Sterile handle control mechanism
Inventors
Alexanderson, James K. • TIMOSZYK, Wojciech K. • Kumar, Vikas • MEHTA, Sudhanshu • York, Robert L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12456978-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for controlling characteristics of light emitted from a surgical light includes remotely configuring a surgical light, using a remote computing system communicatively connected to the surgical light, by selecting which of a plurality of characteristics of light emitted from the surgical light are adjustable by operation of a handle assembly of the surgical light. The method includes adjusting, using the handle assembly, at least one characteristic of the plurality of characteristics of the light emitted from the surgical light according to the selection of which of the plurality of characteristics of light emitted from the surgical light are adjustable by operation of the handle assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to controlling characteristics of light emitted from a surgical light. It provides a remote computing system that communicatively programs the control system of the surgical light based on a user selection of which of a plurality of characteristics of the light are adjustable by operation of a handle assembly.
The remote computing system enables different users to program the control system differently, so operation of the handle assembly adjusts the characteristics of the light emitted by the surgical light differently for different users. The system and method thereby allow per-user selection of which light characteristics respond to handle assembly operation.
In disclosed embodiments, the handle assembly includes a movably-mounted knob and a cover with a sensor face or actuator that detects digit placement and/or actuator engagement and motion. These inputs are used to alter different light characteristics, including intensity, spot size, focus area, and color, and may further support programming of adjacent devices such as a monitor or camera via wired or wireless communication.
The disclosed handle and control structures include a base and face plate with recesses, a cover geometry for sensor isolation, and a locking mechanism, together with a circuit board and sensors that generate signals to a control system. Further embodiments include different sensing and actuation arrangements and multilevel and multiaxis knob designs for selecting and adjusting light characteristics.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are provided, one method claim and one system claim. Together they cover remotely programming a surgical light control system by a remote computing system, where user-selected adjustable light characteristics are linked to handle assembly operation, and different users can program different mappings so that the same handle operation yields different light characteristic adjustments.
Remotely programming adjustable light characteristics based on handle operation for different users
A method comprising remotely programming a control system of a surgical light, using a remote computing system communicatively connected to the control system, by selecting at the remote computing system which of a plurality of characteristics of light emitted from the surgical light are adjustable by the control system based on operation of a handle assembly; enabling different users to program the control system differently such that operation of the handle assembly adjusts characteristics differently for different users; and adjusting at least one characteristic using the handle assembly according to the selection.
System for remotely programming surgical light characteristics based on handle operation for different users
A system comprising a surgical light comprising a handle assembly and a control system; and a remote computing system communicatively connected to the control system and configured to remotely program the control system by enabling a user to select at the remote computing system which of a plurality of characteristics of the light emitted from the surgical light are adjustable by the control system based on operation of the handle assembly, wherein the remote computing system enables different users to program the control system differently such that operation of the handle assembly adjusts characteristics differently for the different users.
The claim set requires a remote computing system that assigns which light characteristics are adjustable based on handle assembly operation, and that supports different users programming the control system so that handle operation produces user-specific light characteristic adjustments. Dependent features further refine examples such as intensity, spot size, and color, and may include wireless communication and handle operation via rotating hand grip portions and mode switching.
Stated Advantages
Enables different users to program the surgical light so that operation of the handle assembly adjusts light characteristics differently for different users.
Documented Applications
Programmable control of characteristics of light emitted from a surgical light based on handle assembly operation selected by a remote computing system for different users.
Programming of adjacent devices communicatively connected to the surgical light control system via wired or wireless communication, including a monitor/viewing screen and a camera.
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