Virtual Foot Switch Control Panel for Crowded Surgical Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and limited space in surgical environments lead to increased risks of incorrect operation of multiple foot switches used to control various surgical devices, as they often require manual activation and can be confusing to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A foot switch equipped with a projector to create a virtual control panel on the floor, detectable by sensors, allowing for additional control options without additional physical switches, enabling flexible and intuitive operation of surgical devices through foot or hand gestures, and ensuring secure coupling via cable or wireless connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual foot switches are used to control different surgical devices, then each device can be operated independently, but the complexity of the control system increases and the available space on the treatment room floor is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple foot switches into a single integrated device with multiple pedals, where each pedal can be assigned to control different surgical devices. This merging approach maintains the ability to independently control multiple devices while reducing the number of separate foot switches needed on the treatment room floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated foot switch device is designed to universally control multiple surgical devices through a single unit. The device can be configured to assign different functions to each pedal, allowing one foot switch to replace multiple individual foot switches and simplify the overall control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual foot switches are placed on the treatment room floor, then each surgical device can be controlled, but the available space is limited and the risk of incorrect operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple foot switch functions into a single integrated device, the patent reduces the number of separate controls on the floor, thereby minimizing the risk of accidentally activating the wrong device while maintaining full control capability over multiple surgical instruments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional foot switches are installed to provide more control options, then more functions can be controlled, but the physical footprint on the treatment room floor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple foot switch controls into a single multi-pedal device, providing extensive control functionality while occupying minimal floor space. This approach allows numerous surgical devices to be controlled from one location without requiring multiple separate foot switches scattered across the treatment room floor.
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
This solution simplifies and secures the operation of surgical devices by expanding control options without increasing physical footprint, reducing the risk of incorrect use and enhancing operator flexibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one projector by which at least one virtual control panel can be generated. This at least one virtual control panel can be projected onto the floor of the treatment room next to the foot switch
Implementation Method 2
the foot switch has a sensor for detecting the virtual control panel. This sensor can be a CCD chip or another type of sensor for detecting at least changing contrasts
Data Source
AI summary
Some functions of surgical instruments can be carried out via a foot switch by an operator or a surgeon. It is customary that during surgery, a plurality of surgical instruments are operated via one foot switch each. As a result, the risk of incorrect operation of the foot switches increases because the space available for placement of the foot switches is limited. The invention provides a method and a device (10) by means of 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 (22) for generating a virtual control panel (23) and at least one sensor (24, 25) for detecting the virtual control panel (23) are assigned to a foot switch (11).