Surgical Lights

The surgical lights can be mounted on the ceiling, wall, or mobile depending on the field of operation and purpose for which it is used to illuminate the surgical area where the operating table is located, to provide the desired light intensity to the personnel performing the surgical intervention, and to preserve the true tissue color of the operating field. These lights can be of single, double, or triple heads. All operating room lights must comply with the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 2009) standard.

Historical Development of Operating Room Light

In the middle of the 19th century, the operating theaters were positioned with windows in the southeast direction in their ceilings in order to get maximum use of sunlight. Depending on the time of day and the state of the cloud, operations were were performed in sunlight of approximate 10,000 and 80,000 lux. The shadow created by the surgeon, nurses, and devices as well as the heat generated by the direct light were also causing a big problems. Due to these issues, a system with mirrors on the four corners of the ceiling was developed in order to reflect the sun's rays to the operating table. However, with this system, the problem could not be solved completely. Although it was thought that the heat problem could be solved by preventing the light from coming directly to the operation area getting help from optical lens, unfortunately it could not be solved. At the end of the 19th century, light bulbs were selected as the replacement of direct sunlight. The bulb's ability to control light was too low and the amount of heat released was too high. With the advacement of technology, halogen and xenon lights were used for surgical lighting. In the 20th century, LEDs expanded their place in operating theaters as a light source. Thus, the heat problem was eliminated and the energy requirement was reduced. The first LED-based surgical light in our country started to be used in 2008-2009, and in 2012, the first domestic surgical ceiling light was produced and presented to the market by Etkin Medical Devices.

Examination Light

Examination lights are used in many clinics, especially in hair transplantation, obstetrics, and gynecology clinics. The demand for examination lights has increased, especially with the increasing interest in hair transplantation in the recent period. The light intensity of the examination light is between 50,000 and 80,000 lux, which does not cause glare because of the head structure; Meanwhile, the adjustable temperature value provides illumination suitable for the skin tone. In this regard, examination lights are in great demand in hair transplant operations.

Technical Specifications of Surgical Lights

Central Illumination Intensity (EC):

The ideal light intensity should be in the middle of the light beam, in one meter distance from the light source, between 40,000 and 160,000 lux to ensure good vision and avoid visual strain on surgeons’ side.

Color Temperature (K):

Because surgical lights usually illuminate dark red tissues, visible red light should be given to highlight contrast and tissue differentiation. The 4000K color temperature provides sufficient brightness and allows the surgeon to distinguish true tissue colors with minimal eyestrain. The acceptable range for surgical lights should be between 3000 – 6700K.

Illumination Depth (L1+L2):

It is the distance between the 20% luminous intensity points above and below the center point. From the point of maximum illumination, which is the center of the light field 1 meter away from the light emitting surface, the photometer is moved towards the light until the measured light intensity drops to 20% of the maximum value. The distance between the center and this point is defined as L1. Similarly the distance is measured for L2. Without the need for refocusing, the illumination depth is the sum of the two distances L1 and L2. In the second edition of the IEC standard published in 2009, the threshold value was revised from 20% to 60%. It is a phrase used in practice for optimal viewing of small, low-contrast objects at varying depths in body cavities. Surgical light heads with a large depth of field provide a working area above the standard without shortening the working area.

CRI Ra Value:

A surgical light with a high CRI means colors appear more natural. The value range varies between 0 and 100. Daylight is considered 100. CRI values of 85 and greater indicates good color rendering. In short, the closer the value is to 100, the more natural and quality light is obtained.

CRI R9 Value:

Reflection spectra are especially valuable for objects containing red wavelengths. LED lighting cannot fully achieve red color rendering. In surgical operations, lighting with high R9 value -that can show the red color- should be used.

Material Type:

The type of material to be used in surgical light heads should be chosen as a hard material which is resistant to heat, pressure and scratches.

Illumination Field Diameter (D10):

It ends where it reaches 10% of the light intensity of the operating light. Wide refers to the diameter of the spot.

Measuring Light Scattering (D50):

It ends where the operating light reaches 50% of its light intensity. It indicates the diameter of the narrow spot.

Laminar Air Flow:

In operating rooms and surgical operations, laminar airflow is provided so that bacteria, viruses, and microbes do not settle in the open surgery area and do not cause infection. Air turbulence is undesirable because it can cause the particles to scatter in an undirected way, leading to infection of the surgical site, which must remain sterile in any case. In order to minimize contamination in operating room lights, it is necessary to use surgical head designs that can facilitate flow of the air.

Hygiene:

The reinforced insulation structure and the body covered with anti-bacterial paint of the LED operating room lights should not contain dust, dirt, and bacteria in the device and should be suitable for cleaning with disinfectant products.

IP54:

Operating room lights’ head must be resistant to dust and water.

Operating room lights have 3 different mounting styles: ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted and mobile.

Mobile Surgical Lights

Mobile surgical lights, also known as wheeled surgical lights, can be easily moved, in order to provide better light positioning. As it does not have a fixed position, it can be used in different places. Mobile surgical lights supported by battery backup unit, on the other hand, ensure that the operation continues without any interruption where there is a long-term power outage. It is the perfect portable lighting system for emergency rooms, treatments, minor operating rooms, field hospitals and operating theatres, and is helpful in case of emergencies uses.

Ceiling Mounted Surgical Lights

Ceiling mounted operating lights are a preferred model by surgeons in operating rooms. It is positioned 1 meter above the operating table. Single-head, double-head and triple-head are selected based on the types of surgery to be performed in the operating room. While high equipped operating rooms such as KVC generally prefer three-head surgical lights, double-head surgical lights are mostly preferred in the operations in Turkey as well as internationally, as they are commonly suitable to be used in all operations. Single head lights are used in emergency rooms, minor operation rooms and operating rooms.

Wall Mounted Surgical Lights

Wall-mounted surgical lights provide exceptional illumination and space saving in narrow operating rooms, crowded emergency rooms, minor operation rooms and any clinics with limited space.

Operating Room Lights Prices

Operating room lights have a pricing range of 60,000 to 340,000 TL, depending on their technical features. Pricing for OR lights depends on many variables and options. The most important criteria in price determination are the number of heads, lux values and whether they have adjustable kelvin values, material structure, features of control panels and optional display equipment. Single-head surgical lights have a pricing range of 65,000 to 120,000 TL, double-head 105,000 to 270,000 TL, and triple-head 210,000 to 340,000 TL. Auto-focusing with proximity sensors in modern operating room lights, continuous lasting lux resulting from anti-shadow sensors, Full HD or 4K Cameras, Full HD or 4K monitors, battery backup unit, display system that can be integrated into the operating light heads of the same brand and model. There are optional features/accessories such as recording systems and image transmission systems. These features/accessories results in a price increase. Although the life of LED operating room lights varies between 10-12 years in general, this period may be longer. The quality of the LEDs used in LED operating room lights reduces the problems that may occur due to malfunctions and prevents frequent LED changes. Surgical lights are an important investment and asset for medical facilities, and it is important to purchase a brand with a comprehensive multi-year warranty. In some cases, extended warranties can be purchased.