SLD Technology, Inc. (Portland, OR)
What is a Patent for Method and airflow channeling for surgical lighting system
Search Patent for Method and airflow channeling for surgical lighting system
A surgical light is usually placed over a surgical site in operating rooms at hospitals. The surgical light contains at least one light source that are equipped to project a narrow beam of light onto the target area of a surgical procedure.
Furthermore, a supply-air array is situated within a ceiling directly above the surgical light as well as the area of the surgical site that is targeted for. The supply air array is comprised of vents through which air filtered is supplied and directed toward the surgicalsite. Filters are installed inside the vents to remove the air that passes through them. Sidewall vents are used to redirect air that is polluted from the room’s perimeter to an air filtering system that is located upstream of the supply array. Air filtration supplies filtered air to the room via the supply air array, which has unidirectional, downward flow.
Since the surgical light could be positioned just over the surgical zone of the target, the light may block airflow generated by the supply air array and create the appearance of a low-pressure zone beneath the light used for surgery. The cause of air turbulence is the pressure drop. Due to turbulent airflow, various contaminants generated through the surgical process could be circulating within the surgical environment. If there is no unidirectional flow that is filtered, particulate and bacterial contaminants could be carried by surgical staff. Furthermore biological fluids, blood and bone fragments can be pushed upwards toward the surgical lighthead, which is sterilized and cleaned in between operations.
A method and system that allows continuous low-turbulence, low-turbulence airflow when using the light of a surgical procedure is required. The need is for a method and system to reduce the risk of contaminants being dispersed over the area of surgery.
Certain embodiments of this disclosure provide a light system that includes an main body that defines an internal chamber, as well as an assembly for lighting which is attached to the main body, wherein the lighting assembly comprises at least one light unitconfigured to produce light. The light system further includes a fan configured to generate an airflow as well as an airflow circuit that is configured to direct the flow of air from the main body of the lighting assembly. A tilt detection unit is included in the lighting system. It determines the tilt angle and generates a control signal that causes the speed of the fan to vary in accordance with the tilt angle.
The present disclosure describes a method to control the airflow of lighting assembly. It involves determining the tilt angle of the lighting device and controlling the flow of air out of the main body via an airflow circuit. The control signal is created to alter the speed of fan airflow based on any detected tilt angle change.
Certain embodiments provide computer storage media with computer-executable instructions for controlling the flow of air through a lighting system. These instructions, when executed by a CPU will cause the processor to produce a signal that causes the rate of airflow through the fan to alter based on the tilt angle detected by the lighting unit.
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