Internal cable management system for movable support arm

A cable management system for managing at least one cable extending through a support arm and through a hub, said support arm being rotatable about said hub, said cable management system comprised of:

• a spool disposed in a hub, said spool having an opening extending through a wall of said spool;
• and
• a cable carrier disposed within said support arm, said cable carrier dimensioned to contain at least one cable extending through said support arm, said cable carrier having a first end fixed relative to said support arm and a second end extending towards said hub, said cable carrier disposed in said support arm such that said cable carrier replicates upon itself to define a first run and a second run,
• said second end of said cable carrier being movable relative to said hub when said support arm rotates about said hub, wherein said first run shortens and said second run lengthens when said support arm rotates in a direction about said hub.

In a surgical light/monitor system for use in a surgical theater, said light/monitor system having a hub and at least one tubular support arm rotatable about said hub, a cable management system for managing at least one cable extending through said support arm and through said hub, said cable management system comprised of:

• a spool disposed in a hub, said spool having an opening extending through a wall of said spool;
• and
• an expandable element disposed within said support arm, said expandable element dimensioned to connect at discrete points to at least one cable extending through said support arm, said expandable element having a first end fixed relative to said support arm and a second end extending towards said hub, said expandable element having a contracted state and an expanded state wherein said contracted state is shorter than said expanded state,
• said second end of said expandable element being movable relative to said hub when said support arm rotates about said hub, wherein said expandable element extends from said contracted state to said expanded state when said support arm rotates in a direction about said hub.

A cable management system for managing a cable in a support arm, said support arm being rotatable about a hub, said cable management system comprised of:

• a spool disposed in a hub, said spool having an opening extending through a wall of said spool;
• and
• an expandable element disposed within said support arm, said expandable element dimensioned to connect at discrete points to at least one cable extending through said support arm, said expandable element having a first end fixed relative to said support arm and a second end extending towards said hub, said expandable element having a contracted state and an expanded state wherein said contracted state is shorter than said expanded state,
• said second end of said expandable element being movable relative to said hub when said support arm rotates about said hub, wherein said expandable element extends from said contracted state to said expanded state when said support arm rotates in a direction about said hub.