Flexible Surgical Illumination Device for Deep Cavity Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination devices for surgical procedures, such as overhead lights and headlamps, fail to provide adequate and uniform lighting, especially in deep and narrow body cavities, leading to difficulties in visualization and anatomical structure identification due to limited light penetration and ergonomic discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elongated illumination device with a movable illumination module and control module, allowing for customizable positioning within the surgical space, providing homogenous and uniform lighting without attachment to surgical instruments, and capable of maintaining the illumination position using a flexible cable that can bend and adjust to the body cavity shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If overhead surgical light apparatus is used, then illumination is provided in the surgical space, but the illumination cannot reach deep and narrow body cavities due to blocking objects and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is divided into separate components: a flexible elongated member that can be inserted into body cavities, an illumination module at the distal end for localized lighting, and a control module at the proximal end for operation. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned deep within body cavities independent of the control interface, solving the problem of reaching inaccessible areas while maintaining ease of control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from overhead illumination (vertical dimension) to endoscopic illumination (longitudinal dimension along the flexible member). The flexible elongated member can be inserted through incisions or natural orifices to deliver light directly to deep body cavities, adding a new spatial dimension for illumination that bypasses the limitations of overhead lighting geometry.
2Ease of operation
If head-mounted lighting device is used, then portable illumination is provided, but the illumination position shifts when the surgeon moves their head
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elongated member acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's control inputs and the illumination module. The control module remains outside the body cavity while the illumination module at the distal end is positioned within the target area. This intermediary structure decouples the surgeon's position from the illumination position, allowing stable lighting of the surgical site regardless of surgeon movement.
3Illumination intensity
If headlamp with focused illumination is used, then one specific area is clearly illuminated, but surrounding body tissues remain poorly lit when surgeon looks away
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination module can be dynamically repositioned along the flexible elongated member by the surgeon through manual manipulation of the proximal end. This dynamic positioning capability allows the focused illumination to adapt to different surgical sites and body cavities, providing both intense localized lighting and versatile coverage across multiple anatomical regions throughout the surgical procedure.
4Illumination intensity
If lighting device attached to surgical instrument is used, then assistive lighting is provided at surgical site, but the light direction is restricted by the instrument's position
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elongated member is constructed from flexible materials that allow it to bend and conform to various body cavity geometries. This flexibility enables the illumination module to be positioned and oriented in multiple directions within the body cavity, providing adaptable lighting coverage that is not constrained by rigid instrument attachment points or fixed light directions.
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 device ensures improved visualization in deep and narrow body cavities by providing stable, uniform illumination across a wide angle, reducing ergonomic strain and enhancing surgical precision without the limitations of conventional lighting methods.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible elongated member (20) having a proximal end portion (20a) and a distal end portion (20b)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an illumination device for illuminating a body cavity in a surgical space during a surgical procedure. The illumination device comprises: a flexible elongated member comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an illumination module disposed at the distal end portion of the flexible elongated member, the illumination module comprising a set of lighting elements for emitting light; and a control module disposed at the proximal end portion of the flexible elongated member, the control module comprising a set of user input elements for controlling the set of lighting elements of the illumination module, wherein the illumination module is moveable with the flexible elongated member to an illumination position in the surgical space, such that light from the set of lighting elements is emitted into the body cavity for illumination thereof; and wherein the flexible elongated member is configurable for maintaining the illumination module at said illumination position in the surgical space when the control module is disposed on a fixed structure.