Surgical Lighthead Distance Sensor Abnormality Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems in surgical environments face challenges in detecting and compensating for abnormalities such as blockages and incorrect positioning between light sources and targets without relying on photosensors and lighting filters, which can impact luminance consistency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a lighthead with distance sensors to measure distances to surfaces, a controller to determine the true distance to the target by correcting measured distances, and adjust light emission accordingly to compensate for abnormalities, ensuring consistent illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photosensors and lighting filters are used to detect and compensate for illumination abnormalities, then the system can identify blockages and positioning errors, but the luminance consistency deteriorates due to the impact of photosensors and filters on the illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the illumination path by using distance sensors instead of photosensors. The distance sensors measure the distance to the target surface without being part of the light path, thereby eliminating the interference that photosensors and filters would cause to the illumination quality while still enabling abnormality detection through distance variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces distance sensors as an intermediary measurement tool that indirectly detects illumination abnormalities by measuring distance changes rather than directly detecting light. This intermediary approach allows abnormality detection without the photosensors needing to be in the direct illumination path, thus maintaining luminance consistency
2Reliability
If the system uses multiple sensors and complex control mechanisms to detect and compensate for abnormalities, then the detection capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the distance sensors serve multiple functions: they not only measure the distance to the target surface for positioning information but also enable abnormality detection by analyzing distance variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each detection task, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing distance measurement capability to automatically detect illumination abnormalities without requiring additional specialized sensors. The controller analyzes the distance data already being collected and automatically compensates for abnormalities by adjusting light module intensities, creating a self-service system that reduces complexity
3Illumination intensity
If the system automatically adjusts light intensity to compensate for abnormalities, then the illumination consistency improves, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs distance measurements and abnormality detections at periodic intervals rather than continuously. The controller measures distances, detects abnormalities, and adjusts light intensities in periodic cycles based on the measured distance variations. This periodic operation maintains illumination consistency while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous adjustment
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
Automatically detects and compensates for abnormalities, maintaining optimal illumination without the need for photosensors or lighting filters, thereby ensuring reliable lighting in surgical environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the lighting modules includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance from the lighting module to a surface toward which the lighting module is pointed
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for identification of abnormalities related to illumination of a target and automatic compensation therefor includes a lighthead and a controller. The lighthead is configured to illuminate the target. The lighthead includes a plurality of lighting modules configured to emit light therefrom. Each of the lighting modules includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance from the lighting module to a surface toward which the lighting module is pointed. The controller is configured to identify one or more abnormalities of the measured distances, determine a true distance from the lighthead to the target based on the measured distances, predict an amount of illumination based on the true distance that would be supplied to the target without the identified abnormalities, and compensate for the identified abnormalities by respectively adjusting an amount of light emitted from the lighting modules to illuminate the target according to the predicted amount of illumination.