Multifunctional visualization instrument with orientation control
A multifunctional laryngoscope is provided that includes a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a display screen on the handle. The laryngoscope includes a laryngoscope camera at the distal end of the handle and an introducer comprising an orientation sensor at a distal end of the introducer. The laryngoscope includes a processor programmed to execute instructions for receiving from a steering input a steering command in a first reference frame, and mapping the steering command to a second reference frame oriented to the distal end of the introducer based on an orientation signal from the orientation sensor.
1. A steerable-introducer controller, comprising:
a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a display screen on the handle;
an introducer port supported by the handle or the display screen and connectable to an introducer;
a user input located on the handle or the display screen; and
a processor within the controller, programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving, from the user input, a steering command to steer the introducer, the steering command being in a user reference frame;
receiving, through the introducer port, an orientation signal from the introducer;
translating the steering command as a function of the orientation signal; and
steering the introducer according to the translated steering command by controlling a steering wire system at least partially within the introducer.
2. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 1 , wherein the orientation signal is from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) located at a distal tip of the introducer.
3. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 1 , wherein the orientation signal defines an angular orientation of a distal tip of the introducer with respect to gravity.
4. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 1 , wherein the user reference frame is different from a reference frame of a distal tip of the introducer.
5. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from a camera of the introducer; and
displaying the image on the display screen in the user reference frame.
6. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 5 , wherein the steerable-introducer controller is a video laryngoscope including a camera, and the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from the camera of the video laryngoscope;
displaying the image from the camera of the video laryngoscope concurrently with the image from the camera of the introducer.
7. A steerable-introducer controller, comprising:
a handle;
a display screen on the handle;
an introducer port;
a user input located on the handle or the display screen; and
a processor within the controller, programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving, from the user input, a steering command to steer an introducer, the steering command being in a user reference frame;
receiving an orientation signal from the introducer;
translating the steering command as a function of the orientation signal; and
steering the introducer according to the translated steering command by controlling a steering wire system at least partially within the introducer.
8. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 7 , wherein the orientation signal is from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) located at a distal tip of the introducer.
9. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 7 , wherein the orientation signal defines an angular orientation of a distal tip of the introducer with respect to gravity.
10. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 7 , wherein the user reference frame is different from a reference frame of a distal tip of the introducer.
11. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from a camera of the introducer; and
displaying the image on the display screen in the user reference frame.
12. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 11 , wherein the steerable-introducer controller is a video laryngoscope including a camera, and the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from the camera of the video laryngoscope; and
displaying the image from the camera of the video laryngoscope concurrently with the image from the camera of the introducer.
13. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 7 , wherein steering the introducer causes a distal tip of the introducer to bend.
14. A steerable-introducer controller, comprising:
a handle;
a display screen;
an introducer port;
a user input; and
a processor within the controller, programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving, from the user input, a steering command to steer an introducer having a steerable distal tip, the steering command being in a user reference frame;
receiving, through the introducer port, an orientation signal from an orientation sensor in the distal tip of the introducer;
translating the steering command as a function of the orientation signal; and
causing the distal tip to turn according to the translated steering command by controlling a steering wire system at least partially within the introducer.
15. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 14 , wherein the orientation signal is from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) located at the distal tip of the introducer.
16. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 14 , wherein the orientation signal is from gyroscope located at the distal tip of the introducer.
17. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 14 , wherein the user reference frame is different from a reference frame of the distal tip of the introducer.
18. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from a camera of the introducer; and
displaying the image on the display screen in the user reference frame.
19. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 18 , wherein the controller is a video laryngoscope.
20. The steerable-introducer controller of claim 19 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute instructions for:
receiving an image from a camera of the video laryngoscope; and
displaying the image from the camera of the video laryngoscope concurrently with the image from the camera of the introducer.