Multidirectional Foot Controller for Strain-Free Surgical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional teleoperated surgical systems require multiple foot controls that can be cumbersome and limit mobility, especially for standing surgeons, as they often necessitate shifting weight and looking down to operate multiple foot switches, leading to strain and reduced focus on the surgical site.
Innovation Solution
A foot controller with a cradle member that moves along predetermined paths, allowing activation of various functions with minimal foot movement, including a mechanism for haptic feedback and customizable paths, enabling efficient control of surgical instruments with reduced strain and increased mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple foot switches are used to control different functions, then the system can provide comprehensive control capabilities, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot controller is designed as a universal control device that can activate multiple different functions by detecting the position of the footrest in various directions. The same physical component (footrest) performs multiple control functions depending on its position, eliminating the need for multiple separate foot switches while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate foot switches are merged into a single footrest component. The footrest can be positioned in multiple locations (front, back, left, right) to activate different functions, combining what would have been multiple separate controls into one integrated device
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple foot switches are used, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single footrest serves multiple control functions by detecting its position in different directions. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate foot switches, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities across multiple surgical instrument functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into one footrest component with multi-directional positioning capability. Instead of having separate physical switches for each function, the system combines them into a single device that can detect position along multiple axes to activate corresponding functions
3Ease of operation
If surgeons shift weight and look down to operate foot switches, then foot control operation is enabled, but strain increases and focus on surgical site is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest automatically detects its own position in space along multiple axes and activates the corresponding function based on this position. The system serves itself by using the physical position of the footrest as the control input, eliminating the need for the surgeon to consciously shift weight or look down to operate the controls
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position of the footrest and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically determine which function should be activated based on the footrest's position, enabling operation without requiring the surgeon to visually monitor or consciously adjust their foot position
Data Source
AI summary
A foot controller includes a stationary portion and a cradle member that can receive a foot of a user. The cradle member is moveable to of different positions along paths, such as a left position, a right position, a front position, or a back position. One or more paths have a left-right direction of the controller and at least one of the paths has a forward-back direction of the controller. Sensors sense the cradle member at a particular position and output sensor signals indicative of that position. A function provided by a system is activated based on the sensed position.