U.S. patent number 3,775,606 [Application Number 05/216,035] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-27 for fiber-optic light console.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Medical Products Corporation. Invention is credited to Seymour Bazell, Edward M. Goldberg, Ralph G. Ostensen.
United States Patent |
3,775,606 |
Bazell , et al. |
November 27, 1973 |
FIBER-OPTIC LIGHT CONSOLE
Abstract
An improved light console for fiber-optic light cables which
carry devices, such as surgical devices to be illuminated by the
light source. The improved light source includes a dual
illumination system which permits simultaneous use of two cables
with the same console, or switching from one cable to another in
the event of failure of one light source during surgical operation.
In addition, the improved light console employs light and heat
shielding means surrounding each of the light sources. The
shielding means functions as a heat sink which may be air-cooled to
protect the front portion of the console thereby preventing it from
becoming too hot to touch, a serious defect in prior art consoles.
The console also includes means for controlling the light intensity
for each of the light sources independent of separate color
temperature controls. One embodiment of the light intensity means
includes self-indexed, diaphragm or stop-type assembly which can
vary the light intensity from 0 - 100 percent of output in any
preselected number of discreet stages, typically 0, 25, 50 and 100
percent of maximum. Each light is separately switched independently
of the power. The light console is air-cooled by a fan-type motor,
and contains standard circuitry and fusing.
Inventors: |
Bazell; Seymour (Skokie,
IL), Ostensen; Ralph G. (Morton Grove, IL), Goldberg;
Edward M. (Glencoe, IL) |
Assignee: |
Medical Products Corporation
(Skokie, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22805416 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/216,035 |
Filed: |
January 7, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/552; 362/235;
362/294; 362/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/0006 (20130101); F21V 11/08 (20130101); F21V
29/60 (20150115); F21V 2200/10 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
8/00 (20060101); F21V 29/00 (20060101); F21V
29/02 (20060101); F21V 11/00 (20060101); F21V
11/08 (20060101); F21v 029/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/47,1EL,41R,41.15,46.51,46.13,46.01 ;350/96B |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moses; Richard L.
Claims
We claim:
1. An improved fiber-optic light console comprising in operative
combination:
a. a housing, having a control panel portion,
b. means for mounting one end of a fiber-optic light cable in said
control panel portion,
c. a high intensity light source having a reflector assembly
disposed within said housing so that light from said light source
impinges on said end of said fiber-optic light cable,
d. means for shielding said control panel portion from direct
impingement thereon of light from said high intensity light
source,
e. said shielding means being adapted to pass light therethrough to
impinge on said fiber-optic light cable end, and having a shroud
disposed between said reflector assembly and the end of said
fiber-optic light cable and extending axially rearwardly of said
reflector assembly, and
f. means for directing ambient air from the exterior of said
housing into heat exchange association with said shielding
means,
whereby said shielding means absorbs radiant heat from said light
source and said console has improved operational life, safety and
lower temperature.
2. A console as in claim 1 which includes:
g. means disposed in said housing for controlling the amount of
light impinging on the end of said fiber-optic light cable without
affecting the color temperature of said light.
3. A console as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of light
sources.
4. A console as in claim 2 wherein said light amount control means
includes a plate having an aperture therein, said plate is spaced
rearwardly from the end of said end of said fiber-optic light
cable, and means for positioning said aperture in axial alignment
with said cable end.
5. A console as in claim 4 wherein said positioning means includes
means for indexing said aperture in a predetermined position, and
spring-biased fingers cooperating with said indexing means to
provide for positive positioning of said apertures.
6. A console as in claim 5 wherein said plate includes means for
maintaining a portion of said plate in the path of said light
impinging on said cable end, thereby to prevent override of said
plate.
7. A console as in claim 6 wherein said maintaining means includes
a portion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of said
fiber-optic light cable mounting means.
8. An improved fiber-optic light console comprising in operative
combination:
a. a housing, having a control panel portion,
b. means for mounting one end of a fiber-optic light cable in said
control panel portion,
c. a high intensity light source disposed within said housing so
that light from said light source impinges on said end of said
fiber-optic light cable,
d. means disposed in said housing for controlling the amount of
light impinging on the end of said fiber-optic light cable without
affecting the color temperature of said light,
said light amount control means includes a plate having an aperture
therein, said plate is spaced rearwardly from the end of said
fiber-optic light cable, and means for positioning said aperture in
axial alignment with said cable end,
said positioning means includes means for indexing said aperture in
a predetermined position, and spring-biased fingers cooperating
with said indexing means to provide for positive positioning of
said apertures, and
e. means for directing ambient exterior air into association with
the interior surfaces of said housing and said light amount control
means thereby to cool said console.
9. A console as in claim 8 wherein said plate includes means for
maintaining a portion of said plate in the path of said light
impinging on said cable end, thereby to prevent override of said
plate.
10. A console as in claim 9 wherein said maintaining means includes
a portion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of said
fiber-optic light cable mounting means.
Description
This invention relates to an improved fiber-optic light console of
the type particularly useful in medical environments where high
intensity, small beams of light are used for diagnostic or surgical
purposes. The improved console has a dual light source, heat and
light absorbing shrouds, and a light intensity means for control of
the light source.
The use of fiber-optics in medicine has grown significantly in the
last several years. In practice, a light source bears upon one end
of a fiber-optic light cable which in turn transmits the light to
the other end to illuminate surgical or diagnostic devices which
are used either in close quarters or internally in medical
procedures. These cables are typically on the order of 6 feet long
and have a one-sixteenth one-half inch diameter. One end of the
cable is adapted by a bayonet-type of fitting to be inserted into a
fiber-optic light console while the opposite end may have various
types of adaptors suited to the specific surgical or diagnostic
instrument being used. These cables are typically flexible, thus
permitting ease and flexibility of directing the light. This
invention does not concern itself with improvements in the
fiber-optic light cable, but rather the console into which such
cables are plugged, and which operate as a source for the
light.
The light supply for these fiber-optic instruments has typically
been a small, powerful incandescent-type lamp which is located
several feet from the instrument to be illuminated, with the light
being piped from this light source to the instrument via the
flexible fiber-optic cable as described above. One of the most
serious problems in the present devices is that the heavy filament,
tungsten-halogen bulbs presently used have a color temperature on
the order of 3,100.degree. Kelvin when used with standard 110 volt,
non-transformed power input. The light normally impinges on the
backside of the female bayonet aperture fitting, which in turn is
mounted in the wall of the console. The light impinging on the wall
surface and the bayonet fitting causes the entire cabinet, over a
period of time, to become too hot to touch. Thus, for example when
one light may burn out, and it is necessary to open the console to
replace the light bulb, heavy gloves must be used and great care
must be taken so that the operator is not burned, or inadvertently
drops either the cable or the new bulb causing damage. This
changing operation necessarily takes time which may prove a serious
detriment in surgical operations where time is of the essence.
Also, present devices control the level of illumination by use of a
voltage controller which reduces the input voltage to the lamp
filament. However, this means of controlling the light is not the
most desirable because when the voltage is reduced on an
incandescent lamp, the color temperature of the lamp is reduced and
the light turns from incandescent-white to a red-yellow color of
the visible spectrum. Thus at the lower light levels, the
instruments typically produce a reddish-orange light which makes
visualizing in anatomical structures and diseases extremely
difficult. For example, a red lesion on pink tissues appears
grayish. It is thus difficult to discern the exact color of the
lesion with respect to background tissue. Since color is extremely
important in diagnostic work, the value of the instrument is
severly limited. In addition, the contours of the lesions become
more difficult to discern from the structure of the background.
In addition, some types of devices employ either a squirrel cage or
centrifugal type of fan for internal cooling by blowing a stream of
air across the light bulb and against the interior walls of the
console. However, such types of fans suffer from the disadvantage
of not also self-cooling their own motor. Under the intense heat
conditions the motors are more subject to failure during operation,
which failure would cause burnout of the light bulb, and/or
rendering the instrument so hot as to cause failure of electrical
or mechanical components, in addition to it being to hot to
handle.
THE INVENTION
Objects
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved
fiber-optic light console which overcomes the disadvantages of
prior art types of consoles.
It is another object of this invention to provide a fiber-optic
light console which has a plurality of light sources which may
operate simultaneously without overheating of the console.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a
fiber-optic light console assembly in which both color temperature
and light intensity may be controlled independently for each of the
light-cable sources.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved
fiber-optic light console having means to reduce the surface
temperature of the control panel of the console so that it may be
handled during operation without danger of burning the
operator.
It is still another object of this invention to provide special
shroud means for the light sources which shield the operating
control panel surfaces of the console from direct impingement of
the light, thus cooling those surfaces.
It is another object of this invention to provide heat sink means
for absorbing the unused light in the console thus permitting the
console to operate at a lower temperature.
It is another object of this invention to provide improved
fiber-optic light console which has greater flexibility in its
utility, and is a safe instrument from the point of view of a fire
hazard in ether or alcohol-vapor containing atmospheres often used
in surgical situations.
Still further and other objects of this invention will be evident
from the following detailed description.
SUMMARY AND FIGURES
This invention is characterized by a special shroud or shielding
means surrounding each light source and spaced away from the front
panel of the instrument, which shroud not only shields the front
control panel and other operating surfaces of the console, but also
acts as a heat sink for absorbing and dissipating the heat values
from the light source. The shroud is adapted to be cooled by
ambient exterior air from a self-cooling forced air fan. In
addition, in combination with the shroud, light intensity control
means are provided which act to permit individual control of light
amount anywhere from 0 through 100 percent of the maximum light
available from the light source. The light intensity means in one
embodiment includes a plate-type "stop" or diaphragm which is
self-indexed and non-backlash. In one embodiment the plate is
provided with four positions, of which only three have apertures,
thus providing light intensity values of 0, 25, 50 and 100 percent
of the total light available. The light intensity stop means is
also adapted to be cooled by the flow of air circulating in the
interior of the instrument.
The following detailed description of the invention is made with
reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the console showing
the fiber-optic cables plugged there into in operating
position.
FIG. 2 shows the front control panel portion of the console partly
opened thereby illustrating the light shrouds and their manner of
enclosing the entire light reflector surface.
FIG. 3 is a section view of the front control panel taken along the
line 3--3 in FIG. 2 and illustrates the shroud and light intensity
stop means.
FIG. 4 is a top section view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1
and illustrates the relationship of the elements of the light
console, and particularly the shroud and light intensity stop means
of this invention.
FIG. 5 is a side section view taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4
and further illustrates the arrangement of the assemblies on the
interior of the console.
In the following detailed description, it should be understood that
the specific embodiments discussed are meant as illustrative and
not limiting of the scope of the invention.
Turning now to FIG. 1, fiber-optic light console 1 has a front
control panel portion 2, releasably secured by latch means 3 to
housing 4. Handle 5 is conveniently provided for carrying of the
console. The housing also provides for entry of power cord 6, and
exhausting of cooling air through side louvers 7.
The control panel portion 2 provides two female bayonet-type
mounting apertures 8 and 9 for plug-in of fiber-optic light cables
10 and/or 11. Main power switch 12 provides for on-off control of
the console, while switch 13 controls the left light source
associated with cable 10, and switch 14 controls the right light
source associated with cable 11.
Knob 15 controls the color temperature rheostat which is
continuously variable from a maximum 110 volts, 3,100.degree.
Kelvin down to 0. Knobs 16 and 17 operate the light intensity
control means (shown in more detail below) for their associated
fiber-optic cables 10 and 11, respectively. Other control knobs may
be positioned on the control panel portion as desired, or the
control knobs shown may be positioned elsewhere on the instrument
as is convenient.
FIG. 2 shows the fiber-optic cables removed from the bayonet-type
mounts 8 and 9, and the control panel portion partly open to reveal
the left and right high-intensity light sources, 18 and 19
respectively. Associated with the light sources and adapted to fit
thereover are special shrouds 20 and 21 respectively. This figure
illustrates how the control panel portion of the console may be
hinged at the bottom as at 33, and opened by releasing latch 3 and
tilting forward the control panel or access to the light sources 18
and 19 for their repair or replacement. The shrouds fit completely
over the reflector portion of the light source yet are adapted to
provide for opening of the console as shown. In the alternative,
the console control panel portion may be hinged at the side or in
another convenient place for opening. Still further, the control
panel portion 2 need not be hinged, but can be adapted to fit over
interior flanges 22, 23 and 24 which are adapted to frictionally
engage the interior surface of the control panel portion. The
interior flanges may be broken away at the corners, as at 25 to
provide ease in fit.
The control frontpanel portion of the device may advantageously
have a front louver such as louver 26 adapted to deflect air
circulating on the interior of the cabinet backwardly away from the
front control panel portion. In the alternative, this louver may be
spaced on the top or the bottom of the device, or multiple louvers
may be employed.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 may be viewed together. FIG. 3 is a plan view of
the interior face of the control panel portion taken along the line
3--3 in FIG. 2. Shrouds 20 and 21 are mounted in proper alignment
with the high intensity light sources 18 and 19 by means of base
bracket 27. The light intensity control stop means 28 and 29, for
the left and right lights, respectively, are mounted behind the
shrouds 20 and 21. The apertures in the light intensity stop means
are positively indexed into proper position by means of position
assembly 30 which has depending fingers 31 and 32 which engage the
notches such as 33 in each of the stop means to positively align
the apertures in the stop means with the focal point of the light
source.
Other details of the assembly may be seen in this view with
switches 12 through 14 being visible below the shroud base bracket.
Hinge means 83 is mounted on the bottom edge of the control panel
portion and correspondingly attaches to the bottom of the housing 4
as best seen in FIG. 5. The color temperature rheostat 34 is
operated by the knob 15 shown in FIG. 1, and is electrically
connected to the high intensity light sources and the on-off switch
in conventional electric circuitry, not shown.
FIG. 4 shows in more detail the relationship of the housing and the
light intensity stop means to the high intensity light sources. The
light sources 18 and 19 are mounted on a base bracket 35 for proper
alignment with the aperture 36 in the bayonet mount 9 which
receives the fiber-optic light cable end. The high intensity light
source includes a fixed base portion 37, a removable light bulb
holder and reflector 38, bulb 39, and a pivotally mounted
spring-type clip 40. The clip 40 may be swung to one side and the
bulb holder 38 with its reflector and bulb 39 may be removed by
pulling upwardly (in FIG. 5). A new bulb holder, reflector and bulb
assembly may then be plugged into the light base 37 and the
retaining clip repositioned to insure good contact. The
tungsten-halogen bulb is positioned within a dichroic reflector
which is of the type which permits transmittal of about 90 percent
of the infrared light through the glass of the reflector.
Nevertheless, the light spot is extremely hot, and the focal point
of the reflector impinges on the end of the fiber-optic light cable
bundle which projects relatively flush with the interior opening of
the aperture 36 in the bayonet 9. This is shown in FIG. 5 by the
dot labeled F. It should be understood that the focal point F is
actually a spot on the order of 1 to 2 centimeters in size so that
it illuminates the entire end of the fiber-optic light cable
bundle. This is shown by the light path lines from the edge of the
reflector directed to the interior end of the bayonet mount 9 as
best seen in FIG. 5, and labeled L, L'.
The light intensity stop means 28 and 29 in the embodiment shown in
the figures is a quarter circle piece of heavy gauge aluminum
having a plurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture having
a different size as seen by apertures 41, 42 and 43. These
apertures are of a predetermined size to cut off a specific
predetermined portion of the light impinging on the end of the
fiber-optic light cable bundle. As seen in FIG. 5 for example,
aperture 42 intercepts a portion of the light cone impinging on the
end of the bundle generally at the point F and permits passage
through the aperture of only approximately 50 percent of the total
available light. Thus the light intensity is selected in a
predetermined fashion. Aperture 43 may be sized to permit 100
percent of the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle to be
exposed to the light source, and conversely opening 41 may permit
only 25 percent.
Radially outwardly from the apertures 41 through 43 are a series of
stop notches or indexing means 33 which permit accurate positioning
of the apertures in the cone of light and in axial alignment with
the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle. In addition, one
further notch 44 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the edge of the light
intensity stop means. As shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 3 through
5, there is no aperture associated with stop notch 44 and thus 100
percent of the light can be cut off if desired. In the alternative,
this blank place in the stop means may be custom drilled to provide
whatever percentage of light may be desired by the user.
In operation, the light intensity stop means is positioned by means
which includes knob 17 which is journaled upon sleeve 45 as seen in
FIG. 4. Shaft 46 is secured to the light intensity stop means 29
and to the knob 17 and is free to rotate in the sleeve 45 upon
turning knob 17. Thus by turning the knob, the light intensity stop
means may be adjusted and indexed with the end of the fiber-optic
light cable bundle to provide the desired illumination.
To prevent override of the light intensity stop means, a pair of
depending ears 47 and 48 are provided on each of the light
intensity stop means. The action of the ears can be seen in FIGS. 3
through 5, ear 47 in FIG. 4 being shown in profile and ear 48 being
shown in profile in FIG. 5. As best seen in FIG. 5, ear 48 engages
the projecting interior end of the bayonet mount 9 and thus
prevents override of the light intensity stop means, that is,
rotation of the stop means past the position of aperture 43.
Similarly, when the stop means 29 (see FIG. 3) is rotated
clockwise, ear 47 will engage the upper side of the inner end of
the mount 9 and prevent override of the stop means.
It should be understood that while the stop means are shown as
quarter-circular pieces, they may be made semi-circular or a full
circle, and any number of apertures may be provided therethrough to
provide any predetermined desired selection of light intensity
values impinging on the end of the fiber-optic light cable
bundle.
Spaced rearwardly from the light intensity stop means and aligned
axially with the high intensity light source are the light shrouds
20 and 21. These shrouds are generally cup-shaped with an aperture
49 in what would be the bottom of the cup. The central axis of the
aperture 49 is aligned with the axis of the light bulb holder with
its reflector 38. The light passes through the aperture and
impinges on the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle except to
the extent light is cut off by the light intensity stop means. FIG.
5 shows the cone of light which is permitted to pass toward the
light bundle outlined by the letters L and L'. Extraneous light
impinges against the interior of the light shroud. Typically, the
light shroud is of relatively thin, highly conductive, anodized or
otherwise blackened metal. This permits the light to be absorbed by
the metal and heat generated by the light dissipated by the air
flowing in heat exchange relationship around both the interior and
exterior of the light cup from the fan 50 which is mounted at the
rear of the housing 4.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, one wall of the cup
is notched as at 51 to permit clearance by the light base 37 when
the control panel portion 2 of the console 1 is closed from the
position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 1. Where a different
type of light base 37 may be employed which does not project so far
forward that it lies on a plane which intersects the reflector
portion of the bulb holder 38, the notch may not be required.
However, it should be noted that the rearward extent of the shroud
cup wall is sufficiently far back to extend rearwardly of the
reflector base. This assists in heat dissipation of extraneous
light since the reflector is actually transparent to infrared
light, being a dichroic coated glass reflector. Thus reflected
light can pass rearwardly through the reflector to a small extent,
and is captured by the darkened walls of the shroud cup assembly.
The cup assembly is opened to the rear to permit air from fan 50 to
be drawn in from the ambient atmosphere through the grillwork 52 at
the rear of the housing 4, from whence it is propelled forwardly
into and around the cup. The air picks up heat from the cup, and
the shroud cup base bracket 27. The air also passes around the
exterior of the cups and impinges upon the from inside face of the
control panel 2 and on the light intensity stop plates 28 and 29.
This serves to cool the operating elements of the fiber-optic light
console, and the heated air passes out the louver 7 in the side
walls of the housing and through the side and bottom louvers 26 of
the control panel portion of the console.
As noted above, the internal wiring is relatively conventional, and
has not been shown in detail for ease of understanding the
operation of the improved console. The power is supplied through
cord 6 via resettable circuit breaker 53, and is then internally
distributed by appropriate wiring to the light sources, the on-off
switches, the fan and the color temperature rheostat 34.
In contrast to prior art light consoles, even after two hours of
continuous operation the control panel of the light console of this
invention is only slightly warm to the touch. In addition, should
light of lower intensity be required during the operation, the
light intensity can be cut down very simply by rotation of the
light intensity control knob. In addition, should the color
temperature be required to be changed, the color temperature
control knob 15 can also be manipulated to achieve the desired
color temperature. In addition, the dual mounted high intensity
light sources permits operation of both light sources
simultaneously at different light intensities without loss of
color. More or fewer light sources may be used.
It should be understood that variations and adaptations can be made
in the foregoing description of the embodiments of this invention
without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the cable
end fitting, within the meaning of the term "bayonet-type,"
includes both the standard bayonet having a pair of small, side
projections which key into groves in the mounting assembly, or the
spring detent type of bayonet in which springs in the mounting
engage groves in the cable end fitting. Likewise, the light
intensity amount means could be made larger, or of darkened metal
to provide additional or optional shielding. The light intensity
apertures may be selected to provide any desired values, for
example 10, 33, 66 and 100 percent, and are not limited to the
selection of 0, 25, 50 and 100 percent. In place of the rheostat, a
standard transistorized, continuously variable "chopper," such as
the type used in home lighting dimmer switches may be used.
Particularly useful for the consoles of this invention are choppers
capable of handling up to 600 watts power.
* * * * *