The present invention relates to a universal mechanical control system for moving a controlled device in response to the movement of a universally movable control rod. The invention is particularly applicable for controlling a laser beam surgical scalpel in accordance with the movement of a manipulatable joy stick and is therefore described below with respect to this application.
Laser beam surgical scalpels are increasingly being used for performing delicate surgical operations. A known type of such scalpels includes a microscope to permit viewing by the surgeon of the working area, and an optical control unit including a control rod, commonly called a joy stick, manipulatable by the surgeon for directing the laser beam with respect to the working area. Critical factors in the successful use of such scalpels for performing delicate surgery are the ease and precision by which the laser beam may be manipulated by the surgeon by using the joy stick. Various types of mechanical and electrical control systems have been proposed or are now in use for this purpose, but the known systems are generally of complicated, bulky, and expensive construction and/or are not entirely satisfactory with respect to the ease and precision by which they may be conveniently manipulated by the surgeon during the performance of a delicate surgical procedure.
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily-operated mechanical control system for moving a controlled device in response to the movement of a universally movable control member. Another object of the invention is to provide a laser beam surgical scalpel with the above mechanical control system for manipulating the laser beam with respect to the working area in response to the manipulations of a joy stick.