When surgeons evaluate the condition of organs and make diagnoses, color difference is important information despite its subtleness. Yielding clearer views of blood circulation holds the key to successful surgeries such as transplants and anastomosis. Optimization of surgical illuminant is one approach to clearer views. Our previous study focused on computer simulation to enhance color difference. In the present study, we improved the simulation method by applying a color appearance model CIECAM02 and we realized an optimized illuminant based on the simulation. In an evaluation experiment comparing the optimal illuminant with the conventional illuminant, fourteen LEDs fixed to the light unit were spectrally adjusted to demonstrate the two illuminants. Using a rat cecum, we observed the color differences under two conditions: normal blood flow and restricted blood flow. The color difference under the optimal illuminant was greater than under the conventional illuminant and the effectiveness of the optimal illuminant was confirmed.
In a delicate operation, the appearance of organs and tissues is an essential factor for surgeons to figure out the hemodynamic state of the tissue or identify vascular regions. In open surgery, surgeons have a direct view of the surgical area with the naked eye or through a microscope. Under these circumstances, the spectral characteristics of a surgical illuminant are the most effective factor to ensure successful operations. In this study, we designed an optimal surgical illuminant to enhance microvascular structures. Two factors were used in the design: illuminant whiteness and the contrast between tissues and blood vessels. We subsequently prototyped a tunable light source using 14 types of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with different spectral radiances to reproduce the illuminant spectra of the designed and conventional surgical illuminant. Using this light source, we conducted subjective evaluation experiments with three rat ceca whose detected vessel regions were measured with a conventional and optimal illuminant. We confirmed that the optimal illuminant was significantly superior to the conventional illuminant to view fine vascular structures. INDEX TERMS Light emitting diodes, lighting, surgical instruments, microstructure, color appearance.
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