Daniel Cook, author of the “Surgeon’s Advice” column in Outpatient Surgery Magazine (October 2012,) interviewed Mark Drzala, M.D. and Assistant Professor at New Jersey’s University of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Drzala is a big fan of LED headlights and uses them often in his work. The following are a list of reasons for Mark’s Dr. Drzala’s affinity for LED-based headlights, along with the features consumers should consider when purchasing the portable headlights for their specific medical application.
- Freedom of movement. Most LED headlights are battery-operated — as opposed to xenon headlights that connect to light sources through fiber-optic cables — so you can work untethered around the surgical field, says an orthopedic spine surgeon with New Jersey Spine Specialists in Summit, N.J. "Surgeons like to move freely around the OR," he says. "They don't want to waste time asking someone to constantly disconnect and reconnect the headlight. That's a real nuisance.
- Battery life and weight. Consider the size and weight of a headlight's battery pack, suggests Dr. Drzala, because some physicians with back issues might find it difficult to operate with packs belted around their waists. "At the same time, some of the battery pack belts are robust and might actually provide some back support," he points out.
LED headlights are powered by rechargeable batteries ensuring considerable duration on a single charge. Some LED headlights boast lifespans of 50,000 hours as well. - Bright illumination. Can you narrow the headlight's aperture? And if so, does the illumination diminish when you do? Also look for uniform illumination, suggests Dr. Drzala, meaning hot spots don't appear in the center of the surgical field along with dimming along its perimeter.
Some yellow-based lights sources have an incandescent look to them, while others have a cooler, higher Kelvin rating, which renders tissue with better coloration. "Surgeons must conduct their own head-to-head trials and see which ones they like best, because no 2 LED headlights are alike," says Dr. Drzala. - Comfort. Look for lightweight, comfortable headsets, although comfort is very much subjective. Surgeons might take time to adjust to the feel of a headlight, and initially think the device puts them off-balance as they lean into the surgical field. "The weight of a headset can take some getting used to," says Dr. Drzala. "But with time, you get a sense of how you have to move your head in order to effectively shine the light source onto the field."
- Longevity. The lifespan of a xenon headlight is impacted by dimming bulbs and delicate fiber-optic cables that connect to light sources. "Every time a fiber-optic strand breaks through normal wear and tear, you lose a little bit of illumination," says Dr. Drzala. So, he says, xenon bulbs dim over time, while LEDs remain as bright as new even after repeated use. “A new xenon headlight and a new, high-quality LED model are equivalent," says Dr. Drzala. "But as time passes, LED headlights will better maintain their illumination and brightness."
Contact Norlux today for a consultation on your next LED lighting project for medical applications. We’re fast, highly automated, and we manufacture entirely in the U.S.A.
Sources: “Smart Shopping for Surgical Headlights” by Daniel Cook
Outpatient Surgery Magazine; “Surgeon’s Advice” column. October 2012.
