Foot-activated controller for imaging system
View Patent ↗A foot-activated controller that communicates with at least one medical device is disclosed. This controller may incorporate a number of features. Multiple displays may be positioned on the controller for depicting the functionality of its various actuators. “Tapping” or partially depressing an actuator may cause an output that is representative of its functionality to be generated on its corresponding controller display, while fully depressing an actuator may initiate execution of its assigned function. The function assigned to each of the various actuators may be programmed by an external computer that may communicate with the controller over an appropriate communication link and via a communication port on the controller. Different audible feedbacks may be assigned to the various actuators, for instance to provide an audible indication of the function being executed.
1. A medical imaging system, comprising:
an imaging assembly;
a table;
a table positioner; and
a controller operatively interconnected with at least one of said imaging assembly and said table positioner, wherein said controller is foot-activated and comprises:
a housing;
a plurality of actuator groups incorporated by said housing, wherein each actuator group of said plurality of actuator groups provides a different function in relation to every other said actuator group, wherein each said actuator group of said plurality of actuator groups comprises an actuator, wherein activation of each said actuator of each said actuator group initiates a corresponding function, wherein each said actuator incorporated by said housing occupies a different position on said housing, wherein said plurality of actuator groups comprises a first actuator group, and wherein said first actuator group comprises a plurality of said actuators; and
a separate controller display for each said actuator group such that each said actuator group communicates with a different said controller display on said housing of said foot-activated controller, wherein as there are a plurality of said actuator groups there are then a plurality of said controller displays, wherein each said actuator of each said actuator group communicates with its corresponding said controller display such that said plurality of said actuators of said first actuator group communicate with a common said controller display and such that at least one other said actuator on said housing communicates with a different said controller display on the same said housing, wherein each said controller display is incorporated by said housing and each said controller display is positioned on a common surface of said housing, wherein a first movement of each said actuator of each said actuator group initiates presentation of an identification of its said corresponding function on its corresponding said controller display without initiating execution of its said corresponding function.
2. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein each said actuator group comprises two said actuators.
3. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of actuator groups comprises three of said actuator groups.
4. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a functionality of each said actuator group may be presented on its corresponding said controller display.
5. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a graphical representation of a function of each said actuator group may be presented on its corresponding said controller display.
6. The medical imaging system of claim 5 , wherein said graphical representation comprises a colored, moving image.
7. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a textual description of a functionality of each said actuator group may be presented on its corresponding said controller display.
8. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a display, wherein an output on each said controller display may be simultaneously presented on said display.
9. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein moving each said actuator from an inactive position to an intermediate position presents-a said corresponding function of said actuator on said controller display, wherein moving each said actuator to an actuating position initiates said corresponding function of said actuator, and wherein each said actuator proceeds through said intermediate position while moving from said inactive position to said actuating position.
10. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein partially depressing each said actuator presents said corresponding function of said actuator on said controller display, and wherein fully depressing each said actuator initiates said corresponding function of said actuator.
11. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein moving each said actuator to an actuating position initially presents-a said corresponding function of said actuator on said controller display, and wherein maintaining each said actuator in said actuating position for a predetermined amount of time thereafter initiates an execution of said corresponding function of said actuator.
12. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said controller further comprises:
programmable logic operatively interconnected with each said actuator; and
a first communication port operatively interconnected with said programmable logic.
13. The medical imaging system claim 12 , further comprising:
a computer; and
a communication link extending between said computer and said first communication port on said controller.
14. The medical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein said first communication port is selected from the group consisting of a wireless communication port using Radio Frequencies (RF), wireless Infrared, wireless ultrasound, and a serial or parallel communication port.
15. The medical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein at least one function may be assigned to each said actuator through said first communication port.
16. The medical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein each said actuator is programmable through said first communication port.
17. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises:
said actuators on said housing comprising first and second actuators;
a first audible feedback associated with actuation of said first actuator, and
a second audible feedback associated with actuation of said second actuator, wherein said first and second audible feedbacks are different.
18. The medical imaging system of claim 17 , wherein said first and second audible feedbacks are different to indicate a functional difference provided by an actuation of said first and second actuators.
19. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a movement of said each said actuator toward an actuating position generates at least two feedbacks, wherein each said feedback is selected from the group consisting of a visual feedback and an audible feedback.
20. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said controller further comprises programmable logic operatively interconnected with each said actuator, wherein said programmable logic comprises first and second actuator profiles, and wherein each of said first and second actuator profiles comprises a function assigned to each said actuator.
21. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said imaging system is adapted for at least one urology application.
22. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , wherein said imaging assembly comprises equipment selected from the group consisting of x-ray, tomography, fluoroscopy, endoscopy, and any combination thereof.
23. The medical 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.
24. The medical imaging system of claim 23 , wherein said first axis is at least generally horizontally disposed.
25. The medical imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising control logic configured to: 1) present a first anatomical image on a first display, wherein said first anatomical image is from a medical procedure currently being executed using said medical system; and 2) simultaneously present a functional identifier on said first display, wherein said functional identifier identifies said corresponding function of a selected said actuator.