Rotary Push Control for Surgical Microscope Camera Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical microscope camera control systems require frequent attention shifts between the screen and operating controls, making them unergonomic, time-consuming, and disruptive during surgeries, especially under sterile conditions where gloved operators face additional challenges.
Innovation Solution
A rotary/push operating mechanism allows for the selection and activation of camera device functions with a single control, eliminating the need for directional pads and selection keys, enabling operation without looking and with ease, even while wearing gloves, and is designed to be robust and easily disinfectable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple operating means (directional pad, selection key, knobs) are used to control camera functions, then the control capabilities are comprehensive, but the operation becomes complex and requires frequent attention shifts between screen and controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of a directional pad and selection key into a single integrated rotary/push operating means. The rotary function handles navigation through menu items while the push function confirms selections, eliminating the need for separate controls and reducing attention shifts during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotary/push operating means serves multiple functions: it acts as both a navigation control (via rotation) and a selection confirmation control (via pushing). This multi-functional design reduces the total number of controls needed while maintaining comprehensive camera control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating means are used, then control functionality is complete, but the space required and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions into a single operating means, which reduces the number of circuit connections and control lines required. This consolidation simplifies the circuit technology while maintaining the ability to navigate and control all camera functions through the integrated rotary/push interface.
3Ease of operation
If traditional operating means are used, then control is possible, but operation under sterile conditions with gloves becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary/push operating means is designed with specific local characteristics: it has a large enough rotary circumference to be easily manipulated with gloved fingers, and the push button is positioned and sized for comfortable actuation while wearing gloves. This localized optimization makes the control accessible and ergonomic under sterile conditions.
4Ease of operation
If the operating means is made large for easy gloved operation, then operability improves, but the vertical and push direction extent increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operating means is designed with asymmetric proportions where the horizontal circumference is larger than the vertical extent or push button height. This asymmetric design allows for easy rotation with gloved fingers while keeping the push direction compact, balancing ergonomic accessibility with controlled dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope device (100) includes a surgical microscope (20), a camera (30), connected to the surgical microscope (20), for sensing an object (200) imaged by the surgical microscope, a stand (10) carrying the surgical microscope (20) as well as the camera (30), an operating unit (50), spatially separated from the camera (30), for controlling device functions of the camera (30). The operating unit (30) includes a screen (40) for displaying activatable device functions (51) and a selection and activation means, embodied as an actuatable rotary/push operating means (60), for selecting and activating one of the device functions displayed. The operating unit (50) is set up such that by rotating the rotary/push operating means (60), one (52) of the displayed device functions is selected, and by pushing the rotary/push operating means (60), the selected device function (52) is activated.