Augmented Reality Projection Device for Surgical Fluorescent Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In surgical procedures involving fluorescent materials, operators face difficulty in visually identifying fluorescent light emissions due to their long wavelength, which are often in non-visible bands, requiring alternating attention between the surgical site and a monitor displaying captured images, making the process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality projection device that uses an excitation light source, a fluorescent light detector, and a projector to generate a visual indicator, all aligned through coaxial optics, allowing excitation and visual indicator light to share optical paths with fluorescent light, enabling real-time identification and projection of fluorescent areas within the surgical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent light detection is performed using a monitor displaying captured images, then fluorescent areas can be identified, but operators must alternate attention between the surgical site and the monitor, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluorescent image display with the direct visual field of the surgical site by projecting the fluorescent image onto the surgical area itself. This merging of the detection display with the operational field eliminates the need to shift attention between separate monitor and surgical site, thereby maintaining identification accuracy while improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device that captures the fluorescent image and re-projects it onto the surgical area. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the fluorescent detector and the operator's direct vision, allowing simultaneous viewing of both the surgical site and fluorescent areas without requiring attention switching.
2Manufacturing precision
If excitation light and visual indicator light share common optical paths through coaxial optics, then device alignment precision is improved, but optical path design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs coaxial optics that serve multiple functions: they guide both the excitation light to the fluorescent area and the visual indicator light to the same area, while also collecting the emitted fluorescent light. This multi-functional optical system achieves precise alignment for multiple light paths using a unified optical structure, reducing the need for separate alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an excitation light source module, a visual indicator projection module, and a fluorescent light detection module, all integrated through the coaxial optics. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining precise alignment through the common optical path.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables operators to visually recognize fluorescent areas in real-time without needing to alternate attention between the surgical site and a monitor, improving surgical precision and efficiency by overlaying visible indicators onto the fluorescent areas, thus facilitating easier identification and navigation during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
When excitation light of a specific wavelength is applied, a fluorescent material emits light of a wavelength other than that of excitation light, that is, fluorescent light
Implementation Method 2
a first dichroic mirror configured to reflect the excitation light and to transmit the fluorescent light, and a second dichroic mirror configured to reflect the excitation light and the fluorescent light and to transmit the visual indicator light
Data Source
AI summary
An augmented reality projection device is provided. The augmented reality projection device includes an excitation light source that generates excitation light and a fluorescent light detector that detects fluorescent light generated in the fluorescent light generation area and generates a fluorescent image. The device also includes a projector that converts an image signal for displaying a visual indicator in the fluorescent light generation area into visual indicator light. The device further includes a processor that controls operations of the excitation light source, the fluorescent light detector, and the projection. The device further includes a coaxial optics that delivers the excitation light and the visual indicator light to the fluorescent light generation area and delivers the fluorescent light to the fluorescent light detector.