Hands-Free Microscope Controller for Precise Surgical Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical microscope controls, such as mouth switches, are inconvenient, distracting, and pose risks to surgeons, affecting surgical performance by requiring hand or mouth manipulation, leading to microscope drift and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free controller using mouth, nose, or breath inputs, with a joystick and pressure detector, allows for precise control of a surgical microscope's six degrees of freedom, including focus, via sip/puff actions and multiple joysticks for independent control, activated by a keyed proximity detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand controls are used to adjust the surgical microscope, then the surgeon can perform precise positioning and control, but the surgeon's hands are occupied and surgical workflow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand control system with a voice-activated control system. The surgeon uses voice commands to control microscope positioning, eliminating the need to physically manipulate hand controls while maintaining precise positioning capability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by freeing the surgeon's hands for surgical tasks while preserving control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voice recognition system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the microscope control system. Instead of direct hand-to-control interaction, voice commands serve as the mediating interface, allowing the surgeon to control the microscope without occupying their hands, thus maintaining both precision and workflow efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If mouth switches are used to control the microscope, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the surgeon experiences discomfort and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mouth switch system with a voice recognition system. Instead of requiring the surgeon to physically bite or manipulate mouth switches, the system interprets voice commands to control the microscope. This eliminates the physical discomfort and injury risks associated with mouth switches while maintaining hands-free operation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the microscope is unlocked for repositioning, then the surgeon can adjust the position, but the microscope drifts off the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the microscope's position relative to the surgical site. When the microscope is repositioned using voice commands, the system provides real-time feedback to maintain proper positioning, preventing drift off the surgical site while allowing necessary adjustments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mouth switches are used, then limited control functions are available, but the control mechanism is intrusive and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the intrusive mechanical mouth switch system with a non-contact voice recognition system. This allows for multiple control functions to be accessed through natural voice commands without requiring the surgeon to physically interact with any device, thereby providing versatility while eliminating intrusiveness and distraction.
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
Enables efficient, comfortable, and safe control of surgical microscopes without hand or mouth interference, reducing distractions and injuries, while maintaining precise control and ergonomic operation.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure detector may be configured to detect pressure in the joystick
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling a surgical visualization system using a hands-free (e.g., mouth, nose, and breath actuated) controller. An example system includes a microscope camera associated with the surgical system; a controller of the microscope camera; a processor; and a memory storing instructions for the processor. The controller may be separate from the microscope camera, and may comprise one or more joysticks. In some aspects, the controller may further include a pressure detector configured to detect pressure within a tube of a joystick. Also or alternatively, the controller may include a keyed proximity sensor to activate the controller when a surgeon is present. The processor may be configured to: receive a movement input based on a movement of the joystick along a Cartesian direction; and cause a corresponding movement of the microscope camera along the Cartesian direction.