U.S. patent application number 15/865333 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-11 for handle assembly for a surgical lighting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Sterilizer Company. The applicant listed for this patent is American Sterilizer Company. Invention is credited to Lance Clark Bellows, Michael Hollopeter.
Application Number | 20190209261 15/865333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66825794 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190209261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hollopeter; Michael ; et
al. |
July 11, 2019 |
HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A handle assembly comprised of a base and a detachable handle
that mounts to the base. The base includes integrated electronics,
such as switches. The detachable handle includes buttons for
activating the switches.
Inventors: |
Hollopeter; Michael;
(Kirtland, OH) ; Bellows; Lance Clark;
(Painesville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Sterilizer Company |
Mentor |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
American Sterilizer Company
Mentor
OH
|
Family ID: |
66825794 |
Appl. No.: |
15/865333 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00477
20130101; A61B 2017/00017 20130101; A61B 2090/309 20160201; A61B
90/36 20160201; A61B 34/74 20160201; A61B 34/76 20160201; A61B
46/10 20160201; A61B 2017/0046 20130101; A61B 2090/308 20160201;
A61B 90/361 20160201; A61B 2090/0813 20160201; A61B 90/30
20160201 |
International
Class: |
A61B 90/00 20060101
A61B090/00; A61B 34/00 20060101 A61B034/00 |
Claims
1. A handle assembly for a lighting system, comprising: a base
having a stem section that includes at least one contact element
mounted thereto, each contact element having one or more switches;
and a detachable handle mountable to the base, the handle
including: an outer housing having a head portion and a body
portion, and a button membrane having one or more button elements
accessible through an opening formed in the outer housing, each
button element respectively aligned with one of said switches when
the detachable handle is mounted to the base to allow engagement of
the button elements with the switches.
2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said base includes a
locking section for locking the detachable handle to the base.
3. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the button membrane is
mounted in the body portion.
4. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said detachable handle
includes an inner shell having: a head portion dimensioned to be
received by the head portion of the outer housing; and a body
portion dimensioned to be received by the body portion of the outer
housing.
5. The handle assembly of claim 2, wherein said detachable handle
includes a locking member moveable between locked and unlocked
positions, wherein said locked position fixes the detachable handle
to said locking section of the base.
6. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein each contact element has
at least one lead wire connected to a control unit for the lighting
system.
7. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein each contact element is
a PCB contact switching element.
8. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said button membrane is
illuminated.
9. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said base includes an
imaging unit and a lens.
10. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said detachable handle
includes a transparent window at a distal end thereof.
11. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein each button element
includes (i) an engagement portion for engagement with one of the
switches and (ii) a contact portion for user contact with the
button element.
12. The handle assembly of claim 1, when said body portion includes
a recess dimensioned to receive the stem section of the base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a handle assembly
for a lighting system, and more particularly to a handle assembly
having a detachable handle that mounts to a base with integrated
electronics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Some existing surgical lighting systems include lightheads
having a permanently mounted control handle that requires the use
of a sterile cover or sterilizable handle cover adapter in order to
maintain a sterile field. The control handle has integrated
capacitive sensors that replace conventional replace mechanical
control buttons. These capacitive sensors are susceptible to
unintended activation during positioning of the lighthead.
Furthermore, there is no tactile feedback associated with
activation of the capacitive sensors, thereby making them difficult
to use.
[0003] Alternatives to a permanently mounted control handle include
a reusable detachable control handle which can be repeatedly
sterilized or a sterile disposable detachable control handle.
However, existing prior art detachable control handles do not
provide means for activating lighting system controls that provide
tactile feedback and are not susceptible to unintended activation
during positioning of the lighthead.
[0004] The present invention provides a handle assembly for a
lighting system that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the
prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a handle assembly for a lighting system, comprising: a base having
at least one contact element mounted thereto, each contact element
having at least one switch; and a detachable handle mountable to
the base, the handle having a button membrane that includes at
least one button element for respectively engaging with the at
least one contact element.
[0006] An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a
handle assembly for a surgical lighting system that includes a
reusable, sterilizable detachable handle.
[0007] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision
of a handle assembly for a surgical lighting system that eliminates
the requirement to use a disposable handle cover to maintain
sterility.
[0008] A still further advantage of the present invention is the
provision of a handle assembly for a surgical lighting system that
has buttons which provide tactile feedback to the user.
[0009] These and other advantages will become apparent from the
following description of illustrated embodiments taken together
with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in
detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting system including
a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the lighting system of FIG. 1 with an exploded
view of the handle assembly comprised of a base and a detachable
handle;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the detachable
handle;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the detachable
handle;
[0015] FIGS. 5-7 are side plan views of the detachable handle;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle assembly, with a
partial sectional view of the detachable handle;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the handle assembly,
with the detachable handle mounted to the base;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of the handle assembly,
with a sectional view of the detachable handle;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of
FIG. 9;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of
FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lighting system including
a handle assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the
present invention, said handle assembly including a base and a
detachable handle that also functions as a camera housing; and
[0022] FIG. 14 shows the handle assembly of FIG. 13, with a partial
sectional view of the detachable handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
the purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and
not for the purposes of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a
perspective view of a portion of a lighting system 2 that includes
a lighthead 4 mounted to a support member 6. Lighthead 4 is
comprised of a lighting unit 5, a control unit (not shown), and a
handle assembly 15 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Lighting unit 5 includes a plurality of lighting
elements, such as LEDs. The control unit includes a microcontroller
and associated control electronics. Handle assembly 15 is comprised
of a base 20 and a detachable handle 70, which are described in
detail below.
[0024] Detachable handle 70 is generally comprised of an outer
housing 72 (best seen in FIGS. 3-10), an inner shell 130 (best seen
in FIGS. 8-11), a plurality of button membranes 160 (best seen in
FIGS. 8-11), a locking member 190 (best seen in FIGS. 8-10 and 12),
and a retaining ring 230 (best seen in FIGS. 4 and 8-10).
[0025] Outer housing 72 includes a head portion 76 and a body
portion 106. Head portion 76 has a side wall 78 and a bottom wall
80. Side wall 78 and bottom wall 80 define a generally cylindrical
recess dimensioned to receive a portion of inner shell 130, locking
member 190, and retaining ring 230, which are described in detail
below. A plurality of mounting bosses 82 project from bottom wall
80, as shown in FIG. 9. Each mounting boss 82 includes an internal
threaded recess dimensioned to receive a fastener 244 (e.g., a
threaded screw). A locating tab 86 projects inward from side wall
78, as shown in FIG. 12. Locating tab 86 includes a channel 88
which is dimensioned to receive a bias member 90. In the
illustrated embodiment, bias member 90 takes the form of a
compression spring. An opening 92 is formed in side wall 78 of head
portion 76, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 12. Opening 92 is
dimensioned to receive a release button 212 (of locking member
190), which extends through opening 92.
[0026] Body portion 106 of outer housing 72 includes a
tubular-shaped side wall 108 and a bottom wall 114 at a distal end
of outer housing 72. Openings 110 are formed in side wall 108 and
are dimensioned to receive a portion of button membrane 160, as
will be described below. Side wall 108 defines a recess dimensioned
to receive a portion of inner shell 130, as best seen in FIGS.
8-10.
[0027] Inner shell 130 has a head portion 132 and a body portion
142, as best seen in FIGS. 8-10. In the illustrated embodiment,
head portion 132 is a ring-shaped structure having a plurality of
openings 136 formed therein, as shown in FIG. 9. Openings 136 are
dimensioned to receive mounting bosses 82 of outer housing 72. Body
portion 142 is a tubular-shaped structure having a plurality of
slots 146. Slots 146 are dimensioned to receive a portion of button
membrane 160, as best seen in FIGS. 8-10.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, each button membrane 160 has
a body 162 and a plurality of button elements 170, as best seen in
FIGS. 8-10. Each button element 170 includes an outward extending
contact portion 172 that takes the form of a tactile domed button
and an inward extending engagement portion 176 that takes the form
of a plunger member. Contact portion 172 extends forward through
opening 110 of outer housing 72, as best seen in FIG. 8. Engagement
portion 176 extends through openings 110 of outer housing 72.
Engagement portion 176 is dimensioned to be engageable with contact
elements of base 20 when contact portion 172 is depressed by a
user. A gap 180 is provided between body 162 and button elements
170 to capture an edge portion of side wall 108 of outer housing 72
adjacent to openings 110. In the illustrated embodiment, button
membrane 160 is formed of silicone rubber. It is contemplated that
a lighting element (e.g., one or more LEDs) may be located within
detachable handle 70 to illuminate button membrane 160. In an
embodiment of the present invention, button elements 170 may be
used for user control of lighting unit 5, including, but not
limited to, light intensity, ON/OFF, and the like.
[0029] Locking member 190 is generally comprised of a ring section
192 having a center opening 194, and projections 202 and 203, as
best seen in FIG. 12. Projection 203 includes a slot 204
dimensioned to receive locating tab 86 of outer housing 72. Bias
member 90 is located within the space defined by side wall 78,
locating tab 86, and projection 203. Release button 212 extends
outward from projection 202. As indicated above, release button 212
extends through opening 92 of outer housing 72.
[0030] Retaining ring 230 is generally ring-shaped with a center
opening 236, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 9 and 10. Retaining ring 230
includes a plurality of receptacles 232 for receiving mounting
bosses 82 of outer housing 72. Each receptacle 232 includes an
opening 234 dimensioned to receive fastener 244 for fixing
retaining ring 230 to outer housing 72. Retaining ring 230 captures
locking member 190 between retaining ring 230 and head portion 132
of inner shell 130.
[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, outer
housing 72, inner shell 130, locking member 190 and retaining ring
230 are made of a molded plastic that is suitable for
decontamination using a conventional steam sterilization
process.
[0032] Base 20 of handle assembly 15 is generally comprised of a
proximal section 22, a locking section 30, and a stem section 42,
as best seen in FIGS. 8-12. Proximal section 22 has a front face 24
and a rear face 26, as best seen in FIG. 8. Locking section 30
includes an annular groove 32 and a frustoconical-shaped portion
34. Frustoconical-shaped portion 34 has a front face 36. Annular
groove 32 is dimensioned to receive an edge portion of ring section
192 of locking member 190 located adjacent to opening 194.
Detachable handle 70 is mounted to base 20 by capturing the edge
portion of ring section 192 in annular groove 32. In the
illustrated embodiment, stem section 42 has a plurality of side
faces 44 and a front face 46. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, base 20 is made of anodized aluminum. Base 20
also includes contact elements 60 that are mounted to each of the
side faces 44 of base 20. Each contact element 60 has one or more
tactile electrical dome switches 64 that are engaged by depressing
button elements 170 of button membrane 160. Lead wires W extend
from contact elements 60 through one or more channels formed in
base 20 to connect with the control unit. Contact element 60 may
take the form of a conventional PCB contact switching element.
[0033] It should be appreciated that detachable handle 70 may also
be mechanically adapted to rotate about its axis as a means for
adjusting a pattern size of the light produced by lighting unit
5.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative embodiment
of the present invention will be described. A lighthead 304 is
comprised of a handle assembly 315 according to an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. Handle assembly 315 has
several components in common with handle assembly 15. In the
illustrated embodiment, handle assembly 315 is generally comprised
of a base 320 and a detachable handle 370 that also functions as a
camera housing. Detachable handle 370 is substantially similar to
detachable handle 70. However, a transparent window 388 is provided
at the distal end of detachable handle 370. Base 320 is
substantially similar to base 20. However, base 320 includes a
camera comprised of an imaging unit 322 and a lens 324 at the
distal end thereof.
[0035] Assembly and operation of handle assembly 15 will now be
described. To mount detachable handle 70 to base 20, the
longitudinal axis of detachable handle 70 is aligned with the
longitudinal axis of base 20. Stem section 42 of base 20 is
received within body portion 106, as best seen in FIG. 9.
Detachable handle 70 is fixed to base 20 by engagement of locking
member 190 with locking section 30 of base 20. Locking member 190
is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position by
depressing release button 212. In the locked position, the edge
portion of ring section 192 of locking member 190 is captured in
annular groove 32 of locking section 30 of base 20. Bias member 90
is biased to apply a force that normally maintains locking member
190 in the locked position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. When
detachable handle 70 is mounted to base 20, engagement portions 176
of button membrane 160 are aligned with dome switches 64 of base
20, as best seen in FIG. 9. When a user depresses a contact portion
172 of button membrane 160, engagement portion 176 engages a dome
switch 64 to activate an electronic control (e.g., light
intensity). To dismount detachable handle 70 from base 20 release
button 212 is depressed to move locking member 190 to the unlocked
position, thereby allowing detachable handle 70 to be separated
from base 20. Detachable handle 70 can then be decontaminated in a
decontamination processing device, such as a steam sterilizer.
[0036] Handle assembly 315 assembles and operates in a similar
manner as handle assembly 15. However, the button elements of
detachable handle 370 may also be used for control of imaging unit
322. It should be appreciated that handle assemblies 15 and 315 may
be interchangeably mountable to base 20.
[0037] The foregoing describes specific embodiments of the present
invention. It should be appreciated that these embodiments are
described for purposes of illustration only, and that numerous
alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, it is contemplated that the detachable
handle of the present invention may be adapted to incorporate
additional components that are not described above, including, but
not limited to, a laser, a distance sensor, etc. It is intended
that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as
they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *