Abstract: A foot operable controller for a surgical instrument having a main foot pedal assembly providing either proportional or linear control signals when moved laterally and in a vertical direction. Friction between an operator's foot and the foot pedal is minimized by a foot pad having a rotating heel plate. A neutral zone between left and right control positions of the foot pedal enables the operator to move his foot freely without changing control settings. Vertical displacement of the foot pedal is indicated by a plurality of mechanical detents during both upward and downward travel. Changing detent resistance alerts the operator to the vertical position of the foot pedal, indicating that further vertical displacement will change an instrument control signal corresponding to the new foot pedal position, thus providing sensory feedback to the operator indicating a change in the functional mode when the foot pedal is moved.

Abstract: A foot operable controller for a surgical instrument having a main foot pedal assembly providing either proportional or linear control signals when moved laterally and in a vertical direction. Friction between an operator's foot and the foot pedal is minimized by a foot pad having a rotating heel plate. A neutral zone between left and right control positions of the foot pedal enables the operator to move his foot freely without changing control settings. Vertical displacement of the foot pedal is indicated by a plurality of mechanical detents during both upward and downward travel. Changing detent resistance alerts the operator to the vertical position of the foot pedal, indicating that further vertical displacement will change an instrument control signal corresponding to the new foot pedal position, thus providing sensory feedback to the operator indicating a change in the functional mode when the foot pedal is moved.

Abstract: A method and foot pedal control for operating a microscope. A foot of an operator is placed on a foot pedal and its movement in an upward or downward direction from a neutral position is detected, with the microscope being moved in the focus-up and focus-down directions in response thereto. Similarly, the rotational movement of the operator's foot in clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the neutral position is detected, and the microscope is moved in the zoom-in and zoom-out directions in response thereto. The non-rotational movement of the operator's foot in a horizontal plane from the neutral position is also detected and the microscope is moved in a corresponding direction to provide field-of-view control. The presence of the operator's foot on the foot pedal is detected to control operation of a microscope light. The foot pedal control includes a platform housing a base member movable relative thereto and on which a foot pedal is mounted for independent rotation in a horizontal plane.