Head-Mounted LED Light with Adjustable Iris for Spot Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted lights lack the ability to adjust spot size while maintaining brightness and beam uniformity, which is necessary for procedures requiring smaller light beams, such as ENT procedures.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted LED light with an integrated adjustable iris that allows users to manually control the aperture size, varying the spot size from 0.5 to 10 cm at a working distance of 12 to 24 inches, using a rotatable ring and a combination of beam-forming optical elements like a singlet lens and a doublet lens without an intervening condensing optical element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed aperture is used in head-mounted LED lights, then the device structure is simple, but the spot size cannot be adjusted for different procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing an adjustable iris mechanism that allows the aperture size to be dynamically changed during operation. The iris assembly includes movable blades that can be positioned at different openings to vary the spot size from 0.5 to 10 cm, transforming a static light delivery system into a dynamic one that adapts to different procedural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the housing into multiple functional components: a first housing containing the LED and iris assembly, and a second housing containing the beam-forming optical elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and facilitates the integration of the adjustable iris mechanism without complicating the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable iris is added to change spot size, then spot size variability is improved, but the brightness and uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by positioning the adjustable iris between the LED light source and the beam-forming optical elements. This intermediate placement allows the iris to control the aperture size while the downstream optical elements (aspherical condensing lens, singlet lens, and doublet lens) act as mediators to reshape and uniformize the light beam, ensuring that brightness and uniformity are maintained across different spot sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a combination of optical elements with specific focal lengths and designs (aspherical condensing lens with -25mm focal length, singlet lens with +50mm focal length, and doublet lens with -75mm focal length) to compensate for the effects of aperture changes. These optical parameters are optimized to maintain beam uniformity and brightness across the full range of adjustable spot sizes.
3Illumination intensity
If beam-forming optical elements are used to maintain beam characteristics, then beam uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple optical functions into a compact second housing assembly. The aspherical condensing lens, singlet lens, and doublet lens are integrated in sequence within this housing, allowing the system to achieve complex beam shaping and uniformity control in a single integrated unit rather than as separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enables precise adjustment of the light spot size to accommodate different medical procedures, maintaining brightness and uniformity, thereby improving visualization in patient cavities and orifices.
Implementation Method 1
A power cord extends through the rear portion of the housing and connects to a light-emitting diode (LED) positioned within the interior of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of beam-forming optical elements includes a beam-dispersing element and a beam-focusing element. The beam-dispersing element may be a singlet lens
Implementation Method 3
the beam-focusing element may comprise a doublet lens. The light from the LED strikes the beam-dispersing element directly without an intervening condensing optical element
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable light includes a user-adjustable spot size. Light from an LED travels through beam-forming optical elements supported at the front opening of a housing to form a spot of light at a working distance. An adjustable iris, situated between the LED and the beam forming optical elements, enables a user to adjust the iris and vary the size of the aperture and the spot size of the light at the working distance. The manually operated iris size control may comprise a rotatable ring on the exterior of the housing, and the plurality of beam-forming optical elements may comprise a singlet lens followed by a doublet lens. The light from the LED strikes the beam-dispersing element directly without an intervening condensing optical element (i.e., condensing lens). The assembly further includes a mechanical connector adapted to couple the housing to a pair of eyeglass frames, headband or other head-worn structure.