ELECTRICALLY FOCUSED SURGICAL LIGHT

Abstract: A multifilament lamp combination (12′ or 121) is dis­ closed which may be used alone and in multilamp arrange­ ments with other single and multifilaments lamps (12′ or 121) to provide pattern size variation from a large diameter flood effect to a smaller diameter spot effect. A spot/flood capability exists to provide large pattern exposure simul­ taneously with secondary spotlighting. The filaments (15 and 16; or 123, 124, and 125) can be energized selectively from a remote switching station (D) so that the individuals who are scrubbed and gloved need not touch any part of the switching arrangement (D) to change the lamp pattern size. A cluster of lights (111 through 113) can contain one or more is multifilament lamps (121) within the cluster, so that by switching on the rear most filament (123) of the multifila­ ment lamps (121) and switching off the single filament lamp, a small high intensity pattern is obtained by switching to the other filaments, a large pattern of high intensity is formed. More than two filaments can be provided in each lamp (12′ or 121).

Description: DESCRIPTION This invention relates to filament type electric lamps and particularly but not exclusively to surgical lamps or lights. The light disclosed herein constitutes an improvement over the surgical lamp shown in United States Patent No. 4,037,096 and United States Patent No. 4,025,778. The latter patent shows a plurality of lights that are arranged mechanically to change the position of the focus of the lights. This requires complex apparatus and considerable physical effort. Double filament bulbs, such as shown in Patent No. 2,005,194 and Patent No. 3,493,806, are not new, per se. However, the applicants have discovered that by switching on filaments at different distances from the reflector, the pattern of light from the lamp on an object on a surgical table can be changed. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In the specialized lighting utilized for surgical procedures, it is frequently desirable to be able to adjust the pattern size of the light pattern on the wound site depending upon the particular procedure being used and/or the progress of the operation during the surgical procedure. The conventional means of accomplishing a change in focus and/or a change in pattern size is by mechanical movement of the bulb relative to the reflector or reflectors of the optical system. This normally Involves utili-on of a lever or levers located on the light itself in order to initiate physical lams source displace ghent. Since the lever or levers are not sterilized prior to the | surgical procedure, it would be a break in technique if any of thos individuals who are scrubbed and gloved should touch such levers to vary focus or pattern. Thus, such focus means are inconvenient. To provide for remote operation of focus would require a very cumbersome motor drive being mounted on the light. This invention provides a means for controlling the pattern size and/or focus of such surgical lighting without the reauirement-for mechanical movement thereby facilitating remote operation and control. Figure 1 indicates a typical surgical light. This disclosure envisions the use of a bulb with two or more filaments spaced a predetermined controlled distance apart vertically relative to the axis of the optical system. The desian allows for dual filament capability in small lamp envelope packing configu- j rations. Previous designs were of the standard incandescent-variet which were bulky and suffered from shortcomings of lumen depreciation and reduced life. The lamps employed herein are the frosted, low voltage type using the mltlple filament technology to overcome these negative attributes. Also, the associated small envelope approximates a point source and allows its use in multireflective systems offering a greater range in pattern/focus selection. The curvative of the reflector may be parabolic with th filaments located between the reflector and the focal point of the reflector, so that the rays of light come to focus at the finite point. By energizing one or the other of the filaments, the focus and, therefore, the pattern size can be changed electrically. As a side benefit to this arrangement, in the event a filament should burn out during a surgical procedure, the light could be switched over tc; another filament and the surgical procedure continued without having to pause to relamp the light. (In particular, there are some countries that require such standby lighting capability in surgical lighting). A cluster of lights could contain one or more multi filament lamps within the cluster. Therefore, by switching to the rearmost filament on the multi-filament lamps and switching off some of the lamps, a small pattern of high intensity can be obtained By switching to the other filament, switching on additional lamps, a large pattern'of high intensity can be formed. This design opposed to multicluster systems, which decrease overlap fixed projections.from the various lamps and pattern size by switching off lamps. In this case, intensity is decreased as the pattern become-smaller. Two or more filaments may be placed within any lamp. Therefore, the application can be expanded to include a multitude of patterns. A derivative of this system has applicability to the field of photographic lighting. t is well known that the two principal 1 types oz sighting used by photographers are "Flood" and "SDot". At present, the phctographer has to buy two different bulbs for these two applications and change bulbs when the lighting recuire- ments or the subject change. en a basic bulb is provided with two filaments, displace a certain actual distance apart, the light can be switched from Spot to Flood and back to Sot again electrically. Thus, a means is disclosed of electrically switching a bulb from "Flood" to "Spot" for maximum flexibility in photographic lighting. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved surgical light. Another object of the invention is to provide a means of eletrically controlling the pattern size of a surgical light by the utilization of a multiple filament bulb with suitable means to activate one filament or another. This provides a means for the pattern size to be changed by remote control without anyone having to physically touch the light itself. Another object of the invention is to provide z multiple filament lamp to provide a light capable of providing an electrical variation in the pattern size and/or focus without requirement of mechanical moving parts and at the same time couple the lamp to an automatic intensity control such that intensity is adjusted proportional to pattern size so that brightness lillumination can be automatically maintained constant as the 1pattern size changes. Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple filament lamp desianed to provide for electrical adjustment of focus and/or pattern size and also has bunlt-in redundancy such ;that in the event of a filament failure, the surgical procedure can1 be continued by suit-hina to another filament (and at the same time another pattern). Another object of te invention is to provide a means to utilize a lamp wit two cr more filaments arranged perpendicular tof the optical axis to the ight in such a fashion that one or more ofl the filaments can be energized simultaneousy to provide specialize patterns for specialized surgical procedure. Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical lamp that can be refocusec simply by switching on a different filament. Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical light that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and simple and efficient to use. Another object of the invention is to provide a cluster of lamps, some having several filaments. The invention will now be described by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: c Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of a surgical light according to the invention shown in a use environment. Fig. 1A is a view of a surgical light with a multi-filamen according t to. the invention. Fig. 2 is a side diagrammatic view of a cluster of multi filament lights. Fig. 3 is a to view of a cluster of lights shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 4 is E diagrammatic view of the lights of Figs. 2 and with the lamps energized to form a small pattern of light. Fig. 5 stows the wights of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 energized to Iform a large pattern of light Fig. 6 5 a schenatic wiring diagram of an example of switching connections to the several filaments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Now with more particular reference to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows surgical lights 110 and 110' supported by means of suitable arms on the ceiling of the hospital room to provide adjustment of the position of the light. A surgical table T is shown below the lights on which a patient may be supported which for purposes of illustration, will be considered to be the object on which the light patterns are to be projected. The light switch panel D is supported at any convenient position on the wall near the surgical table where it will be readily accessible to the operator. The lamps in Lights 110 and 11( can be switched to energize all the filaments of the lamps of both Lights 110 and 110', or part of the filaments of each lamp to give a large light pattern, a small light pattern or any combination of large and small light patterns that may suit the particular requirements of the operator. The word surgical light is intended to include dental lamps and lights used in other areas of the health care field. The The surgical light 10 shown in Figure 1A has a housing 11 which may- be supported on a suitable bracket. The lamp shown in Figure 1A is a multi-reflector type light, but could be a single [reflector type. The housing 11 supports a first source reflector 112, a lamp 12', second reflector 13 and third reflector 19, the handle 17 is attached to the lamp housing b suitable structure. Source reflector 12 has a focal point 20 and an axis of symmetry 42, which will be understood by those skilled in the art. The filaments which can be any suitable light sources will preferably be spaced from the focal point of reflector 12. The reflector 12, 13, and 14 may have a plain reflecting surface, a difusing type reflector surface or a faceted surface. Lamp 12' contains the first light source 15, the second 16 and could contain three or more light sources. Light source 15 and 16 could be made of any suitable material used for filaments or light generating elements familiar to those skilled in the art and wil' be referred to herein generally as filaments. The tungsten halogen material has been found to be 2 desirable type filament because of its compact size, aDDro:imatina a point source with two or more filaments spaced a controlled distance from each other. It will be noted that the first light source-15 is spaced fro= the first reflector 12 between reflector 12 and focal point 20 and spaced from the second light source 16. The second filament 16 is shown spaced from the first filament 15 and the focal point 20. The multi-filament lan 12' may have a frosted glass envelope, to obtain patterns which are free of voids or shadows and preclude filament imagine at the pattern site. A clear lamp may also be employed in conjunction with faceted reflector 12 and/ or variable stepped Fresnel lenses to provide the desired diffusion of light. The handle 17 may be a removable, sterilizable handle of a type familiar to those skilled in the art which may be grasped by the hand of the operator to adjust the surgical light to the desired position. When the first filament 15 of the surgical light of Fig. 1A is energized, a typical light ray 26 will be reflected by reflectors 12, 13 and 14 through paths 27, 28 and 29 in a large Dattern size onto 2n object. T:Then second filament 1 > is energized, the ray of light from the filament 16 may be reflected through paths 31, 32 and 33 to give a smaller light pattern size 0 an object. Energizing other filaments could resu't in an Intermediate pattern size,a smaller pattern size or a larder pattern size, thus by energizing the filaments 15 or 1E, selectively different pattern sizes of light are obtainable. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 through 5, we show a surgical light 110 made up of light elements 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116 arranged in a circle and supported on frame 117 by brackets 118 supported on yoke 119 which may be attached to a suitable supporting surface such as a wall W or ceiling C above a surgical table T. The table T may support an object such as a patient P. Each of the lights 111 through 116 has a reflector 120. Reflectors 120 are concave and have a focal point 121 in accordance with nood lighting practice. Lenses 122 are provided which may be frosted, clear or color corrected. Each of the light elements 111 throw 116 has a lamp 121 which is shown bv tay of example as having a plurality of filaments 123, 1 and 125 spaced from each other and spaced from the focal point 126. Each of the light elements 111 through 116 could have two or more filaments and they are shown with these filaments by way of examply only. The filaments 123 and 124 are spaced from the focal point and from the reflector a different distance along the axis of symmetry 142 and the reflectors 120 are so directed that when the filaments 124 are energized, the light is directed into a relativel small pattern 128 on the object T at a relatively high intensity. Only part of the filaments 124 need be energized when the small pattern size is desired because the pattern size being smaller only; a portion of the light is required to result in the same pattern intensity. When the filaments 123 of the lights are energized by closing stitch S2, they direct light onto an object in a relatively large pattern, incicated at 127, and in order to provide a hicher intensity pattern of light over the large pattern area 127, other filaments of lamps may be energized by closing switch S3 for example. - Any suitable number of light elements can be provided in the surgical light 110, and the light elements 111 through 116 can be supported in any practical configuration or any practical number of lights can be used, in any desired pattern each light in the array having several filaments and each light reflector aimed at the same area on an article on a surgical support, each of the light elements 111 through 116 being arranged about the axis of s-rmetrv 142. The lights can be used for flood lights, dental lights, photocraphy lights or under application requiring variable focus or variable pattern size. The Dual Filament lamp can be utilized in a multilamp arrangement with other single or rr.'jltl filament lamps to provide pattern size variation from a large diameter flood effect to a smaller diameter spot effect. In audition, a combination flood/ spot capability exists to provide large pattern expcsure with secondary spot lighting simultaneously. In such a manner, large surface incisions can be lighted while also providing depth of illumination into smaller surgical cavities. Any variation from total flood or total spot tc flood/spot combination can be performed by selective electrical energization cf the proper filaments.

Claims: C1aAIS 1. A light (10, 110, or 110') comprising a reflector means (12, 13 and 14; or 120) having an axis of symmetry (42 or 142), said light (10, 110, or 110') characterised in: a first light source (15 or 123) and a second light source (16 or 124); means supporting said first light source (15 or 123) and said second light source (16 or 124) on said axis of symmetry (42 or 142) and at predetermined distances from said reflector means (12 or 120) and in spaced relation to each other, one said light source (15 or 123) being located closer to said reflector (12 or 120) than the other (16 or 124) and in spaced relation to said reflector means (12 or 120); and means connected to said light source (15 or 123) and said second light source (16 or 124); ; whereby a relatively small light pattern or a relatively large light pattern may be selectively directed onto an object while said reflector (12, 13, and 14; or 120) and said first light source (15 or 123) and said second light source (16 or 124) remain stationary. 2. The light (10, 110, or 110') recited in claim 1 wherein said reflector means (12 or 120) comprises a concave reflector (12 or 120) having a focal point (20 or 126) and at least one of said light sources (15 or 16; or 123 or 124) is supported at predetermined distances from said focal point (20 or 126). 3. The light (10, 110, or 110') recited in claim 2 wherein said reflector means (12, 13, and 14) comprises: a first reflector (12) having said focal point (20); a second reflector (13) and a third reflector (14); said first reflector (12) being disposed to direct light from said light source (15 or 16) to said second reflector (13); said third reflector (14) being disposed to direct light from said second reflector (13) onto an object whereby said relatively small light pattern or a relatively large light pattern can be selectively directed onto said object. 4. The light (10, 110, or 110') recited in claim 1 wherein said light sources (15 and 16; or 123 and 124) comprise tungsten halogen filaments. 5. A surgical light (110 or 110') comprising a cluster of light elements (111 through 116); each said light element (111 through 116) comprising a reflector means (120) having an axis of symmetry (142); a first light source (123) and a second light source (124): means supporting said light sources (123 and 124) on said axis of symmetry (142) and in spaced relation to each other one said light source (123) being located closer to said reflector (120) than the other (124) and to said relector means (120); and means (D) for selectively connecting said first light source means (123) and said second light source means (124) selectively to a source of energy to selectively energize said first light source means (123) and said second light source means (124) whereby; ; a spot of light or a flood of light are selectively directed onto an object while said first light source (123) and said second light source (124) and said reflector (120) remain stationary. 6. The light (110 or 110') recited in claim 5 wherein said reflector means (120) comprises concave reflectors (120) having a focal point (126); and said light soures (123 and 124) are supported at a predetermined distance from said focal point (126). 7. The light (110 or 110') recited in claim 5 wherein said light sources (123 and 124) are filaments (123 and 124). 8. The light (110 or 110') recited in claim 7 wherein said filaments (123 and 124) are tungsten halogen filaments (123 and 124). 9. The light (110 or 110') recited in claim 5 wherein at least six said light elements (111 through 116) are supported on said light (110) and disposed generally in a circle. 10. The light (110 or 110') recited in claim 9 wherein said light elements are supported on a circular frame (117) and said circular frame (117) is supported on a yoke (119) adapted to be attached to a wall or ceiling. 11. In combination a surgical light (110 or 110') and a surgical table (T) said surgical light (110 or 110') comprising a cluster of light elements (111 through 116); each said light element (111 through 116) comprising a reflector means (120) having an axis of symmetry (142); a first light source (123) and a second light source (124); means supporting said light sources (123 and 124) on said axis of symmetry (142) and in spaced relation to each other one said light source (123) being located closer to said reflector (120) than the other (124) and to said reflector means (120); ; and means (D) for selectively connecting said first light source means (123) and second light source means (124) to a source of energy to selectively energize said first light source (123) and said second light source (124) whereby a relatively small pattern of light or a relatively large pattern of light are selectively directed onto an object supported on said surgical table (T) while said first light source (123) and said second light source (124) remain stationary. 12. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein a said means (D) for selectively connecting said first light source (123) and second light source means (124) to a source of energy comprises switch means (D); means (W) supporting said switch means (D) at a position remote from said light (llQ or 110') and remote from said surgical table (T). 13. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said reflector means (120) comprises a concave reflector (120) having a focal point (126); and said light sources (123 and 124) are supported at a predetermined distance from said focal point (126). 14. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein said light sources (123 and 124) are filaments (123 and 124). 15. The combination recited in claim 14 wherein said filaments (123 and 124) are tungsten halogen filaments (123 and 124) 16. The combination recited in claim 14 wherein at least six said light elements (111 through 116) are supported on said light (110 or 110') and said light elements (111 through 116) are supported generally in a circle. 17. A light (10, 110, or 110') for use in photography for providing photographers with flood and spot lights said lights (10, 110, or 110') comprising a reflector (12, 13, and 14; or 120) having an axis of symmetry (42 or 142) and a focal point (20 or 126); a first light source (15 or 123) and a second light source (16 or 124) said first light source (15 or 123) and said second light source (16 or 124) being supported in spaced relation to said reflector (12 or 120) and in spaced relation to each other one said light source (15 or 123) being located closer to said reflector (12 or 120) than the other (16 or 124) and means (D) for selectively connecting a source of energy to said sources (15 and 16; or 123 and 124) whereby a spot of light can be selectively directed onto an object and a flood of light can be selectively directed on said object while said first light source (15 or 123) and said second light source (16 or 124) remain stationary; thereby providing means for switching a lamp from flood to spot for maximum flexibility in photographic lighting. 18. The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said surgical lamp (110 or 110') has a circular frame (117); said light elements (111 through 116) are disposed within said circular frame (117); brackets (118) supporting said light elements (111 through 116) to said circular frame (117); a yoke (119), said yoke (119) being; connected to said circular frame (117) and means on said yoke for connecting said yokes to a building member.

Inventors: FISHER, KENNETH J., MILLER, WILLIAM R.
Applicants: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY
Application year: 1981
Main classification: F21M1
IPC codes: F21S8