DE102007031719B4 - Communication device for a surgical system and surgical system, in particular ophthalmic microsurgical system for phaco surgery - Google Patents

Abstract

Communication device (2, 2 ') for a surgical system (I), - with a user interface (3), which is designed to display and / or input information that is representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument (4a, 5a) With at least one operating element (8) designed separately for the user interface (3), with a first communication device (6, 6 ') for data exchange between the user interface (3), the operating element (8) and a video recording unit (72) , and - with the video recording unit (72) for recording image information which can be detected by at least one optical detector unit (9), the recording being dependent on an actuation of the user interface (3) and / or an actuation of the operating element (8). and / or controlled by specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I), and - which one Video overlay unit (71) adapted to communicate with the user interface (3) and the control element (8) via the first communication device (6, 6 '), and - in which a ...

Description

State of the art

Ophthalmic microsurgical systems use a so-called video overlay for documentation or presentation purposes. In this case, the video image captured by a camera, for example, is superimposed on an operation with current device settings. As a result, the surgical procedure can be tracked. For the recording of the superimposed video image then conventional recording devices are used. At one of the US Pat. No. 6,251,113 B1 known microsurgical system, a video overlay unit is connected to the system's data transfer bus to obtain the adjustment parameters. A disadvantage of this architecture is that the surgeon can not perform the video recording itself, and so to operate this video recording always another operator, such as an assistant is necessary to perform such a recording can.

Furthermore, from the US 2003/01 59 141 A1 an ophthalmic microsurgical system for phaco surgery which has a user interface adapted for wireless communication with a video overlay unit. The system further includes a camera which is separately formed and connected to the video overlay unit. In addition, the system includes a VCR, which is also formed separately from the video overlay unit. The VCR is wired to the video overlay unit. Only the video overlay unit can be started user-specifically. Only one equipped with a time code data stream of the device data can be recorded. A major disadvantage of this system is that later synchronization between the video signal of the VCR and the data stream over the time code is very difficult and generally no unambiguous unalterable temporal synchronization is enabled.

From the US 5,931,808 A For example, a surgical device is known which has a video recorder which communicates via a data bus. In addition, a plurality of further components are connected via further data buses.

In addition, from the US 2006/0242096 A1 a medical operation system known. This also includes the ability to record video signals. Video signals and additional information are stored together.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a surgical system, with which or with which an increase in productivity during a surgical procedure can be made possible. In particular, a more precise and higher documentation security of the surgical procedure or phases thereof should be made possible. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method in which image information can be obtained during a surgical procedure with higher documentation security.

These objects are achieved by communication devices, a surgical system and a method according to the independent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a communication device for a surgical system comprising a user interface. The user interface is designed to display and / or input information, the information being representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument of the surgical system. In addition, the communication device comprises at least one control element designed separately for the user interface. This control may be, for example, a peripheral device such as a foot switch or the like. However, this operating element can also be assigned to a further component of the surgical system. As components, for example, a pump in an aspiration branch of the surgical system, microsurgical instruments, image processing units or the like understood.

In addition, the communication device comprises a first communication device for data exchange between the user interface, the operating element and a video recording unit. The video recording unit is designed to record image information which can be detected by at least one optical detector unit. The recording is controllable as a function of an actuation of the user interface and / or an actuation of the operating element and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system.

By means of such a communication device, during a surgical procedure, a very precise and individually definable recording of image information of the surgical procedure and / or procedures in relation thereto can be detected. Individual can also do this specific time phases are efficiently documented. In addition to a significantly increased increase in productivity during a surgical procedure, the documentation security can be significantly improved and individualized. Flat unwanted records, which generate a considerable volume of data, which then has to be carefully selected again, are no longer given. Furthermore, it can also be avoided that the recording of individual time phases is forgotten or, for example, also started too late. Particularly in the case of extremely complex surgical interventions, as is the case, for example, in ophthalmology, the documentation security can be substantially increased as a result.

In particular, however, it is a considerable advantage that only one operator, in particular the surgeon himself, is required to start or end an individual recording. This can thus determine itself when a recording should take place. It is no longer necessary for an additional person, such as an assistant or nurse, to be on-site to perform the recording. This can also misunderstandings when and how the recording has to be made, can be prevented.

The communication device further comprises a video overlay unit, which is designed for data exchange with the user interface and the operating element via the first communication device. The video overlay unit allows the overlay of the original video data stream of the optical detector unit with operating parameters of components of the surgical system, such as a pump, the microsurgical instruments, or the like. Both the video overlay unit and the video recording unit are thus connected to the first communication device, in particular the data bus, and can thereby be controlled in an individual manner by an operator. Both the pure recording and the video overlay can thus be started and stopped with high precision, thereby significantly increasing documentation security.

It is envisaged that the video data stream of the optical detector unit and the video data stream of the video overlay unit can be separately recorded by the video recording unit. This can ensure that on the one hand exclusively the video data material for tracking purposes or presentation purposes is available. On the other hand, however, the video data overlaid with explicitly displayed information about operating parameters are available independently of this. Document security can thus be improved and the individuality of data generation made more flexible. For example, it can be provided that the video data stream of the optical detector unit is recorded during the entire operation. In addition, it can be provided that the video data stream of the video overlay unit, for example, is recorded in a user-defined manner only at certain time periods of the surgical procedure. Thus, on the one hand, the entire pictorial documentation of the surgical procedure and, on the other hand, very specific phases are available, which in addition to image material are additionally available with one or more device-specific parameter data.

By ensuring the individual and independent control of the video recording unit on the one hand and the video overlay unit on the other hand, much more flexible documentation with optimized data volumes can also be generated.

Preferably, the first communication device comprises a data bus. In particular, the first communication device itself is designed as a data bus and thus characterized exclusively by this data bus. As a data bus can be provided, for example, a CAN bus, a Flexray bus, a LIN bus or even a MOST bus. Depending on the data exchange requirements, a specific bus type can be provided depending on the situation. With high data security and low probability of failure, for example, a CAN bus is advantageous. For relatively fast data transmission with relatively high data transmission rates, a flexray bus is preferably provided.

Preferably, the video recording unit and the video overlay unit are integrated in a common unit. This also allows the data exchange between the components to be made faster and more individual. Furthermore, this can also be a compact and space-saving design possible.

Preferably, the video recording unit is configured to record the video data stream generated by the video overlay unit, the recording of this video data stream being controllable depending on an operation of the user interface and / or the control element and / or specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system ,

Preferably, the video overlay unit and / or the video recording unit is configurable by an operator via the user interface and / or via the control. In addition to the individualized operation and operation can thus also a user-individualized Configuration can be guaranteed. This allows each operator to define his or her individual setting with regard to control of video recording and / or video overlay.

Preferably, the communication device comprises at least one data memory in which the recordings of the video recording unit can be temporarily stored. Preferably, the buffering is provided in the data memory during the entire period of the surgical procedure. However, it can also be provided here that the buffering takes place as a function of an actuation of the user interface and / or an actuation of the operating element and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system. This intermediate storage also makes it possible to initially collect a relatively large amount of video data which, in the following, can then preferably be selected individually and transferred to a recording medium. In particular, it may be provided that the cached on the data memory records are automatically transferable depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system to the recording medium and / or user-defined transferable to this recording medium. This can be done as it were a post-recording. This makes it possible that, in the case of interesting events during the surgical procedure, the transfer to a recording medium can subsequently take place from this data memory so that such events from the past can be recorded virtually subsequently.

It is also essential that such procedures can be performed by the surgeon himself and thus on the one hand no further persons are required to perform these procedures, and on the other hand, the individual and accurate data documentation can be guaranteed.

In addition, the communication device can also have an image storage, which is designed to be integrated in particular.

The communication device preferably comprises the first communication device, which is preferably also designed for data exchange between the user interface and at least one driver unit for controlling a microsurgical instrument connectable to the driver unit. Furthermore, the communication device has a further communication device separate from the first communication device, which is connected to the first communication device via a coupling unit. The further communication device is designed for data exchange between the first communication device and the video recording unit.

In particular, if the video recording unit is designed as an external device to the electronic driver units and the user interface, such an embodiment is advantageous. If, for example, the video recording unit is arranged separately from the other components and is electrically connected thereto by wire, this may be provided, for example, by a cable laid over the floor of the operating room. However, as this can also damage this Verkablung occur for example in the form of Kabelquetschungen or cable breaks, thereby the data exchange can be affected. In particular, the internal data communication via the first communication device may be affected, so that malfunctions may occur. To avoid this, the coupling unit is provided, which is designed in particular for detecting a malfunction of the further communication device and in the event of an error prevents data transmission at least from the further communication device to the first communication device.

The communication device preferably comprises the first communication device, which is designed for data exchange between the user interface and at least one driver unit for controlling a microsurgical instrument connectable to the driver unit, and has a further communication device separate from the other communication devices, which is used for direct data exchange between the driver units and adapted for data exchange between a control unit interposed between the user interface and the driver units and the driver units. The control unit is in particular designed to control at least one of the driver units, preferably all driver units.

Preferably, both communication devices are designed as data buses. In particular, it can be provided that the coupling unit is a gateway or a bridge. If both communication devices are data buses which are of different bus type, a protocol conversion can be performed by the gateway in addition to the mentioned monitoring function.

Preferably, the communication device is configured to record video information formed as video. Likewise However, it can also be provided that individual images or individual image sequences can be recorded. Again, depending on specific operations of the user interface and / or specific actuations of the operating element and / or specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system, individually recording a video and / or recording a still image and / or recording a still image sequence can be controlled. This also makes the documentation of a surgical intervention more flexible, individualized and also more precise.

In particular, the surgeon may define prior to surgery and determine what specific operating conditions of a component or components of the surgical system should be to start or stop the recording of image information. This automatic start-stop system for recording the image information can thus also be coupled to specific operational steps.

The communication device or the communication devices may be formed as a data bus as well as an already mentioned embodiment as a point-to-point devices. Other network connections and cabling may be provided. Likewise, however, it may also be provided that a wireless implementation of a communication device is provided.

Preferably, a control unit is provided for controlling the video recording unit and at least one driver unit to which a microsurgical instrument can be connected. In particular, this control unit is associated with the first communication device and connected between the user interface and the video recording unit as a separate unit. This externally to the user interface formed control unit enables decoupling of these components, whereby in case of failure of the user interface, for example, in a crash of the operating system or a user program, the components associated with it can still be controlled. In particular, the aforementioned driver units and also the video recording unit can thereby be further controlled. This can increase the security of the system.

The communication device preferably has a further separate communication device with respect to the existing communication devices, which is designed for direct data exchange between the driver units, and which also has an electrical connection to the user interface. This provides a simple and secure way to download software without compromising or restricting other communication paths between components of the device. Overloading and, in particular, slowing down of data transmission on other communication paths of the device can thus be prevented.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a surgical system, in particular an ophthalmic microsurgical system for phaco surgery. The surgical system comprises at least one microsurgical instrument and a communication device according to the invention according to the first aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. As a result, an increase in productivity can be achieved, in particular in eye operations, and a more flexible and specified data documentation can be made possible.

Advantageous embodiments of the communication device according to the invention according to the first aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the surgical system. Further advantageous embodiments of the surgical system are specified in the subclaims.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a communication device for a surgical system comprising a user interface. The user interface is designed to display and / or input information that is representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument. In addition, the communication device comprises at least one operating element, which is arranged and configured separately from the user interface.

Furthermore, the communication device has a central control unit, which is arranged separately from the user interface, for controlling a video recording unit. The control unit is thus effectively connected between the user interface and the video recording unit. In particular, the control unit is also designed to control at least one driver unit, which driver unit is designed to control a surgical instrument connectable to the driver unit.

Furthermore, the communication device comprises a first communication device for data exchange between the control unit, the operating element and the video recording unit. In addition, a further communication device separate from the first communication device is provided, which is designed for data exchange between the user interface and the control unit. The video recording unit is for recording by Image information provided, which can be detected with at least one optical detector unit, in particular a camera or the like. The recording of this image information is controllable as a function of an actuation of the user interface and / or an actuation of the operating element and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system. In addition to a more secure and flexible data documentation during a surgical procedure beyond the reliability of the communication device can be significantly increased. Even if the user interface fails, the further control of the driver units connected to the control unit and the video recording unit can be ensured. Moreover, the direct connection of the video recording unit to the communication device can ensure the individualized control of the recording of image information. In particular, this can be made possible by a single operator, in particular the surgeon himself.

Advantageous embodiments of the communication device according to the third aspect of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In particular, it can also be provided that the control unit is connected to a plurality of user interfaces and / or a plurality of devices connected upstream of the control unit.

The communication device preferably comprises a further communication device separate from the other communication devices, which is designed for direct data exchange between driver units, which are designed to control microsurgical instruments that can be connected thereto, and which also has an electrical connection to the user interface. This also allows a software download from the user interface directly to the driver units.

The communication device preferably comprises a further communication device which is separate from the other communication devices and is designed for direct data exchange between driver units which are designed to control microsurgical instruments which can be connected thereto and for data exchange between a control unit connected between the user interface and the driver units and the driver units ,

In addition, advantageous embodiments of the communication device according to the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the communication device according to the invention according to the third aspect of the invention. This also applies in the reverse manner.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a surgical system, in particular an ophthalmic microsurgical system for phaco surgery, which comprises at least one microsurgical instrument and a communication device according to the third aspect of the invention. Again, advantageous embodiments of the communication device according to the third aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of this surgical system. In addition, advantageous embodiments of the surgical system according to the second aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the surgical system according to this fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for recording image information during a surgical procedure, in particular during a phacooperation, in which data communication between a user interface, a control element designed separately from the user interface and a video recording unit is carried out via a first communication device. The recording of the image information is started or ended depending on an operation of the user interface by an operator and / or an actuation of the operating element by the operator and / or dependent on predefinable operating states of at least one component of the surgical system provided for carrying out the surgical procedure. Image recording can thus be more individualized and more flexible. As a result, the entire course of a surgical procedure can be optimized and a secure and precise data documentation can be guaranteed.

Preferably, the recording is specifically started and terminated by the operator himself during a surgical procedure. Only a single operator, the surgeon, is needed to perform the multiple recording capabilities during the surgical procedure.

A video data stream of an optical detector unit, in particular a camera, and another video data stream of a video overlay unit are recorded separately. As a result, separate image materials are available, which are individually for further processing purposes. Presentation purposes or the like can be used. Depending on the situation, the most suitable image information can then be used. In addition, an individualized recording of the video stream of the optical detector unit are performed independently of the video data stream of the video upper-layer unit. As a result, with regard to the recording time, as well as with regard to the start and end of a recording, the individual recording of these separate video data streams can be made possible.

When recording the image information, these are preferably buffered in a data memory and the buffered recordings are subsequently transmitted to a recording medium depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system and / or user-defined. As a result, the data volume can be substantially reduced and the transfer of the actually desired information to a recording medium can be made possible quickly and with little effort. In addition, this procedure can be used to guarantee a post-recording.

Preferably, depending on an operator actuating the user interface and / or operating the control element and / or depending on predeterminable operating states of at least one component of the surgical system provided for performing the surgical procedure, a video and / or a single image and / or recorded a frame sequence. Depending on the situation and demand, it can thus be provided that either a video or a single image or a single image sequence is recorded. Likewise, however, it may also be provided that a video and a single image or a video and a single image sequence or one or more individual images are generated and recorded depending on the situation and demand, for example simultaneously or at least overlapping in time. This also makes data documentation highly accurate and individualized. In particular, this is also automatically controlled by an operator.

In all embodiments and aspects of the invention it can be provided that a user interface or a control unit is connected via a communication device for data exchange. In addition, it can also be provided that an additional separate communication device is provided, which allows a direct exchange of data between the driver units. This allows information to be exchanged between the driver units and data required for fast control operations. In particular, in a phaco-surgery, it is essential that the processes of aspiration, irrigation and pump operation in the aspiration branch are precisely matched to each other in order to prevent adverse effects on the eye, for example, by an undesirable pressure loss in the eye. It is precisely these complications that can be significantly reduced, at least, by carrying out the rapid control processes between the driver units for the purpose of balancing these information and operations. Further other control and regulation processes can then take place via the communication device between the user interface or the control unit and the driver units.

Preferably, the communication device for direct data exchange between the driver units as a data bus, in particular as a Flexray bus, be formed. This allows the transmission of high data rates and also a fast data transfer. Furthermore, it can be provided that a direct connection between the driver units, for example in the form of a peer-to-peer connection, is also provided via the communication device which is provided for data exchange between the user interface or the control unit with the driver units.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a surgical system according to the invention;

2 a block diagram representation of a first embodiment of a communication device according to the invention for a surgical system according to 1 ;

3 a partial view of another embodiment of the communication device according to 2 ;

4 a block diagram representation of a second embodiment of a communication device according to the invention for a surgical system according to 1 ;

5 a further embodiment of the communication device according to the 2 or 3 ; and

6 a further embodiment of the communication device according to 4 ,

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In 1 is a schematic representation of an ophthalmic microsurgical system I for phaco surgery on an eye II shown. The Representation according to 1 shows symbolically some components of the system I for the simplified explanation of the general general operation of the system I.

The system I comprises a device unit 100 which may be, for example, a trolley or the like. In or on the device unit 100 is a control unit 101 arranged. This operating unit 101 For example, it may include a user interface, an input unit such as a keyboard or the like, and a display unit such as a monitor or a display. Furthermore, in the device unit 100 a fluidic system 102 arranged, which comprises a pump and a control unit for controlling the pump and connected components. The fluidic system 102 is an irrigation branch 103 and an aspiration branch 104 assigned. The irrigation branch 103 has a container 105 for rinsing liquid, resulting in a phaco handpiece 106 is directed. The aspiration branch 104 is also with the phaco handpiece 106 connected. Furthermore, the device unit includes 100 an ultrasound unit 107 , which for the oscillation excitation of a piezo 108 in the handpiece 106 is formed, through which a tip 109 of the handpiece 106 is excited to oscillation. The device unit 100 also has a control unit 110 which is used to control a vitrectomy handpiece 111 is trained. The vitrectomy handpiece 111 is also with the fluidic system 102 through an aspiration line 112 connected. In addition, another control unit 113 provided, which is another surgical instrument 114 , for example, for diathermy controls. In addition, the system I and in particular the device unit 100 further modules and control units as well as systems include, which symbolically through the unit 115 are shown. This also includes other internal units and peripherals. The surgical system I further has a foot control panel 116 on, which with the device unit 100 , in particular with communication devices and control units of the device unit 100 , connected is.

In 2 is a schematic block diagram representation of a communication device 2 for the surgical system I in 1 shown. The communication device 2 includes components that partially in the device unit 1 and partly outside the unit 1 are arranged. The device unit 1 can the device unit 100 or a similar design.

The communication device 2 has a user interface 3 on, which may be formed, for example, as a computer unit and in addition to a computing unit, for example, a keyboard, a display unit and the like may have. An operator can use this user interface 3 For example, make device settings. In particular, for example, the setting of actuation parameters for microsurgical instruments 4a and 5a and for peripheral devices such as a foot control panel, an infusion rod assembly on which a container with a flushing fluid is disposed. The graphical user interface 3 the communication device 2 may be formed in addition to the input via a manually operated keyboard or a joystick or the like for voice input. The user interface 3 may also have a touch screen or the like, via which the setting of operating and operating parameters can be done.

For example, as explicit operating parameters, a linearly variable scissors cutting speed, a fixed scissors cutting speed, a single operation of the scissors blade, a proportional operation of the scissors closing stage, an air / fluid pressure, an air / fluid flow rate, can be set bipolar power level, a fixed bipolar power level, an illumination brightness level, an aspiration vacuum pressure level, an aspiration flow rate, a linear variable vitrectomy cutting speed, a fixed vitrectomy cutting speed, a single-actuation vitrectomy cut, a phacoemulsification Power level, a phako de-fragmentation power level, a phacoemulsification pulse rate, and a phaco-de-fragmentation pulse rate. These are merely exemplified actuation and operating parameters, which can be supplemented in many ways and in particular at least via the user interface 3 can be adjusted.

Furthermore, the communication device comprises 2 in the embodiment shown, a first electronic driver unit 4 and at least a second electronic driver unit 5 , The two driver units 4 and 5 are each for controlling surgical instruments associated with the respective driver units 4a and 5a educated. The example only with the number of two driver units shown 4 and 5 are designed as boards and arranged in a housing and can not be removed without opening the housing.

The surgical instrument 4a may be, for example, a phaco handpiece. The second surgical instrument 5a For example, it may be a vitrectomy handpiece. The user interface 3 and the driver units 4 and 5 are through a first communication device 6 which in the Embodiment a data bus 6 is connected. This embodiment wired in the embodiment by means of this first data bus 6 allows bidirectional data exchange between the graphical user interface 3 and the driver unit 4 , as well as between the graphical user interface 3 and the driver unit 5 , The user interface 3 has an integrated control device, whereby by means of the user interface 3 these two driver units 4 and 5 can be controlled. The first data bus 6 is preferably designed as a CAN bus.

In addition, over as the first data bus 6 trained network topology a direct communication link between the driver unit 4 and the driver unit 5 in the form of a peer-to-peer connection possible.

The communication device 2 further comprises a unit 7 , which is designed for image processing. The unit 7 is with the first communication device or the data bus 6 connected. The unit 7 includes in the embodiment a video overlay unit 71 and a video recording unit 72 , The video overlay unit 71 is for data exchange with the video recording unit 72 connected.

Furthermore, the communication device comprises 2 a control 8th which is separate to the user interface 3 is formed and also with the data bus 6 connected to the data exchange with the other components. In particular, the operating element 8th in the embodiment, a Fußschaltpult.

As in 2 represented, is the unit 7 connected to an optical detector unit, which in the embodiment, a camera 9 is. In addition, the unit 7 with a display unit, which is a monitor 10 is connected. It can also be provided that the camera 9 directly to the communication device or the data bus 6 is connected and for data exchange via the data bus 6 with the unit 7 is trained. It can also be provided that the monitor 10 a display unit of the user interface 3 represents.

As mentioned earlier, the user interface is 3 designed to display and / or input information which is representative of operating parameters and actuation parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument 4a and 5a are.

Before, after and in particular during a surgical procedure, a specified and individually designed recording of the image information with the video recording unit 72 be enabled. The recording of this image information depends on an operation of the user interface 3 by the surgeon and / or an actuation of the operating element 8th controllable by the surgeon and / or by special operating states of at least one component of the surgical system I. The operator himself can thus start and stop recording the image information associated with the camera 9 are detectable define. Another operator, for example, an operating room nurse or the like, is therefore no longer necessary to support.

The surgeon may make individual changes to the record before or during surgery. For example, he can change the predefined specific operating states of a component of the surgical system I in order to be able to start or end the recording. Thus, depending on the surgical procedure or the continuation of the surgical procedure, a recording can automatically be started or stopped automatically.

The video recording unit 72 is to record from the video overlay unit 71 generated video data stream formed. In addition, recording the video stream of the camera separately may also be required 9 regardless of recording the video data stream of the video overlay unit 71 respectively. The recording of these two mentioned video data streams can also be individually dependent on a specific operation of the user interface 3 by the surgeon and / or an actuation of the operating element 8th be controllable by the surgeon and / or by each specific predefined or selected specific operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system I.

The video recording unit 72 is designed to record a video and / or a still image and / or a frame sequence.

It can be provided that the communication device 2 another communication device, which for direct data exchange between the driver units 4 and 5 is trained. This further communication device is in the embodiment as a data bus 11 separate to the data bus 6 educated. About this data bus 11 Fast control processes can be carried out. The communication device 2 may preferably be more than the exemplified in 2 shown driver units 4 and 5 then this data bus 11 is particularly advantageous.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the communication device 2 one Data storage, in which the records of the video recording unit 72 be cached. These records buffered on the data memory can then be transferred to a recording medium depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system I and / or user-defined. As a result, a record of the desired and actually relevant or interesting phases of the operation can be recorded virtually subsequently.

In 3 2, a partial detail of the illustration in FIG. 2 according to a further exemplary embodiment is shown in a schematic block diagram representation. In this embodiment, the communication device comprises 2 the unit 7 which external to the device unit 1 is arranged. A communication of the external unit 7 with internal components of the device unit 1 takes place via the data bus 6 , which via a coupling unit 13 with another, externally formed communication device, which serves as a data bus 12 is realized, communicates. In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling unit 13 designed as a gateway, whereby on the one hand a protocol conversion between the data buses 6 and 12 is possible. In addition, the coupling unit 13 designed as a monitoring unit, which is a malfunction of the data bus 12 detected. Depending on a detected malfunction separates the coupling unit 13 then the two data buses 6 and 12 and in particular a data transfer from the external data bus 12 to the internal data bus 6 is prevented.

In 4 is another embodiment of a communication device 2 ' shown, which in contrast to the execution according to 2 a control unit 14 includes. The control unit 14 is as a separate unit to the user interface 3 trained and between the user interface 3 and the driver units 4 and 5 as well as the unit 7 connected. The data exchange between the user interface 3 and the control unit 14 is in the embodiment by a data bus 15 realized. The data exchange between the control unit 14 and the driver units 4 and 5 as well as the unit 7 and the operating element 8th takes place via the data bus 6 ' , By this design, the reliability of the communication device 2 ' be increased in the event of malfunction or failure of the user interface 3 the driver units 4 and 5 as well as the unit 7 through the control unit 14 can still be controlled.

The communication device 2 ' In a further embodiment, an embodiment as shown in FIG 3 and thus also a coupling unit 13 include.

Through the communication facilities 2 and 2 ' it is possible to integrate the video recording into the overall system, thereby ensuring individual control of the image recording.

Also with the communication device 2 ' according to 4 can be a direct communication or a direct data exchange between the driver units 4 and 5 done and, for example, a data bus 11 as shown in 2 to be available.

In addition to device-specific data, the video overlay functionality can also use patient-specific data instead of or in addition to the image information from the camera 9 be superimposed. Also, physician-specific data and information can be superimposed and superimposed in this regard.

In 5 is another embodiment of the communication device 2 according to 2 or 3 shown. In contrast to the representation in 2 is the data bus 11 also directly with the user interface 3 electrically connected. By such a configuration, a software download can be performed. By separating the communication devices, a download via this communication device or the data bus 11 done very fast. In particular, this can be done time-minimized if this communication device has a high data transmission rate and is otherwise responsible only for the communication between the driver units. A software download via a fast communication device especially for components with extensive source code as software allows minimized maintenance and repair times of the device and thereby also a cost saving and more usable deployment time. Last but not least, test phases for facility functions can be simplified and performed faster. Furthermore, this can avoid the problem that in a software download over a single data bus in a system with only a single data bus system components are changed in their properties and reactions, although these should not actually be affected by the newly loaded software as may be the case in the prior art. Since such disruptions must be expected in the case of a software download, it was unavoidable in the prior art that all system components must be completely and comprehensively checked for a software download.

Due to the configuration of the communication device according to the invention, that the software download for complex units with extensive software takes place via the second communication device, such influencing of other components can be avoided. Namely, the other components are not physically coupled directly to this communication device (data bus 11), so that their software can not be overwritten. This means that even after a software download via this communication device for these other components, which are not coupled directly to this communication device, it is no longer absolutely necessary to check them for functionality. The system test after a software download via this communication device can therefore be significantly shortened.

In 6 is another embodiment of a communication device 2 ' according to 4 shown. In contrast to the representation in 4 Here is the communication device or the data bus 11 also directly with the user interface 3 electrically connected.

The data bus 11 can also be used instead of or in addition to connecting to the user interface 3 directly with the control unit 14 be electrically connected.

Claims (41)

Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) for a surgical system (I), - with a user interface ( 3 ), which is designed to display and / or input information that is representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), with at least one to the user interface ( 3 ) separately formed control element ( 8th ), - with a first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ), the operating element ( 8th ) and a video recording unit ( 72 ), and - with the video recording unit ( 72 ) for recording image information associated with at least one optical detector unit ( 9 ), the recording being dependent on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I), and - which is a video overlay unit ( 71 ) for exchanging data with the user interface ( 3 ) and the operating element ( 8th ) via the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ), and - in which a video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) and a video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) separately by the video recording unit ( 72 ) can be recorded. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, in which the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) is a data bus. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, in which the video recording unit ( 72 ) and the video overlay unit ( 71 ) are integrated in one unit. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, in which the video recording unit ( 72 ) for recording from the video overlay unit ( 71 formed) video data stream and the recording of this video data stream depends on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) and / or specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system ( 1 ) is controllable. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, wherein the video overlay unit ( 71 ) and / or the video recording unit ( 72 ) by an operator via the user interface ( 3 ) and / or via the operating element ( 8th ) are configurable. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, comprising a data memory in which the recordings of the video recording unit ( 72 ) are cacheable. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 6, wherein the cached on the data memory records depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system (I) are automatically and / or user-defined transferable to a recording medium. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, which the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and a separate further communication device ( 12 ) associated with the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) via a coupling unit ( 13 ) and for data exchange between the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ) is trained. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 8, in which both communication devices ( 6 . 6 ' . 11 ) Data buses are. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 8, wherein the coupling unit ( 13 ) is a gateway or a bridge. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, which the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and which another, to at least one other communication device ( 6 . 6 ' . 12 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) and for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, which the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and which another, to at least one other communication device ( 6 . 6 ' . 12 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) and for data exchange between a user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) intermediate control unit ( 14 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, wherein an image information is a video and / or a frame and / or a frame sequence. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 1, wherein a separate control unit ( 14 ) of the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and between the user interface ( 3 ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ) is switched. Surgical system (I), - with at least one microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ) and - with a communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) with a user interface ( 3 ), which is designed to display and / or input information, which information is representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), at least one to the user interface ( 3 ) separately formed control element ( 8th ), - a first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ), the operating element ( 8th ) and a video recording unit ( 72 ), and - the video recording unit ( 72 ) for recording image information associated with at least one optical detector unit ( 9 ), the recording being dependent on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) and / or specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I), and - the communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) a video overlay unit ( 71 ) for exchanging data with the user interface ( 3 ) and the operating element ( 8th ) via the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ), and - a video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) separately to a video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) by the video recording unit ( 72 ) can be recorded. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the first communication device (16) 6 . 6 ' ) is a data bus. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the video recording unit (16) 72 ) and the video overlay unit ( 71 ) are integrated in one unit. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the video recording unit (16) 72 ) for recording from the video overlay unit ( 71 formed) video data stream and the recording of this video data stream depends on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I) can be controlled. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the video overlay unit (16) 71 ) and / or the video recording unit ( 72 ) by an operator, in particular the surgeon, via the user interface ( 3 ) and / or via the operating element ( 8th ) are configurable. Surgical system (I) according to claim 15, comprising a data memory in which the recordings of the video recording unit ( 72 ) are cacheable. Surgical system (I) according to claim 20, wherein the cached on the data memory records depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system (I) are automatically and / or user-defined transferable to a recording medium. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the communication device (16) 2 . 2 ' ) the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ), which is used for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and a separate further communication device ( 12 ) associated with the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) via a coupling unit ( 13 ) and for data exchange between the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ) is trained. A surgical system (I) according to claim 22, wherein both communication devices ( 6 . 6 ' . 12 ) of the communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) Data buses are. Surgical system (I) according to claim 22, in which the coupling unit ( 13 ) is a gateway or a bridge. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the communication device (16) 2 . 2 ' ) the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and which another, to at least one other communication device ( 6 . 6 ' . 12 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) and for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein the communication device (16) 2 . 2 ' ) the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), and which another, to at least one other communication device ( 6 . 6 ' . 12 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) and for data exchange between a user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) intermediate central control unit ( 14 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. The surgical system (I) of claim 15, wherein image information is a video and / or a still image and / or a frame sequence. A surgical system (I) according to claim 15, wherein a control unit ( 14 ) of the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and between the user interface ( 3 ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ) is switched. The surgical system (I) of claim 15, which is an ophthalmic microsurgical system for phaco surgery. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) for a surgical system (I), - with a user interface ( 3 ), which is designed to display and / or input information, which information is representative of operating parameters of at least one microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ), with at least one to the user interface ( 3 ) separately formed control element ( 8th ), - with one to the user interface ( 3 ) separately arranged central control unit ( 14 ) for controlling at least one video recording unit ( 72 ), - with a first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for data exchange between the control unit ( 14 ), the operating element ( 8th ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ), - with a to the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) separate further communication device ( 15 ) for data exchange between the user interface ( 3 ) and the control unit ( 14 ), and - with the video recording unit ( 72 ) for recording image information associated with at least one optical detector unit ( 9 ), the recording being dependent on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I), and - which is a video overlay unit ( 71 ) for exchanging data with the control unit ( 14 ) and the operating element ( 8th ) via the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ), and - in which the video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) and the video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) separately from each other by the video recording unit ( 72 ) can be recorded. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, in which the communication devices ( 6 . 6 ' . 15 ) is a data bus. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, in which the video recording unit ( 72 ) for recording from the video overlay unit ( 71 formed) video data stream and the recording of this video data stream depends on an operation of the user interface ( 3 ) and / or an actuation of the Control element ( 8th ) and / or of specific operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I) can be controlled. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, wherein the video overlay unit ( 71 ) and / or the video recording unit ( 72 ) by an operator via the user interface ( 3 ) and / or via the operating element ( 8th ) are configurable. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, which the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) for exchanging data between the control unit ( 14 ) and at least one driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) for controlling one with the driver unit ( 4 . 5 ) connectable microsurgical instrument ( 4a . 5a ) and one for the first ( 6 . 6 ' ) and to the further communication device ( 15 ) additional separate further communication device ( 12 ) associated with the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) via a coupling unit ( 13 ) and for data exchange between the first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and the video recording unit ( 72 ) is trained. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 34, wherein the coupling unit ( 13 ) is a gateway or a bridge. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, which comprises a further, different communication devices ( 6 . 6 ' . 15 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between driver units ( 4 . 5 ) used to control microsurgical instruments ( 4a . 5a ) and for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. Communication device ( 2 . 2 ' ) according to claim 30, which comprises a further, different communication devices ( 6 . 6 ' . 15 ) separate communication device ( 11 ) for direct data exchange between driver units ( 4 . 5 ) used to control microsurgical instruments ( 4a . 5a ) and for exchanging data between the user interface ( 3 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) connected control unit ( 14 ) and the driver units ( 4 . 5 ) is trained. Method for recording image information during a surgical procedure, in particular during a phacooperation, in which a data communication between a user interface ( 3 ), one separate from the user interface ( 3 ) trained control element ( 8th ) and a video recording unit ( 72 ) via a first communication device ( 6 . 6 ' ) and recording the image information depending on an operation of the user interface (FIG. 3 ) by an operator and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) is started or stopped by the operator and / or depending on predeterminable operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I) provided for carrying out the surgical procedure, and in which a video data stream of an optical detector unit ( 9 ) and a video stream of a video overlay unit ( 71 ) separately from the video recording unit ( 72 ) to be recorded. A method according to claim 38, wherein the recording of the video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) and the video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) is specifically started and terminated by the surgeon during a surgical procedure. A method according to claim 38, wherein the recording of the video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) and the video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) is cached depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system and the cached recordings of the video data stream of the optical detector unit ( 9 ) and the video data stream of the video overlay unit ( 71 ) depending on operating conditions of at least one component of the surgical system (I) and / or user-defined transferred to a recording medium. Method according to Claim 38, in which, depending on an actuation of the user interface ( 3 ) by an operator and / or an actuation of the operating element ( 8th ) a video and / or a single image and / or a single image sequence can be recorded by the operator and / or depending on predefinable operating states of at least one component of the surgical system (I) provided for carrying out the surgical procedure.

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