Surgical Lighting, Magnifier Lamps, Exam Room Lighting

What is Surgical Lighting?

Surgical lights provide illumination in surgical suites and are designed to highlight the surgical site for the best visualization of low contrast, small objects and different depths in body cavities and incisions. Surgical lighting can consist of a single- or multi-light head assembly that is attached to a suspension arm. The lighting fixture can be either mounted at a fixed point on a wall or ceiling or positioned along a ceiling mounted track. There are different types of lamps, which include quartz, tungsten, and/or xenon halogens and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Handles that can be sterilized allow the surgeon to easily adjust the light’s position during a procedure. Many models can accommodate a mounted camera, and some configurations contain a built-in camera. Camera integration into the operating room control system and infrastructure may also be possible.

Surgical lights are designed to operate for an extended period of time without emitting excessive heat. For ceiling mounted lights, one or more transformers can be located either in a remote control box mounted on the wall or above the finished ceiling to convert the incoming line voltage to a lower voltage that is required for most lights. Conventional lamps are usually gas filled incandescent lamps that contain a certain proportion of halogen in an inert gas with a pressure that exceeds 3 atmospheres (atm). Some gas discharge xenon halogen lamps give off light by passing electric current through a gas. LED surgical lights consist of modules, or pods, which are small semiconductors that give off a narrow spectrum of light when they are excited by an electrical circuit.

Why Use LEDs for Surgical Lighting?

LED technology is advancing into new categories of white light applications for energy savings and reduced maintenance. They typically do not require a filter which additionally increases their efficiency. LED surgical lights are generally rated for 25,000 to 40,000 hours and when they “fail”, they gradually fade in brightness instead of going out completely. LED technology may offer added benefits, which include enhanced reduction of shadows that are cast by the surgical team. Some even allow for color adjustments.

What is a Magnifier Lamp?

A magnifier lamp combines two important elements for doing work and for viewing small items. As a lamp, it provides light and it has a large magnifying glass attached which may have adjustable magnification settings. There are many types of magnifier lamps. The simplest are short lamps that stand at the workspace, and usually can be adjusted in height up and down, as well as the magnification level. A floor standing magnifier lamp can be brought down over the workspace while the base stays out of the way. Another type of magnifier lamp attaches to the side of the workspace so the base does not get in the way, and this type can also be moved from place to place. Some lamps attach with screws and others attach with a large clamp. The size of the actual magnifying glass may vary. Many are at least six inches in diameter. Some magnifier lamps use tube lights, some use fluorescent tubes, and some use LED lights. Many lamps come with the option of plugging them into an outlet or using battery power.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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