In the previous article, we talked about the basic information about LED OT lights (LED surgical lights). Today we’ll dig into them and take a look at the different types of surgical lights. The market is filled with various kinds of OT lights, and each kind of surgical light serves a particular purpose in illuminating a medical procedure before, during, and after it. They can be classified by positioning, source, or mounting configuration.
Types of Surgical Lights: Positioning
When it comes to positioning, there are three major types of surgical lighting: overhead, headlamps, and in-cavity lighting. Each has unique advantages and is suitable for various settings.
Overhead Lighting
As its name implies, overhead lighting is suspended from a mount that is fastened to the ceiling or wall. Surgeons can adjust the lighting with its handles, and it is also adjustable to minimize glare.
However, there are some drawbacks to overhead lighting. While it provides ample light coverage over a wide area, it can be challenging to concentrate the light on a small specific area. Additionally, it may create shadows in certain situations and generate a significant amount of heat, which can be problematic in certain settings.
This kind of lighting enables a technique known as the “brute force approach,” which saturates the surgical site with a lot of light. With strategic lenses, it can produce a pattern of diffused light. When considering new OT lights, it is important to take into account factors such as shadow and heat generation.
Headlamps
Headlamps are wearable devices that offer precise and hands-free illumination of the surgical area. They automatically align with the direction the surgeon is looking, providing excellent mobility and shadow-free lighting. These headlamps can be powered by batteries or connected to a separate light source through a fiber optic cable. They are renowned for their superb clarity and user-friendly design.
In addition, headlamps can incorporate “surgical loupes”, which are small magnifying devices typically attached to glasses’ lenses or frames. Some surgical loupes are equipped with a small bulb at the center of the frame to illuminate the surgical site. The use of illuminated surgical loupes is particularly crucial in surgeries that require high dexterity when working with small structures. They enhance and magnify the surgical area, offering a better view.
When surgeons utilize surgical loupes under intense surgical shadowless lights to improve visibility in the operating room, the total brightness is approximately 200 times brighter than that of standard office lights.
In-Cavity Lighting
In-cavity lighting is particularly suitable for illuminating deep cavities or areas with challenging angles that standard medical equipment may struggle to reach. It is only employed in specific circumstances when overhead and headlamp lighting prove insufficient. Since the light source for in-cavity lighting is often outside of the sterile zone, it can either be a fixed lamp that stands alone or one that is attached to a surgical retractor or other tools.
The advantage of in-cavity lighting lies in its ability to be tailored to specific needs and provide varying levels of illumination within the surgical corridor. Being located outside of the sterile field, in-cavity lighting allows for a more nuanced approach. This becomes particularly relevant when performing surgeries in deep and minimally invasive corridors. In this case, excessive heat generation can be prevented by combining in-cavity lighting and fiber optics.
Types of Surgical Lights: Source
As for light sources, the two most prevalent types are halogen and LED lights.
Halogen Lighting
Halogen lighting, similar to regular incandescent bulbs, has been a common choice in surgical settings for many years due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness. It also offers easy disposal. One difference between halogen and incandescent lights is that halogen lights use a tungsten filament combined with halogen gas. This combination triggers a chemical process that deposits vaporized tungsten back onto the filament. The filament can work at higher temperatures as a result, producing light with greater efficacy and color temperature.
However, one drawback of halogen lights is that they emit a significant amount of infrared light, which needs to be filtered to create a cooler white light suitable for surgery. Additionally, they generate substantial heat, requiring careful management to prevent the surgical team from becoming too hot.
Compared with incandescent and LED lights, halogen lighting is less effective and lasts for a shorter period of time. Even when cool, touching halogen lamps with bare hands can transfer oil from the fingers, reducing the bulb’s lifespan. Depending on usage, halogen bulbs may need to be replaced approximately once a year.
LED Lighting
In the early 19 century, LED (light-emitting diode) technology overtook conventional halogen light sources to become the preferred light source for many fields, including operating rooms. LEDs are solid-state semiconductor devices that release light when an electric current flows through them. LEDs do not generate heat during this process of producing light. This heat-free characteristic makes LEDs highly suitable for surgical procedures as they keep the surgical team cool even under direct illumination. They are known for their efficient energy usage, requiring significantly less energy than halogen bulbs to produce higher-quality illumination.
LEDs are compact, durable, and reliable, with a much longer lifespan than conventional lighting options. The temperature of the semiconductor and the current flowing through it have an impact on the light output of LEDs. Although the majority of LEDs are normally rated for 25,000 to 40,000 hours of full brightness, LEDs can have a lifespan of up to 60,000 hours by adhering to the manufacturer’s specified maximum current. Unlike halogen bulbs that abruptly fail, LEDs gradually fade in brightness over time, making it easier to anticipate when replacement is needed and avoiding sudden lighting failures during surgery.
Unlike halogen lights, LED lights typically do not require filtering media in surgical settings, resulting in their relatively higher luminous efficacy. They enable reductions in the connected load by 50% or more, eliminating the issue of infrared radiation brought on by excessive heat. Additionally, LEDs have the ability to save energy due to constant-color dimming and reduced cooling load in the operating room.
Types of Surgical Lights: Mounting Configuration
Surgical lighting configurations can be floor-standing, wall-mounted, or ceiling-mounted. A surgical light might also be used in any of the three configurations, depending on the model.
Ceiling-mounted Lights
Ceiling-mounted surgical lights are fixtures installed on the ceiling of the operating room. These lights have significantly contributed to the advancement of surgical lighting by delivering excellent visualization, leading to improved patient outcomes. They efficiently provide illumination at the surgical site, ensure high-quality signals for imaging, reduce energy consumption by one-third and eliminate the need for bulb replacements. Most crucially, the LED has a brightness that is 41% higher than that of competing items.
Wall-mounted Lights
Wall-mounted lights are positioned on the OR wall. This type of lighting is more frequently employed with examination lights rather than surgical lights.
Floor-standing Lights
Floor-standing surgical lighting can stand on its own and often on wheels, so it may be moved from room to room for greater mobility. These lights are frequently employed in examinations.
Each type has its specific advantages and plays a vital role in ensuring a well-illuminated surgical site during procedures.
About Mokolight
At Mokolight, we provide tailored LED surgical lights and are professionals with over 16 years of experience in LED medical lighting. With a single-minded focus on customer satisfaction, we strive to create world-class LED surgical lighting for hospitals and healthcare facilities all around the world. Give it a try and contact us today!
