Flexible Light Overcomes OR Illumination Challenges

A novel lamp overcomes the limitations of traditional overhead surgical lighting by providing precise illumination from virtually any angle.

The result of a cooperation between BihlerMED (Phillipsburg, NJ, USA) and View Medical (Memphis, TN, USA), the Surgilight device is a light emitting diode (LED) source attached to a flexible shaft that can be connected to standard existing overhead lighting components, or optionally be attached to a bed rail or to practically any other sturdy fixture within the clinical space. The convenient maneuverability of the Surgilight allows surgeons to put illumination precisely where it is most needed.

Surgilight is powered by a rechargeable internal battery source, which provides 5-6 hours of running illumination, depending on brightness level. Beam spot size ranges from 7.5 to 15 cm, depending on positioning, and can be adjusted smoothly even in the midst of a procedure, increasing the device’s versatility. The system comes in a convenient carrying case that houses the LED light, adaptor, and accessories (such as sterile sleeves), so that it is easily transferred among operating rooms within close proximity or for use in remote destinations where adequate lighting may not always be available.

Designed for simple plug-and-play integration, Surgilight comes with mounting accessories that easily integrate with a wide range of standard overhead lighting components and fixtures, as well as table and side-rail mount solutions with multiple clamping options. An accessory external mount accommodates GoPro cameras, eliminating the need for traditional videography equipment to document procedures, which may interfere with surgical team interaction or operating procedures.

“When surgeons are working with overhead lighting, their head and hands often create unwanted shadows; minimizing shadows is often why surgeons will wear headlights or have other fiber optic ancillary lighting options,” said Dan Coppersmith, sales and marketing manager for BihlerMED. “Our LED lighting technology and our ability to mount in unconventional places really helps surgeons get the angles that they need and minimize the shadows. The Surgilight better illuminates surgery, but also create a really good vantage point to capture video.”

Traditional headlights are not particularly ergonomic, and can cause physical discomfort and neck pain for many surgeons. Other options, such as focused lamps strapped to the doctor’s head, also come with a set of drawbacks that can prove frustrating. The weight of such headlights can create undue physical strain on physicians, a problem exacerbated when cameras are in the mix.

Related Links:
BihlerMED
View Medical