Illuminated Suction Device Shadow Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated suction devices for surgical use suffer from non-uniform illuminance patterns and shadow formation due to the light source's placement and the suction tube's design, which hampers visualization and illumination during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An improved illuminated suction device featuring a compact illumination assembly with direct light sources mounted on a flexible circuit, positioned to emit light radially and directed toward a target area external to the suction tube, along with heat sinking members for effective heat dissipation, ensuring bright and uniform illumination without increasing the device's bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a fiber-optic light guide is used to supply illumination to the suction device, then light can be directed toward the surgical field, but the device becomes tethered to a large, heavy, expensive, non-portable AC-powered light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the external AC-powered system and integrates it directly into the suction device handle. Small LED lights are embedded in the handle, eliminating the need for fiber-optic light guides and external light sources, thereby portability and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber-optic light guide system with electronic LED lighting integrated into the device handle. This substitution eliminates the need for complex optical pathways and external power sources, reducing device complexity while maintaining illumination functionality.
2Device complexity
If an LED is installed on the suction device to provide illumination, then portability is improved, but the luminance pattern is constrained by limited LED shapes and available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional top-mounted (12 o'clock position) LED illumination to side-mounted (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions) LED illumination. This dimensional change in light source positioning enables improved luminance distribution patterns across the surgical field while maintaining device portability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of multiple LEDs at different locations (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions) around the handle rather than symmetric top-mounted placement. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes light distribution to eliminate shadows and improve illumination uniformity across the target surgical area.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light source is positioned at the top of the suction tube, then installation is simplified, but shadow formation occurs at the 6 o'clock position on the target surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light source into multiple segmented LED units positioned at different locations (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions) around the handle. This segmentation eliminates shadow formation by providing illumination from multiple angles, ensuring complete coverage of the surgical field without dark spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional illumination approach by positioning LEDs on the sides of the handle rather than at the top. This inversion of the light source location eliminates the shadow problem that occurs with top-mounted LEDs, as the side positioning allows light to illuminate the surgical field from lateral directions.
4Illumination intensity
If high-power LEDs are used to provide bright illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat dissipation becomes a critical issue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat sinking members as intermediary thermal management components between the high-power LEDs and the device housing. These heat sinks conduct and dissipate heat generated by the LEDs, enabling bright illumination while preventing overheating of the device and ensuring safe operation during surgical procedures.
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 solution provides a uniform illuminance pattern over a circular target area, eliminates shadow formation, and maintains bright illumination for an extended period without overheating, thereby enhancing surgical visualization and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat sinking member extending along a portion of the suction tube, wherein the at least one light source mounted on the flexible circuit is mechanically and thermally connected to the at least one heat sinking member
Implementation Method 2
an illumination assembly including at least one direct light source mounted on a flexible circuit and configured to emit light toward a target area external to the distal tip of the suction tube
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated suction device comprising a suction tube having a proximal end and a distal tip at a distal end thereof, an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source mounted on a flexible circuit and configured to emit light toward a target area external to the distal tip of the suction tube, and at least one heat sinking member extending along a portion of the suction tube, wherein the at least one light source mounted on the flexible circuit is mechanically and thermally connected to the at least one heat sinking member.