Abstract:
A method and system for acquiring and transmitting video image data with parameter data superimposed thereon is provided. The design includes an input device configured to receive said video image data and separately receiving said parameter data, the input device configured to transmit the video image data and parameter data as separate data streams. The design further includes a computing device comprising a computer based utility configured to receive the separate data streams, store the separate data streams, edit at least one data stream, and generate combined video data. Combined video data represents combined video image data and parameter data. The design also includes a display device configured to present the combined video data.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,572, filed Sep. 7, 2007, which claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/824,896, filed Sep. 7, 2006, which are both incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present design relates generally to the art of medical instrument systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for collecting and replaying video recordings of surgeons performing medical procedures with a simultaneous rendering of the medical instrument operating parameters. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many surgeons record each surgical procedure they perform. Recording typically involves a digital video capture and data storage system that allows surgeons to record images during the course of the surgical procedure as generated by a camera mounted on, for example, a surgical microscope. Surgeons rarely, if ever, separately record other parameters or events generated during the procedure. 
     When playing back such recordings, viewers are typically limited to the raw video footage recorded and no other information. For example, during an ophthalmic surgery, the procedures performed on the eye are the only images visible. The problem with such a situation is that subsequent viewers have no idea what challenges were encountered—the surgeon must be present and inform the viewers, or the viewer must review notes from the procedure, or the viewer is totally left in the dark as to what occurred during the procedure. For example, if a sudden drop in pressure occurred in a suction instrument, the viewer has no idea this occurred. Similarly, settings for instruments and dynamic parameters, particularly those that change rapidly or dramatically from initial settings, are not available and it is rare that detailed notes are available, such as “18 minutes, 22 seconds into the procedure—changed power settings from high to low.” 
     Based on the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide for simultaneous replay of camera video images with other parameters pertinent to the procedure, rendered on a single video monitor display device for use in medical instrument systems that overcomes the foregoing drawbacks present in previously known designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present design, there is provided a system for acquiring and transmitting video image data with parameter data superimposed thereon is provided. The design includes an input device configured to receive said video image data and separately receiving said parameter data, the input device configured to transmit the video image data and parameter data as separate data streams. The design further includes a computing device comprising a computer based utility configured to receive the separate data streams, store the separate data streams, edit at least one data stream, and generate combined video data. Combined video data represents combined video image data and parameter data. The design also includes a display device configured to present the combined video data. 
     According to a second aspect of the present design, there is provided a method for displaying video image data of a procedure, such as a medical procedure. The method includes receiving a first set of data including a visual representation of the procedure, receiving a second set of data including parameter data, such as medical instrument data, associated with the procedure, the second set of data being separate from the first set of data. The method also includes combining the first set of data with the second set of data by overlaying the second set of data on the first set of data. 
     These and other advantages of the present design will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the design and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present design is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a phacoemulsification system that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a surgical media center system that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary video control module illustrating input and output configuration and switch selector functionality that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary computer operating surgical media center executable code to realize record and playback functionality that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary computer operating surgical media center executable code to realize file conversion functionality that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example video screen generated by the present design, without instrument parameters, as rendered on video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 7  is an example video screen illustrating sample screen customization features including icons, logos, surgeons name, and text display of instrument parameters as rendered on a video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design; 
         FIG. 8A  is an example video screen illustrating sample screen customization features including real time linear graphs displaying instrument parameter data as rendered on a video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design; and 
         FIG. 8B  is an example video screen illustrating sample screen customization features including real time circular graphs displaying instrument parameter data as rendered on a video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description and the drawings illustrate specific embodiments sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practice the system and method described. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, process and other changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are generally optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. 
     General 
     As noted, current designs do not allow a viewer to employ or view certain parameters or information, such as medical instrument operating parameters, together with recorded images simultaneously on one video monitor display device. Concurrent presentation of recorded images and key operational parameters can increase the user&#39;s appreciation for specific surgical tasks by increasing the information value or knowledge content of the recording. Such a recording may be more useful to the viewer if a representation of operating parameters and settings encountered during the procedure. In the case of a phacoemulsification ophthalmic procedure, recording and subsequent real time playback of parameters including but not limited to vacuum, power, flow, and foot pedal position generated by the medical instrument, can be highly useful when viewing the surgical procedure after it has been completed. 
     At best, previous surgical recording procedures may entail use of two independent systems, one supporting the video image data stream and one supporting the medical instrument parameter data stream. Each system&#39;s associated video monitor display device may be arranged in a side-by-side configuration suitable for simultaneous viewing. In this arrangement, the first systems display device can render the camera image data stream and the second systems display device can render instrument parameter data. Such a design requires the user to view two separate display devices during replay. In order to ascertain the instrument parameter settings at a point in the camera video image presentation, the user must shift her focus from the camera video image display device to the instrument settings display device. Requiring the user to move their focus back and forth between two independent display devices sufficient to observe a particular step in the surgical procedure can be problematic and may require the user to replay a certain surgical procedure step a number of times to appreciate both the camera video data and the instrument parameter data, thus making it extremely difficult to observe and determine the actual instrument setting at the desired procedure step. 
     Further, synchronization of two separate recording systems is difficult at best and impossible at worst. It is difficult for users to operate two independent recording systems during a complex surgical procedure such as removal of a cataract. For example, the user responsible for operating the two independent systems must synchronize the video data stream with the instrument parameter data stream in order to achieve an acceptable simultaneous rendering via the two display devices during replay. The user can synchronize the dual data streams by manually operating one of the independent systems to either advance or delay the data stream in relation to the other data stream in time to align the two data streams. Aligning the data streams to synchronize the simultaneous presentation of instrument parameters and camera images is complex to operate, time-consuming to implement, and requires comprehensive training to master. 
     Furthermore, in order to move the presentation, by either advancing forward or reversing backward in time, for example in the backward direction to repeat part of the procedure already viewed, the user must manually operate each independent system to locate the desired time. In this arrangement, simply moving the replay of the two data streams in time is subject to the same issues discussed above and therefore prone to error. 
     In addition, today&#39;s designs do not afford a practical method for stepping through the video data stream on a frame-by-frame basis while simultaneously progressing through instrument parameter data stream. Today&#39;s designs are further limited because they do not allow the user to readily edit the presentation of a surgical procedure, for example to shorten the length of a recorded procedure to fit into a desired time allotment. Editing involves the user performing a complex set of tasks on each system in order to accurately and precisely edit each data stream in time to produce the desired length or content. 
     These limitations result in creating an often difficult, if not impossible, task for the user to replay, edit, and view video image data captured from a surgical camera in conjunction with observing the surgical instrument operating parameter data. 
     Present Design 
     The present design is directed to providing customizable graphical video overlays superimposed over surgical procedure video recordings captured and recorded by a safety critical system such as a medical instrument system, for example a phacoemulsification/vitrectomy surgical system. 
     The present design may allow for playback, editing, and archive functionality for recordings, and enable the user to analyze each surgical video, stepping through on a frame-by-frame basis, to show or hide instrument parameter data. The present design enhances the educational usefulness of replaying surgical procedure videos as a teaching tool. Users may choose to show data parameters including but not limited to aspiration, vacuum, power, bottle height, and occlusion settings. 
     The design provides a quick, easy to use, accurate, and reliable video capture and image processing system for replay of surgical videos with instrument data represented by data plots, animated images, and plain text. The present design may allow users to manipulate data previews in a variety of ways, for example enlarge a graph or move the data to a different area of the screen, so the overlay data does not block the user from viewing key or desirable portions of the surgical footage. In addition, the present design may allow the user play, copy, move, or delete a recorded video and may facilitate performing these actions on both the video and companion instrument file. 
     The present design provides an accurate presentation of actual instrument parameter data, in real-time as data plots, animated images, plain text, or static images, in conjunction with the surgical video and may enable users to more directly compare and contrast the video of a surgical procedure relative to the conduct of the same or similar procedure. 
     In short, the present design may allow a user to recall previous recordings and view instrument data and settings even if they were not displayed to the surgeon or staff during surgery. In general, any type of system or software application configured to view or replay video frames, for example an image processing application, may benefit from the design presented herein. While discussed with respect to a phacoemulsification system such a design is not limited to a phacoemulsification system, surgical system, or even a medical system. The present design may be implemented in, for example, systems including but not limited to phacoemulsification-vitrectomy systems, vitrectomy systems, surgical systems, dental systems, industrial applications, and aerospace applications. 
     The present design may employ various interface mechanisms to control the presentation of the surgical video with instrument data as a graphical video overlay on a video display device connected to the surgical system or medical instrument, such as via a cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display, monitor device, or other subsystem. 
     The design is discussed herein with a particular emphasis on simultaneous replay of camera video image frames synchronized with instrument parameter settings rendered on a single video monitor display device for use in medical instrument systems as stored in and replayed from the surgical systems video storage device. 
     The present design may include a mechanical user interface button panel configured to control operations such as record, play, bookmark and stop. In addition, the present design may include a graphical user interface to further control video operations and may include editing functionality and may provide the ability to hide or show instrument data. 
     The present design is intended to provide a reliable, noninvasive, and efficient digital video capture system for use in viewing a surgical procedure video and real-time instrument parameter settings simultaneously on a single display device. 
     Again, the present design is discussed herein with a particular emphasis on a medical or hospital environment, where a surgeon or health care practitioner performs. For example, one embodiment of the present design is in or with a phacoemulsification/vitrectomy surgical system that comprises an independent graphical user interface (GUI) host module, an instrument host module, a GUI device, and a controller module, such as a foot switch, to control the surgical system. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  in a functional block diagram to show the components and interfaces for a safety critical medical instrument system that may be employed in accordance with an aspect of the present design. A serial communication cable  103  connects GUI host  101  module and Phaco instrument host  102  module for the purposes of controlling Phaco instrument host  102  by GUI host  101 . Phaco instrument host  102  may be considered a computational device in the arrangement shown, but other arrangements are possible. An interface communications cable  120  is connected to instrument host  102  module for distributing instrument parameter data  121  to other systems, subsystems and modules within and external to instrument host  102  module. Examples of instrument parameter data  121  may include vacuum, power, flow, and foot pedal position generated from phacoemulsification instrument host  102  during the surgical procedure. Although shown connected to the phaco instrument host  102  module, interface communications cable  120  may be connected or realized on any other subsystem (not shown) that could accommodate such an interface device able to distribute instrument parameter data  121 . 
     A foot pedal switch  104  module may transmit control signals relating internal physical and virtual switch position information as input to instrument host  102  over serial communications cable  105 . Instrument host  102  may provide a database file system for storing configuration parameter values, programs, and other data, such as surgeons name, saved in a storage device (not shown). In addition, the database file system may be realized on the GUI host  101  or any other subsystem (not shown) that could accommodate such a file system. 
     The phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  has a handpiece  110  that includes a needle and electrical driving hardware, typically a piezoelectric crystal, for ultrasonically vibrating the needle. The instrument host  102  supplies power on line  111  to a phacoemulsification/vitrectomy handpiece  110 . An irrigation fluid source  112  can be fluidly coupled to handpiece  110  through line  113 . The irrigation fluid and ultrasonic power are applied by handpiece  110  to a patient&#39;s eye, or affected area or region, indicated diagrammatically by block  114 . Alternatively, the irrigation source may be routed to eye  114  through a separate pathway independent of the handpiece. Aspiration is provided to eye  114  by the instrument host  102  pump (not shown), such as a peristaltic pump, through lines  115  and  116 . A switch  117  disposed on the handpiece  110  may be utilized to enable a surgeon/operator to select an amplitude of electrical pulses to the handpiece via the instrument host and GUI host. Any suitable input device, such as for example, a foot pedal switch  104  may be utilized in lieu of switch  117 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates and exemplary surgical system  200  in a functional block diagram to show the components and interfaces for a surgical media center image processing system  201  for recording and playback of surgical procedures and instrument parameter data  121  in accordance with an aspect of the present design. Surgical system  200  may include a medical instrument, such as the phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Communications cable  120 , for example a serial cable, may connect phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  to SMC image processing system  201 , shown as Phaco IN, via video control module (VCM)  202 . The surgical system  200  may further include a surgical microscope  204  focused on the surgical procedure, e.g. patients eye, and may employ camera  205  or other device suitable for video capture. Surgical system  200  may transfer the resulting video data, analog, digital, or both, to SMC image processing system  201 , shown as Video IN, via VCM  202 . A video composite cable  206 , for example provisioned with RCA connectors, or an S-Video cable may connect VCM  202  and camera  205  for the purposes of transferring the video data stream. 
     SMC image processing system  201  is an image processing system that manages the video data captured by camera  205  as well as the instrument parameter data  121  in real-time. Managing video and instrument parameter data may include operations such as record, playback, edit, preview and bookmark. Examples of video data supported by the present design may include national television system committee (NTSC), phase alternating line (PAL), high definition television (HDTV), séquentiel couleur à mémoire (SECAM), or other video format suitable for image capture by camera  205 . Examples of instrument parameter data supported by the present design may include, but are not limited to, vacuum, power, flow, and foot pedal position, or other data generated from phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  during the surgical procedure. 
     VCM  202  may connect to a serial port (not shown) provided by computer  207  via communications cable  208 , such as a serial cable, sufficient to provide phaco instrument parameter data  121  for storage. Concurrently, VCM  202  may connect to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (not shown) provided by computer  207  via communications cable  209 , such as a USB video cable, sufficient to provide video data for storage. Use of USB technology may provide power to VCM  202  from computer  207  USB port. Optionally, a digital video recorder (DVR)  217 , video cassette recorder (VCR), television, and other storage or display device may be connected to computer  207  S-Video Output  215  port via S-Video cable  216 . 
     Computer  207  may be considered a computational device in the arrangement shown, but other processing arrangements may be employed. Computer  207  is a processing device and may include but is not limited to hardware, software, firmware, a personal computer, or other processing environment suitable for executing surgical media center (SMC) executable code  210 . In the configuration as shown in  FIG. 2 , computer  207  may provide storage such as fixed storage  211  and removable storage  210  (e.g. optical read/write drives such as digital versatile disc optical drive and compact disc). 
     SMC functionality may be realized by computer  207  operating SMC executable code  210 . SMC storage devices  211  and  212  may be configured to store the video data stream originating from camera  205 . The present design may be configured to store the received video data stream as analog video, digital video, digital data, or any combination thereof. 
     SMC functionality may involve managing the multimedia data, i.e. video data stream, and may perform synchronizing the temporal relationship between the instrument parameters and settings data stream from phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  and the video data steam from surgical microscope  204 . The SMC image processing system  201  may display the camera video data stream in combination with the corresponding parameters and instrument settings at each instant during the procedure, typically as a graphical video overlay, presented at display device  213  connected to SMC image processing system  201  via display cable  214 . Display device  213  may be an integral part of computer  207 , a separate display device, e.g. remote, such as attaching a video monitor to an available S-Video Output realized in computer  207 , or both. 
     During playback, the present design may allow the user to show or hide different elements of the graphical video overlay, i.e. relaying instrument data, rendered on video display device  213 . Elements of the graphical video overlay may include, for example, data plots, animated images, plain text, and static images. The present design may employ data plots to represent real-time activity such as aspiration, vacuum, and power utilized during surgery. The present design may involve animated images such as bar graphs or speedometer style graphs to represent real-time activity and plain text may be employed to show elements including but not limited to real time values, phaco instrument mode, and surgeon name. The present design may support static images that may be custom tailored by the user. For example, the user may want to add a logo, picture, or text for presentation during a portion or all of the playback. 
     In this arrangement, surgical system  200  may record a video image of the surgical procedure and record instrument parameters and settings utilized by phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  in real-time. SMC image processing system  201  may synchronize instrument parameter data  121  stream with the video stream data allowing simultaneous display of video stream data with a graphical overlay showing the corresponding parameters and system settings at each instant of the procedure on a frame-by-frame basis. This cumulative data, i.e. the video data and instrument data may be stored and archived in fixed storage device  211 , such as read only memory (RAM) and disc memory, e.g. a hard-drive. In addition the present design may store and archive the cumulative data in a removable storage device  212 , for example a DVD or CD writer, memory stick, or other portable storage device suitable for providing the removable storage device functionality. 
     Surgical Media Center (SMC) Construction and Operation 
     The present design may involve a surgical media center system configured to record and playback surgical procedures and separately receive, record and overlay the phacoemulsification/vitrectomy instrument activity for simultaneous viewing on a single display device. The SMC of the present design configures and controls the presentation of surgical video with instrument data presented as a graphical video overlay on top of a video image during playback, herein described within an image processing safety critical medical instrument/surgical system. 
     The SMC system may include a video control module, a computer executing the SMC application software, and a display device configured as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  provide further details for the construction of a general SMC system such as is illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the video control module electrical interface configuration as a single hardware module having user interface selector switch functionality.  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary computer operating surgical media center executable code to realize the present designs record and playback functionality. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary video control module (VCM)  202  where the VCM functionality is realized in standalone hardware configured to convert the video camera data stream into universal serial bus (USB) format, and convert the phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  data stream, e.g. phaco data, to USB format. Such conversion to USB format is generally known to those skilled in the art. VCM  202  may receive the video camera data stream via communications cable  206  at Video IN  301 , and may receive instrument parameter data  121  stream via communications cable  120  at Phaco IN  302 . After conversion to USE format, VCM  202  may transmit the Video USE data at Video USB  303  via communications cable  209 , and transmit the instrument data at Serial USE  304  via communications cable  208  to computer  207  (not shown). In addition, VCM  202  may provide isolation from computer  207  such that if the functionality is not desired, is damaged or functioning improperly, the procedure can progress without video and parameters being recorded by disconnecting the VCM  202  from computer  207 . 
     Conversion in the device shown in  FIG. 3  is from a video standard to a USB video standard, while instrument parameters or data are converted from serial format to serial USB. Conversion in this manner and between these formats is generally known to those skilled in the computing arts. Conversion hardware or software performing this functionality is present in VCM  202 . Note that two separate channels are maintained through the VCM  202 , one for instrument data and parameters and one for video data or video image data, and the VCM  202  in general does not mix these two signals. 
     VCM  202  may additionally provide an external user interface arranged to control the operation of SMC image processing system  201 . The external interface may provide access to major functional features and functions such as Stop/Preview, Record, Playback, and Bookmark. 
     Software functionality of the SMC and VCM  202  will now be described, and these functions and software for providing the functions recited are generally understood by those skilled in the computing and/or video recording arts. As may be appreciated, certain software functionality may be provided on the SMC, VCM  202 , computer  207 , monitor, or any other device configured to provide the functionality recited herein, including providing software functionality on more than one device. Certain functionality may be provided in hardware or firmware. 
     “Stop/Preview” selects the SMC preview operational mode. In the Preview mode, the present design may display the surgical video provided from camera  205  without recording the video data stream. To enable the Preview mode, the user may select the VCM  202  Stop/Preview button  305  or may use computer  207  pointing device to ‘click-on’ and select Preview from the SMC menu bar (not shown) on display device  213  presented by SMC executable code  210  operating within computer  207 . Pointing devices may include but are not limited to a touch screen monitor, trackball, mouse touchpad, keypad, and foot pedal switch. Effectuating this functionality is generally known to those skilled in the digital photography arts and/or the computing arts. 
     “Record” selects the SMC record operational mode. In the record mode, the present design typically initiates recording and storage of the surgical video data stream provided by camera  205  by saving a MPG file onto either fixed or removable storage. To enable the record mode, the user may select the VCM  202  Record button  306 . The record mode may also be initiated via the SMC menu bar. If the phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  is connected to VCM  202  or a device performing similar functions, the present design may record the graphical overlay data, i.e. instrument data  121  stream, concurrently with the surgical video data by saving a file, such as a .DAT file, onto either fixed or removable storage. VCM  202  may flash a Light Emitting Diode  309  (LED) to indicate phaco instrument data is present and detected. If VCM  202  detects phaco instrument data, the SMC may provide for display the overlay data concurrent with the video data or combined display of the data. 
     To stop a recording, the user may select the Stop/Preview button  305  on VCM  202  or via the SMC menu bar. The present design may allow recording to be initiated and terminated from phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100 , VCM  202  button panel, or the SMC menu bar generated by an SMC Graphical User Interface (GUI) displayed on computer  207  display device or an externally attached display device, e.g. remote viewing outside the operating theater. The present design is configured such that the VCM has priority over phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100  when initiating or terminating a recording and in this arrangement the present design will ignore commands sent from phacoemulsification/vitrectomy system  100 . 
     “Play” selects the SMC Playback operational mode. The present design may allow the user to playback recorded SMC files with or without the video overlay. To enable the Play mode, the user may select VCM  202  Play button  307  to replay or playback the last recorded file. The play mode may also be initiated via the SMC menu bar to playback other previously saved files. Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the play mode is accessed from the SMC menu bar, the present design may open a SMC Explorer  409  to playbacks recorded files. The present design may allow the user to perform file management operations including but not limited to play, copy, move, or delete a recorded video. SMC Explorer  409  may perform file management operations by acting on the video and the companion overlay data files according to the operation selected. In Play mode, the present design may render a software toolbar to the video, for example located at the top or the bottom of the video presentation. The toolbar may provide incremental steps to speed up or slow down the playback. The present design may allow the user to hide or make the toolbar visible. SMC image processing system  201  may also provide other toolbar functionality such as pan, zoom, increase or decrease contrast, and sharpen the rendered image, again generally understood by those skilled in the art of computing devices and/or video recording. 
     “Bookmark” selects the SMC bookmark operational mode. Bookmarks may appear as vertical lines on the scroll bar presented by the SMC GUI. The scroll bar functionality provided by the present design system and method may allow forward and backward scrolling through the video. The present design may allow the user to hide or make the scroll bar visible. Users may navigate between bookmarks, for example by using the caret keys (&lt; &gt;) on a keyboard attached to computer  207 , to go forward or backwards. The present design may allow the user to automatically or manually rewind and repeat the video within two bookmarks. In the bookmark mode, the present design may allow the user to place a position marker in the video during recording or playback of a file. During recording the user may set one or more bookmarks by pressing Bookmark button  308  on the VCM panel. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a functional block diagram for a SMC system  400  including the present designs apparatus and method wherein SMC modules execute within computer  207  to realize the SMC functionality. In this arrangement, the present design is configured to superimpose a graphical data overlay on a surgical video for use in determining the phaco instrument host  102  operating parameter data and settings during replay. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary computer  207 , such as a personal computer, configured to interface with VCM  202  and operate SMC executable code  210  where the record, edit, and playback functionality is realized and presented on display device  213 . Computer  207  may receive the digital video data stream via communications cable  209  where a SMC capture/producer module  401  may control writing the data to video data storage  402 . The present design may write the video data as a file, such as an MPEG file named Filex.MPG as shown at  404 . In addition, computer  207  may receive the serial overlay data stream via communications cable  208  where a SMC capture/producer module  401  may control writing the data to instrument data storage  403 . The present design may write the overlay data as data file, here named Filex.DAT as shown at  405 . The file name Filex.* is for illustrative purpose only. The present design may be configured to receive the surgeons name from the phaco instrument and name the SMC files .MPG and .DAT files accordingly, e.g. surgeons-name.MPG and surgeons-name.DAT. If the surgeon&#39;s name was not specified in the phaco instrument, the present design may utilize a default name. 
     The present design&#39;s SMC playback module  406  may read data for playback from video data storage  402  and synchronize in time the video data and overlay data simultaneously and provide the data to computer  207  native video driver  407 . Video driver  407  may send video information to display device  213  over display cable  214  for presentation of a composite image representing both data formats, i.e. .MPG and .DAT. SMC playback module  406  may be configured to combine the video and overlay in one video filer e.g. MPEG-2 and store this file in file storage  410 . The playback module  406  may require the user to enter a name for the combined file. 
     The present design&#39;s method for combining may involve re-recording the video file with the overlay data added. In this arrangement, the time to create a combined file will equal the total elapsed time of the video file. The present design may generate combined files that equal MPEG-2 DVD presentation quality. The SMC files saved in file storage  410  may be recalled and replayed by playback module  406  on display device  213 . Methods for generating a graphical video overlay and superimposing the overlay onto a video frame, image, or stream are generally understood by those skilled in the art. 
     The SMC system  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4  may operate separate from instrument host  102  or may be configured to operate as part of phaco instrument  201  or any other subsystem, for example surgical microscope  202  and surgical media center  204  or be realized using external devices and/or software. The SMC utility functionality may be realized in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of processing thereof. In addition, the present design may be realized by embedding the SMC executable code  210  in an existing medical instrument system design. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates the system  400  Playback  406 , Capture/Producer  401 , and Explorer  409  as separate entities, i.e. module, process, and mechanism, the present design is not limited to a set number of entities and may be realized by incorporating some or all of the functionality of the present design into a single software unit or entity. 
       FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary computer  207  operating surgical media center executable code to realize file conversion functionality. The present design may allow the user to reprocess the combined SMC file. Reprocessing the combined files may employ SMC converter module  501 . Converter module  501  may retrieve saved SMC files and translate from the MPEG-2 format to other media formats, e.g. Windows Media (WMV/ASF), QuickTime (Apple(MPEG-4)), AVI and other media formats and save these media formats in file storage  410 . During reprocessing, the converter module  501  may be arranged to reduce the file size and may allow the user to select a lower bit rate. Converter module  501  may be configured to split a file into smaller files, where the user may assert the start and end times of the split or merge two or more files into one file, e.g. ASF. In addition, converter module  501  may enable the user to slow a video segment (i.e. slow motion) by selecting a time magnification value. 
     SMC Video Overlay 
     SMC files are combinations of two files, where one file stores or maintains the video data and the second file stores or maintains the video overlay information. These files can be combined and played together using SMC system  201 . The present design may allow the user to change the entire overlay after the surgical procedure video recording has finished, i.e. independently. In addition, when replayed the data plots presented by the overlay may provide the current data in conjunction with past and future data over a period of time. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example video screen generated by the present design, without instrument parameters, as rendered on video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design. 
       FIGS. 6 through 8B  provide diagrammatic representations of example video screens generated by the SMC system available for viewing by the user when operating the present design&#39;s playback functionality. For purposes of illustration, handpiece  110  including vibrating unit  601  and switch  117 , is shown in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 8B  as it may be recorded with eye  614  during the surgical procedure. 
     The present design may enable users to create customized overlays. Customization may include but is not limited to adding, moving, and removing elements. Elements may include but are not limited to data plots, animated images, plain text, or static images.  FIG. 7  is an example video screen illustrating screen customization features including the display plain text and static images. For example the user may desire to display their corporate logo at  701  a static image. Static images may allow the user to add logos, pictures, comments, and other information to the video overlay. In addition the user may desire to display the surgeon&#39;s name at  702 , clock at  703 , and the actual parameter data values at  704  as plain text customization are shown in  FIG. 7 . The elements may be positioned at any location within a video frame as rendered on a video display device. 
       FIG. 8A  is an example video screen illustrating sample screen customization features including real time linear graphs displaying instrument parameter data as rendered on a video display device for viewing by a user, and includes a display of plain text, data plots, and static images. As one example, a user may wish to display an icon representing the medical instrument at  801  as a static image. The user may desire to display the current instrument parameter data in conjunction with past and future data over a period of time. Vacuum and power settings over a period of time are displayed as a data plot at  802 . In addition, real-time parameter data is rendered as plain text at  803 . 
       FIG. 8B  is an example video screen illustrating sample screen customization features including real time circular graphs displaying instrument parameter data as rendered on a video display device for viewing by a user in accordance with an aspect of the present design.  FIG. 8B  is an example video screen illustrating screen customization features involving animated images. For example the user may desire to display a power and a vacuum speedometer at  804  separate animated images. The user may desire to display the current instrument parameter data in conjunction with past and future data over a period of time. Vacuum settings over a period of time are displayed as an animated image at  802 . 
     Operation of surgical system  200  assumes that the user, e.g. surgeon, previously performed a surgical procedure that was recorded by SMC system  201  and the data, i.e. the video image of the surgery and the parameters employed by the phacoemulsification system during the surgery, are saved in fixed or removable storage and ready for playback. During playback of the stored data, the user may configure and control the SMC system  201  to render the overlay data at a desired position for presentation on a video display device in association with, or superimposed on, or on top of the stored data presented, i.e. surgical procedure video, typically by using drag and drop or positional placement software functionality for a specific software module, such as desiring the aspiration pressure to be displayed in the upper right corner of the screen at position 155 horizontal, 0 vertical. 
     A user operating the surgical system may provide input to the SMC system to configure and control how the elements are displayed via a touch screen, trackball, mouse or other pointing device, or keyboard. For example, configuration may include choosing the measurement unit, e.g. metric or English, setting the start and stop time of the segment, pan and zoom to enlarge a portion of the video displayed, adjusting the surgical video contrast and sharpen the image, and saving the overlay. 
     As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 6 through 8B , SMC system  201  may enable the present design to place the customization features at any location on the screen on the video image during rendered during playback and allow the user to move or hide individual features. The user may reposition, expand or compress each customization feature to avoid masking an important part of the surgical video image. 
     The design presented herein and the specific aspects illustrated are meant not to be limiting, but may include alternate components while still incorporating the teachings and benefits of the design. While the design has thus been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the design is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the design following, in general, the principles of the design, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known and customary practice within the art to which the design pertains. 
     The foregoing description of specific embodiments reveals the general nature of the disclosure sufficiently that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt the system and method for various applications without departing from the general concept. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. The phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.