Multifunction foot pedal
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for performing ocular surgery, comprising:
- a handpiece for performing surgical procedures;
an instrument host coupled to the handpiece that includes;
a data storage device configured for storing computer instructions;
a processor communicatively coupled to the data storage device;
a communications connection to the handpiece that provides operating instructions to the handpiece based on received control signals; and
an electrical power connection to the handpiece that provides electrical power to the handpiece in accordance with the operating instructions; and
a foot pedal communicatively coupled to the instrument host that provides the control signals, including;
a base; and
a treadle pivotably coupled to the base on at least one rotational axis;
wherein the range of motion of the treadle as it pivots around the axis comprises a plurality of non-overlapping zones, each zone corresponding to a virtual switch that is activated when the treadle is oriented within that zone, by sending a respective one of the control signals to the instrument host, wherein prior to the virtual switch activation, the foot pedal is put into a virtual switch mode of operation by;
tapping the treadle;
wherein a tap for the tapping is defined by a predetermined extent of motion of the treadle, and one of a predetermined speed of the treadle and a predetermined amount of time the treadle is in a predetermined zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A foot pedal with a treadle that pivots up and down to vary its pitch, and/or side to side to vary its yaw. The pivot range of motion is divided into a plurality of zones, each zone configured to correspond to a respective virtual switch. When the treadle is pivoted into one of the zones, the corresponding virtual switch is activated. The virtual switch controls an operatively coupled device such as a handpiece used in a surgical procedure.
286 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for performing ocular surgery, comprising:
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a handpiece for performing surgical procedures; an instrument host coupled to the handpiece that includes; a data storage device configured for storing computer instructions; a processor communicatively coupled to the data storage device; a communications connection to the handpiece that provides operating instructions to the handpiece based on received control signals; and an electrical power connection to the handpiece that provides electrical power to the handpiece in accordance with the operating instructions; and a foot pedal communicatively coupled to the instrument host that provides the control signals, including; a base; and a treadle pivotably coupled to the base on at least one rotational axis; wherein the range of motion of the treadle as it pivots around the axis comprises a plurality of non-overlapping zones, each zone corresponding to a virtual switch that is activated when the treadle is oriented within that zone, by sending a respective one of the control signals to the instrument host, wherein prior to the virtual switch activation, the foot pedal is put into a virtual switch mode of operation by; tapping the treadle; wherein a tap for the tapping is defined by a predetermined extent of motion of the treadle, and one of a predetermined speed of the treadle and a predetermined amount of time the treadle is in a predetermined zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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11. A foot pedal for use in a system for performing ocular surgery, comprising:
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a base; a communications port included in the base for communicatively coupling the foot pedal to an instrument host, that provides control signals to the instrument host; and a treadle pivotably coupled to the base on at least one rotational axis; wherein the range of motion of the treadle as it pivots about the axis comprises a plurality of non-overlapping zones, each zone corresponding to a virtual switch that is activated when the treadle is oriented within that zone by sending a respective one of the control signals to the instrument host, wherein prior to the virtual switch activation, the foot pedal is put into a virtual switch mode of operation by; tapping the treadle; wherein a tap for the tapping is defined by a predetermined extent of motion of the treadle, and one of a predetermined speed of the treadle and a predetermined amount of time treadle is in a predetermined zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operating a system for performing ocular surgery, comprising:
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modifying an angle of a treadle of a foot pedal operatively coupled to a handpiece to activate a predefined virtual switch function corresponding to a treadle position within a zone of treadle movement, the zone defined by a portion of a full range of motion of the treadle as it pivots about an axis of rotation; and upon activation of the virtual switch, generating a feedback signal confirming the virtual switch has been activated; providing a control signal to the handpiece based on an operation of the activated virtual switch; and using the handpiece to perform a surgical procedure on a subject eye enabled by the control signal, wherein prior to the virtual switch activation, the foot pedal is put into a virtual switch mode of operation by; tapping the treadle; wherein a tap for the tapping is defined by a predetermined extent of motion of the treadle, and one of a predetermined speed of the treadle and a predetermined amount of time the treadle is in a predetermined zone. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification