Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An apparatus for control of a procedure, comprising:a communications interface;a control console separated from both an imaging device and a support for a patient on which the procedure is being performed, wherein the control console includes a first display monitor and is adapted to provide control commands via the communications interface to at least one medical instrument, the at least one medical instrument being a guide wire or a catheter used to perform the procedure;at least one wheel coupled to the control console, wherein the at least one wheel is configured to contact a floor;at least one radiation shield including a window portion attached to the control console, the window portion having left and right lateral edges, wherein the radiation shield including the window portion is positioned between the control console including the first display monitor and both the at least one imaging device and the entire patient, the window portion having a width greater than the width of the control console and first display monitor; anda second display connected to the control console and having a lateral edge located beyond one of the left and right lateral edges of the window portion, such that one of the left and right lateral edges of the window portion is between the lateral edge of the second display and the first display;wherein the control console and the at least one radiation shield are fully supported by the at least one wheel;wherein the at least one wheel allows the control console and at least one radiation shield to be freely translated together relative to the floor independent of the imaging device and the medical instrument to a plurality of operative positions distal from the imaging device and the patient, wherein the window portion of the radiation shield extends above the first display monitor;wherein the control console comprises a joystick, wherein the joystick, when operated by the user, is configured to cause movement of the at least one medical instrument. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for remote control of the at least one medical instrument. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the window portion of the radiation shield is adapted to allow a view of the patient when operating the control console. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control console is removably attached to the apparatus. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is an x-ray, a camera, ultrasound, CT or MRI imaging device. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one medical instrument is an ablation catheter, an EM mapping catheter, a pacing catheter, or a balloon catheter. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communications interface is adapted to provide communication between the control console and an information network. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communications interface is adapted to provide wireless communication from the control console to at least one of the at least one medical instrument used to perform the procedure and an information network. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control console comprises at least one output device and further wherein the at least one output device is a force feedback device. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply. 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency stop button. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lateral edges of the at least one radiation shield extend past the lateral edges of the control console. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a central frame member, a front cover plate coupled to a front side of the central frame member, and a back cover plate coupled to a back side of the central frame member, wherein the front cover plate and the back cover plate are constructed of a radiation non-transmissive material, and further wherein the control console is coupled to and supported by the central frame member. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the window portion of the radiation shield is coupled to an upper end of the central frame member, the window portion of the radiation shield adapted to allow a view of the patient when operating the control console. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a base coupled to a lower end of the central frame member, wherein the at least one wheel is coupled to the base. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control console includes a chassis constructed of a radiation non-transmissive material to shield electrical components of the control console. 17. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein a portion of the window portion of the radiation shield is positioned lower than a portion of the first display monitor. 18. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein the window portion of the radiation shield is positioned relative to the first display monitor such that, when the control console and radiation shield are in one of the operative positions, there is a line of sight that extends above the first display monitor through the window portion of the radiation shield to the patient. 19. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein the window portion of the radiation shield is positioned relative to the first display monitor such that, when the control console and radiation shield are in one of the operative positions, there is a vertical plane that is perpendicular to a surface of the window portion of the radiation shield that also intersects both the patient and a screen of the first display monitor. 20. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the radiation shield that may be grasped by a user to move the control console and the radiation shield between operative positions, wherein the radiation shield is non-convex relative to a user located at the control console. 21. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 19, wherein the handle extends beyond a lateral edge of the shield. 22. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein the medical instrument is a catheter, and wherein the communications interface is adapted to provide a control signal to control a bedside system to extend and retract a catheter within a patient. 23. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein the discrete movement comprises a discrete axial step and a discrete rotational increment. 24. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 23, wherein the control console is configured such that rotational movement of the joystick about a vertical axis of the joystick causes rotational movement of the at least one medical instrument. 25. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 1, wherein the radiation shield comprises a front wall and the window portion is coupled to and extends above the front wall, wherein the front wall is coplanar with a section of the window portion, and further wherein left and right lateral edges of the window portion extend laterally beyond left and right lateral edges of the front wall. 26. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 25, further comprising a handle coupled to the radiation shield that may be grasped by a user to move the control console and the radiation shield together between operative positions, wherein the handle extends beyond the lateral edges of both the front wall and the window portion of the radiation shield. 27. The apparatus for control of a procedure of claim 25, wherein the at least one wheel comprises:a first wheel;a second wheel;a third wheel;and a fourth wheel;wherein the front wall includes a central point located equidistance from the left and right lateral edges of the front wall;wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are located in front of the front wall and the third wheel and the fourth wheel are located behind the front wall;wherein the first wheel and the third wheel are located on the left side of the central point and the second wheel and fourth wheel are located on the right side of the central point; andwherein the lateral distances from the central point to the first wheel and to the second wheel are less than the lateral distances from the central point to the third wheel and the fourth wheel, respectively. 28. A medical device control system for remote control of a medical instrument, comprising:at least one medical instrument, the at least one medical instrument being a guide wire or a catheter;a control console assembly comprising:a communications interface providing control commands for the remote control of the medical instrument;a first display monitor;a second display monitor;a mobility element to allow the control console to be moved independently of the at least one medical instrument; anda radiation shield comprising a front wall and a window portion being positioned between the first display monitor and the at least one medical instrument, the window portion of the radiation shield being transparent and formed of a material substantially preventing radiation from being passed therethrough;wherein the front wall is coplanar with a section of the window portion, and further wherein left and right lateral edges of the window portion extend laterally beyond left and right lateral edges of the front wall, control console and first display monitor;wherein the second display monitor is connected to the control console and including a portion that extends beyond one of the left and right lateral edges of the window portion;wherein the mobility element allows both the control console and the shield to be freely positionable between a plurality of operative positions within an operating room distal from a patient on which a procedure is being performed. 29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the mobility element comprises a first wheel and a second wheel, wherein the first and second wheel are located on opposite sides of a plane defined by the radiation shield, and further wherein the first and second wheels are spaced apart from the plane defined by the radiation shield. 30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one medical instrument is part of a bed side unit. 31. The system according to claim 28, further including panels operatively secured to the control console assembly to prevent radiation from passing therethrough, wherein the window portion has a bottom edge extending below an upper edge of the panels operatively secured to the control console assembly. 32. The system according to claim 28, wherein the first display monitor is adapted to display output from at least one imaging device employing radiation. 33. A method for the remote control of at least one medical instrument by a user for use in a medical procedure on a patient comprising:providing at least one remote controlled medical instrument proximate to the patient, the at least one remote controlled medical instrument being a guide wire or a catheter;providing a control console supported by a console assembly, the control console having a communication interface for sending signals to the remote controlled medical instrument, the control console assembly including a first display and a transparent shield being formed of a material preventing radiation from passing therethrough the transparent shield being supported by the console assembly, the transparent shield having a width greater than the width of the control console;providing a second display connected to the control console that is located beyond a lateral edge of the transparent shield;moving the control console assembly from a first position to a second position distal from the patient to allow an operator to view a patient through the shield, wherein the shield is positioned between the operator and the patient, wherein the control console assembly is freely positionable between a plurality of operative positions independent of an imaging system within an operating room;controlling the at least one medical instrument from behind the shield using the control console assembly in order to perform the medical procedure while the user's arms are completely behind the transparent shield;moving the control console assembly from the operating room to a second operating room; andcontrolling a second medical instrument from behind the shield in order to perform a second medical procedure on a second patient in the second operating room. 34. The method according to claim 33, the second operating room includes a second imaging system. 35. The method according to claim 33, further comprising providing a medical image to the control console formed with a radiation source.