Foot controller for microsurgical system

• US 6,962,581 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Thoe, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rollins, Rosiland
• Application Number:
  US10/308,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 200/51.02, 200/51, 200/51.05, 200/86.5
• US Class Current: 606/1
• 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 2017/00977 the depression depth determining the power rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery

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.

Claims

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, wherein said varying of said resistance comprises increasing said resistance a first time, decreasing said resistance, and increasing said resistance a second time within said detent.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said varying of said resistance occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.

4. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:

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, wherein said varying of said first torque comprises increasing said first torque a first time, decreasing said first torque, and increasing said first torque a second time within said detent.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said varying of said first torque occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.

7. 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, wherein said varying of said resistance comprises decreasing said resistance a first time, increasing said resistance, and decreasing said resistance a second time within said detent.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said varying of said resistance occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.

10. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:

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, wherein said varying of said first torque comprises decreasing said first torque a first time, increasing said first torque, and decreasing said first torque a second time within said detent.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said varying of said first torque occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.