by an actuation of the foot switch.

[0051] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one camera is a 2D camera for recording a 2D image of the illuminated area.

[0052] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one camera is a 3D camera for capturing a 3D image of the illuminated area. In particular, the 3D camera can comprise two individual cameras that allow a stereo view of the illuminated area.

[0053] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one camera operates in at least one of the VIS range, IR range and / or UV range.

[0054] Preferably, at least one camera operates in the VIS range, i.e. in a range of visible light.

[0055] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the lighting arrangement is a luminaire arrangement.

[0056] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the at least one light source is a lamp, in particular an operating room lamp.

[0057] The operating light may comprise a light source body with a centrally and / or laterally arranged handle by which the position and / or orientation of the operating light can be changed.

[0058] The operating light can be arranged on a support system, in particular on a support system mounted on the ceiling. In particular, the support system can comprise a central shaft on which one or more support arms are arranged so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis, with the operating light and / or operating lights each being arranged on a support arm.

[0059] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the at least one light source is an endoscopy light source.

[0060] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the lighting arrangement has at least one operating mode in which images of an area illuminated by the endoscopy light source, taken by means of an endoscopy camera, can be displayed on a display by means of the controller.

[0061] In particular, the lighting arrangement according to the invention can therefore be used in endoscopic procedures to illuminate the endoscopically treated area.

[0062] In one possible embodiment, the illumination arrangement therefore comprises, in addition to the light source, a light guide through which the light from the light source is guided to the surgical site. Furthermore, the illumination arrangement preferably comprises a light guide through which an image of the surgical site is guided to the camera. Separate light guides or a shared light guide can be used for the light source and the camera.

[0063] Preferably, the light guide(s) run through an endoscopic instrument through which they can be inserted into the patient's body.

[0064] In an endoscopic lighting setup, the display allows the surgeon to observe the surgical site. This can be a monitor, data glasses, 3D and / or VR headsets, or another suitable display. In one possible configuration, the display allows the surgeon a 3D view of the surgical site. This can be achieved, for example, by using two cameras and / or two displays.

[0065] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, individual images taken by the endoscopy camera with different colors and / or color temperatures can be integrated into a resulting image by means of the controller.

[0066] The resulting image is preferably a 2D result image or a 3D result image.

[0067] The present invention further comprises a method for operating a lighting arrangement. The lighting arrangement here comprises at least one light source, at least one camera, and a controller. According to the invention, the method comprises changing the color and / or color temperature of the light source and recording images of an area illuminated by the light source using the camera. The method further comprises controlling the lighting arrangement using the controller so that the light source illuminates the illuminated area successively with light of different colors and / or color temperatures, and separately evaluating and / or outputting, in particular displaying, at least one first image recorded at a first color and / or color temperature of the illumination.

[0068] The method is preferably carried out as already described above with regard to the lighting arrangement according to the invention and / or as described below with reference to the figure and the exemplary embodiments.

[0069] The present invention further comprises software with instructions for carrying out a method as just described.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the software further serves to integrate information from at least two images taken under illumination of different color and / or color temperature into a resulting image.

[0071] The software is preferably designed as already described above with regard to the lighting arrangement according to the invention and / or with regard to the method and / or as described below with reference to the figure and the exemplary embodiments.

[0072] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the control of the lighting arrangement comprises a microcontroller and a non-volatile memory. A program with instructions is stored in the non-volatile memory. When executed on the microcontroller, the program executes a method described above or below and / or effects an operation of the light source arrangement described above or below. In particular, the microcontroller controls the light source and / or the display and / or receives images from the camera. The microcontroller can be the processor of a computer.

[0073] The display used according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention preferably comprises a planar display element which displays two-dimensional images.

[0074] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the display is a monitor. This can be arranged, for example, at a suitable location inside or outside the operating room.

[0075] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the display is a data, 3D and / or VR glasses.

[0076] The use of the present invention is not limited to the field of lighting or surgical lights. Rather, the lighting arrangement according to the invention can also be used for material inspection and / or testing.

[0077] When referring to illumination in the context of the present invention, this is not limited to the visible light range. Rather, the present invention can be used with electromagnetic radiation in any spectral range.

[0078] If, in the context of the present invention, we refer to lighting with different colors and / or color temperatures, we generally mean radiation with different spectrums.

[0079] The light source therefore represents a radiation source that can be controlled so that it can emit radiation with different spectrums.

[0080] For this purpose, the radiation source can, for example, also comprise two or more radiation elements which emit radiation with a different spectrum and which can be controlled separately.

[0081] When reference is made to a camera in the context of the present invention, this refers to any sensor arrangement that can detect corresponding radiation over a large area and / or three-dimensionally. However, the camera preferably comprises a planar sensor chip and / or an optical system through which an image is projected onto the sensor chip. The sensor chip preferably comprises several color channels so that the camera can capture color images.

[0082] In particular, the camera may be a video camera.

[0083] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a terahertz camera is used.

[0084] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments.

[0085] The following shows: Figure an embodiment of the lighting arrangement with two light sources, wherein a camera is arranged on at least one of the light sources.

[0086] The figure shows an embodiment of a lighting arrangement 1 according to the invention with a first light source 2 and a second light source 2'. However, within the scope of the present invention, the lighting arrangement 1 could also comprise only one light source 2 or more than two light sources 2.

[0087] As already mentioned above, the present invention can be used in various technical fields. Reference to the surgical or medical environment is merely exemplary.

[0088] In the exemplary embodiment, the light sources 2 and 2' are each a surgical light, wherein the light sources 2 and 2' each generate a light field by means of which the area B is illuminated. In the present exemplary embodiment, the area B represents an operating area B.

[0089] The light sources 2 and 2' can each be aligned and / or positioned so that the operating area B of a patient P lying on a table 8 is illuminated as desired. In other cases, the light fields of the two light sources 2 and 2' can also be directed at different areas. This is conceivable, for example, in a transplant, where an operating light 2 can be directed at the operating area B, while an operating light 2' can be directed at the organ to be transplanted.

[0090] If, as in the exemplary embodiment, several light sources 2 and 2' are provided, the illumination of the area B can be carried out by means of one of the light sources 2 or 2' or by means of both light sources 2 and 2', wherein the controller 20 controls the light sources 2 and 2' accordingly.

[0091] In the exemplary embodiment, a support system 3 is provided, on which the light sources 2 and 2' are arranged above the illuminated area B. Adjustment of the light sources 2 and 2' can be performed manually. Furthermore, adjustment can be achieved by one or more drives of the support system 3.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment, the support system 3 comprises a ceiling mount on which a central shaft can be arranged. Support arms can, in turn, be arranged on the central shaft so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis formed by the central shaft. The light sources 2 and 2' can each be arranged on different support arms via additional support arm elements, spring clips, and / or a gimbal with one or more joints 5, 6. Other configurations of the support system 3 than the one just described are also conceivable.

[0093] In the exemplary embodiment, the lighting arrangement 1 comprises at least one camera 10 and / or 15. Within the scope of the present invention, the lighting arrangement 1 can comprise only one camera 10, 15, two cameras 10, 15 or more than two cameras.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiment, the cameras 10, 15 are each arranged on a light source 2, 2' and are in particular integrated into a handle 7, 7' of a camera 10, 15. Preferably, the handle 7, 7' is arranged centrally on a light source body of the light source 2, 2'.

[0095] In particular, the camera 10, 15 has a main optical axis which runs parallel to the main optical axis of the light source at which it is arranged, wherein the main optical axis of the camera preferably coincides with the main optical axis of the light source.

[0096] It is also conceivable to provide one or more cameras 10 and 15 on the carrying system 3.

[0097] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment provides a monitor 60 for displaying an image 11 captured by the camera 10, 15. As shown, the monitor 60 can be arranged on the support system 3 via a support arm element 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the monitor 60 is located in the operating room. However, it is also conceivable for the monitor 60 to be provided in a room separate from the operating room. Thus, the image 11 from the camera 10, 15 can be made available, for example, for training purposes. It is also conceivable for an image from a camera to be fed to a storage unit for documentation purposes.

[0098] The term "image" in the sense of the present invention includes both a video image in the sense of an image sequence and a single image in the sense of a photograph and / or a single image from an image sequence in the sense of a frame of a video image sequence.

[0099] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the image is a video image and / or a frame of a video image sequence.

[0100] In the exemplary embodiment, a manually operable input device 40 is also provided, by means of which a main illumination color and / or color temperature perceptible to the human eye can be manually set. As shown, the input device 40 can have a plurality of input elements 41, by means of which a desired main illumination color and / or color temperature and / or an operating mode of the lighting arrangement 1 can be selected. The input elements 41 can be in the form of switches, controls, and / or a touchscreen, for example.For example, a first input element 41 can be provided for setting one or more operating modes of the lighting arrangement 1, a second input element 41 can be provided for setting a main lighting color and / or main lighting color temperature of the lighting and / or a third input element can be provided for setting a further color and / or color temperature of the lighting, in which an image is separately evaluated and / or output.

[0101] The lighting arrangement 1 comprises a controller 20, as shown in the figure. The controller 20 can be connected to at least one of the light sources 2 and 2' and / or to the input device 40 in a wired and / or wireless manner. It is also conceivable for the light sources 2 and 2' to be connected to each other in a wired and / or wireless manner. Furthermore, the controller can be integrated into one of the light sources and / or the input device.

[0102] In a first aspect of the present invention, the controller 20 controls the light sources such that they illuminate the illuminated area B successively with light of different colors and / or color temperatures, wherein the controller 20 separately evaluates and / or outputs at least a first image 11 recorded at a first color and / or color temperature of the illumination.

[0103] A possible operation of the lighting arrangement 1 shown in the figure will now be explained using an example:

[0104] In a first embodiment, the light source 2 and / or light source 2' illuminates the area with white light having an adjustable main illumination color temperature, for example, 4,000 K. This main illumination color temperature can be manually adjusted using the input device 40. Alternatively, the light source 2, 2' can illuminate the area with colored light, wherein a main illumination color is adjustable, for example, blue light with a wavelength range between, for example, 380 and 500 nanometers.

[0105] The operation of the camera 10 or 15 for recording images 11 to 14 of the illuminated area can take place at a predetermined frequency, for example 50 Hz, so that the camera records an image of the illuminated area B for 20 ms each, for example.

[0106] The lighting arrangement 1 has an operating mode in which the controller 20 controls the lighting arrangement 1 such that the light source 2, 2' illuminates the illuminated area B successively with light of different color temperatures, for example at values ​​of 3,000 K, 3,500 K, 4,000 K, 5,000 K, 5,500 K.

[0107] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, a respective illumination duration with the corresponding color temperature value can each be a fixed value, for example 32 ms.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting changes from a main lighting color temperature to one of the color temperatures and back before changing to the next color temperature.

[0109] The lighting arrangement and / or camera 10 or 15 can now be controlled in such a way that at least one image 11 is recorded during each of the illuminations with one of the different color temperature values.

[0110] This allows several images to be taken at different color temperatures, and / or at least one image to be taken at a color temperature other than the main lighting color temperature.

[0111] The image(s) of different color temperatures can then be displayed on the monitor 60. If multiple images taken with lighting of different color temperatures are displayed, this can be done sequentially and / or simultaneously, for example, as a picture within a picture.

[0112] Alternatively or additionally, the images can be evaluated in such a way that information from at least two of the images 11 taken at different color temperatures is evaluated by the controller 20 and combined into a resulting image 14. In this way, structural differences in the illuminated area that would otherwise only be clearly visible in separate images can be clearly visualized in the resulting image 14. In particular, the controller can capture structures in the individual images and combine them into a resulting image.

[0113] The result image 14 can, for example, be displayed on the monitor 60 shown in the figure so that it can be made available to the surgeon O during the operation.

[0114] The controller 20 can have at least one operating mode in which it controls the lighting arrangement 1 in such a way that the illumination of the area with the different color temperature values ​​takes place so quickly one after the other that this cannot be perceived by the human eye when directly viewing the illuminated area due to the inertia of the human eye.

[0115] In the exemplary embodiment, the control is therefore carried out in such a way that a main illumination color temperature perceived by the operator O when directly observing the area B does not change even during the inventive change in the color temperature of the illumination.

[0116] By separately evaluating and / or outputting images taken at color temperatures not perceivable by the eye, additional information can be provided to the surgeon, particularly in the form of one or more images with a different color temperature.

[0117] Alternatively or in addition to the previously described change in the color temperature of the lighting, the color of the lighting can be changed - with the procedure otherwise unchanged.

[0118] Further possible embodiments of the present invention, in particular possible operating modes of the lighting arrangement 1, are described below.

[0119] In a first operating mode, the light source 2 illuminates the area B with a main illumination color and / or color temperature, wherein an image 11 of the illuminated area B taken at a first color and / or color temperature is displayed on the monitor 60. The first color and / or color temperature of the image 11 differs from the main illumination color and / or color temperature. This makes it possible to make different structures clearly visible when viewing the image 11 and when directly viewing the illuminated area B. In particular, the controller briefly changes the color and / or color temperature of the illumination from the main illumination color and / or color temperature to the first color and / or color temperature, wherein an image taken during this period is displayed on the monitor 60.

[0120] In a second operating mode, another image 12 from camera 10 is displayed on monitor 60, image 12 having been captured using a second color and / or color temperature of the illumination. The second color and / or color temperature differs from the first color and / or color temperature of image 11. Using these displayed images 11 and 12, each with a different color and / or color temperature, different structures can be made clearly visible to the surgeon O. For example, it is conceivable that image 11 clearly shows the difference between tumor tissue and healthy tissue, while image 12 clearly shows the difference between muscle tissue and nerve tissue.In particular, the controller changes the color and / or color temperature of the lighting from the main lighting color and / or color temperature to the first color and / or color temperature and to the second color and / or color temperature for a short time, wherein images recorded in the respective time periods are displayed on the monitor 60.

[0121] In a third operating mode, an image 13 of the illuminated area B is displayed on the monitor 60, showing the illuminated area B under changing illumination color and / or color temperature. This allows the operator O to determine a suitable color and / or color temperature relatively quickly. Based on this determination, the main illumination color and / or color temperature could be changed.

[0122] Furthermore, the first and / or second color and / or color temperature can also be adjustable.

[0123] In a fourth operating mode, a result image is displayed on the monitor, which contains information from at least two images taken under lighting of different colors and / or color temperatures.

[0124] For this purpose, the controller 20 preferably comprises a structure detection unit 30, wherein the structure detection unit 30 can be integrated into the controller 20. It is also conceivable that the structure detection unit 30 is provided separately from the controller 20.

[0125] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the structure detection is a structure recognition software.

[0126] Structure detection 30 is used to detect structures in recorded images. The structures detected in the images taken under different illumination colors and / or color temperatures are preferably displayed in a combined result image.

[0127] For example, by means of structure detection 30, a clearly visible contrast difference between healthy tissue and tumor tissue can be identified in a first image 11 taken at a first color and / or color temperature, wherein by means of structure detection 30, a clearly visible contrast difference between nerve tissue and muscle tissue can be identified in a second image 11 taken at a second color and / or color temperature. Accordingly, by means of structure detection 30, the controller 20 can generate a result image based on information from the first and second images, in which both the clearly visible difference between tumor tissue and healthy tissue due to the illumination with the first color and / or color temperature and the clearly visible difference between nerve tissue and muscle tissue due to the illumination with the second color and / or color temperature are visible.

[0128] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a computing unit 50 can be provided, by means of which an integration of information from at least two images taken under illuminations of different color and / or color temperature can be carried out into a result image, wherein the structure detection 30 is preferably used for this integration.

[0129] The computing unit 50 can be integrated into the controller 20 together with the structure detection unit 30. It is also conceivable that the computing unit 50 is provided separately from the controller 20. The computing unit 50 can be networked with the controller 20 and / or with the structure detection unit 30 via a wired and / or wireless connection.

[0130] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the lighting arrangement comprises at least two operating modes. The control system is preferably designed such that an operator can select at least one operating mode and / or multiple operating modes. In particular, several of the first to fourth operating modes described above can be available, with an operator being able to select one or more of these. This selection is preferably made using a manually operable input device 40. The lighting arrangement 1 can operate in multiple operating modes simultaneously.

[0131] The displayed image can be updated continuously and / or at specified intervals. In particular, a change to at least one different color and / or color temperature and / or a color or color temperature scan can be performed continuously and / or at specified intervals.

[0132] Alternatively or additionally, the update of the displayed image can be triggered by an operator, in particular by actuating an input device.

[0133] In the Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting arrangement is an operating room light arrangement. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be used with any other light sources, in particular for all lighting applications in an operating room.

[0134] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the at least one light source is an endoscopy light source and / or the at least one camera is an endoscopy camera. Here, the present invention can be used in the same way as described above with regard to the Fig. 1 described embodiment is described.

[0135] Information from images captured by the endoscopy camera at different illumination colors and / or color temperatures can be integrated into a resulting image 14 by means of the controller 20. The resulting image 14 can be displayed on the monitor 60, with the resulting image 14 preferably being updated continuously and / or at times specified by the controller.

[0136] If the present invention is used in the field of endoscopy, the immediate visual impression of the lighting no longer needs to be taken into account, since the surgeon O only sees the video image anyway. In this case, a more pronounced change in the color and / or color temperature of the lighting can preferably occur, or longer phases can be selected for the individual colors and / or color temperatures when changing the lighting, for example, compared to the use of the present invention in an operating room light. In the field of endoscopy, however, it is important that the images are reproduced without delay and that the image display is smooth.

[0137] Regardless of the other design of the lighting arrangement, the camera can initially be a 2D camera.

[0138] However, the present invention can also be used if the camera is a 3D camera. In this case, the images described above are 3D images. The output can be provided via a monitor with 3D display and / or 3D glasses.

[0139] A 3D camera can comprise two individual cameras that work together to form a stereo camera.

[0140] Furthermore, it would be conceivable to combine information from an image 11 of a first camera 10 of a first surgical light with information from an image of a second camera 15 of a second surgical light to generate a 3D image. This can be done, for example, using a computing unit 50.

[0141] In a preferred embodiment, the light source 2 is an LED light source 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the LEDs of the LED light source 2 are operated in a pulsed manner by means of the controller. In such pulsed operation, the LEDs are either switched off or switched on for the duration of a pulse, whereby the color and / or color temperature as well as the brightness of the light source 2 are controlled via the duration of the individual pulses in which the LEDs are switched on. For example, the pulsed operation can occur at a frequency of 300 Hz.

[0142] In particular, the LED light source 2 comprises at least two different types of LEDs for generating light of different colors and / or color temperatures. The controller can adjust the color and / or color temperature by varying the length of the pulses used to operate the respective LEDs.

[0143] In a first embodiment, the LED light source 2 comprises two types of LEDs which generate white light with a different color temperature, for example a first type of LED with a color temperature of 2700 K or 3000 K and a second type of LED with a color temperature of 5000 K or 5500 K, wherein the controller sets the color temperature to a desired value by controlling the ratio of the amount of light emitted by the two types of LEDs.

[0144] In a second embodiment, the LED light source 2 comprises two types of LEDs that generate light of a different color, for example, a first type of LED that emits red light and a second type of LED that emits blue light. The controller adjusts the color and / or color temperature to a desired value by controlling the ratio of the amount of light emitted by the two types of LEDs. Pulsed control of the LEDs allows the color and / or color temperature of the illumination to be changed very quickly. In particular, the color and / or color temperature can be controlled individually for each pulse.

[0145] The present invention utilizes this rapid controllability of the LEDs to intersperse one or more pulses with a different color and / or color temperature into the operation of the LEDs with a main illumination color and / or color temperature, which pulses are not recognizable to an observer due to the inertia of the human eye.

[0146] However, by appropriately selecting and / or evaluating the images captured by the camera, at least one image captured at a color and / or color temperature other than the main illumination color and / or color temperature can be separately evaluated and / or displayed.

[0147] The camera is preferably a video camera that records the illuminated area at a certain frame rate, for example 60 Hz, i.e. 60 frames per second.

[0148] If the LEDs are illuminated with different colors and / or color temperatures, the camera images or frames will each show an image with a different color and / or color temperature of the illumination. According to the invention, the images captured with different colors and / or color temperatures are then evaluated and / or output or displayed separately. The camera can therefore resolve the illumination into the individual different colors and / or color temperatures, whereas the human eye cannot perceive these due to its greater inertia.

[0149] In one possible embodiment, synchronization occurs between the control of the LEDs and the recording by the camera and / or the evaluation of the camera images. The controller therefore knows in which time periods illumination with a different color and / or color temperature occurred and evaluates the images recorded during this time period separately. Furthermore, such synchronization can also serve to ensure that the color and / or color temperature of the pulses of the controlled LEDs does not change during the recording of an image 11. This can ensure that an image of the illuminated area is recorded at a desired color and / or color temperature of the illumination, and that different colors and / or color temperatures of the illumination are not mixed in one image.

[0150] Alternatively or additionally, the controller 20 can control the lighting arrangement 1 such that the pulses of the controlled LEDs, which fall within a time period in which an image is taken, result on average in the desired color and / or color temperature.

[0151] However, such synchronization can also be dispensed with.

[0152] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller evaluates the color and / or color temperature of the images captured by the camera and, based on the evaluation, determines the color and / or color temperature at which the images were captured. Images captured at a specific color temperature and / or color are then evaluated and / or output separately.

[0153] In this case, the illumination with a color and / or color temperature is preferably carried out in such a way that the duration of the respective illumination ensures that at least one image is recorded in which at least more than 50% of the recording time included in the image was illuminated with a desired color and / or color temperature and / or a desired average color and / or color temperature can be achieved for this recording time.

[0154] For example, if the lighting is carried out with a different color and / or color temperature for a period of time that corresponds to twice the duration of a frame, it is always ensured that at least one frame is exposed with the desired color and / or color temperature. List of reference symbols:

[0155] 1Lighting arrangement 2, 2'Light source 3Support system 5Support arm 6Support arm element 7Handle 8Operating table 10Camera 11Image (taken at a first color and / or color temperature) 12Image (taken at a second color and / or color temperature) 13Image (an image changing in color and / or color temperature) 14Result image 15Camera 20Control 30Structure detection 40Input device 41Input elements 50CPU 60Monitor BArea OOperator PPatient

Claims

1. Lighting arrangement (1), which comprises at least one light source (2, 2'), with at least one camera (10, 15) and a control system (20), wherein the colour and / or colour temperature of the light source (2) is variable and the camera (10) captures images (11, 12) of a region (B) illuminated by the light source (2), wherein the control system (20) controls the lighting arrangement (1) such that the light source (2) illuminates the illuminated region (B) successively with light of a different colour and / or colour temperature, wherein the control system (20) separately evaluates and / or outputs at least a first image (11) captured at a first colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting, characterized in that the control system (20) controls the light source (2) in at least one operating mode in such a way that the change in the colour and / or colour temperature takes place so quickly that this is not perceptible for the human eye when looking directly at the illuminated region (B).

2. Lighting arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein a main lighting colour and / or colour temperature, which is perceptible for the human eye and with which the light source (2) illuminates the region (B), can be set manually.

3. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (2) is controlled in one operating mode such that the light source (2) illuminates the region (B) with a main lighting colour and / or colour temperature and switches from this main lighting colour and / or colour temperature for a period of time to the first colour and / or colour temperature, wherein during this period of time at least one image (11) is captured, which is evaluated and / or output separately, wherein the period of time is preferably so short that, on direct observation of the illuminated region (B), a perceived colour and / or colour temperature does not change due to the switch and is in particular less than 200 ms, preferably less than 50 ms.

4. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (2) is an LED light source (2), wherein the LEDs of the LED light source (2) are operated in a pulsed manner by means of the control system (20), wherein the control system (20) preferably controls the lighting arrangement (1) in at least one operating mode such that during the capturing of the image (11), the colour and / or colour temperature of the pulses does not change and / or that the pulses occurring during the capturing of an image yield a desired colour and / or colour temperature on average.

5. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control system (20) controls the lighting arrangement (1) in at least one operating mode such that illumination takes place successively with a plurality of different colours and / or colour temperatures, wherein the control system (20) separately evaluates and / or outputs several images captured in respectively different colours and / or colour temperatures of the lighting, wherein a switch preferably takes place in each case from a main lighting colour and / or colour temperature to one of the different colours and / or colour temperatures and back again.

6. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in one operating mode, an image (11) is presented on a display (60) of the lighting arrangement (1), which image shows the illuminated region (B) in a colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting other than the colour and / or colour temperature of the light source (2), which is perceptible during the presentation of the image (11) when looking directly at the illuminated region (B).

7. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in one operating mode, several images (11, 12) are presented on a display (60) of the lighting arrangement (1), which images show the illuminated region (B) in a respectively different colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting, and / or wherein in one operating mode at least one image (13) is presented on the display (60), which image shows the illuminated region (B) in illumination that is changing in its colour and / or colour temperature, wherein the lighting arrangement (1) is preferably controlled such that in the event of a change in a colour and / or a colour temperature of the lighting of an image (11) presented on the display (60), a colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting perceived when looking directly at the illuminated region (B) does not change and / or at least another image (11, 12) presented on the display reproduces the region (B) with illumination of which the colour and / or colour temperature does not change.

8. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a desired main lighting colour and / or colour temperature with which the light source (2) illuminates the region (B) in normal operation can be set by an operator on the basis of images (11, 12) displayable on a display with a respectively different colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting.

9. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an evaluation of the captured images (11, 12) in at least one operating mode takes place by means of the control system (20) such that information from at least two images (11, 12) captured in illuminations of a different colour and / or colour temperature is integrated into a resulting image (14), wherein the resulting image (14) is preferably presented on a display (60) and / or wherein the evaluation of the images (11, 12) is carried out by means of structure detection (30).

10. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separately output and / or evaluated image (11, 12, 13, 14) is updated continuously and / or is updated at points in time predetermined by the control system (20) and / or is produced and / or updated on the basis of a signal produced by a manual input of an operator.

11. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one camera (10) is a 2D camera for capturing a 2D image of the illuminated region (B), and / or wherein at least one camera (15) is a 3D camera for capturing a 3D image of the illuminated region (B), wherein preferably at least one camera (10, 15) operates in at least one of the VIS spectrum, IR spectrum and / or UV spectrum.

12. Lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source (2) is at least one surgical lamp (2) or at least one endoscopy light source (2), wherein the lighting arrangement (1) has preferably at least one operating mode, in which images (11) captured by means of an endoscopy camera of a region illuminated by means of the endoscopy light source (2) can be presented on a display (60) by means of the control system (20), wherein preferably individual images (11) of the endoscopy camera captured in a respectively different colour and / or colour temperature can be integrated into one another by means of the control system (20) in a resulting image (14).

13. Method for operating a lighting arrangement (1), in particular a lighting arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting arrangement (1) comprises at least one light source (2), at least one camera (10) and a control system (20), wherein the method comprises changing the colour and / or colour temperature of the light source (2) and comprises the capturing of images (11, 12) of a region (B) illuminated by the light source (2) by means of the camera (10), characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: control of the lighting arrangement (1) by means of the control system (20) so that the light source (2) illuminates the illuminated region (B) successively with light of a different colour and / or colour temperature; and separate evaluation and / or outputting, in particular presentation, of at least a first image (11) captured in a first colour and / or colour temperature of the lighting, characterized in that the control system (20) controls the light source (2) in at least one operating mode in such a way that the change in the colour and / or colour temperature takes place so quickly that this is not perceptible for the human eye when looking directly at the illuminated region (B).

14. Software, comprising commands for executing a method according to claim 13.

15. Software according to claim 14 for integrating information from at least two images (11, 12), captured in illuminations of different colour and / or colour temperature, into a resulting image (14).