Patent · US Expired

Telescopic camera mount with remotely controlled positioning

US5436542A · kind A · utility

364Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 28, 1994
Grant dateJul 25, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 28, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05B2219/40002
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A motorized mount for a laparoscopic camera, with the mount being remotely controlled based upon movements of the user's head. The camera mount is connected to the operating table and to the laparoscopic camera. Control means may cause motion of the mount to pan horizontally, tilt vertically, and zoom the camera. The control means receives input signals from a tracking device which determines the three-dimensional position of a special headset mounted on the user. A foot pedal is operatively connected to the control means. In a first setting of the foot pedal the user may move freely without causing camera movement. Upon moving the foot pedal to the second condition, the control means sets the position of the user's head as a null position. Thereafter, pivotal movement of the head to the left, right, up, or down, or translational movement of the head forward or rear, will result in similar movements of the camera. Only actual movement in a defined "positive" direction will cause movement, such as tilting the head upward from the null position. Movement back towards the null position is considered a "negative" direction, resulting in no camera movement. In this manner, the standard …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.