Method and device for remote control of an apparatus
View Patent ↗A remotely activatable valve unit having: an inlet port; an exit port; an electronically activatable valve configured and arranged between the inlet port and the exit port; a receiver having an output; and a controller configured to operate the valve as a function of the receiver output. The exit port may be configured to attach to a vacuum means or to a wall vacuum.
1. A remote control system comprising:
an electrosurgical device;
a medical vacuum source configured and arranged to provide suction for removing surgical smoke generated by the electrosurgical device;
a valve operatively associated with the medical vacuum source;
a receiver having an output corresponding to the activation of the electrosurgical device;
an output control line for controlling the valve;
a controller, configured to store a threshold parameter into a threshold parameter storage, said threshold parameter being a function of said receiver output; and
wherein said controller is configured to produce a signal on said output control line as a function of said receiver output and said threshold parameter storage.
2. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiver is a RF receiver.
3. A remote system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said RF receiver is a Bluetooth transceiver.
4. A remote control system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said RF receiver is an IEEE 802.11b transceiver.
5. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiver is an acoustic receiver.
6. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said RF receiver may comprise an antenna.
7. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said antenna is an integrated antenna.
8. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a delay parameter.
9. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to produce a signal on said output control line as a function of said delay parameter.
10. A remote control system as set forth in claim 9 , and wherein said controller is configured and arranged such that when a threshold setting button is depressed, said controller sets said delay parameter as a function of a duration of time that said threshold setting button is depressed.
11. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a logic level parameter used to designate whether a high voltage on said output control line designates an on or an off command to said device.
12. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is configured and arranged to debounce said RF receiver output.
13. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a transistor for amplifying said RF receiver output.
14. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a channel for retaining a current carrying wire.
15. A remote control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said channel is configured to hold a plurality of wires.
16. A remote control system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the valve is a wall mounted valve disposed in fluid communication with the vacuum source.