Surgical Interface Using Footswitch Selection and Head Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical system control interfaces, such as footswitches with multiple control modalities, require users to remember complex layouts and operate barefoot, leading to unintentional function activation due to spontaneous head movements and lack of intuitive control.
Innovation Solution
A user interface featuring a foot-operated function switch and a head tracker that simplifies control by allowing discrete state selection with foot motions and enables system function control through associated head gestures, reducing the need for memorizing layouts and maintaining hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control modalities are provided on the footswitch, then more system functions can be controlled, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single footswitch button is designed to enable multiple system functions through different head gestures. The button can enable focus control with up-down head gestures, zoom control with left-right head gestures, and other functions with different head movements, allowing one component to perform multiple control roles
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes control modes based on the enabled function. When different functions are enabled via the same button, the head gesture interpretation changes dynamically to match the required control function, making the interface adaptive rather than static
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control modalities are provided on the footswitch, then more system functions can be controlled, but the ease of operation decreases due to memorization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through the FIMD display showing which button is pressed and what function is enabled before the user performs the head gesture. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the current state without requiring memorization of complex layouts
Solution Approach 2:
A single footswitch button enables multiple functions through different head gestures, reducing the number of buttons from six or more to a simplified layout that is easier to operate while maintaining comprehensive control capability
3Speed
If head gestures are enabled without footswitch command, then control responsiveness is improved, but unintentional function activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footswitch button press serves as a preliminary action that pre-enables a specific function before the head gesture is executed. This preliminary activation step ensures intentional control while maintaining responsive operation, as the system is prepared to respond to the corresponding head gesture immediately after the button is pressed
Data Source
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AI summary
A user interface for enabling and controlling functions of a surgical system, comprising: a foot-operated function switch configured to be switched to any one of multiple discrete states by the user's foot; a head tracker configured to track the user's head motions; and a processor coupled to the function switch and head tracker, and configured to: obtain an association between a plurality of sequences comprising at least one of the multiple discrete states, and a plurality of corresponding system functions of the surgical system, receive an indication of at least one of the discrete states from the function switch, identify a system function based on the indication and the association, receive a head motion from the head tracker, and apply the head motion to control the identified system function of the surgical system.