Wireless Network and Methods of Wireless Communication For Ophthalmic Surgical Consoles

• US 20090307681A1
• Filed: 06/04/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Young, Mark, King, Kevin, Armado, Ryan, Leukanech, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US12/478,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20090307681A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/256 having a database of accessory information, e.g. including context sensitive help or scientific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition

Abstract

A wireless network of surgical consoles and other equipment is used to transfer data. A surgical console has a system processor running software that operates the surgical console and a wireless processor coupled to the system processor. The wireless processor runs software that facilitates wireless communication. A transceiver is coupled to the wireless processor. The system processor is physically separate from the wireless processor. The wireless processor is used to transfer data to other devices and receive software updates.

Claims

1. A surgical console comprising:

a system processor running software that operates the surgical console;

a wireless processor coupled to the system processor, the wireless processor running software that facilitates wireless communication; and

a transceiver coupled to the wireless processor;

wherein the system processor is physically separate from the wireless processor.

2. A network comprising:

a first surgical console, the first surgical console comprising a first system processor coupled to a first wireless processor, the first wireless processor coupled to a first transceiver;

a second surgical console, the second surgical console comprising a second system processor coupled to a second wireless processor, the second wireless processor coupled to a second transceiver;

wherein a wireless connection can be established between the first surgical console and the second surgical console.

3. The wireless network of claim 2 further comprising:

a server comprising a server transceiver, the server transceiver wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

4. The wireless network of claim 3 further comprising:

a firewall located between the server and the internet.

5. The wireless network of claim 2 further comprising:

a laptop computer wirelessly connected to the first surgical console.

6. A method of wirelessly transferring data between surgical consoles, the method comprising:

reading user preferences from memory in a first surgical console;

transferring the user preferences to a first wireless processor coupled to a first system processor in the first surgical console; and

transmitting the user preferences from a first transceiver coupled to the first wireless processor.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving the user preferences in a second transceiver coupled to a second wireless processor, the second wireless processor coupled to a second system processor in a second surgical console;

transferring the user preferences from the second wireless processor to the second system processor; and

storing the user preferences in memory in the second surgical console.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving the user preferences in a server; and

storing the user preferences in server memory;

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

reading the user preferences from the server memory;

transmitting the user preferences to a second transceiver coupled to a second wireless processor, the second wireless processor coupled to a second system processor in a second surgical console;

transferring the user preferences from the second wireless processor to the second system processor; and

storing the user preferences in memory in the second surgical console.

10. A method of updating software running on a surgical console, the method comprising:

receiving, by way of a wireless processor, a software update that has been wirelessly transmitted;

transferring the software update from the wireless processor to a system processor located in a surgical console; and

updating the software running on the system processor with the software update.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting the software update from a server to the wireless processor.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

transmitting the software update over the internet to the server.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting the software update from a laptop computer to the wireless processor.

14. A method of wirelessly transferring data from a surgical console, the method comprising:

storing operational data in memory coupled to a system processor located in a surgical console;

reading the operational data from the memory;

sending the operational data to a wireless processor coupled to the system processor; and

wirelessly transmitting the operational data.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

receiving the operational data; and

using the operational data to service the surgical console.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving the operational data further comprises:

receiving the operational data on a laptop computer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving the operational data further comprises:

receiving the operational data on a server.