Biocompatible Surgical Light Emitting Element for Cavity Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical lighting systems often provide inadequate illumination during surgical procedures, particularly in deep surgical approaches or laparoscopic surgeries, leading to limited visibility and increased risk of injury.

Innovation Solution

A surgical lighting apparatus comprising a light emitting element with a substrate, a light source, an outer biocompatible layer, and a power supply, designed to provide internal illumination within surgical cavities, enhancing visibility while protecting tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If external light sources (dissecting microscope, endoscope) are used for surgical illumination, then the lighting system can be positioned outside the body, but the illumination intensity in deep surgical cavities becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensity in surgical cavityVSAvoidlighting system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting element is integrated within the outer layer that can be positioned inside the surgical cavity, creating a nested structure where the lighting system is contained within the biocompatible packaging. This allows the light source to be deep within the body while maintaining protection and biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer layer acts as an intermediary between the light emitting element and the surgical cavity environment. It protects the electronic components while allowing light transmission, enabling illumination deep within the body without direct exposure of electrical components to tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If light emitting elements are placed deep within surgical cavities, then illumination visibility improves, but the risk of tissue injury from electrical components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility in surgical cavityVSAvoidtissue injury risk from electrical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful electrical components are extracted from the surgical environment by enclosing them within the biocompatible outer layer. The light itself is extracted as the useful function while the electrical components remain isolated and protected, eliminating direct contact between electricity and tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer layer serves as an intermediary barrier that separates the light emitting element from direct tissue contact. This biocompatible packaging allows the electrical components to function while preventing harmful interactions with surgical site tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional external lighting systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but surgical precision deteriorates due to inadequate lighting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting system structureVSAvoidsurgical precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting function is segmented from the main surgical instrument and integrated as a separate light emitting element within the outer layer. This modular approach allows the lighting system to be independently optimized for precision while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Illumination intensity

If multiple light emitting elements are deployed, then illumination coverage improves, but device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light emitting elements are merged into a single integrated apparatus with shared power supply and control systems. This combining approach provides broad illumination coverage while minimizing redundant components and reducing overall power consumption compared to multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus provides improved illumination in low-light surgical environments, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing surgical precision by ensuring adequate lighting within surgical cavities.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting element defining a light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS20250090263A1Apparatus and methods for surgical lighting
Publication Date: 2025.03.20 DIGNITY HEALTH
  • US20250090263A1 patent drawing
  • US20250090263A1 patent drawing
  • US20250090263A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for surgical lighting is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light emitting element formed with a light source encapsulated within an outer layer. The outer layer includes a biocompatible material. A power supply is coupled to the light source. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that controls power from the power supply to the light source to emit light along a surgical area. The light emitting element provides enhanced illumination and other surgical advantages.