[0001] The present invention refers to an articulated arm for surgical fields, in particular
for dental units.
[0002] Some technical fields have the special circumstance of needing the specialised operator
to focus his/her attention and work on a predetermined surgical field, the latter
meaning the area or physical space in which the operator works.
[0003] Examples of this kind of technical field are jewellery making, where the jeweller
works with his/her tools in a strongly illuminated surgical field to allow perfect
illumination of the jewel being made.
[0004] Another example of this type of technical field is surgery, wherein the surgeon works
in a surgical field (also in this case strongly illuminated) in which the patient
is positioned. An example of an articulated arm can be found in
US2013/281792.
[0005] A further example is represented by dentistry, in which the surgical field coincides,
basically, with the mouth of the patient.
[0006] In dentistry, operating lights are now in use that are capable of emitting illuminance
even up to 100000 - 120000 lux, so that the mouth of the patient is strongly illuminated.
[0007] Indeed, it is known that the viewing capability of the surgeon improves as the illuminance
of the surgical field improves, even if beyond a certain upper illuminance limit the
improvement of visual acuity (ability to recognise shapes) tends to reduce to the
point of having no influence whereas dazzling effects appear that compromise the viewing
capability and the efficiency of ocular functions (like convergence, pupil contractions
and the like).
[0008] Typically, the optimal illuminance range in dentistry is comprised between about
8000 lux and about 50000 lux. In particular, illuminance comprised between about 30000
lux and about 50000 lux makes it possible to illuminate the darkest areas present
in the mouth of the patient, whereas an illuminance of about 8000 lux is indicatively
the minimum level to correctly recognise a white tooth.
[0009] The illuminance levels described above therefore allow the surgeon to work in the
best visual conditions, minimising the visual tiring and promoting concentration.
[0010] In the described example of dentistry, and in others still, it is thus essential
for the operator, whether jeweller, surgeon or dentist, to have the lowest possible
stress level during his/her work.
[0011] One of the circumstances linked to decreased work stress is, as stated, the strong
illuminance of the surgical field, which allows the operator to not waste physical
and mental energy to fully take in the state and the details of the surgical field.
[0012] The Applicant has noted that the use of greatly illuminating lights, like those described
above, on the one hand improves the working comfort of the operator but, on the other
hand, causes another stress to occur linked to the operation.
[0013] The Applicant has indeed noted that when the operator must look away from the surgical
field to focus on the tool to be selected or in any case on devices located in the
pre-operation field, he/she is subjected to an intense visual stress necessary to
adapt his/her sight to a completely different illuminance condition from that of the
surgical field.
[0014] In dentistry studies, the pre-operation field comprises an outer area closer to the
surgical field (that indicatively extends for about 50 centimetres around the surgical
field and includes the patient) which should be illuminated with illuminance of about
1000 lux, and an even more outer area (i.e. outside of the patient) that should be
illuminated with illuminance of about 500 lux, typical of normal work environments.
[0015] In normal work situations of dental practices, the dentist is therefore subjected
to continuous visual stresses that force him/her to refocus between light intensities
of about 50000 lux and light intensities di about 1000 lux (when looking in the area
immediately outside of the surgical field) or of about 500 lux (when looking in the
area further outside).
[0016] The Applicant has noted that such a situation produces visual tiring of the operator
during the intervention and also a temporary visual dazzling when the operator's moves
his/her gaze from the pre-operation field to the surgical field.
[0017] The Applicant has perceived that by providing an auxiliary light having much lower
illuminance that that of the operating light but greater than the illuminance normally
present outside of the surgical field, it is possible to illuminate the space immediately
outside of the surgical field with greater illuminance than ambient lighting normally
present.
[0018] The Applicant has also perceived that by coupling such an auxiliary light with one
of the two arms of an articulated arm for surgical fields, like for example an articulated
arm for dental units, it is possible to selectively illuminate, but with greater illuminance
than ambient light, some areas of the pre-operation field, like for example a quiver,
a tool tray and similar, by simply orienting an arm of the articulated arm.
[0019] The present invention therefore concerns an articulated arm for surgical fields,
comprising a first arm able to be constrained to a wall, a ceiling or a device and
mechanically articulated to a second arm, an operating light connected to the second
arm to illuminate a surgical field in which said operating light has adjustable illuminance
between a minimum value and a maximum value, at least one auxiliary light fixedly
connected to at least one from said first arm and said second arm, said auxiliary
light having adjustable illuminance between a minimum value and a maximum value, control
members being configured to adjust the illuminance of the auxiliary light as a function
of the illuminance of the operating light, wherein said control members are active
on said auxiliary light so that said minimum value of the auxiliary light is reached
when the operating light takes on a limit illuminance value greater than said minimum
value thereof.
[0020] The variation of illuminance of the auxiliary light as a function of the current
illuminance of the operating light makes it possible to optimise the focusing of the
operator when his/her gaze and attention pass from the surgical field to the immediately
surrounding area, or vice-versa, since as the illuminance of the surgical field decreases
(or increases), the illuminance of the pre-operation field increases and/or decreases.
[0021] The illuminance of the auxiliary light reaches its minimum value, preferably corresponding
to the average ambient illuminance value, when the illuminance of the operating light
reaches a limit value greater than the minimum value of the illuminance of the operating
light, so that the area illuminated by the auxiliary light is illuminated with light
intensity equal to ambient light intensity typical of the area of the pre-operation
field illuminated when the illuminance of the operating light reaches the limit value.
[0022] The operating light is indeed adjustable between a maximum illuminance value corresponding
to an ideal illuminance value for performing operations on the surgical field, to
a minimum illuminance value, less than the limit value, at which it is not suitable
to carry out operations in the surgical field.
[0023] As an example, in dentistry applications the maximum illuminance value of the operating
light can correspond to the ideal illuminance value for carrying out operations in
the oral cavity of the patient, whereas the minimum illuminance value can correspond
to an illuminance value such as not to accelerate the polymerisation of a filling
compound (an operations that the dentist performs outside of the surgical field and
therefore when not operating on the oral cavity of the patient) but which still allows
the patient to be illuminated.
[0024] The limit illuminance value of the operating light can for example correspond to
an illuminance value useful for performing particular operations in the surgical field,
like for example (in dentistry) recognising the chromatic variations of the colour
of the patient's teeth.
[0025] In the present description and subsequent claims, the term "adjust" or "adjustment"
referring to the illuminance of a light is meant to indicate the possibility of varying
the light intensity emitted by the light with continuity.
[0026] The term "illuminance" is meant to indicate the parts of luminous flux emitted by
a light source (for example a light) that hits a surface.
[0027] The term "luminous flux" is meant to indicate the total amount of light in the visible
spectrum emitted by the light source.
[0028] The term "lux" is meant to indicate the measurement of the illuminance on a surface
of one square metre placed a certain distance from the light source. When referring
to the operating light, lux values are to be considered to be measured on a surface
placed 700 millimetres from the light. When referring to the auxiliary light, lux
values are to be considered to be measured on a surface placed 500 millimetres from
the light.
[0029] Preferably, the control members are configured to keep said auxiliary light at said
minimum illuminance value when the operating light takes on illuminance values lower
than said limit illuminance value.
[0030] In this way, the illuminance of the auxiliary light does not go down, even when the
illuminance of the operating light falls below the limit value, below its own minimum
value so that the area illuminated by the auxiliary light is still illuminated with
light intensity at least equal to the typical ambient light of the area of the illuminated
pre-operation field.
[0031] Therefore, it is ensured that the auxiliary light always makes a contribution to
the illuminance of the pre-operation field even when the dentist is not directly operating
on the surgical field (in other words when the illuminance of the operating light
is below the limit value).
[0032] Concerning this, preferably the control members activate the controlled switching
off of said operating light irrespective of the on or off state of said auxiliary
light.
[0033] Similarly, preferably the control members activate the controlled switching off of
said auxiliary light irrespective of the on or off state of said operating light.
[0034] In this way, the auxiliary light can be deactivated whenever the dentist wishes.
[0035] Preferably, the minimum illuminance value of the auxiliary light is comprised between
250 lux and 750 lux, preferably about 500 lux.
[0036] Preferably, the maximum illuminance value of the auxiliary light is comprised between
750 lux and 2500 lux, preferably about 1350 lux.
[0037] Such a maximum value of the illuminance of the auxiliary light makes it possible
not to dazzle the patient (who could be in a position beneath the auxiliary light)
and, in any case, ensures good visual comfort for the dentist in passing between the
surgical field and the pre-operation field and vice-versa.
[0038] Preferably, the limit illuminance value of the operating light is comprised between
2000 lux and 10000 lux. Even more preferably, the limit illuminance value of the operating
light is about 8000 lux.
[0039] Preferably, the limit illuminance value of the operating light is such as to allow
operations in the surgical field.
[0040] Preferably, the control members are configured so that a percentage illuminance variation
of the operating light, in the range comprised between the maximum illuminance value
and the limit illuminance value, corresponds to a percentage illuminance variation
of the auxiliary light by an amount equal to a correlation coefficient greater than
one multiplied by the percentage illuminance variation of the operating light.
[0041] The percentage variation is calculated as the ratio between the current illuminance
and the maximum illuminance.
[0042] Preferably, a percentage illuminance variation of the operating light does not correspond
to the same percentage illuminance variation of the auxiliary light; the percentage
variation of the illuminance of the auxiliary light being correlated to the percentage
variation of the illuminance of the operating light by a correlation multiplication
coefficient greater than 1.
[0043] Preferably, such a correlation coefficient increases at a constant rate, when the
illuminance of the operating light decreases, in the entire variation range comprised
between the maximum value and the limit illuminance value of the operating light.
[0044] Below the limit illuminance value of the operating light, the correlation coefficient
does not apply, in other words an illuminance variation of the operating light does
not correspond to any variation of the illuminance of the auxiliary light.
[0045] Preferably, said auxiliary light is integrated inside a seat of said first arm or
of said second arm.
[0046] Preferably, said auxiliary light is positioned at a lower portion of said first or
second arm.
[0047] Preferably, auxiliary light is of the LED or OLED type.
[0048] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from
the following detailed description of a possible embodiment, illustrated as an example
and not for limiting purposes in the attached drawings, in which:
- figure 1 schematically shows a dental unit equipped with an articulated arm in accordance
with the present invention,
- figure 2 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a component of the articulated
arm of figure 1,
- figure 3 shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the component of figure
2,
- figure 4 shows an exploded view of a further preferred embodiment of a component of
the articulated arm of figure 1,
- figure 5 shows a view of the component of figure 4 in its assembled configuration;
and
- figure 6 shows a block diagram of an operating scheme of an articulated arm in accordance
with the present invention.
[0049] The articulated arm and the dental unit illustrated in the attached figures should
be considered to be represented schematically, not necessarily to scale and not necessarily
with the represented proportions between the various constituent elements.
[0050] Even if not explicitly highlighted, the single characteristics described in reference
to the specific embodiments should be considered as accessory and/or interchangeable
with other characteristics, described in reference to other embodiments.
[0051] The following description will refer explicitly, as a preferred embodiment of the
invention, to an articulated arm used in dentistry and in particular to an articulated
arm for a dental unit, without for this reason excluding the possibility that the
articulated arm is connected to other devices, to a wall and/or used in other fields
in which it is necessary to intervene in a predetermined surgical field.
[0052] In the present invention the term dental unit is meant to indicate a dental apparatus
comprising a plurality of tools and equipment used in a dental practice, like for
example a dental chair A, a dental quiver F, a dental light 6, a tool-holder, a dental
fountain with attached cups and spittoon and the like (figure 1).
[0053] In the present invention the term surgical field is meant to indicate the area in
which the dentist operates on the patient during a dental intervention, in other words
the area that is located at the patient's mouth (figure 1).
[0054] In the present invention the term pre-operation field is meant to indicate the area
located in the immediate vicinity of the surgical field, whether they are located
on the patient or outside thereof, like for example the areas in which the dental
quiver, the tool-holder and the like are present (figure 1).
[0055] In the attached figures reference numeral 1 wholly indicates an articulated arm for
surgical fields in accordance with the present invention applied to a dental unit
100.
[0056] The articulated arm 1 comprises a first arm 2 that extends between a first end 2a
and a second end 2b. The first end 2a of the first arm 2 is configured to be able
to be constrained to a fixed portion 101, like for example a wall, a dental unit 100
(as shown in figure 1) or another device. Preferably, the first end 2a is constrained
in an articulated manner to the fixed portion 101 (figure 1).
[0057] The articulated arm 1 comprises a second arm 3 that extends between a first end 3a
and a second end 3b.
[0058] The articulated arm 1 also comprises an operating light 4 at the second end 3b of
the second arm 3 (figure 1). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the operating
light 4 comprises an optical diffusor 6 to direct a beam of light F1 towards the surgical
field. The operating light 4 has variable illuminance with continuity between a maximum
value comprised between about 100000 and about 60000 lux and a minimum value of about
3000 lux. The operating light 4 can be a halogen lamp, even if in the preferred embodiment
of the invention it is an LED lamp. The illuminance of the operating light 4 can be
varied by the dentist by acting on a suitable actuator.
[0059] The second end 2a of the first arm 2 and the first end 3a of the second arm 3 are
articulated to one another so that the second arm 3 is mobile with respect to the
first arm 2 and can be oriented in space to position the operating light 4 where necessary
for the work of the dentist. Concerning this, the second end 2b of the first arm 2
and the first end 3a of the second arm 3 are articulated to one another through a
hinge or a ball joint 5, so as to allow at least the relative rotation of the second
arm 3 with respect to the first arm 2 (figure 1). The operating light 4 arranged at
the second end 3b of the second arm 3 is preferably mobile with respect to such an
end and is constrained to it through one or more hinges, through ball joints or similar.
[0060] The articulated arm 1 also comprises an auxiliary light 7 fixedly connected to the
first arm 2 and capable of emitting a second light beam F2. The auxiliary light 7
has lower illuminance than the illuminance of the operating light 6. In particular,
the illuminance of the auxiliary light 7 is variable between a maximum value comprised
between about 2500 lux and a minimum value of about 250 lux. Preferably, the illuminance
of the auxiliary light 7 is variable between a maximum value of about 1350 lux and
a minimum value of about 500 lux. The auxiliary light 7, in use, generates a beam
of light oriented and diffused by a respective diffusor 8.
[0061] The first arm 2 has a lower portion 2c, and an upper portion 2d, respectively facing,
when the articulated arm is in use, towards the floor and towards the ceiling of the
dental studio. Similarly, the second arm 3 has a lower portion and an upper portion
also respectively facing, when the articulated arm is in use, towards the floor and
towards the ceiling of the dental studio. The first arm 2 (and in some applications
also the second arm 3) usually sits, when the articulated arm is in use, right above
or in the immediate vicinity of the pre-operation field as defined above, in other
words the area at which the dental quiver and/or the tool holder are located.
[0062] The auxiliary light 7 is positioned at the lower portion 2c of the first arm 2 so
as to directly illuminate the pre-operation field.
[0063] Alternatively, the auxiliary light 7 is positioned at the upper portion 2d of the
first arm 2, so that the pre-operation field (and also further areas of the dental
studio) can be illuminated indirectly, with reflected light, by the auxiliary light
7.
[0064] In any case, the position of the auxiliary light 7 on the first arm 2 is that most
suitable for illuminating the pre-operation field as a function of the position usually
taken up by the articulated arm during the intervention.
[0065] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary light 7 is of the LED or
OLED type. The type of LED or OLED light source ensures a high level of optical control,
as well as excellent lumen/watt efficiency. As stated, the auxiliary light 7 comprises
at least one screen or optical diffusor 8 configured to correct and/or rather distribute
the beam of light F2 and illuminate, without however dazzling the patient P sitting
on the chair 102 of the unit 100, the pre-operation field. The choice of optical properties
of the diffusor 8 is, for example, a function of the opening angle of the light beam
that is wished to be obtained or the level of reduction of the illuminance produced
by the auxiliary light 7 to not dazzle the users.
[0066] In accordance with a preferred solution, the auxiliary light 7 is integrated inside
a seat 9 formed in the first arm 2 (figures 2 and 3). In this way, the auxiliary light
7 can be positioned inside the first 2 arm and sit completely inside the arm with
the optical diffusor 8 flush with the outer surface of the arm itself. Preferably,
the seat 9 is equipped with members suitable for dissipating the heat developed by
the auxiliary light 7, especially if the latter does not incorporate LED technology.
[0067] Alternatively, if it were wished to modify an articulated arm already available and
make it conform to the present invention, the auxiliary light 7 is housed in a containment
body 10 stably constrained to the first arm 2 (figures 4 and 5). Preferably, the containment
body 10 is equipped with members suitable for dissipating the heat developed by the
auxiliary light 7. The containment body 10 is preferably a metallic profile 11 on
which the light 7 is installed. Such a metallic profile 11 comprises a first portion
11a intended to contact the first arm 2 and to stably constrained to it (for example
through screws or similar) and a second portion 11b that houses the auxiliary light
7 exposing it to the environment outside of the profile, so as to be able to illuminate
the surrounding environment. The second portion 11b of the metallic profile 11 is
also provided with constraining members to be able to receive the optical diffusor
8 of the light 7 in engagement.
[0068] Preferably, the control of the illuminance of the auxiliary light 7 is carried out
by control members 12 as a function of the illuminance taken on by the operating light
4 (controlled by the user).
[0069] The control members 12 are active on the auxiliary light 7 by varying the intensity
of current provided to it as a function of the current intensity sent to the operating
light 4. Suitable calibration curves make it possible to unequivocally relate the
current intensity supplied to the auxiliary light 7 and to the operating light 4 with
the respective illuminances. Therefore, hereinafter reference will be made without
distinction to the current intensity provided to the lights or to the illuminance
thereof.
[0070] As schematised in figure 7, the control members 12 send a signal AS representative
of an illuminance level of the auxiliary light 7 as a function of a signal OS received
by the operating light 4 representative of the illuminance emitted by it.
[0071] The signal AS is generated by correlating the signal OS with a TA preset table, or
algorithm, in the control members 12.
[0072] In such a table TA each illuminance value of the operating light 4 corresponds to
an illuminance value of the auxiliary light 7.
[0073] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each percentage illuminance value,
with respect to the maximum illuminance value, of the operating light 4 corresponds
to a percentage illuminance value, with respect to the maximum illuminance value,
of the auxiliary light 7. A range comprised between the maximum value and a limit
illuminance value (greater than the minimum value) of the operating light 4 is associated
with a correlation coefficient. Such a correlation coefficient is multiplied by the
percentage illuminance value of the operating light 4 to give, as a result, the percentage
illuminance value of the auxiliary light.
[0074] The correlation coefficient is a number greater than 1 and increases uniformly, in
the range of applicability thereof, progressively as the illuminance values of the
operating light 4 decrease.
[0075] Below the limit illuminance value of the operating light 4, the illuminance value
of the auxiliary light 7 remains constant and equal to the limit illuminance value
of the operating light 4.
[0076] The following table illustrates a possible example of correlation between the illuminance
of the operating light 4 and the illuminance of the auxiliary light 7.
illuminance operating light (lux) |
percentage illuminance operating light |
correlation coefficient |
illuminance auxiliary light (lux) |
percentage illuminance auxiliary light |
80000 |
100 |
- |
1350 |
100 |
50000 |
62 |
1.23 |
1025 |
76 |
25000 |
31 |
1.71 |
715 |
53 |
15000 |
19 |
2.26 |
580 |
43 |
8000 |
10 |
3.70 |
500 |
37 |
3000 |
4 |
- |
500 |
37 |
[0077] In the example of the table given above, the illuminance values of the operating
light 4 are respectively: maximum value 80000 lux, minimum value 3000 lux, limit value
8000 lux. The illuminance values of the auxiliary light 7 are respectively: maximum
value 1350 lux, minimum value 500 lux.
[0078] Preferably, the auxiliary light 7 and the operating light 4 are controlled with a
single adjuster device 13 (schematised in figure 6) by the dentist, so that the control
carried out by the dentist on the illuminance of the operating light 4 immediately
and automatically determines a corresponding (in the sense specified above) illuminance
of the auxiliary light 7. Such a single adjuster device 13 can be a touch-screen control
interface, a keypad, a foot pedal or similar.
[0079] The adjuster device 13 is also configured to generate and send a switching off signal
SS1 to the control members 12 which, having received such a signal, send a switching
off signal ST1 to the operating light 4.
[0080] Similarly, the adjuster device 13 is configured to generate and send a switching
off signal SS2 to the control members 12 which, having received such a signal, send
a switching off signal ST2 to the auxiliary light 7.
[0081] The adjuster device 13 is also configured to generate and send an activation signal
AS1 to the control members 12. Upon receiving such a signal AS1, the control members
12 generate an activation signal TS both of the operating light 4 and of the auxiliary
light 7, so that both of the lights switch on. The switching on of the lights determines
the activation of the algorithm TA that correlates (as specified above) the illuminances
of the two lights.
[0082] All of the aforementioned signals sent by the control members 12 are generated by
one or more current intensity variators 14 (schematised in figure 6) active on the
lights 4, 7.
[0083] The control members 12 are also configured to control the orientation of the light
beam F2 emitted by the auxiliary light 7, to ensure optimal illuminance conditions
of the pre-operation field. Concerning this, the control members 12 comprise an electric
actuator (not illustrated) active on the optical diffusor 8 to orient it.
[0084] Preferably, the electric circuits of the auxiliary light 7 are integrated with those
of the operating light 4. Advantageously, the same power supply and/or control cables
are used for both lights.
[0085] Of course, those skilled in the art can bring numerous modifications to the variants
described above in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, like for
example foreseeing two physically distinct but cooperating auxiliary lights or integrating
the auxiliary light in the second arm, all in any case covered by the scope of protection
as defined by the following claims.
1. Articulated arm for surgical fields, comprising a first arm (2) suitable for being
constrained to a surface or to a device (100) and mechanically articulated to a second
arm, an operating light (4) connected to the second arm (3) to illuminate a surgical
field wherein said operating light (4) varies the illuminance with continuity between
a minimum value and a maximum value, at least one auxiliary light (7) fixedly connected
to at least one from said first arm (2) and said second arm (3), said auxiliary light
(7) varying the illuminance with continuity between a minimum value and a maximum
value, control members (12) being configured to varying with continuity the illuminance
of the auxiliary light (7) as a function of the illuminance of the operating light
(4), wherein said control members (12) are active on said auxiliary light (7) so that
said minimum value of the auxiliary light (7) is reached when the operating light
(4) takes on a limit illuminance value greater than said minimum value thereof.
2. Articulated arm according to claim 1, wherein said control members (12) are configured
to keep said auxiliary light (7) at said minimum illuminance value when the operating
light (4) takes on illuminance values below said limit illuminance value.
3. Articulated arm according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said minimum illuminance value
of the auxiliary light (7) is comprised between 250 lux and 750 lux, preferably about
500 lux.
4. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said maximum
illuminance value of the auxiliary light (7) is comprised between 750 lux and 2500
lux, preferably about 1350 lux.
5. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said limit illuminance
value of the operating light (4) is comprised between 2000 lux and 10000 lux.
6. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said control
members (12) are configured so that a percentage illuminance variation of the operating
light (4), in the range comprised between the maximum illuminance value and the limit
illuminance value, corresponds to a percentage illuminance variation of the auxiliary
light (7) equal to a correlation coefficient greater than one multiplied by the percentage
illuminance variation of the operating light (4).
7. Articulated arm according to claim 6, wherein said correlation coefficient increases,
in the entire variation range comprised between the maximum value and the limit illuminance
value of the operating light (4), as the illuminance of the operating light (4) decreases.
8. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said control
members (12) activate the controlled switching off of said operating light (4) irrespective
of the on or off state of said auxiliary light (7).
9. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said auxiliary
light (7) is integrated inside a seat (9) of said first arm (2) or of said second
arm (3).
10. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said at least
one auxiliary light (7) is positioned at a lower portion (2c, 3c) of said first or
second arm (2, 3).
11. Articulated arm according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said auxiliary
light (7) is of the LED or OLED type.
12. Dental unit comprising an articulated arm according to one or more of claims 1 to
11.
1. Gelenkarm für Operationsfelder, umfassend einen ersten Arm (2), der geeignet ist,
an einer Oberfläche oder an einer Vorrichtung (100) befestigt zu werden, und der mechanisch
an einen zweiten Arm angelenkt ist, eine Operationsleuchte (4), die mit dem zweiten
Arm (3) zum Beleuchten eines Operationsfeldes verbunden ist, wobei die Operationsleuchte
(4) die Beleuchtungsintensität kontinuierlich zwischen einem Minimalwert und einem
Maximalwert variiert, mindestens eine Hilfsleuchte (7), die feststehend mit mindestens
einem von dem ersten Arm (2) und dem zweiten Arm (3) verbunden ist, wobei die Hilfsleuchte
(7) die Beleuchtungsintensität kontinuierlich zwischen einem Minimalwert und einem
Maximalwert variiert, Steuerelemente (12), die ausgebildet sind, um die Beleuchtungsintensität
der Hilfsleuchte (7) kontinuierlich als eine Funktion der Beleuchtungsintensität der
Operationsleuchte (4) zu variieren, wobei die Steuerelemente (12) an der Hilfsleuchte
(7) aktiv sind, so dass der Minimalwert der Hilfsleuchte (7) erreicht wird, wenn die
Operationsleuchte (4) einen Grenzwert der Beleuchtungsintensität annimmt, der größer
als der Minimalwert davon ist.
2. Gelenkarm gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuerelemente (12) ausgebildet sind, um die
Hilfsleuchte (7) auf dem Minimalwert der Beleuchtungsintensität zu halten, wenn die
Operationsleuchte (4) Beleuchtungsintensitätswerte unterhalb des Grenzwertes der Beleuchtungsintensität
annimmt.
3. Gelenkarm gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Minimalwert der Beleuchtungsintensität
der Hilfsleuchte (7) zwischen 250 Lux und 750 Lux, vorzugsweise etwa 500 Lux umfasst.
4. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Maximalwert der Beleuchtungsintensität
der Hilfsleuchte (7) zwischen 750 Lux und 2500 Lux, vorzugsweise etwa 1350 Lux umfasst.
5. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Grenzwert der Beleuchtungsintensität
der Operationsleuchte (4) zwischen 2000 Lux und 10000 Lux umfasst.
6. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuerelemente (12)
so ausgebildet sind, dass eine prozentuale Schwankung der Beleuchtungsintensität der
Operationsleuchte (4) in dem Bereich, der zwischen dem Maximalwert der Beleuchtungsintensität
und dem Grenzwert der Beleuchtungsintensität liegt, einer prozentualen Schwankung
der Beleuchtungsintensität der Hilfsleuchte (7) entspricht, die gleich einem Korrelationskoeffizienten
größer als eins multipliziert mit der prozentualen Schwankung der Beleuchtungsintensität
der Operationsleuchte (4) ist.
7. Gelenkarm gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Korrelationskoeffizient in dem gesamten Schwankungsbereich,
der zwischen dem Maximalwert und dem Grenzwert der Beleuchtungsintensität der Operationsleuchte
(4) liegt, zunimmt, wenn die Beleuchtungsintensität der Operationsleuchte (4) abnimmt.
8. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuerelemente (12)
das gesteuerte Ausschalten der Operationsleuchte (4) unabhängig vom Ein- oder Ausschaltzustand
der Hilfsleuchte (7) aktivieren.
9. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hilfsleuchte (7) in
einen Sitz (9) des ersten Arms (2) oder des zweiten Arms (3) integriert ist.
10. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die mindestens eine Hilfsleuchte
(7) an einem unteren Abschnitt (2c, 3c) des ersten oder zweiten Arms (2, 3) angeordnet
ist.
11. Gelenkarm gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hilfsleuchte (7) vom
LED- oder OLED-Typ ist.
12. Dentaleinheit, die einen Gelenkarm gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 11
umfasst.
1. Bras articulé pour sites chirurgicaux, comprenant un premier bras (2) approprié pour
être assujetti à une surface ou à un dispositif (100) et articulé mécaniquement à
un second bras, une lampe d'opération (4) reliée au second bras (3) pour éclairer
un site chirurgical, ladite lampe d'opération (4) faisant varier l'éclairement en
continu entre une valeur minimale et une valeur maximale, au moins une lampe auxiliaire
(7) reliée de manière fixe au premier bras (2) et/ou au second bras (3), ladite lampe
auxiliaire (7) faisant varier l'éclairement en continu entre une valeur minimale et
une valeur maximale, des éléments de commande (12) conçus pour faire varier en continu
l'éclairement de la lampe auxiliaire (7) en fonction de l'éclairement de la lampe
d'opération (4), lesdits éléments de commande (12) agissant sur ladite lampe auxiliaire
(7) de telle sorte que ladite valeur minimale de la lampe auxiliaire (7) soit atteinte
lorsque la lampe d'opération (4) prend une valeur d'éclairement limite supérieure
à ladite valeur minimale de celle-ci.
2. Bras articulé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits éléments de commande (12)
sont conçus pour maintenir ladite lampe auxiliaire (7) à ladite valeur d'éclairement
minimale lorsque la lampe d'opération (4) prend des valeurs d'éclairement inférieures
à ladite valeur d'éclairement limite.
3. Bras articulé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite valeur d'éclairement
minimale de la lampe auxiliaire (7) est comprise entre 250 lux et 750 lux, de préférence
est d'environ 500 lux.
4. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
valeur d'éclairement maximale de la lampe auxiliaire (7) est comprise entre 750 lux
et 2 500 lux, de préférence est d'environ 1 350 lux.
5. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
valeur d'éclairement limite de la lampe d'opération (4) est comprise entre 2 000 lux
et 10 000 lux.
6. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits
éléments de commande (12) sont conçus de telle sorte qu'un pourcentage de variation
de l'éclairement de la lampe d'opération (4), dans la plage comprise entre la valeur
d'éclairement maximale et la valeur d'éclairement limite, corresponde à un pourcentage
de variation de l'éclairement de la lampe auxiliaire (7) égal à un coefficient de
corrélation supérieur à un multiplié par le pourcentage de variation de l'éclairement
de la lampe d'opération (4).
7. Bras articulé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ledit coefficient de corrélation
augmente, sur toute la plage de variation comprise entre la valeur maximale et la
valeur d'éclairement limite de la lampe d'opération (4), à mesure que l'éclairement
de la lampe d'opération (4) diminue.
8. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits
éléments de commande (12) activent l'extinction commandée de ladite lampe d'opération
(4) indépendamment du fait que ladite lampe auxiliaire (7) soit allumée ou éteinte.
9. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
lampe auxiliaire (7) est intégrée à l'intérieur d'un logement (9) dudit premier bras
(2) ou dudit second bras (3).
10. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
au moins une lampe auxiliaire (7) est placée au niveau d'une partie inférieure (2c,
3c) dudit premier ou second bras (2, 3).
11. Bras articulé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
lampe auxiliaire (7) est du type à DEL ou DELO.
12. Unité dentaire comprenant un bras articulé selon une ou plusieurs des revendications
1 à 11.