Remote control of a medical device using voice recognition and foot controls

• US 20020128846A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for controlling a medical device is provided such as a medical imaging device. The preferred embodiment of the present invention receives a verbal command for assigning a function of a medical imaging device from an operator. An additional verbal command from the operator assigns an input device to control the function of the selected medical imaging device. A system control and voice recognition processor then assigns the function specified by the verbal command to the input device selected by the additional verbal command. After the function of the medical device is assigned to the input device, the operator may control the selected function of the medical device with the selected input device. The system and method provides for the unobtrusive and hands-free control of discreet and continuous functions of a medical imaging device.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a function of a medical device, said system including:

a microphone for receiving a verbal command from an operator;

a system control and voice recognition processor receiving said verbal command from said microphone and assigning a function to an input console in response to said verbal command; and

an input console controlling said function assigned to said input console when activated by said operator.

2. The system of claim 1 further including a medical imaging acquisition and display system for displaying medical images.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a verbal command as a predetermined verbal command.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a predetermined function.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said input console is a foot-input console.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said medical imaging device is an ultrasonic medical imaging device.

7. A system for controlling a function of a medical device, said system including:

a microphone for receiving a verbal command from an operator;

a system control and voice recognition processor receiving said verbal command and assigning a function to an input console in response to said verbal command;

an input device initiating said function assigned to said input device when activated by said operator; and

a display for displaying the function assigned to said input device.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said display displays medical images.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a predetermined verbal command.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a predetermined function.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said input device is a foot-input device.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein said medical imaging device is an ultrasonic medical imaging device.

14. The system of claim 13 further including a microphone for receiving said verbal command from said operator.

15. The system of claim 13 further including a medical imaging acquisition and display system for displaying medical images.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a predetermined verbal command.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein said system control and voice recognition processor is programmed to recognize a predetermined function.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein said input device is a foot-input device.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein said medical imaging device is an ultrasonic medical imaging device.

13. A system for assigning a function of a medical device to an input device, said system including:

a system control and voice recognition processor receiving a verbal command from an operator and assigning a function to an input device in response to said verbal command.

20. A method for controlling a function of a medical device, said method including the steps of:

receiving a verbal command from an operator;

assigning a function to an input console in response to said verbal command; and

controlling said function assigned to said input device in response to said verbal command when said input device is activated by an operator.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said verbal command is received by said operator by a microphone.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said input device is a foot-input device.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said verbal command is received by said operator by a microphone.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein said input device is a foot-input device.

23. A method for assigning a function of a medical device to an input device, said method including the steps of:

receiving a verbal command for assigning a function;

receiving an additional verbal command for assigning an input device;

assigning said function to said input device in response to said verbal commands; and

controlling said function assigned to said input device in response to said verbal commands when said input device is activated by an operator.