When people think of medical equipment, they often think of giant machines or surgical tools. They rarely think of lighting, which makes sense considering that lights are usually only used directly for working with patients. However, they are vital to the medical process, especially in surgery. If the room is too dim or shadows are blocking a medical professional’s vision, they could miss some critical info that would have helped them make a diagnosis or perform a surgery. That’s why we’ve created a guide on everything to know about surgical lighting.
How They’re Used
We’ve already gone over a few potential uses of surgical lights, but they may also be used by emergency service personnel and obstetricians. Regardless of who uses them, they give medical professionals hours of bright light without the possibility of overheating, unlike standard lighting options.
Different Types of Lights
There are a few characteristics that surgical lights can have that will change how they are used. The first is whether the bulbs are incandescent or LED. Incandescent bulbs are easier on the eyes and can emit all colors of light, while LEDs are better for medical practices that wish to save on energy bills.
The other key difference is if they come constructed as a mounting configuration or a portable lamp. Mounted lights can either be installed on the walls or ceiling, depending on how doctors will use them. Both cover a large area of the room in light, but neither are mobile. Floor lamps are mobile and can be easily moved to rooms in which they are needed. Additionally, they can be angled to ensure optimal light coverage.
Requirements for Lights
The last thing to know about surgical lighting is that not all lights are created equal. The lights must meet specific standards to fulfill the needs of medical professionals. The main factor of importance is brightness. While having bright lights are helpful, there is such a thing as too bright, which is about 160,000 Lux. That brightness needs to last a while too. As long as doctors can use the lights for 40,000 to 60,000 hours before they dim to 70 percent of their original brightness, they will be good enough for medical use.
The size and weight of the lights are crucial as well. The diameter of the head of the light should be around 400 to 700mm long. The weight shouldn’t be much more than about 45 kg. That way, they can be easily moved when needed. However, lights with multiple heads will probably weigh more than that.
Where To Buy Them
Surgical and exam lights can be purchased from anywhere that sells medical equipment, but if you’re looking for quality lights at an affordable price, look no further than our online store. We have many different types of surgical lights available with price structures made to fit your budget, so be sure to check out our offerings.