Abstract:
A surgical head gear apparatus or helmet includes a lighting system that utilizes circuit board mounted LED clusters supported on the surgical helmet. The LED clusters are part of a light array mounted to the forward portion of the helmet. In one embodiment, the light array is self-contained with its own power supply. In another embodiment, the light array is electrically connected to an external power supply and controller, such as en existing controller associated with the ventilation system of the helmet. In accordance with the invention, the only remote link for the LED clusters and circuit boards is to a control switch and/or power supply.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a head gear apparatus or helmet for use with a garment worn by a medical caregiver during surgical procedures.  
         [0002]     In many surgical procedures, medical personnel wear garments that are intended to maintain a barrier between the personnel and the patient. This barrier helps maintain sterile conditions in the operating room by completely shrouding the medical personnel and their clothing. In addition, this barrier serves to protect the caregiver from exposure to blood and other body fluids. Various organizations, such as OSHA, promulgate recommendations regarding occupational exposure to fluid-borne pathogens during medical procedures. The surgical gown or shroud helps meet these recommendations.  
         [0003]     One such surgical gown, or personal protection system, is the PROVISION™System, marketed by DePuy Orthopaedics Co., Inc. This system includes a helmet system that integrates with a barrier hood and gown. The hood and gown are composed of a HYTREL® elastomer (provided by DuPont deNemours) that allows heat to escape while maintaining a fluid-impervious barrier. In addition to the gown material, a face shield or bubble is provided to allow the caregiver a protected view of the surgical arena.  
         [0004]     The helmet system supports at least the barrier hood. Since the medical caregiver is essentially encased within the hood and gown, ventilation is of critical importance for air supply, CO 2  discharge, heat control and anti-fogging. Thus, the helmet component of the PROVISION™ System includes an air moving and filtration system. The system draws ambient air through a filter assembly and directs the filtered air through vents formed in the helmet. In the PROVISION™ System, air is directed across the face of the wearer and across the face shield. The air mover is an electric fan that connects to an external power supply and speed control worn about the waist of the caregiver.  
         [0005]     Certain aspects of the PROVISION™ System are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,617, assigned to the owner of the present invention. The specification and figures of this application are incorporated herein by reference. Improvements to the PROVISION™ System are described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/622,527, filed on Jul. 18, 2003, and entitled “Head Gear Apparatus”. This application, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention, discloses a helmet, such as the helmet  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-2  of the present application. For the purposes of the present disclosure, only certain features of that helmet are described herein, it being understood that other details of the system are found in the aforementioned application, the disclosure and figures of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0006]     The helmet  10  includes a body or shell  12  that is configured to fit over the head of a wearer. The helmet is stabilized by an adjustable strap assembly (not shown) that is pivotably attached to the helmet shell. The strap assembly includes an arrangement to straps and adjustment mechanisms that engage the head of the wearer. A chin bar  14  that extends from the forward portion of the helmet underneath the chin of the wearer. The chin bar helps support the lower edge of a face shield (not shown) that encloses the face opening  16 . The helmet and chin bar are configured to preferably removably support the face shield to facilitate cleaning or replacement.  
         [0007]     The helmet shell  12  is hollow to provide conduits for ventilation air flow generated by a fan assembly  25  mounted to the back of the helmet  10 . The shell includes a forward ventilation duct  18  that passes over the crown of the wearer&#39;s head and curves downward so that the ventilation opening  19  ( FIGS. 2-3 ) is directed over the face of the wearer. A deflector plate  20  is slidably disposed within the duct  18  to controllably divide the air flow between the face plate and the wearer&#39;s face. An adjustment knob  21  on the top of the helmet facilitates this adjustment. The shell also defines a rear ventilation duct  23  with similar flow adjustment capabilities.  
         [0008]     The fan assembly  25  includes an air filter open to the ambient air when the helmet  10  and associated surgical garment are worn. The assembly further includes a motor and a fan element (not shown) that are connected by control wires  27  to an external controller and power supply  28 . Preferably, the controller  28  is configured to be supported at waist level of the wearer, such as on a belt, so that the controller is readily accessible to activate, de-activate or adjust air flow rates.  
         [0009]     In many surgical settings, ambient lighting is inadequate at the immediate surgical site. For instance, when close work is required the surgeon&#39;s shadow may impair visibility. Surgical headlights were developed to address this problem by providing a light source immediately adjacent the surgeon&#39;s head. Early surgical headlights were akin to a miner&#39;s helmet with an incandescent bulb mounted on a headpiece. One disadvantage of this approach was the heat generated by the bulb. To address this problem, a light pipe was provided between an optical assembly supported on the surgeon&#39;s head and a light source, such as an incandescent bulb, mounted remote from the surgeon. In one such system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,285, the light source and a flexible light pipe are supported on the ceiling of the operating room whereby the surgeon can tap into the light pipe.  
         [0010]     While the remote mounted light source and light pipe system solved the problem of over-heating, it added the problem of restricted mobility since the surgeon was tethered to the light pipe and source. In answer to this problem, the light source has been configured to be carried by the surgeon, as described in PCT Publication WO 02/099332 A1, published on Dec. 12, 2002. A fiber optic cable connects the light source to a light projector mounted on a headpiece. Although this lighting system overcomes the problem of being tethered to a remote light source, it retains the prior art problem of adding significant weight to the surgical helmet system. This added weight increases neck fatigue of the surgeon and adds inertia to the helmet that makes head movements more cumbersome. Moreover, this type of light system adds the significant expense of a fiber optic cable to transmit light from the light source to the light projector.  
         [0011]     What is needed is a lighting system for use with a surgical helmet that provides accurate illumination of the surgical work site without the detriments of the prior lighting systems, such as weight, expense and heat build-up.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     To address this need, the present invention contemplates a surgical head gear apparatus or helmet comprises a shell configured to be worn on the head of a person, the shell having a forward portion adjacent the face of the person wearing the shell. A light array is supported on the forward portion of the shell, the light array including at least one LED light source and control wires for carrying electrical current to the LED light source. A power supply is provided that is connected to the control wires to energize the light source. Preferably, the light array includes two LED light sources, each situated above an eye of the wearer so that the light beam produced by the LED light source is aligned with the viewing field of the wearer.  
         [0013]     The light array includes a housing to support each light source relative to the shell. The light array also includes a mounting element spanning between and connected to the housing for each of the light sources with means for supporting the mounting element on the forward portion of the shell. In the preferred embodiment, the means for supporting includes machine screws passing through bores in the mounting element and engaged within threaded bores in the helmet shell.  
         [0014]     In one aspect of the invention, the LED light sources are self-contained, meaning that they are not connected to a separate light source via a light pipe of fiber optic cable. To that end, each LED light source includes a plurality of LEDs connected to a circuit board. The circuit board is electrically connected to a power supply and/or a controller. The circuit board defines wiring patterns for energizing each of the LEDs connected to the board in a conventional manner. Alternatively, the circuit board may define multiple circuit patterns to permit selective activation of the LEDs. In the preferred embodiment, the LEDs are 5 mm white LEDs, although other colors are contemplated.  
         [0015]     The light array of the present invention is particularly suited for use on a surgical helmet having a ventilation system. Thus, in one embodiment, the helmet includes a ventilation duct associated with the shell and having a ventilation opening at the forward portion of the shell. A fan assembly supported by the shell is operable to direct air flow through the ventilation duct. In this embodiment, the fan assembly and light array are electrically connected to a common power supply and/or controller.  
         [0016]     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a surgical helmet comprises a shell configured to be worn on the head of a person, the shell having a forward portion adjacent the face of the person wearing the shell, and a self-contained light array supported on the forward portion of the shell. In one feature of this embodiment, the light array includes at least one LED light source and a power supply to energize the light source. Preferably, the light array includes two LED light sources with a housing for each of the light sources. A mounting element spans between and is connected to the housing for each of the light sources and includes means for supporting the mounting element on the forward portion of the shell. The mounting element houses the power supply, which is preferably a battery. Where the battery is replaceable, the mounting element includes a door to access the battery.  
         [0017]     It is one object of the invention to provide a lighting system for use with a surgical head gear apparatus and associated surgical garment. It is a further object to provide a lighting system that is light weight to avoid fatigue for the wearer.  
         [0018]     A further object of the invention is to provide a lighting system that is not tethered to a light or power source. Another object resides in features of the lighting system that make it self-contained within the surgical helmet. Other objects and specific benefits of the invention will be made apparent upon consideration of the following written description along with the accompanying figures.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical helmet instrumented with a light array in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the surgical helmet shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the light array shown in  FIGS. 1-2 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a bottom partial view of the surgical helmet shown in  FIG. 1  with the light array of the present therein mounted thereon.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the light array shown in the prior figures.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present invention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.  
         [0025]     A shown in the detail view of  FIG. 4 , the present invention contemplates a light array  30  that is adapted to be mounted on a surgical helmet, such as the helmet  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The light array  30  includes a pair of light sources  32  situated on either side of the helmet  10 , and particularly on the opposite sides of the ventilation duct  18 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The light sources  32  are carried by a mounting element  34  that anchors the light array to the helmet  10 . The mounting element defines a pair of housings  39 , each for supporting a corresponding light source  32 . Each housing is connected to a mounting bracket  44  by an associated arm  42 . The arms  42  are preferably sized to support the light sources  32  below the ventilation opening  19  at the forward end of the duct  18 , but above the eyes of the medical personnel wearing the helmet  10 .  
         [0026]     The mounting bracket  44  is provided with mounting holes  45  ( FIG. 4 ) to receive fasteners  46  ( FIG. 3 ) for affixing the bracket to the underside of the helmet ventilation duct  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the bracket is mounted to the helmet by machine screws. However, other means for supporting the mounting bracket on the helmet are contemplated, such as adhesive, clamping, or snap-fit, and may even include integrally forming the bracket with the helmet shell. Preferably, the light array  30  is configured to be removably mounted to the helmet for easy servicing and/or replacement; however, permanent or semi-permanent attachment of the array to the helmet is also contemplated.  
         [0027]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light array  30  comprises an LED cluster  37  which includes at least one, and preferably a plurality, of LEDs  51 . The LEDs can be of any known design and in any color appropriate to facilitate visibility at a surgical site. In a specific embodiment, the LEDs are 5 mm 50° white light LEDs with a luminous intensity of about 1800 mcd. It is contemplated that colors other than white may be utilized, such as amber, to augment the ambient light and improve the visibility and clarity of the illuminated area. In a specific embodiment, the LEDs are 5 mm 50° white light LEDs with a luminous intensity of about 1800 mcd.  
         [0028]     The number of LEDs  51  provided in the array  37  may be used to determine the intensity of the light. For instance, an 18 LED cluster of the 5 mm white LEDs can put out the equivalent of a 15 watt incandescent light bulb. A 30 watt LED cluster requires about 36 of these standard LEDs with an overall package dimension of about  2½″ diameter and  ⅝″ height. Arrays  37  with fewer or greater numbers of LEDs will be proportionately lesser or greater in diameter, but the overall package height will not change (although different color LEDs may be taller).  
         [0029]     The number and type of LEDs  51  in an array  37  is determined by the desired beam intensity, beam width, electrical power requirement, heat generation and space availability. The standard white LED operates at 3.5-5 V and 20-35 milliamps so it is well suited to being powered by a typical 12 volt DC power supply. The proximity of the light sources  32  to the ventilation opening  19  facilitates heat dissipation from the LED clusters  37 . Where the light array  30  is intended to augment the existing lighting, the beam intensity and width can be smaller.  
         [0030]     The LEDs  51  of the cluster  37  are preferably surface mounted on a base  50 . A circuit board  56  operates as the opto-electric controller for the LEDs to interface with the electrical power supply. The circuit board can be of known design adapted to control the activation of the LEDs. Typically, the LED cluster and circuit board will be obtained from a vendor in a common package. In one embodiment, the base  50  and circuit board  56  are combined into a single printed circuit board with the surface mounted LEDs. In another embodiment, the circuit board  56  is separate from the base  50  within the housing cavity  40 , with the LED leads  52  communicating between the LEDs and the circuit board.  
         [0031]     The LED cluster  37  may be mounted within the cavity  40  in any known manner. In one specific embodiment the circuit board  56  is mounted to an interior surface of the housing arm  42  while the support base  50  is engaged to tabs  41  within the cavity  40 . Typically, the LED cluster and circuit board will be obtained from a vendor in a common package. Thus, the configuration of the housing  39  and cavity  40  is adapted to accommodate the vendor hardware.  
         [0032]     The cluster may also include a seal  54  that provides a moisture tight seal around the LEDs  51 . The seal may also include a reflective surface to increase the luminous intensity of the light source  32 . In addition, a lens  58  may be mounted at the opening of the housing  39 . The lens can be configured to focus or diffuse the combined light beams from the LED cluster.  
         [0033]     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the light sources  32  are powered through the electrical system for the ventilation fan assembly  25 . In this embodiment, the circuit boards  56  includes control wires  57  that are fed through the arms  42  and mounting element  34 . In one embodiment, the control wires  57  meet at a junction box  60  within the mounting element. The junction box  60  is fed by control wires  63  that exit the mounting element  34  through an opening  62 . Preferably the opening  62  is sealed, such as by a grommet through which the wires pass. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the control wires  63  pass along the forward ventilation duct  18  of the helmet, most preferably through a channel  65  formed in the helmet.  
         [0034]     In this embodiment, the control wires  63  are directed through the helmet and integrated into the control wires for the fan assembly  25  at the rear of the helmet. In one specific embodiment, the light source control wires  63  are spliced directly into the control wires feeding the fan assembly, so that operation of the light array  30  is directly tied to operation of the fan. Another approach is to run the control wires  63  together with the control wires for the fan assembly into a wiring bundle  27  that is connected to the power supply and controller  28 . With this embodiment, the controller  28  can be adapted for separate control of the ventilation and lighting systems. For instance, separate control switches or buttons  29   a ,  29   b  can be provided to selectively activate the fan and light source, respectively. Since it is unnecessary to provide variable voltage to the LEDs  51  of the light array, the switch  29   b  may be a simple on-off push-button or toggle. The power supply portion of the controller  28  is preferably a battery or battery array capable of providing the necessary voltage and current to simultaneously power the fan assembly  25  and the light array  30 . At a minimum, the power supply must be capable of generating 5 volts at 35 milliamps to drive each LED  51 .  
         [0035]     In an alternative embodiment, the junction box  60  may incorporate a power supply or battery within the mounting element so that the light array  30  is a self-contained lighting device. The mounting element  34  may be provided with an access door  61  to permit replacement of the power supply. With this embodiment, the control wires  63  may be simply connected to an external switch to activate or deactivate the power supply. The activation switch can comprise the switch  29   b  on the external controller  28 . The switch may be placed on the mounting element  34 , although manipulation of the switch would require access inside the helmet while it is being worn. As a further alternative, a switch  66  can be mounted on the helmet itself, such as adjacent the adjustment knob  21  used to control the ventilation air flow through the ventilation opening  19 , as shown in dashed lines in  FIGS. 1-2 . Preferably this switch  66  is a push-button on-off switch that can be easily depressed through the surgical garment covering the helmet to permit ready control of the light array during a surgical procedure.  
         [0036]     The light array  30  of the present invention provides a light weight solution to the lighting problem experienced in many surgical settings. The mounting element  34  and housing  39  are preferably formed of a light-weight plastic. Since the light array does not function as a structural element of the helmet  10 , strength and durability of the plastic material are not essential features. Preferably, the mounting element and housing are integrally molded and hollow throughout. These components of the light array can be formed as halves that can be joined after the light source  32  and its associated components have been installed.  
         [0037]     In the illustrated embodiment, the housings  39  for the two light sources  32  have a predetermined orientation. The mounting bracket  34  and arms  42  shown in  FIGS. 1-2  are configured to mate with the particular helmet  10  shown in those figures to support the light sources in that predetermined orientation. Thus, the bracket and arms are sized and configured in a specific example so that the light sources are slightly outboard of the wearer&#39;s eyes with the “line of sight” of the sources coinciding with the line of vision of the wearer. The particular orientation of the light sources, as well as the configuration of the mounting bracket and arms, may be varied to account for the structure of the helmet to which the light array  30  is mounted, the desired line of sight of the light sources, the intensity and width of the beam of light generated by the sources  32 , and even the viewing preferences of the wearer.  
         [0038]     In the illustrated embodiment, the orientation of the light sources is fixed relative to the helmet  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the orientation of the light sources can be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. For instance, the arms  42  can be configured to extend/retract and/or pivot to change the position of each light source relative to the eye of the wearer. Thus, the arms  42  can be telescoping and/or pivotably attached to the mounting element  34 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the arms can be formed of a bendable material to permit infinite adjustment of the light beams from the sources  32 .  
         [0039]     It is known that light intensity of an LED cannot be adjusted. However, the overall light intensity of the LED clusters  37  can be varied by selectively activating the LEDs  51 . For this alternative embodiment, the circuit board  56  is configured to allow activation of all or some predetermined combination of the LEDs  51  connected thereto. The printed circuit board  56  may include a wiring pattern that provides several separate circuits connecting selected ones of the LEDS, with each separate circuit having its own set of control wires among the wires  57 . The switch  29   b  on the external power supply and controller  28  in this embodiment would be capable of different settings based on the luminous intensity resulting from activation of the separate circuits. For example, in one specific embodiment, the LED cluster  37  includes eighteen 5 mm white LEDs capable of a combined output of 15 watts. Energizing twelve of these LEDs reduces the output to 9 watts, while a 6 watt output results from nine LEDs. The printed circuit board  56  may define three circuits permitting selective activation of 9, 12 or all 18 of the LEDs.  
         [0040]     The present invention preferably contemplates the use of white LEDs. However, under certain circumstances, a differently colored LED cluster may be preferred, such an arrangement of amber LEDs. Due to differences in current draw among differently colored LEDs it is recommended that all LEDs in a cluster have the same color. However, in a modification of the selectable LED circuits, independent circuits can be provided on the circuit board  56  to drive different “sub-clusters” of LEDs, each sub-cluster comprising LEDs of one color that is different from the color of the LEDs in the other sub-clusters. In this instance, the switch  29   b  may allow the wearer to switch the color of the illuminating light.  
         [0041]     The illustrated embodiment contemplates two light sources straddling the centerline of the helmet  10 . Most preferably, the light sources are arranged to reside above the eyes of the wearer but far enough removed to fall generally outside the upper peripheral vision. Alternatively a single light source or more than two light sources can be provided, with appropriate changes to the configuration of the mounting element  34  and arms  42  to ensure that the light sources fall within the confines of the helmet and face shield and are not too close to the face of the wearer.  
         [0042]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.