External hand control for surgical power tool

Abstract

A control device for a surgical power tool. The control device including a housing, an input element located on the housing, and a control unit. The housing configured to couple to a surgical power tool. The input element located proximate the top of the housing and configured to receive a user input. The control unit located within the housing, where the control unit sends user input information received at the input element to the surgical power tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control device for a surgical power tool comprising:
 a housing sized and configured to couple to a surgical power tool;   an input surface provided at the housing for receiving a user input; and   a control unit within the housing for sending user input information received at the input surface to a surgical power tool.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including:
 a top housing coupled to a bottom housing,   wherein the bottom housing is sized and configured to couple to a surgical power tool.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the top housing is integrally formed with the bottom housing. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising arms extending from the housing, the arms sized and configured to engage at least a portion of an outer perimeter of a power tool, the arms extending from the housing in a direction away from a bottom surface of the housing and include an inner surface having a shape corresponding to an outer perimeter of a power tool. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the arms are sized and configured to couple the control device to a handpiece of a power tool. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the arms couple the housing to a power tool by at least one of a snap fit, press fit, a mechanical fastener, a weld and an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input surface is accessible via an opening in a top surface of the housing, input surface extending at least partially into the opening on the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input surface is composed of a pressure responsive material,
 wherein the user input information varies in response to a pressure of the user input at the input surface.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input surface is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input surface is located proximate the control unit such that a user input at the input surface activates the control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a PCB, a battery, and a wireless communication unit for sending electronic user input information to a surgical power tool. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the user input information varies in response to at least one of a location and a direction of the user input at the input surface. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives operation information from a surgical power tool. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover slidably coupled to the housing such that the cover is movable between a first position, over at least a portion of the input surface, and a second position, away from the input surface, the cover including a downwardly extending arm slidably engaged to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A surgical tool and control device comprising:
 a surgical power tool;   a control device coupled to the surgical power tool, the control device including:
 a housing including arms for coupling the control device to the power tool, the arms extending from the housing and engaging at least a portion of the outer perimeter of a handpiece of the power tool; 
 a pressure responsive touch pad located on a top surface of the control device for receiving a user input; 
 a control unit for sending user input information received at the touch pad to the power tool for directing a speed of the power tool; 
   wherein the control unit is movable along the handpiece of the surgical power tool.   
     
     
         16 . The surgical tool and control device of  claim 15 , wherein the control unit includes a PCB, a battery, and a wireless communication unit for sending user input information to the power tool,
 wherein the user input information is received by a control unit of the power tool and the speed of the power tool varies in response to a pressure of the user input received at the touch pad.   
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a surgical power tool using a control device movably and relasably coupled to the power tool, the method comprising:
 coupling a control device to a handpiece of a surgical power tool,   move the control device to a desired position,   activate the power tool by providing a user input at an input surface provided on the control device,   sending an operation signal from the control device to the power tool corresponding to the user input, and   operating the power tool according to the operation signal.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein coupling the control device to the surgical power tool includes:
 aligning the control device over the power tool such that an opening provided between arms extending from a bottom surface of the control device is positioned over the handpiece,   pressing the control device onto the handpiece such that the arms expand to advance the control device onto the handpiece, where the arms advance over and around the handpiece.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein moving the control device into the desired position includes at least one of sliding the control device along the handpiece and rotating the control device around the handpiece. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including:
 varying the user input provided at the input surface,   sending a varied operation signal from the control device to the power tool corresponding to the varied user input, and   operating the power tool according to the varied operation signal,   wherein providing a user input and a varied user input includes applying a pressure at an input surface provided on the control device.