HK1074563A - Surgical lighting control video system - Google Patents

Description

Surgical lighting control and video system

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application serial No.60/348,999 filed on 15/1/2002.

Background

The present invention relates to a surgical lighting system, a workbench, and accessories, and more particularly to a surgical lighting control system. The system provides a multi-user interface, centralized image control and realizes multi-function and advanced camera detection/signal routing and closed-loop control of light intensity. It finds particular application in conjunction with providing a comprehensive control system for a surgical Operating Room (OR), and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to application in the aforementioned operating room environment, but may be applied to other multi-tasking control applications.

Large high lumen output lamps are typically used in operating room environments to illuminate the operating field. A camera is often connected to the lights to record the surgery to help the surgeon obtain more desirable views. Some systems do not provide personnel in the operating room with control over the camera. Such systems provide only a single camera positioning and zoom factor and do not enable the camera/light itself to be moved. In other systems, the camera and lights can be controlled by personnel in the operating room, but not by the surgeon. When the surgeon needs to control the cameras and lights, the non-sterile nurse on the tour must be asked to adjust either the lighting control or the camera control.

Existing systems do not monitor the power delivered to the bulb within the lighthead. This results in fluctuations in light intensity due to variations in the bulb, fluctuations in voltage, and line resistance. Variations in the power supply to the lighthead can reduce the light intensity, potentially adversely affecting the surgical procedure, and variations in the power supply to the lamp can increase the light intensity, thereby reducing the life of the lamp.

Furthermore, most existing systems do not provide centralized control. Therefore, the circulating nurse must first go to an operation panel to control the light intensity, and then go to another position to rotate the camera, etc. This creates confusion in operating the system and creates confusion in the operating room due to the increased user interface location.

In systems using centralized control, hardware updates/upgrades are difficult to perform because the control software is typically unable to identify and operate the new device. It would be desirable to have a surgical lighting and video control system with software that can interact with new devices by merely updating or setting software parameters.

The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others and provides superior and more comprehensive control of lighting and video systems used in surgical operating rooms.

Disclosure of Invention

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a plug-and-play control interface that enables a user to operate multiple devices at one console, enabling the surgeon to control more devices within a sterile field, making control of the devices simpler and more intuitive.

The present invention improves the user's use of the system by employing an image LCD display to control a plurality of devices such as overhead lights, ambient lights, cameras, and other accessories to the operating room. The voice interface system may improve the surgeon's control of the device, allowing the surgeon to adjust the illumination and other aspects by simply speaking. Through the foot input interface and the infrared remote control interface, the surgeon can control the camera, thereby directly controlling the rotation and zooming functions of the camera.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides plug and play compatibility such that cameras, all lightheads, task lights, and other surgical accessories, for example, can be accessed or removed from the system as needed without the need to update system software or control protocols. This may occur when additional lightheads or other devices are added to the system or when devices are replaced by upgrades or other means.

The wall control unit of the system according to the invention provides an image LCD display that uses a centralized user input/output for all control. The wall controller also provides input/output connections to system options such as video recorders, voice controllers, fiber-optic worklights, and the camera's base controller. The LCD interface also provides advanced user control of the camera fiber optic task light, ambient light, and multiple street lights.

All medium and large sized lightheads are preferably suitable for mounting cameras. The camera module can be placed in any of these lightheads as desired. The control system is adapted to automatically detect the particular lighthead in which the camera is located and transmit the signal to the wall controller via the electronic device in a plug and play manner.

In addition, the system includes a maintenance function that allows maintenance or repair personnel to disconnect all of the lightheads to replace new lamps. The control system detects a new lighthead and downloads new compatible software to the lighthead as needed (plug and play). The time to product failure is reduced due to maintenance. Each lighthead includes a microcontroller that can send and receive control information from the wall controller and can also respond to the switches of the light operating panel.

The microcontroller also provides closed loop control for tightly controlling the lamp power. The controller measures the lamp voltage and current and sets the duty cycle for a pulse width modulation circuit (PWM). Effectively giving a steady light by compensating for most of the variations.

Advanced controls allow all lightheads of the system to be turned on/off by entering the control of any one of the lights of the system on the switch panel. After pushing and holding the intensity down button '-' on the lamp operating panel for a selected time (preferably 4 seconds), all lightheads are turned off, preferably at the same time an ambient light is turned on. After pushing and holding the intensity boost button '+' on the light operating panel for a selected time (preferably 2 seconds), all lightheads are turned on, preferably while the ambient light is off.

The wall controller provides a simple and centralized user interface, saving the time of a circulating nurse. Advanced control of the switch on the light operating panel also allows the surgeon to control the light, saving time for all employees.

The control system provides several levels of redundancy to minimize the potential for runaway of the illumination system during the surgical procedure. Either of the two power supplies of the control center is sufficient to maintain the operation of the microcontroller. If the microcontroller or switch in the wall controller fails, then the on/off and intensity control functions can be implemented using only the lamp-based microcontroller and switch.

The camera features may be used through a user interface that includes at least power and zoom, rotation, brightness, and focus control. Advanced camera controls may also be used through user interfaces including white balance, picture lock (freeze), time and date display as examples. The camera module is adapted to be connected to any medium or large burner. The control system of the present invention automatically detects the presence of the camera module and transmits the video signal to the wall controller.

A number of control features are provided in the surgical lighting system according to the present invention. For centralized control of all components in the system, the system further comprises a graphical user interface, preferably an LCD display. The system also provides on/off control of all lamps from a single point of intensity control of the lamp operating switch panel while maintaining the disinfection process. Advanced camera control features are also provided including white balance, image lock, time and date display. The control system detects the camera module and passes the video signal to the wall controller. This is consistent with the ability of the system to receive camera modules at multiple locations. The closed-loop lamp power control circuit maintains a stable intensity level over time and installation conditions. The wall controller detects a new lamp and automatically downloads software to make the lamp compatible with the system.

The above features are not all of the control features in the surgical lighting system according to the present invention.

Drawings

The invention may take form in certain methods, components and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a surgical lighting system according to the present invention, showing a first set of surgical lighting devices suspended from a primary shaft and a second set of surgical lighting apparatus and system control devices suspended from a secondary shaft;

FIG. 2 illustrates a component block diagram of a lighting control apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic module of the surgical lighting system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of a lamp control panel of a surgical lighting system according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the component auto-detection function performed by the control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a user interface displayed by the lighting control device of the surgical lighting system according to the present invention; and

fig. 7 shows a user interface of a lighting control device of the system according to the invention showing a sub-menu.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a surgical lighting system 10 including a first group of lighting devices 12 suspended from a main shaft hub 16 from a ceiling 14 of an operating room and a second group of lighting devices 18 suspended from a second shaft hub 20 from the ceiling 14 of the operating room. The lighting control arrangement 30 comprises a primary control unit 32 for operating the first group of lighting arrangements 12 and a secondary control unit 34 for controlling the second group of lighting arrangements 18. A set of communication and power lines 36 connect the lighting control apparatus 30 with the first and second sets of lighting apparatuses 12, 18, which are controlled in a manner described in more detail below.

A first set of lighting devices 12 is supported by the spindle hub 16 and includes 3 overhead lightheads 40-44, a surgical task light 46, and an operating room ambient light 48. Each surgical lighthead 40-44 is suspended by a respective suspension system 40 '-44'. Likewise, surgical task lights are also suspended from the respective cantilever arms 46'. Each of the booms 40 '-46' carries appropriate power and communication cables, as will be described below, and allows the lightheads 40-44 and task light 46 to be moved to selected locations in the operating room. Each lighthead has a set of manually operated light intensity control buttons 124, preferably adjacent to the light operator of each device. The ambient light 48 is mounted in a fixed position relative to the spindle hub 16. A single auxiliary light 50 and auxiliary ambient light 52 are suspended together from a suitable suspension arm 50' to the secondary axle hub 20. It should be appreciated that although there are several lighting devices in the first group 12 and only a single lighting device in the second group 18, the use of more or less lighting devices is determined as desired. Further, more or fewer shaft hubs 16, 20 may be provided in the system as desired.

Referring to fig. 2, a lighting system 10 according to the present invention is shown in a functional block diagram. It will be appreciated that the system may be partitioned to provide a high level of redundancy to prevent "light-off" or no light conditions from a single point of failure. Each surgical light has a separate AC/DC power supply and also includes the ability to switch to a 24 VDC battery backup power supply. Each surgical lighthead also has its own electronic controller and resident operating firmware executable in the lighthead.

Each lighthead 40-44 and 50 includes an electronics module 60-66, respectively, for executing a program in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Each lighthead in the system according to the invention is adapted to communicate with the lighting control means 30 for controlling a plurality of lighting functions and to provide a plug and play functionality. The communication and power cord 36 includes separate lighthead power cables 70-76 for transmitting power from the lighting control apparatus 30 to the individual lightheads. In addition, the communication and power cord 36 includes a pair of communication cables 80, 82 for communicating command and status data between the lighting devices 12, 18 and the lighting control device 30. Finally, the main control unit 32 includes an electronic controller panel 90 for generating signals transmitted over the communication cables 80, 82 between the control unit and the lightheads 40-44, 50, task light 46.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, it should be noted that an embodiment of the surgical lighting system 10 according to the present invention includes a camera 100. The camera 100 is supported by the headlight head 44 as shown. Video signals generated by the video camera 100 pass through the cantilever 44' of the large lighthead 44 into the common hub electronics panel 104 and into the video card assembly 106 of the electronic controller panel 90 of the main control unit 32. The video card assembly 106 is used to generate a composite video signal 108 and an S-video signal 110.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a block diagram of the functional components of the electronics module 64 of the large lighthead 44. As shown in fig. 3, the electronics module 64 includes a lamp controller panel 120, a camera module 122, a set of manually operated bulb intensity switches 124, a visual output bulb 126 (preferably an LED), a bulb changing device 128 that controls a main bulb 130 and a secondary bulb 132, and a bulb changing solenoid 134 for changing bulbs when the main bulb 130 fails. All of these components may be in operative local communication with the lamp controller panel 120. Operative communication with the lighting control apparatus 30 (fig. 1 and 2) is via a set of communication and power lines 36, including a differential video signal line 140, a lamp serial port signal line 142, and a system power signal line 144. The differential video signal line 140 is used to transmit a video signal from the camera module 122 to the illumination control apparatus 30. However, the light string communication line 142 is bi-directional and passes commands and data between the electronic module 64 and the lighting control device 30. The system power cord 144 is used to deliver power to the lamp head.

In addition, the lamp power is also closed loop controlled. The bulb intensity controller 152 is used to detect the current delivered to the bulb 130 and the voltage signal at the bulb end. The controller 152 generates a bulb feedback signal 154 which is then transmitted to the microcontroller 150 or used to calculate the desired duty cycle of the PWM circuit 156. In this way, continuous illumination can be achieved.

Additional details of the lamp controller panel 120 of the electronics module 64 are shown in fig. 4. In the figure, a microcontroller 150 is provided in operative communication with all of the components described above. The microcontroller 150 is adapted to communicate with the lighting control device according to program code stored in a memory portion of the microcontroller. In particular, the microcontroller 150 is adapted to execute program code to enable the plug and play capability of the surgical lighting system according to the present invention.

To minimize the possibility of the lighting system running away during a surgical procedure, the lighting control system provides several levels of redundancy. Either of the two power supplies of the control center is sufficient to maintain the operation of the microcontroller. If the microcontroller or switch of the wall control unit fails, the on/off and intensity control functions can be implemented using only the lighthead-based microcontroller and switch.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a device auto-detection sequence performed by the controller of the preferred embodiment. The power is turned on S10, and the lighting control device 30 interrogates each microcontroller 150 and each lighthead to determine the software revision number S12, the number of lightheads in the system S16, their size and type, and any other information available after power is turned on. The camera detection signal line 136 (fig. 3) is capable of determining such information, which the microcontroller 150 of the lamp controller panel 120 can read when powered on. When the camera module 122 is installed in the electronics module 64, the camera detect signal line 136 is connected to a logical ground. When the camera module is not present, the camera detect signal line 136 is allowed to float representing a logic high value.

The microcontroller 150 includes program code to report the presence of the camera module 122 in the electronics module 64 of the lighthead 44. Other information is also reported by the microcontroller 150 to the lighting control device 30. This information includes data relating to the software version being executed by the microcontroller 150. When there is an updated software version, the surgical lighting system 10 according to the present invention advantageously uses this information to download new executable code to the microcontroller S14. Finally, the new software is downloaded S14 from the lighting control device 30 to the individual electronic modules 60-66 using the communication and power cord 36.

Based on the determination of the installed component S16, the controller selects an algorithm from the set of algorithms to perform the control function. When a camera is detected, the camera control algorithm S18 is selected. In steps S20 and S22, a task light control algorithm and an ambient light control algorithm are selected when the controller in the system detects a task light and an ambient light. As for the surgical lamp, as mentioned above, the system can support different sizes of surgical lamps. Each lamp is preferably controlled according to each different and tuned algorithm. Thus, the lamp type is determined in step S24, and based on the lamp type determined in step S24, a small lamp control algorithm is selected in step S26, a medium base control algorithm is selected in step S28, and/or a large base control algorithm is selected in step S30.

Fig. 6 shows a user display 160 on the main control unit 32 of the lighting control apparatus 30 of the surgical lighting system 10 according to the present invention. Preferably, the main control unit includes a black and white image LCD having a backlight and a thin film touch switch 162. The touch switch 162 is used for manual input to control the surgical lighting system according to the present invention. An "on" button 164 and an "off" button 166 are provided in the vicinity of a display area 170 along with a set of other control buttons 168 that are programmed to request input from a user. The display area 170 primarily provides visual information to the user regarding the function of the nearby buttons 168. Software in the controller generates video information that is useful for redefining the function of the physical buttons as needed.

As shown in fig. 6, the display area 170 includes a "select light" indicia or label area, an "intensity" area, an "ambient light on/off" area, a "camera" area, and a "system" area. An up arrow 172 and a down arrow 174 are provided in the other input buttons to select a lamp from the group of lamps. Actuation of either of the up and down input buttons 172, 174 causes an arrow 176 displayed on the user display 160 to toggle between any of three selectable regions 178. In addition, an intensity decrease arrow 180 and an intensity increase arrow 182 are provided so that a user at the lighting control apparatus 30 can control the intensity of the particular lighthead selected by the position of arrow 176. As shown in fig. 6, arrow 176 may select a lighthead number 3 with an intensity setting of 3.

An ambient light power button 190 is also provided on the touch switch 162, as well as an ambient light in the display area, so that the user can turn the ambient light 48 on or off as desired. A camera input button 192 is provided in the display area 170 near the camera icon for triggering camera operations. Finally, a system query button 194 is included which the user can use to query the surgical lighting system for information.

The lighthead may be selected using the up/down buttons 172, 174 below the "select light" display frame and the intensity may be adjusted using the left/right buttons 180, 182 below the "intensity" display frame. The 7 predetermined power levels are coded into the non-volatile memory means of the burner in a deterministic code for any of the 7 light intensity levels. The power level definitions for lamp types of different wattages are stored in a set of power level tables for the lamps. FIG. 6 shows an intensity indicator 200 and 208, including the lighthead number 210 and the next following 7 bar segment display boxes 212. When the light is turned off, no segments are displayed. When the lamp is at the maximum intensity level, all 7 segments are displayed. As shown, lamp 1 is at maximum power, lamp 2 is off, lamp 3 is at a low power setting, and lamp 4 is slightly brighter than lamp 3. When the user increases the light intensity, the segments are displayed continuously from left to right, while the previous segment display remains saved.

When two or more lightheads are detected in the system, as shown, an "all lights" indicator 214 is displayed on the light control screen. When the "all lights" indicator is selected using the up/down buttons 172, 174 below the "select lights" display frame, control and intensity of all detected lightheads proceeds in a predetermined sequence of operations. In essence, when the "all lights" indicator is selected and either the intensity right button 182 or the intensity up button is selected, the intensity of all lights in the system quickly increases to the next higher level. Conversely, when the left button 180 or down arrow is pressed, the intensity of all the lights in the system quickly drops to the next lower level.

The main and secondary lamps of the burner are denoted "a" and "B", wherein "a" can be understood as the main lamp position. As previously mentioned, in the system of the preferred embodiment, the lamp is under constant monitoring whether the lamp is "on" or "off. When the light is lost or burned, a light failure indicator 220 is displayed that flashes at a predetermined rate, preferably a two second rate with a 50% duty cycle.

With continued reference to the figures, the system automatically detects that a manual task light has been installed as described above. A task light intensity display box 208 and a light life indicator 230 are also provided. The intensity indicator includes a bar 7 segment display frame 212 similar to the display frame of the lights. When the user increases the light intensity, the segments are displayed continuously from left to right, while the previous segment display remains saved.

In addition, task light life indicator 230 may display to the operator the remaining life of the light used by the manual task light. As shown in the drawing, the progress bar 232 moves to the right as the light is gradually decreased. The progress bar scale is preferably calibrated from 0 hours on the left to 500 hours full scale on the right. After the progress bar reaches 400 hours of bulb life, the progress bar begins to blink at a predetermined rate, preferably at a two second rate of 50% duty cycle. When 500 hours have been reached, a lamp image display mark with a cross is displayed, and the image display mark starts to blink to attract the attention of the operator. Upon reaching 500 hours, an error log is generated indicating that the number of hours of the light bulb used in the manual task light has exceeded a predetermined usage limit.

In addition, the backup battery display icon is used to display the remaining life of the backup battery.

Fig. 7 shows a submenu 250 provided by the control system according to the present invention when the button under the "camera" icon 234 (fig. 6) is operated. As shown, function keys 172, 174 are selected for changing the position of arrow 176 to select different camera control options, including power 252, zoom 254, rotate 256, brightness adjustment 258, and camera focus 260.

Claims (13)

1. A surgical illumination system (10), comprising:

a light head (44), the light head (44) being connected to a cantilever (41 '), the cantilever (41') being adapted to be mounted to a surface (14) of a surgical operating room;

a bulb (130) in the lamp head;

a processor (120) in the lighthead, the processor operatively connected with the bulb for controlling the light intensity of the bulb and adapted to generate a lighthead status signal indicative of a first status of the lighthead; and

control means (32, 34) in operative communication with the processor in the lighthead, the control means for receiving a status signal of the lighthead and selecting a set of control algorithms from a set of algorithms to control the lighthead in accordance with the status signal of the lighthead.

2. The surgical lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first state of the lighthead comprises at least one of:

the size of the lamp cap;

an intensity (154) of light from the bulb;

a state of the bulb;

a current level (150) applied to the bulb;

a voltage level (150) applied to the bulb;

the internal temperature of the lamp base;

the presence of a camera;

the presence of a manual surgical task light; and

the presence of a controllable ambient light.

3. The surgical lighting system (10) according to claim 2, wherein:

-said control means (32, 34) being adapted to generate an interrogation signal; and

the processor (120) generates the lighthead status signal in response to receiving the query signal.

4. The surgical lighting system (10) according to claim 3, further comprising a serial data communication link (36, 80, 82) for transmitting the query signal and the lighthead status signal between the processor and the control device.

5. The surgical lighting system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the control device (32, 34) comprises an LCD display (160) for displaying the first state.

6. The surgical lighting system (10) according to claim 1, wherein:

the control device is used for generating a command signal; and

the processor in the lighthead is to control the intensity of the light according to the command signal.

7. The surgical lighting system of claim 1, wherein the processor in the lighthead is adapted to:

receiving program code from the control device; and

the program code is executed.

8. The surgical lighting system according to claim 7, wherein the control device is for determining operational compatibility of the processor in the surgical lighting system from the received lighthead status signal; and

downloading the executable program code to the processor when the processor is incompatible with the surgical lighting system.

9. The surgical lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising a camera associated with said lighthead and operatively connected with said control means, said camera for generating image signals suitable for conversion into human readable images by associated video monitor means, said control means including means for controlling functions of said camera including: white balance, image freeze, time display, and date display.

10. The surgical lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the control means is for detecting the presence of the camera and sending the image signal to a port on the control means adapted to be connected to the associated video monitor apparatus.

11. The surgical lighting system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first light intensity control button on the lighthead and a second light intensity control button on the control device, the processor being responsive to the first and second light intensity control buttons.

12. The surgical lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising a surgical camera device (100) adapted to generate a video signal, wherein:

the processor (120) in the lighthead for generating a video camera presence signal; and

the central device (32, 34) is adapted to receive the video camera presence signal and to select a camera control algorithm from the set of algorithms, thereby controlling the surgical camera device (100).

13. The surgical lighting system (10) according to claim 12, further comprising a human readable display (160) for displaying information related to the lighthead status signal and the camera device.