Abstract:
A voice-activated hands-free camera holder system is removably-installable to a patient operating station for adjustably-positioning a micro-camera via a plurality of verbal commands to assist a medical provider, such as a surgeon, during a surgical procedure. The voice-activated hands-free camera holder system includes a voice-activation assembly and a manual controller unit enabling the user to manipulate the micro-camera such that both hands of the user remain free for use during the procedure while providing the user with an ideal vantage angle for observation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/834,714, filed Jun. 13, 2013 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of video camera retaining devices and more specifically relates to a voice-activated hands-free video camera holding system for use during a surgical procedure. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Surgeries performed modernly may be very complex. During laparoscopic surgery, a surgeon may be partially distracted by having to hold a camera to collect images of the operation. Yet, having a second person present solely to collect footage may be a waste of that person&#39;s time and resources. 
     Many cameras and camera retaining devices exist today which may allow a user to manually manipulate the camera holding device to achieve a preferred vantage point. However, the user must continuously manipulate the device using his or her hands in order to change vantage points. A more suitable solution that enables the user to manipulate the vantage angle in a hands-free manner is needed. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,542 to William H. L. Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,239 to David F. McCall, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,003 to Philip C. Evans. This art is representative of voice activated video camera systems for use during medical procedures. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system should provide a hands-free solution to allow a surgeon to perform a procedure and adjust a zoom function and a camera angle of a camera while freely using both hands during the procedure, and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable voice-activated hands-free camera holder system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known video camera device retaining art, the present invention provides a novel voice-activated hands-free camera holder system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a camera retaining apparatus that is removably-installable to a patient operating station for adjustably-positioning a micro-camera via a plurality of verbal commands to assist a medical provider, such as a surgeon, during a surgical procedure. 
     A voice-activated hands-free camera holder system (also known as “Clara Cam”) may enable a doctor or surgeon to take hands-free camera footage during laparoscopic surgery. It improves a surgeon&#39;s ability to focus entirely on the task at hand. Further, it eliminates the need to have a second person present simply to operate a camera. It offers both voice activation and manual control options. The device may adjust and extends to various lengths and angles for inclusive, efficient use. The present invention may comprise a clamp for securing the device to an operating table. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein comprising a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system which may comprise a supporting bar preferably manufactured of sterilized stainless steel to withstand a sterilization process, a voice-activation assembly comprising a voice-activation housing, a voice-activation processor, a microphone, a power source, an adjustable arm manufactured of sterilized stainless steel to withstand the sterilization process, a manual controller unit, and an extendable wand manufactured of sterilized stainless steel to withstand the sterilization process. 
     The extendable wand may comprise a camera-housing for retaining a micro-camera, a plurality of telescopic-coils which enable the extendable wand to extend and retract. It should be noted that the supporting bar, the voice-activation assembly, the adjustable arm, the manual controller unit, and the extendable wand comprises in functional combination the voice-activated hands-free camera holder system. 
     The supporting bar may generally comprise a rectangular member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the rectangular member may comprise a clamp. Preferably, the clamp may comprise a C-clamp (although any suitable clamp known in the art may be employed). The clamp is useful for non-movably attaching the supporting bar to a rail of a patient operating station. The clamp may further enable the supporting bar to adjust vertically approximately 6-8″ for allowing the user to adjust the supporting bar to a user-preferred height. The proximal end of the rectangular member may comprise a voice-activation assembly connecting point for connecting the voice-activation housing of the voice-activation assembly to the supporting bar. 
     The voice-activation housing, the voice-activation processor, the microphone, and the power source comprise in functional combination the voice-activation assembly. The voice-activation housing may generally comprise a box-like enclosure having a first-side, a second-side, a top-side, and a bottom-side. The voice-activation processor, the microphone, and the power source may be fixedly mounted within the voice-activation housing. The voice-activation processor, the microphone, and the power source may be in electrical communication. The voice-activation processor may operate the voice-activation assembly when activated and verbally manipulated by a user. The voice-activation assembly may be powered by the power source. In the preferred embodiment, the power source comprises a power cable connectable to at least one external power supplier. In other embodiments, the power source may alternatively comprise at least one battery that is either rechargeable or non-rechargeable. 
     The voice-activation assembly connecting point may be rotatably-connected to the first-side of the voice-activation housing via a ball-and-socket joint. The top-side of the voice-activation housing may comprise the microphone which may include an acoustic-to-electric transducer useful for causing the voice-activation assembly to be verbally manipulated by the user. The adjustable arm may comprise an elongated flexible member having a first-end and a second-end. The second-side of the voice-activation housing may comprise an adjustable arm opening for fixedly retaining the first-end of the adjustable arm. An arm-receiving-side of the manual controller unit may be fixedly attached to the second-end of the adjustable arm. The manual controller unit may comprise a plurality of camera-operating-buttons for manually controlling the micro-camera located at a tip of the extendable wand. A camera-side of the manual controller unit may be fixedly mounted to a proximal-receiving end of the extendable wand. 
     The camera-housing may be located on a distal-recording end of the extendable wand. The camera-housing may comprise a camera-panner enabling the micro-camera to pan left, pan right, pan up, or pan down. Further, an extension of the extendable wand may comprise a zoom in function, and a retraction of the extendable wand may comprise a zoom out function. The user may be able to execute a camera-movement verbal command by vocalizing the camera-movement verbal command aloud into the microphone. The camera-movement verbal command may comprise the zoom in function and alternatively the zoom out function by causing the extendable wand to extend and alternatively retract in the hands-free manner accordingly. Further, the user is able to speak aloud the camera-movement verbal command for panning the micro-camera left, right, up, and down via the camera panner. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the micro-camera is in communication with a monitor, and the micro-camera may be fittable into a 5 mm trocar device. The 5 mm trocar device may then be insertable into an abdomen of the patient during the surgical procedure for providing the user with an optimal vantage angle of the patient&#39;s abdomen during surgery. 
     The voice-activated hands-free camera holder system may be useful for enabling a user performing a surgical procedure on a patient to manipulate the micro-camera in a hands-free manner by speaking aloud a camera-movement verbal command into the microphone of the voice-activation assembly and alternatively enabling the user to manipulate the micro-camera manually via the plurality of camera-operating-buttons of the manual controller unit and having an image displayed on the monitor for enabling use of both hands of the user during the surgical procedure. 
     The voice-activated hands-free camera holder system may comprise a kit which may include the supporting bar, the voice-activation assembly, the adjustable arm, the manual controller unit, the extendable wand comprising the camera-housing for retaining the micro-camera, and a set of user instructions. 
     A method of using a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system may comprise the steps of installing the supporting bar to a patient operating system, activating the voice-activation assembly, positioning the adjustable arm, recording the surgical procedure, and viewing a user-preferred viewing angle of the surgical procedure on the monitor for display in real time. The method may further comprise an optional step of adjusting manually the extendable wand comprising the micro-camera via the manual controller unit. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing a user-surgeon speaking a vocal command to adjust a micro-camera during a surgical procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a perspective view of the voice-activated hands-free camera holder system comprising a supporting bar, a voice-activation assembly, an adjustable arm, a manual controller unit, and an extendable wand comprising a camera-housing for retaining a micro-camera according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a perspective view of the extendable wand comprising a plurality of telescopic-coils according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an exploded view of the voice-activated hands-free camera holder system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the voice-activated hands-free camera holder system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a hands-free camera holder and more particularly to a voice-activated hands-free camera holder system as used to improve a surgeon&#39;s ability to perform a surgical procedure by issuing vocal commands to manipulate a micro-camera that is synced to deliver a live feed from near the surgical area while having both hands available during the procedure. 
     Generally speaking, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  (AKA “Clara Cam”) may comprise a voice-activated, hands-free camera holder for use during a surgical procedure. The invention may essentially comprise a metal pole supporting a telescoping arm that comprises a voice-activated, robotic box, two attachment points, and a series of coils that may extend to change the zoom and pan of the footage. The system may be constructed from stainless steel or another metal that may withstand the sterilization process. There may be a clamp that adheres to an operating table or other designated area. The clamp may be tightened into place by means of the supporting pole, which may extend from the clamp and reach an appropriate height to stand above a patient on the operating table. The top of the post may comprise a hole where the voice box and the arm of the device may be attached. This attachment point may comprise a ball and socket design to allow for easy adjustment of the angle. 
     The first portion of the arm may comprise the voice box, which may further comprise a microphone area on the top. The user, such as a surgeon, may speak into this area to control the movement of the camera head. The voice box may have a cord that plugs into a power outlet. There may be a flexible coil attached to the voice box. This coil may hold up the camera in a designated position. The flexible coil may also be attached to a camera control panel. 
     The control panel may comprise buttons on the surface to enable manual control of the device in situations where the surgeon may prefer not to use voice activation. The control buttons may comprise options to zoom in and out, as well as buttons for upward and downward movement. There may be a narrow, telescoping arm that extends from the control panel and features a small, high quality camera at an opposite end. The camera may resemble a snake head in its design. In one embodiment, the camera may fit into a 5 mm trocar device, which may then be inserted into a patient&#39;s abdomen. The design may allow for attachment to the operation bed at various angles. 
     The system may be connected to a viewing screen where the footage from the camera may be displayed. Further, the height of the device may be adjustable from about 16″ to 32″, and the length may adjust from about 4″ to 24″. The diameter of the design may be about 1.25″ in preferred embodiments. 
     Referring to the drawings by numeral of reference,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  during ‘in-use’ condition  150  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, user  140  (such as a surgeon) may speak camera-movement verbal command(s)  185  to adjust micro-camera  135  while performing a surgical procedure. In such a manner, user  140  may manipulate micro-camera  135  in a hands-free manner allowing both hands of user  140  to be available during a surgical procedure. As shown, micro-camera  135  may transmit an image in real-time to monitor  160  which may comprise a display monitor for displaying the image as captured by micro-camera  135 . For example, user  140  may adjust and view the image on monitor  160  using camera-movement verbal command(s)  185  while performing a surgical procedure, such as a laporoscopic surgical procedure, to perform the procedure having an optimal vantage point. 
     In still referring to  FIG. 1 , voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may comprise supporting bar  105 , voice-activation assembly  110  and extendable wand  130 . As shown, supporting bar  105  may comprise clamp  210  useful for attaching voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  to a patient operating station, such as a hospital station or bed. Supporting bar  105  may be manufactured of sterilized stainless steel to withstand sterilization process. 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , voice-activation assembly  110  is shown comprising voice-activation housing  112 , voice-activation processor  114 , microphone  116 , power source  118 , adjustable arm  120 , and manual controller unit  125 . Voice-activation housing  112 , voice-activation processor  114 , microphone  116 , and power source  118  comprise in functional combination voice-activation assembly  110 . As may be seen, voice-activation housing  112  may comprise a box-like enclosure having a first-side, second-side, top-side, and bottom-side. Voice-activation processor  114 , microphone  116 , and power source  118  may be fixedly mounted within voice-activation housing  112 . Voice-activation processor  114 , microphone  116 , and power source  118  may be in electrical communication. It should be noted that voice-activation processor  114  operates voice-activation assembly  110  when activated and verbally (or manually) manipulated by user  140 . Extendable wand  130  may comprise camera-housing  132  for retaining micro-camera  135 . Voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may comprise in functional combination supporting bar  105 , voice-activation assembly  110  and extendable wand  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  showing a perspective view of voice-activated hands-free camera holder system  100  comprising supporting bar  105 , voice-activation assembly  110 , adjustable arm  120 , manual controller unit  125 , and extendable wand  130  comprising camera-housing  132  for retaining micro-camera  135  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, a top-side of voice-activation housing  112  may comprise microphone  116  comprising acoustic-to-electric transducer  280  useful to cause voice-activation assembly  110  to be verbally manipulated by user  140 . Adjustable arm  120  comprises elongated flexible member  260  having a first-end and a second-end. A second-side of voice-activation housing  112  may comprise an opening for fixedly retaining the first-end of adjustable arm  120 . An arm-receiving-side of manual controller unit  125  may be fixedly attached to the second-end of adjustable arm  120 . 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 2 , voice-activation assembly  110  may be powered by power source  118  comprising a power cable connectable to an external power supplier. In an alternative embodiment, power source  118  may comprise at least one battery. Voice-activation assembly connecting point  220  may be rotatably-connected to first-side of voice-activation housing  112  via ball-and-socket joint  410 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  showing a perspective view of extendable wand  130  comprising plurality of telescopic-coils  310  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Plurality of telescopic-coils  310  may be structured and arranged in a stack relationship such that they may enable extendable wand  130  comprising camera-housing  132  and retaining micro-camera  135  to extend and retract as needed. 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 3 , manual controller unit  125  may comprise plurality of camera-operating-buttons  290  for manually controlling micro-camera  135  on extendable wand  130 . During ‘in-use’ condition  150  a camera-side of manual controller unit  125  may be fixedly mounted to proximal-receiving end  302  of extendable wand  130 . As may be seen, camera-housing  132  may be located on distal-recording end  304  of extendable wand  130 , and micro-camera  135  may be in remote communication with monitor  160  for display in real time. 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 3 , voice-activated hands-free camera holder system  100  may comprise camera-panner  320 . It may be appreciated that camera-panner  320  may enable micro-camera  135  to pan left, pan right, pan up, or pan down verbally via camera-movement verbal command  185  or manually via manual controller unit  125 . Further, camera-movement verbal command  185  may comprise a zoom in function and alternatively a zoom out function useful for causing extendable wand  130  to extend outward and alternatively to retract inward while both hands of user  140  remain free. 
     As may be appreciated, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may be useful for enabling user  140  performing a surgical procedure on a patient to manipulate micro-camera  135  in a hands-free manner by speaking aloud camera-movement verbal command  185  into microphone  116  of voice-activation assembly  110  and alternatively enabling user  140  to manipulate micro-camera  135  manually via plurality of camera-operating-buttons  290  of manual controller unit  125  and having the image displayed on monitor  160  for enabling use of both hands of user  140  during a surgical procedure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  showing exploded view  400  of voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . As shown, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may comprise supporting bar  105  having clamp  210  for securing supporting bar  105  to the operating station. Supporting bar  105  may comprise rectangular member  200  having proximal end  202  and distal end  204 . As shown, distal end  204  of rectangular member  200  may comprise clamp  210  and proximal end  202  of rectangular member  200  may comprise voice-activation assembly connecting point  220  for connecting voice-activation housing  112  of voice-activation assembly  110  to supporting bar  105 . Supporting bar  105  may be adjustably-connected to voice-activation housing  112  of voice-activation assembly  110 , which may be connected to adjustable arm  120  via ball-and-socket joint  410 . Further, adjustable arm  120  may be attached to extendable wand  130  comprising camera-housing  132  and retaining micro-camera  135 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, clamp  210  may comprise a C-clamp. The C-clamp may be useful for non-movably attaching supporting bar  105  to rail of the patient operating station and enabling supporting bar  105  to adjust vertically approximately 6-8″ allowing user  140  to adjust supporting bar  105  to a user-preferred height. Plurality of telescopic-coils  310  may enable extendable wand  130  to extend and retract. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may work in combination with micro-camera  135  that is fittable into a 5 mm trocar device, such that the trocar device may be insertable into an abdomen of patient during a surgical procedure. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, power source  118  of voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may comprise a battery that is rechargeable. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  assembly may comprise a wireless receiver (for example, BLUETOOTH®) such that the wireless receiver may enable micro-camera  135  to be controlled by a mobile communication device having a wireless internet connection. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may comprise a kit. The kit may comprise supporting bar  105 , voice-activation assembly  110 , adjustable arm  120 , manual controller unit  125 , extendable wand  130  comprising camera-housing  132  for retaining micro-camera  135 , and a set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for voice-activated hands-free camera holder systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , installing supporting bar  105  to a patient operating station; step two  502 , activating voice-activation assembly  110 ; step three  503 , positioning adjustable arm  120 ; step four  504 , recording a surgical procedure; and step five  505 , viewing a user-preferred viewing angle of the surgical procedure on monitor  160  for display in real time of the user-preferred viewing angle. 
     Method of use  500  may further comprise the step of step six  506  adjusting manually extendable wand  130  comprising micro-camera  135  via manual controller unit  125 . It should be noted that step six  506  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.