Surgical HMD Interface Using Head Gestures and Footswitch Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) for surgical applications require complex, hands-free interfaces that complicate control and divert attention from the surgical procedure, particularly in microsurgery where surgeons need to use footswitches and other input methods that are cumbersome and inefficient for, often requiring removal of their shoes to grope buttons and pedals while their eyes are focused on the surgical field.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modal user interface (UI) for a head-mounted display (H) for surgical applications, allowing surgeons to use a simple footswitch with intuitive hands-free gestures and voice control to switch between system modes, enabling control of camera and illumination settings, image manipulation, and display features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If footswitches and other input methods are used for controlling HMD, then control functionality is provided, but complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome controls requiring shoe removal and groping buttons while eyes are focused on surgical field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical footswitches and manual button presses with voice recognition and head tracking systems. Voice commands allow surgeons to control HMD functions without physical contact, while head tracking enables intuitive navigation through gaze direction, eliminating the need to grope for buttons while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice recognition software and head tracking algorithms as intermediaries between the surgeon's intentions and the HMD control system. These intermediaries translate voice commands and head movements into system control signals, providing a natural and efficient interface that does not require physical manipulation of controls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input methods and complex interfaces are provided, then control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system where voice recognition and head tracking can handle multiple control functions (navigation, menu selection, parameter adjustment) through a single integrated interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate physical controls for different operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control functions from physical hardware (footswitches, buttons) and relocates them to software-based voice and head tracking systems. This separation allows the physical HMD device to remain simple while the control versatility is provided through intelligent software processing.
3Ease of operation
If hands-free gestures and voice control are implemented, then ease of operation is improved by maintaining focus on surgical procedure, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service control where the system automatically processes voice commands and head tracking data to execute appropriate actions without requiring manual intervention. The voice recognition system continuously monitors and interprets surgeon commands, while head tracking algorithms automatically convert gaze direction into navigation signals, making the system appear intuitive and simple despite the sophisticated processing occurring in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
A UI for a HMD system includes a HMD configured to be worn by a surgeon. A tracker is configured to track head gestures by the surgeon. A footswitch is configured to detect foot motion inputs by the surgeon. A computer couples to the HMD, the tracker, and the footswitch. A user interface includes the HMD, tracker, and footswitch. The use interface is configured to: provide to the computer the head gesture in association with the foot motion input, and display an image relating to a surgical procedure on the HMD. The computer is configured to: apply the head gesture received in association with the foot motion input to perform a first action on the HMD system when the HMD system is in a first system mode, and perform a second action on the HMD system when the HMD system is in a second system mode.