Abstract:
A control system for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing selectively positionable relative to an operating theater with the housing being coupled to an electrosurgical energy source. The system also includes at least one foot-activatable pedal operatively engaged with the housing which has indicia identifying the function of the pedal disposed thereon. Illuminating means are also included with the system which illuminating means are designed to illuminate at least a portion of the pedal which, in turn illuminates the indicia.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/516,865 filed on Aug. 5, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,340, which claims the benefit of and priority to International Application Serial No. PCT/US03/17126, filed on May 29, 2003, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/388,658 filed on Jun. 11, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present disclosure relates to a foot-activated control switch and, more particularly, to an illuminated foot-activated control switch for use during a surgical procedure and, even more particularly, to an illuminated foot-activated control switch for use in a darkened operating room during a surgical procedure. 
   2. Background of Related Art 
   Many surgical devices today are configured to perform a variety of different selectable functions or operations. Such multi-function devices are typically equipped with some kind of control mechanism to allow an operator to select and actuate a particular function of the device from an array of functions which the device is capable of performing. 
   In the past, control mechanisms or control units were typically hand-held and included a plurality of switches which were depressed by the operator in order to actuate and/or perform the various functions available in the multi-function device. However, a hand-held control unit requires that the operator interrupt the on-going medical/surgical procedure in order to actuate the various functions of the multi-functional device as needed. In the least, a hand-held control unit requires that one hand of the operator be free in order to manipulate the control unit and actuate one or more switches. As may be appreciated, it is undesirable and often difficult for the operator to have one hand free to manipulate and control hand-actuated switches. 
   Recently, one solution that has been offered as an alternative to a hand control unit is a foot-operated control system having a variety of engageable devices such as buttons, pedals or joysticks which may be manipulated by the operator&#39;s feet thereby leaving the operator&#39;s hands free to perform other tasks during a surgical procedure. While foot-operated control systems have been suitable for a variety of different apparatii, such control systems have generally been limited to the types of surgical procedures in which the foot operated control system can be utilized. Various considerations must be taken into account when utilizing a foot-operated system including the size of the system, its mobility, the positioning of the actuation devices within the system, and the visibility of the foot-operated control system in a darkened operating room during a surgical procedure. 
   The dexterity of an operator with respect to his/her feet is much more cumbersome compared to hand dexterity, especially when the operator is wearing shoes, as will normally be the case. As such, the actuation devices of the system (i.e., the pedals) are generally appropriately sized and spaced for suitable actuation by a foot without the inadvertent actuation of other functions of the system. 
   Moreover, during many surgical procedures, the operating rooms are typically dark As a result, if the operator should move his/her foot off of the foot-operated control system or if the foot-operated control system should be inadvertently moved, it is important for the operator to quickly locate the control system and properly place his/her foot on the appropriate actuation pedal as needed. Should the operator errantly place his/her foot on the incorrect or undesired actuation pedal, the operator may accidentally actuate the incorrect function on the multi-function device which may prove traumatic. 
   Increasing the overall size of the foot-operated control system has been advanced as a possible suitable solution. However, in a darkened operating room, the operator may still not be able to discern which actuation pedal to actuate even if the operator is looking in the direction of the foot control system. Accordingly, the need exists for a foot-operated control system or switch having illuminated or otherwise discernable foot-activated pedals which are readily recognizable by an operator in a darkened operating room. 
   SUMMARY AND OBJECTS 
   The foot-activated control system of the present disclosure is operably coupled to an electrosurgical instrument in order to selectively actuate one of a number of selectable functions of the electrosurgical instrument. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the control system includes a housing selectively positionable relative to an operating theater with the housing being coupled to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one foot-activatable pedal is operatively engaged with the housing, which includes indicia identifying the function of the pedal. The control system also includes means for illuminating at least a portion of the pedal which, in turn illuminates the indicia. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the disclosure, the control system includes a pair of foot-activatable pedals operatively engaged with the housing; a first of the pair of foot-activatable pedals controlling a first function of the electrosurgical instrument and a second of the pair of foot-activatable pedals controlling a second function of the electrosurgical instrument. Means are included to illuminate each of the pair of foot-activatable pedals. 
   Preferably, the illuminating means associated with a particular pedal blinks upon actuation of the respective foot-activatable pedal. 
   In still another embodiment of the disclosure, the control system includes first means for illuminating the first of the pair of foot-activatable pedals and second means for illuminating the second of the pair of foot-activatable pedals. Preferably, the first illuminating means includes a first color selected from a group consisting of red, yellow, green, blue and white and the second illuminating means includes a second, different, color selected from the group consisting of red, yellow, green, blue and white. It is envisioned that any combination of contrasting, readily discernible colors may be utilized to accomplish this purpose. 
   In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the foot-activatable pedals include an arm portion and the indicia are formed by a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed atop each of the arm portions. In yet another embodiment, each of the foot-activatable pedals includes a foot rest formed at one end thereof and each of the foot rests includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes affixed about an outer periphery thereof. 
   Preferably, the indicia are formed in an upper surface of a respective foot-activatable pedal wherein the illuminating means will cause the indicia to illuminate from within each foot-activatable pedal. Alternatively, the indicia are dimensioned as a groove formed in an upper surface of a respective foot-activatable pedal and the groove includes a transparent or translucent material disposed therein. 
   In another embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first and second foot-activatable pedals includes a foot rest formed at a distal end thereof with a foot pad disposed on an upper surface of the foot rest. The foot rest includes a groove which surrounds the foot pad formed in the upper surface thereof. The groove can be provided with a transparent or a translucent material disposed therein which “glows” upon activation of the illuminating means. 
   These and other objects will be more clearly illustrated below by the description of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an illuminated foot-activatable control switch in accordance with the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the illuminated control switch shown in  FIG. 1  with actuation of the foot pedal shown in phantom; 
       FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of an illuminated control switch in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of an illuminated control switch in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an illuminated control switch in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an illuminated control switch in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 6  a side elevational view of an illuminated control switch of  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an illuminated control switch according to the present disclosure shown connected to an electrosurgical generator. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed illuminated foot-activated control switch will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. The illuminated foot-activated control switch as shown herein is described as actuating an electrosurgical instrument which can perform many different functions, e.g., cutting (i.e., referred to as “CUT” in the figures), coagulating (i.e., referred to as “COAG” in the figures) and sealing (i.e., “SEAL” in the figures). While only certain functions are shown in the figures it is within the scope of the present disclosure that any electrosurgical instrument can be operatively coupled to the illuminated foot-activated control switch and be actuated by a corresponding control switch. 
   Referring now in detail to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an illuminated foot-activated control switch is shown in accordance with the present disclosure and is generally identified as  100 . Foot switch  100  includes a housing  102  and first and second foot activatable pedals  104  and  106 , respectively, which are each pivotably coupled to housing  102  at a proximal end via a pivot pin  108 . Each foot pedal  104  and  106  is electrically coupled to light emitting diode (LED)  110  and  112 , respectively, which is, in turn electrically coupled to a power source  115 . Each foot pedal  104  and  106  includes a foot rest  114  and  116 , respectively, formed at one end thereof and each foot rest  114  and  116  has a corresponding foot pad  117  and  118  disposed on an upper surface thereof. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper surface of first pedal  104  includes the term “CUT” thereon and the upper surface of second pedal  106  includes the term “COAG” thereon. Preferably, each of the terms, i.e., “CUT” and “COAG”, is inscribed atop a facing surface of the respective foot pedal such that, when illuminated, a surgeon can easily and readily discern a particular pedal prior to and/or during activation. 
   LED&#39;s  110  and  112  are mounted to housing  102 , preferably at a point proximal to and above the foot pedals  104  and  106 . In this manner, foot pedals  104  and  106  and their corresponding indicia “CUT” and “COAG” are illuminated by LED&#39;s  110  and  112  respectively. Accordingly, while performing a surgical procedure in a darkened operating room, each foot pedal  104  and  106  and the respective indicia “CUT” and “COAG” displayed thereon is illuminated such that an operator can quickly and readily identify which foot pedal  104  and  106  he/she wishes to actuate in order to perform a desired function of the electrosurgical instrument. 
   It is envisioned that LEDs  110  and  112  are illuminated prior to activation such that each pedal  104  and  106  is readily discernible. However, it is contemplated that LED  112  can also illuminate each pedal upon actuation, intensify each pedal upon actuation, blink repeatedly upon actuation or audibly sound upon actuation. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3A , another embodiment of the foot switch  100  is shown wherein the terms “CUT” and “COAG” are formed from a plurality of LEDs  120 . Each footrest  114  and  116  also includes a plurality of LEDs  122  outlining pads  117  and  118 . As can be appreciated, when the operator looks down at foot switch  100 , the indicia “CUT” and “COAG” as well as the perimeter of each foot pad  117  and  118  will be illuminated by LEDs  120  and  122 , respectively. In this manner, the operator can quickly ascertain precisely which foot pedal  104  and  106  to depress in order to actuate the desired function of the electrosurgical instrument. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3B , an alternative embodiment of illuminated foot switch  100  is shown in which the upper surface of foot rests  114  and  116  are each provided with the term “CUT” and “SEAL”, respectively. The terms “CUT” and “SEAL” are formed from a plurality of LEDs  140  respectively. In this manner, when the operator looks down at the foot pedal, e.g.,  104 , the foot rest identifies the feature available on the electrosurgical instrument. 
     FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the foot switch  100  wherein the terms “CUT” and “COAG” are made up of either a translucent material (i.e., plastic) or a transparent material (i.e., glass or clear plastic) which glows upon illumination. Each foot rest  114  and  116  is provided with a channel  124  encircling pads  117  and  118  also having a translucent or transparent material disposed therein. In this manner, the light source  110 ,  112  illuminates both the indicia and the corresponding foot pedal  104  and  106 . It is also envisioned that a separate light source (not shown) can be disposed within each individual pedal  104  and  106  to cause the indicia “CUT” and “COAG” (as well as channel  124 ) to illuminate from within. Again, the operator can readily discern which pedal to depress in order to actuate the desired function of the electrosurgical instrument. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative embodiment of the foot switch  100  is shown in which each foot pad  117  and  118  includes a plurality of LEDs  126 . Each foot pedal  104  and  106  is illuminated by a corresponding LED  110  and  112 , respectively, mounted to housing  102  and each foot pad  117  and  118  is illuminated by LEDs  126 . If desired, LEDs  110 ,  112  and  126  can be electrically coupled to an electrical switch (not shown) such that when foot pedals  104  and  106  are depressed, LEDs  110 ,  112  and  126  blink (see  FIG. 6 ), indicating to the operator or to the operating room staff that the multi-functional instrument is activated. While the blinking feature of the LEDs has been disclosed with the present embodiment, it is envisioned that any of the above described embodiments can be provided with an electrical switch, connected between the foot pedals and the corresponding LEDs, which will cause the LEDs to blink upon actuation of a respective foot activatable pedal. Alternatively, the LEDs can be coupled to an audible switch which rings or chirps upon activation and/or deactivation of a foot pedal  104 ,  106 . 
   Preferably, the LEDs are all the same color, however, it is contemplated that the LEDs may be different colors in order to aid the operator in distinguishing one foot pedal from the next. For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , LED  110  can be one of either red, yellow, green, blue or white while LED  112  is another of either red, yellow, green, blue or white. Preferably, when using multiple colors, the colors contrast one another for facile recognition among pedals. In this manner, each foot pedal  104  and  106  is illuminated in a different color thereby further differentiating foot pedal  104  from foot pedal  106 . Likewise, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , LEDs  120  and  122  of each foot pedal  104  and  106  can include differently colored LEDs. It is also envisioned that the terms “CUT” and “COAG” as well as their respective channels  124  can be back lit by a differently colored LED. Likewise, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , LEDs  126  which form foot pads  117  and  118 , can include differently colored LEDs respectively. 
   While each of the above described embodiments relates to a foot-activated control switch having two foot-activatable pedals, any number of foot-activatable pedals can be provided wherein each foot-activatable pedal actuates a different function of the electrosurgical instrument. 
   It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments of the presently disclosed foot switch disclosed herein. For example, all of the LEDs may be constantly illuminated, i.e., while a foot pedal is being actuated or while the foot pedal is idle. Alternatively, LDs can commence blinking upon activation or non-activated LEDs can go out upon the actuation of a corresponding, i.e., “selected,” foot pedal. 
     FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the presently disclosed illuminated foot switch  200  which includes housing  202  and a first, second and third foot pedal  204 ,  206  and  208 , respectively. Each pedal  204 ,  206  and  208  is pivotably coupled to housing  202  about a proximal end and is provided with indicia “CUT”, “SEAL” and “COAG” inscribed thereon, respectively. Foot switch  200  is provided with LEDs  212 ,  214  and  216  which are designed to illuminate a corresponding pedal  204 ,  206  and  208 , respectively. 
   Each pedal  204 ,  206  and  208  together with its corresponding LEDs  214 ,  216  and  218  is coupled to an electrosurgical generator  210  which includes a “selector”  212  for selectively setting generator  210  to either “CUT”, “SEAL” or “COAG.” When the selector  212  is set to one of the modes, e.g., “SEAL”, a corresponding LED  216  turns on, thus illuminating the corresponding pedal  206 . As can be appreciated, this allows the surgeon to readily depress the corresponding pedal to activate the sealing function of an electrosurgical instrument. 
   Alternatively, the foot switch  200  may include a screen-like display (not shown) atop the foot pedals  204 ,  206  and  208  which illuminates and forms the particular functions selected by the surgeon, for example, the electrosurgical generator  210  may include three or four selectable functions and the foot switch may have two pedals. When the surgeon selects two functions on the generator  210 , the foot switch displays/illuminates these functions. As can be appreciated, this allows the same foot switch  200  to be used with any combination of functions. 
   Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.