Digital Magnification with Binocular Overlap for Surgical 3D Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical loupes offer fixed magnification levels, increasing form factor and weight, limiting surgical duration and causing neck strain, and stereo imaging systems require mechanical adjustments and calibration not feasible in surgical settings.

Innovation Solution

A digital magnification system using two image sensors and a controller to maintain binocular overlap and vertical alignment, allowing adjustable magnification and 3D image generation without mechanical adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional surgical loupes use non-imaging configuration with magnifying lenses, then magnification is achieved, but the form factor and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of surgical loupesVSAvoidmagnification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical optical magnification system (magnifying lenses) with an electronic imaging and display system. Image sensors capture the surgical field and displays present magnified images to the surgeon's eyes, eliminating the need for heavy magnifying lenses while maintaining magnification functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of the surgical field using image sensors and presents these copies through displays. Instead of optically magnifying the actual surgical field, the system captures images and generates magnified digital representations that are displayed to the surgeon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If conventional surgical loupes use non-imaging configuration, then magnification is provided, but working distance and depth of focus decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking distanceVSAvoidmagnification function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical magnification mechanism with an electronic imaging system. Image sensors positioned at a comfortable working distance capture the surgical field, and digital processing provides magnification without requiring the surgeon to be in close proximity to the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of moving object

If conventional surgical loupes are used for extended periods, then surgical procedures can be performed, but neck pain and cervical diseases occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure durationVSAvoidneck strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the head-mounted optical magnification system with a system that presents images through displays positioned in front of the surgeon. This eliminates the need for the surgeon to maintain a fixed head position close to the surgical field, reducing neck strain during prolonged procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stereo imaging systems are used, then 3D images can be generated, but mechanical adjustments and calibration are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D imaging capabilityVSAvoidmechanical adjustment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control. Image sensors capture images from slightly different positions to create stereoscopic pairs, and digital processing aligns and presents these images. Magnification levels are adjusted through digital processing rather than mechanical lens adjustments, eliminating the need for mechanical calibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic 3D image generation where the stereoscopic pairs and magnification levels can be adjusted in real-time through electronic control. The system can adapt to different surgical scenarios without requiring mechanical reconfiguration or calibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12355931B2Generation of three-dimensional images with digital magnification

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 UNIFY MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A system for generating three-dimensional (3D) images from captured images of a target when executing digital magnification. A controller executes a digital magnification on the first image of the target captured by the first image sensor and on the second image captured by the second image sensor of the target. The controller crops the first image and the second image to overlap a first portion of the target captured by the first image sensor with a second portion of the target captured by the second image sensor. The controller adjusts the cropping of the first image and the second image to provide binocular overlap of the first portion of the target with the second portion of target. The displayed cropped first image and the cropped second image display the 3D image at the digital magnification to the user.