Detachable Surgical Light Handle With Tactile Button Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical lighting systems face issues with capacitive sensors that are susceptible to unintended activation and lack tactile feedback, necessitating the use of disposable handles to maintain sterility and requiring additional sterile covers.

Innovation Solution

A detachable handle assembly with integrated physical actuating buttons and tactile feedback, allowing for sterilization and eliminating the need for disposable covers, while providing control over lighthead functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If capacitive sensors are used to control lighting functions, then the control interface is modern and integrated, but the sensors are susceptible to unintended activation and lack tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol interfaceVSAvoidactivation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces capacitive sensors with mechanical push buttons that have physical contact elements. This substitution provides tangible tactile feedback to the user and eliminates unintended activation caused by capacitive sensitivity, while maintaining the integrated control interface functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates tactile feedback through physical button presses and audible click mechanisms. When a user presses a button, they receive immediate sensory confirmation of the activation, improving operational reliability and preventing unintended controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If a permanently mounted control handle is used, then the control interface is integrated, but a sterile cover or sterilizable handle cover adapter is required to maintain a sterile field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol integrationVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control handle into separate sterilizable components (handle body, control buttons, sterile drape interface). This segmentation allows the handle to be sterilized independently and attached to the sterile drape without requiring complex sterile covers or adapters, simplifying sterility maintenance while preserving integrated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a disposable detachable control handle is used, then sterility is maintained, but tactile feedback and reliable activation are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidtactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces disposable capacitive controls with reusable mechanical push buttons that provide tactile feedback. The mechanical contact elements engage with corresponding switches, giving users sensory confirmation of activation while maintaining sterility through proper handle design and sterilization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3737330B1Handle assembly for a surgical lighting system

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 AMERICAN STERILIZER CO

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AI summary

A handle assembly comprised of a base and a detachable handle that mounts to the base. The base includes integrated electronics, such as switches. The detachable handle includes buttons for activating the switches.