A lamp mounting system for an illuminator is provided. The lamp mounting system includes a framework assembly having separate, spaced-apart front and rear mounting components. The front and rear mounting components are movable relatively toward and away from each other between open and retracted positions. The lamp mounting system also includes a separate lamp module having opposite ends. The front and rear mounting components, in the retracted position, capture and suspend the lamp module therebetween in a manner ensuring proper alignment between the lamp module and collection optics.

BACKGROUND

An illuminator, or light source, is provided for producing a high intensity light beam that may be used, for instance, for surgical site illumination or the like.

By way of example, a so-called fiberoptic illuminator or remote illumination device typically includes a lamp or light source within a housing and a jack or port providing a fiber optic cable interface that permits an end fitment or termination of a fiber optic bundle or cable to be connected to the housing so that a high intensity light beam may be directed and introduced into an end of the fiber optic bundle or cable. The cable may transmit the light to an endoscope, headlamp, or like medical/surgical device tethered to the illuminator.

An example of a lamp or light source that may be used in a remote illumination device is a xenon arc lamp. A xenon arc lamp is a specialized type of gas discharge lamp which produces light by passing electricity through ionized xenon gas at high pressure. Such a lamp produces bright white light that closely mimics natural sunlight. Of course, other types of lamps are also utilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although not otherwise shown in the drawings, an illuminator will typically include an exterior housing or enclosure in which a lamp is contained and mounted. The enclosure may be provided in a generally-rectangular, box-shaped configuration. Of course, other housing shapes and configurations can be utilized and may be provided in a manner such that the illuminator is of a relatively small size occupying only a relatively small amount of space in an operating room or like environment. According to at least some embodiments, the illuminator may be constructed to provide a source of light of great intensity, to operate at low noise, and to be able to accommodate internal heat management issues even after hours of continuous operation of the illuminator.

Illuminators that utilize xenon arc lamps and like light sources may include a reflector and collection optics. For instance, a xenon arc-lamp used for surgical site illumination may be used with a reflector that focuses light into a pin-pointed area (“focal point”) or a reflector that collimates light (i.e., arranges rays of light in parallel). By way of example,FIG. 1illustrates the physics of an ellipsoidal-shaped-reflector10that focuses light12into a pin-pointed area14, andFIG. 2illustrates a parabolic-shaped reflector16that collimates light18thereby forming a plurality of parallel light rays20.

A difficulty in mounting lamps and reflectors in illuminators is the need to assure precise alignment of the lamp body relative to the reflector and collection optics such that, for instance, a focal point of luminous lux is precisely coupled into the light-receiving lenses and/or fibers for transmission to a surgical site or the like. Thus, an alignment mechanism is needed to precisely position the collection optics at the lamp focal-point (such as at area14inFIG. 1) or other desired location. Preferably, such an alignment mechanism should not require high mechanical aptitude of a user, such as when removing and replacing lamps and reconnecting the alignment mechanism.

Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a non-interfering focusing and coupling device that saves operators time and greatly simplifies the task of replacing lamp modules in illuminators where a lamp and reflector combination are employed. The embodiments disclosed herein assure that the alignment of a lamp/reflector combination with collection optics can be replicated, for instance, when a spent lamp is required to be replaced with a new lamp in a manner requiring a minimum of training and skill.

A lamp module or assembly22including a xenon arc lamp24and reflector (not shown) surrounded by a heatsink26is shown inFIG. 3. The lamp24may be any type of light source, and the reflector may be an elliptical, parabolic, or other type of reflector. The heatsink26encapsulates the lamp24and reflector and includes a plurality of vanes28for transferring and dissipating heat generated by the lamp24during use. For example, the illuminator may include a fan (not shown) for causing a flow of ambient air to flow across, along, or through the heatsink26for cooling the heatsink. The heatsink26may be made of metal or a like heat conducting material.

A countersink30is formed and/or machined into the front and rear end faces of the module or assembly22. For instance, countersinks30may be formed in the heatsink26and positioned adjacent the front and rear ends of the lamp module22.FIG. 3shows the countersink30adjacent the front end32of the lamp module22. A similar countersink (not shown) is formed adjacent the opposite (rear) end34of the assembly22and may be aligned with countersink30.

A lamp mounting system36for mounting the separate lamp module22within an illuminator is shown inFIGS. 4-9. The mounting system36is configured to suspend the lamp module22(including a reflector) between two electrically-insulated mounting components, such as front and rear mounting cones,38and40, as best shown inFIG. 5. The front and rear mounting cones,38and40, may be made of electrically-insulated and thermally stable material, such as a ceramic material or the like. The rear mounting cone40may be generally solid for engaging the rear end34of the lamp module22since light is not required to pass through the rear mounting cone38. However, the front mounting cone40may be annular or hollow and have a center opening or the like that permits light emitted from the front end32of the lamp module22to be transmitted therethrough.

The front and rear mounting cones,38and40, are shaped and sized to fit within and stably engage the countersinks30formed in the front and rear ends,32and34, of the lamp module22. For instance, each of the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, may have a frustoconical-shaped surface42that is received within and mates with one of the countersinks30. In this manner, the lamp module22may be captured and suspended in a stable condition between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40.

To enable placement or removal of the lamp module22relative to the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, are moveable relative to each other into a retracted or closed position in which the lamp module22may be clamped and suspended therebetween and an extended or open position in which the lamp module22is free to be removed from or placed between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40. This permits ease of removal of a spent lamp and replacement of a new lamp in a manner that ensures proper alignment of the lamp/reflector with the fixed collection optics of the illuminator without any need to connect any special collection optic mounting systems to the lamp body.

The lamp mounting system36may include a framework assembly44for interconnecting the front and rear mounting cones,38and40. For instance, the framework assembly44may include a platform or base46upon which the lamp module22may be rested when inserted into the illuminator between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, when the mounting cones are in an open position as shown. The framework assembly44may also include front framework48for securing a collection optic50in a fixed position in front of the front mounting cone38to properly collect light emitted from the lamp module22when the lamp module22is properly engaged and pinned against the front mounting cone38.

For example, the collection optic50may be aligned relative to the lamp and an elliptical reflector of the lamp module22such as to focus the luminous flux into other optic components (not shown) forward of the collection optic50for delivery of the light to a surgical site or the like. Thus, provided the front mounting cone38is positioned within the countersink30formed in the front end32of the lamp module22, proper alignment is automatically provided to maximize light transmission.

For purposes of forcing and holding the lamp module22against the front mounting cone38, the framework assembly44may include rear framework52that supports the rear mounting cone40in a manner that permits the rear mounting cone40to be moved in a forward direction “A” (seeFIG. 6) toward the front mounting cone38or a rearward direction “B” (seeFIG. 6) away from the front mounting cone38thereby adjusting the distance between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40. Of course, the illustrated configuration may be reversed such that the front mounting cone is caused to move relative to a stationary rear mounting cone, or both the front and rear mounting cones may be movable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear framework52may include a lever54or like device for causing rotation of a rod56that is connected to the rear mounting cone40via a linkage58. The linkage58is configured to cause the rear mounting cone40to move forward or rearward (see directions “A” and “B” inFIG. 6) relative to the front mounting cone40when the lever54is pivoted thereby causing the rod56to rotate.

InFIG. 9, the level54may be positioned such that the rear mounting cone40is located in a rearward position. However, movement of the lever54in a counter-clockwise direction as shown by arrow “C” inFIG. 9may cause the rear mounting cone40to move forward, engage the countersink30formed in the rear end34of the lamp module22and automatically lift the lamp module22upward so that the lamp module22is clamped between and suspended by the front and rear mounting cones,38and40.

The framework assembly44may also include a sidewall60on which so-called floating banana plugs or electric connectors62are mounted. The plugs62are positioned to automatically engage the lamp electrical lugs (not shown) of the lamp module22to power leads from the ballast of the illuminator.

Accordingly, the lamp mounting system36may be included within the housing of an illuminator. The lever54may be positioned such that the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, are in an open position thereby enabling an old and/or spent lamp module22to be readily removed from the illuminator. A new lamp module22may then be inserted between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40. Thereafter, the lever54may be actuated such as to cause the rear mounting cone40to move toward the front mounting cone38. This causes engagement of the front and rear mounting cones,38and40, with the corresponding countersinks30formed in the opposite ends,32and34, of the lamp module22. This engagement lifts the lamp module22off the base46of the framework assembly44and results in the lamp module22being suspended solely by and clamped between the front and rear mounting cones,38and40. The front end32of the lamp module22is thereby pinned against the front mounting cone38and this ensures that the lamp/reflector of the lamp module22are properly aligned relative to the collection optic50. This alignment is able to be achieved repeatedly after every change of lamp modules22and requires only a minimum of skill by the operator.

While preferred embodiments of illuminators, lamp modules, and lamp mounting systems have been described in detail, various modifications, alternations, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the light engines according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims.