SYSTEM WITH OPERATING TABLE AND OPERATING LIGHT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a surgical table, a surgical light, a system comprising a surgical table and surgical light, and a method for operating the system, wherein, in particular, the surgical table and the surgical light are provided with controllers for controlling functions of the surgical table and surgical light.

[0002] During surgical interventions, a posture of a patient is often to be changed. Thereby, a position and a posture of a tabletop of an operating table has to be changed. For example, the tabletop has to be moved in a horizontal or a vertical direction, or it has to be tilted about a longitudinal or transversal axis. After such a repositioning of the patient, the illumination by a surgical light has to be adjusted which hinders the surgical intervention.

[0003] US 2003 / 195644 A1 provides a portable medical equipment controller apparatus including a user input device. A processor is configured to determine if a predetermined distance from a base unit is exceeded, and to signal an alert if the predetermined distance from the base unit is exceeded.

[0004] US 2011 / 037840 A1 provides a control system to control an operating room lamp to generate light to illuminate a surgical site which includes an image signal input to receive an image signal from a video camera to capture an image of a surgical site and a control signal output to emit to the operating room lamp a control signal to control at least either a direction or an intensity or a spectral characteristic of the light or a size or shape of the area illuminated by the light, based on the video camera information. This document further discloses a positioning signal being used to control a simultaneous repositioning of an operating room lamp in case of a change in position of an adjustable operating table.

[0005] In the meantime, there are surgical lights which measure a distance between a lamp body of the surgical light and a surgical site for adjusting the illumination of the surgical site when the surgical light is moved; however, an adjustment based on only the distance is not sufficient in the case of if the tabletop performs another motion than a change in height.

[0006] Therefore, the object underlying the invention is to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a system comprising a surgical table and a surgical light, for use in a method for operating the system which enhances the proceedings during the surgical interventions.

[0007] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a system comprises a surgical table comprising a surgical table controller configured to control at least one surgical table actuator of a surgical table; and a surgical light, the surgical light comprising a surgical light controller configured to turn on and off and to control an intensity of at least one illuminant of the surgical light, wherein the surgical light controller comprises a surgical light controller interface configured to be connectable to the surgical table controller to exchange data or signals with the surgical table in order to attune a respective behavior of the surgical light and the surgical table. Upon receiving a signal relating to an actuation of a surgical table actuator of the surgical table, the surgical light controller is configured to initiate detection of at least one characteristic of an illumination by the surgical light and change the illumination by the at least one illuminant according to the at least one detected characteristic.

[0009] A provision of the surgical light controller interface configured to be connectable to a controller of a further medical apparatus provides the opportunity to exchange data or signals with the further medical apparatus in order to attune a respective behavior of the surgical light and the further medical apparatus. In particular, the surgical light can be turned on and off and the intensity of the illumination can be adjusted according to requests of the further medical apparatus. The controller of the further medical apparatus is not provided as merely being a user interface but, actually, as a controller controlling functions of the further medical apparatus based on an operator input from any user interface and / or based on sensor signals to the controller of the further medical apparatus.

[0010] In an advantageous implementation of the system, the surgical light comprises at least one surgical light actuator controlled by the surgical light controller for changing a direction of emission of a light beam of at least one of the at least one illuminant.

[0011] By this feature, a location of an illuminated spot can be modified according to requests of the further medical apparatus.

[0012] By such a system, the surgical table and the surgical light can exchange data for attuning their behaviors to one another. For example, upon provision of necessary sensors, the surgical table is enabled to perform motions according to a posture of the surgical light.

[0013] In an advantageous implementation of the system, the surgical table controller interface and surgical light controller interface comprise a communication path connecting the surgical table controller interface and surgical light controller interface via cable.

[0014] By the communication path via cable, a communication functioning without problems as far as possible is provided. Such a communication is, for example, less sensitive concerning EMC and regulatory requirements can easier be fulfilled than in case of a use of a wireless communication.

[0015] In a further advantageous implementation of the system, the surgical table controller interface and surgical light controller interface comprise a communication path connecting the surgical table controller interface and surgical light controller interface via wireless connection.

[0016] Such a communication is more comfortable in use since, without the use of cables, a risk of tripping over the cables is eliminated and, furthermore, establishing the communication can be facilitated since, compared to wired installation, efforts for installation are significantly reduced and, also, existing systems can be easily retrofitted.

[0017] According to yet another example, a method includes the steps: actuating the at least one surgical table actuator by operating the surgical table controller, transmitting a signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator to the surgical light controller by the surgical table controller, and changing an illumination by the at least one illuminant by the surgical light controller according to the actuation of the surgical table actuator.

[0018] By this method, attuning a respective behavior of the surgical light and the surgical table is possible. In particular, an illumination by the surgical light can be adjusted according to requests of the surgical table due to actuation of a specific surgical table actuator.

[0019] In an advantageous implementation of the method, when receiving the signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator, the surgical light controller initiates detection of a distance between a lamp body and a surgical site and changes the illumination by the at least one illuminant according to the detected distance.

[0020] By initiating the detection of the distance between the lamp body and the surgical site when receiving the signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator and changing the illumination according to the detected distance, unnecessary adjustments of the illumination, e.g., initiated by detecting temporarily present obstacles, can be avoided.

[0021] In a further advantageous implementation of the method, when receiving the signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator, the surgical light controller initiates detection of at least one characteristic of the illumination of the surgical site and changes the illumination by the at least one illuminant according to the at least one detected characteristic.

[0022] By initiating the detection of the characteristic of the illumination of the surgical site when receiving the signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator and changing the illumination according to the detected characteristic, unnecessary adjustments of the illumination, e.g., initiated by detecting temporarily present glaring obstacles changing the characteristic of the illumination, e.g., a light distribution, a shape, or a size of the surgical site, can be avoided.

[0023] In yet another implementation of the method, the at least one detected characteristic comprises a brightness of the surgical site.

[0024] When detecting the brightness of the surgical site when receiving the signal relating to an actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator, the brightness as an important characteristic can be adapted according to a changed position of the tabletop performed by the at least one surgical table actuator.

[0025] In a further implementation of the method, the surgical light controller (10) changes the illumination according to a type and value of the signal.

[0026] In this case, no detection of the distance between the lamp body and the surgical site or of the characteristic is necessary but the illumination can be adjusted directly to the changed position of the tabletop.

[0027] In an advantageous implementation of the method, the changing of the illumination by the at least one illuminant comprises changing of an intensity of the at least one illuminant.

[0028] By the changing of the illumination, a brightness of a surgical site can be adjusted to actions of the surgical table.

[0029] In a further advantageous implementation of the method, the at least one surgical table actuator changes a height of a tabletop of the surgical table, and the intensity of the at least one illuminant is increased upon reducing the height of the tabletop, and the intensity of the at least one illuminant is decreased upon enlarging the height of the tabletop.

[0030] Due to this feature, a direct correlation between the actuation of a surgical table actuator initiating a height adjustment of the tabletop and the change of the intensity of the surgical light is enabled. The change of the intensity of the at least one illuminant which can be adjusted according to a distance between a tabletop of the surgical table and a lamp body of the surgical light modified by the height adjustment of the tabletop enables a sufficient illumination of a surgical site in case of an enlargement of a distance between the lamp body of the surgical light and the surgical site and it enables avoiding of glaring of the surgical personnel in case of a reduction of the distance between the lamp body of the surgical light and the surgical site.

[0031] In yet a further advantageous implementation of the method, it includes the further step: changing a direction of emission of a light beam of the at least one illuminant according to the actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator.

[0032] Due to this feature, a direct correlation between the actuation of a surgical table actuator initiating a displacement of the tabletop and the change of the direction of emission of a light beam of the at least one illuminant is enabled.

[0033] In a further advantageous implementation of the method, the at least one surgical table actuator changes a height of a tabletop of the surgical table, and the direction of a light beam of the at least one illuminant is changed in order to illuminate an identical spot on the tabletop.

[0034] Due to this feature, a direct correlation between the actuation of a surgical table actuator initiating a height adjustment of the tabletop and the change of the direction of emission of a light beam of the at least one illuminant case, in particular, in case that the surgical site is illuminated by the illuminants from a position of the lamp body lateral from the surgical site and the height of the tabletop is changed by the surgical table actuator, is enabled.

[0035] By a further advantageous implementation of the method, the at least one surgical table actuator changes a horizontal position of a tabletop of the surgical table, and the direction of a light beam of the at least one illuminant is changed in order to illuminate an identical spot on the tabletop.

[0036] Due to this feature, a direct correlation between the actuation of a surgical table actuator initiating a horizontal displacement of the tabletop and the change of the direction of emission of a light beam of the at least one illuminant is enabled.

[0037] Below, the invention is elucidated by means of embodiments referring to the attached drawings.

[0038] In particular, Fig. 1shows a system comprising a surgical table and a surgical light.

[0039] Fig.1 shows a system 1 comprising a surgical table 2 and a surgical light 3. In Fig. 1, further medical apparatuses, such as monitors 18 and a camera 19 are illustrated.

[0040] The surgical table 2 comprises a tabletop 4, a surgical table controller 5 and surgical table actuators 6, 7, 8 for initiating specific functions of the surgical table 2. The surgical table actuator 6 is depicted by an up-down arrow for being illustrated as an actuator for changing a height of the tabletop 4. The surgical table actuator 7 is depicted by an arrow along a longitudinal direction of the tabletop for being illustrated as an actuator for a displacement of the tabletop 4 in a longitudinal direction thereof in order to change a horizontal position of the tabletop 4. The surgical table actuator 8 is depicted by an arrow along a transversal direction of the tabletop for being illustrated as an actuator for a displacement of the tabletop 4 in a transversal direction thereof in order to change a horizontal position of the tabletop 4. Moreover, the surgical table 2 comprises further surgical table actuators (not shown) as actuator for tilting the tabletop 4 around an axis in the transversal direction of the tabletop 4 and as actuator for tilting the tabletop 4 around an axis in the longitudinal direction. In alternative embodiments, the surgical table 2 does not comprise all of these actuators and / or comprises further actuators.

[0041] The surgical table controller 5 controls the surgical table actuators 6, 7, 8 in order to initiate motions of components of the surgical table 2. The surgical table controller 5 is provided with a surgical table controller interface 9 which is configured to be connectable to a controller of a further medical apparatus 3, 18, 19.

[0042] The controller of the further medical apparatus 3, 18, 19 is not provided as merely being a user interface but, actually, as a controller controlling functions of the further medical apparatus based on an operator input from any user interface and / or based on sensor signals to the controller of the further medical apparatus.

[0043] The surgical light 3 comprises a surgical light controller 10. The surgical light 3 is illustrated as comprising three lamp bodies 11', 11", 11"' joined to the surgical light controller 10; however, in alternative embodiments, another quantity of lamp bodies 11', 11", 11"' can be provided. In a further alternative embodiment, each of the lamp bodies 11', 11", 11"' is provided with an own surgical light controller 10, or several groups of lamp bodies 11', 11", 11"' are provided with a respective own surgical light controller 10.

[0044] The surgical light 3 comprises several illuminants 12, wherein only one of the several illuminants is illustrated and denominated with a reference sign. The illuminant 12 generates a light field in order to illuminate a spot 13 on the tabletop 4, in particular on the surgical site of a patient. Alternatively, the surgical light 3 comprises only one illuminant 12.

[0045] The surgical light 3 further comprises surgical light actuators 14. One of the surgical light actuators 14 is depicted by a bent arrow for being illustrated as a surgical light actuator for changing a direction of emission of a light beam 15 of the illuminant 12. Anyone of the illuminants 12 is provided with a surgical light actuator 14 for changing the direction of emission of its light beam 15. Alternatively, merely some of the illuminants 12 are respectively provided with one of the surgical light actuators 14. In a further alternative embodiment, none of the illuminants 12 is provided with a surgical light actuator 14. As the case may be, alternatively, the entire lamp body 11', 11", 11‴ is provided with a surgical light actuator 14 for simultaneously changing the direction of emission of all of the light beams 15 of the illuminants 12 of the lamp body 11', 11", 11‴.

[0046] Moreover, the surgical light 3 comprises a distance detection unit 20. The distance detection unit 20 is configured to determine a distance between the lamp body 11', 11", 11‴ and the surgical site. Signals of the distance detection unit 20 are transmitted to the surgical light controller 10. In alternative embodiments, the distance detection unit 20 is not provided but at least one other sensor detecting a characteristic of the illumination of the surgical site, e.g., a size or a color temperature, is provided, the at least one other sensor is provided additionally to the distance detection unit 20, or no sensor and distance detection unit are provided.

[0047] The surgical light controller 10 turns on and off and controls an intensity of the illuminants 12 of the surgical light 3. The surgical light controller 10 further controls the surgical light actuators 14 for changing the direction of emission of the light beam 15 of the illuminants 12. The surgical light controller 10 is provided with a surgical light controller interface 16 which is configured to be connectable to a controller of a further medical apparatus.

[0048] The surgical table controller 5 and the surgical light controller 10 are connected to one another and comprise a communication path 17. The communication path 17 is established via a wireless connection. The wireless connection comprises a WLAN connection. Alternatively, another wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection, or a wired communication path via cable is provided.

[0049] In use, when the surgical table controller 5 is actuated, for example, by a remote control (not shown), a respective surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8 is actuated by the surgical table controller 5. The surgical table controller 5 further transmits a signal relating to the actuation of the respective surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8 to the surgical light controller 10.

[0050] When the surgical light controller 10 receives the signal relating to the actuation of the surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8, the surgical light controller 10 initiates detection of a distance between the lamp body 11', 11", 11‴ and the surgical site and changes the illumination by the illuminant 12 according to the detected distance. Alternatively, the surgical light controller 10 initiates detection of at least one characteristic of the illumination of the surgical site and changes the illumination by the illuminant 12 according to the at least one detected characteristic. The characteristic comprises a brightness of the surgical site or, additionally or alternatively, e.g., a size of the light field or a color temperature.

[0051] The surgical light controller 10 changes the illumination by the illuminants 12 according to the actuation of the surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8 by the surgical table controller 5 according to the detected distance and / or characteristic of the illumination or, additionally or alternatively, according to a type and value of the signal, e.g., a signal indicating a direction and an amount of a height adjustment of the tabletop 4. The change of the illumination comprises changing of the intensity of the illuminants 12. The change of the illumination comprises changing the direction of emission of the light beams 15 of the illuminants 12 according to the actuation of the surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8. In an alternative embodiment, no change of the direction of emission of the light beams 15 of the illuminants 12 according to the actuation of the surgical table actuator 6, 7, 8 is provided.

[0052] In case that the height of the tabletop 4 is changed by the surgical table actuator 6, the intensity of the illuminants 12 is increased upon reducing the height of the tabletop 4 and the intensity of the illuminants 12 is decreased upon enlarging the height of the tabletop 4.

[0053] Furthermore, in particular, in case that the surgical site is illuminated by the illuminants 12 from a position of the lamp body 11', 11", 11‴ lateral from the surgical site and the height of the tabletop 4 is changed by the surgical table actuator 6, the direction of the light beams 15 of the illuminants 12 is changed in order to illuminate an identical spot 13 on the tabletop 4, in particular, on the surgical site of the patient.

[0054] Moreover, in case that the horizontal position of the tabletop 4 is changed by the surgical table actuator 7 or the surgical table actuator 8, the direction of the light beams 15 of the illuminants 12 is changed in order to illuminate the identical spot 13 on the tabletop 4, in particular, on the surgical site of the patient.

[0055] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawing and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features, which are already known in the art and may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein, and form part of the invention as long as the result falls within the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

1. A system (1) comprising: a surgical table (2) comprising a surgical table controller (5) configured to control at least one surgical table actuator (6, 7, 8) of the surgical table (2); and a surgical light (3), the surgical light (3) comprising: a surgical light controller (10) configured to turn on and off and to control an intensity of at least one illuminant (12) of the surgical light (3), wherein the surgical light controller (10) comprises a surgical light controller interface (16) configured to be connected to the surgical table controller (5) to exchange data or signals with the surgical table in order to attune a respective behavior of the surgical light and the surgical table, wherein, upon receiving a signal relating to an actuation of a surgical table actuator of the surgical table, the surgical light controller (10) is configured to initiate detection of at least one characteristic of an illumination by the surgical light (3) and change the illumination by the at least one illuminant (12) according to the at least one detected characteristic.

2. The system (1) of claim 1, wherein the surgical light (3) comprises at least one surgical light actuator (14) controlled by the surgical light controller (10) for changing a direction of emission of a light beam (15) of at least one of the at least one illuminant (12).

3. The system (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein, upon receiving a signal relating to an actuation of a surgical table actuator of the surgical table, the surgical light controller (10) is configured to initiate detection of a distance between a lamp body (11', 11", 11"') and a surgical site and to change the illumination by the at least one illuminant (12) according to the detected distance.

4. The system (1) of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein changing the illumination comprises at least one of: changing an intensity of the at least one illuminant; and, when dependent on claim 2, changing the direction of emission of light beams (15) of the at least one illuminant (12).

5. The system (1) of claim 1, wherein the surgical table controller (5) comprises a surgical table controller interface (9) configured to be connectable to the surgical light controller (10), wherein the surgical table controller (5) and the surgical light controller (10) are configured to be connected to one another, wherein the surgical table controller interface (9) and surgical light controller interface (16) comprise a communication path (17) connecting the surgical table controller interface and surgical light controller interface via cable or via wireless connection, and wherein the surgical table controller (5) is configured to transmit a signal relating to the actuation of the at least one surgical table actuator (6, 7, 8) to the surgical light controller (10).