Surgical Illumination Array with Louvers to Reduce Shadows
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Solution Overview
Problem
During surgical procedures, overhead lighting can create shadows and glare due to the positioning of surgical instruments and personnel, which hinders the surgeon's view of the surgical area.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating surgical device featuring an array of LEDs with anharmonic spacing and a louvered layer oriented at specific angles to direct light efficiently onto the surgical field, reducing backscatter and glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If overhead lighting is used to illuminate the surgical area, then the surgical field can be illuminated, but shadows and glare are created due to the positioning of surgical instruments and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into multiple independent LED elements arranged in an array, each contributing to the overall illumination. This segmentation allows light to come from multiple directions simultaneously, reducing the formation of shadows and glare that would occur with a single overhead light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional overhead (vertical) illumination to a distributed array of light sources positioned in proximity to the surgical site. This spatial redistribution creates illumination from multiple angular dimensions, eliminating the shadowing problem inherent in single-direction overhead lighting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surgical instruments are repositioned or overhead lighting is adjusted to avoid shadowing, then the view of the surgical area is improved, but surgical efficiency is reduced due to the need for continuous adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination array is pre-positioned in proximity to the surgical site before the procedure begins. The multiple light sources are预先 arranged to provide omnidirectional illumination, eliminating the need for intra-procedure adjustments of lighting or instrument repositioning to avoid shadows.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides primary illumination, reduces shadows, minimizes glare, and maintains consistent lighting throughout the procedure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustments that would otherwise be required.
3Illumination intensity
If tightly directed light from overhead sources is used to illuminate the surgical area, then the illumination intensity is increased, but optical artifacts such as shadowing and glare are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each LED element in the array provides localized illumination with specific intensity characteristics. The collective arrangement of these elements creates a distributed illumination field that maintains high intensity in the surgical area while preventing the concentration of light that causes optical artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of intense directed light (which causes glare and shadows) into a benefit by distributing that intensity across multiple sources. The same total light output that would create artifacts from a single source instead provides artifact-free illumination when distributed across the array.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a wearable headlight is used to provide illumination, then the surgeon's view is improved, but the complexity of the surgical setup is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination array is integrated with or positioned as part of the surgical instrument assembly itself, merging the lighting function with the surgical tool. This eliminates the need for separate wearable headlights while maintaining clear illumination without obstructing the surgeon's view.
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 device provides consistent, diffuse illumination of the surgical area, reducing the need for repositioning instruments or adjusting lighting, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing eye strain.
Implementation Method 1
an array of louvered devices to direct light from individual illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements toward a target surgical field
Implementation Method 2
a top side of one or more louvers of an array of louvered devices may be coated with a light-absorbing coating to reduce backscatter illumination from adjacent illuminating elements
Implementation Method 3
illuminating elements of the array of illuminating elements utilize light emitting diodes and/or organic light emitting diodes having a color temperature approximately in the range of 6500 degrees Kelvin to 7500 degrees Kelvin
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.