System and method for user selectable release modality for a surgical cassette
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for allowing a user to select the release modality of a surgical cassette. Example release modes can include an instant or latching mode, a continuous mode or a delay mode. An embodiment of the present invention can include providing a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes, determining that a release request is asserted, and releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode. According to one embodiment, the release modes for the cassette can include an instant mode, a continuous mode and a delay mode. The user can also select, for example, whether the release command can be asserted through a button, user interface or both.
The present invention relates to surgical cassettes. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to surgical cassettes used in ophthalmic surgical systems. Even more particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for releasing surgical cassettes from surgical instrumentation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe human eye can suffer a number of maladies causing mild deterioration to complete loss of vision. While contact lenses and eyeglasses can compensate for some ailments, ophthalmic surgery is required for others. Generally, ophthalmic surgery is classified into posterior segment procedures, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and anterior segment procedures, such as cataract surgery. More recently, combined anterior and posterior segment procedures have been developed.
The surgical instrumentation used for ophthalmic surgery can be specialized for anterior segment procedures or posterior segment procedures or support both. In any case, the surgical instrumentation often requires the use of associated consumables such as surgical cassettes, fluid bags, tubing, hand piece tips and other consumables.
A surgical cassette can provide a variety of functions depending on the procedure and surgical instrumentation. For example, surgical cassettes for cataract surgeries (e.g., phacoemulsification procedures) help manage irrigation and aspiration flows into and out of a surgical site. Surgical cassettes can also provide support for fluid bags, a manifold for directing vacuum/pressure to surgical instrumentation, and other functionality.
Cassettes are generally coupled to the surgical instrumentation at a cassette receiving site. When a cassette is inserted into the cassette receiver, a clamp closes on the cassette to hold the cassette in place. Surgical cassettes are often released from the surgical instrumentation by pressing a release button or other mechanically electrical actuate that causes the surgical instrumentation to initiate the process of releasing the cassette. Unfortunately, if the cassette release button is accidentally activated, the cassette may release during a surgical procedure. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that allows a user to select how a cassette should be released to prevent accidental releases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for user selectable release modality of a surgical cassette. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for user selectable cassette release modality. The method can comprise the steps of providing a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes, determining that a release request is asserted, and releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode. According to one embodiment, the release modes for the cassette can include an instant mode, a continuous mode and a delay mode.
Another embodiment of the present invention can include a computer program product comprising a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable medium, said set of computer instructions comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes, determine that a release request is asserted, and issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a surgical system comprising a display device, a cassette receiver to receive a surgical cassette, a cassette release button to request release of the surgical cassette from the cassette receiver and a controller coupled to (i.e., operable to communicate with) the display device and the cassette release button. The controller can be configured to provide a user interface to a user that allows the user to select a cassette release mode from a set of cassette release modes, receive a cassette release request signal when the release button is actuated and issue one or more commands to release the cassette from the cassette receiver according to the selected cassette release mode.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an advantage by allowing a user to select release modes that balance speed of release with prevention of accidental cassette release.
Embodiments of the present invention provide another advantage by allowing surgical equipment to have greater flexibility to support diverse users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the FIGURES, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for allowing a user to select the release modality of a surgical cassette. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user can be allowed to choose one of multiple modes of operation for releasing a surgical cassette. For example, the user can choose a first mode of operation in which the cassette release process begins and proceeds to completion when a user presses a release button regardless of how long the user holds the release button. In a second mode of operation, the user must continue to hold the button for the entire release process. If the button is not continuously held, the surgical instrumentation will stop the release command, or stop the release command and then regrip the cassette. In a third mode of operation, the user must hold the release button for a predefined delay period. If the user holds the button for the predefined delay period, the surgical instrumentation will commence cassette release and proceed to finish.
Surgical console 100 also includes a connection panel 120 used to connect various tools and consumables to surgical console 100. Connection panel 120 can include, for example, a coagulation connector, balanced salt solution receiver, connectors for various hand pieces and a fluid management system (“FMS”) or cassette receiver 125. Surgical console 100 can also include a variety of user friendly features, such as a foot pedal control (e.g., stored behind panel 130) and other features.
In operation, a cassette (not shown) can be placed in cassette receiver 125. Clamps in surgical console 100 clamp the cassette in place to minimize movement of the cassette during use. The clamps can clamp the top and bottom of the cassette, the sides of the cassette or otherwise clamp the cassette.
Surgical console 100 is provided by way of example and embodiments of the present invention can be implemented with a variety of surgical systems. Example surgical systems in which cassettes according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used include, for example, the Series 2000® Legacy® cataract surgical system, the Accurus® 400VS surgical system, and the Infiniti™ Vision System surgical system, all available from Alcon Laboratories Inc. of Fort Worth, Tex. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can be used with a variety of surgical cassettes, examples of which are described in U.S. Pub. Nos. 2005/0186098 (application Ser. No. 11/114,289 to Davis et al.), 2004/0253129 (application Ser. No. 10/891,642 to Sorensen et al.), 2005/0065462 (application Ser. No. 10/979,433 to Nazarifar et al.), 2003/0225363 (application Ser. No. 10/156,175 to Gordon et al.), 2001/0016711 (application Ser. No. 09/846,724 to Sorensen et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,926 to Sorensen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,695 to Cook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,833 to Cook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,258 to Wang et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,051 to Steppe, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,850 to DeMeo, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,238 to Sundblom et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,816 to Sundblom et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,956 to Beuchat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,342 to Beuchat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,458 to Cole et al and U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,544 to Jung et al., each of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented for other suitable surgical systems and cassettes as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The surgical cassette, in the embodiment of
Surgical console interface section 170 can provide an interface for fluid flow channels (e.g., flow channel 177 for the peristaltic pump provided by an elastomeric pump membrane), valves (e.g., irrigation/aspiration valves), pressure sensors and other features to manage fluid flow. Cassette 150 can also attach to a fluid bag (not shown) to collect fluids during a procedure.
In operation, cassette 150 is held in place in cassette receiver 125 by clamp rails that contact cassette 150 in the clamping zones. For example, the upper clamp rail will contact cassette 150 in clamping zone 160 and clamping zone 165 while the bottom clamp rail (e.g., bottom clamp rail 142) will contact cassette 150 at similar bottom clamping zones.
Secondary memory 204 can store a variety of computer instructions that include, for example, an operating system such as a Windows® operating system (Windows is a trademark of Redmond, Wash. based Microsoft Corporation) and applications that run on the operating system, along with a variety of data. More particularly, secondary memory 204 can store a software program 230 that controls the release mode of the surgical cassette. During execution by processor 202, portions of program 230 can be stored in secondary memory 204 and/or primary memory 203.
In operation, program 230 can be executable by processor 202 to provide a GUI to the user (e.g., through monitor 110) that allows the user to select the release mode for surgical cassette 150. The release mode can be based on the actuation of release button 145 or other indication of a release request. According to one embodiment, the user can select a latching release mode, a continuous release mode or a delayed release mode. Each release mode is different in the amount of time release button 145 must be pressed (or that the user must otherwise indicate that a release is requested), or the way in which the software reacts in order to release the cassette. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the selected mode can become the default mode until a user changes the selected mode.
Under a first mode of operation, when controller 200 receives a release request (e.g., by detecting actuation of release button 145 or other indication of a release request) controller 200 will commence the cassette release process and proceed to finish (i.e., the point where the user can safely remove the cassette from the surgical instrumentation). This mode of operation is fast and convenient for a user as the user can push release button 145 once and walk away until the release process is finished.
Under a second mode of operation, when controller 200 receives a release request, controller 200 can initiate the release process (e.g., by sending commands or control signals to the clamping mechanism or other components of the surgical instrumentation). Controller 200 can continue to determine if a release request is being asserted by the user throughout the release process and, if not, controller 200 can halt the release process. Using the example in which the user presses release button 145 to request a release, controller 200, according to the second mode of operation, can continually sample the signal from release button 145 (i.e., within the hardware or software sampling rate of controller 200) to determine if the user continuously actuated the release button. If, before the release process finishes, controller 200 detects that the user is no longer pressing release button 145, controller 200 can halt the cassette release process. While this mode of operation may not be as convenient for the user as it does not allow the user to walk away during the release process, it eliminates or at least substantially reduces accidental button actuation causing release of the cassette.
A third, or delay, mode of operation is similar to the first mode of operation, but a time delay is included. The time delay can be hard-coded, pre-programmed by the supplier of the surgical instrumentation or user-programmable. Under the third mode of operation, when controller 200 detects a release request (e.g., by detecting actuation of release button 145), controller 200 will continuously determine if the release request is being asserted by the user for a delay period. If controller 200 determines that the release request is asserted by the user for the entire delay period, controller 200 can commence the release process and proceed to finish. Conversely, if controller 200 determines that the user ceases asserting the release request during the delay period (e.g., by no longer pressing release button 145), controller 200 will not commence the release process. The time delay introduced in reading of the release request helps prevent accidental button actuation from accidentally releasing the cassette. By requiring that the release request be asserted for a predetermined period of time, the possible event of an accidental transient actuation of the release button is filtered out. This mode of operation can be almost as fast as the first mode of operation, while affording much of the protection of the second mode of operation.
It should be noted that the modes of operation are provided by way of example, but not limitation and other modes of operation can be implemented. According to one embodiment, the differences between the three modes of operation can be implemented through program 230. Using the example of a cassette release button to request a cassette release, the first mode of operation can use a software latch on the button actuation signal to start and complete the cassette release. The second mode of operation uses a continuous button signal to complete the cassette release from start to completion. The third mode of operation uses a time delay in program 230 such that the button signal is required to have a minimum time duration before a latch is used to start and complete the release.
Controller 200 of
At step 255, surgical console 100 can receive a release request. The release request can be asserted, for example, by the user pressing a cassette release button, providing an input through the graphical user interface or otherwise requesting release of the surgical cassette. If the user selected the immediate mode, surgical console 100 can commence the release process and proceed to finish (step 260), at which time the user can remove the cassette.
If the user selected continuous mode, surgical console 100 can initiate the release process (step 265). At step 270, surgical console can determine if the release process has completed and, if not, determine if the release request is still asserted by the user (step 275). This can be done, for example, by determining if the release button is still pressed or otherwise determining that the user is continuing to request the release. If the release request is still asserted, console 100 can continue the release process (step 277) and return to step 270. Steps 270, 275 and 277 can be repeated until the release process is completed (e.g., as determined at step 270) or the release request is no longer asserted (e.g., as determined at step 275). If surgical console 100 determines that the release request is no longer asserted prior to the release process completing, surgical console 100 can terminate the release process prior to completion, or terminate the release prior to completion and then regrip the cassette.
If the user selected the delay mode, surgical console 100, at step 280, can determine if the delay time has been reached. If the delay time has not been reached, surgical console 100, at step 290, can determine if the release request is still asserted. Again this can be done by sampling the release button signal to determine if the release button is still actuated. If surgical console 100 determines that the release request is asserted for the delay time, surgical console 100 can commence the release process and proceed to finish (step 295). If, however, surgical console 100 determines that the release request is no longer asserted during the delay time, surgical console 100 will not commence the release process.
The steps of
Embodiments of the present invention can be used in a variety of surgical systems, particularly ophthalmic surgical systems, and provide increased functionality and ease of use. Users are able to balance their preferences on speed versus accidental release. For example, cataract users may value cassette release speed more than preventing accidental releases, since cataract surgeries are generally short duration procedures in which setup and teardown time is a large percentage of the total procedure time. An accidental cassette release during a cataract surgery would generally not be critical since the interruption of irrigation or aspiration functions would not typically cause a patient harm. Vitreoretinal users, on the other hand, may prefer preventing accidental releases more than cassette release speed, since these surgeries are typically long duration procedures in which the setup and teardown time is a small percentage of the total case time. Since an accidental release of the cassette during such a procedure would interrupt the infusion function and cause a possible recalibration of the system and a potential and unintended change in intraocular pressure, an accidental release is undesirable. By allowing the user to select a preferred release mode, surgical instrumentation can have greater flexibility to support diverse users.
While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed in the following claims.
Claims
1. A method for user selectable cassette release modality, comprising:
- providing a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes;
- determining that a release request is asserted; and
- releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises:
- if the selected cassette release mode is an immediate mode, initiating and completing a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises, if the selected cassette release mode is a continuous mode:
- initiating a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;
- subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted prior to completion of the cassette release process; and
- if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminating the cassette release process.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted further comprises continually determining whether the release request is still asserted until the release process is completed or terminated.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein terminating the cassette release process further comprises reengaging the cassette.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises, if the selected release mode is a delay mode:
- determining if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and
- if so, initiating a cassette release process.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising continuing the cassette release process until the cassette release process completes.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the user interface further allows the user to specify the delay time.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises:
- if the selected cassette release mode is an immediate mode, initiating and completing a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;
- if the selected cassette release mode is a continuous mode: initiating the cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted; subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted; if the release request is still asserted and the cassette release process has not finished, continuing the cassette release process; if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminating the cassette release process;
- if the selected release mode is a delay mode: determining if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and if so, initiating the cassette release process.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.
11. A computer program product comprising a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable medium, said set of computer instructions comprising instructions executable by a processor to:
- provide a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes;
- determine that a release request is asserted; and
- issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode.
12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish.
13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to:
- initiate a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;
- subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted; and
- if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminate the cassette release process.
14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the set of computer instructions further comprise instructions executable to cause the cassette to be reengaged if the release process is terminated.
15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the instructions executable to subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted further comprise instructions executable to continually sample a signal indicating a release request.
16. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to:
- determine if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and
- if so, initiate a cassette release process.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the set of computer instructions are executable to allow the cassette release process to continue until the cassette release process completes.
18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the user interface further allows the user to specify the delay time.
19. The computer program product of claim 11, the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to:
- according to a first mode of operation, initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish;
- according to a second mode of operation: initiate the cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted; subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted prior to completion of the cassette release process; if the release request is not still asserted, terminate the cassette release process; and
- according to a third mode of operation: determine if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and if so, initiate the cassette release process.
20. The computer program product of claim 11, the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.
21. A surgical system comprising:
- a display device;
- a cassette receiver to receive a surgical cassette;
- a cassette release button to request release of the surgical cassette from the cassette receiver;
- a controller coupled to the display device and the cassette release button, the controller configured to: provide a user interface to a user that allows the user to select a cassette release mode from a set of cassette release modes, receive a cassette release request signal when the release button is actuated; and issue one or more commands to release the cassette from the cassette receiver according to the selected cassette release mode on receiving the cassette release request signal.
22. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein the set of cassette release modes comprises at least an immediate mode, a delay mode and a continuous mode.
23. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein user interface allows the user to specify a delay time if the user selects the delay mode.
24. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein the controller is further configured to:
- if the immediate mode is selected, initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish;
- if the continuous mode is selected: initiate the cassette release process based on determining that the cassette release button is pressed; continuously determining if the cassette release button is pressed; if it is determined that the cassette release button is no longer pressed and the cassette release process has not completed, terminate the cassette release process; and
- if the delay mode is selected: determine if the cassette release button is pressed for a delay time; and if so, initiate the cassette release process.
25. The surgical system of claim 22, the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2007
Inventor: David Williams (Newport Beach, CA)
Application Number: 11/394,896
International Classification: F04B 43/12 (20060101);