Foot controller for microsurgical system

A foot control for use in a microsurgical system having a central processor for defining operating modes and mode sequences for the system, a foot control comprising:

• a console;
• a foot pedal presented by the console for use by the user of the system during surgery;
• means disposing the foot pedal for movement in pitch by the user over a predetermined maximum extent of pitch movement, to selectively control one or more linear functions carried out by the system according to its operating modes and mode sequences;
• a control circuit within the console and connected with the microsurgical system in a computer network for data communication with the microsurgical system;
• the control circuit electronically supervising foot pedal movements in pitch and for reporting such movements and actuation to the microsurgical system for control accordingly of the microsurgical system in its operating modes;
• the control circuit communicating with the system for programming the features and functions of the foot pedal in yaw for permitting user control of operating modes by changing the pitch of the foot pedal;
• the control circuit functioning with the system for defining within the total extent of pitch movement of the foot pedal a plurality of activation regions, and enabling the activation regions to be selectively varied in respective arcuate extent;
• an electronically-activated brake contained within the console and interconnected with the foot pedal and selectively energizable for detenting action in accordance with predetermined system criteria;
• the brake being selectively energizable for controlled detenting of movement of the foot pedal for indicating transition of foot pedal movement from one activation region to another activation region;
• and
• the control circuit comprising a brake drive circuit for energizing the brake, including circuit means for providing a current for the brake for braking action, and for rapidly increasing the brake current for rapid engagement of the brake to provide a detenting action without substantial delay.