Detection of ophthalmic surgical handpiece using shorting bar

• US 6,045,527 A
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Kepley, Kevin Paul, Appelbaum, Peter Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US08/916,463
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 601/2-3, 606/169, 606/107, 607/97, 200/51 R, 200/51.09, 200/51.1
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00977 the depression depth determining the power rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00736 Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments A61F9/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/04 Programmable interface between a set of switches and a set of functions, e.g. for reconfiguration of a control panel

Abstract

A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communications bus and a user interface connected to the data communications bus. The user interface provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of operating parameters of the microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules are also connected to the data communications bus. The data communications bus provides communication of data representative of the operating parameters between the user interface and the surgical modules. Other features are also disclosed including a main control, an endo-illuminator system, a phacoemulsification handpiece, surgical scissors, a vitrectomy cutter, a surgical foot control, a remote control, a cart.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of an ophthalmic surgical handpiece in an isolated patient configuration comprising and providing power to the surgical handpiece when present:

a transformer having primary and secondary windings;

an alternating current signal source connected to the primary winding of the transformer;

a detection circuit connected to the primary winding of the transformer, the detection circuit comprising a comparator to compare the signal received to a standard signal to determine the presence of the handpiece; and

a switch the means to provide power to the handpiece so that power is not delivered to said handpiece;

wherein said comparator sends a signal to said switch to turn the switch to the on position when the handpiece is present to provide power to the handpiece.

2. An apparatus for detecting the presence of an ophthalmic surgical handpiece in an isolated patient configuration comprising:

an isolation transformer having primary and secondary windings;

a surgical handpiece having an ultrasonic transducer and a shorting bar, said shorting bar connected across the secondary winding of the transformer;

an alternating current signal source connected to one end of the primary winding of the transformer; and

a detection circuit connected to the end of the primary winding of the transformer opposite the alternating current signal source, the detection circuit comprising a comparator to compare the signal received to a standard signal to determine the presence of the ophthalmic surgical handpiece.

3. A method for detecting the presence of an ophthalmic surgical handpiece in an isolated patient configuration and providing power to the surgical handpiece when present comprising:

providing an alternating current electric signal to the primary winding of a transformer;

receiving a second electric signal determined by the reflected impedance of the load on the secondary winding of the transformer;

comparing the second reflected signal to a standard to determine the presence of the ophthalmic surgical handpiece;

sending a third signal to an initially off on-off power switch when the presence of the surgical handpiece is detected to move the power switch to the on position to provide power to the surgical handpiece.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of activating a switch when an ophthalmic surgical handpiece is detected to connect an electric power source to the ophthalmic surgical handpiece.