Thoughtful Design in Surgical Lighting: Balancing Usability, Durability, and Sustainability
Traditional headlamps (worn above) are cumbersome and don't accommodate face shields.
A groundbreaking surgical task light has been introduced by MezLight in collaboration with Syensqo[1], demonstrating a thoughtful approach to product design by considering key factors such as:
- Customer needs
- Sustainability concerns
- Environmental durability
- Material suitability
Addressing Customer Needs: Enhanced Usability and Safety
Traditional surgical task lights are typically worn as headlamps by surgeons (see image above), which can become uncomfortable and cumbersome during extended procedures. The new MezLight task features an adjustable arm allowing for precise positioning and eliminating the burden of a headlamp. This design also accommodates the use of face shields, thereby prioritizing both usability and safety for surgeons.
Sustainability: Built for Repeated Use
In terms of sustainability, the task light has been engineered to withstand repeated cleaning and sterilization through steam sterilization using an autoclave, successfully enduring over 100 autoclave cycles. This capability ensures a long lifetime of repeated cleaning cycles for the product. As a result, the light has been designed to be robust enough for mechanical positioning and adjustment during surgical procedures over many repeated uses.
Material Selection: Meeting Rigorous Medical Standards
To meet the stringent requirements for mechanical performance and sterilization, the design team chose Radel®, a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) supplied by Syensqo. This material was selected based on its exceptional properties:
- High heat deflection temperature of 207°C, ensuring stability under autoclave conditions and preventing deformation from the LED heat source.
- Good hydrolytic stability, enabling it to withstand repeated exposure to high-temperature steam without degradation
- Impact strength comparable to other durable plastics such as polycarbonate, ensuring mechanical integrity during use.
Radel® has also been historically used in surgical instrument handles and trays, proving its ability to endure multiple sterilization cycles.
A Model of Comprehensive Design
This surgical task light exemplifies the comprehensive considerations involved in material selection for medical products, while ensuring the fulfillment of customer needs. By addressing the unique challenges faced in surgical environments, this product not only meets the practical demands of healthcare professionals but also aligns with sustainability goals in medical device manufacturing.
[1] https://www.syensqo.com/en/press-release/syensqo-partners-mezlight-launch-worlds-first-sterile-reusable-surgical-task-light