System and method for user selectable release modality for a surgical cassette

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for allowing a user to select the release modality of a surgical cassette. Example release modes can include an instant or latching mode, a continuous mode or a delay mode. An embodiment of the present invention can include providing a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes, determining that a release request is asserted, and releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode. According to one embodiment, the release modes for the cassette can include an instant mode, a continuous mode and a delay mode. The user can also select, for example, whether the release command can be asserted through a button, user interface or both.

1 . A method for user selectable cassette release modality, comprising: 
 providing a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes;    determining that a release request is asserted; and    releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises: 
 if the selected cassette release mode is an immediate mode, initiating and completing a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises, if the selected cassette release mode is a continuous mode: 
 initiating a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;    subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted prior to completion of the cassette release process; and    if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminating the cassette release process.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted further comprises continually determining whether the release request is still asserted until the release process is completed or terminated.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein terminating the cassette release process further comprises reengaging the cassette.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises, if the selected release mode is a delay mode: 
 determining if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and    if so, initiating a cassette release process.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising continuing the cassette release process until the cassette release process completes.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user interface further allows the user to specify the delay time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein releasing the surgical cassette from surgical instrumentation according to the selected cassette release mode further comprises: 
 if the selected cassette release mode is an immediate mode, initiating and completing a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;    if the selected cassette release mode is a continuous mode: 
 initiating the cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;  
 subsequently determining if the release request is still asserted;  
 if the release request is still asserted and the cassette release process has not finished, continuing the cassette release process;  
 if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminating the cassette release process;  
   if the selected release mode is a delay mode: 
 determining if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and  
 if so, initiating the cassette release process.  
   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.  
   
   
       11 . A computer program product comprising a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable medium, said set of computer instructions comprising instructions executable by a processor to: 
 provide a user interface that allows a user to select a cassette release mode for a surgical cassette from a set of cassette release modes;    determine that a release request is asserted; and    issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode.    
   
   
       12 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish.  
   
   
       13 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to: 
 initiate a cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;    subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted; and    if the release request is not still asserted and the cassette release process has not completed, terminate the cassette release process.    
   
   
       14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the set of computer instructions further comprise instructions executable to cause the cassette to be reengaged if the release process is terminated.  
   
   
       15 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions executable to subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted further comprise instructions executable to continually sample a signal indicating a release request.  
   
   
       16 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to: 
 determine if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and    if so, initiate a cassette release process.    
   
   
       17 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the set of computer instructions are executable to allow the cassette release process to continue until the cassette release process completes.  
   
   
       18 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the user interface further allows the user to specify the delay time.  
   
   
       19 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , the instructions executable to issue one or more commands to release the surgical cassette according to the selected release mode, comprise instructions executable to: 
 according to a first mode of operation, initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish;    according to a second mode of operation: 
 initiate the cassette release process based on determining that the release request is asserted;  
 subsequently determine if the release request is still asserted prior to completion of the cassette release process;  
 if the release request is not still asserted, terminate the cassette release process; and  
   according to a third mode of operation: 
 determine if the release request is asserted for a delay time; and  
 if so, initiate the cassette release process.  
   
   
   
       20 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.  
   
   
       21 . A surgical system comprising: 
 a display device;    a cassette receiver to receive a surgical cassette;    a cassette release button to request release of the surgical cassette from the cassette receiver;    a controller coupled to the display device and the cassette release button, the controller configured to: 
 provide a user interface to a user that allows the user to select a cassette release mode from a set of cassette release modes,  
 receive a cassette release request signal when the release button is actuated; and  
 issue one or more commands to release the cassette from the cassette receiver according to the selected cassette release mode on receiving the cassette release request signal.  
   
   
   
       22 . The surgical system of  claim 21 , wherein the set of cassette release modes comprises at least an immediate mode, a delay mode and a continuous mode.  
   
   
       23 . The surgical system of  claim 22 , wherein user interface allows the user to specify a delay time if the user selects the delay mode.  
   
   
       24 . The surgical system of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is further configured to: 
 if the immediate mode is selected, initiate a cassette release process and allow the cassette release process to proceed to finish;    if the continuous mode is selected: 
 initiate the cassette release process based on determining that the cassette release button is pressed;  
 continuously determining if the cassette release button is pressed;  
 if it is determined that the cassette release button is no longer pressed and the cassette release process has not completed, terminate the cassette release process; and  
   if the delay mode is selected: 
 determine if the cassette release button is pressed for a delay time; and  
 if so, initiate the cassette release process.  
   
   
   
       25 . The surgical system of  claim 22 , the user interface further allows the user to determine whether a release command is asserted through the user interface or a release button.