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International Journal of Electrical and Communication Engineering Technology Review Article

Li-Fi in Surgery: A Study

  1. Vaishnavi Gopal Shirsikar Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Brahmdevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur
  2. Aditi Dinanath Shahane Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Brahmdevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur
  3. Heena T Shaikh Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Brahmdevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur
  4. Kazi Kutubuddin Sayyad Liyakat Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Brahmdevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur

Abstract

The operating theatre is increasingly saturated with wireless devices that contend for limited radiofrequency (RF) spectrum, creating a latent risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with lifesupporting equipment. Light Fidelity (LiFi), a visiblelight communication technology that modulates LED illumination to transmit data, offers a compelling, RFfree alternative for intraoperative networking. This study investigates the feasibility, performance, and clinical impact of deploying a LiFi infrastructure to support highdefinition video streaming, realtime telemetry, and secure data exchange during minimally invasive and robotic surgeries. A hybrid LiFi/RF network was installed in a tertiarycare surgical suite, integrating ceilingmounted whitelight LEDs, patientside LiFi transceivers, and a custom middleware layer that dynamically switches between LiFi and conventional WiFi based on lineofsight conditions. Over a sixmonth period, 84 procedures—including laparoscopic cholecystectomies, colorectal resections, and robotassisted prostatectomies—were observed. Quantitative metrics revealed a 3.2fold increase in average throughput (up to 1.2 Gbps), a 78 % reduction in packet latency, and a complete elimination of detectable EMI on sensitive monitoring equipment. Qualitative feedback from surgeons, anesthetists, and OR nurses highlighted enhanced visual clarity of intraoperative imaging, smoother robotic arm responsiveness, and a perceived increase in procedural safety. A costbenefit analysis projected a breakeven point within two years, driven by reductions in RFlicense fees and downtime associated with EMIrelated malfunctions. The findings substantiate LiFi as a robust, sterilecompatible, and highbandwidth conduit for nextgeneration surgical communications, paving the way for fully lightbased, interferencefree operating environments.

Keywords

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