Surgical Light Controller Using Camera Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical lights require manual adjustment by medical personnel, which can be cumbersome and divert attention from the surgical task, especially in large-area surgical fields or when dealing with complex procedures.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that uses a camera to capture images of the operating field and generate control signals to adjust the direction, spectral properties, size, or shape of the light based on the position, movement, or gestures of medical staff, allowing for hands-free operation of the surgical light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical lights are manually adjusted by medical personnel, then the light position can be adapted to the surgical field, but the medical staff's attention is diverted from the surgical task
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical light system automatically adjusts its own position and illumination parameters based on images captured by the camera. The control device processes the images and generates control signals that move the light and adjust its properties without requiring manual intervention from medical staff, enabling the system to serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a camera to continuously capture images of the surgical field and the positions of medical staff. These images are fed back to the control device, which processes them to determine optimal light positioning and adjustment, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically adapts to changing surgical conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If surgical lights are manually adjusted during operation, then illumination can be optimized, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A camera serves as an intermediary device that captures visual information about the surgical field and staff positions. The control device acts as another intermediary that processes this visual data and translates it into motor control signals, bridging the gap between simple image capture and complex light adjustment without requiring direct manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses image processing and electronic signal generation. Instead of direct mechanical manipulation of the light position by hand, the system uses cameras and control algorithms to drive motors that adjust the light, substituting mechanical manual operation with an automated electromechanical system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If medical personnel adjust the light manually, then the light can be repositioned, but the risk of shadows from medical personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera continuously monitors the positions of medical staff and the surgical field, providing real-time feedback to the control device. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when staff members are positioned in ways that may create shadows and automatically adjust the light position to eliminate these shadows while maintaining optimal illumination of the surgical field.
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
This solution simplifies the handling of surgical lights, allowing medical staff to focus on their tasks without adjusting the lighting, ensuring optimal illumination and reducing the risk of shadows from medical personnel.
Implementation Method 1
an image of the operating field is captured by a camera and an image signal is generated
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (60) for controlling an operating light (40) for generating light to illuminate an operating field (14) comprises an image signal input (61) for receiving an image signal from a camera (43) for capturing an image of an operating field (14) and a control signal output (63) for outputting a control signal to the operating light (40) to control at least one direction, intensity, or spectral property of the light, or one size or shape of the area illuminated by the light. The controller (60) is configured to detect the hand area of medical personnel and to generate the control signal based on the image signal and output it at the control signal output (63).