초록

An improved foot controller of a microsurgical system, and a method of operating the foot controller, are disclosed. The method involves using a computer to modulate a detent of the foot controller from the beginning of the detent to the end of the detent.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising: a computer; and a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion, said range

1. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising: a computer; and a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and using said computer to modulate said detent by varying a resistance felt by a user's foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal, wherein said varying of said resistance comprises increasing said resistance a first time, decreasing said resistance, and increasing said resistance a second time within said detent. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said varying of said resistance occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.3. The method of claim 2 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.4. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising: a computer; a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion and a shaft defining an axis of rotation, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and a force feedback motor mechanically coupled to said shaft; using said force feedback motor to apply a first torque to said shaft that opposes a second torque applied to said shaft by a user's foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal; and using said computer to modulate said detent by varying said first torque, wherein said varying of said first torque comprises increasing said first torque a first time, decreasing said first torque, and increasing said first torque a second time within said detent. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said varying of said first torque occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.6. The method of claim 5 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.7. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising: a computer; and a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and using said computer to modulate said detent by varying a resistance felt by a user's foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal, wherein said varying of said resistance comprises decreasing said resistance a first time, increasing said resistance, and decreasing said resistance a second time within said detent. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said varying of said resistance occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.9. The method of claim 8 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.10. A method of operating a foot controller of a microsurgical system, comprising the steps of:providing a microsurgical system, said system comprising: a computer; a foot controller operatively coupled to said computer, said foot controller having a foot pedal with a range of motion and a shaft defining an axis of rotation, said range of motion having a first area indicative of a first surgical mode of said microsurgical system and a second area indicative of a second surgical mode of said microsurgical system, said first and second areas separated by a detent; and a force feedback motor mechanically coupled to said shaft; using said force feedback motor to apply a first torque to said shaft that opposes a second torque applied to said shaft by a user's foot as said foot presses on said foot pedal; and using said computer to modulate said detent by varying said first torque, wherein said varying of said first torque comprises decreasing said first torque a first time, increasing said first torque, and decreasing said first torque a second time within said detent. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said varying of said first torque occurs at a given frequency from the beginning of said detent to an end of said detent.12. The method of claim 11 wherein said frequency may be selected by said user.