SURGICAL GLOVES OR FINGERTIP COVERS WITH SENSORS FOR INSTRUMENT CONTROL
Systems and methods are provided for fingertip control of an ophthalmic surgical instrument during ophthalmic surgery. A hand control unit worn by the ophthalmic surgeon comprises at least one fingertip cover, with at least one sensor in the fingertip cover. The sensor may detect the surgeon's selection of the ophthalmic surgical instrument, the amount of finger pressure applied by the surgeon, and other parameters, allowing the surgeon to use fingertip action to control a function of the ophthalmic surgical instrument.
1 . A system for control of an ophthalmic surgical instrument during ophthalmic surgery, comprising:
an electronic console comprising a connection port;
an ophthalmic surgical instrument connected to the connection port of the electronic console;
a hand control unit comprising at least one fingertip cover, at least one sensor in the fingertip cover, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the sensor of the hand control unit; and
an input receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the hand control unit;
wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls a function of the ophthalmic surgical instrument.
2 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hand control unit comprises a surgical glove.
3 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises an ultrasonic probe, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls an amount of ultrasound energy delivered from the ultrasonic probe.
4 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises a vitrectomy probe, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls a cut rate of the vitrectomy probe.
5 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises an aspiration cannula, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls an amount of suction applied through the aspiration cannula.
6 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises an infusion cannula, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls an amount of fluid delivered through the infusion cannula.
7 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises an intraocular lens injector, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit causes an intraocular lens to be delivered from the intraocular lens injector.
8 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises a diathermy instrument, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls an amount of energy delivered from the diathermy instrument.
9 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises an ophthalmic laser.
10 . A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls an amount laser treatment power.
11 . A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the signal from the hand control unit causes the laser to emit a continuous beam.
12 . A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the signal from the hand control unit causes the laser to emit a single burst.
13 . A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the signal from the hand control unit causes the laser to emit a series of pulses.
14 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises scissors, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls one or more of a cutting rate and a cutting pressure of the scissors.
15 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic surgical instrument comprises forceps, and wherein the signal from the hand control unit controls one or more of a closing rate and a holding pressure of the forceps.
16 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor of the hand control unit comprises a pressure sensor.
17 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor of the hand control unit comprises a motion sensor.
18 . A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a display and a headset, wherein the system is configured so that a user wearing the headset can select a target location on the display at least in part by gazing at the target location on the display.
19 . A hand control unit for use in a system for control of an ophthalmic surgical instrument during ophthalmic surgery, the hand control unit comprising:
at least one fingertip cover;
at least one sensor in the fingertip cover; and
a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the sensor of the hand control unit to control a function of the ophthalmic surgical instrument.
20 . A method for controlling an ophthalmic surgical instrument during ophthalmic surgery, comprising:
transmitting a signal from a hand control unit;
receiving the signal at an input receiver;
based on the signal from the hand control unit, controlling a function of an ophthalmic surgical instrument.