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| AmbientLine: ICU lighting of the future |
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|  | AmbientLine: The right light at the right time
TRUMPF revolutionizes lighting for ICUs and ORs with the completely new integrated lighting concept “AmbientLine” that will benefit patients, care givers and physicians alike.
A study conducted at the Friedrich- Wilhelms-University in Bonn, Germany, has shown that, in addition to other stress factors, the lighting situation existing in numerous ICUs is a hindrance to patients’ speedy recovery. Bright lights are often on, even at night, which disturbs the patients’ circadian rhythms every bit as much as frequent monitoring of their vital functions — especially since monitoring vitals usually means having to turn on all of the lights in the room. Patients also lack private space and opportunities to be alone. The consequence ? More than one third of intensive care patients suffer already after two to three days from what is referred to as “ICU syndrome”, which may include symptoms such as depression, anxiety and confusion. |
So TRUMPF developers told themselves, “When it comes to the lighting at least, we can do something to help”, and they used their understanding of the biological and psychological effects of light as a basis for designing the novel, integrated lighting concept “AmbientLine” for the ICU and OR. The new concept focuses on the patient and makes the work of nursing and surgical staff more ergonomic. The support for the light is a flexible ceiling pendant that can be swivelled over the bed and has indirect ceiling and floor lights, both of which are based on LEDs, mounted onto its arm and head. Also planned are three dimmer lights that can be directed at the head, body and feet of the patient to provide the perfect support for examinations; the middle light can also be used as a glare-free reading lamp. All of the light sources can be controlled individually from the pendant. The floor light can also be switched on from the door, so that nurses never have to feel their way around in total darkness. If necessary in the interest of speed, an “emergency button” can be used to switch on all of the lights at once.
Useful little extras: An LED light for drawers makes it possible to find needed instruments quickly, even in semi-darkness. The colour of floor and ceiling lamps can also be varied for use in the OR, an especially useful feature for minimally invasive surgery. The soft ambient light is also easy on the eyes of physicians, who, because they do not have to constantly adjust from bright light to darkness, can see images on their monitors more clearly and with greater contrast. But that’s only the beginning : More lighting functions are to be evaluated as part of a study. The idea is to have indirect light in any desired colour emitted by wall lighting and newly developed sails, which would provide additional privacy and peace of mind, fostering patient recovery and even supporting colour therapies. Calendars and clocks can also be projected onto sails to help patients keep their bearings — a feature that could even be used to show photos, movies and web pages. The advantage to the hospital ? They can equip the ICU with only a few basic lighting elements, upgrade at any time and therefore keep costs down. And they can also use atmospheric lighting as a trump card when trying to stay ahead of tougher competition. |