Patent ID: 6179829
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A61B,A61C,A61F,G05G

Abstract:
A foot control for use in a microsurgical system having a central processor for defining operating modes and mode sequences for the system, and an electronic display device for display of functions associated with the system, a foot control comprising:a console;a foot pedal presented by the console for use by the user of the system during surgery;means disposing the foot pedal for movement in pitch by the user over a predetermined maximum extent of pitch movement, to selectively control one or more linear functions carried out by the system according to its operating modes and mode sequences;a control circuit within the console and connected with the microsurgical system in a computer network for data communication with the microsurgical system;the control circuit electronically supervising foot pedal movements in pitch and for reporting such movements and actuation to the microsurgical system for control accordingly of the microsurgical system in its operating modes;the control circuit communicating with the system for programming the features and functions of the foot pedal and for permitting user control by changing the pitch of the foot pedal; andthe control circuit functioning with the system for defining within the total extent of pitch movement of the foot pedal a plurality of activation regions, and enabling each of the activation regions to be selectively varied in respective arcuate extent over the total extent of pitch movement.