Modular Surgical Light With Standardized Functional Unit Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices are often specialized for specific applications, necessitating multiple devices to cover various needs, leading to inefficiencies in resource management and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a base body and interchangeable functional units, each with a standardized mechanical and electrical interface, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, enabling adaptation to different applications and functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If specialized lighting devices are designed for specific applications, then the lighting performance for that specific application is improved, but the number of devices required increases and resource management becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device incorporates a base body with a standardized receptacle that can accommodate multiple different functional units (spot light functional unit, flood light functional unit, surgical light functional unit). This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple specialized lighting functions by simply changing the functional unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate specialized devices while maintaining optimal performance for each specific application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized lighting devices are maintained in stock, then various applications can be covered, but resource management efficiency deteriorates and operational flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication coverageVSAvoidresource management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a single versatile lighting device with a base body that can accept different functional units through a standardized receptacle. This allows one device to cover multiple applications (spot lighting, flood lighting, surgical lighting) by changing units, improving resource management efficiency while maintaining full adaptability across different surgical and medical procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable functional units are implemented, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional adaptabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is divided into two main segments: a base body containing the light module and power supply, and interchangeable functional units containing the optical elements. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be distributed across modular components, making the system adaptable while managing complexity through clear separation of functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is designed as a universal platform with a standardized receptacle that can accommodate multiple different functional units. This universal interface simplifies the overall structure by providing a consistent mounting mechanism regardless of which functional unit is installed, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from multiple specialized mounting systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a single lighting device to be versatile and adaptable to multiple applications, reducing the need for multiple devices and enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light module (14) which emits light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

the base body be designed to be liquid-tight, so that an outer side of the base body can be disinfected without disinfectant liquid penetrating the interior of the base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

each functional unit has a mechanical interface which is designed to be substantially analogous across all functional units and which is configured to engage with a matching receptacle on the base body such that the respective functional unit is secured to the base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4621288A1Surgical light with interchangeable functional units
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 DR MACH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4621288A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621288A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621288A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device (10) comprising a base body (12), at least one light module (14) and at least two functional units (16) with mutually different functionality, which can be selectively connected to the base body (12), wherein each functional unit (16) can be connected to and detached from the base body (12) in a repeatable manner so that, as required, a predetermined functional unit (16) can be inserted into the base body (12) or replaced by another functional unit (16), wherein each functional unit (16) has a mechanical interface (20) which is designed to be substantially analogous across all functional units (16) and which is configured to engage with a matching receptacle (18) on the base body (12) such that the respective functional unit (16) is secured to the base body (12).