Surgical Retractor Lighting With Louvers to Reduce Glare and Shadows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures are hindered by glare and shadowing from overhead lighting sources, which reduce visual quality and require surgeons to reposition instruments or adjust their position, leading to increased procedural time and potential complications.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating surgical retraction device with a two-dimensional array of light-emitting elements, controlled by a single element that adjusts intensity and direction, reducing the need for ambient lighting and minimizing glare through a combination of LEDs and a louvered layer to direct light precisely onto the surgical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional surgical lights are used, then illumination is provided, but the device is large and cannot be easily positioned close to the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical lighting system is divided into multiple separate LED modules that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each module contains its own light source and can be placed close to the surgical site without requiring a large centralized housing, thus providing intense illumination while minimizing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning device with adjustable arms and mounting mechanisms serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's hand and the LED modules. This intermediary structure enables precise positioning of compact LED modules close to the surgical site while maintaining stability and adjustability, resolving the contradiction between small device size and positionability.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple separate lighting devices are used to achieve uniform illumination, then coverage is improved, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED modules are merged into a single integrated positioning device structure. The modules share common mounting mechanisms, adjustment arms, and control systems, allowing uniform illumination across the surgical site while reducing the number of separate devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate different numbers and configurations of LED modules. The same basic structure can provide focused illumination for small procedures or expanded coverage for larger surgeries, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional surgical lights are positioned close to the surgical site, then illumination quality improves, but the risk of contamination from unclean surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each LED module is enclosed in a sterile, disposable cover or housing that can be easily replaced. The compact size of the modules allows them to be individually packaged in sterile containers and maintained in a sterile state while positioned close to the surgical site, thus improving illumination quality without increasing contamination risk.
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
Enhances surgical efficiency and comfort by providing precise control over illumination, reducing glare and shadowing, thus shortening procedure time and minimizing the risk of errors.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of LED modules (220-226), each including a housing (230), a circuit board (232), a plurality of LEDs (234) mounted on the circuit board (232)
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~5A
AI summary
Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising a single control element to control an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.