Patent ID: 7422582
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical handpiece control console, said control console including: a plurality of connectors, each said connector configured to releaseably receive a separate surgical handpiece having an electrical power consuming unit so that plural surgical handpieces can be simultaneously connected to said control console; a plurality of drivers, each said driver configured to, in response to an instruction signal specifically generated for that said driver, supply an energization signal to one of the surgical handpiece power consuming units through said connector that receives the handpiece, wherein said drivers are collectively configured to simultaneously supply energization signals to separate ones of the plural surgical handpiece power consuming units and the plurality of said drivers is less than the plurality of said connectors; a switch assembly connected between said drivers and said connectors so that the energization signal output by any one of said drivers can be output through any one of said connectors to the handpiece connected to said connector; and a control processor connected to said drivers and said switch assembly that: receives command signals including command signals generated by plural input devices that are external from said control console; evaluate the received command signals; if the evaluation indicates that the received command signal is a command signal to actuate a first one of the surgical handpieces, generates an instruction signal to one of said drivers that causes the said driver to supply a specific energization signal for the first surgical handpiece power consuming unit based on the command signal and sets said switch assembly so that the energization signal output by the said driver is output through said connector to which the first handpiece is connected; and, if the evaluation indicates that the received command signal is a command signal to actuate a second one of the surgical handpieces, generates an instruction signal to another one of said drivers that causes the other said driver to supply a specific energization signal for the second surgical handpiece power consuming unit based on the command signal and sets said switch assembly so that the energization signal output by the other said driver is output through said connector to which the second handpiece is connected wherein the energization signals from both said drivers are simultaneously output through said switch assembly.