US3786244A

US3786244A - Surgical lamp

Info

Publication number: US3786244A
Application number: US00293930A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Hutter
Original assignee: Physical Systems Inc
Current assignee: Physical Systems Inc
Priority date: 1972-10-02
Filing date: 1972-10-02
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15
Also published as: FR2201426A1; GB1432995A; JPS4971786A; FR2201426B1; JPS5347637B2; DE2327415C2; CA1008426A; DE2327415A1; BE800285A; AU5611573A

Abstract

A lamp of the type used in surgical operating rooms comprising a Fresnel lens surrounding a light source for forming a substantially plane beam, a lens having vertically extending cylindrical lenticulations thereon surrounding the Fresnel lens for dividing the plane beam into a multiplicity of outwardly extending beams, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on a ring which surrounds the lenticular lens for reflecting the outwardly extending beams to form a cone of light.

Description

Q United States Patent [191 [111 3,786,244 Hutter, III Jan. 15, 197-4 1 1 SURGICAL LAMP 1,842,855 1/1932 Bcnard 240 14 )4 2,433,982 l/l948 Clarkson, Jr. et al. 240/4115 X [75] Inventor Guides Huue'i Hollywood 2,665,369 1 1954 Greppin i i 4. 240 14 callf- 3,075,071 1/1963 Lauterbach 240/14 [73] Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc., Hollywood,

C lif Primary Examiner-Richard M. Sheen AttorneyWarren L. Patton et al. [22] Flledz Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 293,930 [57] ABSTRACT e [52] U.S. C1. 240/1.4, 240/41.15 A l mp of t yp used i rgi p r ing r ms [51] Int. Cl. A61g 13/00, F21v 33/00 comprising a Fresnel lens Surrounding a light source A61b/1/06; for forming a substantially plane beam, a lens having 58 Field of Search 240/41.1 vertically extending Cylindrical lenticulations thereon 240/1 4 41' 3 41 4 92,93,106 1 surrounding the Fresnel lens for dividing the plane beam. into a multiplicity of outwardly extending 56] References Cited beams, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on a ring UNITED STATES PATENTS which surrounds the lenticular lens for reflecting the outwardly extending beams to form a cone of light. 2,215,634 9/1940 Collins et a1 240/1.4 1 1 3,221,162 11/1965 Heenan et al 240/106 R X 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures f L 30 f6 34 l 50 PATENTEDJAN 1 51914 saw 2 m 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is readily apparent that a surgeon performing an operation on a patient needs a light of generally high and substantially constant intensity, one that can readily be adjusted to the desired location and direction, while still leaving the surgeon ample room in which to operate. Additionally, it is very desirablethat the light be one that is essentially shadowless so that the area to be worked upon does not suffer a sudden decrease in illumination as the' surgeon moves his hands or a scalpel towards the area.

The problem is not 'a new one, since W. L. Patterson was granted US. Pat. Nos. 1,277,109 to 1,277,111 on Aug. 27, 1918, for OPERATING TABLE ILLUMI NATOR, and since then, others have continued in this field so that we have the patent to Verain, No. 1,403,139, granted Jan. 10, 1922, the patent to Martin, No. 1,978,907, granted Oct. 30, 1934, and the patent to Trippert, granted Mar. 26, 1968, No. 3,375,362. While all of these patents have been directed toward the same end, they have failed to find consistent use in operating rooms in this country.

Some of the problems have been in the design of the lamp, which has failed to provide a sufficiently intense and sufficiently shadowless illumination. Other designs have failed to provide a sufficiently cool light which is most important both for the surgeon and the patient.

While the present invention is referred to as a surgical lamp or an operating room lamp, it will be understood that it is not restricted to such uses, and may be used'wherever a high intensity, shadowless light is desired. For example, the light may advantageously be employed by physicians and dentists in the process of making examinations, and by those in other trades and professions, such as engravers, etc.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention comprises a lighting fixture having a centrally located, high intensity lamp surrounded by a cylindrical member with a Fresnel lens incorporated therein, both being enclosed within a shell having lenticular elements therein whereby the light from the central source is projected outwardly in a predetermined manner. Surrounding the central light source and at a much greater distance from it is a ringlike member having a number of mirrors thereon that receive the light from the central source and direct it downwardly in a generally cone-shaped pattern to the operating surface. Since the light is coming from all sides by reason of the cone-shaped pattern, a finger or scalpel held just a few' inches above the illuminated surface will not cast a shadow, but instead the surface will be substantially evenly illuminated, providing the desired shadowless lighting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the installation and use of the improved surgical light;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction and action of the reflector ring;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the central light source and the surrounding refracting members;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the surgical lamp, illustrating the general arrangement of the various parts;

FIG. 5 shows the use of a slotted ear to provide the quick removal feature of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the counterbalancing and method of supporting the lamp structure for rotation about three perpendicular axes; and

FIG. 7 shows the general arrangement of the reflecting ring and light source, as well as the general arrangement of the various lens elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORM In an operating room it is generally preferable to have the principal operating room lights mounted from the ceiling so that there can be complete freedom of movement about the room. Other mountings may be used, such as stands, etc., but in general, the principal light sources are usually ceiling mounted. For the same reasons, itis generally important that the lamps be capable of movement through 360 in azimuth, and through approximately 180 in elevation. 1

Thus, as indicated in FIG. 1, a lamp 10 is provided with a mounting 11 attached to the operating room ceiling 12. The mounting 11 is one that provides for substantially universal movement, so that the lamp can be positioned to shine its light downwardly onto the operating plane. While the mounting l 1 may take any desired form, one suitable form is illustrated in FIG. 6, where it will be seen that a generally tubular, L- shaped member 14, attached to a ceiling connection 16 for rotation in azimuth, has a coupling 18 provided at its lower vertical end. The coupling 18 includes an outer member 20 having a central spherically-shaped aperture 22 adapted to receive and hold a generally spherical member 24 for rotation in both azimuth and elevation. The spherical member 24 is concentric with a tubular support 26 to which the lamp 10 is attached at one end, and to which a counter-weight 28 is attached at the other end. To provide for additional freedom of movement, the housing 20 is rotatably attached to the upper tubular member 14 for movement about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis. of the lower tubular member 26. Thisconnection 30 may be any suitable form of connection, and in the drawing, it is illustrated as a simple sleeve and shaft bearing.

With the counter-weight 28 to balance the lamp 10, the lamp and itssupport are stable and will remain in any position in which the lamp is placed. This, of course, is quite important, since it is necessary that the surgeonbe able to rely upon the constant positioning of the light source, once that source has been properly adjusted. While the support herein described is quite satisfactory for the intended purpose, it is to be understood that other supports are available and satisfactory, and the invention is'not to be limited to the use of this particular support.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lamp 10 includes a central housing 32 and a spaced surrounding ring 34. The inner and lower surface of the ring 34 is covered with a series of reflectors 36, as hereinafter described, whose function isto receive the light from the light source within the central portion 32, and re-direct that light downwardly and inwardly as indicated in FIG. 4. The ring 34 is connected to the central housing 32 by radially extending arms 38, while handles 40 are attached to the ring or the radial arms to aid in positioning the lamp 10.

Within the central housing 32 are the light source and the various optical elements that provide the particularly defined beam of light. This construction is best illustrated in FIG. 3, where it will be seen that the lower end of the housing 32 is provided with an internally threaded sleeve 42 adapted to receive a generally cupshaped lenticular member 44 having threads 46 at its upper end adapted to engage the corresponding threads of the sleeve 42. The exterior of the lenticular member 44 is essentially smooth, but the interior is provided with vertically extending cylindrical lenticulations 48 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Centrally located within the lenticular member 44 is the light bulb 50, preferably of a class known as a xenon short are lamp. Such a lamp, which is commercially available, produces a very intense light that is concentrated in a very small volume, and provides what may be considered as a point source of light. The lower end of the lamp bulb is supported by a spider S2 to which the lower contact 54 of the lamp is held, as by a threaded nut. Connection is made from the spider 52 by a conductor 56 extending upwardly inside the lenticular member 44 to a centering holder 58 from whence connection is made to a contact at the upper end of the sleeve 42.

The centering holder 58 supports a sub-assembly including the lamp 50, the spider 52, a Fresnel lens 60, and other elements. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, the centering holder 58 is generally a frusto-conical member having its inner periphery bend inwardly to receive and hold the upper end of a cylindrical Fresnel member 60 that is coaxial with the bulb 50 and with the lenticular member 44. Also attached to the inner periphery of the centring holder 58 is a ring member'62 extending inwardly and upwardly from the centering connector and holding an insulating sleeve 64 at its upper end. The insulating sleeve 64 holds a pierced block 66 that holds the upper end of the bulb 50 and provides an electrical connection from the lamp through the block to a contact 68 on the upper end of the block. It will be noted that the centering holder 58 is provided with apertures 76 through which a stream of air passes to enter the space within the lenticular member 44 and this air passes over the bulb 50 and out the apertures 72 in the pierced block 66. In this way, a longer operating life of the lamp is secured and the problem of heat dissipation is reduced.

Surrounding the lenticular member 44 is an outer protective shell 70 held to the lower end of the sleeve 42 by any suitable means, such as the bayonet connection 74 shown in FIG. 5. This outer protective shell 70 acts to prevent any glass or other material from being showered onto the patient or surgeon in the event that the envelope of the bulb 50 explodes, or some other element within the shell breaks.

To replace the bulb 50, the protective shell 70 is first removed by rotating the shell so that the bayonet catch 74 is disengaged, whereupon the shell may be pulled off. The lenticular member 44 is then unscrewed from the threaded sleeve 42, and when the lenticular member is removed, the centering holder 58 comes with it, thus carrying the bulb 50, the Fresnel cylinder 60, the cylinder 64, and the pierced block 66. Normally, the entire assembly, consisting of the lenticular member 44 and all the elements associated with it, will be replaced when the bulb 50 is replaced, since the bulb does get quite warm in operation and it is preferable to work with cool elements when inserting the lenticular member in operating position. In addition, it is generally faster to replace the subassembly than to attempt to replace the individual bulb 50.

OPTICS As previously mentioned, the bulb 50 acts generally like a point source of light and radiates light in substantially all directions, except along and immediately adjacent its longitudinal axis. The radiation in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is, for convenience, hereinafter referred to as the horizontal plane. The radiation is substantially uniform around this plane, and such uniformity is very desirable. Light rays that are at a substantial angle to the horizontal plane, either above or below, are generally of no benefit for the purposes of this construction, and hence, to refract these rays, the cylindrical member 60 is provided that has a cylindrical Fresnel lens construction on its exterior surface, so that after passing through the cylinder 60, the rays are confined within a relatively narrow angle above and below the horizontal plane. In this way, a more intense beam of light is directed outwardly from the bulb 50 in a relatively flat sheet.

After its passage through the Fresnel member 60, the light passes through the lenticular member 44 which has a series of generally vertically-extending cylindrical members 48 on its inner surface that act as lenses to focus the sheet of light in a horizontal direction. Thus, the Fresnel member 60 focuses the light in a generally vertical direction to confine the light to a generally horizontal plane. The lenticular cylinders 48 then refract or focus the light in a horizontal plane so that the light may thereafter be considered as consisting of a series of beams or rays of light projected radially outwardly in a horizontal direction from each lenticular cylinder 48.

As indicated in FIG. 4, a beam of light from the bulb 50 strikes a mirror surface 36 at approximately the center of the mirror and is reflected downwardly at such an angle that the various beams from the light source 50 all converge to form an illuminated circle at some suitable distance, indicated as the distance X in FIG. 4, measured from the plane of the ring 34. As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the mirrors 36 are mounted on the ring 34 so that the surface of the mirror makes an angle 7 with the center line or axis of the lamp 50 and housing 32, the angle 7 being chosen so that the reflection of the light from the bulb 50 is directed to converge to a circle of the desired size at the desired distance. By way of example, the mirrors 36 may be set to provide a circle of light approximately 6 to 8 inches in diameter at a distance of approximately 4 to 5 feet from the lower end of the outer shell 70. It will be appreciated, of course, that the diameter of the ring 34 must be taken into consideration when deciding upon the particular geometry of the light path as well as the angle that the light from the bulb 50 (after it has paeed through the Fresnel cylinder 60 and the lenticular member 44) makes with the horizontal.

While the xenon short are lamp is presently considered to be the most desirable light source, it is to be understood that other light sources are quite acceptable. The most desirable source is one that provides a white light from what may be considered a point source, and

ally, the higher the proportion of luminous energy to heat energy that is present in the energy radiated from the bulb 50, the cooler the illuminated portion of the patient will be.

While the lenticular member 44 and the Fresnel 'cylinder 60 may be made of any suitable material, such as glass, certain plastics are also satisfactory. Whatever material is selected must be one that does not degrade the color of the light which forms the projected cone,

nor should the materialbe one that will be adversely affected by the heat and light emitted by the bulb 50. From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a surgical lamp fully capable of achieving the objects and securing the advantages heretofore set forth. While the preferred form of the invention has been described, it is to be understood that modifications may be made, and consequently, the invention is not to be limited to the particular form or arrangement of parts herein shown and described, except as limited by the following claims.

I claim: l. A lamp of the type used in surgical operating rooms comprising:

a concentrated light source; means for supporting said concentrated light source; Fresnel lens means surrounding said light source and acting to form a substantially plane beam; lens means having vertically extending cylindrical lenticulations thereon surrounding said Fresnel lens means and acting to divide said plane beam into a multiplicity of outwardly extending beams; ring means spaced from said lenticular lens means;

and a multiplicity of reflector means mounted on said ring means and acting to reflect said outwardly extending beams to form a cone of light beams. 2. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said multiplicity of reflectors are shaped and positioned so that each of said outwardly extending beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, whereby said cone will substantially uniformly illuminate an area spaced from said light source and smaller than said ring, every point in said area receiving light from a plurality of said reflectors;

3. A lamp as defined in claim l in which said outwardly extending beams are projected in the form of diverging beams, whereby each of said outwardly extending beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, and each of said reflectors receives light from a plurality of said beams.

4. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means forms said outwardly extending beams into diverging beams within the projected boundaries of said plane beam, and said reflectors are shaped and positioned so that a plurality of said diverging beams impinge upon each said reflector, and each of said diverging beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, whereby said cone of light beams will substantially uniformly illuminate an area spaced from said. light source and smaller than said ring, every point in said area receiving light from a plurality of said reflectors.

5. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means is removably supported ,at one end and in turn supports said Fresnel lens means and said means for supporting said light source, whereby said lenticular lens means, said- Fresnel lens means, said supporting means and said light source may Ibeinstalled and removed as a unit.

6. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means is removably mounted in a holder and in turn supports said Fresnel lens means and said means for supporting said light source, all of said elements being held together in. the required optical alignment, whereby said lenticular lens means carries with it said Fresnel lens means, said supporting means and said light'source for installation and removal as a unit.

Claims

1. A lamp of the type used in surgical operating rooms comprising: a concentrated light source; means for supporting said concentrated light source; Fresnel lens means surrounding said light source and acting to form a substantially plane beam; lens means having vertically extending cylindrical lenticulations thereon surrounding said Fresnel lens means and acting to divide said plane beam into a multiplicity of outwardly extending beams; ring means spaced from said lenticular lens means; and a multiplicity of reflector means mounted on said ring means and acting to reflect said outwardly extending beams to form a cone of light beams.

2. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said multiplicity of reflectors are shaped and positioned so that each of said outwardly extending beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, whereby said cone will substantially uniformly illuminate an area spaced from said light source and smaller than said ring, every point in said area receiving light from a plurality of said reflectors.

3. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said outwardly extending beams are projected in the form of diverging beams, whereby each of said outwardly extending beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, and each of said reflectors receives light from a plurality of said beams.

4. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means forms said outwardly extending beams into diverging beams within the projected boundaries of said plane beam, and said reflectors are shaped and positioned so that a plurality of said diverging beams impinge upon each said reflector, and each of said diverging beams impinges upon a plurality of said reflectors, whereby said cone of light beams will substantially uniformly illuminate an area spaced from said light source and smaller than said ring, every point in said area receiving light from a plurality of said reflectors.

5. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means is removably supported at one end and in turn supports said Fresnel lens means and said means for supporting said light source, whereby said lenticular lens means, said Fresnel lens means, said supporting means and said light source may be installed and removed as a unit.

6. A lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said lenticular lens means is removably mounted in a holder and in turn supports said Fresnel lens means and said means for supporting said light source, all of said elements being held together in the required optical alignment, whereby said lenticular lens means carries with it said Fresnel lens means, said supporting means and said light source for installation and removal as a unit.