Surgical headlight

• US 20050117327A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visiled, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Visiled, Inc.
• Inventors: Gupta, Sushil
• Granted Patent: US 6,955,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/00 Electric lighting devices without a self-contained power source, e.g. for mains connection
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 2/00 Systems of electric lighting devices systems employing both electric and non-electric light sources or exchangeable light sources F21L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/20 Lighting for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A surgical headlamp containing dual lamp housings, each containing one or more LED light sources is featured. Both lamp housings may be adjusted so that light beams emitted by each may be selectively converged at a spot a predetermined distance in front of the lamp housings. Each lamp housing typically contains, in addition to the LED(s), one or more reflectors to gather and direct light generated by the LED(s) forward to an illuminated work area. Batteries, preferably rechargeable, mounted either on the headband supporting the headlamp on a user'"'"'s head or external to the headband, are used to power the LED(s). Switch and/or dimming circuitry may be provided. Hot swapping, a capability whereby batteries may be interchanged during a lengthy surgical procedure, is also provided.

Claims

1. A headlight for use by surgeons comprising:

a) an adjustable headband for placing on a user'"'"'s head;

b) at least two forward-facing lamp housings disposed adjacent one another within an outer lamp housing disposed substantially centrally on a front side of said headband; and

c) at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed in each of said lamp housings.

2. The headlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least two forward-facing lamp housings disposed adjacent one another proximate a central position on a front side of said headband are independently pivotally affixed thereto, whereby light output from each of said at least two LEDs in said lamp housings may be converged at a spot a predetermined distance forward therefrom.

3. The headlight as recited in claim 2, wherein said lamp housings further comprise means for focusing light from said at least one LED.

4. The headlight as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for focusing light comprises at least one reflector disposed proximate said at least one LED.

5. The headlight as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one reflector comprises a reflector disposed behind said at least one LED and a reflector placed forward of said at least one LED, said reflectors arranged so as to cooperatively gather light output from said at least one LED and project said gathered light in a forward direction.

6. The headlight as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one of said reflectors comprises a substantially parabolic shape.

7. The headlight as recited in claim 2, wherein said adjustable headband comprises means for adjusting said headband to fit any user.

8. The headlight as recited in claim 2, further comprising means for controlling light output from at least one of said LEDs.

9. The headlight as recited in claim 8, wherein said means for controlling light output from at least one of said LEDs comprises at least one of the devices:

a switch, means for varying the intensity of said at least one LED.

10. The headlight as recited in claim 2, further comprising a battery for supplying power to said at least one LED disposed in each of said at least two lamp housings.

11. The headlight as recited in claim 10, wherein said battery comprises at least two batteries.

12. The headlight as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of said at least two batteries is attached to said headband.

13. The headlight as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of said at least two batteries is disposed externally to said headband.

14. The headlight as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least two batteries further comprise means for replacing one of said at least two batteries without interrupting light output from said at least one LED disposed in said at least two lamp housings.

15. The headlight as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least two batteries further comprise means for regulating power from said at least two batteries to maintain substantially constant light output from said at least one LED disposed in said at least two lamp housings.

16. The headlight as recited in claim 2, further comprising cushioning means disposed proximate an inside surface of said headband.

23. The headlight as recited in claim 5, wherein said headlight produces a light output having an intensity of approximately 40,000 lux.

17. A headlight for use by surgeons comprising:

a) an adjustable headband for placing on a user'"'"'s head;

b) at least two forward-facing lamp housings disposed adjacent one another within an outer lamp housing disposed substantially centrally on a front side of said headband;

c) at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed in each of said lamp housings; and

d) a source of electrical power operatively connected to each of said at least one LED.

18. The headlight as recited in claim 17, wherein said at least two forward-facing lamp housings disposed adjacent one another proximate a central position on a front side of said headband are independently pivotally affixed thereto, whereby light output from each of said at least two LEDs in said lamp housings may be converged at a spot a predetermined distance forward therefrom.

19. The headlight as recited in claim 18, wherein said source of electrical power comprises a rechargeable battery.

20. The headlight as recited in claim 19, wherein said source of electrical power comprises at least one rechargeable battery, said at least one rechargeable battery disposed in at least one of the locations:

affixed to said headband, and located externally to said headband.

21. The headlight as recited in claim 20, further comprising means for controlling light output from at least one of said LEDs.

22. The headlight as recited in claim 21, wherein said means for controlling light output from at least one of said LEDs comprises at least one of the devices:

a switch, means for varying the intensity of said at least one LED.