Wearable Foot Controller for Portable Surgical Instrument Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical equipment controllers, such as foot pedals, are cumbersome, difficult to use, and not easily portable, posing challenges in surgical environments.

Innovation Solution

A wearable foot controller with sensors and a processor that detects foot movements and pressure to control surgical instruments wirelessly, allowing precise control of functions like pan, tilt, zoom, and focus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large mechanical foot pedal is used to control the microscope, then the surgeon can operate the surgical devices with hands-free control, but the controller becomes heavy and difficult to move while cleaning the surgery room and repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free control capabilityVSAvoidcontroller weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical foot pedal system with a wearable sensor-based controller that detects foot movements and pressures through electronic sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors) and transmits signals wirelessly to control the surgical microscope, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control mechanism from mechanical force transmission to electronic signal detection by monitoring parameters such as foot pressure distribution, acceleration, and rotational movement, allowing lightweight wearable devices to provide effective hands-free control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a large mechanical foot pedal is used to control the microscope, then the surgeon can operate the surgical devices with hands-free control, but the controller becomes difficult to move and reposition for subsequent surgeries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free control capabilityVSAvoidportability and repositionability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a static, fixed-position mechanical pedal to a dynamic, wearable sensor system that can be easily moved, removed, and repositioned between surgeries while maintaining full control functionality through wireless communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional foot pedals are used, then basic microscope control is achieved, but the controller creates interference and occupies space in the surgical environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroscope control functionalityVSAvoidinterference and space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control functionality from the physical foot pedal and relocates it to a wearable sensor system on the surgeon's foot, removing the large mechanical controller from the surgical field and eliminating its interference and space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the wearable sensor and the microscope controller, allowing control signals to be transmitted without physical connection, thereby eliminating the need for cables and reducing interference in the surgical environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances dexterity, improves portability, and reduces interference in the surgical environment, providing enhanced control capabilities and space efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heel pressure sensor coupled to the heel portion of the body, a ball pressure sensor coupled to the ball portion of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a heel movement sensor coupled to the heel portion of the body, a ball movement sensor coupled to the ball portion of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMovement detection:

Implementation Method 3

The processor may also be configured to communicate the control data from the processor to the surgical instrument via a communications link

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless communication:

Data Source

PatentEP4230150B1Wearable foot controller for surgical equipment and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 ORASI LLC

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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 detect activation of the heel pressure sensor and generate control data for the surgical instrument based upon the ball movement sensor when the heel pressure sensor is activated using the processor, and detect activation of the ball pressure sensor and generate control data for the surgical instrument based upon the heel movement sensor when the ball pressure sensor is activated using the processor. The processor may also be configured to communicate the control data from the processor to the surgical instrument via a communications link.