Tool Having Multiple Feedback Devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing how signals, which are sensed on a tool, are presented to an operator of the tool. According to one example of a method for managing signals, the method comprises allowing an operator to manipulate a tool having a plurality of output mechanisms mounted thereon. The method also includes sensing a property of an object located near or adjacent to a distal portion of the tool and processing the sensed property to obtain one or more output signals. Furthermore, the method includes applying the one or more output signals to one or more of the output mechanisms.

1 . A tool comprising:
 a handle portion and a distal portion;   a sensor mounted on the distal portion, the sensor configured to generate sensor signals representing one or more characteristics of an object;   a processing device configured to process the sensor signals to generate one or more output signals; and   an output system mounted on the handle portion, the output system including one or more output mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a haptic device, a visual device, and an audio device;   wherein the processing device is further configured to apply the one or more output signals to the one or more output mechanisms.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft connecting the handle portion with the distal portion. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising a rotary device mounted on the handle portion, the rotary device configured to rotate the sensor about an axis formed by the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a set of switches. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein one or more of the switches is configured to enable an operator to select which ones of the output mechanisms are enabled. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the switches is configured to enable the operator to adjust output parameters of the enabled output mechanisms. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , further comprising a level meter mounted on the handle portion, the level meter being configured to indicate how the parameters of the enabled output mechanisms are adjusted. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein one of the output mechanisms is a visual device, the visual device comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein one of the output mechanisms includes a device configured to provide both visual and haptic outputs. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is a surgical tool and the object is a patient. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 10 , wherein the surgical tool is a laparoscopic tool. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 allowing an operator to manipulate a tool having a plurality of output mechanisms mounted thereon;   sensing a property of an object located near or adjacent to a distal portion of the tool;   processing the sensed property to obtain one or more output signals; and   applying the one or more output signals to one or more of the output mechanisms.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises allowing the operator to enable or disable each of the one or more output mechanisms. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises allowing the operator to adjust parameters associated with the operation of the output mechanisms. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying the one or more output signals further comprises applying at least one visual signal to a video display device, applying at least one audio signal to an audio device, and applying at least one haptic signal to a haptic actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying the one or more output signals further comprises applying output signals related to both visual and haptic parameters to a single output mechanism configured to provide both visual and haptic outputs. 
     
     
         17 . A surgical tool comprising:
 means for obtaining a sensory signal indicative of a characteristic of a patient under observation, the obtaining means configured to obtain the sensory signal at a distal end of the surgical tool;   means for processing the characteristic to generate one or more output signals; and   means for providing the one or more output signals to one or more output devices configured to provide feedback information in multiple modes, wherein the multiple modes include at least a visual mode and a haptic mode.   
     
     
         18 . The surgical tool of  claim 17 , wherein the means for obtaining the sensory signal is further configured to obtain multiple sensory signals, a first set of sensory signals comprising visual sensory signals and a second set of sensory signal comprising haptic sensory signals. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical tool of  claim 17 , wherein the means for providing is further configured to provide the output signals in at least a visual mode, a haptic mode, and an auditory mode. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical tool of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more output devices include at least one visual display device, at least one haptic actuator, and at least one audio device.