CONTROLLING AND/OR OPERATING A MEDICAL DEVICE BY MEANS OF A LIGHT POINTER

• US 20120235909A1
• Filed: 01/14/2010
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Birkenbach, Rainer, Urban, Alexander, Druse, Alexander, Schlereth, Elmar
• Granted Patent: US 9,030,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00207 with hand gesture control or hand gesture recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/372 Details of monitor hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/373 using light, e.g. by using optical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03542 Light pens for emitting or receiving light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for controlling and/or operating a medical device (30) associated with a display (20; 50) on which medical images (24) and/or control and/or operating elements (21, 22, 25) are displayed, wherein the system comprises: —a light pointer (10; 40) which projects a delimited light cursor (14; 44); —a light detection device which is associated with the display and comprises a sensor (23) for determining the presence and location of the light cursor (14; 44) projected by the light pointer (10; 40); and—a converter (26) which converts the captured presence and location information into control and/or operating commands for the medical device. The invention also relates to a method for controlling and/or operating a medical device (30) associated with a display (20; 50) on which medical images (24) and/or control and/or operating elements (21, 22, 25) are displayed, wherein a delimited light cursor (14; 44) is projected onto the display (20; 50) by means of a light pointer (10; 40), wherein the presence and location on the display (20; 50) of the light cursor (14; 44) projected by the light pointer (10; 40) is detected by means of a sensor (23), and wherein the captured presence and location information is converted into control and/or operating commands for the medical device (30).

Claims

1. A system for controlling and/or operating a medical device associated with a display on which medical images and/or control and/or operating elements are displayed, characterized in that the system comprises:

a light pointer which projects a delimited light cursor;

a light detection device which is associated with the display and comprises a sensor for determining the presence and location of the light cursor projected by the light pointer, and

a converter which converts the captured presence and location information into control and/or operating commands for the medical device.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light pointer comprises a switch, a multi-deck switch or a number of switches for controlling its light projection.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light pointer comprises switchable or selectable light sources of one or more wavelengths, or a wavelength modifier, as its light source.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light pointer comprises a switchable or controllable cursor-forming unit for forming the projected light cursor, in particular a light slit or a lens or an object lens.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light pointer is a laser pointer.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light detection device comprises a photosensitive surface or layer on the display, in particular on a monitor screen, in particular a touch screen.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light detection device comprises a position-detecting light grid or laser grid covering the surface of the display, in particular a monitor screen.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light detection device comprises a camera or camera system which monitors the displayer).

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display is a projection screen and the system also comprises an image projector which projects the medical images and/or the control elements and/or operating elements of the medical device onto the projection screen.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display surface is a light-reflecting surface or is covered with a light-reflecting layer which preferably reflects, or solely reflects, light at the wavelength emitted by the light pointer.

11. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the medical device is a medical or surgical navigation or treatment planning system.

12. A method for controlling and/or operating a medical device associated with a display on which medical images and/or control and/or operating elements are displayed, wherein a delimited light cursor is projected onto the display by means of a light pointer, wherein the presence and location on the display of the light cursor projected by the light pointer is detected by means of a sensor, and wherein the captured presence and location information is converted into control and/or operating commands for the medical devices).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the system according to claim 2 is used to control and/or operate the medical device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the medical device is controlled and/or operated in one or more of the following ways:

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot for a predetermined and/or extended period of time;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot, projecting the cursor at a first wavelength in order to highlight an element on the display, and then changing the wavelength in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot and then projecting a predetermined succession of light beams in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot in order to highlight an element on the display and then projecting a predetermined succession of light beams in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot on the display and then projecting a predetermined succession of light beams in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot on the display in order to highlight an element on the display and then projecting a predetermined succession of light beams in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot on the display and then altering the form of the cursor in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

a control command or input is effected by pointing the light cursor at a spot on the display in order to highlight an element on the display and then altering the form of the cursor in order to effect a control and/or operating command with respect to the element;

the cursor is made visible by highlighting an element on the display by means of a control software for the display.