Methods and systems for medical lighting

• US 20050099824A1
• Filed: 03/12/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: O'Toole, Robert V. III, Dowling, Kevin J., Morgan, Frederick M., Blackwell, Michael K.
• Application Number:
  US10/799,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099824A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/572
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for medical and surgical lighting systems, including methods and systems wherein semiconductor illumination light sources are integrated into surgical tools for providing controlled lighting to a work area, such as a body cavity.

Claims

1. A method of providing lighting for a medical environment, comprising:

providing a medical tool having a non-lighting function;

integrating a light source into the tool; and

controlling the light output of the light source to light a work area.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the light source is a semiconductor-based light source.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the control facility includes a processor.

4. A method of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a cutting tool.

5. A method of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a grasping tool.

6. A method of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a retracting tool.

7. A method of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a suction tool.

8. A method of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a cauterizing tool.

12. A system of claim 11, wherein the tool comprises a cutting tool.

9. A system for lighting for a medical environment, comprising:

a medical tool having a non-lighting function;

a light source integrated into the tool; and

a control facility for controlling the light output of the light source to light a work area.

10. A system of claim 9, wherein the light source is a semiconductor-based light source.

11. A system of claim 10, wherein the control facility includes a processor.

13. A system of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a grasping tool.

14. A system of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a retracting tool.

15. A system of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a suction tool.

16. A system of claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a cauterizing tool.

17. A method of providing a lighting system for a surgical operating environment, comprising:

providing a lighting system having a plurality of light sources capable of producing light of variable output characteristics;

providing a control facility for the lighting system; and

providing a user interface to the control facility.

18. A method of claim 17, wherein the user interface comprises a voice recognition interface.

19. A lighting system for a surgical operating environment, comprising:

a lighting system having a plurality of light sources capable of producing light of variable output characteristics;

a control facility for the lighting system; and

a user interface to the control facility.

20. A system of claim 19, wherein the user interface comprises a voice recognition interface.