Hybrid surgical headlight system utilizing dual illumination paths and coaxial optics

• US 20060285316A1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: McMahon, Michael T., Goldfain, Ervin, Tamburrino, Richard A., Briggs, Daniel C., Tufenkjian, David J.
• Application Number:
  US11/262,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285316A1
• 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 includes a luminaire especially for medical use. The luminaire provides the user with a solid state integral light source that illuminates the subject while allowing the user to move around untethered. The luminaire further allows the user to connect a remote, high-intensity light source via a fiber optic cable when the situation requires high-intensity light. A selector mirror or turret allows the user to select the output of the luminaire, whether it'"'"'s the internal light source or the remote light source.

Claims

1. A hybrid surgical headlight system, comprising:

an illumination outlet affixed to a headband;

a solid state light source in communication with the illumination outlet;

a remote high intensity light source having a waveguide that is connectable to said illumination outlet; and

a selector that selectively directs light from the solid state light source or the high intensity light source to the illumination outlet.

2. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the light from the solid state light source passes through a condenser lens and an iris.

3. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the light from the high intensity light source passes through a condenser lens and an iris.

4. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 3, further comprising an interface housing containing the condenser lens and the iris and affixed to the waveguide.

5. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 4, wherein the interface housing is fixable to a housing that contains the illumination outlet and the selector.

6. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the illumination outlet comprises a projection lens and mirror.

7. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is a white LED.

8. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is powered by a battery.

9. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is contained in a cartridge with a plurality of optical devices and a means for cooling the solid state light source.

10. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 9, wherein the cartridge is fixable to a housing that contains the illumination outlet and the selector.

11. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the selector and fixable to a belt;

wherein the housing communicates light to the illumination outlet via a waveguide.

12. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 11, wherein the solid state light source is integral with the housing.

13. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 11, further comprising a cartridge containing the solid state light source, which cartridge is fixable to the housing.

14. The hybrid surgical headlight system of claim 1, wherein the selector is a moveable mirror.