Virtual Foot Control Panel for Multi-Instrument Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and limited space in surgical treatment rooms lead to increased risks of incorrect operation of multiple foot switches used to control various surgical instruments, as the manual operation can become unclear and space-constrained.
Innovation Solution
A device with a projector and sensor system that generates a virtual control panel on the floor, allowing for safe and flexible operation of surgical instruments by projecting symbols or commands, which can be actuated by foot or gestures, and is configurable for various functions, reducing the need for physical foot switches and enhancing operator control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical foot switches are installed on the floor to control various surgical instruments, then the surgeon can operate multiple functions, but the treatment room becomes cluttered and the risk of incorrect operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a projector to create a virtual copy of the control panel on the floor, replacing physical foot switches with a projected image that the surgeon can interact with using foot gestures. This virtual copy provides all necessary control functions without requiring multiple physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical foot switch system with an optical projection system and gesture recognition system. The projector displays visual cues and the sensor system detects foot gestures, substituting mechanical contact-based control with optical and sensing-based control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical foot switches are installed on the floor, then various surgical functions can be controlled, but the available space in the treatment room is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is copied as a virtual projection on the floor rather than using physical switches that occupy space. The projected images and visual cues take up no physical space while providing all necessary control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is moved from a three-dimensional physical space (physical switches with height and volume) to a two-dimensional projected surface on the floor, effectively reducing the space occupation to negligible levels while maintaining full functionality.
3Ease of operation
If traditional foot switches are used, then simple switching functions can be performed, but the surgeon's manual scope of action cannot be sufficiently expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual control panel serves multiple functions beyond simple switching, including displaying visual cues for different operations, providing feedback on system status, and enabling various surgical instrument controls through a single unified interface that adapts to different surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through the projected control panel, showing the surgeon which functions are available and confirming gesture recognition. This feedback mechanism enhances the surgeon's awareness and control without adding physical complexity.
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
The virtual control panel provides a safe, intuitive, and flexible means to operate surgical instruments, reducing the risk of incorrect operation and expanding the surgeon's scope of action without cluttering the treatment room with additional physical switches.
Implementation Method 1
at least one projector, by which at least one virtual control panel can be generated, is assigned to a foot switch
Implementation Method 2
the foot switch includes a sensor for acquiring the virtual control panel. This sensor can be a CCD chip or another sensor for perceiving at least changing contrasts
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instruments can be carried out via a foot switch by an operator or a surgeon. It is typical that during operation, multiple surgical instruments are each operated via one foot switch. As a result, the risk of an incorrect operation of the foot switches increases because the space available for the placement of the foot switches is limited. The invention provides a method and a device using which various functions in connection with surgical instruments can be carried out in a simple and safe manner. This is achieved in that at least one projector for generating a virtual control panel and at least one sensor for acquiring the virtual control panel are assigned to a foot switch.