Medical Imaging Head-Mounted Displays for Personalized Multi-Operator Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging systems in operating rooms often display images that are not individually adapted to the operative requirements of multiple operators, leading to inversed orientations, reduced visibility, and limited space for multiple monitors, and second ocular systems suffer from reduced light distribution, resulting in inferior image quality.

Innovation Solution

A medical imaging system utilizing at least two head-mounted display systems with a control device that assigns different sets of control functions to each system, allowing flexibility in orientation and image adaptation based on individual needs and preferences, while ensuring secure access and control functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple monitors are arranged in the operating room to provide images to multiple operators, then multiple operators can receive images, but the space for arranging monitors is limited and the images are not individually adapted to each operator's requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage adaptation to operator requirementsVSAvoidspace for arranging monitors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional monitor arrangement on walls to a three-dimensional virtual reality display system that can be positioned anywhere in the operating room. The VR headsets create immersive 3D surgical images that operators can view from their respective positions without requiring physical monitor space, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing individualized images and limited wall space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of the surgical field through VR headsets for each operator. Instead of displaying identical images on multiple physical monitors, the system generates personalized virtual reality environments that can be individually customized for each operator while consuming minimal physical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a second ocular system is mounted to the medical imaging device to allow a second operator to receive images, then a second operator can access images, but the light distribution is reduced resulting in inferior image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to images for multiple operatorsVSAvoidlight distribution to ocular systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical optical splitting system (beam splitters, dichroic mirrors) with a digital imaging and virtual reality display system. The imaging device captures the surgical field with sufficient light, converts it to digital signals, and transmits it wirelessly to multiple VR headsets. This eliminates the need to physically divide the light path, allowing each operator to receive full-brightness images without compromising image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the displayed images are adapted to individual operator requirements with different orientations, then each operator can view images optimally, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimal viewing for each operatorVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The VR display system automatically adapts to each operator's individual requirements through self-service mechanisms. The system detects each operator's position, height, and viewing angle, then automatically adjusts the virtual image orientation and parameters without requiring manual configuration. This eliminates the complexity of individualized setup while maintaining optimal viewing conditions for each operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4030219B1Medical imaging system and method of controlling such imaging system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 BHS TECH GMBH
  • EP4030219B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4030219B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical imaging system (1, 1') comprising a control device (2, 2'), an imaging device (3) and at least two head-mounted display systems (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein the control device (2, 2') is configured to assign different sets of control functions to the at least two head-mounted display systems (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), respectively.