Foot-Activated Controller for Medical System

• US 20110011708A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Ellafrits, David J.
• Application Number:
  US12/921,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20110011708A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/86.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0487 Motor-assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/464 involving a plurality of displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/02 Adjustable operating tables; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/445 about a central fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/26 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot

Abstract

A medical system (10′) is disclosed that uses at least two-foot activated controllers (160, 165). These foot-activated controllers (160, 165) communicate with a common mon medical device (12, 30). However, the foot-activated controller (160) controls more functionality than the foot-activated controller (165) in relation to the medical device (12, 30) in common communication therewith.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A medical imaging system, comprising:

a first medical device selected from imaging equipment and a table assembly that comprises a movable table;

a foot-activated, first controller operatively interconnected with the first medical device; and

a foot-activated, second controller that is separate and distinct from said first controller and that is operatively interconnected with the first medical device, wherein the first controller controls a first set of functions in relation to the first medical device, the second controller controls a second set of functions in relation to the first medical device, each function in the first set of functions is also a function in the second set of functions, and a number of the functions in the second set of functions is greater than a number of the functions in the first set of functions.

33. The medical imaging system of claim 32, further comprising:

a second medical device, wherein the first controller is operatively interconnected with the second medical device, and there is a lack of a communication link between the second controller and the second medical device.

34. The medical imaging system of claim 32, further comprising:

a second medical device, wherein the second controller is operatively interconnected with the second medical device, and there is a lack of a communication link between the first controller and the second medical device.

35. The medical imaging system of claim 32, further comprising:

a second medical device, wherein each of the first and second controllers is also operatively interconnected with the second medical device.

36. The medical imaging system of any one of claims 33-35, wherein the first medical device is one of the imaging equipment and the table assembly, and the second medical device is the other of the imaging equipment and the table assembly.

37. The medical imaging system of any one of claims 33-35, wherein the second controller is able to control all available movement options for the first medical device, and the first controller is able to only control only a portion of the available movement options for the second medical device.

38. The medical imaging system of any one of claims 33-35, wherein the second controller is able to control all available movement options for the first medical device, the first controller is able to only control only a portion of the available movement options for the second medical device, and the first medical device comprises the table,

wherein a first movement option comprises the table being movable in first and second directions within a first plane that coincides with a supporting surface of the table, a second movement option comprises the table being movable in a vertical dimension, and a third movement option comprises the table being tiltable at least generally about a first axis, and

wherein the second controller is able to provide each of the first, second, and third movement options, and the first controller is able to control no more than two of the first, second, and third movement options.

39. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein the imaging equipment comprises x-ray equipment, tomography equipment, fluoroscopy equipment, endoscopy equipment, or any combination thereof.

40. The medical system of claim 32, wherein the first controller further comprises a save image switch.

41. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein the first controller comprises a plurality of first actuators that are disposed at a common elevation and that each communicate with at least the first medical device, each the first actuator comprises a pedal actuator, and a central, longitudinal reference axis bisects the first controller in a lateral dimension,

wherein each said first actuator disposed on a first side of the central, longitudinal axis is disposed in a common first orientation, and at least one said first actuator is disposed on the first side of the central, longitudinal axis,

wherein each said first actuator disposed on a second side of the central, longitudinal axis is disposed in a common second orientation, and at least one the first actuator is disposed on the second side of the central, longitudinal axis, and

wherein the first and second orientations are different.

42. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein the first controller comprises an at least generally V-shaped or boomerang-shaped configuration in a top view, and an opening defined by the at least generally V-shaped or boomerang-shaped configuration defines a forward end of the first controller.

43. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first controller or the second controller comprises a controller display that displays a function associated with a pedal of the first or second controller.

44. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein the first controller is programmable.

45. The medical imaging system of claim 32, wherein the medical system accommodates performance of at least one urology procedure.