A surgical light apparatus is disclosed having a first light source generating
visible light and heat energy radiation, an enclosure surrounding the first light
source and including a lens substantially transparent to visible light and a reflector
for reflecting light from the first light source through the lens, and a filter
apparatus coupled to the enclosure and formed at least in part from a material
that is substantially transparent to at least a portion of visible light radiation
and that substantially blocks transmission of heat energy radiation. The filter
apparatus is configured to block transmission of heat energy radiation from the
first light source to the reflector and to intercept substantially all radiation
from the first light source that otherwise would pass to the reflector and through
the lens. The filter apparatus includes a plurality of filter elements configured
to define at least one gap between two adjacent filter elements allowing air flow therethrough.
