Diagnostic lamps are indispensable in many areas of everyday medical practice, both outpatient and inpatient. Depending on the application, diagnostic lamps are available in different sizes and shapes or with adjustable brightness for the purpose of illumination in specialized stores.
What is a diagnostic light?
Diagnostic lamps are indispensable in many areas of everyday medical practice, outpatient and inpatient. Diagnostic lamp is a recognized medical professional instrument with certain standard. These examination lamps are developed and produced specifically for use in medicine. Diagnostic lights are medical and certified commodities. They are used in particular to illuminate body cavities and must therefore be not only practical, but above all handy, robust and compact. Certification as a medical device can only be fulfilled if the high requirements for suitability for everyday use and material are met by the manufacturers. Compared to other light sources, diagnostic lights are therefore comparatively expensive to purchase. Examination lights serve the purpose of providing a targeted and rapid diagnosis in the shortest possible time.
Forms, types and kinds
Forms, types and types of medical lights for examination and diagnosis always depend on the area of application and the purpose of the examination. The best known diagnostic lights used in medicine are pen-shaped. This shape, reminiscent of a larger ballpoint pen, has proved very useful, for example, in emergency medical services for the diagnosis of the pupillary reflex. Older models of examination lights still have conventional mini incandescent bulbs installed as the light source. All newer models, however, feature LED technology. However, the pen-shaped, particularly handy examination lights have long been used not only for checking the pupillary reflex, but also for diagnostic illumination of other areas of the body. The penlight as a diagnostic light can always be carried by the user. A practical clip allows it to be easily attached to a jacket or lab coat pocket. The light is then quickly available when needed. Modern medical pen lights are also known as penlights. Larger diagnostic lights with continuously adjustable brightness are used, for example, in dental practices or by ENT specialists.
Design and mode of operation
Diagnostic lights in medicine consist of 2-5 components. Apart from being certified medical diagnostic tools, the structure is similar to conventional household lights or light sources. In the case of the penlight, the battery and lamp can be changed at any time by unscrewing them. At the rear end of the examination light is a push button switch that closes the circuit and provides convenient operation. The small examination light is simply switched on or off with the thumb. This makes even short inspections of the oral cavity or pharynx reliable and uncomplicated. In addition to operation with disposable batteries, diagnostic lights can also use rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology as an energy source. Larger diagnostic lights are equipped with special reflector screens and mirrors to prevent a shadow environment during the examination process. In ENT practices, a diagnostic light can be attached directly to the examiner’s head using a fixation strap. For the physician, such special lights offer the advantage of being able to use both hands freely during the examination. In the ENT practice, a reflector mirror ensures that the light does not dazzle if a patient should look directly and accidentally into it. The same effect is also found in the diagnostic lights used in dental practices for targeted illumination of the oral cavity. Whenever there is a risk that a patient could be exposed to glare phenomena during an examination with a diagnostic light, these protective mechanisms in the form of reflectors or mirrors are required. Diagnostic lights in ophthalmic practice have a completely different structure with complicated optics. For important diagnostic examination of the fundus of the eye, special high-resolution optical tools are required. The stereomicroscope in the ophthalmology practice is used directly on the human eye.This is a special slit lamp with sophisticated illumination and control technology. With this diagnostic light, the ophthalmologist can safely and reliably detect even the most subtle changes in the eyes and the back of the eye. ENT physicians also use so-called laryngeal mirrors, nasal lights or lights with a wedge-shaped light cone and magnifying optics for optimal illumination of the auditory canal, for example, if middle ear inflammation is suspected. Large, multi-beam LED examination lights are also found in the operating room. These larger lights do not work with battery technology, but are connected to the regular power supply. However, battery operation is possible with some models should the power grid ever fail.
Medical and health benefits
As powerful helpers in various medical fields, diagnostic lights in their different shapes and sizes are indispensable. As a medical device, a user can rely on the fact that examination lights also meet certain quality criteria
reliably. In the case of the Penlight, these include bright and precise illumination of the examination area. As emergency physicians, they cannot do without medical lights during their missions. This is because, in an emergency, reflex tests or estimating the extent of bleeding determine the further course of action. Normal daylight is not sufficient for a reliable assessment and prognosis. In dermatological examinations, special medical lights are also used that have the appropriate magnifying optics. Only through rigid illumination with defined magnification can skin changes be reliably assessed diagnostically. As a rule, early skin cancer detection, for example, takes place with the aid of such a light with magnifying optics.
