Controlling and/or operating a medical device by means of a light pointer

• US 9,030,444 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2010
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): CERULLO, LILIANA P
• Application Number:
  US13/511,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20120235909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,944 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-186, 353/42, 348/135, 348/141
• US Class Current: 345/175
• 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 or operating a medical device associated with a display on which medical images or control or operating elements are displayed, the system comprising:

a light pointer which projects a single delimited light cursor, wherein the light pointer comprises switchable or selectable light sources of one or more wavelengths, or a wavelength modifier, as its light source, or wherein the light pointer comprises a switchable or controllable cursor-forming unit for forming the projected light cursor, the light pointer further comprising a multi-deck switch for controlling light projection, the multi-deck switch exhibiting a first triggering point for producing the light cursor, and a second triggering point for changing the light properties of the light cursor;

a light detection device which is associated with the display and comprises a photosensitive surface or layer on the display for determining the presence and location and wavelength or form of the single light cursor projected by the light pointer; and

a converter which converts the captured presence and location information into control or operating commands for the medical device, wherein the converter is configured to create a variety of different control or operating commands or inputs assigned to different wavelengths or different forms of the light cursor.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the light pointer is a laser pointer.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the display is a monitor screen or a touch screen.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the light detection device comprises a position-detecting light grid or laser grid covering the surface of the display.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the light detection device comprises a camera or camera system which monitors the display.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the medical device is a medical or surgical navigation or treatment planning system.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the light pointer comprises a light slit or a lens or an object lens.

8. A method for controlling or operating a medical device associated with a display on which medical images or control or operating elements are displayed, the method comprising:

receiving a single delimited light cursor at a display, wherein the single delimited light cursor is projected onto the display by means of a light pointer, wherein the light pointer comprises switchable or selectable light sources of one or more wavelengths, or a wavelength modifier, as its light source, or wherein the light pointer comprises a switchable or controllable cursor-forming unit for forming the projected light cursor, and wherein the light pointer further comprises a multi-deck switch for controlling light projection, the multi-deck switch exhibiting a first triggering point for producing the light cursor, and a second triggering point for changing the light properties of the light cursor;

detecting the presence and location and wavelength or form on the display of the single light cursor projected by the light pointer by means of a photosensitive surface or layer on the display; and

converting the captured presence and location information into control or operating commands for controlling or operating the medical device, comprising creating a variety of different control or operating commands or inputs assigned to different wavelengths or different forms of the light cursor.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the medical device is controlled 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.