Patent Description:
Light heads for medical device support systems, suspension systems and/or other carry systems, are used in health treatment settings such as hospital examination rooms, clinics, surgery rooms and emergency rooms to illuminate a region of interest (e.g., surgical treatment site or other medical site) below or proximate the light head. The light heads typically include a housing, one or more light emitting elements mounted inside the housing, and a handle mounted to the housing to enable a healthcare professional or other individual to adjust the position of the light head according to the needs of a specific medical procedure. The handle is typically formed to have an ergonomic structure that enables a user to wrap a hand around the handle such that the internal space within the handle is limited.

In these health treatment settings, there is often a need to capture and/or record images or video of the region of interest. The images or video may be used for various purposes, such as a visual aid in performing a given procedure. One or more cameras may be included as a part of the medical device support system, suspension system and/or other carry system. For example, a camera may be mounted in the handle of the light head and arranged to capture images of the region of interest that is illuminated by the one or more light emitting elements of the light head. However, the type of camera used in the handle of the light head has been limited due to issues of adjustability and/or reliability of the camera, particularly in view of the limited space within the handle.

Further, a sterile handle in a surgical environment has ergonomic needs whereby a too large handle may be undesirable and, in some cases, unacceptable.

The afore described technological complications at the light head and light head handle also introduce complications in propagating a signal from the camera to elsewhere in the surgical lighting system or to a location separate from the surgical lighting system, for example, in a conference room separate from the operating room in which the surgical lighting system may be located.

<CIT> discloses a light unit mounted at the end of a hanger system. A discharge bulb is provided and the hanger system has links with slip rings for power transmission. A miniature camera is set into the centre of the lighting unit. The optical signals from the camera are transmitted through the links using optical transmitters and receivers. <CIT> discloses a medical device assembly including a first member having a first abutment, a second member rotatably connected to the first member and having a second abutment, and an idler member having third abutment and a fourth abutment. The first member is rotatably fixed to the second member. <CIT> discloses a lighting system suited to use in an operating theatre includes one or more lightheads, each having a housing and a bezel extending therefrom. A light source is disposed within the housing. A handle extends below the bezel and is rotatable relative thereto. <CIT> discloses a surgery lamp having a light body with a suspension, at least one functional unit in the light body or suspension, a control unit near the light body for controlling the functional unit and a command unit for the control unit in the form of a wall box with a wall attachment arrangements. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

The present disclosure relates to an articulatable surgical lighting system having high bandwidth transmission from a surgical light head to elsewhere in the surgical lighting system or to a location separate from the surgical lighting system. An exemplary application of the surgical lighting system includes propagation of an optical signal originating from the surgical light head to one or more components of the articulating assembly and one or more rotatable joints of the surgical lighting system to for example a display monitor.

According to one aspect of the invention, a surgical lighting system includes a central shaft; a surgical light head; an extension arm having a hub at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft; a load balancing arm coupled to a distal end of the extension arm for pivotable movement relative to the extension arm; a yoke assembly coupled to a distal end of the load balancing arm for pivotable movement relative to the load balancing arm, wherein the yoke assembly supports the surgical light head for multi-axis movement relative to the load balancing arm; wherein the surgical light head includes a plurality of light emitting elements that are arranged to emit light downward to a region of interest and an optical signal generating component configured to capture data associated with the region of interest and generate an optical signal based on the captured data; and one or more optical fiber cables and one or more rotatable joints configured to transmit the optical signal associated with the captured data from the surgical light head to one or more of the yoke assembly, the load balancing arm, the extension arm, and the central shaft; wherein the surgical light head includes a light head housing and a handle mounted to the light head housing and protruding downward from the light head housing, and wherein the optical signal generating component is mounted and rotatable within the handle.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

The optical signal generating component may include a camera having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the region of interest, and the optical signal may include optical video signals associated with video data captured by the camera.

The optical signal may include a bidirectional control signal.

The handle may include a first mating connector and the light head housing may include a hub having a second mating connector, and the handle may be selectively attachable to and detachable from the hub wherein, in the attached state, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from a first optical fiber cable inside the handle to a second optical fiber cable inside the light head housing.

The one or more optical fiber cables may be configured to transmit the optical signal associated with the captured data from the surgical light head through the yoke assembly and the load balancing arm to the extension arm.

The yoke assembly may be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the load balancing arm via a first continuously rotatable joint and the first continuously rotatable joint may be configured to transmit the optical signal from a first optical fiber cable in the yoke assembly to a second optical fiber cable in the load balancing arm.

The load balancing arm may be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the extension arm via a second continuously rotatable joint and the second continuously rotatable joint may be configured to transmit the optical signal from a second optical fiber cable in the load balancing arm to a third optical fiber cable in the extension arm.

The extension arm may be pivotably rotatable about the central shaft via a third continuously rotatable joint and the third continuously rotatable joint may be configured to transmit the optical signal from a third optical fiber cable in the extension arm to a fourth optical fiber cable in the central shaft.

The one or more rotatable joints may include at least one fiber optic rotary joint.

The fiber optic rotary joint may include a physical contact fiber optic rotary joint.

The fiber optic rotary joint may include an expanded beam fiber optic rotary joint.

The surgical lighting system may further include a second extension arm having a second hub at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft, a second load balancing arm pivotably mounted to a distal end of the second extension arm, and a display monitor coupled to a distal end of the second load balancing arm, wherein the one or more optical fiber cables includes a continuous cable run configured to transmit the optical signal from the central shaft to the second extension arm, the second load balancing arm, and the display monitor.

The yoke assembly may be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the load balancing arm via a first rotatable joint, wherein the first rotatable joint includes a rotational component in the yoke assembly structured as a first mating connector and a stationary component in the load balancing arm structured as a second mating connector, and the yoke assembly is selectively attachable to and detachable from the load balancing arm wherein, in the attached state, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from a first optical fiber cable inside the yoke assembly to a second optical fiber cable inside the load balancing arm.

The load balancing arm may be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the extension arm via a second rotatable joint, wherein the second rotatable joint includes a rotational component in the load balancing arm structured as a first mating connector and a stationary component in the extension arm structured as a second mating connector, and the load balancing arm is selectively attachable to and detachable from the extension arm wherein, in the attached state, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from a second optical fiber cable inside the load balancing arm to a third optical fiber cable inside the extension arm.

These and further features will be apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings which set forth certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various aspects of the present disclosure.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

With reference to <FIG>, an exemplary medical device support system is shown at <NUM>. The medical device support system <NUM> includes a central shaft or support column <NUM> that is suspended from the ceiling, and two generally horizontal extension arms <NUM> mounted to the shaft <NUM> for rotational movement about the central shaft <NUM>. In other implementations, the central shaft <NUM> could be mounted to a wall or stand rather than the ceiling. Two load balancing arms <NUM> are pivotably mounted to the distal ends of the respective extension arms <NUM>. Yoke assemblies <NUM> are mounted to the distal ends of the respective load balancing arms <NUM>. The yoke assemblies <NUM>, in turn, support respective light heads <NUM> for multi-axis movement relative to the load balancing arms <NUM>. Each light head <NUM> includes a bushing or other coupling member <NUM> that rotatably connects the light head <NUM> to the distal end of an arm <NUM> of a respective yoke assembly <NUM>, as shown. The load balancing arms <NUM> and yoke assemblies <NUM> enable positioning of the light heads <NUM> to a desired orientation relative to, for example, a patient operating table and healthcare professionals in the operating room.

The exemplary medical device support system shown in <FIG> includes two light heads <NUM>, each mounted to a respective extension arm <NUM>, load balancing arm <NUM>, and yoke assembly <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the medical device support system may include more or fewer light heads. It will also be appreciated that the medical device support system may include other accessories mounted to the central shaft <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, each light head <NUM> of the system <NUM> includes a housing base <NUM>, a plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>, an annular shape lens <NUM>, and a housing cover <NUM> including a housing lens <NUM>. The housing base <NUM> and the housing cover <NUM> are connected by fasteners <NUM>. The annular shape lens <NUM> and the housing lens <NUM> are in a light emitting path of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each light head <NUM> includes an annular shape outer portion <NUM>, an inner round portion <NUM>, and a radially protruding arm <NUM> that connects the annular shape outer portion <NUM> to the inner round portion <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the radially protruding arm <NUM> arranges the annular shape outer portion <NUM> and the inner round portion <NUM> in concentric relation to one another, and in concentric relation to the rotation axis A-A of the annular shape lens <NUM>. The radially protruding arm <NUM> also houses one or more components for transferring rotational motion from a handle <NUM> mounted to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> of the light head <NUM> to the annular shape lens <NUM> of the light head <NUM> (described in more detail below). It will be appreciated that the annular shape outer portion <NUM> and the inner round portion <NUM> need not be in concentric relation to one another and instead can be arranged by the protruding arm in eccentric relation to one another. It will further be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment the inner round portion <NUM> of the light head <NUM> may be omitted; and in such form, only the annular shape outer portion <NUM> emits light to the region of interest (e.g., surgical treatment site or other medical site) below or proximate the light head.

As shown in <FIG>, an inside surface <NUM> of the housing base <NUM> supports the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>. The light emitting elements <NUM> may in some embodiments include one or more solid-state light emitters. Exemplary solid-state light emitters include such devices as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and organic LEDs (OLEDs). The LEDs may be broad spectrum LEDs (e.g., white light emitters) or LEDs that emit light of a desired color or spectrum (e.g., red light, green light, blue light, or ultraviolet light). In other embodiments, the LEDs may be a mixture of broad-spectrum LEDs and LEDs that emit narrow-band light of a desired color, or a mixture of LEDs that emit different respective colors or spectrum. In some embodiments, the solid-state light emitters constituting the light emitting elements <NUM> all generate light having the same nominal spectrum. In other embodiments, at least some of the solid-state light emitters constituting the light emitting elements <NUM> generate light that differs in spectrum from the light generated by the remaining solid-state light emitters. In other embodiments, the light emitting elements <NUM> may include one or more other types of light sources. Non-limiting examples of light sources include halogen, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, incandescent, and the like. In still other embodiments, the light emitting elements <NUM> may include a combination of solid-state light emitters and one or more of the above other types of light sources.

A controller controls the light emitting elements <NUM> of the annular shape outer portion <NUM> and the inner round portion <NUM> to emit light to a region of interest (e.g., surgical treatment site or other medical site) below or proximate the light head <NUM>. For example, a controller may control the light sources <NUM> of the annular shape outer portion <NUM> and the inner portion <NUM> to emit light to a region of interest below the light head <NUM>. Control of the respective light sources <NUM> may be performed, for example, collectively, individually, in groups, by section, or in any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the controller may be provided as part of the light head <NUM> such as shown in <FIG> where the controller is part of a camera assembly <NUM> within the handle <NUM> of the light head <NUM>. In other embodiments, the controller may be implemented elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM> external to the camera assembly <NUM>, for example elsewhere in the light head <NUM> or external to the light head <NUM>, or the controller may be implement external to the medical device support system <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, a plurality of collimators <NUM> are mounted to the inside surface <NUM> of the housing base <NUM> and in the light emitting paths of the respective plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>. Each collimator may be associated with a respective light emitting element <NUM> and may be arranged such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the associated light emitting element <NUM> is incident a surface of the collimator. The collimators <NUM> collect and direct, and/or collimate, the light emitted from the associated light emitting element <NUM> into a narrowed beam. In one form, the collimators <NUM> may comprise total internal reflection (TIR) lenses. In some embodiments, the collimators <NUM> and associated light emitting elements <NUM> may be grouped together in modules <NUM>, <NUM> mounted to the inside surface of the annular shape outer base <NUM>, and one round module <NUM> mounted to the inside surface of the inner round base <NUM>.

The housing cover <NUM> also includes the housing lens <NUM>, which in the illustrative embodiment includes an annular shape outer cover <NUM> and an inner round cover <NUM>. Both the annular shape outer cover <NUM> and an inner round cover <NUM> may be shaped to redirect light emitted from the light emitting elements and passing therethrough. In an alternate form, the housing cover <NUM> is configured such that one or both of the annular shape outer cover <NUM> and an inner round cover <NUM> are formed of a transparent non-lens material, i.e. a non-light bending material. In embodiments where both the annular shape outer cover <NUM> and an inner round cover <NUM> are formed of a transparent non-lens material, the housing lens <NUM> may be considered to be omitted from the light head <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an axial arrangement of the light emitting elements <NUM>, the collimators <NUM>, the annular shape lens <NUM>, and the housing lens <NUM>, where axial refers to the direction of emission of light from the light head <NUM>, or downward in <FIG>. The annular shape outer cover <NUM> and the inner round cover <NUM> are in the light emitting paths of respective ones of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>. The annular shape lens <NUM> is in the respective light emitting paths of respective ones of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>, positioned between the light emitting elements <NUM> and the annular shape outer cover <NUM>. Each collimator <NUM> is also arranged in the light emitting path of a respective light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM> in the annular shape outer portion <NUM> of the light head <NUM> positioned between the light emitting element <NUM> and the annular shape lens <NUM>; or is arranged in the light emitting path of a respective light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM> in the inner round portion <NUM> of the light head <NUM> positioned between the light emitting elements <NUM> and the inner round cover <NUM>.

The annular shape lens <NUM>, the housing lens <NUM>, and the collimators <NUM>, if provided, can take on any form for spreading and/or bending the light emitted by the light emitting elements <NUM>. As shown for example in <FIG>, the inner round cover <NUM> of the housing lens <NUM> has a top face <NUM> formed as a stepped surface, for example a plurality of Fresnel wedges, that bends individual portions of the light beams, and a bottom face <NUM> formed as a generally planar surface. The annular shape lens <NUM> has a top face <NUM> formed as a stepped surface, for example a plurality of Fresnel wedges, that bends individual portions of the light beams, and a bottom face <NUM> formed as a wavy or curved surface that bends individual portions of the light beams. The annular shape outer lens <NUM> of the housing lens <NUM>, has a top face <NUM> formed as a wavy or curved surface and a bottom face <NUM> formed as a generally planar wedge-shaped surface, where a generally planar wedge-shaped surface refers to a generally planar surface that is not perpendicular to the direction of travel of the light beam emitted by the light emitting elements <NUM> and collimators <NUM>, for example.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light head <NUM> includes a handle <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle <NUM> is rotatably mounted coaxially to a hub <NUM> of the light head <NUM>. A lever <NUM> is provided for transferring rotational motion from the handle <NUM> to the annular shape lens <NUM>. A first end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is movably coupled to a bushing <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and a second end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is movably coupled to the annular shape lens <NUM>. The lever <NUM> is configured to transfer rotational motion of the handle <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> into rotational motion of the annular shape lens <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the handle <NUM> may be mounted in a stationary manner, although components within the handle <NUM>, for example a camera assembly <NUM> described below, may be configured to rotate therein. Further details of an exemplary surgical light system suitable for the present application are described in<CIT>, and titled "Lighthead with Rotating Lens Assembly and Method of Operating Same".

<FIG> show further details of the handle <NUM>. <FIG> shows the handle <NUM> having the grip portion <NUM> of the handle housing <NUM> having buttons <NUM> that provide a user interface for the handle <NUM> for controlling attributes of the emitted light from the light head <NUM>. In other embodiments, the handle <NUM> may be provided with buttons that interface with a drive motor to rotate the afore mentioned camera assembly <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM>. The handle housing <NUM>, including the grip portion <NUM> thereof, has a sufficient size to be gripped by a human hand meaning that the outermost diameter or perimeter of the handle housing <NUM> is selected to enable a human hand to be comfortably wrapped around the handle housing <NUM>. The handle housing <NUM> may be cylindrical in shape and elongated along a rotation axis R. Other shapes may be suitable for the handle housing <NUM> as will be described in greater detail below.

<FIG> shows a perspective cross section view of the handle <NUM> and <FIG> shows a perspective cross section view of the handle <NUM> with the handle housing <NUM> removed. The handle <NUM> includes a camera assembly <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM>. The camera assembly <NUM> includes a camera <NUM> configured to capture images and/or video of a field of view <NUM>, which may include a target. The target may constitute a region of interest.

As shown in <FIG>, the region of interest <NUM> may at least partially be illuminated by light emitted by the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM>. The region of interest <NUM> may include a specific target, such as a patient on a surgical table <NUM>. A target may be defined as an area which the user intends to illuminate by aiming the light <NUM> produced by the surgical light. The region of interest <NUM> may in some embodiments be defined as the area that is illuminated by the light head <NUM>. The region of interest <NUM> may be formed by the light emitting elements <NUM> that emit light and collimators and/or lenses that aim, redirect, spread, converge, and or focus the light. The light head may be arranged such that it is a predetermined distance from the region of interest. Adjustment of the light head relative to the region of interest may be performed using the extension arm <NUM>, load balancing arm <NUM>, and/or yoke assembly <NUM>. In an example, the light head may be adjusted such that it is a distance of about one meter from the region of interest. "Target", "region of interest," "target region", and "target region of interest," etc. may be used with reference to the same area.

The camera <NUM> may include any suitable optical camera including a sensor and being configured to capture images within the region of interest <NUM>. For example, the camera <NUM> may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. Other sensors may be suitable. In an exemplary embodiment, a CMOS sensor having approximately a <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> pixel resolution, for example an HD camera, may be suitable. It will be appreciated that higher resolution cameras are also contemplated, for example, a <NUM> camera having for example approximately <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> pixel resolution, and still further an <NUM> camera having an even greater pixel resolution. The camera <NUM> may have any suitable focal distance range, such as between <NUM> and <NUM> millimeters. In one embodiment, an <NUM> millimeter range may be suitable, for example, for full optical zoom. The camera <NUM> may have any suitable signal-to-noise ratio. The signal-to-noise ratio may exceed <NUM> decibels to provide clear images. As will be described in greater detail below, the optical video signal associated with video data captured by the camera <NUM> and output by the camera assembly <NUM> utilizes an optical fiber cable <NUM> that enables a high bandwidth data link so that advantageously the optical video signal is uncompressed, thereby mitigating for example issues such as visual compression artifacts, noise, and video latency. In another exemplary embodiment, the camera <NUM> may include a surgical display having a resolution that is approximately <NUM> by <NUM>, an aspect ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>, and a viewing angle that is approximately <NUM> degrees. The camera <NUM> may also include one or more lenses (not shown) to provide zooming and focusing functionality, as well as any other components to allow for operation of the camera <NUM>. Many other cameras may be suitable.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> is configured to output an optical video signal pertaining to images and/or video captured by the camera <NUM> within the field of view <NUM> and the region of interest <NUM>. The optical video signal may be output from the camera assembly <NUM> to elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail below, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a control system <NUM> that processes image data captured from the camera <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may be located in the handle housing <NUM>, for example as part of the camera assembly <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, or in the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> of the light head <NUM>, or outside of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or even outside of the medical device support system <NUM>, or may be located in a combination of two or more of the handle housing <NUM>, the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, outside of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, and outside of the medical device support system <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, and as will be described in greater detail below, the control system <NUM> components, i.e. controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and video processing circuit <NUM>, are part of control electronics <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM>. As will also be described below, the control system <NUM> may be configured to control other components, such as a video display monitor, of the medical device support system <NUM> in addition to the camera assembly <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> that is configured to carry out overall control of the functions and operations of the control system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, or microprocessor. The processor <NUM> executes code stored in a memory (not shown) within the controller <NUM> and/or in a separate memory, such as the memory <NUM>, in order to carry out operation of the control system <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be coupled to a video processing circuit <NUM>. The video processing circuit <NUM> may process communications (COMM), power, and a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) video signal <NUM> a from the camera <NUM> to create a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) format electrical video signal 201b, which electrical video signal may then be processed by a fiber module <NUM> into an optical video signal 201c used to drive a display <NUM>, for example a display monitor. The fiber module <NUM> may constitute part of the camera assembly <NUM> as shown in block diagram in <FIG>, or may be mounted to the camera assembly <NUM> as described in greater detail below.

The video processing circuit <NUM> may also be configured to convert image and/or video data to an image and/or video signal used to drive the display <NUM>. The video processing circuit <NUM> may include any appropriate buffers, decoders, video data processors and so forth. The optical video signal of the camera assembly <NUM> may be processed by the controller <NUM> and/or converted by the video processing circuit <NUM> and may be displayed on the display <NUM>. The optical video signal of the camera assembly <NUM> may also or alternatively be stored on a memory, such as the memory <NUM>. The stored image(s) and/or video may be displayed on the display at a later time.

The display <NUM> may be used to present images and/or video to a user (e.g., healthcare professional or other individual), as well as any other graphics or information to the user. The display may be a lighted display. In some embodiments, the display <NUM> is a backlit liquid-crystal display (LCD). The LCD may be backlit using one or more suitable light sources (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL), etc.). In other embodiments, the display <NUM> is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may be configured for rotation about the rotation axis R in both a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction. The camera assembly <NUM> includes a bracket <NUM>, a spindle <NUM>, and an axially extending bracket <NUM>. The spindle <NUM> is fixed relative to the handle housing <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is rotatably mounted to the spindle <NUM> and is fixed to the axially extending bracket <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the brackets <NUM>, <NUM> together form a rotatable bracket <NUM>, <NUM> having an inverted L shape. The rotatable bracket <NUM>, <NUM> provides for rotation of the camera <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM> (e.g., rotation about the rotation axis R). A gear <NUM> is fixed to the bracket <NUM> and a pinion <NUM> is in meshing engagement with the gear <NUM> for driving the gear <NUM> and thus the rotatable bracket <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate the camera <NUM>. The camera assembly <NUM> may in some embodiments be configured for rotation that is greater than <NUM> degrees about the rotation axis R in both a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction. Further details of an exemplary means of providing rotational capability of the camera assembly <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM> is described in <CIT>, titled "<NUM> Degrees Plus Rotation Module for Surgical Light Head Handle". Many other rotation assemblies, if included, may be suitable.

The camera assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure may include a fiber optic assembly <NUM> that provides fiber optic capability integrated into the light head handle <NUM> for transmission of the optical video signal associated with video data captured by the camera <NUM> from a location within the handle <NUM> to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the optical video signal may also be transmitted from the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> to elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fiber optic assembly <NUM> includes a fiber module <NUM> located within the handle housing <NUM> and coupled to the camera assembly <NUM>, for example, coupled to a heat transfer plate <NUM> thereof, as will be described in greater detail below. The fiber module <NUM> is configured to convert electrical video signals of video data captured by the camera <NUM> into optical video signals. The fiber module <NUM> includes an optical video signal transmission port <NUM>. A tubular interface member <NUM> is coupled to the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> and is configured to mate with an optical fiber cable <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, a flexible ribbon cable <NUM> is coupled to the fiber module <NUM>. An opposite end <NUM> of the flexible ribbon cable <NUM> (that is, the end <NUM> opposite to where the flexible ribbon cable <NUM> is coupled to the fiber module <NUM>) may be connected to the camera assembly <NUM>, for example, control electronics <NUM> such as a printed circuit board (PCB) of the camera assembly <NUM>. For example, the opposite end <NUM> of the flexible ribbon cable <NUM> can be plugged into a connector 305a of the control electronics <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the control electronics <NUM> are positioned axially between the camera <NUM> and the gear/pinion arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the control electronics <NUM> may be positioned axially between the camera <NUM> and the accessory port connector <NUM> in a position axially above the gear/pinion arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the control electronics <NUM> include the components of the control system <NUM>, i.e. the controller <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and video processing circuit <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may be configured to transmit communications (COMM), power, and a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) video signal for example 201a in <FIG> to the control electronics <NUM>. The control electronics <NUM>, for example the video processing circuit <NUM> of the control system <NUM> of the control electronics <NUM>, may process the video signal to create a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) format electrical video signal for example 201b in <FIG> that is transmitted via for example the connector 305a to the flexible ribbon cable <NUM>. The fiber module <NUM> then converts the HDMI electrical video signal to an HDMI optical video signal for example 201c in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, any heat radiated by the fiber module <NUM> may be transferred to and dissipated by the heat transfer plate <NUM>, as will be described in greater detail below. As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> to be described in greater detail below, a heat transfer pad <NUM> may be sandwiched between the fiber module <NUM> and the heat transfer plate <NUM> the length of the fiber module <NUM>, that is, to axially opposite ends 302a, 302b of the fiber module <NUM>, and slightly beyond the end 302b. The heat transfer pad <NUM> may be made of any suitable compressible material, for example, a silicone polymer material, or other conformable, thermally conductive material for filling air gaps, including gap fillers, thermal pads, form-in-place pads, sil pads, among others. The fiber module <NUM> may be mounted to the heat transfer plate <NUM> by a clamping force of the bracket <NUM>, with the heat transfer pad <NUM> (if provided) compressed therebetween.

The fiber optic assembly <NUM> further includes an optical fiber cable <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> may transmit optical images and/or video signals, for example the afore described HDMI optical video signal 201c, associated with image and/or video data captured by the camera <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the optical fiber cable <NUM> transmits the optical video signals from the fiber module <NUM> to elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> provides a high bandwidth data link suitable for the optical video signal output associated with the afore mentioned camera <NUM>, whether an HD camera, <NUM> camera or even <NUM> camera. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber cable <NUM> provides a high bandwidth capability for the optical video signal to be uncompressed, thereby mitigating for example issues such as visual compression artifacts, noise, and video latency. With reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be configured to provide a bidirectional control signal or data/COMM link that links the control electronics <NUM> (in the illustrative embodiment the control system <NUM>) to for example intelligent display devices. Thus, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may provide a unidirectional control signal in that the optical fiber cable <NUM> provides an optical video signal to drive for example display <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> may provide a bidirectional control signal in that the optical fiber cable <NUM> provides receive/transmit control signals between the display <NUM> and the control electronics <NUM>.

The optical fiber cable <NUM> extends from a location within the handle housing <NUM>, in the illustrative embodiment the location at which the optical fiber cable <NUM> is attached to the fiber module <NUM>, to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. From the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may extend to additional components within the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and/or to, for example, the coupling member <NUM>, the yoke assembly <NUM>, the load balancing arm <NUM>, the extension arm <NUM>, the support column <NUM>, or elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>. Additionally, or alternately, and with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be coupled to a suitable handle-to-light head housing accessory port connector <NUM> in the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, for example at the location where the handle <NUM> is rotatably mounted coaxially to the hub <NUM> of the light head <NUM>, and another optical fiber cable may extend from such accessory port connector <NUM> to additional components within the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and/or to, for example, the coupling member <NUM>, the yoke assembly <NUM>, the load balancing arm <NUM>, the extension arm <NUM>, the support column <NUM>, or elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the accessory port connector <NUM> integrates an electrical cable connection with the optical fiber cable <NUM> connection so that electrical signals, for example electrical power and/or electrical data signals, may be transmitted from the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or from elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>, to the handle <NUM> and the camera assembly <NUM> therein, or vice versa. Other embodiments are also contemplated.

The optical video signal is transmitted via the optical fiber cable <NUM> and/or any additional or alternate cables, to elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>, for example, the display <NUM>. As noted above, the control system <NUM> for controlling components such as the display <NUM> may be located in the handle housing <NUM>, for example as part of the camera assembly <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, or in the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> of the light head <NUM>, or outside of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or even outside of the medical device support system <NUM>, or may be located in a combination of two or more of the handle housing <NUM>, the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, outside of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, and outside of the medical device support system <NUM>. Accordingly, the optical fiber cable <NUM> and/or additional or alternate cables may extend through other components of the medical device support system <NUM>, for example, through the yoke assembly <NUM>, load balancing arm <NUM>, extension arm <NUM>, and support column <NUM>.

In an assembled state, the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is optically coupled to the fiber module <NUM>. Optical image and/or video signals from the fiber module <NUM> are input from the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> includes a ferrule <NUM> and a biasing member <NUM> proximate the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. As described below, the ferrule <NUM> and a biasing member <NUM> may assist in aligning and retaining the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> with the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> in a predetermined arrangement.

The fiber optic assembly <NUM> further includes a bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is mounted to one or more components of the camera assembly <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the bracket <NUM> is mounted to the heat transfer plate <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be mounted to the control electronics <NUM> such as the printed circuit board (PCB) of the camera assembly <NUM>. Referring again to <FIG>, the fiber module <NUM> may be sandwiched between the bracket <NUM> and the heat transfer plate <NUM>, with the heat transfer pad <NUM>, if present, sandwiched between the fiber module <NUM> and heat transfer plate <NUM>. The heat transfer plate <NUM> may then be attached to the rotatable bracket <NUM>, <NUM>; that is, the heat transfer plate <NUM> may be attached to the bracket <NUM> and/or the bracket <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the fiber module <NUM> is positioned along the body of the camera <NUM>, that is, disposed laterally to the side of and in spaced relationship relative the camera <NUM> radially outward from the rotation axis R of the camera <NUM>, and between the camera <NUM> and the inner perimeter of the handle housing <NUM>. Further, in the illustrative embodiment, the fiber module <NUM> is not connected to the camera <NUM> itself but rather to one or more brackets <NUM>, <NUM> to which the camera <NUM> also is connected. In some embodiments, the fiber module <NUM> may be co-located with the control electronics <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> and/or positioned axially above the camera <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> retains the fiber module <NUM> in a fixed position relative to the camera <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the bracket <NUM> retains the fiber module <NUM> in an orientation such that the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> is arranged toward the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> also retains the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> in a fixed position relative to the camera <NUM> and relative to the fiber module <NUM> and optical video signal transmission port <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> includes an interface retention portion <NUM> and a cable retention portion <NUM>. A fastening member <NUM> is located between and connects or bridges the interface retention portion <NUM> and the cable retention portion <NUM>.

The cable retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> is configured as a channel <NUM> including a bottom wall <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The channel <NUM> extends between a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> along a direction C. The side walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend in a height direction H from the bottom wall <NUM>. The fastening member <NUM> is connected to one of the side walls <NUM> of the channel <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM> are tapered. In other embodiments, the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> have a constant height between the proximal end <NUM> and the distal end <NUM>. The cable retention portion <NUM> may also be referred to as a guide channel in that it guides the optical fiber cable <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM> and toward the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>.

The interface retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> includes an interface channel <NUM> including a bottom wall <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The interface channel <NUM> extends between a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> along a direction B. The side walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend in a height direction H from the bottom wall <NUM>. A distal wall <NUM> is located at the distal end <NUM> of the interface channel <NUM> and extends between the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> and in the height direction H. The distal wall <NUM> is arranged orthogonal to the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the interface channel <NUM>. A slot <NUM> is provided in the distal wall <NUM> that provides for fluid communication through the distal wall and into the interface channel <NUM>.

A proximal wall <NUM> is located at the proximal end <NUM> of the interface channel <NUM> and extends between the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> and in the height direction H. The proximal wall <NUM> is arranged orthogonal to the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the interface channel <NUM>. A slot <NUM> is provided in the proximal wall <NUM> that provides for fluid communication through the proximal wall <NUM> and into the interface channel <NUM>.

At each end of the proximal wall <NUM> a fiber module retention channel <NUM>, <NUM> extends along the height direction H between a proximal end <NUM>, <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>, <NUM>. Each fiber module retention channel <NUM>, <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM>, <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein a portion of the distal wall <NUM> forms a side wall of each of the fiber module retention channels <NUM>, <NUM>.

Retention walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend from the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of each fiber module retention channel <NUM>, <NUM>. The retention walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend from the side wall <NUM>, <NUM> at the distal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the fiber module retention channels <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, each retention wall <NUM>, <NUM> is oriented parallel to the bottom wall <NUM> of the interface channel <NUM>.

The fastening member <NUM> includes an orifice <NUM> (e.g., a bolt hole) through which a fastener <NUM> (e.g., screw, rivet, etc.) may be inserted for securing the bracket <NUM> to another member, such as the heat transfer plate <NUM> or other component of the camera assembly <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the fastening member <NUM> may include any suitable coupling mechanism and arrangement to fix the bracket <NUM> to the camera assembly <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the fastening member <NUM> may include a bolt hole pattern through which fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) may be respectively inserted for securing the bracket <NUM>. In other embodiments, the fastening member <NUM> may have an arrangement of one or more tabs configured to mate with one or more orifices on the camera <NUM> or other component(s) of the camera assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, the fastening member <NUM> may have a surface that may be adhered to a surface of a component of the camera assembly <NUM> by an adhesive.

In the illustrative embodiment, the interface retention portion <NUM> and cable retention portion <NUM> are arranged such that the channel <NUM> of the cable retention portion <NUM> and the interface channel <NUM> of the interface retention portion <NUM> are parallel to one another in a direction orthogonal to the height direction H. In other embodiments, the interface retention portion <NUM> and cable retention portion <NUM> are arranged such that the channel <NUM> of the cable retention portion <NUM> and the interface channel <NUM> of the interface retention portion <NUM> are arranged non-parallel to one another in a direction orthogonal to the height direction H.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> may be secured to the camera assembly <NUM> and may retain the fiber module <NUM> in optical communication with the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, the distal end of the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be inserted into the tubular member <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be set at a predetermined distance from the output (e.g., lens) of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM>. This distance may be set based on the length of the tubular member <NUM> and the position of the ferrule <NUM> on the optical fiber cable <NUM> relative to the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. The outer diameter of the ferrule <NUM> may be larger than the inner diameter of the tubular member <NUM> such that ferrule <NUM> contacts the distal end <NUM> of the tubular member <NUM> and prevents the optical fiber cable <NUM> from being inserted any further into the tubular member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the position of the ferrule <NUM> is on the optical fiber cable <NUM> is adjustable. The predetermined distance between the distal end <NUM> of the inserted optical fiber cable <NUM> and the output (e.g., lens) of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> may be any suitable distance. In some embodiments, the distance ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. In other embodiments, the distance is less than <NUM>. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the distal end <NUM> of the inserted optical fiber cable <NUM> may be in contact with the output of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> such that the distance is zero mm.

The tubular member <NUM> defines an aperture at which the ferrule <NUM> seats to align the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> with an optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ferrule <NUM> seats at the distal end <NUM> of the tubular member <NUM> to laterally align the optical fiber cable <NUM> with an axis of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ferrule <NUM> seats at the tubular member <NUM> to angularly align the optical fiber cable <NUM> with an axis of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>.

The fiber module <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> that slidably fits into the fiber module retention channels <NUM>, <NUM>. With the flange <NUM> inserted in the fiber module retention channels <NUM>, <NUM>, the fiber module <NUM> is restricted in movement in a direction along the direction B of the interface channel. The flange <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM> is inserted into the fiber module retention channels <NUM>, <NUM> from a direction proximate the open top surface of the channel, and the retention walls <NUM>, <NUM> prevent the fiber module <NUM> from extending past a predetermined position along the height direction H.

A biasing member <NUM> is provided on the optical fiber cable <NUM> at a side of the ferrule <NUM> opposite the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the biasing member <NUM> is a spring <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, the biasing member <NUM> is a compressible, resilient material such as a rubber, foam, and the like. When the fiber module <NUM> and optical fiber cable <NUM> are inserted into the interface retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>, one end of the biasing member <NUM> is in contact with the ferrule <NUM> and the other end of the biasing member <NUM> is in contact with the distal wall <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> provides a continuous biasing force against the ferrule <NUM> to retain the ferrule <NUM> against the distal end <NUM> of the tubular member <NUM>, thereby retaining the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the predetermined position relative to the output (e.g., lens) of the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a sheath <NUM> may be provided around the optical fiber cable <NUM> proximate the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the ferrule <NUM> and biasing member <NUM> are disposed between the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> and the sheath <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> may also pass through the slot <NUM> in the distal wall <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> may provide a stiffness that inhibits or prevents the optical fiber cable <NUM> from bending or increases the optical fiber cable's resistance to bending proximate the distal wall <NUM>.

When secured to the camera assembly <NUM>, the retention walls <NUM>, <NUM> hold the fiber module <NUM> against the camera assembly <NUM>; and the distal wall <NUM>, proximal wall <NUM>, and/or bottom surface <NUM> of the interface channel and bottom surface of the interface channel hold the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> against the camera assembly <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the optical fiber cable <NUM> is routed through the distal wall of the interface retention portion, is curved, and is routed through the cable retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. The curvature of the optical fiber cable <NUM> has a radius of curvature (bend radius) that allows for the optical signal to propagate in the optical fiber without or with an acceptable minimum loss of the signal. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature is <NUM> to <NUM>. A suitable optical fiber cable <NUM> may be, for example, a multimode (MM) <NUM> micron OM4 bend insensitive fiber. In some embodiments, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be a single mode (SM) fiber, or a multimode (MM) fiber of <NUM> micron diameter. In still other embodiments, it is contemplated that the optical fiber cable <NUM> may comprise an OM5 or OM6 designated fiber.

The cable retention portion <NUM> and the interface retention portion <NUM> are separated from one another by a predetermined distance so as to set a radius of curvature of the optical fiber cable <NUM> that allows for transmission of the optical video signal. In some embodiments, the distance between the channel <NUM> of the cable retention portion <NUM> and the channel <NUM> of the interface retention portion <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>. In some embodiments, the optical fiber cable <NUM> is fixed in the channel <NUM> of the cable retention portion <NUM>. The diameter of the optical fiber cable <NUM> relative to the channel <NUM> may be such that the optical fiber cable <NUM> is prevented from freely moving through the channel <NUM> due to frictional forces between the optical fiber cable <NUM> and the channel <NUM>. In other embodiments, the optical fiber cable <NUM> is freely movable within the channel <NUM>.

The optical fiber cable <NUM> is routed through the cable retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> and to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> may be routed in any suitable manner between the bracket <NUM> and the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, so long as an acceptable bend radius of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is maintained. In the exemplary embodiment shown the cable retention portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> retains the optical fiber cable <NUM> while also allowing slack in the optical fiber cable <NUM> between the cable retention portion <NUM> and the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the slack in the optical fiber cable <NUM> may allow for flexibility in the optical fiber cable <NUM> during rotation of the camera assembly <NUM> so that, for example, the optical fiber cable <NUM> merely bends and flexes as needed between the cable retention portion <NUM> and for example the accessory port connector <NUM> in the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> is curved with a suitable bend radius and routed through the spindle <NUM> and to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> and/or any additional or alternate cables may be routed in any suitable manner through the components of the medical device support system <NUM> to reach for example the display <NUM> or other components of the system <NUM>.

Thus, the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> includes the ferrule <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> includes the interface channel <NUM> within which the ferrule <NUM> seats to align the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> with the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>. Further, the bracket <NUM> includes the biasing member <NUM> that exerts a continuous force against the ferrule <NUM> to compress the distal end <NUM> of the optical fiber cable <NUM> against the optical video signal transmission port <NUM> of the fiber module <NUM>. The interface channel <NUM> has at its opposite ends the distal wall <NUM> and the fiber module <NUM> respectively, and, as shown in <FIG>, the biasing member <NUM> has a first end that exerts the continuous force against the ferrule <NUM> and a second end that abuts the distal wall <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> includes the guide channel <NUM> that guides the optical fiber cable <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM> and to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>. The optical fiber cable <NUM> has a bend radius as it passes between the distal wall <NUM> and the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, and with additional reference to <FIG>, the camera assembly <NUM> may include a heat transfer plate <NUM>. In the example shown, the bracket <NUM> may be fixed to the camera assembly <NUM> such that the bracket <NUM> and the fiber module <NUM> are in contact with the heat transfer plate <NUM>. The heat transfer plate <NUM> may be made from metal or any other suitable heat transfer material. The heat transfer plate <NUM> is in heat transmissive contact with the fiber module <NUM> to draw heat away from the fiber module <NUM>.

<FIG> show that the heat transfer plate <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> having major surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction T. The main body <NUM> is shown as having planar major surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the main body <NUM> (and the major surfaces thereof) may be curved in one or more directions. The perimeter of the main body <NUM> (viewed in a direction normal to the major surfaces, such as that shown in <FIG>) may have any suitable shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body <NUM> has a perimeter including protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> such that the profile of the major surfaces allow for the bracket <NUM> to at least partially correspond to the perimeter of the bracket <NUM>, as well as the fiber module <NUM> when mounted to the bracket <NUM>. This may allow for increased contact between the bracket <NUM> and the heat transfer plate <NUM>, as well as the fiber module <NUM> and the heat transfer plate <NUM>. The main body <NUM> of the heat transfer plate <NUM> includes one or more orifices <NUM>, which may allow for the heat transfer plate <NUM> to be mounted (e.g., via a fastener such as a screw, rivet, etc.) to the camera assembly <NUM> and/or may allow for the bracket <NUM> to be mounted (e.g., via a fastener such as a screw, rivet, etc.) to the heat transfer plate <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the heat transfer plate <NUM> may be coupled to a heat sink to provide further dissipation of heat from the fiber module <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the heat transfer plate <NUM> includes a tab <NUM> that is arranged orthogonal to the main body <NUM> of the heat transfer plate <NUM>. The tab <NUM> includes an orifice <NUM> through which the tab <NUM> may be secured (e.g., via a fastener such as a screw, rivet, etc.) to a separate heat sink in the camera assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> show another exemplary embodiment of the bracket <NUM>. In this embodiment, the interface retention portion <NUM> and the fastening portion <NUM> are similar to that described above with respect to the bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the features thereof will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. However, the cable retention portion <NUM> includes a channel <NUM> that is in contact with the distal wall <NUM> of the interface retention portion <NUM>. As shown, the channel <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and the channel <NUM> includes a linear portion <NUM> and a curved portion <NUM>. The curved portion of the channel has a predetermined radius of curvature (bend radius) and serves a guide for setting and maintaining the radius of curvature of the optical fiber cable <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the bracket shown in <FIG> may be implemented in any of the embodiments of the handle shown and described in the present disclosure.

<FIG> show an exemplary medical device support system <NUM> according to another embodiment of the invention. The medical device support system <NUM> is in many respects similar to the afore described medical device support system <NUM>, and consequently the same reference numerals are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the medical device support system <NUM>. In addition, the foregoing description of the medical device support system <NUM> is equally applicable to the medical device support system <NUM> in addition to or except as noted below. Moreover, it will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the specification that aspects of the medical device support systems <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.

Turning then to <FIG>, the medical device support system <NUM> includes the light head <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and a camera arm <NUM> having a camera <NUM> mounted at its distal end. The light head <NUM> is coupled to the corresponding extension arm <NUM> by an articulating assembly <NUM> which in the illustrative embodiment includes the yoke assembly <NUM> and corresponding load balancing arm <NUM>. The corresponding extension arm <NUM> includes a hub <NUM> at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft <NUM> to enable pivotable movement of the extension arm <NUM> about the central shaft <NUM>. The articulating assembly <NUM> is coupled to a distal end of the extension arm <NUM>, as shown. Similarly, the display <NUM> is coupled to the corresponding extension arm <NUM> by an articulating assembly <NUM> which in the illustrative embodiment includes the corresponding load balancing arm <NUM>. The corresponding extension arm <NUM> includes a hub <NUM> at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft <NUM> to enable pivotable movement of the extension arm <NUM> about the central shaft <NUM>. The articulating assembly <NUM> is coupled to a distal end of the extension arm <NUM>, as shown. The camera arm <NUM> is connected to a distal end of the corresponding extension arm <NUM>. The corresponding extension arm <NUM> includes a hub <NUM> at a proximal end thereof mounted to an auxiliary shaft <NUM> of the medical device support system <NUM> to enable pivotable movement of the corresponding extension arm <NUM> about the auxiliary shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> show greater detail of a means for propagating an optical signal originating from the light head <NUM> to the central shaft <NUM> and/or from the central shaft <NUM> to the display <NUM>. The light head <NUM> may include an optical signal generating component <NUM> such as the afore described camera <NUM> of the camera assembly <NUM> or any other suitable optical signal generating component. The optical signal generating component <NUM> may be configured to capture data associated with for example the afore described region of interest <NUM> (see <FIG>) or any other suitable region of interest. The optical signal generating component <NUM> may be configured to generate an optical signal based on the captured data. In some embodiments, the camera <NUM> may have a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the region of interest <NUM>, and the optical signal may include optical video signals associated with video data captured by the camera <NUM>. The optical signal may include a unidirectional optical video signal. In some embodiments, the optical signal may include a bidirectional control signal.

The light head <NUM> may take on any suitable configuration for originating the optical single therein. With reference again to <FIG>, for example, the light head <NUM> may include a light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and a handle <NUM> mounted to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and protruding downward from the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, where the optical signal generating component <NUM> includes for example camera <NUM> mounted within the handle <NUM>. In this regard, the optical signal generating component <NUM> may be rotatable within the handle <NUM> in a manner similar to that described above for the camera <NUM>. Other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the optical signal generating component <NUM> may be located in the light head <NUM> in a location other than the handle <NUM>, for example in the annular shape outer portion <NUM>, the inner round portion <NUM>, and/or the radially protruding arm <NUM> of the light head <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, where the optical signal generating component <NUM> is mounted within the handle <NUM>, the handle <NUM> may include a first mating connector such as the afore described accessory port connector <NUM>, and the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> may include a hub such as the afore described hub <NUM> that has a second mating connector. In this way, the handle <NUM> may be selectively attachable to and detachable from the hub <NUM> wherein, in the attached state, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from one optical fiber cable inside the handle <NUM>, for example optical fiber cable <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> in handle <NUM>, to another optical fiber cable inside the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM>, for example optical fiber cable <NUM> to be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the handle <NUM> may not be attachable to and detachable from the light head <NUM>, and the optical fiber cable <NUM> inside the handle <NUM> may pass directly from the handle <NUM> to the interior of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> without passing through an accessory port connector.

Reference is now made to <FIG> and <FIG>, which shows multiple rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and multiple optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured to transmit the optical signal from the light head <NUM> to, for example, the yoke assembly <NUM>, the load balancing arm <NUM>, the extension arm <NUM>, and the central shaft <NUM>. For ease of illustration, <FIG> is a cutaway view of the <FIG> medical device support system <NUM> shown only with the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, whereas <FIG> is a cutaway view of the <FIG> medical device support system <NUM> shown with both the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, starting from the light head <NUM>, for example, the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to transmit the optical signal associated with the captured data from the light head <NUM> through the yoke assembly <NUM>, through the load balancing arm <NUM>, through the extension arm <NUM>, and to the central shaft <NUM>.

The yoke assembly <NUM> may be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the corresponding load balancing arm <NUM> via a first rotatable joint <NUM>. The first rotatable joint <NUM> may be configured to transmit the optical signal from a first optical fiber cable <NUM> in the yoke assembly <NUM> to a second optical fiber cable <NUM> in the corresponding load balancing arm <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail below, the first rotatable joint <NUM> may include any suitable configuration; in the illustrative embodiment, the first rotatable joint <NUM> is in the form of a continuously rotatable joint. The corresponding load balancing arm <NUM> may, in turn, be pivotably rotatable about the distal end of the corresponding extension arm <NUM> via a second rotatable joint <NUM>. The second rotatable joint may be configured to transmit the optical signal from the second optical fiber cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM> to a third optical fiber cable <NUM> in the corresponding extension arm <NUM>. The second rotatable joint <NUM> may also include any suitable configuration; in the illustrative embodiment, the second rotatable joint <NUM> includes a continuously rotatable joint.

The extension arm <NUM>, as earlier described, has a hub <NUM> at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft <NUM> for pivotable movement about the central shaft <NUM>. The extension arm <NUM> may be pivotably rotatable about the central shaft <NUM> via a third rotatable joint <NUM>, which may include for example the hub <NUM>. The third rotatable joint <NUM> may be configured to transmit the optical signal from the third optical fiber cable <NUM> in the extension arm <NUM> to a fourth optical fiber cable <NUM> in the central shaft <NUM>. As with the first and second rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, the third rotatable joint <NUM> may also include any suitable configuration. In the illustrative embodiment, the third rotatable joint <NUM> includes a continuously rotatable joint.

<FIG> is a cutaway view of a variant of the <FIG> medical device support system <NUM>, showing rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The <FIG> medical device support system <NUM> includes a video hub <NUM> for converting video signals. The optional video hub <NUM> may be used, for example, to clean up and amplify the optical video signal, or to convert the optical video signal to other video protocols or transmission media (e.g. copper) compatible with what it is interfacing to. The video hub <NUM> may be mounted to a ceiling plate <NUM> of the medical device support system <NUM>, for example, above the central shaft <NUM>. The video hub <NUM> also could be a remotely located integration system. The fourth optical fiber cable <NUM> can be routed to the video hub <NUM> where conversion of the video signal takes place prior to the signal being transmitted elsewhere in the medical device support system <NUM>, or transmitted to a location separate from the medical device support system <NUM>. For example, the optical signal may be transmitted by another optical fiber cable <NUM> to a location separate from the central shaft <NUM>, the extension arms <NUM>, and the articulating assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, for example, to a video processing device <NUM> located in a room separate from the operating room within which the medical device support system <NUM> is located. Alternately, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may be routed directly to a fiber-ready monitor such as the display <NUM> via, for example, the central shaft <NUM>, the corresponding extension arm <NUM>, and the articulating assembly <NUM> mounted at the distal end of the extension arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, the optical fiber cable <NUM> may comprise a continuous cable run from the rotatable joint <NUM> to the display <NUM> that transmits the optical signal from the central shaft <NUM> to the extension arm <NUM>, the load balancing arm <NUM>, and the display <NUM>, without passing through or being processed by the video hub <NUM>.

<FIG> show the respective first, second, and third rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in greater detail. The rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include any type of joint that enables transmission of the optical signal from one side of the joint to the opposite side of the joint. In some embodiments, the rotatable joint may also be configured to enable transmission of power and electrical signals from one side of the joint to the opposite side of the joint. For example, a slip ring, electrical rotary joint, swivel, rotary electrical interface, or other rotating electrical connector may be integrated into any one of the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the embodiments of <FIG>, each rotatable joint <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a respective fiber optic rotary joint <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, also referred to as an FORJ. As shown in <FIG>, the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> includes a stationary component <NUM> that is fixed relative to the distal end of the load balancing arm <NUM> and a rotational component <NUM> that is fixed relative to a proximal end of the arm <NUM> of the yoke assembly <NUM>. The fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the yoke assembly arm <NUM> to the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM>, and vice versa where the optical signal is bidirectional, during rotation of the arm <NUM> relative to the distal end of the load balancing arm <NUM> via relative rotation between the rotational component <NUM> and the stationary component <NUM>. In <FIG>, the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> includes a stationary component <NUM> that is fixed relative to the distal end of the extension arm <NUM> and a rotational component <NUM> that is fixed relative to the proximal end of the load balancing arm <NUM>. The fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM> to the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the extension arm <NUM>, and vice versa where the optical signal is bidirectional, during rotation of the load balancing arm <NUM> relative to the distal end of the extension arm <NUM> via relative rotation between the rotational component <NUM> and the stationary component <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> includes a stationary component <NUM> that is fixed relative to the central shaft <NUM> and a rotational component <NUM> that is fixed relative to the proximal end of the extension arm <NUM>. The fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the extension arm <NUM> to the optical fiber cable <NUM> in the central shaft <NUM>, and vice versa where the optical signal is bidirectional, during rotation of the extension arm <NUM> about the central shaft <NUM> via relative rotation between the rotational component <NUM> and the stationary component <NUM>.

The fiber optic rotary joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have any suitable configuration to transmit the optical signal. <FIG>, for example, shows a physical contact fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> and <FIG> shows an expanded beam fiber optic rotary joint <NUM>, either of which may be used as the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The physical contact fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a stationary component <NUM> and a rotational component <NUM> that is rotatable relative to the stationary component <NUM> about a rotation axis <NUM>. The stationary component <NUM> houses an optical fiber cable <NUM>. An end of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is captured in a ferrule <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM>, in turn, is biased via an axial spring <NUM> toward a physical contact location <NUM>. Similarly, the rotational component <NUM> houses an opposing optical fiber cable <NUM>. An end of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is captured in a ferrule <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM>, in turn, is biased via an axial spring <NUM> toward the physical contact location <NUM>. At the physical contact location <NUM>, the ends of the respective optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM> are maintained in physical contact by the biasing forces of the axial springs <NUM>, <NUM>. An alignment sleeve <NUM> may be provided to maintain alignment of the ferrules <NUM>, <NUM>, and thus the alignment of the ends of the optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, relative to one another. The physical contact between the ends of the respective optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM> maintains transmission of the optical signal during rotation of the rotational component <NUM> relative to the stationary component <NUM>. Any of the afore described stationary components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may take the form of the stationary component <NUM>, and any of the afore described rotational components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may take the form of the rotational component <NUM>.

The expanded beam fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a stationary component <NUM> and a rotational component <NUM> that is rotatable relative to the stationary component <NUM> about a rotation axis <NUM>. The stationary component <NUM> houses an optical fiber cable <NUM>. An end of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is captured in a ferrule <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM>, in turn, is biased via an axial spring <NUM> toward an optical transfer/receive location <NUM>. A lens <NUM> is captured in an opposite end of the ferrule <NUM>, the lens <NUM> being configured to expand and collimate the light from the optical fiber cable <NUM> to the optical transfer/receive location <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may be for example a ball type lens, as shown, or a rod type lens. Similarly, the rotational component <NUM> houses an opposing optical fiber cable <NUM>. An end of the optical fiber cable <NUM> is captured in a ferrule <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM>, in turn, is biased via an axial spring <NUM> toward the optical transfer/receive location <NUM>. A lens <NUM> is captured in an opposite end of the ferrule <NUM>, the lens <NUM> being configured to receive the collimated light from the optical transfer/receive location <NUM> and refocus the light to the optical fiber cable <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may be for example a ball type lens, as shown, or a rod type lens. At the optical transfer/receive location <NUM>, communication is maintained between the ends of the respective optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM> by optical transmission from one lens <NUM> to the other lens <NUM>. An alignment sleeve <NUM> may be provided to maintain alignment of the ferrules <NUM>, <NUM>, and thus the alignment of the ends of the optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM>, relative to one another. The two lenses <NUM>, <NUM> maintain optical transfer of the optical signal between the ends of the respective optical fiber cables <NUM>, <NUM> during rotation of the rotational component <NUM> relative to the stationary component <NUM>. Any of the afore described stationary components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may take the form of the stationary component <NUM>, and any of the afore described rotational components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may take the form of the rotational component <NUM>.

<FIG> show a medical device support system <NUM> in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, similar to the <FIG> system except that two of the rotatable joints are configured as detachable rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM>. The medical device support system <NUM> is in many respects similar to the afore described medical device support systems <NUM>, <NUM> and consequently the same reference numerals are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the medical device support systems <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition, the foregoing description of the medical device support systems <NUM>, <NUM> is equally applicable to the medical device support system <NUM> in addition to or except as noted below. Moreover, it will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the specification that aspects of the medical device support systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotatable joint <NUM> is configured so that the rotational component <NUM> in the arm <NUM> of the yoke assembly <NUM> is selectively attachable to and detachable from the stationary component <NUM> in the distal end of the load balancing arm <NUM>. As part of this configuration, the rotational component <NUM> of the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured as a first mating connector and the stationary component <NUM> of the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured as a second mating connector such that, when the arm <NUM> is attached to the distal end of the load balancing arm <NUM>, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from the first fiber optic cable <NUM> in the yoke assembly <NUM> to the second fiber optic cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM>. The first and second mating connectors may be any suitable type of mating connector including, for example, a plug and socket type connector, a plug and jack type connector, among others. The mating rotatable joint <NUM> with mating connector type fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is advantageous in that different yoke assemblies <NUM> and light heads <NUM> may be attached to and removed from the distal end of the load balancing arm <NUM> such that when a different yoke assembly <NUM> is attached to the load balancing arm <NUM>, the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> maintains the contact optically between the first fiber optic cable <NUM> in the yoke assembly <NUM> and the second fiber optic cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotatable joint <NUM> is configured so that the rotational component <NUM> in the proximal end of the load balancing arm <NUM> is selectively attachable to and detachable from the stationary component <NUM> in the distal end of the extension arm <NUM>. As part of this configuration, the rotational component <NUM> of the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured as a first mating connector and the stationary component <NUM> of the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is configured as a second mating connector such that, when the load balancing arm <NUM> is attached to the distal end of the extension arm <NUM>, the mated first and second mating connectors connect to transmit the optical signal from the second fiber optic cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM> to the third fiber optic cable <NUM> in the extension arm <NUM>. The first and second mating connectors may be any suitable type of mating connector including, for example, a plug and socket type connector, a plug and jack type connector, among others. The mating rotatable joint <NUM> with mating connector type fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> is advantageous in that different load balancing arms <NUM> may be attached to and removed from the distal end of the extension arm <NUM> such that when a different load balancing arm <NUM> is attached to the distal end of the extension arm <NUM>, the fiber optic rotary joint <NUM> maintains the contact optically between the second fiber optic cable <NUM> in the load balancing arm <NUM> and the third fiber optic cable <NUM> in the extension arm <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, the handle <NUM> of the light head <NUM> will now be described in greater detail. The handle <NUM> includes a handle housing <NUM> that has an upper generally tubular section <NUM> mounted to the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and a lower generally tubular section <NUM> extending downward from a bottom of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> is relatively wider in axial cross section than the outer perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> over a portion, for example a plurality of recesses <NUM>, of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>. With particular reference to <FIG>, the width at the axial cross section is perpendicularly across the center axis of the handle housing <NUM>, which in the illustrative embodiment coincides with the afore described rotation axis R. As shown in <FIG>, the width in axial cross section of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> is greater than the width in axial cross section of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> over the portion where the plurality of recesses <NUM> are provided in the upper generally tubular section <NUM>.

The lower generally tubular section <NUM> may be cylindrical in shape, as shown, or non-cylindrical in shape. The upper generally tubular section <NUM> may be generally square tubular in shape, as shown, or non-generally square tubular in shape. The generally square tubular shape of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> includes the four curved recesses <NUM> forming the four sides of the square shape and four relatively smaller size curved corners <NUM> disposed between respective adjacent recesses <NUM>. In other words, the upper generally tubular section <NUM> has recesses <NUM> and curved corners <NUM> disposed in alternate fashion around the outer perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>, that is, disposed about the center axis (rotation axis R) of the handle housing <NUM>. As will be appreciated, the shape of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> need not be limited to a generally square shape and the quantity of recesses <NUM> need not be limited to four. Other embodiments are contemplated. The upper generally tubular section <NUM> may have any polygonal shape in axial cross section, for example three, five, or six recesses <NUM>, in which case, the upper generally tubular section <NUM> would have, respectively, a generally triangular tubular shape, a generally pentagonal tubular shape, or a generally hexagonal tubular shape.

The upper generally tubular section <NUM> and lower generally tubular section <NUM> may be made of a single monolithic structure, as shown, or a multi-piece construction. The single monolithic structure may be formed by a net shape manufacturing technique or near net shape manufacturing technique, and may include, for example, an injection molded structure or a 3D printed structure. The upper generally tubular section <NUM> may include a flange <NUM> that protrudes radially outwardly relative to the recesses <NUM> and curved corners <NUM>. The flange <NUM> may cover, for example, mounting structure of the handle <NUM> and/or mounting structure of the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> to which the handle <NUM> is mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the width in axial cross section of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> where the lower generally tubular section <NUM> transitions to the upper generally tubular section <NUM> is equal to the width in axial cross section of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> at the curved corners <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each recess <NUM> includes a surface <NUM> recessed radially inwardly relative to the outer perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> and recessed radially inwardly relative to the curved corners <NUM> of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>. The surfaces <NUM> may be curved, as shown, or planar (the secant of a circle defined at the radius of the curved corners <NUM>), it being understood that a curved recess generally will provide more capacity inside the handle housing <NUM> than a planar recess.

The outer perimeter of the handle housing <NUM> tapers downwardly from the upper most portion of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> to the lower most portion of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. In some embodiments, the upper generally tubular section <NUM> may taper downwardly without the lower generally tubular section <NUM> doing so, or the lower generally tubular section <NUM> may taper downwardly without the upper generally tubular section <NUM> doing so. In still other embodiments, the outer perimeter of the handle housing <NUM> may not include a taper.

The upper generally tubular section <NUM> includes the afore described buttons <NUM>. As described above, the buttons <NUM> may be configured to control attributes of the emitted light from the light head <NUM>, or to interface with a drive motor to rotate the afore mentioned camera assembly <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM>. The buttons <NUM> are positioned in the recesses <NUM> of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> and, as shown in <FIG>, protrude radially outwardly from the surfaces <NUM> of the recesses <NUM>. The amount of protrusion from the surfaces <NUM> is such that the tops or radially outermost portions of the buttons <NUM> extend radially outwardly relative to the radial extent in axial cross section of the outer perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>, or alternately extend radially outwardly approximately to the same radial extent as the outer perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. This provides an ergonomic reach to the buttons <NUM>, for example by the thumb of the user's hand, while enabling the user to maintain a grip on the lower generally tubular section <NUM> by the other digits and palm of the user's hand.

As will be appreciated, the handle <NUM> allows the camera <NUM> and other components of the camera assembly <NUM> to be integrated within the handle <NUM> while maintaining an ergonomic grip and ergonomic button <NUM> operation. The inventors have found that commonly available cameras, for example HD, <NUM> or <NUM> block cameras, may be so large in size that incorporating such cameras into a surgical light head handle creates incompatibilities with maintaining the handle's ergonomics. The handle <NUM> including the upper generally tubular section <NUM> where the buttons <NUM> are positioned, and the relatively wider lower generally tubular section <NUM> within which the camera <NUM> is disposed, solves this problem by enabling incorporation of such a camera while maintaining the handle <NUM> ergonomic grip and ergonomic button <NUM> operation. The handle <NUM> advantageously provides an ergonomic shape and ergonomic size handle housing <NUM> while incorporating a suitable camera <NUM> within the handle housing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> there is shown a handle <NUM> in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The handle <NUM> is in many respects similar to the above-referenced handle <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and consequently the same reference numerals are used in <FIG> to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the handle <NUM>. In addition, the foregoing description of the handle <NUM> is equally applicable to the handle <NUM> and the following description of the handle <NUM> is equally applicable to the handle <NUM>, except where differences are noted herein. Moreover, it will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the specification that aspects of the handles <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> is open downward. A camera <NUM> is sized for insertion through the open bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> to within a handle housing <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and axially above the open bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. The handle housing <NUM> of the <FIG> embodiment differs from the handle housing <NUM> of the <FIG> and <FIG> embodiment in that, as shown in <FIG>, the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> is relatively wider in axial cross section than the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> whereas in the <FIG> and <FIG> embodiment the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> has approximately the same width in axial cross section as the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>, assuming a negligible effect in the taper of the handle housing <NUM> and handle housing <NUM>. This is accomplished in the illustrative embodiment by a shoulder <NUM> that transitions radially outwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> to the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>.

As will be appreciated, the relatively wider inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> of the handle housing <NUM> enables the handle housing <NUM> to accommodate a wider camera <NUM>, that is, a camera <NUM> that is relatively wider in axial cross section than the width of the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> yet relatively narrower in axial cross section than the width of the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> is relatively wider in axial cross section than the width of the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM> yet still fits within the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. Thus, the camera <NUM> is configured to be inserted into and contained within the inner perimeter of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> but not into or within the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>. This is regardless of the position of the camera <NUM> about the center axis of the handle housing <NUM>. At least one axial cross section across the width of the camera <NUM>, that is perpendicularly across the center axis of the handle housing <NUM>, is relatively wider than any width in axial cross section across the width of the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>, that is perpendicularly across the center axis of the handle housing <NUM>.

A cap <NUM> is removably mounted to the bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> to close the open bottom in the lower generally tubular section <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> includes a cylindrical shape threaded region <NUM> and the cap <NUM> includes a round shape mating threaded region <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is removably mounted to the bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM> by engagement between the round shape mating threaded region <NUM> of the cap <NUM> and the cylindrical shape threaded region <NUM> of the bottom of the lower generally tubular section <NUM>.

As will be appreciated, the threaded connection of the detachable cap <NUM> allows for easy removal and installation of the cap <NUM> without any additional hardware, components, or tools such as fasteners or a screwdriver. With the cap <NUM> mounted to the handle housing <NUM>, there is no exposed hardware and, consequently, cleanability is improved. Further, the removability of the cap <NUM> enables access to the downwardly opening bottom of the handle <NUM> and thus easy installation and/or replacement of the camera <NUM> or other components of the camera assembly <NUM> from the bottom of the handle housing <NUM> rather than for example removing the handle <NUM> from the light head housing <NUM>, <NUM> and accessing the inside of the handle <NUM> through the top of the handle housing <NUM>. The removability of the cap <NUM> also simplifies replacement of a camera glass <NUM> that forms part of the cap <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical shape threaded region <NUM> is an external thread and the round shape mating thread <NUM> is an internal thread. Of course, other types of threaded connections are possible and contemplated. For example, the cylindrical shape threaded region <NUM> may be an internal thread and the round shape mating thread <NUM> may be an external thread.

Referring now to <FIG>, the handle <NUM> includes a single printed circuit board (PCB) that is disposed in the handle housing <NUM>. The handle <NUM> differs from the handle <NUM> of the <FIG> embodiment in that the handle <NUM> has a single PCB disposed in the handle housing <NUM> whereas the handle <NUM> has two PCBs disposed in the handle housing <NUM>. As described above, the PCB, or PCBs as the case may be, provides control electronics <NUM> for controlling the camera assembly <NUM> including the camera <NUM> in the <FIG> embodiment or the camera <NUM> in the <FIG> embodiment. As will be appreciated, the use of a single PCB instead of two or more PCBs reduces the volumetric footprint required by the PCB. The single PCB is disposed in the upper generally tubular section <NUM> of the handle housing <NUM>, for example, within the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the single PCB is relatively narrower in axial cross section than the width of the inner perimeter of the upper generally tubular section <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A surgical lighting system, comprising: a central shaft (<NUM>); a surgical light head (<NUM>); an extension arm (<NUM>) having a hub at a proximal end thereof mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft; a load balancing arm (<NUM>) coupled to a distal end of the extension arm for pivotable movement relative to the extension arm; a yoke assembly (<NUM>) coupled to a distal end of the load balancing arm for pivotable movement relative to the load balancing arm, wherein the yoke assembly supports the surgical light head for multi-axis movement relative to the load balancing arm; wherein the surgical light head includes a plurality of light emitting elements (<NUM>) that are arranged to emit light downward to a region of interest and an optical signal generating component (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to capture data associated with the region of interest and generate an optical signal based on the captured data; and one or more optical fiber cables (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and one or more rotatable joints (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to transmit the optical signal associated with the captured data from the surgical light head to one or more of the yoke assembly, the load balancing arm, the extension arm, and the central shaft; wherein the surgical light head includes a light head housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a handle (<NUM>) mounted to the light head housing and protruding downward from the light head housing, and wherein the optical signal generating component is mounted and rotatable within the handle.