Foot Pedal Programming for Ophthalmic Surgery Settings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current foot pedal control systems for ophthalmic surgical apparatuses lack a unified, intuitive interface for programming settings, requiring surgeons to manually switch between pre-programmed memory settings during procedures, disrupting surgical flow.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows programming of foot pedal settings through directional movements of a treadle, displayed options on a screen, and confirmation via foot pedal, display, or voice commands, enabling real-time adjustments and access to multiple pre-programmed settings without halting surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pre-programmed memory settings are available for different surgical situations, then the adaptability of the foot pedal system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for programming interfaces and memory management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to switch between different surgical settingsVSAvoidprogramming interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foot pedal is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be programmed through directional movements, access pre-programmed memory settings, and control surgical parameters. The single pedal unit serves as both a programming interface and an operational controller, eliminating the need for separate programming devices and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Surgical settings are pre-programmed into memory before the surgical procedure begins. This allows the surgeon to quickly access different settings (emulsification, cleaning, polishing) by simply pressing the foot pedal without needing to manually adjust parameters during surgery, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the surgeon can manually switch between pre-programmed memory settings, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time occurs when surgery must be halted for setting changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change surgical settingsVSAvoidsurgical procedure interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The foot pedal enables continuous access to different memory settings during the surgical procedure without interruption. The surgeon can seamlessly switch between emulsification, cleaning, and polishing settings by pressing the pedal, maintaining the continuous flow of the surgical procedure and eliminating downtime associated with manual setting changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If a graphical display interface is used for programming foot pedal settings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional display and interface components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming interface usabilityVSAvoidinterface hardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical display serves multiple purposes: it displays programming options during foot pedal configuration, shows real-time feedback from the foot pedal, and provides a user-friendly interface for setting selection. By integrating the display into the existing system rather than adding separate programming equipment, the interface achieves high usability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2341840B2Method for programming foot pedal settings and controlling performance through foot pedal variation
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 ABBOTT MEDICAL OPTICS INC
  • EP2341840B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2341840B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2341840B2 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present invention pertains to programming a foot pedal and switches located therewith that is used with a medical device and/or medical device system. A user may select any switch or directional movement available on the foot pedal for programming by activating the switch and/or moving a treadle located on the foot pedal or by selecting a foot pedal feature on a display. The programming options available for the selected switch or directional movement are displayed on the display screen. Using the foot pedal, the display screen, voice command or combinations thereof, the user can navigate through different options to select one or more options and confirm the chosen option(s) for the particular switch or directional movement. The control and feel of the movement of the treadle and/or switch provides the user with the ability to program custom settings that suit the user's foot position(s) and/or particular style of surgery.