Hybrid surgical headlight

• US 20060285315A1
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Tufenkjian, David J.
• Application Number:
  US11/156,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285315A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• 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 90/35 Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/084 Head fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor

Abstract

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a surgical headlight having a hybrid design wherein a first low power light source, such as a LED is fixed to a headband such that the surgical headlight is untethered. The surgical headlight further comprises a coupling means that allows for subsequent tethering to a high power light source, such as a fiber-optic light source. The device allows the surgeon to project a spot of light where he needs it, and the ability to plug into a more powerful light source, such as a fiber optic light source, to thereby boost the light to levels that may be required over and above what the low power light source, such as a LED is capable of producing alone.

Claims

1. A surgical headlight comprising:

a headband having a first lighting means attached thereto; and

a coupling means for attaching said headlight to a second lighting means.

2. The surgical headlight of claim 1 wherein said first lighting means is a low power light source.

3. The surgical headlight of claim 1 wherein said first lighting means is a LED.

4. The surgical headlamp of claim 1 wherein said second lighting means is high power light source.

5. The surgical headlamp of claim 1 wherein said second lighting means is a fiber-optic light source.

6. The surgical headlight of claim 1 further comprising a DC power receptacle for receiving the power required to illuminate said first lighting means.

7. The surgical headlight of claim 1 further comprising an AC power receptacle for receiving the power required to illuminate said first lighting means.

8. The surgical headlight of claim 1 further comprising a video capture means for capturing an image.

9. The surgical headlight of claim 1 further comprising a laser pointer.

10. The surgical headlight of claim 1 further comprising a battery discharge indicator.

11. The surgical headlight of claim 10 wherein said battery discharge indicator is positioned so that it is visible by the surgeon during use of said surgical headlight.

12. A method of switching between an low power lighting means and a high power lighting means for a surgical headlight, said surgical headlight comprising said low power lighting means, and a coupling means for attaching said high power lighting means thereto, said method comprising the steps of:

illuminating a selected area via said low power lighting means;

discontinuing the illumination of said selected area via said low power lighting means;

attaching said coupling means of said surgical headlight to said high power lighting means; and

illuminating said selected area via said high power lighting means.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said low power lighting means is a LED.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said high power lighting means is a fiber-optic light source.

15. A surgical headlight system comprising:

a headband having a first lighting means attached thereto, and a coupling means for attaching said surgical headlight to a second lighting means; and

at least one battery pack for providing power to said first light source via a power cord.

16. The surgical headlight system of claim 15 wherein said low power lighting means is a LED.

17. The surgical headlight system of claim 15 wherein said high power lighting means is a fiber-optic light source.

18. The surgical headlight system of claim 15 further comprising a battery discharge indicator.

19. The surgical headlight of claim 18 wherein said battery discharge indicator is positioned so that it is visible by the operator during use of said surgical headlight.