Catheter-Based User Interface Device For Remote Control Of Display Images

Abstract

In the present invention, an interface control module for controlling a mapping/imaging/recording system is provided for placement on a catheter control handle. The interface control module includes control elements that are operably connected to the mapping/imaging/recording system in order to control various functions of the imaging/recording system relating to images represented on a display forming a part of the mapping/imaging/recording system. The interface control module can be integrated with the catheter control handle or can be formed as a separate component that is releasably attachable to the catheter control handle to enable a use to operate the mapping/imaging/recording system from the catheter control handle being utilized in an interventional medical procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mapping/imaging/recording system interface control module for a catheter control handle, the interface control module comprising:
 a housing configured to be secured to a control handle; and   a number of control elements disposed on the housing, wherein the control elements are operably connected to the mapping/imaging/recording system to control the operation of different functions of the mapping/imaging/recording system.   
     
     
         2 . The interface control module of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transceiver disposed within the housing and configured to wirelessly connect the control elements to the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         3 . The interface control module of  claim 1  further comprising a cable extending outwardly from the housing and operably connecting the control elements to the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         4 . The interface control module of  claim 3  wherein the cable is configured to be directly connected to the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         5 . The interface control module of  claim 3  wherein the cable is configured to be directly connected to the catheter control handle. 
     
     
         6 . The interface control module of  claim 3  wherein the housing comprises:
 an upper portion on which the control elements are disposed; and 
 a number of lower portions extending outwardly from the upper portion, wherein the lower portions include an engagement structure thereon configured to engage the catheter control handle. 
 
     
     
         7 . The interface control module of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a processing unit operably connected to the control elements; and 
 electronic storage media operably connected to the processing unit and configured to store sequences of operation of the control elements for automatic control of the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
 
     
     
         8 . The interface control module of  claim 1  wherein the control elements comprise:
 a number of buttons; and 
 a number of rotatable knobs. 
 
     
     
         9 . A catheter control handle comprising:
 a housing;   a shaft extending outwardly from the housing;   a conductor extending outwardly from the housing and configured to be connected to a mapping, imaging and/or recording system to supply image data thereto;   a control device disposed on the housing and connected to the shaft to control the shaft; and   the interface control module of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         10 . A catheter control handle comprising:
 a housing;   a shaft extending outwardly from the housing;   a conductor extending outwardly from the housing and configured to be connected to a mapping imaging/recording system to supply image data thereto;   a control device disposed on the housing and connected to the shaft to control the shaft; and   an interface control module disposed on the housing, the interface control module configured to be connected to the imaging/recording system to control the operation of the mapping/imaging/recording system.   
     
     
         11 . The control handle of  claim 10  wherein the interface control module comprises a number of control elements disposed on the housing adjacent the control device and configured to be connected to the mapping/imaging/recording system to control the operation of the imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         12 . The control handle of  claim 11  wherein the number for control elements comprise:
 a number of buttons disposed on the housing; and 
 a number of rotatable knobs disposed on the housing. 
 
     
     
         13 . The control handle of  claim 11  wherein the interface control module comprises:
 a processing unit operably connected to the control elements; and 
 electronic storage media operably connected to the processing unit and configured to store sequences of operation of the control elements for automatic control of the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
 
     
     
         14 . The control handle of  claim 11  wherein the interface control module is operably connected to the conductor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling an imaging/recording system from a catheter control handle during an interventional medical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a catheter control handle including a housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, a conductor extending outwardly from the housing and connected to a mapping/imaging/recording system to supply image data thereto, a control device disposed on the housing and connected to the shaft to control the shaft and an interface control module disposed on the housing, the interface control module connected to the imaging/recording system to control the operation of the mapping/imaging/recording system;   operating the interface control module to select an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system; and   operating the interface control module to control the operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of holding the housing of the catheter control handle simultaneously with the step of operating the interface control module to select an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the interface control module comprises a number of control elements, and wherein the step of operating the interface control module to select an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system comprises operating the control elements to select an operational function illustrated on a display operably connected to the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the interface control module comprises a number of control elements, and wherein the step of operating the interface control module to control an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system comprises operating the control elements to control an operational function illustrated on a display operably connected to the imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of engaging the interface control module with the housing prior to operating the interface control module to select an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of engaging the interface control module with the imaging/recording system prior to operating the interface control module to select an operational function of the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of engaging the interface control module with the imaging/recording system comprises connecting a cable between the interface control module and the mapping/imaging/recording system. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of engaging the interface control module with the mapping/imaging/recording system comprises wirelessly connecting the interface control module and the mapping/imaging/recording system.