Patent Publication Number: US-2023149100-A1

Title: Control apparatus, medical central control system, and surgery-related information display method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2020/027693 filed on Jul. 16, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a control apparatus, a medical central control system, and a surgery-related information display method, and in particular, to a control apparatus configured to control a plurality of controlled devices, a medical central control system, and a surgery-related information display method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, various types of medical devices and various types of non-medical devices have been installed in operating rooms. The various types of devices are various devices including shadowless lights, endoscope apparatus, and insufflation devices. A system controller serving as a central control apparatus communicates with the various types of devices, and establishes set values and centrally controls the various types of devices. 
     When an operating panel is connected to the system controller and a surgical operation is started, surgical staff including an operating surgeon, a scopist, and nurses can give operation commands to desired devices as well as establish and change various set values by operating the operating panel. 
     Operation of each device includes instructions to execute or stop functions of the device as well as function settings, and the surgical staff including the operating surgeon, scopist, and nurses operate each device directly or perform a desired operation by displaying an operation screen on the operating panel. 
     Such a central control apparatus has a scene selection function of collectively setting (states of) various types of devices according to the progress of a surgical operation. The scene selection function normally involves making only settings for various types of devices according to the progress of a surgical operation. 
     Incidentally, if, for example, a handpiece is assembled during a surgical operation, the surgical staff needs to learn how to assemble the handpiece, in advance using an instruction manual or video. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A control apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a processor, wherein: the processor selects one scene of a plurality of scenes of a predetermined surgical operation based on user input; changes settings of a surgical apparatus according to the scene selected when each scene is selected; selects surgery-related information according to the scene selected; and displays the surgery-related information on a display unit. 
     A medical central control system according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of medical devices; and a control apparatus that includes a processor and controls the plurality of medical devices, wherein the processor selects one scene of a plurality of scenes of a predetermined surgical operation based on user input, changes settings of the medical devices according to the scene selected when each scene is selected, selects surgery-related information according to the scene selected, and displays the surgery-related information on a display unit. 
     A surgery-related information display method according to another aspect of the present invention includes selecting one scene of a plurality of scenes of a predetermined surgical operation based on user input; changes settings of the medical devices according to the scene selected when each scene is selected, selecting surgery-related information according to the scene selected, and displaying the surgery-related information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a surgery system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system controller; 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram for explaining collective settings for a plurality of devices made by a scene selection function; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  4 C  is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  4 D  is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram showing an example of scene setting details related to cholecystectomy procedures; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for scene selection; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for scene selection; 
         FIG.  6 C  is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for scene selection; 
         FIG.  6 D  is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for scene selection; 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram for explaining an example of search conditions for an instruction manual or a movie which a user wants to view; 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in a “1. Preparation” scene; 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in the “1. Preparation” scene; 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in a “3. Start of handpiece use” scene; 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in the “3. Start of handpiece use” scene; 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram showing an example of registration contents set for each procedure and scene; 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram showing an example of screen display appearing when an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene is selected; 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram showing an example of screen display appearing when an abdominal pressure setting (small cavity mode) scene is selected; 
         FIG.  16    is a diagram showing search conditions for a reference material to be set; 
         FIG.  17    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene; 
         FIG.  18    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene; 
         FIG.  19    is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings; 
         FIG.  20    is a diagram showing an example of registration contents set for each procedure and scene; 
         FIG.  21    is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen appearing when a handpiece error occurs; 
         FIG.  22    is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen appearing when a handpiece error occurs; 
         FIG.  23    is a diagram showing search conditions for a reference material to be set; 
         FIG.  24    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in an endoscope insertion scene of cholecystectomy procedures; and 
         FIG.  25    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in an endoscope insertion scene of cholecystectomy procedures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     (Configuration of Surgery System) 
     First, an overall configuration of a surgery system placed in an operating room will be described using  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a surgery system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The surgery system includes a plurality of medical devices such as endoscopes and a plurality of non-medical devices such as shadowless lights. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a surgical table  2  on which a patient P lies down, a plurality of shadowless lights  3 , a display device  4 , and a medical system  5  are placed in the operating room. The medical system  5  includes a first cart  11  and a second cart  12 . The plurality of shadowless lights  3  and the display device  4  are fixed to a ceiling of the operating room by arms  6 . Furthermore, a room light  7  is installed on the ceiling of the operating room. Besides, a surgical field camera  8  and a non-illustrated room camera are installed in the operating room. 
     Medical devices, which are controlled devices, as well as a gas cylinder  18  filled with carbon dioxide are placed on the first cart  11 , where the medical devices include an electrocautery device  13 , an insufflation device  14 , a video processor  15 , a light source device  16 , and a recorder  17  for recording. The video processor  15  is connected to a first endoscope  31  via a camera cable  31   a.    
     The light source device  16  is connected to the first endoscope  31  via a light guide cable  31   b . A display device  19 , a first central display panel  20 , an operating panel  21 , and the like are also placed on the first cart  11 . The display device  19  is, for example, a TV monitor that displays endoscopic images and the like. 
     The recorder  17  is a recording device including a mass-storage device such as a hard disk drive. 
     The central display panel  20  is display means capable of selectively displaying any data on a surgical operation. The operating panel  21  is made up, for example, of a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel provided integrally on the display unit, and makes up a central operating device operated by a nurse or the like located in a non-sterilized area. 
     Furthermore, a system controller  22 , which is a central control apparatus, is placed on the first cart  11 . The system controller  22  is connected with the plurality of shadowless lights  3 , the room light  7 , the electrocautery device  13 , the insufflation device  14 , the video processor  15 , the light source device  16 , the recorder  17 , and the like described above via non-illustrated communications lines. Furthermore, the system controller  22  is designed to be connectable with a headset microphone  33 , capable of recognizing voice inputted through the microphone  33 , and capable of controlling various devices by surgeon&#39;s voice. 
     The system controller  22  is also connected via a cable  21   a  with a second operating panel  21 A installed on a wall of the operating room and the nurse and the like located in the non-sterilized area can operate various devices also via the operating panel  21 A. 
     An RFID (radio frequency identification) terminal  35  capable of wirelessly reading/writing individual ID information on items using ID tags embedded in the first endoscope  31 , a treatment instrument  13   a  connected to the electrocautery device  13 , and the like is provided on the first cart  11 . 
     On the other hand, a video processor  23 , a light source device  24 , an image processing apparatus  25 , a display device  26 , and a central display panel  27  are placed on the second cart  12 . The video processor  23  is connected to a second endoscope  32  via a camera cable  32   a . The light source device  24  is connected to the second endoscope  32  via a light guide cable  32   b.    
     The display device  26  displays endoscopic images and the like captured by the video processor  23 . The central display panel  27  can selectively display any data on a surgical operation. 
     The video processor  23 , the light source device  24 , the image processing apparatus  25 , and the like are connected to a relay unit  28  placed on the second cart  12 , via non-illustrated communications lines. The relay unit  28  in turn is connected to the system controller  22  mounted on the first cart  11  described earlier via a relay cable  29 . 
     This allows the system controller  22  to centrally control the video processor  23 , the light source device  24 , the image processing apparatus  25 , and the like mounted on the second cart  12 ; the electrocautery device  13 , the insufflation device  14 , the video processor  15 , the light source device  16 , the recorder  17 , and the like mounted on the first cart  11 ; and the plurality of shadowless lights  3 , the plurality of display devices  4 , the room light  7 , and the like. 
     Therefore, the system controller  22  is designed to be able to display setting screens for setting states, operating switches, and the like on the liquid crystal displays of the operating panels  21  and  21 A of the connected devices when communications are being conducted between the system controller  22  and the above-mentioned devices. Furthermore, the system controller  22  is designed to accept an operator input such as a set-value change when a desired operating switch is touched and a predetermined region on a touch panel is operated. 
     A remote controller  30  is a second central operating device operated by an operating surgeon or the like located in a sterilized area, and allows other devices with which communications have been established to be operated via the system controller  22 . 
     An infrared communications port (not shown), which is communications means, is attached to the system controller  22 . The infrared communications port is provided in an easy place to emit infrared radiation, such as near the display device  19 , and connected with the system controller  22  via a cable. 
     (Configuration of System Controller  22 ) 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram showing a configuration of the system controller. 
     The system controller  22  includes a control unit  41 , a storage device  42 , a communications interface (hereinafter abbreviated to a communications I/F)  43 , and a display interface (hereinafter abbreviated to a display I/F)  44 . 
     The control unit  41  can be configured as a processor equipped with a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU), a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and various functions of the system controller  22  are implemented when the CPU executes relevant software programs read out of the ROM. The processor here may, for example, either implement functions of various components on separate pieces of hardware or implement part of the various components on an integral piece of hardware. For example, the processor includes hardware, which can include at least one of a circuit that processes digital signals or a circuit that processes analog signals. As the processor, various types of processors such as a DSP (digital signal processor) are available for use besides the central processing unit (CPU). Besides, the processor may be a hardware circuit based on an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate Array). 
     The storage device  42  is a nonvolatile rewritable storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive. The storage device  42  also stores software programs for various functions of the system controller  22 , and the software programs can be read out and executed by the CPU of the control unit  41 . 
     The storage device  42  includes a program storage unit  42   a  configured to store software programs for various functions, where the software programs include programs used to set a plurality of devices for each scene, display information on the most suitable reference material for each scene, and the like described later. 
     The software programs stored in the program storage unit  42   a  include not only a control program configured to control operations of various devices included in the surgery system  1 , but also a collective setting program used to make device settings collectively for each scene, a screen generation program used to generate various screens such as operation screens for specified functions, a history information recording program used to record log data such as operation logs and error logs, and the like. 
     The storage device  42  includes a setting information storage unit  42   b  configured to store various setting information on a plurality of devices for each scene, information on the most suitable reference material for each scene, and other information. Specifically, in the setting information storage unit  42   b , set values for various devices used in each scene by surgical staff, information on the most suitable reference material for each scene displayed during scene selection, and other information have been set in advance. 
     More specifically, the setting information storage unit  42   b  stores information (hereinafter referred to as setting information) about one or more devices used in each scene as various setting information on a plurality of devices for each scene. Examples of set values include ON or OFF, output values, and thresholds of the device(s). 
     Furthermore, as information on the most suitable reference material for each scene, the setting information storage unit  42   b  stores at least one piece of information out of: the most suitable page number of an instruction manual for each scene, the most suitable chapter of a movie for each scene, and display timing. 
     When scene selection is made by the surgical staff, the control unit  41  reads setting information on each device relevant to the scene selected out of the setting information storage unit  42   b  and executes a collective setting program to make settings on a plurality of corresponding devices. 
     Furthermore, the storage device  42  includes a history information storage unit  42   c  serving as an operation log information storage unit configured to store, as log data, operation information (operation logs) about operations performed by the surgical staff with respect to one or more controlled devices. 
     The surgical staff performs a surgical operation by making scene selection and operating desired devices including the endoscopes  31  and  32  and the treatment instrument  13   a  such as an electrocautery connected to the electrocautery device  13 . The treatment instrument  13   a  is turned on and off using a foot switch  13   b  connected to the electrocautery device  13 . History information about operations performed by the surgical staff is stored as log data in the history information storage unit  42   c.    
     The storage device  42  also includes an error information storage unit  42   d  configured to store, as log data, error information (error logs) about errors generated during collective settings or during operations of various devices. 
     The communications I/F  43 , which is connected with a plurality of communications lines connected to a plurality of devices, is an interface circuit used by the control unit  41  to communicate with the plurality of devices. Of the plurality of devices,  FIG.  2    shows the shadowless lights  3 , the room light  7 , the electrocautery device  13 , the video processor  15 , the light source device  16 , and a server/cloud  51 . Thus, the control unit  41  can communicate with the plurality of devices via the communications I/F  43  and thereby turn on and off each of the devices, establish or change set values, acquire log data such as operation information or error information from each of the devices, display information on the most suitable reference material, and so on. 
     Furthermore, the control unit  41  receives operation signals from the operating panels  21  and  21 A and outputs image signals of display screens to the operating panels  21  and  21 A via the display I/F  44  in order for the display screens to be displayed on the liquid crystal displays of the operating panels  21  and  21 A. 
     On the display screen of the operating panel  21  or  21 A, the surgical staff can instruct various devices to be operated and receive operation information, error information, and the like when the devices are operated on the display screen. 
     The operations performed by the surgical staff with respect to the operating panel  21  or  21 A as well as errors occurring as a result of the operations are recorded as log data in the history information storage unit  42   c  and the error information storage unit  42   d , respectively. 
     (Operation) 
     Next, a collective setting process of the system controller  22  in the above-mentioned surgery system  1  will be described. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram for explaining collective settings for a plurality of devices made by a scene selection function. 
     A scene setting screen  61  used to make scene settings, which is a scene selection function, is displayed on part of the operating panel  21 . Note that the scene setting screen  61  may be displayed on another display device such as the operating panel  21 A. 
     The scene setting screen  61  includes a plurality of scene selection buttons  62 ,  63 ,  64 , and  65  for use by the surgical staff to select scenes in a surgical operation, and an operation button  66  that provides a scroll function or a page-turning function. By touching desired one of the scene selection buttons  62 ,  63 ,  64 , and  65  according to the progress of the surgical operation, the surgical staff can collectively set states of a plurality of devices. In the example of  FIG.  3   , the plurality of devices are the shadowless lights  3 , the room light  7 , the insufflation device  14 , the light source device  16 , the display device  19 , the recorder  17 , and the electrocautery device  13 . 
     By touching, for example, the scene selection button  62 , a user can collectively set the states of a plurality of devices described above such as on/off states, running/stopped states of various functions, and output levels. 
       FIGS.  4 A,  4 B,  4 C, and  4 D  are diagrams for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings. 
     The user performs a desired operation on the operating panel  21  and causes the operating panel  21  to display a system setting screen  70  for use in system setting on the operating panel  21 . As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the system setting screen  70  contains a scene selection setting button  71  for use to make scene settings and a time point setting button  72  for use to set time points. When the user touches (presses) the scene selection setting button  71  on the system setting screen  70 , a scene selection screen  73  shown in  FIG.  4 B  is displayed on the operating panel  21 . 
     The scene selection screen  73  has a plurality of scene setting buttons  74  to  77  for use to set scenes. The scene setting button  74  is used to set a first scene, the scene setting button  75  is used to set a second scene, the scene setting button  76  is used to set a third scene, and the scene setting button  77  is used to set a fourth scene. 
     When the user wants to set, for example, the first scene, if the user touches the scene setting button  74  on the scene selection screen  73 , a scene setting screen  78  shown in  FIG.  4 C  is displayed on the operating panel  21 . 
     Using the scene setting screen  78 , the user sets a scene name and each device. The scene setting screen  78  contains a setting field  79  in which a scene name is indicated, a setting field  80  in which a scene order is indicated, a setting field  81  in which the device to be set is indicated, a selection button  82  used to change a device to be set, a setting field  83  used to specify an item to be set, a setting field  84  in which a reference material is indicated, a selection button  85  used to select a reference material, a setting field  86  in which a page number/chapter of a reference material is indicated, and a selection button  87  used to select a page number/chapter of the reference material. 
     The user enters a scene name in the setting field  79  of the scene setting screen  78  in  FIG.  4 C . “Preparation” has been inputted as the scene name. The scene order corresponds to the scene selected. In other words, if scene  1  is selected on the scene selection screen  73  in  FIG.  4 B , “1” is inputted in the setting field  80  in which the scene order is indicated, and if scene  2  is selected, “2” is inputted in the setting field  80 . 
     The setting field  81  displays the device to be set. Here, Room Light is displayed as the device to be set. The user sets ON/OFF, light quantity, and the like of the room light using a setting field  83 . By changing the device to be set using the selection button  82 , the user can set each device in the “Preparation” scene. 
     On the scene setting screen  78  a reference material which the user wants to view (a document such as an instruction manual, or a movie) in the scene is read from the server/cloud  51  and set, and a page number/chapter which the user wants to view is selected from the reference material. Documents such as instruction manuals as well as movies are stored in the server/cloud  51 . The control unit  41  communicates with the server/cloud  51  via the communications I/F  43 , acquires an instruction manual, a movie, and the like stored in the server/cloud  51 , and discriminates and set the most suitable page number of the instruction manual, the most suitable chapter of the movie, and the like for each scene. 
     On the scene setting screen  78  in  FIG.  4 C , the movie of “Handpiece Assembly.wmv” is set as the reference material which the user wants to view, and an “Assembly” chapter of the movie has been set. A reference material to be set and the page number/chapter of the reference material are inputted automatically based on conditions described later, but the user can manually set the reference material and the page number/chapter of the reference material using the selection buttons  85  and  87 . 
     When all the scenes have been set on the scene setting screen  78  in  FIG.  4 C , the scene setting screen  61  is displayed on the operation screen shown in  FIG.  4 D . This makes it possible for the user to select desired scenes using the scene selection buttons  62 ,  63 , etc. on the scene setting screen  61 . 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram showing an example of scene setting details related to cholecystectomy procedures. In the cholecystectomy procedures, the first scene is set to “1. Preparation,” the second scene is set to “2. Endoscope Insertion,” the third scene is set to “3. Start of Handpiece Use,” and the final scene is set to “End of Surgical Operation.” 
     For example, in the scene of “1. Preparation,” regarding device settings, the room light is set to OFF and the shadowless lights are set to OFF. As a reference material, the “Assembly” chapter of a movie of “Handpiece Assembly” has been set. Timing to display (play) the reference material is during scene selection, i.e., when the scene of “1. Preparation” is set. According to the present embodiment, the timing to display (play) the reference material is unified to “during scene selection.” 
     In the scene of “2. Endoscope Insertion,” page  70  of an instruction manual for a video system center is set as a reference material. The reference-material display timing is during scene selection as with “1. Preparation.” 
       FIGS.  6 A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D  are diagrams showing examples of a display screen for scene selection. 
     When the user touches the scene selection button  62  of “1. Preparation” on the scene setting screen  61  shown in  FIG.  6 A , a list of “1. Preparation” scene setting details is displayed as shown in  FIG.  6 B . If there is no problem with the setting details, the user touches an Enter button  90 . Consequently, after the scene is run, i.e., after all the devices are set collectively, the movie chapter set on the operating panel  21  is displayed (played) as shown in  FIG.  6 C . 
     When the user touches the scene selection button  63  of “2. Endoscope Insertion” on the scene setting screen  61 , after the scene is run, the set reference material page is displayed on the operating panel  21  as shown in  FIG.  6 D . Since page  70  of the instruction manual has been set for the scene of “2. Endoscope Insertion” as described above, page  70  of the instruction manual is displayed on the operating panel  21  as set above. 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram for explaining an example of search conditions for an instruction manual or a movie which a user wants to view. 
     The settings of the page number of an instruction manual and the chapter of a movie are determined based on the scene order and setting details shown in two sets of search conditions: search conditions A and search conditions B. Note that the concrete contents of the search conditions A and B are exemplary, and are not limited to the contents of  FIG.  7   . In other words, the control unit  41  can set the page number of an instruction manual or the chapter of a movie using conditions other than the search conditions A and B shown in  FIG.  7   . The search conditions A are “a. a scene order” and/or “b. a scene containing a specific device setting.” The search conditions B are “a. to make the system controller store the page number of a reference material/the chapter of a movie manually referred to by the user in a certain scene in the past and reflect contents of the stored information,” “b. to discriminate a device used in each scene based on a procedure, a device to be used, and setting details, discriminate a reference material/movie based on the device name, and set the page number of a reference material/the chapter of a movie set according to the name/order of the scene,” “c. to take a picture of a device using a camera or the like/read a barcode, an RFID, or the like, discriminate the reference material/movie of the device and set the page number of a reference material/the chapter of a movie set according to the name/order of the scene,” and “d. to discriminate the reference material/movie of the device based on equipment and materials to be used and set the page number of a reference material/the chapter of a movie set according to the name/order of the scene.” 
     For example, the control unit  41  sets information which the user wants to view based on “a. the scene to be run first” of the search conditions A as well as on “a. to search for a movie and chapter of a handpiece assembly method referred to in the past in the scene to be run first and set search results for scene.” Consequently, the chapter name “assembly” of the handpiece assembly movie is set. 
     Based on the search conditions A and B, in the second scene, the page of “Instruction Manual for Video System Center” to be displayed is set to “page  70 ,” in the third scene, the chapter name of the movie of “How to Use Handpiece” is set to “How to Use,” and in the fourth scene, page of “Cleanup Method for Devices, Instruction Manual for Storage Space” to be displayed is set to “page  120 .” 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in a “1. Preparation” scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether the scene to be run first (with a scene number of 1) has been edited ( 51 ). If it is determined that the scene to be run first (with a scene number of 1) has not been edited, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 2 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the scene to be run first (with a scene number of 1) has been edited, the control unit  41  calls information on the movies and chapters referred to in the scene run first from a history of a predetermined number of past cases (S 3 ). 
     Next, the control unit  41  discriminates the movie/chapter referred to most frequently from the called history (S 4 ). Based on the discrimination result, the control unit  41  sets the movie/chapter referred to most frequently for the scene (S 5 ) and finishes processing. 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in the “1. Preparation” scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether the scene with a scene number of 1 has been run (S 11 ). If it is determined that the scene with a scene number of 1 has not been run, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 12 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the scene with a scene number of 1 has been run, the control unit  41  determines whether the set movie/chapter is the movie/chapter referred to most frequently (S 13 ). In other words, the control unit  41  discriminates the movie/chapter referred to most frequently in the process of  FIG.  8    and sets the movie/chapter for the scene, but the movie/chapter referred to most frequently may have changed when a scene selection is made actually. Therefore, the control unit  41  determines whether the set movie/chapter is the one referred to most frequently. 
     If it is determined that the set movie/chapter is the one referred to most frequently, the control unit  41  plays the set movie/chapter (S 14 ) and finishes processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the set movie/chapter is not the one referred to most frequently, the control unit  41  determines whether to play the movie/chapter referred to most frequently (S 15 ). 
     If it is determined not to play the movie/chapter referred to most frequently, the control unit  41  goes to the process of S 14 , plays the set movie/chapter (S 14 ), and finishes processing. On the other hand, if it is determined to play the movie/chapter referred to most frequently, the control unit  41  plays the movie/chapter referred to most frequently (S 16 ) and finishes processing. 
       FIG.  10    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in a “3. Start of handpiece use” scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether a scene containing an output value of an electrocautery has been edited (S 21 ). If it is determined that a scene containing an output value of an electrocautery has not been edited, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 22 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a scene containing an output value of an electrocautery has been edited, the control unit  41  discriminates a handpiece to be used, based on the procedure name of “cholecystectomy” and the device (electrocautery) to be used in the scene (S 23 ). 
     The control unit  41  determines whether the scene number is the smallest of the scenes for which output of an electrocautery is set (S 24 ). If it is determined that the scene number is not the smallest of the scenes for which output of an electrocautery is set, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 25 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the scene number is the smallest of the scenes for which output of an electrocautery is set, the control unit  41  discriminates the movie/chapter of how to use a handpiece, sets the movie/chapter for the scene (S 26 ), and finishes processing. 
       FIG.  11    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in the “3. Start of handpiece use” scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether the scene has been run (S 31 ). In the process of S 31 , the control unit  41  determines whether the “3. Start of handpiece use” scene has been run. If it is determined that the scene has not been run, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 32 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the scene has been run, the control unit  41  plays the set movie/chapter after the scene is run (S 33 ) and finishes processing. As a result, the control unit  41  plays the set “How to Use” chapter of the “How to Use Handpiece” movie in the “3. Start of handpiece use” scene. 
     As described above, the control unit  41  of the system controller  22  discriminates and sets a reference material—here, the page number of an instruction manual or the chapter of a movie—most suitable for the scene during scene setting based on the scene order and setting details. When the set scene is run, the control unit  41  sets all the devices collectively and displays a relevant page of the instruction manual or plays a relevant chapter of the movie. 
     In other words, after the scene selection is made, the control unit  41  displays the reference material and plays the movie with the set timing, and thus can display only necessary information with appropriate timing according to each scene, allowing the user to efficiently proceed with tasks. 
     Thus, the central control apparatus according to the present embodiment allows information about tasks carried out according to the progress of a surgical operation to be displayed timely according to the progress of the surgical operation. As a result, the control unit  41  can aid tasks occurring in the progress of the surgical operation, increasing efficiency of the surgical operation performed by the user. Note that search conditions for the information about the tasks carried out according to the progress of the surgical operation are not limited to the search conditions A and search conditions B in  FIG.  7   , and other search conditions are also applicable. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment will be described. 
     In the first embodiment, the timing to play the page number of an instruction manual or the chapter of a movie is limited to when a scene selection is made. In contrast, the second embodiment allows the timing to display the page number of an instruction manual or play the chapter of a movie to be specified. 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings. Note that in  FIG.  12   , components similar to those in  FIG.  4 C  are denoted by the same reference numerals as the corresponding components, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG.  12   , in addition to the components of the scene setting screen  78  in  FIG.  4 C , a scene setting screen  78 A includes a setting field  88  and a selection button  89  that are used to set the timing to display the page number/chapter of a reference material (instruction manual or movie). 
     By touching the scene selection button  89 , the user can set the timing to display/play the reference material (instruction manual or movie). In the example of  FIG.  12   , as a display/playback timing, “upon press of Start Feeding Gas button” is provided in the setting field  88 , and when the user presses the Start Feeding Gas button of the insufflation device  14 , page  70  of the instruction manual for the insufflation device is displayed. 
       FIG.  13    is a diagram showing an example of registration contents set for each procedure and scene. As shown in  FIG.  13   , in an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene in a general cholecystectomy procedure, the set pressure of the insufflation device is set to 15 mmHg as device setting, page  70  of the instruction manual for the insufflation device is set as a reference material, and “upon press of Start Feeding Gas button” of the insufflation device is set as reference-material display timing. 
     On the other hand, in an abdominal pressure setting (small cavity mode) scene in a pediatric cholecystectomy procedure, the set pressure of the insufflation device is set to 12 mmHg as device setting, page  75  of the instruction manual for the insufflation device is set as a reference material, and “upon press of Start Feeding Gas button” of the insufflation device is set as reference-material display timing. 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram showing an example of screen display appearing when an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene is selected and  FIG.  15    is a diagram showing an example of screen display appearing when an abdominal pressure setting (small cavity mode) scene is selected. 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , the scene setting screen  61  includes a scene selection button  91  for use to select an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene and a scene selection button  92  for use to select an abdominal pressure setting (small cavity mode) scene. When the user presses the scene selection button  91  for use to select an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene, a device setting is made. Here, the set pressure of the insufflation device is set to 15 mmHg. Furthermore, the device setting screen includes a Start Feeding Gas button  93  for use to start feeding gas and a Stop Feeding Gas button  94  for use to stop feeding gas. 
     When the user presses the Start Feeding Gas button  93 , according to the set reference-material display timing, the control unit  41  displays page  70  of the instruction manual that contains cautions in feeding gas in standard cavity mode. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG.  15   , when the user presses the scene selection button  92  for use to select an abdominal pressure setting (small cavity mode) scene, a device setting is made. Here, the set pressure of the insufflation device is set to 12 mmHg. Then, when the user presses the Start Feeding Gas button  93 , according to the set reference-material display timing, the control unit  41  displays page  75  of the instruction manual that contains cautions in feeding gas in small cavity mode. 
       FIG.  16    is a diagram showing search conditions for a reference material to be set. 
     In the general cholecystectomy procedure, the set pressure of the insufflation device has been set to 15 mmHg, and the standard cavity mode is discriminated based on the procedure name and the set pressure. Consequently, the page that has a page number of 70 and contains cautions in feeding gas in standard cavity mode is set for the scene. 
     On the other hand, in the pediatric cholecystectomy procedure, the set pressure of the insufflation device is set to 12 mmHg, and the small cavity mode is discriminated based on the procedure name and the set pressure. Consequently, the page that has a page number of 75 and contains cautions in feeding gas in small cavity mode is set for the scene. 
       FIG.  17    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting of the insufflation device has been edited (S 41 ). If it is determined that a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting of the insufflation device has not been edited, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 42 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting of the insufflation device has been edited, the control unit  41  discriminates the reference material and page number to be set for the scene, based on the procedure name “general cholecystectomy” and the scene setting details (S 43 ). Based, for example, on the set pressure of the insufflation device, the control unit  41  discriminates the instruction manual for the insufflation device and the page number of the page containing cautions in feeding gas in standard cavity mode. 
     Once the reference material and page number containing cautions in feeding gas in standard cavity mode are discriminated in the process of S 43 , the control unit  41  sets the instruction manual and page number for the scene (S 44 ). Finally, the control unit  41  sets the timing to display the set reference material and page number to “upon press of Start Feeding Gas button” (S 45 ) and finishes processing. 
       FIG.  18    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in an abdominal pressure setting (standard cavity mode) scene. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting has been run (SM). If it is determined that a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting has not been run, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 52 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a scene containing an abdominal pressure setting has been run, when the Start Feeding Gas button is pressed after the scene is run (S 53 ), the control unit  41  displays the reference material and page number containing cautions in feeding gas in standard cavity mode (S 54 ) and finishes processing. 
     As described above, by setting, during scene selection, the page number of an instruction manual or timing to play a movie, the control unit  41  of the system controller  22  allows the user to check necessary information with a desired timing and check precautions according to the progress of a surgical operation. 
     As the page number of an instruction manual or timing to play a movie is set during scene selection, the user can check necessary information with a desired timing and check precautions and deal with trouble quickly according to the progress of a surgical operation. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a third embodiment will be described. 
     If a device error occurs during a procedure, by displaying a reference material or movie describing how to deal with the error, the third embodiment makes it possible to solve the error quickly. 
       FIG.  19    is a diagram for explaining a setting screen used to make scene settings. Note that a scene setting screen  78 B of  FIG.  19    is identical in screen layout with the scene setting screen  78 A of  FIG.  12   . 
     In the scene setting screen  78 B of  FIG.  19   , page  40  of an instruction manual for an electrocautery is set as a reference material and “upon occurrence of handpiece error” is set as timing. 
       FIG.  20    is a diagram showing an example of registration contents set for each procedure and scene. 
     Regarding the registration contents set for each procedure and scene, when the procedure is cholecystectomy and the scene is endoscope insertion, according to the output value (80 W) of the electrocautery, the page to be displayed is set to page  40  of an electrocautery instruction manual describing how to deal with cholecystic handpiece output error, and display timing is set to “upon occurrence of electrocautery handpiece error.” 
     On the other hand, regarding the registration contents set for each procedure and scene, when the procedure is gastrectomy and the scene is endoscope insertion, according to the output value (60 W) of the electrocautery, the page to be displayed is set to page  45  of an electrocautery instruction manual describing how to deal with gastric handpiece output error and display timing is set to “upon occurrence of electrocautery handpiece error.” 
       FIGS.  21  and  22    are diagrams for explaining examples of a display screen appearing when a handpiece error occurs. 
     As shown in  FIG.  21   , when the procedure is cholecystectomy, if a handpiece error occurs in an endoscope insertion scene, according to registration contents, the control unit  41  displays page  40  of the electrocautery instruction manual, i.e., the page that describes how to deal with cholecystic handpiece output error, on the operating panel  21 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG.  22   , when the procedure is gastrectomy, if a handpiece error occurs in an endoscope insertion scene, according to registration contents, the control unit  41  displays page  45  of the electrocautery instruction manual, i.e., the page that describes how to deal with gastric handpiece output error, on the operating panel  21 . 
       FIG.  23    is a diagram showing search conditions for a reference material to be set. As shown in  FIG.  23   , based on the scene in which device settings include an electrocautery output value as well as on the procedure (cholecystectomy) and the device to be used, the control unit  41  discriminates a reference material for a cholecystic handpiece. Also, the control unit  41  sets a page number describing how to deal with cholecystic handpiece output error for the scene, based on setting details (in case of handpiece output error). 
     On the other hand, based on the scene in which device settings include an electrocautery output value as well as on the procedure (gastrectomy) and the device to be used, the control unit  41  discriminates a reference material for a gastric handpiece. Also, the control unit  41  sets a page number describing how to deal with gastric handpiece output error for the scene, based on setting details (in case of handpiece output error). 
       FIG.  24    is a flowchart showing a process flow of reference material setting in an endoscope insertion scene of cholecystectomy procedures. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether a scene containing an electrocautery output value has been edited (S 61 ). If it is determined that a scene containing an electrocautery output value has not been edited, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 62 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a scene containing an electrocautery output value has been edited, the control unit  41  determines a handpiece to be used, based on the procedure name of “cholecystectomy” and the device (electrocautery) to be used in the scene (S 63 ). 
     The control unit  41  sets the timing to display the reference material/page number to “upon occurrence of electrocautery handpiece error” (S 64 ). The control unit  41  sets the reference material/page number describing how to deal with cholecystic handpiece output error for the scene based on the set details (S 65 ) and finishes processing. 
       FIG.  25    is a flowchart showing a process flow of scene selection in an endoscope insertion scene of cholecystectomy procedures. 
     The control unit  41  determines whether the scene has been run (S 71 ). If it is determined that the scene has not been run, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 72 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the scene has been run, the control unit  41  determines whether a handpiece error has occurred after the scene is run (S 73 ). If it is determined that no handpiece error has occurred after the scene is run, the control unit  41  performs another process (S 74 ). After performing the other process, the control unit  41  may either return to the first process of the flowchart or finish processing the flowchart. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a handpiece error has occurred after the scene is run, the control unit  41  displays a page number describing how to deal with a cholecystic handpiece output error (S 75 ) and finishes processing. 
     As described above, by setting, during scene selection, the page number of an instruction manual or timing to play a movie to “upon occurrence of error,” the control unit  41  of the system controller  22  allows the user to check necessary information with a desired timing and deal with trouble quickly according to the progress of a surgical operation. 
     Note that in the flowcharts herein, by changing the execution sequence of individual steps, a plurality of steps may be carried out simultaneously or steps may be carried out with the sequence varied from run to run as long as the changes are not inconsistent with the nature of the procedures. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes, alterations and the like are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.