General purpose distributed operating room control system

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control system and apparatus that allows multiple surgical devices to be controlled from one or more input devices. Even more particularly, the present invention provides a run-time configurable control system allowing operating room component connectivity and control.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a master controller in electrical communication with both slave controllers and operating room devices in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the voice control interface in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a schematic of the voice control interface card in accordance with the present invention;

#In accordance with the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 1 an operating room control system, generally at 10, in accordance with the present invention. The operating room control system, or control system 10, generally comprises a master controller 12, which is preferably attached to at least one slave controller 14. Although the exemplary preferred embodiment is shown as having both a master controller 12 and at least one slave controller 14 in electrical communication therewith, the control system 10 may be implemented with only a master controller 12 as will be described hereinbelow.

#The master controller 12 is electrically connected to and in electrical communication with a plurality of devices 16 via a plurality of communication ports 46. Alternatively, the master controller 12 may be connected to any slave or specific medical device via wireless communications systems such as IR or RF signal transmitters and receivers on each of the master 12, slaves 14, and devices 16. Some of these devices 16 may be at least one slave controller 14 the operation of which will be described hereinbelow. Other devices that are intended to be electrically connected to the master controller 12, either directly or via the at least one slave controller 14 include devices that are commonly found in an operating room environment.

#For purposes of non-limiting example, directly connected to the master controller 12 in FIG. 1 is an electrocautery device 18. A robotic arm 20 for holding and manipulating an endoscope, such as that produced by Computer Motion of Goleta, Calif. and marketed under the tradename AESOP is electrically connected with the master controller 12 via one of the at least one slave controllers 14. Also in electrical communication with the master controller 12 via a slave controller is an operating room table 22, an insufflator 24, and an operating room lighting system 26. It is envisioned that any electrically controlled device utilized in an operating room environment may be attached to the master controller 12 either directly or via one of the at least one slave controllers 14.