Surgical Illumination Device with Stray Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination devices for surgical instruments risk uncontrolled light emission, particularly when the light guiding cable is not properly connected to the surgical instrument, posing safety hazards for medical staff, and require additional electrical components and sensors for safety circuits.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a light guiding cable comprising a main and secondary fiber bundle, where the secondary bundle detects stray light reflections to confirm proper connection to the surgical instrument before allowing the primary light source to activate, eliminating the need for electrical cables and external sensors, and enabling safe operation with a processor-controlled light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guiding cable is used to transport light from an illumination source to the surgical instrument, then the illumination can be provided at the surgical site, but uncontrolled light emission may occur at the free end of the cable when not properly connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the presence or absence of a surgical instrument at the free end of the light guiding cable and communicates this information back to the illumination device. The processor uses this feedback signal to control the illumination source, ensuring it only operates when properly connected to a surgical instrument, thus preventing uncontrolled light emission while maintaining illumination at the surgical site
2Reliability
If a sensor and electrical cable are integrated into the light guiding cable to detect connection status, then safety is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by placing the sensor and processing electronics in the illumination device rather than integrating them into the light guiding cable itself. The light guiding cable remains a simple optical component, while the illumination device serves as the intermediary that detects connection status and controls the illumination source based on this detection, thus maintaining safety without complicating the cable structure
3Temperature
If the illumination source is positioned distant from the surgical instrument to reduce heat generation, then safety is improved, but light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct thermal management concerns with an optical transmission solution. Instead of worrying about heat dissipation from the illumination source, the system uses a light guiding cable (optical transmission medium) to transport light from the distant illumination source to the surgical instrument. This substitution of mechanical/thermal considerations with optical transmission efficiently delivers light energy while keeping the heat-generating source away from the surgical site
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
Enhances work safety by ensuring that the primary light source, including lasers, only activates when the light guiding cable is correctly connected, reducing the risk of uncontrolled light emission and simplifying the manufacturing process by using only optical components.
Implementation Method 1
A light guiding cable typically comprises of a fiber bundle of many single glass fibers and is covered by a plastic or a rubber cladding to protect the fiber bundle
Implementation Method 2
the secondary fiber bundle detects stray light reflections to confirm proper connection to the surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device including an illumination source having a light source; a sensor; and a processor; and a light guiding cable having main and secondary fiber bundles. The light guiding cable comprises a first end coupled to the illumination source and an opposite second end configured for coupling with a surgical instrument such that the light source provides the surgical instrument with light from the light source. The first end is coupled to the illumination source such that light from the light source is coupled into the main fiber bundle and light guided in the secondary fiber bundle is directed to the sensor. The processor receives a signal from the sensor indicative of an illumination level at the sensor and generates a control signal if the illumination level of the sensor is above a predetermined threshold value.