Fiberoptics protective emission control

Abstract

The invention provides automatic protection from heat damage due to continuing emissions from the distal ends of untended fiberoptics lighting cables, especially those employed in surgical procedures. Damage from such intense and concentrated emissions may include burning of patient tissues, cloth, polymer sheeting and other heat sensitive materials. A simplified proximity detection circuit permits emissions only when an electrically conductive distal terminal or attached implement is purposely held by an operator. Sensitivity is adjusted to provide that casual contact of the small area of the terminal surface at the distal end of the cable with a portion of the human body or other source of substantial earth-ground capacitance, insulated by a non-conductive covering, will not initiate emissions. Emissions can be instantly initiated when wanted by direct contact or by a surgically gloved hand that holds the small terminal with sufficient pressure to maximize the proximity of hand and terminal surfaces. Once distal contact surface is increased by the attachment of a conductive implement, increased pressure is no longer required and emissions can be continued by ordinary handling pressures applied to the implement with surgically gloved hands. With implement detached and cable put aside, the reduction to the relatively small conductive surface of the distal terminal again reduces sensitivity and emissions from the terminal are protectively interrupted. Emissions are controlled either by control of power to the light source or by control of a light blocking element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.