AU2003244532B2

AU2003244532B2 - Footswitch

Info

Publication number: AU2003244532B2
Application number: AU2003244532A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Argelio M Olivera; Robert Peterson; David Thoe; Dac Vu; Jason Zhou
Original assignee: Alcon Inc
Current assignee: Alcon Inc
Priority date: 2002-09-04
Filing date: 2003-09-03
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-03
Also published as: IL171889A0; IL171890A0; BR122015015873B1; IL171891A0; IL171886A0; KR20040021558A; MXPA03007605A; BR0303428A; KR20070098771A; BR122015015873B8; IL171886A; KR100787706B1; KR20070090870A; BR122015015867B8; IL171887A0; JP2011206596A; KR20070090868A; IL157547A; JP5107944B2; CA2437328A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Alcon, Inc.

Actual Inventor(s): Argelio M Olivera, Robert Peterson, David Thoe, Dac Vu, Jason Zhou Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title:

FOOTSWITCH

Our Ref: 700827 POF Code: 230590/459561 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1- 6008q

FOOTSWITCH

O

Z Background of the Invention 00 This invention relates generally to the field of surgical consoles and, more ',particularly, to footswitches used to control microsurgical consoles.

During moder surgery, particularly ophthalmic surgery, the surgeon uses a C variety of pneumatic and electronically driven microsurgical handpieces. The 0 10 handpieces are operated by a microprocessor-driven surgical console that receives CN inputs from the surgeon or an assistant by a variety of peripheral devices including footswitches. Prior art footswitches are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,837,857 (Scheller, et 4,965,417 (Massie), 4,983,901 (Lehmer), 5,091,656 (Gahn), 5,268,624 (Zanger), 5,554,894 (Sepielli), 5,580,347 (Reimels), 5,635,777 (Telymonde, et al.), 5,787,760 (Thorlakson), 5,983,749 (Holtorf) and 6,179,829 B1 (Bisch, et al.) and International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 98/08442 (Bixch, et WO 00/12037 (Chen) and WO 02/01310 (Chen), the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. These patents, however, focus primarily on functional attributes of footswitches, not the ergonomics of footswitches.

Accordingly, a need continues to exist for an ergonomically improved footswitch.

It should be noted that the discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

Brief Summary of the Invention Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides a surgical footswitch, including: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base; and la W:.Speces\700827(14.11.05).doc c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the switches being adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the switches.

The footswitch may have: a heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle; a treadle pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base, and a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counter-rotation of the treadle operates the switches; a heel cup rotationally mounted to the treadle so that the heel cup may be rotated independently of any movement of the treadle; a plurality of plungers retractably mounted within the base, and a relatively high friction material mounted to a bottom of the base, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch; and may have a treadle mounted to the base so as to be pivotal about a pivot axis; and a heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle while maintaining the pivot axis slightly ahead of an ankle rotation axis of a foot of a user.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a surgical footswitch, including: a) a base having a bottom; b) a treadle pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base; c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the side switches being operable without movement of the treadle and adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the side switches; d) a heel cup slidable and rotatably retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle; e) a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counterrotation of the treadle operates the switches; f) a plurality of plungers retractably mounted to the bottom; and g) a relatively high friction material mounted to the base bottom, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and W SI-,\7OO827 (16 4 07) Spn Anlldl sk extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch.

The present invention may provide footswitches having adjustable treadles and switch placements, thereby helping to make the footswitches ergonomically more correct for a variety of users.

The present invention may provide a surgical footswitch that can be adjusted to accommodate different sized feet.

The present invention may provide an ergonomically adjustable surgical footswitch.

The present invention may provide a surgical footswitch having adjustable switches.

These and other advantages and objectives of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and claims that follow.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical footswitch of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are enlarged plan views of the footswitch of Fig. 1 illustrating the adjustability of the side switches.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical footswitch of Fig. 1 illustrating the assembly of the side switches.

FIGS. 4A-4B are bottom plan views of the side switches that may be used with the footswitch of Fig. I illustrating the operation of the rotational locking mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the footswitch of Fig. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly drawing of a heel cup slide adjustment mechanism that may be used with the footswitch of Fig. 1.

FIGS. 7A-7B are top plan views of the heel cup of Fig. 6 illustrating the operation of the slidable heel cup adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the rotational operation of the treadle.

FIGS. 9A-9B are bottom plan views of treadle switches that may be used with the footswitch of Fig. 1.

WSj%,A\70827 (16 04 07) S 1 Anidkv FIG. 10 is a side partial cross-sectional view of the footswitch of Fig. 1 illustrating the location of the treadle pivot point with respect to the ankle of the user.

FIGS. IA-IIB are side plan view of the footswitch of Fig. 1 illustrating the operation of the treadle rotation lock.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view similar to FIGS. 5 and 8, but illustrating the rotational operation of the heel cup.

FIG. 13 is an exploded assembly drawing of the heel cup rotation mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the footswitch of Fig. 1.

FIGS. 15A-15C are cross-sectional view of the footswitch of Fig. 1 illustrating the operation of the anti-gravity spring plunger feet.

Detailed Description of the Invention As best seen in FIG. 1, footswitch 10 of an embodiment of the present invention generally includes base 12, treadle 14 having heel cup 16 and side or wing switches 18, all of which can be made from any suitable material, such as stainless steel, titanium or plastic. Base 12 may contain protective bumper 20 made from a relatively soft elastomeric material. As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, 3 and 4A-4B, side switches 18 may be adjusted inwardly (FIG. 2B) or outwardly (FIG. 2C) to increase or decrease the distance between switches 18 and accommodate for variations in the width of user foot 100. Such adjustment is accomplished by pushing on locking buttons 22, causing locking pin 24 on base 12 to be released from within detents 26 in switches 18 and rotating about pins 28 in holes 30 located on base 12. When buttons 22 are released, springs 32 push detents 26 against locking pin 24, thereby holding switches 18 in a locked position. The relative position of switches 18 may be determined visually by the use of switch position indicators 34, as best seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

As best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7A-7B, the length of treadle 14 may be adjusted by sliding movement of heel cup 16. As best seen in FIG. 6, treadle 14 is mounted to treadle base 36 by thrust bearing 38, thereby allowing treadle 14 to pivot about axis Heel cup slide 42 is received on treadle 14 and contains locking lever 44, which is held onto heel cup slide 42 by retainers 46. Locking pins 48 are held within locking lever 44 by shafts 50. Locking pins 48 are biased into locking pin holes 52 in treadle 14 by springs 54 pushing against locking pin retainer 56. In this manner, pushing on locking W 1-0 7 (M 07) Sp1 A-ids 0 lever 44 pulls locking pins 48 out of locking pin holes 52 and allows heel cup slide 42 to slide lengthwise along slots 58 in treadle 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. The relative position of heel cup 16 relative to treadle 14 may be visually indicated by indicators 60. In addition, treadle 14 may contain raised reference point 62, indicating the center of treadle 14.

The width and length adjustments described above preferably allow footswitch to be adjusted to accommodate the 5 h percentile female to the 95 h percentile male foot width and length, with or without shoes. As best seen in FIG. 10, ankle rotation axis 65 of foot 100 is located behind pivot axis 68 of treadle 14 for all three treadle lengths.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B, treadle 14 may rotate or counter-rotate about thrust bearing 38 to operate left and right switches 64, which are mounted on treadle base 36. Return springs 66 provide for automatic centering of treadle 14 following rotation. As best seen in FIGS. IIA and 11B, treadle base 36 contains alignment pin 70 that fits within hole 72 in base 12 when treadle 14 is in the resting, non-pivoted position. Such a construction prevents rotation of treadle 14 to activation of switches 64 when treadle 14 is in the resting, non-pivoted position (FIG. 1 but allows rotation of treadle 14 when treadle 14 is depressed or pivoted (FIG. 11B).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, heel cup 16 is mounted to heel cup slide 42 using thrust bearing 74, alignment cap 76 and screws 82. Such a construction allow for the rotation of heel cup 16 independently of any rotation of treadle 14 (as show in FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B) and allows for the operation of side switches 18 when treadle 14 is in the resting and rotationally locked position (FIG. 11 Return lever, 78, mounted to heel cup 16 acts against return springs 80 to provide for automatic centering of heel cup 16 in the resting position.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15A-15C, bottom 85 of base 12 preferably is covered by relatively high friction polymer VERSAFLEX TPE) material 84 and contains a plurality of retractable, anti-gravity spring-loaded plunger feet 86 made from a low friction polymer material DELRIN® acetal resin). As shown in FIG. 15A and 15B, when there is no weight on footswitch 10, spring loaded plunger feet 86 project a short distance D 0.04 inches) outwardly from bottom 84, thereby contacting the floor and allowing easy sliding of footswitch 10 on relatively low friction plunger tips 88. As shown in FIG. 15C, when weight is placed on footswitch 10, plungers 86 retract, W 1 -,,7M(827 (1 4 0C7) Slv Anrndi, and high friction bottom 84 contacts the floor, thereby making it more difficult to slide footswitch 10 during use.

This description is given for purposes of illustration and explanation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that modifications may be made to the invention as herein described without departing from its scope or spirit.

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Claims

1. A surgical footswitch, including: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base; and c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the switches being adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the switches.

2. The footswitch of claim 1, wherein the switches are locked in place by a locking pin of the base being held within detents in the switches.

3. The footswitch of claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the switches is visually indicated by switch position indicators.

4. The footswitch of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the treadle contains a raised reference point for assisting in centering a foot on the treadle.

The footswitch of any one of the preceding claims, including a heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle.

6. The footswitch of claim 5, wherein the heel cup is slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle while maintaining the pivot axis slightly ahead of an ankle rotation axis of a foot of a user.

7. The footswitch of claim 5 or 6, wherein the heel cup is prevented from sliding by a plurality of locking pins mounted on the heel cup, the locking pins fitting within locking holes in the treadle.

8. The footswitch of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the position of the heel cup is visually indicated by position indicators. W Sl--\M)827 116 1M Y17) Sl A-,hr Jr

9. The footswitch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the treadle is pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base; and including a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counter-rotation of the treadle operates the switches.

10. The footswitch of claim 9, including a locking pin mounted on the treadle that fits within a locking hole in the base so as to prevent rotation of the treadle and operation of the treadle-mounted switches when the treadle is in a resting, non- pivoted position.

11. The footswitch of any one of the preceding claims, including a heel cup rotationally mounted to the treadle so that the heel cup may be rotated independently of any movement of the treadle.

12. The footswitch of claim 11, wherein rotation of the heel cup allows operation of the side switches independently of any movement of the treadle.

13. The footswitch of any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of plungers retractably mounted within the base; and a relatively high friction material mounted to the base bottom, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch.

14. The footswitch of claim 13, wherein the plungers are made from a relatively low friction material.

A surgical footswitch, including: a) a base having a bottom; b) a treadle pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base; c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the side switches being operable without movement of the treadle and adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the side switches; W \SJ-\700827 (16 (W 071 Sn' d, d) a heel cup slidable and rotatably retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle; e) a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counter- rotation of the treadle operates the switches; f) a plurality of plungers retractably mounted to the bottom; and g) a relatively high friction material mounted to the base bottom, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch.

16. A footswitch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. W \Sjclc.\7tX)827 (16 Sla An-nlu k