Hybrid Microscope Eyepiece Optical Element for Digital Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical microscope systems face challenges in providing a hybrid view that is both compact and disturbance-free, particularly when recording digital overlays, which can interfere with fluorescence detection and require synchronization with camera refresh rates to avoid stroboscopic effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a microscope system that uses an optical element, such as a tiltable mirror or beam splitter, placed close to the eyepiece to switch between optical and digital views, allowing for a hybrid view without disturbing fluorescence detection and reducing the system's size by folding the optical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is used to include an image overlay in the optical path, then a hybrid view can be provided, but the system size increases and fluorescence detection is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display device positioned in front of the eyepiece that presents the digital overlay in a dimension separate from the optical path. The optical element (beam splitter or tiltable mirror) directs light from the display device to the user's eye without inserting physical overlay elements into the fluorescence detection path, thus providing hybrid view capability while maintaining compact size and avoiding fluorescence interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is used to provide image overlay, then hybrid view is achieved, but very bright displays are required for visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element acts as an intermediary that efficiently couples light from the display device into the user's eye. The beam splitter or tiltable mirror is positioned to capture display output and redirect it along the optical path to the eyepiece, maximizing light utilization and allowing standard brightness displays to be visible without requiring excessive illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If image overlay is recorded with a video system, then digital view is provided, but synchronization with camera refresh rate is required to avoid stroboscopic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the digital overlay presentation from the video recording path and places it in a separate display channel. The display device shows the digital image directly to the user through the optical element, independent of camera operation. This eliminates the need for synchronization between display refresh rate and camera frame rate, removing stroboscopic effects and reducing system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If image overlay is recorded with a video system, then hybrid view is provided, but fluorescence detection is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path into separate channels: one for fluorescence detection through the objective and another for digital overlay display through the optical element. The beam splitter or tiltable mirror directs fluorescence light to the camera while allowing display light to reach the user's eye separately. This segmentation prevents digital overlay elements from interfering with fluorescence detection, maintaining both capabilities simultaneously.
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
This solution provides an improved hybrid view that is compact, minimizes disturbances during fluorescence detection, and allows for seamless switching between optical and digital views without stroboscopic effects, enhancing the usability and efficiency of neuro-surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a beam-splitting optical element configured to split a portion of light guided on the first light path off towards the two image sensor assemblies
Implementation Method 2
a tiltable mirror can be used to provide either the optical view or the digital view
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various examples relate to a hybrid medical microscope setup, and in particular to a microscope and a corresponding method. The microscope comprises a first light path configured to guide light from an objective of the microscope towards an eyepiece of the microscope. The microscope comprises a display device configured to output a visual representation of image data captured by two image sensor assemblies of the microscope. The image data is based on a portion of the light that is guided via the first light path. The microscope comprises a second light path configured to guide the visual representation of the image data towards the eyepiece. The microscope comprises an optical element, configured to provide the light guided via the first light path and/or the visual representation of the image data guided via the second light path to the eyepiece. By including the optical element that can be used to select one of the digital or optical view, or that can be used to overlay the digital image over the optical view, a hybrid viewfinder concept is provided that overcomes the drawbacks of previous systems.