Foot controller for microsurgical system
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising;
a computer; and
a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and
using said computer to modulate said detent by varying a resistance felt by a user'"'"'s foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal.
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Abstract
An improved foot controller of a microsurgical system, and a method of operating the foot controller, are disclosed. The method involves using a computer to modulate a detent of the foot controller from the beginning of the detent to the end of the detent.
68 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:
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providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising;
a computer; and
a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and
using said computer to modulate said detent by varying a resistance felt by a user'"'"'s foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:
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providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising;
a computer;
a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion and a shaft defining an axis of rotation, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and
a force feedback motor mechanically coupled to said shaft;
using said force feedback motor to apply a first torque to said shaft that opposes a second torque applied to said shaft by a user'"'"'s foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal; and
using said computer to modulate said detent by varying said first torque. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification