Augmented Reality Surgical Microscope Simultaneous Multi-Modal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopes can only capture one imaging mode at a time, requiring surgeons to switch modes manually, which is cumbersome and prone to errors due to the need for memory-based information combination during surgery.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality surgical microscope with an image input system, processor, and output system that simultaneously processes and outputs visible-light and fluorescent-light image data, including pseudo-color enhancements for vascular plexus structures, allowing for combined and differentiated image presentation to surgeons and assistants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the microscope captures multiple imaging modes simultaneously, then the surgeon gets comprehensive information without switching, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modes (visible light, fluorescent light) into a single integrated microscope system that captures and processes images simultaneously. The image processor merges these different imaging modes into unified output images, eliminating the need for manual switching between separate devices or modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The microscope system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - capturing visible light images, fluorescent light images, and processed composite images all through a single device. The image processor acts as a universal processing unit that handles multiple imaging modes and generates various types of output images (full resolution, overlay, difference) from the same input data.
2Reliability
If the surgeon uses memory to combine information from different imaging modes, then the device remains simple, but accuracy and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The image processor serves as an intermediary between the multiple imaging modes and the surgeon. Instead of relying on the surgeon's memory to combine information, the image processor automatically integrates visible light and fluorescent light images, performs overlay operations, and generates accurate composite images that preserve spatial relationships and diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate digital copies and representations of the tissue structure through processed images. The image processor generates overlay images that copy and combine features from both visible light and fluorescent light modes, providing a reliable visual representation that eliminates memory-based combination errors.
3Loss of information
If the microscope outputs multiple image types simultaneously, then information completeness improves, but information loss increases due to processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system segments the information from different imaging modes and processes them through different pathways. Visible light images and fluorescent light images are processed separately to preserve their unique features, then selectively combined through overlay operations. This segmentation approach prevents information loss by maintaining the integrity of each imaging mode's specific diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the processing and combination of different imaging modes based on the surgical context. The image processor can generate different types of output images (full resolution, overlay, difference) as needed, and can selectively emphasize or suppress certain features. This dynamic processing ensures that no critical information is permanently lost while adapting to different surgical requirements.
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
Enhances surgical efficiency by providing comprehensive, accurate, and real-time information without distracting the surgeon, reducing the risk of mistakes and improving surgical precision through simultaneous multi-modal imaging and pseudo-color marking of vascular structures.
Implementation Method 1
subsequent frames of fluorescent-light image data of at least one fluorophore
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an augmented reality surgical microscope (1) having a camera (2), preferably a multispectral or hyperspectral camera. The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) retrieves input image data (22) of an object (8) comprising in particular live tissue (10). The input image data (22) comprise visible-light image data (26) as well as fluorescent-light image data (24) of at least one fluorophore (14). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) permits the automatic identification and marking in pseudo-color (86) of various types of vascular plexus structures (54a 54b, 54c) and/or of blood flow direction (56) depending on the fluorescent-light image data (24). A pre-operative three-dimensional atlas (36) and/or ultrasound image data (39) may be elastically matched to the visible-light image data (26). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) allows different combinations of the various image data to be output simultaneously to different displays (75). The invention also relates to a microscopy method and a non-transitory computer-readable storing a program causing a computer to execute the microscopy method.