Visual performance and visual comfort are a combined effect of the illumination characteristics and the illuminated objects. Current surgical lighting systems have a fixed shape illumination pattern, whereas the wound and surroundings have a variable shape and characteristics. A lighting system that is able to adapt its shape and light distribution to the characteristics of the wound might improve visual performance. This paper describes the development of a new concept for lighting using bendable strips with LEDs. The basic idea of placing LEDs on a bendable surface is very simple and elegant. To achieve a functional system, the effects of the different design choices, such as shape of the strips, number of LEDs, number of strips, and LED power were investigated. The influence of these choices is evaluated by simulation using a computational model to identify the optimal parameters for the design. The final design is evaluated using the computational model and a physical prototype consisting of one luminaire segment. The system is able to produce light fields that can have fairly complex shapes at a good range of different sizes. Recommendations about aspects like spot size and strip number are given. The physical test model indicates that the calculated system functions close to how it would in a real-life situation. Given the results, it expected that a system, which is able to modify the light field in real time and that requires minimal control effort, could improve lighting in the operating room.
Keywords: Concept; adaptable; design; surgical luminaire; visual comfort.