Wearable Foot Controller for Surgical Microscope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscope controllers, such as large mechanical foot pedals, are cumbersome, difficult to use, and hinder mobility during surgeries, especially in eye surgeries, where precise control and ease of movement are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A wearable foot controller with pressure and movement sensors integrated into a foot-worn device, utilizing a processor to generate control data for surgical instruments like microscopes, allowing for precise control of pan, tilt, zoom, illumination, and focus through a wireless communications link, and incorporating haptic feedback for enhanced user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large mechanical foot pedal is used to control the surgical microscope, then the surgeon can operate the microscope with foot control, but the device becomes heavy and difficult to move during surgery room cleaning and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical foot pedal system with a wearable foot controller that uses pressure sensors and movement sensors to detect foot gestures. This substitution eliminates the need for a heavy mechanical pedal while maintaining foot control capability, as the sensors can detect pressure and motion patterns to generate control signals for the surgical microscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control mechanism from mechanical force transmission to electronic sensor detection. By using pressure sensors to detect foot pressure distribution and movement sensors to detect foot motion, the system translates physical foot gestures into digital control signals, thereby eliminating the need for a heavy mechanical transmission system.
2Ease of operation
If a large mechanical foot pedal is used, then foot control is enabled, but the device is difficult to use and reduces surgical precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing specific sensors at different locations on the foot controller - pressure sensors at the heel and ball portions, and movement sensors at corresponding locations. Each sensor detects local foot characteristics, and the processor integrates these localized measurements to determine precise foot gestures, thereby improving control precision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the imprecise mechanical foot pedal with an electronic sensor system that can detect subtle foot movements and pressure distributions. The movement sensors capture fine motor gestures, and the pressure sensors detect precise pressure application points, enabling more accurate control of the surgical microscope compared to mechanical pedals.
3Measurement precision
If a wearable foot controller with multiple sensors is used, then control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single processor to handle multiple sensor inputs (heel pressure sensor, ball pressure sensor, heel movement sensor, ball movement sensor) and generate various control commands for the surgical microscope. The processor integrates data from all sensors to determine foot gestures and can control multiple microscope functions including pan, tilt, zoom, and focus, thereby managing device complexity through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple sensors and control mechanisms into a single integrated wearable foot controller. The heel and ball portions, along with their respective pressure and movement sensors, are combined in one device that communicates with the surgical microscope through a single communications link, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional foot pedals are used, then control functionality is provided, but mobility during surgery room cleaning and repositioning is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed mechanical foot pedal with a wearable foot controller that can be easily attached to or removed from the surgeon's footwear. This substitution enables the surgeon to maintain control functionality while moving freely throughout the surgery room, as the controller moves with the surgeon rather than being a stationary obstacle during cleaning and repositioning activities.
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 wearable foot controller enhances dexterity, reduces space requirements, improves portability, and allows for more efficient use of the operating room, while enabling customizable control settings and training modes, thereby improving surgical precision and workflow.
Implementation Method 1
a heel pressure sensor coupled to the heel portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
a ball pressure sensor coupled to the ball portion of the body
Implementation Method 3
a heel movement sensor coupled to the heel portion of the body
Implementation Method 4
a ball movement sensor coupled to the ball portion of the body
Implementation Method 5
a haptic feedback generator carried by the body and coupled to the processor
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable foot controller for a surgical instrument may include a body configured to be worn on a foot and including a heel portion and a ball portion on an opposite end of the body from the heel portion, a heel pressure sensor, a ball pressure sensor, a heel movement sensor, a ball movement sensor, and a processor. The processor may be configured to generate control data for the surgical instrument based upon the ball movement sensor responsive to an activation state the heel pressure sensor, and based upon the heel movement sensor responsive to an activation state of the ball pressure sensor. The processor may also be configured to communicate the control data from the processor to the surgical instrument via a communications link.