Apparatus and methods for surgical lighting
An apparatus for surgical lighting is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light emitting element formed with a light source encapsulated within an outer layer. The outer layer includes a biocompatible material. A power supply is coupled to the light source. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that controls power from the power supply to the light source to emit light along a surgical area. The light emitting element provides enhanced illumination and other surgical advantages.
1. An apparatus for surgical lighting of a surgical area, comprising:
a generally planar outer layer, the outer layer being biocompatible, the outer layer being malleable, and the outer layer including a textile material configured to establish a barrier to fluids along a surgical area and provide a protective barrier for tissue;
a generally planar substrate enclosed within the outer layer, the substrate being malleable; a light source mounted along the substrate;
a power supply coupled to the light source; and
an actuating mechanism configured to activate the power supply for emitting light from the light source;
wherein the apparatus is configured for removeable placement in the surgical area; and wherein the light source emits the light at a predefined wavelength corresponding to a predefined surgical function.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises polydimethylsiloxane.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is malleable and memory-retaining, and wherein the substrate includes a flexible printed circuit board.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power supply includes a disposable battery enclosed within the outer layer.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an insulated electrical conduit coupled between the light source and the power supply.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source, power supply, actuating mechanism, and the outer layer collectively form a discrete light emitting element oriented along a surgical area.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes encapsulated within the outer layer.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are oriented as a columnar array within the outer layer.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a first one of the plurality of light emitting diodes emits the light at a first wavelength, and a second one of the plurality of light emitting diodes emits the light at a second wavelength.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are oriented in a predetermined arrangement within the outer layer to provide focused illumination along a surgical area.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of radio-opaque markers formed along the outer layer or the light source.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a retrieval tether coupled to the outer layer configured for removing the apparatus from a surgical area.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an antennae coupled to the power supply, the actuating mechanism configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal to the antennae to activate the power supply and emit the light from the light source.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reed switch for
engaging the power supply, the reed switch configured to activate the power supply in response to a magnet to emit the light from the light source.
15. An apparatus for surgical lighting of a surgical area, comprising:
a generally planar outer layer, the outer layer being biocompatible and the outer layer including a textile material configured to establish a barrier to fluids along a surgical area and provide a protective barrier for tissue;
a light source enclosed within the outer layer;
a power supply coupled to the light source; and
wherein the apparatus is configured for removeable placement in the surgical area.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode tape, the light emitting diode tape being malleable and memory-retaining.
17. A method of forming an apparatus for surgical lighting of a surgical area, comprising:
providing a light source, the light source configured to illuminate a surgical area;
encapsulating the light source within aft a generally planar outer layer, the outer layer being biocompatible and the outer layer including a textile material configured to establish a barrier to fluids along a surgical area and provide a protective barrier for tissue; and
coupling the light source to a power supply;
wherein the apparatus is configured for removeable placement in the surgical area.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the power supply is encapsulated within the outer layer and positioned adjacent the light source.