General purpose distributed operating room control system

Abstract

The present invention pertains to control systems and provides a run time configurable control system for selecting and operating one of a plurality of operating room devices from a single input source, the system comprising a master controller having a voice control interface and means for routing control signals. The system additionally may include a plurality of slave controllers to provide expandability of the system. Also, the system includes output means for generating messages to the user relating to the status of the control system in general and to the status of devices connected thereto.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a continuation patent application which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 693,352 filed Aug. 6, 1996, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention generally relates to control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control system and apparatus that allows multiple surgical devices to be controlled from one or more input devices. Even more particularly, the present invention provides a run-time configurable control system allowing operating room component connectivity and control. [0006] 2. Description of Related Art [0007] Many surgi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a control system for selecting and controlling multiple devices in an operating room. The control system includes a master controller and one or more slave controllers. The master controller receives selection commands from a user and converts them into corresponding selection signals. The master controller also receives control commands from the user and converts them into control signals. The master controller then routes the control signals to the devices specified by the selection commands. The slave controllers are connected to the master controller and provide information about the specific devices they are connected to. The control system allows for easy selection and control of devices without the need for multiple control systems or interfaces. The control system may also include audio and video outputs to alert the user to errors or problems with specific devices."

Problems solved by technology

Operating multiple devices may distract the surgeon, thereby reducing the efficiency of performing various procedures.

Additionally, it is cumbersome utilizing various devices where each device has a separate user interface.

Additionally, there is currently no known run time configurable system for operating more than one specific operating room device via voice control.

Obviously, this creates many problems associated with productivity.

Additionally, the necessity of actually switching between many user interfaces takes a measurable amount of time and as such, extends the time that a patient is under anesthesia, which may add to the danger of a procedure.

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