DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0057] A medical device controller 40 according to the present invention is integrated into an operating room environment that includes a surgical table 42 , a surgical lighting system 44 , a control station 46 , and an IV stand 48 , as shown in FIG. 1 . A surgeon 50 and one or more assistants 52 typically perform a procedure on a patient 54 while another care giver 56 , such as an anesthesiologist or a nurse, controls and monitors operating room equipment from control station 46 . Table 42 and lighting system 44 provide a variety of controllable features, as discussed in more detail below. Controller 40 provides a single, integrated, user-friendly interface for care giver 56 to control medical devices such as table 42 and lighting system 44 .

[0058] Controller 40 is a hand-held device and can be configured to control medical devices through a variety of communication interfaces. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , lighting system 44 includes a base unit 64 coupled to light heads 62 via independent, articulated arms 66 . Controller 40 can be coupled directly to based unit 64 by a telescoping arm 68 . Telescoping arm 68 is coupled to base unit 64 by a horizontal pivot 70 and a vertical pivot 72 , and includes a distal pivot 74 , thereby providing for flexible movement of controller 40 throughout the operating room environment. In this configuration, signals between controller 40 and light heads 62 can be hard-wired through arms 66 , 68 and base unit 64 .

[0059] Controller 40 is either wired directly to the controllable devices or, preferably, is configured to send signals to the controllable devices using a wireless link, such as a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or ultrasound communication link. Wireless communication links are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, it is within the scope of the present invention for controller 40 to use any means known to those skilled in the art to send signals to the controllable devices.

[0060] By using a wireless communication protocol, controller 40 is conveniently moved around the operating room environment by care giver 56 , for example as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1 . A sterile sheath (not shown), made from a suitably flexible and transparent material such as thin latex rubber, is provide to encapsulate controller 40 so that it can be safely used throughout an operating room without contaminating the sterile environment. The sterile sheath may include a anti-microbial agent to further facilitate a sterile environment. By providing a single controller 40 that integrates controls for several operating room devices, and allowing controller 40 to be moved freely throughout the environment, the present invention increases operating room efficiency.

[0061] Modern surgical tables such as the illustrative table 42 shown in FIGS. 1 - 6 provide a variety of controllable functions. Table 42 includes articulated table frame 58 , mattress 60 , vertical support column 76 , and base 78 . Base 78 includes a foot control panel 80 having a plurality of control buttons 82 , for adjusting vertical support column 76 , mattress 60 , and articulated table frame 58 . As shown in FIG. 2, a pendant controller 81 coupled by a tether 83 to frame 58 similarly includes a plurality of control buttons 85 as well as a display 87 . Pendant controller 81 , which can be coupled to table 42 at any convenient location, similarly provides for adjusting frame 58 , mattress 60 , and support column 76 .

[0062] Articulated table frame 58 includes a head section 84 , an upper back section 86 , a lower back section 88 , a seat section 90 , a pair of upper legs section 92 , and a pair lower legs section 94 . Sections of table frame 58 are coupled to longitudinally adjacent sections via pivots so that adjacent sections can be rotated with respect to each other by motors (not shown) or other suitable actuators well-known to those skilled in the art. Support column 76 is similarly vertically adjustable by a motor or actuator (not shown). Adjustment of articulated table frame sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 , and vertical support column 76 can be controlled by buttons 82 or, as discussed in more detail below, via controller 40 .

[0063] Mattress 60 illustratively includes an outer head section 96 , an inner head section 98 , a torso section 100 , and a pair of legs section 102 . Torso section 100 and legs section 102 illustratively include a plurality of chambers 61 that are individually controllable. Mattress 60 can be any type of controllable mattress surface, e.g., some type of fluid mattress such as an air mattress, or a vacuum bead mattress, etc. In the context of the embodiments of the invention as discussed below, mattress 60 illustratively is a vacuum bead air mattress system in which mattress sections 96 , 98 , 100 , and 102 can include multiple chambers and are coupled to a pressure and vacuum system to allow for selectively controlling the amount of pressure or vacuum in any chamber within any of the sections. Mattress 60 also includes a plurality of pressure sensors (not shown) to allow for measuring pressure within any chamber of the mattress sections. An illustrative controllable mattress is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,763, entitled “Surface Pad System for a Surgical Table”, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0064] Surgical table 42 can be placed into configurations to support various medical or surgical procedures as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 - 6 . As discussed in more detail below, controller 40 provides for automatically placing table 42 in a desired, predefined configuration, such as those shown in FIGS. 3 - 6 , as well as for incrementally adjusting table frame 58 and mattress 60 as required to accommodate variations needed for any particular doctor 50 or patient 54 .

[0065] Features of controllable tables such as surgical table 42 are also discussed and shown in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,073,284; 6,149,674; and 6,202,230, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0066] As illustrated by the block diagram of FIG. 7 , controller 40 provides a single, mechanism for an operator, such as care giver 56 , to control features of articulated frame 58 or mattress 60 of surgical table 42 , as well as other controllable systems such as a lighting system 44 or a temperature control subsystem 104 that can be integrated with mattress 60 . As shown in FIG. 8, a basic architecture for controller 40 can be a processor 106 that is coupled to an I/O subsystem 108 , a memory 110 , and a communication interface 112 . Processor 106 is illustratively a microprocessor or a microcontroller (the latter can include integral memory to alleviate the need for a separate memory 110 .) By providing a processor-based architecture with memory 110 , controller 40 can be reconfigured or reprogrammed as needed to provide for control of new or different controlled medical devices, user interface needs, or external interface requirements. It is only necessary for a controlled device to be compatible with communication interface 112 as provided with controller 40 .

[0067] Controller 40 's I/O subsystem 108 is illustratively a touch-screen display system which provides a backlit, liquid crystal display 116 . The touch screen input signals are illustratively provided by a matrix of translucent, membrane-type switches (not shown) positioned above display 116 , although any touch-screen technology known to those skilled in the art can be used, such as those provided with personal digital assistant devices such as an Apple Newton™ or PalmPilot™ devices. Furthermore, although a touch-screen display is preferred for I/O subsystem 108 , a display with buttons or switches arranged near the display screen is also contemplated.

[0068] Communication interface 112 illustratively is a pulsed infrared communication system, which technology is well known in the art. Table 42 is coupled to an IR receiver system (not shown) that provides for receiving IR signals from controller 40 for commanding frame 58 and mattress 60 based on received IR command signals. As discussed above, a hard-wired communication link can be used, or other wireless communication systems can be used, such as an RF-based system, or an ultrasound system, or any other type of wireless technology. Communication interface 112 can also be configured to support multiple communication protocols or interfaces, for example by including a hard-wired connection to support one controlled subsystem and an infrared connection to support other controlled subsystems.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 9 , controller 40 includes a housing 114 , a power button 115 , and a touch-screen display 116 . Controller 40 is a hand-held unit that includes microprocessor or microcontroller 110 programmed to control a surgical table system such as that shown in FIGS. 1 - 6 via an IR or RF communication link 112 and to provide the user interface displays as shown in FIGS. 9 - 21 . Controller 40 is powered on by depressing power button 115 , whereupon the introductory display shown in FIG. 9 is provided, which includes four touch-screen selection indicators 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 to designate to an operator access to further display interfaces for surgical table adjustment, automatic table adjustment, mattress adjustment, or accessing help information, respectively. Selection indicators 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 are provided above touch-screen input switches included in touch-screen display 116 such as membrane switches (not shown), although, again, other touch-screen technologies can be used, or selection indicators 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 can be positioned near buttons or switches provided along edges of display 116 .

[0070] Controller 40 includes software programmed so that access of help information via selection indicator 124 from the display of FIG. 9 yields display of the help information screen of FIG. 10 . Help information selection indicator 124 is removed, and more detailed help-related selection indicators 126 , 128 , 130 are provided for designating access to introduction, product operation, and servicing information screens. These detailed help screens provide on-line information that an operator otherwise would typically need to consult printed manuals to obtain.

[0071] Introduction screens accessed via selection indicator 126 provide information on the use and capabilities of controller 40 , while product operation screens accessed via selection indicator 128 provide tutorial information on the use and capabilities of controlled systems such as table 42 . Servicing information screens accessed via selection indicator 130 provide both manual and automated service and diagnostic facilities. Automated features include internal diagnostics of controller 40 and reporting of any diagnostic or service information available from controlled systems such as table 42 . Controller 40 can provide “built-in-test” screens that will exercise controlled systems and either automatically verify proper operation or prompt an operator to perform a verification. Controller 40 can automatically recognize required servicing information from any controlled device capable of reporting such information, and provide recommendations to the operator accordingly. By providing menu-based, on-line information for aspects of controller 40 's operation and servicing, as well as providing on-line information on controlled systems such as table 42 , controller 40 provides care givers with an efficient, user-friendly, integrated interface.

[0072] Controller 40 includes software programmed so that selection via automatic table adjustment selection indicator 120 from the display of FIG. 9 yields display of an auto adjust table screen as shown in FIG. 11 . Automatic table adjustment selection indicator 124 is removed and a descriptive menu 132 is provided for selecting various predefined configurations of surgical table 42 . Menu 132 illustratively provides matrix of named table configurations 134 . . . 156 , in which each configuration includes text descriptive of a surgical procedure or category placed next to a button symbol.

[0073] An operator selects a configuration by pressing the adjacent button symbol, which is positioned on touch-screen display 116 above a touch-screen input switch. The descriptive text itself can be placed above one or more switches to achieve the same function by having the operator press directly above the text. The descriptive text can also be alternatively displayed near a button coupled to the housing along an edge of display 116 . An alternative automatic table adjustment menu 232 is shown in FIG. 21 , in which display 116 is partitioned into two columns each having five named table positions, with text that describes a medical or surgical configuration and in some cases an doctor's name. Although two columns of five named table positions are shown, the invention contemplates an arbitrary number of menu entries which can be presented on multiple screens or with a scrolling function. Alternative menu 232 illustrates how controller 40 's display and processor-based architecture facilitates modifications of the user interface.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 12, a screen on display 116 based upon a selection of configuration 134 , 234 from menu 132 , 232 as shown in FIG. 11 or 21 is shown. An iconographic representation or pictogram 158 of a predetermined configuration of table 42 suitable for a gall bladder procedure, along with an adjust input indicator 160 , are provided. Selection indicators 118 , 120 , 122 to designate access to table adjustment, automatic table adjustment, and mattress adjustment displays, respectively, are also provided.

[0075] Iconographic representation 158 provides a graphical depiction in outline form of table 42 as configured for a gall bladder procedure, including patient 54 , mattress 60 , sections 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 of articulated table frame 58 , vertical support column 76 , and base 78 . If an operator wants to adjust table 42 automatically to the gall bladder configuration as depicted in iconographic representation 158 , then the operator simply presses touch screen 116 above adjust input indicator 160 . Software in controller 40 is configured to command table 42 to move to the predefined configuration only while a touch input is provided above adjust input indicator 160 . This “press and hold” feature provides a safety interlock in that table 42 only moves while a positive user input is provided. This also allows an operator to select an intermediate configuration by terminating the touch input above adjust input indicator 160 before table 42 reaches the predefined configuration.

[0076] Selection of the surgical table adjustment function, for example via selection indicator 118 as shown in FIGS. 9 - 12 , results in the display of FIG. 13A . Iconographic representation 158 is provided with elements of table frame 58 and mattress 60 shown in nominal positions, along with up and down adjustment input indicators 162 , 164 , 166 , 168 , 170 , 172 , 174 , 176 , auto level input indicator 178 , auto flat input indicator 180 , and brake input indicator 182 . Selection indicators 184 , 186 , 188 are provided along the bottom of display 116 for accessing top slide, lateral tilt, and Trendelenburg adjustment display screens, as are selection indicators 120 , 122 for automatic table adjustment and mattress adjustment.

[0077] Up and down adjustment input indicators 162 , 164 , 166 , 168 , 170 , 172 , 174 , 176 provide for “press and hold” adjustment of designated sections of articulated frame 58 as indicated by the graphical display and their placement relative to iconographic display 158 . Up and down input indicators 162 , 164 designate control of lower leg sections 94 , indicators 166 , 168 designate control of lower back section 88 , indicators 170 , 172 designate control of upper back section 86 , and indicators 174 , 176 designate control of vertical support column 76 . Up and down adjustment of designated sections provides for fine tuning the configuration of frame 58 from any predefined configuration.

[0078] Auto level input indicator 178 provides for automatically moving all articulated sections of frame 58 to achieve a level (horizontal) configuration. Like adjust input indicator 160 discussed above, auto level input indicator 178 can be used to achieve intermediate configurations via the “press and hold” feature. Similarly, auto flat input indicator 180 provides for automatically moving all articulated sections of frame 58 to achieve a flat configuration (while maintaining any preexisting longitudinal inclination of frame 58 with respect to the ground). Brake input indicator 182 provides for locking or unlocking one or more wheels or casters (not shown) provided on base 78 of table 42 to prevent movement of table 42 along the ground.

[0079] An alternative table adjustment display somewhat similar to FIG. 13A is shown in FIG. 13 B, with input indicators performing the same functions labeled with the same reference numbers. The table adjustment display of FIG. 13B displays only “high level” selection indicators 120 , 122 , 124 for automatic table adjustment, mattress adjustment, and help information along the bottom of display 116 . Selection indicators 184 , 186 , 188 for table sliding, Trendelenburg tilting, and lateral tilting are displayed near auto flat 180 , brake 182 , and slow adjust 183 input indicators. FIG. 13B illustrates how controller 40 's architecture permits reprogramming to provide a user interface as desired.

[0080] A top slide display accessible via selection indicator 184 is provided for moving table frame sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 longitudinally relative to vertical support column 76 as shown in FIG. 14 . Iconographic representation 158 is provided with frame 58 shown in a level configuration, although a representation showing a current configuration of articulated sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 can be provided. Head end and foot end slide input indicators 190 , 192 for sliding frame 58 longitudinally relative to vertical support column 76 provide “press and hold” capability as discussed above for the up and down input indicators of FIG. 13A . Vertical up and down input indicators 174 , 176 are also provided on display 116 , as are table adjustment, lateral tilt, Trendelenburg adjustment, automatic table adjustment, and mattress adjustment selection indicators 118 , 186 , 188 , 120 , 122 .

[0081] A lateral tilt display accessible via selection indicator 186 is provided for tilting table frame sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 laterally relative to vertical support column 76 as shown in FIG. 15 . Iconographic representation 258 , which shows an end view of patient 54 atop table 42 , is provided. Left and right tilt input indicators 190 , 192 for tilting seat frame 58 and mattress 60 laterally relative to vertical support column 76 provide the “press and hold” capability as discussed above. Vertical up and down input indicators 174 , 176 are also provided on display 116 , as are table adjustment, top slide, Trendelenburg adjustment, automatic table adjustment, and mattress adjustment selection indicators 118 , 184 , 188 , 120 , 122 .

[0082] A Trendelenburg display accessible via selection indicator 188 is provided for conjointly tilting table frame sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 longitudinally relative to vertical support column 76 as shown in FIG. 16 . Iconographic representation 158 is provided with frame 58 shown in a level configuration, although, as with the display of FIG. 14, a representation showing a current configuration of articulated sections 84 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 94 can be provided. Foot end down and head end down input indicators 198 , 200 for tilting frame 58 longitudinally relative to vertical support column 76 provide “press and hold” capability as discussed above. Vertical up and down input indicators 174 , 176 are also provided on display 116 , as are table adjustment, top slide, lateral tilt, automatic table adjustment, and mattress adjustment display selection indicators 118 , 186 , 188 , 120 , 122 .

[0083] A mattress adjustment display accessible via selection indicator 122 is provided for controlling features of mattress 60 as shown in FIG. 17 . A pictogram or iconographic representation 202 depicts a plan view of patient 54 atop mattress 60 showing various chambers with leg, torso, and head mattress sections. Selection indicators 204 , 206 , 208 are provided for selecting further screens for controlling leg 102 , torso 100 , and head 96 , 98 sections of mattress 60 . Automatic table adjustment, table adjustment, mattress temperature adjustment, and automatic mattress adjustment display selection indicators 118 , 120 , 210 , 212 are provided near display 116 bottom.

[0084] A torso mattress adjustment display accessible via torso selection indicator 204 is provided for controlling torso section 100 of mattress 60 as shown in FIG. 18 . Iconographic representation 202 and leg and head mattress section selection indicators 204 , 208 are provided as shown in FIG. 17 . Torso mattress section chamber selection indicators 214 , 216 , 218 , 220 , 222 , 224 , 226 are provided near their corresponding locations on iconographic representation 202 , along with lines indicating the correspondence. One or more mattress section chambers can be selected by depressing its indicator, which results in a reverse video display of that indicator to indicate its selection. Inflation increase and decrease input indicators 228 , 230 are provided for increasing or decreasing pressure in one or more selected mattress sections, using a “press and hold” paradigm as discussed above.

[0085] Stabilize input indicator 231 and equalize input indicator 233 are provided near increase and decrease input indicators 228 , 230 . The stabilize feature stiffens one or more selected sections of vacuum bead mattress 60 by creating a vacuum in the corresponding chamber(s) to withdraw fluid from selected section(s). The equalize feature adjusts selected mattress sections to a baseline level by setting pressure in corresponding chambers to a baseline level to prepare for a new patient or procedure. The torso mattress adjustment display also includes automatic table adjustment, table adjustment, mattress temperature adjustment, and automatic mattress adjustment selection indicators 120 , 118 , 210 , 212 displayed along the bottom of display 116 . Similar display screens (not shown) are provided for controlling leg and head sections 102 , 96 , 98 of mattress 60 .

[0086] An automatic mattress adjustment display accessible via automatic mattress adjustment selection indicator 212 includes iconographic representation 202 , leg, torso, and head mattress section selection indicators 204 , 206 , 208 , an all mattress section selection indicator 235 , and stabilize, equalize, and automatically adjust input indicators 231 , 233 , 237 as shown in FIG. 19 . The all mattress selection indicator 235 provides a shorthand mechanism for selecting all sections. The stabilize and equalize functions work as discussed above for FIG. 18 , except that all chambers within a selected mattress section are automatically designated for a selected mattress section. Selection of automatically adjust input indicator 237 uses pressure sensors within each chamber or cell (not shown) coupled to mattress 60 to conform mattress 60 automatically to a patient's body by varying pressures to each chamber based on sensed pressure. As with FIG. 18 , automatic table adjustment, table adjustment, mattress temperature adjustment, and automatic mattress adjustment selection indicators 120 , 118 , 210 , 212 displayed along the bottom of display 116 .

[0087] A mattress temperature adjustment display accessible via mattress temperature adjustment selection indicator 210 includes iconographic representation 202 , temperature subsystem on and off buttons 239 , 241 for enabling or disabling the temperature control subsystem, target temperature increase and decrease input indicators 243 , 245 , and a target temperature display value 247 . This display illustrates control of an optional temperature control subsystem (not shown) that controls the entire mattress temperature to a particular target value, such as by using a temperature controlled fluid supply to the mattress, a thermal-resistive covering of the mattress, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that further temperature control features can be provided, such as separate temperature control for different mattresses regions or sections, display of actual temperature(s) of the mattress surface, facilities for cycling temperature over various periods and ranges, etc. This highlights a basic advantage of controller 40 's architecture, which facilitates integration of additional features or controlled subsystems into a single interface.

[0088] Controller 40 further provides for programming and storing desired configurations of table frame 58 and mattress 60 for subsequent recall from auto adjust menu 132 . A “save config” input indicator (not shown) provided from appropriate display screens such as the adjust table screens of FIGS. 13A and 13B provides access to a “save named configuration” screen (not shown) that prompts the user for entry of a configuration name through use of an alphabetic keypad provided on display 116 . Management functions for manipulating saved configurations further provide for deleting, renaming, reordering, etc. of stored configurations.

[0089] Referring now to FIGS. 22 - 24 , controller 40 is designed to support its use by either a left-handed or right-handed operator. An essentially “ambidextrous” device is provided by housing 114 and display 116 that are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis 261 of controller 40 . Housing 114 has relatively flat front and back surfaces 249 , 251 coupled by rounded side edges 253 , bottom edge 263 , and top edge 265 . Display 116 and power button 115 are coupled to front surface 249 . As best shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , display 116 covers most of front surface 249 of housing 114 so that a relatively large display with large, easy-to-see touch-screen buttons are provided in a portable, hand-held unit.

[0090] Housing 114 includes a handle 255 appended to back surface 251 . Handle 255 is configured with a cylindrical shape having a somewhat elliptical cross-section to facilitate ease of grasping and holding. Handle 255 is configured to retain rechargeable batteries (not shown) that provide power for controller 40 . The cylindrical shape of handle 255 further facilitates coupling controller 40 to a retaining socket (not shown) for temporary or permanent storage. The retaining socket can be provided on an IV pole, equipment bracket, or wall, or anywhere in an operating room environment, and is configured to provide for battery recharging either with a direct voltage coupling or through an indirect magnetic field charging system. Handle 255 further provides a support to allow for sitting controller 40 upright by placing controller bottom surface 263 on a table or other surface. Although a generally cylindrical handle 255 is shown, those skilled in the art will see the abundance of variations possible for configuring alternative handles to facilitate holding controller 40 and coupling it to items found throughout the operational environment, such as an operating room, to facilitate temporary or permanent storage of controller 40 .

[0091] Referring now to FIGS. 25 - 27 , an alternative embodiment controller 340 is provided that includes the same display 116 as controller 40 , mounted in an asymmetric housing 314 and having a side-mounted power button 315 . Controller 340 includes a left-handed gripping surface 317 so that operation of touch-screen buttons is made by a care giver's right hand. Controller 340 can, however, be programmed so that all screens are displayed “upside down”, thus converting controller 340 from a right-handed configuration to a left-handed configuration. This shows the utility of the programmable architecture of the present invention.

[0092] Another alternative embodiment controller 440 is shown in FIGS. 28 - 33 . Controller 440 includes a tapered housing 414 coupled to recessed power button 415 , up and down buttons 402 , 404 , semi-circular adjust and select buttons 406 , 408 , a display 416 , and a control cable 419 . Like controller 40 , housing 414 and display 416 are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis to permit equally simple use by left-handed or right-handed operators. Rather than using a touch-screen display, controller 440 uses only the four input buttons 402 , 404 , 406 , 408 , and varies the functions performed by these buttons based on the information presented and selected on display 416 .

[0093] Controller 440 indicates a single selection of an item on display 416 , such as a single controllable feature, a predefined overall configuration of a controlled system, or another controller option. Controller 440 provides for slewing designation of the selected item to other selectable items based on user input to select button 408 . Pressing adjust button 406 when a predefined overall configuration is designated, such as one of the table configurations illustrated in FIGS. 30 - 33 , results in controller 440 commanding the controlled system to assume the predefined configuration. As with controller 40 , adjust button 406 can provide a “press and hold” capability. Pressing adjust button 406 when a controllable feature is designated allows for use of up and down buttons 402 , 404 to control the designated feature, such as moving a particular section of an articulated surface, or controlling pressure of a portion of a controllable mattress, etc. Pressing adjust button 406 when another controller option is designated will result in controller 440 's displaying of another display screen with selectable items.

[0094] Yet another alternative embodiment controller 540 is shown in FIGS. 34 - 38 . Controller 540 includes a tapered housing 514 coupled to recessed power button 415 , up and down buttons 402 , 404 , pie-shaped adjust, select, and equipment buttons 506 , 508 , 510 , a display 516 , and a control cable 519 . Like controllers 40 and 440 , housing 514 and display 516 are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis to permit equally simple use by left-handed or right-handed operators. Controller 540 's display 516 is the same as display 416 , with controller 540 similarly programmed to provide information on display 516 , such as an iconographic representation 558 , along with other indicia indicating controllable features and other selectable controller menu options. Iconographic representation 558 varies to represent the controlled system by displaying a stylized lighthead as shown in FIG. 36 , temperature display as shown in FIG. 37 , and surgical table as shown in FIG. 37 . A light intensity indicator bar 560 is provided as shown in FIG. 36 , which varies an amount displayed in reverse video to represent the percentage light intensity currently being output by the lighthead. Similarly, the temperature display of FIG. 37 is updated to indicate an actual controlled temperature value, and the iconographic table representation of FIG. 38 is presented in correspondence with the current surgical table configuration.

[0095] Operation of controller 540 is the same as for controller 440 except that controller 540 includes equipment button 510 , which is used to switch between different controlled systems. Thus, rather than selecting a displayed item to switch between controlled systems, controller 540 automatically toggles between controlled systems when an operator presses equipment button 510 . This provides a convenient mechanism for quickly switching via single press of a button to a desired system, such as the lighting system of FIG. 36 , the temperature control system of FIG. 37 , and the table system of FIG. 38 .

[0096] Yet another alternative embodiment controller 640 includes a handheld housing 614 , a display 616 , eight pairs of buttons 650 . . . 680 , and a power button 682 as shown in FIGS. 39 - 40 . Controller 640 , including its buttons 650 . . . 682 , is symmetric about a longitudinal axis 661 to facilitate ambidextrous use. Buttons 650 . . . 680 include indicia that represent their respective table control functions and provide “press and hold” control as discussed above. Buttons 650 , 652 provide a table high/low functions, buttons 654 , 656 provide Reverse/Reverse Trendelenburg functions, buttons 658 , 660 provide lateral tilt left/right functions, buttons 662 , 664 provide back up/down functions, buttons 666 , 668 provide upper back up/down functions, buttons 670 , 672 provide leg up/down functions, buttons 674 , 676 provide slide lower/upper functions, button 678 provides an auto flat function, and button 680 provides a high speed button to increase table speed when depressed simultaneously with another of buttons 650 . . . 678 . Controller 640 provides a sealed housing that is durable, easy to clean, and suitable for use in sterile environments. Buttons 650 . . . 680 are backlit to enhance ease of use, and display 616 provides graphic functionality similar to controllers 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 discussed above. Controller 640 can be a pendant controller tethered to table 42 similar to controller 81 of FIG. 2 or can be configured as a wireless controller.

[0097] As detailed above, the controllers 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 each may be wired directly to controllable devices, or may be configured to send signals to the controllable devices using a wireless link, such as a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or ultrasound communication link. By using a wireless link, the controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 may be conveniently moved around the operating room environment by a care giver 56 . While each controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 is mobile to increase room efficiency, the mobility of the controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 also allows the controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 to be removed from the operating room. Removal of the controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 is usually not desirable in that the gained efficiency is lost when the controller 40 , 340 , 440 , 540 , and 640 can not be located by the caregiver 56 .

[0098] As such, in a further illustrative embodiment of the invention, a proximity alarm system 710 including a locating or proximity sensing device is associated with the controller 740 . The controller 740 illustratively includes an alarm 754 that alerts a user or caregiver 56 attempting to transport the controller 740 away from a predetermined location or item, such as the controllable medical device, or the room within which the controllable medical device is located. The alarm 754 may comprise an audible alarm, such as a horn or buzzer. Alternatively, the alarm may comprise a visual alarm, such as a light, or a vibratory alarm for providing a tactile sensation to a person in proximity to the alarm. Further, the alarm 754 may be in the form of an electronic transmission to a personal computer, portable data assistant, cellular phone, pager, or other similar portable device.

[0099] In the following description, the controllable medical device will be described as a patient support, such as surgical table 42 . However, it should be appreciated that the controller 740 may be coupled to other controllable medical devices, such as surgical lighting system 44 , as detailed above. Other aspects of the controller 740 may be substantially the same as those detailed above with respect to controller 40 .

[0100] There are several different embodiments of proximity alarm system 710 which may be associated with the controller 740 . In a first illustrative embodiment as shown in FIG. 41 , proximity alarm system 710 includes transmitters 744 , 746 and receivers 748 , 750 of signals carried by a wireless energy source, such as radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or ultrasound. A first transmitter 744 and a first receiver 748 are associated with the controllable medical device, and are illustratively located in a base unit 752 coupled to the patient support 42 . A second transmitter 746 and a second receiver 750 are coupled to the housing 114 of the controller 740 . The first transmitter 744 of the base unit 752 illustratively emits a radio frequency (RF) signal 753 that is received by the second receiver 750 of the controller 740 . In response, the second transmitter 746 of the controller 740 sends out a RF signal 755 that is received by the first receiver 748 . By measuring the time difference between the signal transmission by the first transmitter 744 and the signal receipt by the first receiver 748 , knowing the speed of the RF signals 753 and 755 , and knowing the processing signal turn around time at the controller 740 , the distance between the controller 740 and the base unit 752 can be determined. If the distance is larger than a predetermined maximum, the alarm 754 is activated. The alarm 754 is preferably located at the controller 740 , but may be at the base unit 752 or elsewhere. The predetermined maximum distance may be customized as desired.

[0101] In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 41 , assuming that time-alignment of the base unit 752 and the controller 740 is achieved, the second receiver 750 of controller 740 is initially in a receive-only mode waiting for the RF signal 753 from first transmitter 744 of the base unit 752 which has been suitably coded by a modulation coder, illustratively incorporated within a first processor 756 . When the second receiver 750 of the controller 740 receives the transmitted signal 753 , a second processor 758 demodulates the signal 753 , and logically checks the frequency and/or code. The second processor 758 illustratively includes a phase-locked loop oscillator (not shown) which is locked in a frequency and phase relationship with a control oscillator (not shown) of the first processor 756 of the base unit 752 . The second processor 758 then switches off the second receiver 750 and causes the second transmitter 746 to transmit RF signal 755 back to the base unit 752 , suitably coded, and on a different frequency after amplifying the signal 755 through an amplifier (not shown).

[0102] Meanwhile, the first processor 756 of the base unit 752 has turned off the first transmitter 744 and has caused the first receiver 748 to enter a receive mode. When the first receiver 748 of the base unit 752 receives the transmitted signal 755 from the controller 740 , the processor 756 demodulates the signal 755 , checks the code, and applies the modulating component to a phase detector of the first processor 756 to compare the phase of the returning signal 755 against its reference oscillator. The phase-shift of the demodulated signal 755 corresponds to the round-trip time-delay between the base unit 752 and the controller 748 and can be used to operate a suitably calibrated meter to indicate the distance or range between the base unit 752 and the controller 740 . Additional details of the alarm system 710 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,627, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] In a further illustrative embodiment as shown in FIG. 42, a proximity alarm system 810 operates by being integrated with a tracking system 812 . In one illustrative embodiment, the tracking system 812 separately tracks two items, such as the controller 740 and the base unit 752 . More particularly, the controller 740 and the base unit 752 have identification (ID) tags 814 and 816 , respectively, coupled to them and which are identifiable and trackable by the tracking system 812 . The tracking system 812 is configured to link ID tags 814 and 816 in a central tracking computer or processor 818 . ID tags 814 and 816 that are linked are known by the processor 818 to be associated and required to remain within a predetermined proximity to each other. The alarm system 810 communicates with the tracking system 812 , which tracks both linked items 740 and 752 , and either determines the distance between them or determines if they are located in the same room 822 . A determination that the distance between the linked items 740 and 752 exceeds a predetermined value, or that the linked items 740 and 752 are in different rooms 822 , causes the processor 818 to activate the alarm 754 .

[0104] The tracking system 812 includes a plurality of monitors or detectors 820 positioned in different locations within a care facility, a hospital, or other area being monitored. The monitors 820 may comprise conventional receivers or transceivers, and each room 822 of the hospital typically includes at least one monitor 820 . The monitors 820 each include a sensor to detect identification (ID) signals being generated by the tags 814 and 816 and/or to excite the tags 814 and 816 to generate the ID signals. If monitors 820 in different rooms 822 each sense one of linked tags 814 and 816 , then the processor 818 knows that linked items 740 and 752 have been separated and the alarm 754 is activated. In the following description, each component associated with a particular room 822 is identified by its reference number followed by a letter corresponding to a particular room 822 a , 822 b , 822 c , 822 d , and 822 e , respectively.

[0105] With further reference to FIG. 42 , illustratively the monitor 820 c associated with room 822 c detects tag 816 c coupled to base unit 752 c . However, the monitor 820 e ′ associated with hallway 822 e detects tag 814 c coupled to controller 740 c . Signals sent from the monitors 820 c and 820 e ′ are received by the processor 818 which determines that the controller 740 c is located in hallway 822 e while the base unit 752 c is located in room 822 c . In response, the processor 818 activates the alarm 754 c located within the controller 740 c to provide an alert to the caregiver 56 that the controller 740 c has been separated from the patient support 42 c by an unacceptable distance.

[0106] Alternatively, the processor 818 knows the position of each monitor 820 and the distances between the monitors 820 . The monitors 820 then locate the linked ID tags 814 and 816 by triangulation or other conventional method, and compare t