DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering.

Particularly, this invention relates to lighting systems and illumination systems.

Specifically, this invention relates a chest-mounted illuminator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Illumination systems, for operating theatres / surgical environments, are very important for health and safety of everyone using that workplace. An important consideration, in operating theatres / surgical environments, is the ability to be able to see quickly, easily, in a well-lit manner, and without obstructions. If these advantages are achieved, hazards / hazardous situations can be avoided.

The type of hazard present in an operating theatre / surgical environment is so serious that it may damage a patient’s organs and lead to major catastrophies. Hence, safe and adequate lighting in an operation theatre / surgical environment is a must.

Surgical lights provide lighting in operating theatres / surgical environments and are designed to illuminate a surgical site for optimal visualization of small, low-contrast objects at varying depths in incisions and body cavities. A generalized operation room / operation theater / surgical environment light setup consists of a single-light or a multiple-light head assembly attached to a suspension arm.

Surgeons or assistants who have any visual problems can make serious mistakes while operating the patient. Surgeons mainly focus their vision in the highly illuminated operating cavity. Being fully adjusted to that luminance can cause problems when they look up into darker areas and need to adjust to lower luminance. Staff and doctors who help in the operation also have very visually demanding work that involves focusing on the surgeon’s instructions in the operating cavity as well as handing the surgeons instruments from the instrument table. This means that their vision needs to adjust to very different levels of luminance throughout the operation.

A surgical lighting fixture can be either mounted at a fixed point on a ceiling or wall or positioned along a ceiling-mounted track. Types of lamps include tungsten, quartz, and/or xenon halogens and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

It is desirable to have a uniform and focused illuminance over the working area. The operating light should have a light beam that provides parallel light with a high illuminance to produce sharp shadows and facilitate depth perception (Knulst et al., 2011). The high luminance contrast in the operation theatre between the operating light and the surrounding area causes glare for the operating personnel.

Surgical lights are designed to operate for extended periods of time without radiating excessive heat. For ceiling-mounted lights, one or more transformers are located either above a finished ceiling or in a remote-control box mounted on a wall in order to convert incoming line voltage to a lower voltage which is required for most lights. LED surgical lights consist of pods, or modules, which are essentially small semiconductors that emit a narrow spectrum of light when excited by an electrical circuit.

Patients were reportedly burned by lights in which heat protection filters were removed. Burns were reported when multiple surgical lights operated or near maximum intensity were focused on the same field. Poor lighting not only affects doctors and nurses, in an operation theatre / surgical environment, but also causes symptoms like eyestrain, migraine, headaches, but is also linked to Sick Building Syndrome.

The amount of illuminance needed in the operation cavity for different types of surgical procedures depends on the procedure as well as the amount of illuminance in the entire room. The first reaction when the light is perceived as inadequate seems to be to increase the illuminance levels: “The more – the better” (Weston, 1962). However, many operating lamps provide too much illuminance, usually between 100000 and 160000 lx, with a minimum of 40000 lx (Hemphälä et al., 2011).

Successful illumination requires a special balance of luminance, shadow management, volume and temperature. This maximizes visibility at the surgical site while minimizing eye fatigue in an Operation Theatre; its four 4 main criteria, that need to be considered, are:
1. Illumination;
2. Volume of light;
3. Heat;
4. Shadow management.

Common Problems observes in relation to illumination in Operation Theatres are:
• Surgical Light Glare and Lack of Adjustment;
• Position of Suspension Arms;
• Heat from Surgical Lights;
• No Input from Surgeons and Nurses.

There is a need to provide a solution for the above-mentioned problems.

PROR ART:
According to prior arts, such as surgical headlights, head mounted display apparatus, PENTALED 12, head apparatus with light emitting diode, they are riddled with the following problems:
- issues of burning of tissue due to light intensity;
- issues relating to infrared rays’ emission;
- issues relating to ultraviolet rays’ emission;
- lack of compact size;
- lack of focus as required by a user / surgeon;
- lack of control of intensity.

The following Table 1 shows various lamp types and disadvantages associated with that lamp type.
Lamp Type Method of Operation End of Life Disadvantages
Incandescent Lamps Gas filled chamber & burning filament Burn out- No warning ×Large amount of heat produced
Gas Discharge Electrical current passes through gas Dims over time ×More expensive than incandescent
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Semiconductor Dims over time ×Small range of light emissions
TABLE 1

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a portable chest-mounted illuminator for use in operation theatres / surgical environments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a focus-adjustable portable chest-mounted illuminator for use in operation theatres / surgical environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a chest-mounted illuminator is designed and fabricated.

According to this invention, there is provided a chest-mounted illuminator comprising:
- a first housing, comprising a panel with two slots, on its operative frontal side, facing operatively outwards, each slot being configured to receive one light each, said panel being a planar surface ensconced on a frontal plane of the first housing with the panel; and
- said panel having at least two pivot points, on its lateral edges, which interface with internal side walls of said first housing such that said panel angularly displaces about said pivot points so as to move into a plane of said first housing and out of the plane of said first housing, said angular displacement allowing light to focus in accordance with roll degree of freedom, thereby, allowing focus, of lights, to shift in an X-Y plane.

In at least an embodiment, said light is a cold shadowless LED.

In at least an embodiment, said angular displacement being enabled by means of rotating knob control mechanisms, said control mechanisms being provided at lateral sides of said first housing, external to said first housing, said control mechanisms being coupled to lateral sides of said panel to control its angular displacement.

In at least an embodiment, a lateral side profile of said first housing is a trapezoid having:
- its angled / slanting surface (back panel) being configured to be in touch with a person (wearer of this illuminator device) while performing an operation;
- its straight surface (front panel) being configured to bear said panel and the lights in its slots;
- its long operative side being an operative dorsal side; and
- its short operative side, parallel to the long operative side, being an operative ventral side.

In at least an embodiment, control mechanisms, being provided at one of lateral sides of said second housing, said control mechanism being coupled to said panel, through a tilt-mechanism, in order to assist in angular displacement of said panel at +/- 45 degrees with respect to a vertical axis,

In at least an embodiment, an intensity control mechanism, being provided at one of lateral sides of said second housing, coupled to each of said lights, to control their intensity.

In at least an embodiment, a strap being provided connecting one lateral side of said first housing to another lateral side of said housing.

In at least an embodiment, each slot of said first housing mechanism being configured to move in multiple degrees of freedom in order to allow each light to be individually controlled and focused in multiple degrees of freedom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a front view of the chest-mounted illuminator (100) of this invention; and
FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of the chest-mounted illuminator (100) of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a chest-mounted illuminator.

The following points need to be considered while designing an effective illuminator:
• Compact Size;
• Focused Light;
• Light Intensity Control;
• Components required: LED, Casing, Switches, Nobs, Straps, electric circuit;
• Mainly it should be sterile (bio medical product);
• Ease of use.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a front view of the chest-mounted illuminator (100) of this invention.
FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of the chest-mounted illuminator (100) of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, the device comprises a first housing, comprising a panel (12) with two slots (14a, 14b) in order to receive one LED light each. Typically, this panel (12) is a planar surface ensconced on a frontal plane of the first housing with the panel (12) having at least two pivot points on its lateral edges which interface with internal side walls of the first housing such that the panel (12) angularly displaces about the pivot points so as to move into the plane of the first housing and out of the plane of the first housing. This angular displacement is important to allow light to focus in accordance with roll degree of freedom; thereby, allowing focus, of lights, to shift in an X-Y plane. The angular displacement is enabled by means of control mechanisms, such as rotating knobs (16).

In at least an embodiment, a lateral side profile of this first housing is a trapezoid having:
- its angled / slanting surface (back panel) being configured to be in touch with a person (wearer of this illuminator device) while performing an operation;
- its straight surface (front panel) being configured to bear the panel (12) and the lights in its slots (14a, 14b);
- its long operative side being an operative dorsal side;
- its short operative side, parallel to the long operative side, being an operative ventral side.
Based on anthropometric data of male and female users, back panel should be angular / slant surface.

Preferably, each LED light is a cold shadowless LED. LEDs do not emit infrared rays so that the light generated is completely cold. LEDs do not emit ultraviolet rays.

In at least an embodiment, each slot (14a, 14b) of the first housing mechanism is configured to move in multiple degrees of freedom in order to allow each light to be individually controlled and focused. In some embodiments, the panel is pivoted, at points, such that it can be angularly displaced into the illuminator and out of the illuminator.

Control mechanisms, such as rotating knobs (16), are provided at the side of the first housing, The control mechanisms (16) help in angular displacement of the internal panel at +/- 45 degrees with respect to a vertical axis. Its tilt-mechanism helps in providing proper angle of vision of operating area to a doctor.

In at least an embodiment, an intensity control mechanism (potentiometer etc.) is provided at the first housing, and is coupled to each of the lights, to control their intensity. Intensity control nob help reducing issues of necrosis and also gives a doctor focused light at operating area.

Rechargeable Batteries power the lights of this device.

In at least an embodiment, a strap, preferably from the lateral sides of the first housing, is provided in order to make this device wearable.

Table 2 shows material selected, for the illuminator, of this invention, in accordance with ISO standards:
Sr. No. Application of medical devices Polymer selection
1 Non-contact with human body,

e.g. syringes, blood storage bags, glucose drip bags PVC, PA, PE, PS, Epoxy resins
2 Short-term contact with human body,

e.g. catheters, feeding tubes, drainage tubes, surgical instruments Silicone rubber, Natural rubber, PVC, Polyurethane, PE, PP, Polyester, PEEK, Polyphenylsulfone, Nylon, Teflon, PeBax
3 Medium term contact with human body,

e.g. cultures, ligatures Nylon, PP, Polyester
4 Long term contact with human body,

e.g. implants, drug delivery devices PE, UHMWPE, PET, Silicone rubber, Polyurethane, PMMA, Polysulphones, Hydrogels Polyphosphazenes, Thermoplastic elastomers, Polydimethylsiloxane
TABLE 2: Material Selection Table

The following Table 3 shows quantitative comparison of the LED illuminator, of this invention, (last column) in correlation with prior art light sources based on various attributes.
Parameters Surgical Headlight Head Apparatus with LED Head Mounted Display with Camera PENTALED 12 LED Illuminator
Placement Head Mounted (2) Head Mounted
(2) Head Mounted
(2) Trolley, Ceiling Mounted (3) Chest Mounted (4)
Movability Require Head Movement (2) Require Head Movement (2) Require Head Movement (2) Helper Required (1) Tilting Mechanism (5)
Heat Dissipation Yes (2) Less (3) Less (3) Less (3) Negligible (4)
Sterilization Not Mentioned (0) Not mentioned (0) Yes (0) Yes (0) Yes (5)

Intensity Control Nob None (0) None (0) None (0) None (0) Yes (5)
Total (Score) 6 7 7 7 23
TABLE 3: Quantitative Comparison table

According to an embodiment, this illuminator is used as a secondary source of illumination in operation theatres. A primary source is used as disbursed light; it helps to reduce stress and strain on a surgeon’s eye. Other factors considered in designing chest mounted illuminator, of this invention, eventually helps doctors, surgeons, and helpers to work in long duration surgeries, efficiently.

From Table 3, it can be seen that this invention scores on all counts when compared with corresponding prior arts.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES:
• Compact size is preferred so it will not bother doctor much while operating;
• Light should be focused;
• Shadowless working platform;
• Intensity of light should be controllable;
• Titling mechanism to Illuminator;
• Handsfree use;
• Mainly it should be sterile (bio medical product);
• Ease of use should be there;
• Components required: LED, Casing, Switches, Nobs, Straps, electric circuit.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in in providing a body-mounted illuminator which is portable in nature, has adjustable light mounts, eliminates obstructions, and shadows; all of which are crucial in an operating / surgical environment.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM,

1. A chest-mounted illuminator comprising:
- a first housing, comprising a panel (12) with two slots (14a, 14b), on its operative frontal side, facing operatively outwards, each slot (14a, 14b) being configured to receive one light each, said panel (12) being a planar surface ensconced on a frontal plane of the first housing with the panel (12); and
- said panel (12) having at least two pivot points, on its lateral edges, which interface with internal side walls of said first housing such that said panel (12) angularly displaces about said pivot points so as to move into a plane of said first housing and out of the plane of said first housing, said angular displacement allowing light to focus in accordance with roll degree of freedom, thereby, allowing focus, of lights, to shift in an X-Y plane.

2. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said light is a cold shadowless LED.

3. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said angular displacement being enabled by means of rotating knob (16) control mechanisms, said control mechanisms being provided at lateral sides of said first housing, external to said first housing, said control mechanisms being coupled to lateral sides of said panel (12) to control its angular displacement.

4. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a lateral side profile of said first housing is a trapezoid having:
- its angled / slanting surface (back panel) being configured to be in touch with a person (wearer of this illuminator device) while performing an operation;
- its straight surface (front panel) being configured to bear said panel (12) and the lights in its slots (14a, 14b);
- its long operative side being an operative dorsal side; and
- its short operative side, parallel to the long operative side, being an operative ventral side.

5. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, control mechanisms, being provided at one of lateral sides of said second housing, said control mechanism being coupled to said panel, through a tilt-mechanism, in order to assist in angular displacement of said panel at +/- 45 degrees with respect to a vertical axis,

6. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, an intensity control mechanism, being provided at one of lateral sides of said second housing, coupled to each of said lights, to control their intensity.

7. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a strap being provided connecting one lateral side of said first housing to another lateral side of said housing.

8. The chest-mounted illuminator as claimed in claim 1 wherein each slot of said first housing mechanism being configured to move in multiple degrees of freedom in order to allow each light to be individually controlled and focused in multiple degrees of freedom.

Dated this 12th day of April, 2022

CHIRAG TANNA
of INK IDÉE
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT
REGN. NO. IN/PA - 1785