Abstract:
A universal surgical power tool pedal apparatus comprising a first pedal platform having at least one pedal configured to be movable between a depressed position and a released position. At least one outlet, configured to releasably receive a power plug of a surgical power tool, is in communication with the first pedal platform. The pedal apparatus receives power from a power supply and conducts the power to the plug that is in communication with the outlet when the operational pedal is disposed in the depressed position, thereby powering the surgical power tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Universal Surgical Power Tool Foot Pedal Apparatus,” having Serial No. 60/293,674, filed May 25, 2001, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to tools and apparatuses implemented in medical procedures, such as surgery, and, more particularly, is related to a universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Many surgical procedures require the use of multiple surgical tools. Some of the tools are somewhat simple, such as non-powered blades, scalpels and scrapers, while other tools, such as burrs and saws, are powered by various power sources, such as, for example, electrically or pneumatically. Use of such power tools requires a surgeon using the tool to turn the power to the tool on and off as necessary to activate and deactivate the tool during a surgical procedure. However, the surgeon&#39;s hands are often not available for such tasks. As a result, the power supply to many of these tools can be controlled with a pedal located on the floor underneath a table on which the patient is positioned. The pedal is designed to be operated by the surgeon&#39;s foot. Typically the surgeon depresses the pedal to supply power to the tool and releases the pedal to discontinue the supply of power to the tool. The pedals are typically not fixed in any particular location on the floor and are free to move around the floor. As such, the pedals move around within and out of reach, or at least easy reach, of the surgeon.  
           [0004]    During any given surgical procedure a doctor may use a combination of several non-powered and powered tools. The non-powered tools are typically laid out on a table, tray, or the like and handed to the surgeon as needed by other personnel present in the operating room, such as a surgical assistant, a nurse, or the like. The use of several power tools, however, often results in a plurality of pedals strewn about the operating room floor underneath the operating table. During the course of the surgical procedure, as a result of repeated use and switching from pedal to pedal, the pedals often become tangled together or moved to a location underneath the table where the surgeon has difficulty finding the pedal without looking down at the floor or asking an assistant for help. Additionally, with the pedals being easily moved about the floor, when the surgeon does locate a pedal, it can be difficult for the surgeon to determine which pedal the surgeon&#39;s foot is touching. As such, it can be difficult to ascertain which tool will be powered when a given pedal is depressed, without also looking down.  
           [0005]    It is also common during surgical procedures for the surgeon to alternate between working on various sides of the operating table. However, traditional surgical power tools that are operable by a foot pedal generally have only one pedal. Therefore, it is necessary to move the pedal from one side of the table to the other side of the table as required during the procedure. Where multiple surgical power tools are used in one procedure, moving the pedals back and forth from one side of the table to the other further contributes to the tangling of the pedals as well as the difficulty in locating and identifying the pedals by touch.  
           [0006]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a universal surgical power tool pedal apparatus. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows: a universal surgical power tool pedal apparatus comprising a first pedal platform having at least one pedal configured to be movable between a depressed position and a released position. At least one outlet, configured to releasably receive a power plug of a surgical power tool, is in communication with the first pedal platform. The pedal apparatus receives power from a power supply and conducts the power to the plug that is in communication with the outlet when the pedal is disposed in the depressed position, thereby powering the surgical power tool.  
           [0008]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the universal surgical power tool foot pedal apparatus  10  of the present invention. The foot pedal apparatus  10  includes at least one pedal platform  12  having at least one pedal  14  disposed thereon. The pedal platform  12  can have a plurality of pedals  14  disposed thereon.  
         [0015]    It is preferred that each of the plurality of pedals  14  can be arranged and configured to facilitate user identification of the pedal  14  by touch alone. The pedals  14  can differ in size (shown), elevation from a top surface of the platform  12  (FIG. 2) or include a pedal identifier  15  disposed thereon, for example, but not limited to, a different textured pedal surface on each pedal  14 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pedal identifier  15  can also serve as an anti-skid surface. Alternatively, the pedal platform  12  can include a means for user identification of the pedal  14  by touch disposed on the pedal platform  12  itself. The pedal identifier  15 ′ is disposed on the pedal platform  12  substantially adjacent the pedal  14  with which the identifier  15 ′ is associated. The pedal identifier  15 ′ disposed on the platform  12  is a raised, or alternatively depressed, area. Each identifier  15 ′ differs from other identifiers  15 ′ in shape, size, orientation, or any suitable manner such that identification of an adjacent pedal can be readily ascertained. As illustrated, for example, each pedal identifier  15 ′ differs in orientation from the other. Where the apparatus  10  comprises more than one pedal platform  12  (as described below) it is preferable that a pedal identifier  15 ,  15 ′ be substantially similar for pedals on each pedal platform  12  capable of operating a common tool.  
         [0016]    The apparatus  10  further includes at least one plug receiver  18 . The plug receiver  18  is disposed on the pedal platform  12 . The plug receiver  18  is adapted to receive a power line  13  of a surgical tool  11  desired to be operated by a pedal  14 . It is preferable that the pedal platform  12  includes a plurality of plug receivers  18  having various configurations being adapted to releasably receive power plugs of various configurations. It should be noted that the plug receiver  18  can also be separate from the pedal platforms  12 , as illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0017]    The surgical tool  11  itself can receive power directly from a power source, such as an electrical power source or a pneumatic power source. Alternatively, power can be transmitted through the apparatus  10  to a surgical tool  11 . In this configuration the apparatus  10  receives power from a power source, such as an electrical power source or a pneumatic power source. Power is transmitted through the apparatus  10  to the surgical tool  11  and the surgical tool  11  is operated as desired.  
         [0018]    The foot pedal apparatus  10  can include more than one pedal platform  12 . Where the foot pedal apparatus  10  includes more than one pedal platform  12  a pedal  14  from each pedal platform  12  can be used to operate a common surgical tool  11 . As an example, the broader of the two pedals illustrated in FIG. 1 could both be adapted to control the power feed to a burr. This arrangement facilitates the positioning of pedals  14  in more than one location underneath an operating table, or any desirable location on the operating room floor. The foot pedal apparatus  10  can also be adapted to control operating room environment. More specifically, a pedal  14  of the foot pedal apparatus  10  can be wired to control lights, temperature, music, etc. in an operating room.  
         [0019]    The apparatus  10  can be positioned underneath an operating table on which a patient lies for surgery such that the pedal platforms  12  are disposed on opposing sides of an axis running the length of the operating table. The apparatus  10  can be positioned on the operating room floor or movably fixed to the operating room table. It is preferable that where the apparatus  10  is fixed to the operating table, such as to the underside, or any suitable area on the table, that the apparatus  10  is movable in various direction, such as laterally, upwardly, downwardly, etc. A pedal platform  12  can be disposed substantially adjacent each side of the operating table. Any given surgical tool can be operated from either side of the operating table without moving the pedals  14  from one side of the table to the other. Where a plurality of pedal platforms  12  comprise the foot pedal apparatus  10  the pedal platforms  12  can be connected together with a platform coupling  16 .  
         [0020]    The coupling  16  comprises a plurality of coupling arms  17  and coupling bolts  19 . A pair of coupling arms  17  extends from each of pedal platforms  12 . Each pair of coupling arms  17  are preferably arranged in a substantially parallel configuration. The coupling arms  17  of one pedal platform  12  are spaced apart with greater space therebetween than a distance between coupling arms  17  of the pedal platform  12  to be disposed opposite. The coupling arms  17  having greater space therebetween engage the opposing coupling arms  17  at the outside of each respective coupling arm  17  extending from the opposing pedal platform  12 . Each opposing coupling arm  17  is fixed to the substantially corresponding coupling arm  17  of the opposing pair of coupling arms  17 . The coupling arms  17  can be fixed by bolts  19 , or any suitable means. It should be noted that any suitable means coupling the pedal platforms  12  together is within the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0021]    Where more than one pedal platform  12  comprises the apparatus  10 , it is preferable that a power line  13 ,  13 ′ communicates with a pedal  14  on each pedal platform  12 . In one embodiment, a power plug receiver  18  is disposed substantially adjacent each pedal  14  of each pedal platform  12  and represents a power plug receiver  18  associated with the substantially adjacent pedal  14 . Power line  13  communicates with the pedal  14  smaller in size (also indicated by a pedal identifier  15 ′ arranged horizontal the width of pedal  14 ) of each pedal platform  12 . Power line  13 ′ communicates with the pedal  14  larger in size (also indicated by a pedal identifier  15 ′ arranged vertical the width of pedal  14 ) of each pedal platform  12 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the foot pedal apparatus  10 ″ of the present invention. The foot pedal apparatus  10 ″ includes a pedal platform  12 ′ having at least one pedal  14  disposed thereon. The pedal platform  12 ″ and the foot pedal  14  both slant downward to facilitate ease of use and operation by the foot of the user. The pedal platform  12 ″ can, however, comprise any suitable configuration. It is preferable that the pedal platform  12 ″ includes more than one pedal  14  disposed thereon and that each of the plurality of pedals  14  is identifiable by touch. The pedals  14  can be distinguishable from each other by varying in size (shown in FIG. 1), by varying in elevation from a top surface of the pedal platform  12 ″ (shown in FIG. 2), by a combination thereof, or any suitable means. This configuration can also include the tactile identifiers  15  and  15 ′ illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    The pedal platform  12 ″ can also include a selector switch  20 . The selector switch  20  is adapted to alternate a pedal  14  between operating one surgical tool and operating another surgical tool, thereby allowing one pedal  14  to interchangeably operate more than one surgical tool. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a tool plug receiver  18  can be located on a top face of the pedal platform  12 ″. Although a tool plug receiver  18  is illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2 as being disposed on said pedal platform  12 ″, it should be understood that any means by which power can be communicated though a pedal  14  disposed on the pedal platform  12 ″ to a surgical tool  11  such that the pedal  14  of the pedal platform  12 ″ can be used to control the power supply to the tool  11  is within the spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that although the configuration in FIG. 2 is illustrated comprising one pedal platform  12 ″, this second embodiment can also include more than one pedal platform  12 ″. The plurality of pedal platforms  12 ″ can be fixed together and arranged and configured such that the pedals  14  of both pedal platforms  12 ″ operate the same set of surgical tools.  
         [0024]    More specifically, more than one pedal platform  12 ″ can comprise the apparatus  10 ″ of the present invention. A pair of pedal platforms  12 ″ can be fixed together with a coupling  16 , or the like. The pair of pedal platforms  12 ″ are also preferably wired together such that a given surgical tool can be operated with a pedal  14  on each pedal platform  12 ″.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the foot pedal apparatus  10 ′″ of the present invention. The foot pedal apparatus  10 ′″ includes at least one pedal platform  12 ′″ comprising at least one pedal aperture  22 . A preferred pedal aperture  22  is arranged and configured to releasably receive a pedal (not shown) to which a surgical tool  11  is attached. In this configuration the pedal platform  12 ′″ acts as a rack or a holder for supporting and separating pedals for operating surgical tools that are marketed and sold with a pedal. It is preferable that the pedal platform  12 ′″ includes a plurality of pedal apertures  22  in order to organize and separate a plurality of surgical power tool pedals. The pedal apertures  22  can be uniform in size and shape or configured of various sizes and shapes.  
         [0026]    The foot pedal apparatus  10 ′″ can also include a plurality of pedal platforms  12 ′″, where each of the plurality of pedal platforms  12 ′″ includes at least one pedal aperture  22 . Each of the plurality of pedal platforms  12 ′″ can also include a plurality of pedal apertures  22 . Where more than one pedal platform  12 ′″ is provided, it is preferable that a surgical tool  11  can have a pedal (not shown) disposed in a pedal aperture  22  of each of the plurality of pedal platforms  12 ′″. The plurality of pedal platforms  12 ′″ can be fixed together. A splitter (not shown) as known to one skilled in the art, can be used to adapt a surgical tool having one pedal to having a pair of pedals such that one pedal can be disposed in one pedal platform  12 ″ and the other pedal can be disposed in the other pedal platform  12 ′″.  
         [0027]    A pair of pedal platforms  12 ′″ can be fixed together with a coupling  16 , or any suitable means. It is also preferable that a pair of pedal platforms  12 ′″ are wired together such that a surgical power tool can be operated by a pedal  14  on each pedal platform  12 ′″.  
         [0028]    An identification means (such as an identification means  15 ′ shown in FIG. 1) can be disposed on the pedal platform  22 . It is preferable that a plurality of identification means (not shown), each at least slightly differing from the others, is disposed substantially adjacent each of the pedal apertures  22  disposed in the pedal platform  12 ′″. A preferred identification means (such as, for example but not limited to, a tactile identifier) facilitates a user distinguishing between pedals disposed in each of the pedal apertures  22  by touch.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the foot pedal apparatus  10 ″″ of the present invention. The foot pedal apparatus  10 ″″ comprises at least one pedal platform  12 ″″, a frame  24  and a power supply  26 . The pedal platform  12 ″″ comprises any of the pedal platforms  12 ,  12 ″,  12 ′″ previously described herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that although two pedal platforms  12 ″″ are shown, any desired number of pedal platforms  12 ″″ can be included.  
         [0030]    A frame  24  is preferably adjustable such that the location of each pedal platform  12 ″″ can be adjusted to a desired position and fixed in that desired position. The frame  24  comprises a primary track  28  and a pedal platform extension  30 . The pedal platform extension  30  extends from each pedal platform  12 ″″ and intersects the primary track  28  at any suitable angle to the primary track  28 . It should also be noted that although there are two pedal platform extensions  30  illustrated (one extending from each pedal platform  12 ″″ to the primary track  28 ) there can be any suitable number of pedal platform extensions  30 . It is preferable that each pedal platform extension  30  is movably attached to the primary track  28  with a connector  32  that allows the position of the pedal platform  12 ″″ to be adjustable both along the primary track  28  as well as toward and away from the primary track  28 . The connector  32  is preferably adapted to fix the pedal platform  12 ″″ in the desired position with respect to the primary track  28 . A power supply  26  is positioned substantially adjacent the frame  24  and comprises a plurality of tool plug receivers  18 . The power supply  26  provides power for electrical as well as pneumatic surgical tools. Frame  24  can be positioned, and optionally fixed, on the operating room floor or to a portion of the operating table, such as the underside or any suitable location. It is preferable that the where the frame  24  is fixed to the operating table that the pedal platforms  12 ″″ are additionally movable upwardly and downwardly. The pedal platform  12 ′″ can also optionally be adapted to control the environmental conditions in the operating room, for example but not limited to, the lighting, temperature, music, etc.  
         [0031]    In a method of use of the apparatus  10 ″″, the frame  24  is positioned beneath an operating table  34 . The primary track  28  is positioned running substantially parallel the length of the operating table  34 . The pedal platform extensions  30  extend substantially perpendicular to the length of the operating table  34  and away from the primary track  28  such that the pedal platform  12 ″″ is positioned along the side of the operating table  34 . Where more than one pedal platform  12 ″″ is present, some of the pedal platforms  12 ″″ can be positioned toward one side of the operating table  34  and some of the pedal platforms  12  positioned toward the opposing side of the operating table  34 . The pedal platforms  12 ″″ are arranged at any location with respect to the operating table  34  or at any location with respect to each other. It is further preferable that the pedal platforms  12 ″″ can be positioned as desired with respect to both the length and the width of the table  34  and fixed in the that desired position prior to surgery beginning.  
         [0032]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention.