User configurable control panel layout for medical device

A medical device comprising:

• equipment within the medical adapted to be device controlled at least in part by one or more control devices external to the medical device;
• a control panel exterior to the medical device, the control panel having thereon a plurality of receptor locations for accepting a control pod, the control pod containing one or more input control devices;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart pod receptors each capable of receiving a control pod containing one or more input control devices that are configured to produce signals in response to interaction with a user's hand and provide the signals to the medical device in order to control at least one function of the medical device, wherein the control pod is selected from a plurality of control pods having different input control devices, the selected control pod having a reciprocal shape to a mechanical shape of the pod receptor and wherein each pod receptor includes at least one connector for coupling communications between equipment within the medical device and the one or more input control devices of a control pod that is secured to the pod receptor and for receiving information indicative of an identity of the control pod for use by the medical device.