A control interface includes a sensor having a sensing field projecting adjacent to one or more input devices such as switches actuated by an operator. The control interface detects the profile, position, and/or motion of objects in the sensing field and compares these to stored values of profile, position, and/or motion representing a valid operator attempt to actuate the input device. Upon detection of a valid attempt to actuate the input device, the control interface generates a control signal that may be communicated to an operator or to connected equipment. The control signal is generated before operator makes contact with the input device. The control signal may be used to provide a pre-activation alert to the operator with identifying the input device about to be actuated. Alternatively, the control interface may disable input devices until a valid attempt to actuate the input device is detected, and the control signal is used to enable the input device.

The invention relates to a foot pedal control unit for an ophthalmic surgery system. The unit has a base and a treadle that is configured for pivotal pitch movement and for pivotal yaw movement relative to the base for generating control signals to an ophthalmic surgery system. The unit further comprises an inlay cover that is removably placed on the treadle. Optionally, the unit comprises a locking element that is movable between a lock position wherein the treadle is locked against pivotal yaw movement and a release position wherein the treadle is enabled to perform pivotal yaw movement.

System (20) with a safety lock (21), the safety lock (21) being configured to at least partially prevent use of a surgical instrument (22). A foot switch assembly (1) is operably configured to control the surgical instrument (22), and has multiple switches (4; 10; 14; 15; 16). A memory (26) is present for storing a predetermined switch sequence associated with the switches (4; 10; 14; 15; 16) of the foot switch assembly (1), as well as a control unit (25) configured to determine whether a series of input switch actuations from the foot switch assembly (1) corresponds to the predetermined switch sequence, and if so, deactivating the safety lock (21) in response to the series of input switch actuations corresponding to the predetermined switch sequence. The invention also relates to various embodiments of a foot switch assembly for controlling a surgical instrument.

System (20) with a safety lock (21), the safety lock (21) being configured to at least partially prevent use of a surgical instrument (22). A foot switch assembly (1) is operably configured to control the surgical instrument (22), and has multiple switches (4; 10; 14; 15; 16). A memory (26) is present for storing a predetermined switch sequence associated with the switches (4; 10; 14; 15; 16) of the foot switch assembly (1), as well as a control unit (25) configured to determine whether a series of input switch actuations from the foot switch assembly (1) corresponds to the predetermined switch sequence, and if so, deactivating the safety lock (21) in response to the series of input switch actuations corresponding to the predetermined switch sequence. The invention also relates to various embodiments of a foot switch assembly for controlling a surgical instrument.

A foot pedal for wireless control of a medical device, in particular a dental device, including a housing with a housing base, a cover element, which is mounted so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the housing base along an actuating direction and/or inclinable relative to the housing base, and a transmitting device arranged in the housing for wireless communication with the medical device, wherein the housing is at least partially made of a non-metallic material and the cover element is made of a metallic material, wherein in an initial state the cover element is spaced apart from the housing base and in a lowered state the cover element is offset in height with respect to the initial state in the operating direction, where the housing, in particular the housing base, is configured such that, in the lowered state, a signal transmission region arranged below the cover element, viewed in the actuating direction, is provided as a communication channel for a signal emitted from the transmitting device.

A foot pedal for wireless control of a medical device, in particular a dental device, including a housing with a housing base, a cover element, which is mounted so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the housing base along an actuating direction and/or inclinable relative to the housing base, and a transmitting device arranged in the housing for wireless communication with the medical device, wherein the housing is at least partially made of a non-metallic material and the cover element is made of a metallic material, wherein in an initial state the cover element is spaced apart from the housing base and in a lowered state the cover element is offset in height with respect to the initial state in the operating direction, where the housing, in particular the housing base, is configured such that, in the lowered state, a signal transmission region arranged below the cover element, viewed in the actuating direction, is provided as a communication channel for a signal emitted from the transmitting device.

A switch or footswitch for use with a tattoo machine is disclosed. The switch or footswitch may include a housing configured to protect and house a plurality of components of the switch or footswitch. The housing may include an accelerometer that may be utilized to detect an acceleration associated with the switch or footswitch, such as a tap made on the housing itself. Upon detection of an acceleration associated with the switch or footswitch, the accelerometer may generate a signal and transmit the signal to a communication device of the switch or footswitch. The communication device may then transmit the signal to the tattoo machine to activate the tattoo machine, deactivate the tattoo machine, adjust a setting of the tattoo machine, or control operative functionality of the tattoo machine. The switch or footswitch may also include a radio frequency ground plate and overlay membrane to enhance radio frequency reception.

A method for controlling a plurality of surgical devices includes: receiving a foot pedal signal indicating a foot pedal activation of a first foot pedal of a plurality of foot pedals; generating a control signal based on the foot pedal signal, wherein: if the foot pedal signal indicates that only the first foot pedal is pressed, then generating the control signal to cause a generator to activate a first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and a second foot pedal is newly pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the generator to: maintain activation of the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; and not activate a second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and outputting the control signal to the generator.

Provided is a human body pressure switch, a vehicle seat, a vehicle, and a method for processing a human body pressure switch. The human body pressure switch includes: a pressure switch element, an elastic pressure-contact body provided at the upper side or the lower side of the pressure switch element, in which the elastic pressure-contact body includes a spacing support structure and a force support protrusion, the force support protrusion corresponds to a sensing contact of the pressure switch element, in a state with pressure from an external force, amount of deformation of the spacing support structure is greater than amount of deformation of the force support protrusion, and in a state without pressure from the external force, the spacing support structure plays a supporting role.

The disclosed apparatus, system and method may include at least a phacoemulsification surgical console having a customizable non-linear custom phacoemulsification mode. The apparatus, system and method may include an ultrasonic delivery tip; a foot pedal; and non-transitory computing code resident on a computing memory associated with a computing processor which, when executed by the processor, causes to be executed the steps of: receiving a percentage actuation of the foot pedal; calculating, including from a non-linear algorithm, a percentage actuation for the ultrasonic delivery tip corresponded to the received percentage foot pedal actuation; and dictating the calculated percentage actuation for the ultrasonic delivery tip actuation to the ultrasonic delivery tip.