Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-19
2001-09-18
Mengistu, Amare (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C604S022000, C600S118000, C434S323000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292178
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to ophthalmic surgical instruments and is particularly, directed to navigation control apparatus for operating such ophthalmic surgical instruments.
Many ophthalmic surgical instruments include handpieces for effecting a plurality of functions simultaneously, such as, for example, phacoemulsification, which includes fragmenting of lens tissue and simultaneously providing irrigation fluid and aspiration of fluids and fragmented eye tissue from the eye.
A control console is typically configured to coordinate fluid flow and pressure to the handpiece while at the same time also providing control of electrical power necessary for operating the handpiece.
Heretofore available control consoles have generally included numerous control features with an assortment of switch mechanisms and video screens for facilitating the coordination of the multiple settings required for a variety of surgical procedures which include vitrectomy, microscissor cutting, as well as fragmentation/emulsification of lens tissue.
A typical environment for ophthalmic surgical instruments is a suitable hospital or clinic in which the apparatus is utilized by a great number of surgeons.
This of course complicates and compounds the number of control configurations which the console must handle. For example, surgeons with various specialties and operating techniques each may desire or require different response characteristics which are of course programmable in the control console computer.
Thus, while modern control consoles provide a generally universal and programmable control system which can handle a variety of different surgical procedures and be specifically alterable to the response characteristics which any given surgeon may require, it should be appreciated that organization of the control system is quite complicated.
Navigating such control systems in an efficient manner can greatly reduce not only the set up time of the surgical apparatus and controls therefore, but also modifications of settings as my be desired during operating procedures.
Heretofore instruments have utilized various console push buttons and potentiometer knobs which are programmable, see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,843. While an electronic display screen on the console may be useful for displaying the transfunction of each programmable button or knob, the entry of information is still awkward when considering the great amount of input which must be selected or recalled from a computer memory.
The present invention provides screen navigation control apparatus and a method for the efficient utilization of ophthalmic surgical instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Screen navigation control apparatus in accordance with the present invention for an ophthalmic surgical instrument generally includes a monitor having a screen along with a monitor bezel having a generally horizontal shelf aligned with a bottom of a screen and a generally vertical portion aligned with the side of the screen. Efficient operation may be provided when the screen is oriented in a “Landscape” position.
A sliding touch switch disposed on the bezel vertical portion provide a means for activating corresponding vertical displays on the screen.
A plurality of spaced apart switches may be disposed along the bezel shelf for selecting functions and alphanumeric data appearing in an activated vertical display.
Importantly the switches in the bezel shelf and the sliding switch disposed in the bezel vertical portion, and the adjoining monitor screen offer an operating relationship which provides a system for rapid review, editing and saving of information during surgery.
Means are provided for generating vertical displays which are generally parallel to the sliding touch control means in the bezel vertical position with the vertical displays including a main menu having as a first vertical display a mode menu offering a selection of diathermy, phaco, irrigation/aspiration, or vitrectomy mode of operating a surgical instrument. A second vertical display offers a selection of programs saved preferences, such as specific information and settings for a plurality of doctors, different procedures which may be performed by the doctor, and specific settings desired by the doctor for providing a characteristic response the surgical instrument tailored to the doctor's desires.
A third vertical display offers a selection for diagnostics, fluidics and testing/maintenance of the surgical instrument and a fourth vertical display offers a selection for ending operation of the surgical instrument.
More particularly, the vertical displays may include upon selection of a phaco mode of operation, a first selection display for vacuum settings, a second selection display for aspiration settings and a third selection display for power settings.
When necessary for selecting values for input to a control computer the means for generating the vertical displays includes means for projecting a field of alphanumeric characters on the screen which are spaced apart from the vertical displays and adjacent to the vertical sliding touch control means and parallel therewith. A specific alphanumeric character is highlighted corresponding to a position of a user's finger on the sliding touch control means. The selection may occur by release of the user's finger from the sliding touch control means when the sliding touch control means provides for actuation upon release thereof.
More particularly in accordance with the present invention, at least one of the vertical displays may include a list of readable options and a box outline and the sliding touch control means is operative upon touching thereof to move the box outlined to surround one of the readable options with release of the sliding touch control means being effective to select the surrounded readable option and stabilize the box outlined therearound. Thus input to the control system is rapidly and effectively provided by the present system.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention at least one of the vertical displays includes an icon having a space therein for entry of a numerical value and the sliding touch control means is operative, upon touching thereof, to indicate possible numerical values for entry into the icon space upon moving of the user's finger along the sliding touch control means when in contact therewith. Release of the sliding touch control means by the user's finger is effective to display the last possible numerical value in the icon space.
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Bernstein Alec
Robin Laura H.
Zych Monika M.
Allergan Sales Inc.
Hackler Walter A.
Mengistu Amare
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