Surgical Lighthead Marker Lights for Precise Aiming and Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical lighting systems lack mechanisms to precisely indicate the center of the light beam pattern and optimal focus distance, leading to sub-optimal illumination and user discomfort due to eye fatigue, especially when multiple lightheads are used, and surgical cameras are difficult to aim without true reference or orientation.
Innovation Solution
An aiming and status indicator system with marker lights and sensors that provide visual feedback on the geometric center of lighthead and camera beams, indicating focus and aiming status without requiring users to look away from the work area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple lightheads are used to illuminate the same work area, then illumination coverage is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine the center of each light beam pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces marker lights as intermediary visual elements that project onto the work area to indicate the center of each light beam pattern. These markers serve as mediators between the lighthead and the user, providing clear visual reference points without requiring the user to look away from the surgical site. The marker lights are positioned at the geometric center of each light beam pattern and remain visible throughout the surgical procedure.
2Measurement precision
If the lighthead is physically relocated to determine beam center, then center identification is improved, but operation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The marker lights are pre-positioned and continuously visible on the work area before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary placement of reference markers eliminates the need for users to perform time-consuming physical relocation of lightheads during the procedure to determine beam centers. The markers are already in place and remain stable throughout the surgery.
3Illumination intensity
If high intensity light output is used, then illumination quality is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine proper aiming and focus status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded marker lights to communicate aiming and focus status. Different colors indicate different states: for example, green markers indicate proper focus and aiming, while red or yellow markers indicate misalignment or incorrect focus distance. This color-coding system allows users to quickly assess the status of each lighthead without reducing intensity, maintaining high illumination quality while providing clear status information.
4Measurement precision
If users look away from the work area to determine beam center, then center determination is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to eye fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The marker lights serve as intermediary reference points that remain fixed on the work area, allowing users to maintain their gaze on the surgical site while still being able to identify beam centers. Instead of looking away from the work area, users can simply locate the colored markers within their field of view, eliminating the need to shift attention away from the surgical field and reducing eye fatigue.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aiming and status indicator system for surgical lightheads, cameras, and other lighting system accessory devices. The system includes a plurality of marker lights mounted to a housing for the accessory device. Each marker light produces a respective marker light beam that is directed towards a work area (surgical site) to provide a marker indicator pattern. The marker indicator patterns can be used to indicate the boresight of a lighthead or camera, whether a lighthead is in a focused or unfocused condition, and status information associated with the lighting system.