Optical observation instrument

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical observation instrument, in particular a surgical microscope or an endoscope, comprising an optical unit having an objective arrangement and at least one electronic image receiver, said optical unit having a first stereoscopic channel with a first beam path and a second stereoscopic channel with a second beam path, an objective lens assembly for receiving a stereoscopic image of a target area with at least one electronic image receiver, and wherein the first and second light paths run through the objective lens assembly; the optical observation instrument also has a holder to which the optical unit is rotatably connected by means of a first bearing at its proximal end and a second bearing at its distal end, such that the optical unit can be rotated about a first axis of rotation by means of the respective bearing, the first rotation axis extends through the center of the first bearing and the center of the second bearing, the cage is provided with an operating device with a plurality of operating elements for controlling the holding arms, and the cage can be connected with the holding arms.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of the same name of Chinese Patent Application No. 202110024368.1 with a filing date of January 8, 2021, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102020100677.2, which has a priority date of January 14, 2020. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to an optical viewing instrument, in particular a surgical microscope or an exoscope, according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND

[0003] Optical viewing instruments are known for observing a surgical area on a human or animal body when performing a surgical operation thereon, which allow a surgeon and, if necessary, other persons to observe the surgical area on the human or animal body accurately or enlarged, wherein at the same time there is no significant restriction to approach the surgical area. Such optical viewing instruments can be in particular a surgical microscope or an exoscope.

[0004] From document DE 10 2011 054 031 A1 a device for observing and illuminating a target area on a patient's body from a location remote from the patient's body is known, which has optics for observing the target area and an illumination device for illuminating the target area. The device also has a handle, at the distal end of which a head is arranged which widens relative to the handle, in which head an illumination unit for illuminating the target area is arranged. The elongate handle can accommodate an image relay which relays an image of the surgical area to the proximal end of the handle. Such a device is also referred to as an "exoscope". This enables the target area to be illuminated and observed from a working distance of, for example, 25 to 75 cm during a surgical operation, so that the working space of the surgeon is not limited in practice by the exoscope. By connecting a video camera, the image of the target area can be displayed on a screen, so that the surgeon and, if necessary, other persons can observe the target area without fatigue. The exoscope can be held by an adjustable stand.

[0005] When performing a surgical operation, a spatial perception of the target area is helpful for the operating physician. It is known that the spatial perception of the target area can be improved with stereoscopic optics which receive two images of the target area from different viewing angles. The joint display of the two images of the stereoscopic image is also referred to as "half images" or "half stereoscopic images". The two half images are displayed on the right and left eye of the surgeon, respectively, so that the surgeon obtains a spatial impression of the target area. For this purpose, for example, a display suitable for stereoscopic display can be provided, such as a screen with a changed polarization, wherein the surgeon wears polarized glasses with two lenses having different polarizations.

[0006] However, a problem in the use of stereoscopic optics is that, when turning around an axis parallel to the viewing direction of the optics, not only the image generated on the electronic image receiver and thus the image of the surgical area displayed on the screen will turn, but also the base line of the stereoscopic optics will turn. The same happens when the surgeon changes his position. In both cases, the stereobasis changes, so that the stereoscopic effect and thus the spatial impression can be lost and it can be difficult or even impossible for the surgeon to orient himself in the surgical area. The stereobasis must therefore be adapted accordingly to the stereoscopic optics.

[0007] According to the document DE 10 2013 110 543 A1, an endoscope comprises a handle and a viewing optics arranged at the distal end of the handle for receiving an image of a target area, wherein the viewing optics is a stereoscopic optics with at least one electronic image receiver for receiving a stereoscopic image of the target area. The endoscope has an optical unit which is arranged in a head arranged at the distal end of the handle and which comprises the viewing optics. The optical unit is turnable around a rotation axis which is almost parallel to the viewing direction of the viewing optics, wherein the viewing direction can be angled at 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Thereby, the endoscope can be positioned with a vertically downward pointing viewing direction above a target area arranged horizontally for viewing the target area when performing a surgical operation, for example a surgical area on a human body. Therein a stereoscopic image of the target area can be received and, when the endoscope is pivoted, not only the image of the target area received and displayed is aligned, but also the stereobasis is adjusted.

[0008] In the document EP 1 333 305 B1 a stereoscopic inspection system for imaging an object is provided, which comprises an objective assembly with an optical axis and an object plane, wherein the objective assembly receives an object-side light beam emitted by the object plane in a range of spatial angles and converts it into an image-side light beam. The stereoscopic inspection system further comprises a selection assembly for selecting a first pair of partial light beams and a second pair of partial light beams from the image-side light beam and an image transmission device for generating a representation of an image of the object provided by the first pair of partial light beams and the second pair of partial light beams. The selection assembly is configured for moving a light ray cross section of at least one partial light beam with respect to a light ray cross section of the image-side light beam, wherein a control device is provided for manipulating the selection assembly so as to move the light ray cross section of the at least one partial light beam in a circumferential direction around the optical axis.

[0009] In order for the surgeon to observe the received images, it has proven advantageous to arrange one or more screens (displays) in an elevated position relative to the position of the surgeon, so that the surgeon can observe the images shown on the displays over the operating area, if necessary over the surgical instruments used and over the optical observation instrument. However, surgical microscopes in particular usually have an elongated and bulky microscope body which blocks the unobstructed view over the optical observation instrument, or requires the displays to be in an uncomfortable, disadvantageously high position for the observer. For endoscopes, the head also limits the field of view of the surgeon, wherein the construction height of the head is determined in particular by the length of the optical unit.

[0010] Optical observation instruments such as surgical microscopes are mostly held on a holding arm due to their size and their weight. The holding arm can be mounted on a wall and a cover or on a movable trolley and is configured to hold the instrument in different positions and orientations which can be adjusted by the user by means of different movable sections and hinges. For this purpose, the holding arm is often released from the adjusted position, turned into a new position and locked again, for example by releasing and locking the hinges. Furthermore, it has recently proven useful here to use automatic systems which are driven and held by motors, for example in the form of robotic holding arms. The holding arms can be moved by the user remotely or manually.

[0011] It is known, for example, from the Zeiss company, to produce surgical microscopes which can be held on a holding arm and moved by means of handles fixed on the microscope. It is disadvantageous here that the instrument which already occupies a large amount of space must have additional lateral handles. Instruments and systems such as the Orbeye video microscope from the Olympus Medical company are also known. Here the observation instrument itself is held and moved by the user. Different buttons for operating the system are themselves attached to the instrument body. Here there is a risk of damaging the optical instrument when holding and moving it, and there is a risk of unintentionally operating the buttons when holding the instrument. SUMMARY

[0012] It is an object of the present application to provide an optical observation instrument, in particular a surgical microscope or an endoscope with stereoscopic optics, which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, wherein in particular the handling and positioning of the instrument is simplified.

[0013] This object is achieved by an optical observation instrument according to claim 1.

[0014] Advantageous refinements of the application are given in the dependent claims.

[0015] The optical viewing instrument according to the application is in particular a medical optical viewing instrument and is preferably a surgical microscope or an exoscope. The optical viewing instrument can for example be used to receive an image of a target region on a human or animal body from outside the body. The target region can for example be a surgical region on which a surgical operation is being performed. Here, the viewing instrument is preferably used to receive an image of the surgical region from a working distance which allows the surgeon to approach the surgical region unhindered when performing the surgical operation. The working distance can for example lie in the range of approximately 10 to 75 cm, preferably approximately 15 to 50 cm. When reference is made below to a "user" of the optical viewing instrument, this means in particular a surgeon or a surgical physician; but the user can for example also be a person who assists the surgical physician during the operation or another observer of the operation, or can also be a user of the optical viewing instrument for non-medical applications.

[0016] The optical viewing instrument according to the application comprises an optical unit which has an objective assembly and at least one electronic image receiver. The optical unit is configured as a stereoscopic optical device for receiving a stereoscopic image of a target region, for example on a human or animal body, using the at least one electronic image receiver. The optical unit for this purpose has a first stereoscopic channel with a first optical path and a second stereoscopic channel with a second optical path in order to receive a first half-stereoscopic image and a second half-stereoscopic image of the target region. It can be provided here that the target region is imaged via the first optical path to a first electronic image receiver by means of the objective assembly in order to receive the first half-stereoscopic image, and that the target region is imaged via the second optical path to a second electronic image receiver by means of the objective assembly in order to receive the second half-stereoscopic image of the target region. Instead of a first electronic image receiver and a second electronic image receiver, a single image receiver can also be used for example to receive the first half-stereoscopic image and the second half-stereoscopic image, wherein the first half-stereoscopic image and the second half-stereoscopic image of the target region are imaged onto different regions of the image receiver. The at least one electronic image receiver is in particular a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor or a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) image sensor.

[0017] The first and second light paths run through an objective assembly. The objective assembly is in particular for imaging a target region via the first or the second light path on the first and the second image receiver or on the respective regions of a unique image receiver. The objective assembly can comprise common imaging optics shared by the first and the second stereoscopic channel and, if necessary, further imaging optics exclusively assigned to the first or the second stereoscopic channel, such as one or more front lenses or one or more zoom optics. However, the objective assembly can also comprise an objective of the first stereoscopic channel and an objective of the second stereoscopic channel, which can be configured separately from one another. The objective assembly can be an objective unit which in turn forms an optical unit. The objective assembly is in particular a lens system, but can also comprise reflective optical elements. The objective assembly can also comprise one or more filters, for example one or more fluorescence filters, which are shared by the first and the second stereoscopic channel or are exclusively assigned to the first or the second stereoscopic channel. The filters can in particular be configured for observing and receiving fluorescence and for filtering excitation light of the fluorescence. The observation instrument can thus be configured to observe in particular simultaneously the fluorescence generated by the pigments ICG (indocyanine green), fluorescein and PPIX (protoporphyrin IX).

[0018] The objective assembly has an axis, which can be for example an optical axis of an objective lens or a lens system, through which the first and the second light path run. In the case of a separate objective for the first and the second stereoscopic channel, this axis is in particular the middle axis of the two light paths or the optical axes of the two objectives. The first and the second light paths are offset laterally to the axis of the objective assembly from one another, wherein the stereoscopic base of the stereoscopic optics is determined in particular by the connecting line between the first and the second light path in the elements of the target side of the objective assembly. The first and the second light paths can run at an angle to one another, including a stereoscopic angle, on the target side of the objective assembly, so that the light paths intersect or at least overlap at a preferred working distance, for example at a distance of approximately 25 cm. However, the first and the second light paths can also run parallel to one another on the target side of the objective assembly; the working distance and thus the stereoscopic angle are then derived in particular from the adjusted focal points and / or from the difference of the received half-stereoscopic images, and vice versa. The axis of the objective assembly can in particular be the angle bisector between the target-side sections of the first and the second light path.

[0019] In addition, the optical observation instrument comprises a holding device, which is preferably adjustable and on which the optical unit is supported. The holding device further comprises a holding frame which overlaps the optical unit, wherein the holding frame has an operating device with a plurality of operating elements for controlling holding arms, to which the holding device can be connected.

[0020] The holder can have the shape of a shelf and be configured to hold an optical unit. The optical unit can be detachably or fixedly connected to the holder. The holding device is configured to be connected to the holding arm. Forms of such mechanical connections are known as clips, threaded adapters, spring clips or other structural forms. Such connections are designed so that they cannot be detached by a layman but only by a technician. Additionally, the holding device can have, inter alia, an electric connection corresponding to the detachable holding arm in order to exchange energy, data or signals. Such a detachable electric connection can be integrated with the mechanical connection or configured completely independently. The holding device can form an electrical connection of the optical unit to the holding arm. Such an electrical connection can also exist between the viewing instrument or holding device and a control unit for the holding arm.

[0021] The holding arm is preferably motor-driven adjustable and / or configured as a robot holding arm. It is hereby provided that the holding arm can be operated by means of a robot controller by means of an operating device such as a joystick or by means of a data connection, wherein the robot controller can be programmed in order to bring the optical unit into a position and / or orientation which can be predetermined.

[0022] On the holder there is provided an operating device which can be configured differently. The operating device can have one or more buttons for the fingers of a user or have a grip sensor, a touch sensor, a touchscreen, a switch or other operating elements for the interface of a human user. The holder has, inter alia, a plurality of buttons which are operated by pressure. The operating device can control the holding arm to which the holding device can be connected. For this purpose a signal is generated by the operating device which is forwarded to the holding arm or to a control unit of the holding arm. Such a control can include the detachment and locking of the arm part or of a part of the arm part, but also the movement of the arm part or the detachment or locking of the interface with respect to the holding device. The viewing device can be connected to different holding arms in order to control these.

[0023] The holding device, in particular the holder, can be arranged rotatably and / or longitudinally movably on the holding arm. This rotatability or longitudinal movability can be realized by different adapters, rails or other known mechanical connections. This increases the flexibility of the system and the positioning possibilities of the viewing instrument on such a holding arm.

[0024] The holder in particular bridges the optical unit in a direction which is almost parallel to the stereoscopic channel or, for example, in the case of stereoscopic channels which extend inclined to one another, almost parallel to the median axis between the stereoscopic channels. Thereby, the holder is arranged approximately along the optical axis of the system, which allows a particularly intuitive positioning of the viewing instrument.

[0025] The optical unit can be configured, for example, in an elongate manner and have a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the optical unit is supported in the region of its distal end and proximal end on each of the two end portions of the holder. The holder contacts and holds the optical unit, in particular the optical housing of the optical unit, at the end region of the distal end and proximal end of the optical unit. The holder in particular overlaps the optical unit or the optical housing from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0026] A section, in particular an intermediate section, between the two end portions of the holder can be spaced apart from the optical unit here and configured to be held by a human hand. The dimensions of this section of the holder and the distance of this section relative to the optical unit or the optical housing are selected such that the user can hold the holder with his hand or at least thread a few fingers between the end portions of the holder in order to hold the holder or the optical unit.

[0027] The optical unit can additionally be rotatably supported about a first rotation axis on the holding device. The first rotation axis here in particular coincides at least approximately with the axis of the objective assembly, which can be, for example, the optical axis of the common objective lens and / or the median axis between the optical axes of the first and second stereoscopic channels. The holding device can be fixed to the operating table. It is thereby possible to achieve that the optical unit is rotatable about the optical axis relative to the operating table. By means of this rotatable support it is possible to achieve a rotation of the stereoscopic base line, which can be adjusted in accordance with the position of the user and the orientation of the optical viewing instrument, in order to enable the user to obtain a natural stereoscopic impression and an easy orientation within the target region.

[0028] The optical unit has in a particularly preferred manner a micro-long or elongate housing, which is referred to here as optical housing, which extends at least approximately in the direction of the axis of the objective assembly. Herein in particular the optical elements of the optical unit, in particular the objective assembly, preferably all optical elements or all lenses of the optical unit, are accommodated in this optical housing. The micro-long or elongate configuration of the optical unit makes it possible to achieve a particularly advantageous design of the first and second optical paths for generating two half-stereoscopic images. According to this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the optical housing is at least approximately parallel to the axis of the objective assembly, and the first rotation axis about which the optical unit is rotatably supported on the holding device is at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the optical housing. The optical housing can be, for example, the microscope body of a surgical microscope.

[0029] The optical unit or rather its optical housing can be rotatably supported between two end portions of the holder, so that the optical unit can be rotated relative to the holder. The holder, which can be indirectly or directly fixed to the holder arm, can remain unchanged after the instrument has been reset, while the optical unit can be held by the user and rotated in order to align the stereoscopic base line.

[0030] The holder has rotary bearings at both ends, namely a first bearing at the proximal end of the optical unit and a second bearing at the distal end of the optical unit, one of which is arranged on the end of the holder or optical unit that is remote from the target, and through which a connection cable, for example for an electrical connection relative to the holder arm, can be guided. The optical unit is rotatably connected to the holder by means of a first bearing at its proximal end and a second bearing at its distal end, so that the optical unit can be rotated about a first axis of rotation by means of the respective bearings.

[0031] At the end of the holder or optical unit that is on the target side and / or at the end that is remote from the target, a locking device can be provided in an advantageous manner, by means of which the optical unit or rather the optical housing is held in a correspondingly adjusted rotational position. The locking device can consist, for example, of a frictional connection of the rotary bearings or of a ratchet or pawl. Here, the pawl can in particular be spring-loaded, so that the optical unit is held in an adjusted rotational position by means of an elastic force, but the pawl is disengaged from a corresponding catch slot against the elastic force by manually rotating the optical unit. The user can hold the optical unit, which is rotated inside the holder into a desired position and is held in the adjusted position, for example, simply by releasing it.

[0032] According to the application, the optical viewing instrument has a viewing direction which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly and comprises a deflection element which is arranged on the object side of the objective assembly and is configured and arranged for deflecting the first light path and the second light path into the objective assembly. The optical deflection element can comprise one or more reflecting surfaces. The viewing direction here is in particular an intermediate direction between the viewing directions of the sections of the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel or of the first light path and the second light path on the object side. The optical deflection element is arranged and configured in such a way that the first light path and the second light path are deflected from their respective viewing directions into the objective assembly and further into the optical elements of the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel in order to generate the first half-stereoscopic image and the second half-stereoscopic image, wherein the intermediate direction between the viewing directions of the first light path and the second light path corresponds to the viewing direction of the viewing instrument, which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly. In particular, the median axis or the angular bisector between the sections of the first light path and the second light path on the object side is respectively regarded as the viewing axis of the optical viewing instrument, the direction of which corresponds to the viewing direction, said viewing axis intersecting at the preferred working distance. The sections of the first light path and the second light path on the object side or their respective viewing directions are each angled with respect to the viewing axis by an angle which corresponds to the half-stereoscopic angle. In the case where the sections of the first light path and the second light path on the object side extend parallel to one another, the viewing direction of the optical viewing instrument corresponds to the viewing directions of the first light path and the second light path, and said viewing axis is in particular the median axis between the sections of the first light path and the second light path on the object side, which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly.

[0033] This means in particular that the light path on the object side of the optical viewing instrument is deflected by the optical deflection element from the viewing direction which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly at least almost in the direction of the axis of the objective assembly into the objective assembly. The light path on the object side can be formed by light rays which are emitted from the object region and into a conical spatial angular region which surrounds the viewing axis, are deflected by the deflection element towards the objective assembly, wherein those of the light rays which form the first light path and the second light path and enter into the optical elements of the first stereoscopic channel or the second stereoscopic channel are imaged on at least one electronic image receiver in order to form the first half-stereoscopic image or the second half-stereoscopic image. The viewing axis here is the axis of the conical spatial angular region, which has an opening angle which corresponds approximately to the stereoscopic angle. The light rays which are emitted from the object region and are deflected via the deflection element in particular impinge on the objective assembly in the respective spatial angular region which surrounds the axis of the objective assembly, so that respective components of the incident light reach into the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel and are imaged on the relevant image receiver or region of the image receiver.

[0034] Since the optical viewing instrument, in particular a stereoscopic surgical microscope or a stereoscopic exoscope, has an observation direction which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly, a particularly advantageous manual handling is possible. By this, in particular, it is possible to achieve that the construction length of the optical unit in the direction of the axis of the objective assembly does not extend in the observation direction, wherein the construction length of the optical unit can furthermore be predetermined by the length of the first light path and the second light path and in turn by the optical requirements which are imposed on the optical viewing instrument. Thus, when the observation direction of the optical viewing instrument is directed vertically downwards to the surgical area on the human or animal body, the vertical construction height of the optical viewing instrument, for example the construction height of the head of a stereoscopic exoscope, is not predetermined by the construction length of the optical unit, but can be chosen to be smaller. By this, a restriction of the field of view of the surgeon when viewing an oppositely arranged display can be reduced or avoided.

[0035] Furthermore, since a deflection element is arranged on the distal side of the objective, the observation direction of the optical viewing instrument which is angled with respect to the axis of the objective assembly can be achieved in a simple manner. Since the stereoscopic base line defined by the optical unit and in turn by the arrangement of the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel of the optical unit can be rotated at least almost around the axis of the objective assembly or around the central axis of the light path, here an adaptation of the direction of the stereoscopic base line to the position of the user and the orientation of the viewing instrument and the orientation of the stereoscopic image can be achieved in a particularly simple and advantageous manner. Thus, for example, in the case of an observation direction of the optical viewing instrument which is directed to the surgical area or to a body region of a patient lying on an operating table, the stereoscopic base line can be adjusted in a simple manner for different positions of the user, so that the stereoscopic image provides a natural spatial impression and an alignment impression for the observed region of the surgical area or of the body surface. Thus, it is possible in this way to achieve that the surgeon can freely position the optical unit and then can adjust the stereoscopic base line according to his position and the natural or preferred horizontal line, wherein at the same time a significant restriction of his field of view can be avoided. Preferably, the observation direction is angled at least almost by 90° with respect to the axis of the objective assembly. By this, it is possible to achieve that the observation direction which is almost vertically downwards directed is a particularly advantageous observation direction for surgical interventions in general, the optical unit extends in an approximately horizontal direction and can be rotated around an almost horizontal axis in order to adjust the direction of the stereoscopic base line. By this, on the one hand, an unhindered access to the target area, in particular to the surgical area for the surgeon, is possible, and on the other hand, a maximum unhindered field of view which is observed via the optical viewing instrument can be displayed on a display which can be arranged, for example, opposite the surgeon next to the operating table.

[0036] The optical viewing instrument can thus, for example, be held above the operating table, so that the viewing direction is almost aligned vertically downwards and the longitudinal direction of the optical unit or of the optical housing, which is almost parallel to the axis of the objective assembly and to the first rotation axis, is aligned horizontally. Thereby, on the one hand, a particularly advantageous design of the optical unit is achieved and, on the other hand, it is possible for the user to observe the display via the optical viewing instrument without significantly restricting the working area and the field of vision. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the application, the optical housing of the optical unit is rotatably supported about the first rotation axis relative to the holding device and contains the optical elements of the optical unit, in particular the objective assembly, preferably all optical elements or all lenses of the optical unit, and at least one electronic image receiver, for example at least two electronic image receivers for receiving the first and the second half-stereoscopic image, wherein, furthermore, the viewing direction of the optical viewing instrument is at an angle of approximately 90°, in particular with respect to the first rotation axis, as described previously.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment of the application, the objective assembly comprises a front lens on the object side, wherein the first and the second light path extend through the front lens. The axis of the objective assembly is in this case in particular the optical axis or the median axis of the front lens, which can preferably be the median axis between the first and the second light path or the optical axis of the first and the second light path. The first and the second light path or their optical axes extend symmetrically with respect to the axis of the objective assembly through the front lens, wherein the sections of the first and the second light path on the object side can extend parallel to one another or at an angle to one another and almost subtend a stereoscopic angle, and the sections of the first and the second light path next to the image side of the front lens can extend parallel to one another and towards the axis of the objective assembly. According to this embodiment of the application, the optical viewing instrument thus comprises an optical unit with an objective assembly having a front lens on the object side, and at least one electronic image receiver, wherein the optical unit has a first stereoscopic channel with the first light path and a second stereoscopic channel with the second light path in order to receive a stereoscopic image of the object region with the at least one electronic image receiver, and wherein the first and the second light path extend through the front lens, and a holding device, on which the optical unit is rotatably supported about a first rotation axis, which at least almost coincides with the optical axis of the front lens, wherein the optical viewing instrument comprises a deflection element arranged on the object side of the front lens in order to deflect the first and the second light path from their respective viewing directions into the objective assembly, wherein the intermediate direction of the viewing direction, i.e. of the viewing direction of the viewing instrument, is at an angle with respect to the optical axis of the front lens. Thereby, a particularly simple design with a large rotation angle area of the optical unit can be achieved.

[0038] In a particularly preferred manner, the optical deflection element comprises one, preferably exactly one, plane mirror which is arranged obliquely with respect to the axis of the objective assembly. The deflection element can in particular be such a plane mirror. In the viewing direction of the optical viewing instrument, the face normal of the plane mirror is almost at an angle of 45° with respect to the axis of the objective assembly, the viewing direction almost being at an angle of 90° with respect to the axis of the objective assembly. The plane mirror preferably has only one reflection face, thereby avoiding a double reflection. Since the deflection element is a mirror which is arranged obliquely with respect to the axis of the objective assembly, for example obliquely with respect to the optical axis of the front lens, a particularly light and simple construction can be achieved.

[0039] The optical deflection element is preferably arranged on the holding device. The optical deflection element can for example be fixedly arranged, in particular non-rotatably arranged, on the holding device. Since the optical unit is rotated about the first rotation axis, the optical unit, in particular the optical housing, is simultaneously correspondingly rotated with respect to the optical deflection element. This enables a particularly simple and stable construction and a further simplified handling of the viewing instrument. Furthermore, the stereoscopic base line can be aligned by the user with a desired horizontal line without changing the viewing direction of the instrument which is determined by the deflection element.

[0040] The optical deflection element can in a preferred manner be arranged rotatably, in particular about the first rotation axis, with respect to the holding device and with respect to the optical unit, in particular with respect to the optical housing. The optical deflection element can for example be correspondingly arranged rotatably on the holding device. Thereby an additional adjustment possibility for adjusting the viewing direction of the viewing instrument and for selecting a target area can be created. The optical deflection element can in an advantageous manner be arranged on the holding device such that it can be completely or partially removed by the user during operation or when configuring the optical viewing instrument. By this detachable fixing of the deflection element the handling and cleaning of the viewing instrument can be simplified and the use of the viewing instrument without the deflection element can be enabled.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment of the application, the optical deflection element comprises a first reflecting element and a second reflecting element, wherein the second reflecting element is arranged on the object side of the first reflecting element, such that the first light path and the second light path extend via the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element and are deflected by the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element, respectively. By the deflection caused successively first by the second reflecting element and then by the first reflecting element, the first light path and the second light path are deflected from their respective viewing directions into the objective assembly and further into the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel. The second reflecting element can be pivotably supported about a pivot axis which is at least almost perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The mirror housing of the second reflecting element can be rotatably supported on the mirror housing of the first reflecting element, in particular. The first reflecting element and the second reflecting element can each be a plane mirror which is tilted and arranged accordingly in order to deflect the light paths by approximately 90°; the plane mirror forming the first reflecting element can then be tilted, for example, by 45° with respect to the axis of the objective assembly and deflect light rays incident from the direction of the second rotation axis into the axis of the objective assembly, and the plane mirror forming the second reflecting element is tilted by approximately 45° with respect to the second rotation axis. In this way, further adjustment possibilities for adjusting the viewing direction of the optical viewing instrument can be realized, so that the viewed object region can be changed without having to change the spatial arrangement of the optical unit in this case. In the case of the first reflecting element being rotatably supported on the holding device about the first rotation axis, adjustment of the viewing direction of the optical viewing instrument about both axes can be achieved and additional adjustment possibilities can be generated in order to select the object region.

[0042] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the application, the optical unit is rotationally coupled with a rotary operating element which can be rotated about a second rotation axis, wherein the second rotation axis is at least almost parallel to the viewing direction of the optical viewing element. The rotary operating element is arranged, in particular, such that the second rotation axis coincides approximately with the viewing axis or the angular bisector between the segments of the first light path and the second light path on the object side. Here, a deviation between the second rotation axis and the viewing direction or the viewing axis is preferably as small as possible, but can also amount to approximately 20° or a maximum of approximately 45°, for example. The operating element can be a rotary knob or a rotary button, for example, which can be manually rotated, so that the optical unit can be manually rotated about the first rotation axis by rotating the operating element about the second rotation axis. According to this aspect of the application, it is seen that, since the rotation axis of the operating element is at least almost parallel to the viewing direction or coincides with the viewing axis, the optical viewing instrument can be simply and intuitively operated in order to adjust the orientation of the stereoscopic base line.

[0043] The operating element can be arranged on the optical deflection element, for example on the mirror housing of the deflection element, on the side facing away from the direction of the target region in a particularly advantageous manner. By this, on the one hand, a simple and reliable mechanical fixing of the rotatable operating element can be achieved; and on the other hand, a particularly simple and intuitive operation can be achieved.

[0044] The rotatable operating element is preferably coupled in rotation to the optical unit via a transmission. The transmission can in particular comprise or essentially consist of a first gear wheel and a second gear wheel, wherein the first gear wheel is coupled in rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable operating element and the second gear wheel, which meshes with the first gear wheel, is coupled in rotationally fixed manner to the optical unit. The first and second gear wheels can in an advantageous manner each be bevel gears. The first gear wheel can thus be rotated about the second rotation axis by means of the operating element, and the second gear wheel, together with the optical unit, is rotated about the first rotation axis, so that by rotating the operating element the optical unit can be rotated in order to adjust the stereo base and to establish a half-stereo image. In a particularly preferred manner, the first and second gear wheels can have the same number of teeth, wherein further preferably the diameters of the first and second gear wheels are almost identical. In this way, by rotating the rotatable operating element the same size of rotation of the optical unit can be achieved. By this, the operation can be further simplified and carried out more intuitively. In particular, the operation can be carried out in a manner corresponding to the optical viewing instrument according to the type in order to align the stereo base and to establish a stereo image.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the optical unit can be held by a user of the optical viewing instrument and rotated manually about the first rotation axis, for example the optical housing can be held directly and rotated. An operating element configured as described previously is not necessarily required in this case. By this, a simple construction can be achieved and at the same time a simple operation of the optical viewing instrument in order to adjust the orientation of the stereo base can be achieved.

[0046] The cover glass can be arranged in an advantageous manner on the target side of the deflection element. By this, the deflection element can be protected from damage and contamination, for example from dust deposition or liquid splashes. The cover glass can in a further advantageous manner be rotated about the second rotation axis and coupled in rotation with the rotatable operating element, for example via a connecting shaft running parallel to the second rotation axis, which is driven by the second operating element and causes a corresponding rotation of the cover glass. By this, for example, it can be achieved that additional optical elements are placed on the cover glass or before the cover glass on the target side and are rotated together when the stereo base is changed. The cover glass can be arranged obliquely with respect to the viewing axis of the optical viewing instrument, in particular in order to avoid disturbing scattered light.

[0047] The optical unit preferably comprises illumination optics for illuminating the target region with an illumination light path running through the objective assembly. The illumination optics can comprise a light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), and collimator optics. The illumination optics can also be a light interface for connecting an external light source to the respective collimator optics by means of a light guide cable, on the other hand. The objective assembly can have a beam splitter in order to couple the illumination light almost in the direction of the axis of the objective assembly into the light path of the optical unit in order to illuminate the target region, or the illumination light can be introduced into the objective assembly from the side almost towards the target region, for example, without a beam splitter. Since the illumination light emitted by the illumination optics is projected through the objective assembly towards the target region and is deflected by the deflection element as well, it is possible in a particularly simple manner for the illumination light to always be directed at the target region each time the optical unit and the deflection element are aligned (as long as the optical deflection element is rotatable in order to change the viewing direction).

[0048] Alternatively, the illumination optics can be arranged on the deflection element, and the illumination light path is directed at the target region directly or by means of a beam splitter. It is also possible in this way to achieve that the illumination light is directed at the target region.

[0049] The deflection element is preferably arranged on the end of the holder on the target side. The holder can in particular have a rotary bearing on which the optical unit is rotatably mounted about a first rotary axis, wherein the rotary bearing is arranged on the end of the holder or of the optical unit on the target side and is penetrated by the axis of the objective assembly and by the first light path and the second light path. When the holder has a further rotary bearing on the end of the holder or of the optical unit facing away from the target, the optical unit can be rotatably mounted between the two rotary bearings about the first rotary axis. The rotary bearings can be plain bearings, for example. The deflection element is in particular arranged on the target side of the rotary bearing on the target side and is rotatably or fixedly connected to the holder. Alternatively, the holding device can comprise a tube or a handle inside which the optical unit is accommodated and rotatably mounted, wherein the first rotary axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the tube or of the handle. Further alternatively, the holding device has a rod which at least partially runs through the optical unit and is rotatably mounted on the optical unit, wherein the first rotary axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the rod. In this way, it is possible to hold the optical unit compactly and securely.

[0050] A locking device can be provided on the rotary bearing arranged on the end of the holder or optical unit on the object side or on the rotary bearing arranged on the end remote from the object, by means of which the optical unit or optical housing is held in a corresponding adjusted rotary position. The locking device can be formed, for example, by a frictional connection of the rotary bearing or by a ratchet or pawl. The pawl can be spring-loaded, in particular, in order to hold the optical unit in the adjusted rotary position by means of an elastic force, but the pawl can be brought out of the corresponding catch against the elastic force by manually rotating the optical unit.

[0051] The optical observation instrument can further advantageously comprise a bending holder, wherein the holder is arranged rotatably on the bending holder. The holder can be rotatably supported on the bending holder of the holding device, in particular, in order to enable a rotation of the optical unit about a third axis, which is almost perpendicular to the first rotation axis and furthermore almost extends through the center of gravity of the optical unit, the holder and further structural elements arranged on the holder, such as light deflecting elements. Further preferably, the holding device is connected or connectable with a holding arm, wherein the bending holder is arranged rotatably and / or longitudinally movably on the holding arm. The bending holder is arranged rotatably on the holding arm, and in particular the rotation axis of the bearing of the bending holder on the holding arm is perpendicular to the third axis and intersects the third axis almost through the center of gravity of the optical unit, the holder and further structural elements arranged on the holder. Thereby, the position and orientation of the optical unit in space can be adjusted particularly easily, wherein a small holding force is already sufficient to hold the optical unit in the adjusted orientation. The optical unit can thus be brought into this position easily by the user and held in this position by the holding device and the holding arm, so that on the one hand an unobstructed observation of the operating area is possible and on the other hand the field of view of the user when looking at the display is limited as little as possible.

[0052] Alternatively, the holder can be arranged on the holding arm, preferably rotatably. The holder can be arranged with its end remote from the object on the holding arm, in particular, wherein the holder is connected with the holding arm directly or via a rotary hinge. A bending holder designed as described above is not necessary in this case.

[0053] The holding device can be constructed in an advantageous manner such that the position and / or the orientation of the optical unit can be determined by means of a frictional connection, a force-fit connection, a form-fit connection, electromagnetically and / or motor-driven. In particular, it can be provided that the orientation of the optical unit relative to the holder, the rotational position of the holder relative to the bending holder and / or the rotational position and / or the displacement position of the bending holder relative to the holding arm can be determined manually and can be held securely by means of a frictional connection, a force-fit connection, a form-fit connection or also by means of an electromagnetic braking device. It is also possible for the holding device to be adjusted motor-driven in a corresponding manner and for the corresponding position or orientation of the optical unit to be determined motor-driven. Thereby, a spatial position and a viewing direction of the viewing instrument, which are selected by the user, can be held in a simple manner.

[0054] An operating device is arranged on the holder or integrated into the holder, which operating device can comprise a plurality of operating buttons or other operating elements. For the optical viewing instrument described here, the operating device can be arranged on the holder in the region of the section between the two end portions of the holder.

[0055] Furthermore, an element, for example in the form of a release button, can be provided, which element serves for releasing or locking the holding arm connected to the holding device. That is to say, the release button or another operating element, when operated, releases the fixing of the holding arm and enables a manual positioning of the arm portion and the instrument. Here, the holding arm can always bear the weight of the optical viewing instrument and be controllable such that a simple manual positioning is possible. Furthermore, the locking or fixing of the holding arm can be released, for example, by loosening the release button.

[0056] The above-described elements of the operating device can be arranged at least partially on the side of the holder facing away from the optical unit, in other words on the outside of the holder. Advantageously, the user can easily reach the operating elements on the holder without having to touch or adjust the optical unit.

[0057] The elements for releasing and locking the holding arms described above can be arranged in particular on the side of the holder facing the optical unit. The releasing and / or locking can be operated by the same or two separate elements. When operating other elements, such as other buttons on the outer side of the holder, unintentional disengagement of the holding arms can be avoided. In particular when the instrument is in a horizontal position, in which the viewing direction is aligned vertically downwards to the patient or the operating site, the user can easily hold the holder in his hand and operate the elements, for example like pressing a release button, with his thumb in order to release and lock. A signal is then transmitted from the button to the control unit and the holding arms, which then preferably turn into a floating state. In this state, the hinges are disengaged and the arm sections can be positioned. The arm sections, however, remain in their position without further force acting, in particular holding the viewing instrument in its current position. The user can now move the instrument and realign its position and orientation until the user releases the release button again. In this case, the holding arms can be locked in the current position, for example automatically, that is, all hinges are blocked.

[0058] In order to simplify the operation of the elements for releasing and locking, a finger rest can be provided on the opposite side of the holder, on which the other finger of the user rests while manipulating the release button or similar element. For this purpose, the finger rest is arranged in particular opposite the elements on the holder.

[0059] The operating device can comprise further operating elements, such as for controlling filters in the optical unit and / or for controlling the illumination optics and / or for controlling the camera function and the video function, such as stereoscopic imaging or special image modes for fluorescence observation. The buttons can be designed to control optical elements in the optical unit, for example to select fluorescence and to trigger the appropriate positioning of the filter wheel in the optical unit. The buttons can also be freely programmed in a manner known per se in order to adapt to the user's needs. An operating element can be provided which influences the rotatability of the optical unit, for example to lock, release or trigger the optical unit to align itself, in particular motor-driven, to an actual or previously selected horizontal line.

[0060] The operating device furthermore has at least one element for controlling the camera, the light source or the data processing device for an optical viewing instrument as described herein.

[0061] The optical viewing instrument can be connected to an external data processing device, for example a control device, which is configured for supplying energy and / or for operating at least one electronic image receiver and for displaying the received stereoscopic image or for transmitting the corresponding image signal to a display device. The control device can also be configured for example for powering and controlling the illumination device and / or for motor-driven movement of the holding device.

[0062] The data processing device can be connected to the optical viewing instrument by means of the holding arm in order to exchange energy, signals and data.

[0063] On the viewing instrument, in particular in the region of its proximal end, for example on the end of the holding frame which is remote from the object, an interface for the connection to the holding arm can be provided. The operating device and its elements are then electrically coupled to the interface in order to be able to transmit energy, data and signals to the holding arm and, if necessary, to the control device and to receive them.

[0064] The electrical connection between the interface and the operating device can be self- extending in the holding frame, for example in the form of a cable, a wire, a flexible plate or the like. This has the advantage that no additional external cable is required which would hinder the handling of the instrument or restrict its freedom of movement. The operating device and in particular its electrical connection to the interface or to the holding arm of the robot can be completely separate or electrically isolated from the remaining electrical and electronic components of the viewing instrument.

[0065] The interface can also achieve, in particular, an electrical galvanic separation between the viewing instrument and the holding arm adjacent thereto, in particular the operating device. Corresponding measures, such as, for example, optical data connections or inductive elements, are known to the person skilled in the art.

[0066] The interface can also be a mechanical interface for the releasable connection of the optical viewing instrument and the holding arm.

[0067] The optical viewing instrument or the external control device preferably comprises an electronic processing device which is designed to carry out a reflection and / or exchange, in particular preferably a reflection and exchange of the half-stereoscopic images received by the at least one electronic image receiver. An electronic reflection of the half-images is advantageous in particular in the case of optical deflection elements which have only one or an odd number of reflection surfaces arranged in succession in the optical path. Thereby a stereoscopic image can be generated and displayed to the user which adapts to the position of the user and provides a spatial impression of the object region which can be intuitively obtained by the user.

[0068] The optical viewing instrument is preferably used for fluorescence observation, in particular for stereoscopic fluorescence observation, and for this purpose can comprise one or more exchangeable filters and, for example, four electronic image receivers.

[0069] The optical viewing system according to the application comprises an optical viewing instrument and a control device connected to the optical viewing instrument, which is configured as described above.

[0070] An alternative optical viewing system according to the application comprises an optical viewing instrument and a holding arm, as described herein.

[0071] It is understood that the features mentioned before and to be set forth below can be used not only in the combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or alone, without leaving the scope of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0072] Further aspects of the present application result from the following description of preferred embodiments and the drawings. The drawings show:

[0073] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application;

[0074] Figure 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application;

[0075] Figure 3 is a partially cut-away side view of a second embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application;

[0076] Figure 4 is another side view of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application; Figure 3

[0077] Figure 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application;

[0078] Figure 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of an optical viewing instrument;

[0079] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a system consisting of an optical viewing instrument and a holding arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] In Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the present application is shown. The optical viewing instrument 1 comprises an optical unit 10 having two stereoscopic channels 11, 11', which in the embodiment shown each comprise an objective and are each equipped with an electronic image receiver 12, 12'. The stereoscopic channels 11, 11' can also comprise further optical elements. In Figure 1 the stereoscopic channels 11, 11' are shown spaced apart from one another; but the stereoscopic channels 11, 11' or rather their objectives can also comprise common optical elements, for example a common front lens (as described below). The objectives of the stereoscopic channels 11, 11' form on the respective image receivers 12, 12' images of an object 2 arranged in an object region, wherein in Figure 1 ​The optical unit 10 is rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation 13, which corresponds to the optical axis of the objective assembly of the optical unit 10 and which, in the embodiment shown, is the median axis between the optical axes of the objectives of the stereo channels 11, 11'. The stereo channels 11, 11' are offset from one another transversely to the first axis of rotation 13, wherein the offset of the optical axes is represented by the stereo base line d of the viewing instrument 1.

[0081] In order to deflect the light rays incident from the direction of the object 2 into the stereo channels 11, 11' or the respective objectives, the optical viewing instrument 1 comprises a deflection mirror 20 configured as a plane mirror, on which the light rays are each reflected once and deflected towards the objectives of the stereo channels 11, 11'. The viewing directions of the two stereo channels 11, 11' differ by a stereo angle a, which is shown in Figure 1 between the two light rays which, starting from the same point of the object 2, are deflected via the deflection mirror 20 into the objectives of the stereo channels 11, 11'; but the viewing directions of the stereo channels 11, 11' can also be parallel to one another (not shown). The deflection mirror 20 is inclined by 45° with respect to the first axis of rotation 13, wherein the object-side light paths of the two stereo channels 11, 11' are deflected via the plane of the deflection mirror 20 into the respective objectives in different rotational positions of the optical unit 10. The viewing axis 3 corresponds to the angle bisector between the object-side sections of the light paths of the two stereo channels 11, 11' and is angled at 90° with respect to the first axis of rotation 13. The viewing direction of the viewing instrument 1 is the median viewing direction between the viewing directions of the stereo channels 11, 11', wherein the viewing axis 3 can be seen, for example, as the prolongation of the median axis between the optical axes of the objectives of the stereo channels 11, 11' which is deflected on the object side by the deflection mirror 20. A light ray incident from the object 2 along the viewing axis 3 onto the deflection mirror 20 is deflected in the embodiment shown to the median axis, that is to say to the first axis of rotation 13, but wherein this light ray does not reach one of the stereo channels 11, 11'. By rotating the optical unit 10 about the first axis of rotation 13, it is possible to change the direction of the stereo base line d in order to adapt the stereo base line to the position of the user and to align the stereo image shown accordingly, which is received by the image receivers 12, 12' (half-stereo image).

[0082] In Figure 2 A partially sectioned side view of a first embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the application is shown in Fig. 1. As in the other embodiments, according to this first embodiment the viewing instrument 1 is a surgical microscope. The optical unit 10 corresponds to the microscope body of the surgical microscope. The optical unit 10 has an optical housing 14 in which optical and electronic structural elements are accommodated; inFigure 2 The optical structure elements of the stereoscopic channels 11 and the electronic image receiver 12 are shown in

[0083] As shown in Figure 2 , the microscope body of the surgical microscope, i.e. the optical unit 10, is rotatably held in a holder 30. At the object-side end 31 of the holder 30, the holder has a polar plate 32 on which the optical unit 10 is rotatably supported with a rotary bearing 33 about a first rotation axis 13. The light paths of the two stereoscopic channels 11, 11' (see Figure 1 ) run through the rotary bearing 33. At the object-remote end 36 of the holder 30, which is opposite the object-side end 31, the holder is connected with a holding arm 40, which is composed of a plurality of sections which are angled to one another and which can be adjusted relative to one another if necessary. The holding arm 40 can be, for example, a tripod which can be fixed to the operating table or which can also be independent of the operating table. The holder 30 is rotatably and / or pivotably connected with the holding arm 40. Power supply lines and signal lines can run through the holding arm 40, by means of which the optical unit 10 is connected with an external control device. The holder 30 can have a securing element 34 for securing a not shown handle, in order to simplify the manual adjustment of the holding arm 40 in order to select the position and orientation of the holder 30. Furthermore, the holder 30 has an operating device 37 in the form of a release button 39. This button 39 is connected with the holding arm 40 by means of signal lines. Actuation of the button 39 releases the holding arm 40 from a locked position, so that it can be adjusted with the instrument 1. Release of the release button 39 locks the holding arm in the new position. The holding arm can be, for example, a pneumatic holding arm or a motorized mechanical hand holding arm.

[0084] On the polar plate 32 on the object side there is also arranged a deflection mirror 20 which in the shown embodiment is inclined to the first rotation axis at 45°. The deflection mirror 20 is held in a mirror housing 21 which is arranged on the object side of the bearing 33. The mirror housing 21 together with the deflection mirror 20 is in the shown embodiment rotatably arranged on the polar plate 32 about the first rotation axis 13, but can also be connected with the polar plate 32 in a non-rotatable manner. In Figure 2 , the viewing axis 3 which defines the viewing direction of the surgical microscope, the object field 4 and the cone line 5 are also shown, which includes the object-side section of the light paths of the two stereoscopic channels 11, 11' (see Figure 1 ) together with the virtual extension beyond the deflection mirror 20.

[0085] In Figure 3 and 4 different views of a second embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the application are shown.

[0086] According to a second embodiment, the optical viewing instrument 1, again a surgical microscope, has an optical unit 10 as described before, but as shown in Figure 3 , the optical unit has a lateral connection 15 for a cable 16 by which an not shown illumination device of the optical unit 10 can be supplied with electrical or optical energy. The cable 16 can in addition also be used for a connection to an external control device in order to achieve an energy supply, control and / or signal transmission of the electronic image receiver, and if necessary also as an electrical or electronic component of the optical unit 10. Next to the rotary bearing 33 a front lens 17 is arranged, through which the optical paths of the first and second stereoscopic channels 11, 11' (see Figure 1 ) run. The front lens 17 forms a common optical element of an objective assembly which also comprises further optical elements, in particular further objective lenses 18, 18', which are symbolically shown in Figure 3 and which are respectively assigned to one of the stereoscopic channels 11, 11'. The objective assembly, which is shown in simplified form in Figure 3 , comprises in addition to the front lens 17 and the objective lenses 18, 18' further objective lenses and / or optical elements if necessary. The objective assembly serves for producing an image of a target area on the electronic image receivers 12, 12' respectively. As is exemplarily shown in Figure 3 , the optical paths of the stereoscopic channels 11, 11' can run almost parallel to each other after passing through the front lens 17. The optical unit 10 can also comprise further optical components, such as filters, deflection elements and / or electromechanical components, which are not shown in Figure 3 ; the housing of the optical unit 10 is also not shown in Figure 3 . The objective assembly of the first embodiment can also be constructed in the same way as in the third embodiment. The instrument 1 shown in the figures furthermore has a release button 39 as described in the first embodiment, which serves for loosening and releasing a holding arm 40 which is only shown here.

[0087] The optical unit 10 is rotatably mounted on the holder 30 by means of a rotary bearing 33 and a further rotary bearing 35. The holder 30 is rotatably mounted almost centrally on a bent holding piece 42 by means of a rotary bearing 41, which is mounted on the holding arm 40 by means of a further rotary bearing 43; in addition, the bent holding piece 42 is longitudinally movably held on the holding arm 40. The rotary axis of the rotary bearing 41 and the rotary axis of the further rotary bearing 43 are perpendicular to one another and run almost through the centre of gravity of the components arranged on the holding arm, i.e. the holder 30, the optical unit 10 and the operating unit 50 described below. The first rotary axis, about which the optical unit 10 is rotatably mounted in the holder 30, is aligned with the rotary axis of the further rotary bearing 43 when the rotary bearing 41 is adjusted accordingly.

[0088] The operating unit 50 comprises a housing 51, which is arranged on the polar plate 32 in the region of the rotary bearing 33 at the end 31 of the holder 30 on the object side in a manner that is not rotatable relative to the polar plate; but the operating unit can also be rotatably mounted on the holder 30 about the first rotary axis 13, about which the optical unit 10 can be rotated. Inside the housing 51 of the operating unit 50 there is arranged a deflection mirror 20, which is fixed relative to the housing 51, which is a plane mirror and serves to deflect the first light path and the second light path from the object field to the front lens 17 and thus into the first stereoscopic channel and the second stereoscopic channel 11, 11' or into the further objective lenses 18, 18'. On the side of the housing 51 opposite the object field there is arranged a rotary wheel 52, the rotary axis of which coincides with the viewing axis of the viewing instrument. When the viewing instrument 1 is positioned above the object field to be observed, the rotary wheel 52 is thus arranged on the upper side of the housing 51. As will be explained in detail below, the optical unit 10 can be rotated about the first rotary axis 13 by means of the rotary wheel 52. On the side of the object side, that is to say on the so-called lower side of the housing 51, the housing is closed by a transparent cover glass 53. The cover glass 53 can be rotated by means of a connecting shaft 54, which transmits the rotation of the rotary wheel 52 to the cover glass 53.

[0089] In Figure 4 a further side view of the optical viewing instrument 1 according to the second embodiment is shown, in which the bent holding piece 42 with the rotary bearing 41 on which the holder 30 is mounted can be seen. In addition, the optical unit 10 is shown with the optical housing 14 and the operating unit 50 is shown with its housing 51 and the rotary wheel 52.

[0090] The housing 51 of the operating unit 50 can be like Figure 3 and Figure 4which is configured as shown, but which can also enclose the optical unit 10 according to a variant of the second embodiment.

[0091] In Figure 5 A side view of a third embodiment of an optical viewing instrument according to the application is shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the holder 30 is firmly connected at its end 36 remote from the object to a not shown robot holding arm, in which the optical unit 10 is rotatably mounted. The robot holding arm can be controlled so as to carry the weight of the optical viewing instrument 1 independently of its position and orientation and to determine an adjusted position and orientation of the holder 30.

[0092] Integrated in the holder 30 is an operating device 37, which has on the upper side a plurality of operating buttons 38 for controlling, for example, light sources or filters arranged in the optical unit 10. Opposite the operating buttons 38 and in particular the finger rests between the operating buttons, release buttons 39 are arranged on the lower side. By pressing the release buttons 39, the position and orientation of the holder 30 are determined, in which in addition the weight of the optical viewing instrument is carried by the robot holding arm; the holder 30 can be manually brought into a new position and orientation. By releasing the release buttons 39, the determination of the position and orientation of the holder 30 is reactivated. In addition or alternatively, the release is associated with the robot holding arm, by operating the release buttons 39 the robot holding arm is brought into a pause state in which the joints of the arm are released, but the weight of the optical viewing instrument 1 is still carried, so that the optical viewing instrument remains in its position. The arm together with the instrument 1 can be freely moved by the user. By releasing the release buttons 39 the holding arm is relocked in the adjusted position.

[0093] In order to change the rotational position of the optical unit 10 and thus to adapt the stereoscopic base line or the horizontal plane, the housing 14 of the optical unit 10 can be held by the user and manually rotated. The adjusted rotational position is held by a not shown latching mechanism, which is arranged on the object-side rotational bearing 33. The latching mechanism comprises, for example, a pawl supported in the optical unit 10, which spring-loaded engages into a latching slot of a gear firmly connected to the holder 30; when the optical unit 10 is manually rotated, the spring force is overcome and the pawl is released from the respective latching slot, so that the optical unit 10 can be rotated relative to the holder 30 about the first rotational axis 13. Starting from the upright position shown in Figure 5 From the upright position shown in Fig. 6, the optical unit 10 is rotated in both directions about the rotational axis 13 by 135°, respectively.

[0094] A not shown deflection mirror is firmly arranged in a mirror housing 21 which can be firmly connected with the holder 30 or has an upper side which is integrally configured with the holder. The housing 14 of the optical unit has further operating elements and a connection 15 for a cable. The fourth embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment described above, inter alia.

[0095] According to the method according to the application, the optical unit 10 arranged on the holding arm 40 or the holder 30 is brought into the desired spatial position by the user, for example manually by means of a handle arranged on the holder 30 or motor-driven by means of an external control device set up for this purpose by controlling the corresponding actuator. Thereby, the viewing direction or viewing axis 3 with respect to the target region 4 to be observed can be adjusted simultaneously; in the embodiment according to Figure 2 , the viewing direction can additionally be changed in one or two degrees of freedom by turning the mirror housing 21. In the embodiment according to Figure 2 , for adjusting the direction of the stereoscopic base line the optical unit 10 can be held by the user and turned manually about the first rotation axis 13. In the embodiments according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the stereoscopic base line can be adjusted manually by turning the rotary knob 52, which causes a corresponding turning of the optical unit 10. By means of a processing device, for example arranged in the optical unit 10 or in the external control device, the electronic mirror image of the half-stereoscopic image received by the image receiver 12, 12' can be processed. Additionally, the exchange of the half-stereoscopic images received by the image receivers 12, 12' can be carried out electronically. This processed half-image is then displayed on a display device, for example a display set up for stereoscopic images. In this way, a stereoscopic image can be generated and displayed which provides the user with an intuitively obtainable spatial impression of the target region.

[0096] For the sake of clarity, not all reference signs are shown in all figures. Reference signs which are not explained in a figure have the same meaning as in the other figures.

[0097] Figure 6 A further embodiment is shown which essentially corresponds to the third embodiment shown in Figure 5 , but without a distal deflection element provided on the viewing instrument 1 or the holder 30 thereof. Instead, this embodiment relates to an instrument with a straight line of sight, that is to say the light rays are projected directly through the distal aperture and the not shown cover glass into the optical unit 10.

[0098] In Figure 7A system consisting of an optical viewing instrument 1, a robot holding arm 40 and a control device is shown in Fig. 1. The viewing instrument 1 can be constructed as described previously. In the end region at the proximal end, the instrument 1 is connected via its holder 30 to the holding arm 40. The electrical lead lines running through the holding arm 40 from the instrument 1 and its operating buttons to the control device controlling the holding arm 40 are not shown.

Claims

1. An optical observation instrument, comprising: An optical unit (10) having an objective lens assembly and at least one electronic image receiver (12, 12'), wherein the optical unit (10) has a first stereoscopic channel (11) with a first optical path and a second stereoscopic channel (11') with a second optical path, so as to receive a stereoscopic image of a target area (4) using at least one electronic image receiver (12, 12'), and wherein the first and second optical paths extend through the objective lens assembly; and The optical unit (10) is rotatably connected to the cage (30) via a first bearing located at its proximal end and a second bearing located at its distal end, thereby enabling the optical unit to rotate about a first rotation axis (13) by means of the respective bearings. The first rotation axis (13) extends through the center of the first bearing and the second bearing, wherein the cage (30) has an operating device (37) with a plurality of operating elements (38) for controlling the retaining arm (40), and the cage can be connected to the retaining arm.

2. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retainer (30) is rotatably and / or longitudinally movable on the retaining arm (40).

3. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The section of the holder (30) between its two ends is separated from the optical unit (10) and can be held by hand.

4. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical observation instrument further includes a bending retainer, wherein the retainer is rotatably arranged on the bending retainer, and the bending retainer is rotatably and / or longitudinally movable on the retaining arm (40).

5. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rotation axis (13) is located between the optical axes of the first stereo channel and the second stereo channel (11, 11').

6. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cage (30) can determine the position and / or orientation of the optical unit (10) by friction connection, force transmission connection, form fit connection, electromagnetic and / or motor drive.

7. The optical observation instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that, The optical observation instrument (1) has an observation direction that is angled relative to the axis of the objective lens assembly, and includes a deflection element disposed on the target side of the objective lens assembly, the deflection element being used to deflect the first optical path and the second optical path into the objective lens assembly, wherein the optical deflection element is held at the end (31) of the target side of the holder (30).

8. The optical observation instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that, The observation direction of the optical observation instrument is at an angle of approximately 90º relative to the first rotation axis (13).

9. The optical observation instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that, The operating device (37) is arranged in the region of the section on the cage (30).

10. The optical observation instrument according to claim 9, characterized in that, The operating device (37) has at least one element that releases and locks the retaining arm (40).

11. The optical observation instrument according to claim 10, characterized in that, The operating device (37) has at least one element for controlling a camera, a light source or a data processing device.

12. The optical observation instrument according to claim 11, characterized in that, The elements for releasing and locking the retaining arm, as well as the elements for controlling the camera, light source, or data processing device, are partially arranged on the side of the retainer (30) opposite to the optical unit (10).

13. The optical observation instrument according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The elements for releasing and locking the retaining arm (40) are arranged on the side of the retainer (30) facing the optical unit (10).

14. The optical observation instrument according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The retainer (30) additionally has a finger holder on the side opposite the element for release and locking.

15. The optical observation instrument according to claim 14, characterized in that, The operating device (37) is electrically coupled to the interface of the cage (30), the interface being used to connect to the retaining arm.

16. The optical observation instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical observation instrument is a surgical microscope or an exoscopy.

17. A system comprising a retaining arm and an optical observation instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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