A sports headlight retrofitted on magnifying loupes: A simple and cheap
method for daily use
method for daily use
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Pericleous, A
Dimitrakakis, G
Protopapas, AD
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and paramedics often use headlight to examine or to perform surgical
intervention in the patients. However, there are concerns related to its use such as comfort for the user, mobility and
asepsis for the cable, availability in the departments plus cost effectiveness. The concept of a retrofitted 1-watt
sports headlight (adjusted on magnifying loupes) would give quick access to a light source, be available and reliable
at any place, save vital funds and would be environmentally friendly as the battery can be replaced. The same
concept can be applied to pre-hospital emergency care and disaster medicine as well.
BACKGROUND
Headlights with fibre optic cables have being used for two decades as an adjunct to the operating theatre lighting.
The cable-powered headlights pose, to our experience, some limitations for the operating team:
Smooth personnel circulation around the operating field is hindered by repeated unplugging and re-plugging of the
cable when surgeon and assistants change sides.
Protocols for draping and asepsis have to accommodate the cumbersome cable and the light source and in addition
are time consuming and arising issues of flexibility.
The weight of the headlight and cable may cause health issues for the bearer (head ache, low back pain) [1].
Portable surgical headlights have also been available for the last decade for a not negligible cost. They are powered
by a battery pack, attached to the torso/waist and connected to the headlight by a shorter cable. They are priced at
hundreds of pounds.
METHOD
As an alternative to cumbersome cables and expensive ‘ad hoc’ designs, we use a retrofitted 1-watt sports headlight
with a weight of 100 grams. We acquired that for $ 14.99 (approximately £10) from an outdoor specialist retailer
(Petzl America, Clearfield, Utah, USA). The headlight is powered by three 1.5 Volt AAA batteries and provides 60
lumen of luminous flux (Fig.1). We have wrapped the elastic bands of the headlight around the corresponding
horizontal (axial circumferential) and sagittal elements of the headband, where the magnifying loupes are mounted
(Keeler Ltd., Clewer Hill Road, Windsor SL4 4AA). The headlight can be aimed by tilting the housing (Fig.1, 2).
DISCUSSION
The luminous flux from our headlight according to our experience in cardiothoracic surgery is adequate for a
variety of procedures: femoral and axillary arterial access, harvesting internal thoracic (mammary) arteries, open
pulmonary resections, valve surgery. Being fully portable without cable, light source or pouches, it is especially
handy outside the operating suite (ITU, A&E, wards) for emergency re-explorations for bleeding, secondary wound
closures, application of vacuum therapy dressings, trauma, for ECMO work etc. Finally, we have had no evidence
of thermal injury, as has being reported from strong xenon beams [2].
This simple affordable headlight system can be easily adapted to the needs of the entire spectrum of surgical
specialties, especially those using magnifying loupes. Therefore, can be part of basic life support kits for use in prehospital
emergency care, disaster and military medicine [3].
The device has the following advantages:
1. ‘‘Two-in-one’’ function of Loupes and Torch.
2. Battery can be changed (so no need to throw away the item) and is environmentally friendly
3. No need for asepsis
4. Cost effective
5. Availability everywhere
In conclusion, we believe this is a practical medical device.
intervention in the patients. However, there are concerns related to its use such as comfort for the user, mobility and
asepsis for the cable, availability in the departments plus cost effectiveness. The concept of a retrofitted 1-watt
sports headlight (adjusted on magnifying loupes) would give quick access to a light source, be available and reliable
at any place, save vital funds and would be environmentally friendly as the battery can be replaced. The same
concept can be applied to pre-hospital emergency care and disaster medicine as well.
BACKGROUND
Headlights with fibre optic cables have being used for two decades as an adjunct to the operating theatre lighting.
The cable-powered headlights pose, to our experience, some limitations for the operating team:
Smooth personnel circulation around the operating field is hindered by repeated unplugging and re-plugging of the
cable when surgeon and assistants change sides.
Protocols for draping and asepsis have to accommodate the cumbersome cable and the light source and in addition
are time consuming and arising issues of flexibility.
The weight of the headlight and cable may cause health issues for the bearer (head ache, low back pain) [1].
Portable surgical headlights have also been available for the last decade for a not negligible cost. They are powered
by a battery pack, attached to the torso/waist and connected to the headlight by a shorter cable. They are priced at
hundreds of pounds.
METHOD
As an alternative to cumbersome cables and expensive ‘ad hoc’ designs, we use a retrofitted 1-watt sports headlight
with a weight of 100 grams. We acquired that for $ 14.99 (approximately £10) from an outdoor specialist retailer
(Petzl America, Clearfield, Utah, USA). The headlight is powered by three 1.5 Volt AAA batteries and provides 60
lumen of luminous flux (Fig.1). We have wrapped the elastic bands of the headlight around the corresponding
horizontal (axial circumferential) and sagittal elements of the headband, where the magnifying loupes are mounted
(Keeler Ltd., Clewer Hill Road, Windsor SL4 4AA). The headlight can be aimed by tilting the housing (Fig.1, 2).
DISCUSSION
The luminous flux from our headlight according to our experience in cardiothoracic surgery is adequate for a
variety of procedures: femoral and axillary arterial access, harvesting internal thoracic (mammary) arteries, open
pulmonary resections, valve surgery. Being fully portable without cable, light source or pouches, it is especially
handy outside the operating suite (ITU, A&E, wards) for emergency re-explorations for bleeding, secondary wound
closures, application of vacuum therapy dressings, trauma, for ECMO work etc. Finally, we have had no evidence
of thermal injury, as has being reported from strong xenon beams [2].
This simple affordable headlight system can be easily adapted to the needs of the entire spectrum of surgical
specialties, especially those using magnifying loupes. Therefore, can be part of basic life support kits for use in prehospital
emergency care, disaster and military medicine [3].
The device has the following advantages:
1. ‘‘Two-in-one’’ function of Loupes and Torch.
2. Battery can be changed (so no need to throw away the item) and is environmentally friendly
3. No need for asepsis
4. Cost effective
5. Availability everywhere
In conclusion, we believe this is a practical medical device.
Date Issued
2012-08-01
Citation
Surgery: Current Research, 2012, 5 (2)
ISSN
2161-1076
Publisher
OMICS Group
Journal / Book Title
Surgery: Current Research
Volume
5
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2012 The Authors. All works published by OMICS Group are under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. This permits anyone to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the work provided the original work and source is appropriately cited.
License URL
Description
04.02.15 KB. Ok to add published version, OA journal under cc by
Identifier
http://omicsonline.org/searchresult.php?keyword=protopapas
Source
International Conference and Exhibition on Surgery and Transplantation
Subjects
Innovation
Lighting
Retrofit
Surgical Appliances
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2012-11-26
Finish Date
2012-11-28
Coverage Spatial
San Antonio