Control unit for a medical device
A control unit for a medical instrument is provided. The control unit includes a housing having a curved top surface capable of accommodating a hand of the user, the housing being attachable to the medical instrument. The control unit further includes a first interface engageable by a purlicue of the hand for controlling a first function of the medical instrument and a second interface engageable by one or more fingers of the hand for operating at least a second function of the medical instrument.
1. A control unit for a medical instrument, the control unit comprising:
(a) a housing having a curved top surface forming a palm rest engageable by a palm of a hand, said palm rest being immovable with respect to said housing and said housing being attachable to the medical instrument;
(b) a first interface rotatably attached to an end of said housing, said first interface being engageable by a purlicue of said hand and being for controlling a first function of the medical instrument;
(c) a restraint element attached to said first interface and being capable of rotating therewith, said restraint element being for applying force to a back of said hand when positioned over said curved top surface; and
(d) a second interface being attached to said first interface and being engageable by one or more fingers of said hand, said second interface being for operating at least a second function of the medical instrument.
2. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a drive unit.
3. The control unit of claim 2 , wherein said drive unit is detachable from said housing.
4. The control unit of claim 3 , wherein said drive unit includes at least one motor and a power source for enabling said first interface and said second interface to separately operate the medical instrument.
5. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein said second interface includes levers simultaneously operable via thumb and index finger of said hand.
6. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein said second interface can be tilted with respect to said first interface.
7. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the medical instrument is an articulating laparoscope having a grasper and further wherein said first interface controls articulation of said laparoscope.
8. The control unit of claim 7 , wherein said second interface controls said grasper.
9. The control unit of claim 7 , wherein said second interface controls opening and closing and rotation of said grasper.
10. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a user-engageable switch for activating/deactivating said first interface and/or said second interface.
11. A medical device comprising:
(a) a control unit including:
(i) a housing having a curved top surface forming a palm rest engageable by a palm of a hand, said palm rest being immovable with respect to said housing;
(ii) a first interface rotatably attached to an end of said housing, said first interface being engageable by a purlicue of said hand;
(iii) a restraint element attached to said first interface and being capable of rotating therewith, said restraint element being for applying force to a back of said hand when positioned over said curved top surface;
(iv) a second interface being attached to said first interface and being engageable by one or more fingers of said hand; and
(b) a medical instrument attached to said housing and being operable via said first interface and said second interface.
12. The medical device of claim 11 , further comprising a drive unit.
13. The medical device of claim 12 , wherein said drive unit is detachable from said housing.
14. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein said drive unit includes at least one motor and a power source.
15. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein said at least one motor engages a drive interface for said medical instrument when said drive unit is attached to said housing.
16. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein said drive unit electrically communicates with said first interface and said second interface when said drive unit is attached to said housing.
17. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein said second interface includes levers simultaneously operable via thumb and index finger of said hand.
18. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein said medical instrument is an articulating laparoscope having a grasper and further wherein said first interface controls articulation of said laparoscope.
19. The medical device of claim 18 , wherein said second interface controls said grasper.
20. The medical device of claim 18 , wherein said second interface controls opening and closing and rotation of said grasper.
21. The medical device of claim 11 , further comprising a user-engageable switch for activating/deactivating said first interface and/or said second interface.