Surgical laser system with remote control functionality

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a laser surgical system with a basic set of functionality which is remotely controllable to implement an advanced set of functionality. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a basic laser surgical system may be coupled to an advanced control unit such that the basic laser surgical system may be controllable by the advanced control unit to implement a broader set of functionality. By moving less frequently used functionality to an advanced unit, the basic unit may be streamlined with regards to both cost and size, and the learning curve required to utilize the basic unit may be reduced relative to a more feature-ladened unit, allowing the basic unit to be utilized in myriad situations or procedures where an “all-in-one” unit would be less than desirable.

1 . A remotely controllable laser surgical system, comprising:
 a laser surgical unit operable to implement a first set of functionality; and   a communication port, wherein the laser surgical unit is operable to be controlled through the communication port to implement a second set of functionality, at least some of the second set of functionality distinct from the first set of functionality.   
     
     
         2 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser surgical unit cannot perform the at least some of the second set of functionality in a standalone configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 2 , wherein the second set of functionality is a superset of the first set of functionality. 
     
     
         4 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 2 , wherein the communication port is an Ethernet port. 
     
     
         5 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 4 , wherein the pins of the communication port are scrambled 
     
     
         6 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 5 , wherein the laser surgical unit is operable to detect when an incompatible device is coupled to the communication port. 
     
     
         7 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 2 , wherein the laser surgical unit comprises a laser and a microprocessor. 
     
     
         8 . The remotely controllable laser surgical system of  claim 7 , wherein the laser surgical unit is a photocoagulator. 
     
     
         9 . A laser surgical system, comprising:
 a laser surgical unit operable to implement a first set of functionality;   a control unit coupled to the laser surgical system, wherein the control unit is operable to control the laser surgical unit to implement a second set of functionality, at least some of the second set of functionality distinct from the first set of functionality.   
     
     
         10 . The laser surgical system of  claim 9 , wherein the laser surgical unit cannot perform the at least some of the second set of functionality in a standalone configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The laser surgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the second set of functionality is a superset of the first set of functionality. 
     
     
         12 . The laser surgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the laser surgical unit comprises a first communication port, the control unit comprises a second communication port and the laser surgical unit is coupled to the control unit through the first communication port and the second communication port. 
     
     
         13 . The laser surgical system of  claim 12 , wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are Ethernet ports. 
     
     
         14 . The laser surgical system of  claim 13 , wherein the pins of the first communication port and the pins of the second communication port are scrambled 
     
     
         15 . The laser surgical system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the laser surgical system and the control unit is operable to detect when an incompatible device is coupled to the communication port. 
     
     
         16 . The laser surgical system of  claim 12 , wherein the laser surgical unit comprises a laser and a microprocessor. 
     
     
         17 . The laser surgical system of  claim 15 , wherein the laser surgical system is a photo coagulator. 
     
     
         18 . The laser surgical system of  claim 12 , wherein the control unit is a surgical console. 
     
     
         19 . The laser surgical system of  claim 18 , wherein the control unit comprises a user interface. 
     
     
         20 . A laser surgical system, comprising:
 a laser surgical unit having a first communication port and operable to implement a first set of functionality;   a control unit having a second communication port coupled to the first communication port of the laser surgical system, wherein the control unit is operable to control the laser surgical unit to implement a second set of functionality, wherein at least some of the second set of functionality is distinct from the first set of functionality and the laser surgical unit cannot perform the at least some of the second set of functionality in a standalone configuration.