Handheld Surgical Light with Retractable Smoke Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical lighting devices, especially those integrated with handheld electrosurgical instruments, face challenges such as bulkiness, ergonomic issues, constant repositioning needs, and safety hazards due to heat generation and shadowing effects, while also lacking effective smoke evacuation systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered lighting device with a built-in smoke evacuation system that includes a smoke evacuation passage within or outside the housing, connected to a suction source via a tube, featuring a nozzle assembly for optimal smoke capture and a filter element to ensure clear visibility and safe surgical environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an integral light source is included in the handheld electrosurgical instrument, then the lighting function is improved, but the device becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is separated from the electrosurgical instrument, allowing the instrument to remain compact while the lighting function is provided by a separate attachable unit. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for an integral light source in the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld electrosurgical instrument is designed to be compatible with multiple attachments including lighting devices and smoke evacuation systems. This multi-functionality allows the instrument to serve multiple purposes without requiring all functions to be integrated into a single bulky unit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an integral smoke evacuation conduit is included in the handheld electrosurgical instrument, then the smoke evacuation function is improved, but the device becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The smoke evacuation system is separated from the electrosurgical instrument as a detachable attachment. This allows the instrument to remain compact while providing smoke evacuation functionality through a separate conduit that can be attached when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoke evacuation conduit is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the instrument, allowing it to be in use only when smoke evacuation is required. This dynamic configuration reduces the permanent bulk of the instrument while maintaining the capability for smoke evacuation.
3Illumination intensity
If corded lighting devices are used, then the lighting function is provided, but the user cannot manipulate the tool with precision in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is extracted from any corded configuration and provided as a battery-powered portable unit. This eliminates cables that would restrict movement and allow the user to manipulate the tool with precision in confined spaces while maintaining adequate lighting.
4Illumination intensity
If the lighting device is positioned close to the surgical site, then the illumination effectiveness is improved, but the hands/tools of the surgeon block the light and cast a shadow
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is positioned asymmetrically on the side of the electrosurgical instrument, offset from the central axis. This asymmetric placement allows light to be directed at the surgical site from an angle that avoids casting shadows from the surgeon's hands and tools, while maintaining close proximity for effectiveness.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If a smoke evacuation system is added to the lighting device, then the smoke evacuation function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed with universal attachment capabilities that accommodate both lighting and smoke evacuation functions through a common interface. This multi-functionality allows the same attachment mechanism to serve dual purposes, reducing the increase in device complexity while maintaining both smoke evacuation and lighting functions.
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 compact, ergonomic, and safe lighting system that effectively evacuates surgical smoke, reducing shadows and heat-related hazards, enhancing surgical precision and safety by integrating smoke evacuation directly into the lighting device.
Implementation Method 1
battery powered lighting assembly for illuminating a surgical site
Implementation Method 2
The lighting assembly includes a printed circuit board with embedded LED light sources
Implementation Method 3
smoke evacuation passage associated therewith that extends from an inlet located adjacent, near or proximate to the distal end portion of the housing to an outlet located adjacent, near or proximate to the proximal end portion of the housing for removing smoke generated at the surgical site
Implementation Method 4
a filter element to ensure clear visibility and safe surgical environments
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for attachment to a handheld electrosurgical instrument is disclosed, which includes an elongated housing having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining an interior chamber containing a battery powered lighting assembly for illuminating a surgical site, the housing having a smoke evacuation tube associated therewith for removing smoke generated at the surgical site, wherein the smoke evacuation tube is adapted and configured to extend and retract relative to the distal end portion of the housing to accommodate different length end effectors associated with the handheld electrosurgical instrument.