System and method for controlling a remote medical device guidance system in three-dimensions using gestures

Abstract

A system for enabling a user to remotely control a robotic medical device system includes a motion capture apparatus to capture motion of a user in a sensing volume and generate indicative output data. The system includes a control unit configured to execute gesture recognition logic that recognizes a user gesture based on analysis of the indicative output data. The control unit executes interpreter logic that is configured to translate the recognized user gesture into a corresponding robotic medical device control command configured to control an aspect of the operation of the robotic medical device system.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A medical apparatus comprising:
 an electronic control unit and a memory;   a robotic medical device system in communication with said electronic control unit; and   a bedside interface device comprising a touch-responsive display panel configured to allow a user to communicate with a plurality of diagnostic or therapeutic systems that includes said robotic medical device system, said bedside interface device including user interface logic stored in the memory configured to be executed by said electronic control unit and further configured to display on said display panel a user interface which includes a first group of buttons corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic and therapeutic systems,   said user interface logic is further configured to receive from the user a user touch input from said touch-responsive display panel, said user interface logic being further configured to allow the user to select one button from said first group of buttons according to said user touch input to thereby select a corresponding one of said plurality of diagnostic and therapeutic systems and to present, in response to said user selection, an application-specific user interface on said display panel that enables access to and control of said one user-selected diagnostic and therapeutic system;   wherein a user-selected diagnostic and therapeutic system comprises said robotic medical device system, and wherein said user interface logic is further configured to allow the user to interact with said application-specific user interface to acquire user touch input corresponding to a command for the robotic medical device system, and wherein said electronic control unit is configured to communicate the command to the robotic medical device system.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  where said application-specific user interface of said user-selected diagnostic or therapeutic system comprises at least one application-specific second button displayed on said display panel that is different from said first group of buttons. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said user interface logic is configured to present on said display panel, for each one of said plurality of diagnostic or therapeutic systems when selected by the user, a respective application-specific user interface that enables access to and control of said user-selected diagnostic or therapeutic system. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said user interface logic is further configured to switch between respective application-specific user interfaces via a common interface displayed on said display panel, wherein said common interface includes said first group of buttons. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said electronic control unit communicates said identified command wirelessly. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said robotic medical device system includes a medical device and wherein said command is configured to cause said robotic medical device system to manipulate or maneuver the medical device. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said medical device comprises a catheter. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said robotic medical device system includes a medical device, a frame, a support structure attached to the frame, support linkages attached to the support structure, and a manipulator assembly attached to the support linkages and configured to control the positioning of the medical device. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the medical device comprises one or more tools. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the frame is supports by a plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the frame is track mounted to a track for movement relative to said track. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein said robotic medical device system further includes a localization system configured to determine a position of the medical device. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the position of the medical device comprises a distal tip position corresponding to the distal end portion of the medical device, said localization system is further configured to determine an orientation of the distal end portion. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the localization system further comprises a position sensor disposed in said medical device.