Multi-function, foot-activated controller for imaging system
View Patent ↗A foot-activated controller ( 70 ) for an imaging system ( 10 ) is disclosed. The foot-activated controller ( 70 ) may include a first controller section ( 80 ) and a second controller section ( 90 ) that may be disposed in each of a joined or separated state or configuration. The first controller section ( 80 ) may incorporate one or more first actuators ( 86 ) that are dedicated to communicating with one or more components that provide an imaging functionality (e.g., an imaging assembly ( 12 )), while the second controller section ( 90 ) may incorporate one or more second actuators ( 96 ) that are dedicated to communicating with one or more components that provide a physical positioning functionality (e.g., a table positioner 38 , where the table positioner ( 38 ) may be activated to control/establish the position of a table ( 32 ) on which a patient may be positioned for performance of one or more medical procedures (e.g., urology)).
1. An imaging system, comprising:
an imaging assembly;
a table;
a table positioner that interacts with said table; and
a controller operatively interconnected with each of said imaging assembly and said table positioner, wherein said controller is foot-activated, wherein said controller comprises at least one actuator, wherein said at least one actuator comprises at least one first actuator and at least one second actuator, wherein each said first actuator is dedicated to controlling an imaging functionality of said imaging assembly such that each said first actuator can only be used to control said imaging functionality of said imaging assembly, wherein each said second actuator is dedicated to controlling motion of said table through said table positioner such that each said second actuator can only be used to control said motion of said table through said table positioner, wherein activation of each said second actuator causes movement of said table through said table positioner, wherein said controller comprises first and second controller sections, wherein each said first actuator is integrated with said first controller section, wherein each said second actuator is integrated with said second controller section, wherein said controller comprises a first configuration where each said actuator of said controller is part of a common structure and where said first and second controller sections are in a coupled state so that said first and second controller sections are collectively movable, wherein said controller comprises a second configuration where said first and second controller sections are in an uncoupled state where said first and second controller sections are uncoupled from one another and are independently movable relative to one another, and wherein each said first actuator and each said second actuator are operable when said first and second controller sections are in each of said coupled state and said uncoupled state.
2. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said imaging system is adapted for at least a urology application.
3. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said imaging assembly comprises equipment selected from the group consisting of x-ray, tomography, fluoroscopy, store last image hold, magnification, and any combination thereof.
4. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said table is movable in first and second directions within a first plane that coincides with a supporting surface of said table, is movable in a vertical dimension, and is tiltable at least generally about a first axis.
5. The imaging system of claim 4 , wherein said first axis is at least generally horizontally disposed.
6. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises at least four said first actuators.
7. The imaging system of claim 6 , wherein one said first actuator controls an acquisition of an x-ray image, wherein another said first actuator controls an acquisition of a fluoroscopy image, wherein another said first actuator controls a magnification mode for an image to be acquired, and wherein another said first actuator controls a saving of an image to be acquired.
8. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein each said first actuator comprises an on/off switch.
9. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises at least two said second actuators.
10. The imaging system of claim 9 , wherein one said second actuator controls movement of said table in each of first and second directions within a first plane that coincides with a supporting surface of said table, and wherein another of said second actuators controls both a position of said table in a vertical dimension and a tilt angle of said table relative to a first axis.
11. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein said first axis is at least generally horizontally disposed.
12. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein each said second actuator comprises a four-position switch.
13. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a third actuator that is dedicated to controlling movement of at least a portion of said imaging assembly.
14. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein each said second actuator is disposed at a higher elevation than each said first actuator.
15. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein an activating surface of each said first actuator is disposed at a common elevation, and wherein an activating surface of each said second actuator is disposed at a common elevation.
16. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second controller sections comprise first and second registration members, respectively, wherein when said first registration member of said first controller section interfaces with said second registration member of said second controller section relative movement between said first and second controller sections is limited in at least one direction.
17. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second controller sections are detachably interconnected.
18. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first controller section may be selectively interlocked with said second controller section.
19. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first controller section is moved vertically relative to said second controller section to selectively couple said first and second controller sections and to selectively uncouple said first and second controller sections.
20. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second controller sections collectively define a wedge-shaped structure in a side view and when in said coupled state.
21. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said second controller section defines an upper level of said controller when said first and second controller sections are in said coupled state, and wherein said first controller section defines a lower level of said controller when said first and second controller sections are in said coupled state.
22. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second controller sections comprise first and second housings, respectively.
23. The imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a communications link between each said actuator and at least one of said imaging assembly and said table positioner, wherein each of said communications links comprises a wireless communication link.
24. The imaging system of claim 23 , wherein said wireless communications link is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency, light-based, and sound-based.
25. The imaging system of claim 23 , wherein each signal transmitted by each said actuator comprises an identifier segment and a command segment.
26. The imaging system of claim 25 , wherein said identifier segment is unique to one of a plurality of said imaging systems.
27. The imaging system of claim 23 , further comprising at least one range alarm that is activated when any said actuator is located outside of a predetermined range from a corresponding one of said imaging assembly and said table positioner.
28. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a locating alarm, and wherein said imaging system comprises a locating switch for selectively activating said locating alarm.
29. An imaging system, comprising:
an imaging assembly;
a table;
a table positioner that interacts with said table; and
a controller operatively interconnected with each of said imaging assembly and said table positioner, wherein said controller is foot-activated, wherein said controller comprises at least one actuator, wherein said at least one actuator comprises at least one first actuator and at least one second actuator, wherein each said first actuator is dedicated to controlling an imaging functionality of said imaging assembly such that each said first actuator can only be used to control said imaging functionality of said imaging assembly, wherein each said second actuator is dedicated to controlling motion of said table through said table positioner such that each said second actuator can only be used to control said motion of said table through said table positioner, wherein activation of each said second actuator causes movement of said table through said table positioner, and wherein said controller comprises a first configuration where each said actuator of said controller is part of a common structure.