Adjustable Ophthalmic Surgery Foot Pedal for Multi-User Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot pedals for ophthalmic surgical apparatus are not ergonomically flexible enough to accommodate different user foot sizes and shapes, leading to discomfort and potential operational mistakes during surgery, and often require recalibration or replacement when used by different surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A foot pedal control with adjustable guides that conform to various foot sizes and shapes, featuring laterally adjustable and ratcheted segments, allowing for easy adjustment between users, and a dual-motion treadle with sensors for electronic signal generation, enhancing user comfort and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed configuration foot pedal is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different foot sizes and shapes leading to discomfort and potential operational mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal incorporates adjustable guides with multiple positions that can be configured to match different foot sizes and shapes. The guides are movable along the treadle and can be locked at different locations, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable one that accommodates various surgeons without requiring multiple different pedals
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pedal is divided into separable components including the treadle, adjustable guides, and base. The guides can be independently adjusted and repositioned, allowing each component to be optimized for different users while maintaining overall structural simplicity
2Ease of operation
If different foot pedals are provided for different surgeons, then each surgeon has optimal comfort, but it requires frequent replacement and recalibration of the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple surgeons through its adjustable guides. Rather than requiring different pedals for different users, a single pedal can be reconfigured to suit various foot sizes and shapes, eliminating the need for replacement and recalibration between surgeons
3Reliability
If the surgeon keeps one foot flexed above the pedal and loads body weight on the other foot to maintain contact, then foot pedal contact is maintained, but it causes non-ergonomic posture and physical discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable guides are designed to automatically conform to the surgeon's foot shape and size once positioned. The guides provide natural support and contact points that adapt to the user's anatomy, eliminating the need for the surgeon to maintain an awkward flexed posture to ensure contact with the pedal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable foot pedal control improves ergonomics and user comfort by accommodating different foot sizes and shapes, reducing the need for recalibration and providing intuitive operation, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing physical strain on surgeons.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is provided which detects the position of the treadle and generates an electronic signal corresponding to the detected position
Data Source
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AI summary
A foot pedal control for a surgical system (e.g., an ophthalmic surgery system) that adjusts to a number of different sizes of user's shoes. The foot pedal control has a treadle on which a user places his or her foot and a sensor that tracks the movements thereof. Adjustable lateral guides mount to the treadle and conform to both sides of the foot. The guides are shaped and positioned to conform to a wide variety of feet or shoes, and may easily be adjusted between users. A retractable heel stop converts between up for reference and down to enhance movement of the user's foot. A convertible handle may be stowed in a down position parallel to a base or pivoted up over the treadle for protection and ease of movement of the foot pedal control. The foot pedal control may be wireless and have various other electronic controls, and may have a dual-control treadle.