Integrated optical splitter and optical splitting method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical splitter, in particular to an integrated optical splitter and an optical splitting method thereof.The integrated optical splitter comprises an optical splitting base, an optical splitting interface and an optical splitting prism, the optical splitting interface and the optical splitting prism are installed on the optical splitting base, and the optical splitting prism corresponds to the optical splitting interface and an eyepiece hole in the top of the optical splitting base; the light splitting device comprises a light splitting base, a light splitting prism, at least one light splitting interface, and a light filtering fixing device which is movably installed on the light splitting base and located between the light splitting interface and the light splitting prism. The light splitting interface and the light splitting prism are arranged on the light splitting prism, the light filters are arranged on the light filtering fixing device, and the light filtering fixing device is used for installing or removing the light filters between the light splitting interface and the light splitting prism; the light filtering fixing device comprises a first light filtering ring, at least one light filter is installed on the first light filtering ring, an annular light filtering groove is formed in the light splitting base, the light filtering groove is located between the light splitting interface and the light splitting prism, and the first light filtering ring is movably installed in the light filtering groove.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with an application date of February 24, 2021, an application number of 2021102060149, and an invention title of "An Integrated Beam Splitter and Its Beam Splitting Method". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a beam splitter, in particular to an integrated beam splitter and its beam splitting method. Background Art

[0003] Existing medical optical devices such as operating microscopes and slit lamp microscopes, in addition to being equipped with eyepieces for the surgeon to observe, also need to be equipped with assistant mirrors and imaging devices such as cameras and mobile phones according to needs. Therefore, they often need to be used in conjunction with a beam splitter. Taking the addition of an external imaging function to an operating microscope as an example, usually three modules of a beam splitter, an imaging adapter, and an imaging device are required. As an independent module, the beam splitter is installed in the parallel beam of the main observation optical path of the operating microscope. Through a beam splitting prism set inside, a beam of light is split into two or more beams in proportion. The split light rays are then converged and imaged through the imaging adapter and finally acquired by the imaging device, enabling it to obtain a synchronous image of the main optical path. Since the specifications of imaging devices are diverse, the imaging adapter also needs different focal lengths and structures to cooperate with it. Therefore, a detachable connection method is adopted between the beam splitter, the imaging adapter, and the imaging device to facilitate replacement.

[0004] Traditional operating microscopes mostly use white light illumination. However, since many normal tissues and diseased tissues are not easily distinguishable under ordinary white light illumination, existing operating microscopes can increasingly switch different illumination modes according to different needs, such as fluorescence illumination. Since there are significant differences in the excitation spectra of normal tissues and diseased tissues, the affected area can be quickly and accurately located and its boundary clearly distinguished. The excitation light in the fluorescence illumination mode is usually monochromatic light of different specific wavelength bands, and its energy is relatively large. At this time, it is necessary to change the spectral distribution of the light source in the illumination optical path or switch to different light sources. In order to optimize the observation effect and protect the operator's eyes from light damage, a fluorescence filter is also required to be added to the main observation optical path to eliminate the excitation light. Similarly, in the external imaging optical path split by the beam splitter, a corresponding filter also needs to be added to achieve a better observation effect.

[0005] In addition, for example, when observing teeth with an operating microscope in dental treatment and diagnosis, the enamel surface of the teeth itself and the saliva attached to it will both produce specular reflection. Under reflected light illumination, the light incident on the teeth will be directly received by the human eye or the camera after specular reflection, and thus very bright bright spots will be seen, seriously affecting the resolution and contrast of detailed observation. Especially for imaging devices, due to the limited dynamic range, such bright spots often cause the image to be completely unobservable. At this time, a polarizer needs to be added to the optical path to filter out the strong interfering light of specular reflection.

[0006] Although in some solutions, a filter structure has been added before observing the beam splitter in the main optical path, improving the observation effect of the main mirror visual optical system, due to the different response characteristics of imaging devices and human eyes, imaging devices often require additional filters to achieve the best observation effect.

[0007] Therefore, in the prior art, in the above situations, it is necessary to disassemble the connection structure between the beam splitter, the imaging adapter or the imaging device, add the corresponding filter, or directly replace it with a dedicated beam splitter, imaging adapter or imaging device configured with the corresponding filter. Whichever operation requires additional accessories and cumbersome disassembly and assembly steps, consuming time and energy, and may also increase additional costs, such as changing during the surgical process will also bring higher risks. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an integrated beam splitter with a simple structure, without the need to disassemble the beam splitter or the imaging adapter, wide application range, low cost, simple and rapid filter replacement. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0009] An integrated beam splitter includes a beam splitting base, a beam splitting interface and a beam splitting prism installed on the beam splitting base. The beam splitting prism corresponds to the beam splitting interface and the eyepiece hole at the top of the beam splitting base respectively; there is at least one beam splitting interface, and it further includes: a filter fixing device, the filter fixing device is movably installed on the beam splitting base and is located between the beam splitting interface and the beam splitting prism; and filters, there are at least one filter, and all are installed on the filter fixing device, and the filter fixing device is used to load or unload the filter between the beam splitting interface and the beam splitting prism.

[0010] Preferably, the filter fixing device includes a first filter ring, and at least one filter is installed on the first filter ring. A circular filter groove is provided on the beam splitting base, and the filter groove is located between the beam splitting interface and the beam splitting prism. The first filter ring is movably installed in the filter groove.

[0011] Furthermore, it further includes a rotating device, and the rotating device includes: a first bevel gear, the first bevel gear is rotatably installed on the beam splitting base; a first knob, the first knob is connected to the first bevel gear; a first bevel gear ring, the first bevel gear ring is fixed on the first filter ring and meshes with the first bevel gear. The first filter ring is rotatably installed in the filter groove, and the first bevel gear is used to drive the first filter ring to rotate through the first bevel gear ring.

[0012] Further, it further includes a positioning device, which includes a spring piece or a ball plunger, and is used for fixing and positioning the filter fixing device.

[0013] Preferably, it further includes an eyepiece filter plate, on which there are installed no less than two filter pieces. The eyepiece filter plate is rotatably installed on the spectroscope base and is located between the spectroscope prism and the eyepiece for filtering the light of the eyepiece.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes a right-angle prism or a reflector, which is used to replace the spectroscope prism when there is no eyepiece.

[0015] A spectroscope splitting method of a spectroscope rotates a filter ring equipped with no less than one filter piece for filtering, wherein the filter ring is located between the spectroscope prism and the spectroscope interface.

[0016] Further, rotate the eyepiece filter plate that is rotatably installed on the spectroscope base and is equipped with no less than two filter pieces, so that the filter pieces are located between the eyepiece and the spectroscope prism.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The integrated spectroscope provided by the present invention uses a switchable filter fixing device to replace the filter piece, with a simple structure, no need to disassemble and assemble the spectroscope or the imaging adapter, wide application range, low cost, simple and rapid replacement of the filter piece. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 It is the optical path diagram of the spectroscope splitting and filtering with an eyepiece;

[0020] Figure 2 It is the optical path diagram of the spectroscope splitting and filtering without an eyepiece;

[0021] Figure 3 It is the structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1;

[0022] Figure 4 It is the structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2;

[0023] Figure 5 It is the structural schematic diagram of the first filter ring;

[0024] Figure 6 It is the cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 along the axis of the bevel gear;

[0025] Figure 7 It is the cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 along the axis of the ball plunger;

[0026] Figure 8 It is the structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 4;

[0027] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of an integrated beam splitter, an imaging adapter, and an imaging device. Specific embodiments

[0028] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, an integrated beam splitter includes a beam splitting base 1, a beam splitting interface 11 mounted on the beam splitting base 1, and a beam splitting prism 12. The beam splitting prism 12 corresponds to the beam splitting interface 11 and the eyepiece hole 13 at the top of the beam splitting base 1 respectively; there is at least one beam splitting interface 11, and the beam splitting prism 12 corresponds to the beam splitting interface 11 one by one. It further includes: a filter fixing device, which is movably mounted on the beam splitting base 1 and is located between the beam splitting interface 11 and the beam splitting prism 12; and filter plates 3, there are at least one filter plates 3, and all are mounted on the filter fixing device. The filter fixing device is used to load or unload the filter plates 3 between the beam splitting interface 11 and the beam splitting prism 12.

[0031] There is one or more beam splitting interfaces 11, which can meet various beam splitting requirements. Usually, there is one beam splitting interface 11 or two beam splitting interfaces 11.

[0032] The filter fixing device is used to fix the filter plates 3 so that the light split by the beam splitting prism 12 enters the photosensitive element 921 after passing through the filter plates 3.

[0033] The types of the filter plates 3 can be selected according to needs.

[0034] The filter fixing device is movably mounted on the beam splitting base 1, so that it is not necessary to disassemble and assemble the beam splitter. Only the filter fixing device needs to be disassembled and assembled. Moreover, it is convenient to install different types of filter plates 3 according to needs. It has a wide application range, low cost, simple and rapid replacement, and reduces the risk of replacing the filter plates 3 during the operation.

[0035] The eyepiece hole 13 corresponds to the binocular eyepiece tube of the microscope and is used for light to enter the binocular eyepiece tube.

[0036] In addition to installing conventional filter plates 3, the filter fixing device can also install polarizing filter plates, laser protection sheets, or diaphragm sheets, etc.

[0037] The addition of the filter plates 3 in the optical path is realized through the filter fixing device, and the structure is simple and the replacement is convenient.

[0038] As Figure 9 shown, the beam splitter is connected to the imaging adapter 91, and the imaging adapter 91 is connected to the imaging device 92.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, a right-angle prism 15 or a reflecting mirror is further included, and the right-angle prism 15 or the reflecting mirror is used to replace the beam splitter prism 12 when the microscope has no eyepiece.

[0040] As Figure 1 shown, the bottom of the beam splitter base 1 is connected to the microscope body. After the light is split by the beam splitter prism 12, one of the light paths passes through the filter 3 and is reflected by the reflecting prism 911 in the imaging adapter 91 onto the photosensitive element 921 in the imaging device 92, and the other light path enters the binocular eyepiece tube of the microscope.

[0041] For an operating microscope without an eyepiece structure that does not require direct visual observation and only needs to collect images, the beam splitter prism 12 can be replaced by a right-angle prism 15, a reflecting mirror, or other optical elements that deflect light.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, the bottom of the beam splitter base 1 is connected to the microscope body. After the light is reflected by the right-angle prism 15 and passes through the filter 3, it is reflected by the reflecting prism 911 in the imaging adapter 91 onto the photosensitive element 921 in the imaging device 92.

[0043] The filter fixing device includes a first filter ring 4. At least one filter 3 is installed on the first filter ring 4. A filter groove is provided on the beam splitter base 1, and the filter groove is located between the beam splitter interface 11 and the beam splitter prism 12. The first filter ring 4 is movably installed in the filter groove.

[0044] The first filter ring 4 is a circular ring and can be equipped with multiple filters 3, and does not protrude from the beam splitter, avoiding interference with other devices and being more convenient to use. It can rotate in the filter groove.

[0045] Specifically, the first filter ring 4 can be equipped with one filter 3, two filters 3, three filters 3, four filters 3, five filters 3, or six filters 3. The number of filters 3 can be specifically set according to the structure size.

[0046] By rotating the first filter ring 4, the switching of the filter 3 is realized, which is more convenient to use and can prevent dust from entering the interior of the beam splitter.

[0047] Embodiment 2

[0048] As Figures 4 to 7As shown in the figure, on the basis of the above-mentioned first embodiment, a rotating device is further included. The rotating device includes: a first bevel gear 52 rotatably mounted on the beam splitter base 1; a first knob 53 connected to the first bevel gear 52; and a first bevel gear ring 42 fixed to the first filter ring 4 and meshing with the first bevel gear 52. The first filter ring 4 is rotatably mounted in the filter slot. The first bevel gear 52 is used to drive the first filter ring 4 to rotate through the first bevel gear ring 42.

[0049] The rotating device can conveniently rotate the first filter ring 4 to realize the switching of the filter 3, and switch different filters 3 to intervene in the beam splitting optical path to meet different filtering requirements.

[0050] As Figures 3 to 7 shown in the figure, beam splitting interfaces 11 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the beam splitter base 1. Two groups of filters are provided on the first filter ring 4. The two groups of filters respectively correspond to the two beam splitting interfaces 11. Each group of filters is provided with three filters 3 and a light passing hole 41 to realize the adjustment of one neutral position and three filtering positions.

[0051] The two groups of filters can be symmetrically arranged to realize synchronous filtering of the beam splitting interfaces 11 on both sides, that is, the two beam splitting interfaces 11 are always of the same type of filtering. The two groups of filters can also be independent of each other to realize different filtering of the two beam splitting interfaces 11.

[0052] During normal operation, the surgical microscope operates in the white light mode. The energy of the illumination light is concentrated in the visible light band with a wavelength of about 400 - 700 nm. At this time, in order to avoid the interference of non-visible light in the environment, the imaging device 92 needs to be configured with an optical low-pass filter OLPF with a cut-off wavelength of about 750 nm, and the light with a wavelength higher than this is filtered out.

[0053] When the ICG imaging function needs to be used, the surgical microscope switches to the corresponding fluorescence mode or white light fluorescence mixed mode. The wavelength of the fluorescence illumination light is usually 780 nm, and the fluorescence wavelength excited after it irradiates the biological tissue is about 800 - 850 nm. At this time, the imaging device 92 configured with a 750 nm optical low-pass filter can no longer obtain the fluorescence image at all. Therefore, the original OLPF must be removed. At the same time, since the excited fluorescence brightness is extremely low, in order to improve the contrast of the obtained image, a high-pass filter with a wavelength of 800 nm needs to be configured to filter out the light of other wavelengths.

[0054] Since the diagnostic requirements of different departments, diseases, etc. are different, and the fluorescence wavelengths used are diverse, two different wavelengths of fluorescence are often set on the same surgical microscope. At this time, the filters that the imaging device 92 needs to be configured with are also different.

[0055] In the above situations, for external imaging systems, the prior art always requires disassembling the connection structures between the beam splitter, the imaging adapter 91 or the imaging device 92, adding the corresponding filter 3, or directly replacing them with a dedicated beam splitter, imaging adapter 91 or imaging device 92 that has been configured with the corresponding filter 3.

[0056] Adopt Figure 3 the scheme, the first filter is set as an OLPF of 750 nm, the second filter is set as an 800 nm high-pass filter, and the third filter can be set as a filter of another wavelength band according to requirements. The three filters can be switched manually or electrically rotated according to requirements to ensure that the imaging device 92 in multiple working modes can capture the correct target image. The imaging device 92 can be set on either the left or right side of the beam splitter, and four gears (three gears + neutral gear) of different filtering effects can be achieved.

[0057] If there is only one beam splitting interface 11, one neutral gear and seven filter gear adjustments can be set.

[0058] Embodiment III

[0059] As Figure 5 and Figure 7 shown, on the basis of any one of the above embodiments, a positioning device is further included. The positioning device includes a spring piece or a ball plunger 6, and the positioning device is used for the fixation and positioning of the filter fixing device.

[0060] The filter fixing device is provided with a positioning groove, and the spring piece or the ball plunger 6 is pressed in the positioning groove to achieve fixation and positioning.

[0061] Specifically, the spring piece or the ball plunger 6 is fixed on the beam splitter base 1, and positioning grooves are provided on the filter rings. The spring piece or the ball plunger 6 fixes and positions the filter rings through the positioning grooves. The positioning grooves correspond to the filters 3 one by one.

[0062] As Figure 5 and Figure 7 shown, the top of the first filter ring 4 is provided with a first positioning groove 43, and the ball plunger 6 is pressed in the first positioning groove 43, so that the filter 3 is located between the beam splitting interface 11 and the beam splitting prism 12 and faces the beam splitting interface 11 and the beam splitting prism.

[0063] Embodiment IV

[0064] On the basis of any one of the above embodiments, as Figure 8 shown, an eyepiece filter plate 8 is further included. The eyepiece filter plate 8 is equipped with no less than two filters 3. The eyepiece filter plate 8 is rotatably installed on the beam splitter base 1 and is located between the beam splitting prism 12 and the eyepiece for filtering the eyepiece.

[0065] The eyepiece filter plate 8 is circular or disc-shaped and can rotate. The eyepiece filter plate 8 can also be positioned by a ball plunger.

[0066] When the eyepiece is a binocular eyepiece, the number of filter plates 3 of the eyepiece filter plate 8 is an even number, and two filter plates 3 of each type are provided, so that the binocular eyepieces have the same filtering effect. When the eyepiece is a single eyepiece, the number of filter plates 3 can be set according to size.

[0067] Embodiment 5

[0068] Based on any of the above embodiments, a light splitting method of a light splitter filters light by rotating a filter ring equipped with at least one filter plate, wherein the filter ring is located between the light splitting prism and the light splitting interface.

[0069] Rotate the eyepiece filter plate that is rotatably mounted on the light splitting base and is equipped with at least two filter plates, so that the filter plates are located between the eyepiece and the light splitting prism.

[0070] Theoretically, 16 different filtering effects (1 neutral position + 6 individual + 9 combinations) can be achieved on either side of the light splitter. For example: on the Figure 3 basis, the filter configuration is as follows:

[0071] 1) A polarization filter can be placed on the first filter ring 4 to achieve the effect of eliminating strong interference light from specular reflection and improving the imaging contrast.

[0072] In addition, for example, when observing teeth with a surgical microscope in dental treatment and diagnosis, the enamel surface of the teeth themselves and the saliva attached to them will both produce specular reflection. Under reflected light illumination, the light incident on the teeth will be directly received by the human eye or the camera after specular reflection, and very bright bright spots will be seen, seriously affecting the resolution and contrast of detailed observation. Especially for the imaging device 92, due to its limited dynamic range, such bright spots often make the image completely unobservable. At this time, a polarizer needs to be added to the optical path to filter out the strong interference light from specular reflection.

[0073] 2) A laser protection filter can be placed on the first filter ring 4 to intercept laser beams of a specified wavelength and protect the imaging device 92, especially the high-sensitivity photosensitive element 921.

[0074] Lasers are often used to treat affected areas during surgery. Due to the good directivity and high brightness of lasers, the reflected light beams on the surfaces of surgical instruments and the like may enter the microscope observation optical path and damage the high-sensitivity photosensitive element 921 in the imaging device 92.

[0075] 3) The first filter ring 4 can also be provided with diaphragm plates (spatial filters) with different light passing apertures to achieve the effect of changing the imaging depth of field or reducing stray light interference.

[0076] Apertures of different apertures can change the aperture of the light beam passing through, change the high and low frequency distribution of the imaging, adjust the depth of field range of the imaging, and reduce interfering stray light that is usually located at the periphery of the field of view.

[0077] The technical principle of the present invention is described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. These descriptions are only for explaining the principle of the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the protection scope of the present invention in any way. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art can associate other specific implementations of the present invention without paying creative labor, and these methods will fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated beam splitter, comprising a beam splitting base, a beam splitting interface mounted on the beam splitting base, and a beam splitting prism, wherein the beam splitting prism corresponds to the beam splitting interface and an eyepiece hole at the top of the beam splitting base respectively; characterized in that, There is at least one spectroscopic interface, and it further includes: a filter fixing device, which is movably installed on the spectroscopic base and is located between the spectroscopic interface and the spectroscopic prism; and filters, there are at least one filter, and all are installed on the filter fixing device, and the filter fixing device is used to load or remove the filter between the spectroscopic interface and the spectroscopic prism; the filter fixing device includes a first filter ring, and there are at least one filter installed on the first filter ring. There is an annular filter groove on the spectroscopic base, and the filter groove is located between the spectroscopic interface and the spectroscopic prism. The first filter ring is movably installed in the filter groove.

2. The integrated optical splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a rotating device, and the rotating device includes: a first bevel gear, which is rotatably installed on the spectroscopic base; a first knob, which is connected to the first bevel gear; a first bevel gear ring, which is fixed on the first filter ring and meshes with the first bevel gear. The first filter ring is rotatably installed in the filter groove, and the first bevel gear is used to drive the first filter ring to rotate through the first bevel gear ring.

3. The integrated optical splitter according to claim 1, wherein It further includes a positioning device, and the positioning device includes a spring piece or a ball head plunger, and the positioning device is used for fixing and positioning the filter fixing device.

4. An integrated optical splitter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that It further includes an eyepiece filter plate, and there are at least two filters installed on the eyepiece filter plate. The eyepiece filter plate is rotatably installed on the spectroscopic base and is located between the spectroscopic prism and the eyepiece for filtering the eyepiece.

5. A integrated optical splitter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that It further includes a right-angle prism or a reflector, and the right-angle prism or the reflector is used to replace the spectroscopic prism when there is no eyepiece.

6. A splitting method for an optical splitter, characterized in that, The spectroscope adopts the integrated spectroscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and filters by rotating a filter ring equipped with at least one filter, wherein the filter ring is located between the spectroscopic prism and the spectroscopic interface.

7. The optical splitting method of an optical splitter according to claim 6, characterized in that, Rotate the eyepiece filter plate that is rotatably installed on the spectroscopic base and is equipped with at least two filters, so that the filter is located between the eyepiece and the spectroscopic prism.

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