LED Examination Light with Adjustable Spot and Auto-Intensity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary examination lights are cumbersome, generate excessive heat, have limited lifespan, and lack the necessary intensity and uniformity for healthcare procedures, often obstructing the view and increasing clutter in examination rooms.
Innovation Solution
An LED-based examination light with adjustable spot size and auto-intensity control, mounted directly to examination chairs or tables, featuring a recessed power switch and a controller to maintain light intensity across varying spot sizes, reducing heat generation and enhancing ergonomics and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If halogen bulbs are used to provide illumination, then light intensity is sufficient, but heat generation becomes excessive and lifespan is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental illumination parameter from halogen bulb to LED light source, which fundamentally alters the thermal characteristics while maintaining adequate light intensity for medical examinations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generation of halogen bulbs into a beneficial feature by using LED technology that generates minimal heat, eliminating the need for complex cooling systems and improving patient and provider comfort during prolonged examinations
2Illumination intensity
If halogen bulbs are used to provide illumination, then light intensity is sufficient, but lifespan becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source technology from halogen to LED, which extends operational lifespan from thousands of hours to tens of thousands of hours while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity for medical procedures
3Temperature
If light source is placed in the base away from provider and patient, then heat is reduced at illumination site, but device complexity increases due to transmission components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the inherent low heat generation of LED technology to eliminate the need for heat transmission management, allowing direct placement of the light source at the illumination site without requiring fiber optic bundles or other transmission components
4Area of stationary object
If spot size is increased to illuminate larger area, then coverage is improved, but light intensity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable spot size functionality with multiple illumination modes (spot, semi-spot, flood) that allow dynamic adaptation between concentrated intense light and distributed coverage based on examination requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses LED technology's high luminous efficacy to maintain sufficient light intensity across multiple spot size configurations, unlike halogen bulbs where intensity inevitably drops as spot size increases
5Length of moving object
If examination light is mounted on wall or ceiling, then reach is improved, but accessibility and sterility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical wall/ceiling mounting to horizontal examination table mounting, changing the spatial dimension and allowing the light to be positioned directly over the patient while maintaining sterility and accessibility
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 LED light provides consistent and uniform illumination with a long lifespan, reducing heat and clutter, while maintaining intensity and accessibility, enhancing the healthcare provider's ability to focus on procedures without the constraints of traditional halogen bulbs.
Implementation Method 1
The light includes an LED light source
Data Source
AI summary
A light is provided having a base unit, an arm extending from the base unit, and a lamp head coupled to the arm. The lamp head includes an LED configured to provide light based on an input drive current, an optical mixing element configured to collect the light produced by the LED and a zoom lens configured to adjust an output size of a spot generated by the light collected in the mixing element. A controller receives DC power from the base unit through the arm. The controller is configured to set the input drive current for the LED to control an output light density of the spot in response to an operator selected input and configured to adjust the output light density of the spot in response to a change in the size of the spot.