Surgical Microscope Beam Splitter for Preoperative Data Superimposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes lack the ability to adaptively visualize an object area in multiple ways, failing to meet the diverse needs of observers and patients, and do not effectively integrate preoperative imaging data for enhanced surgical precision.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope with switchable imaging optics that can combine or interrupt optical observation beam paths to superimpose preoperative image data onto the observation image, using a computer unit for precise alignment and a display device for stereoscopic visualization, allowing for various viewing configurations and integration of additional information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical observation beam path is used to visualize the object area in the eyepiece, then the observer can view the surgical area with very good optical image quality and color-accurate natural visual impression, but the observer cannot see preoperative imaging data or additional information superimposed on the observation image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical observation beam path with the display device output beam path using a beam splitter. The beam splitter merges the optical image from the surgical area with the digital image from the display device, allowing both the high-quality optical view and the preoperative imaging data to be superimposed and viewed simultaneously in the eyepiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that redirects and combines two separate beam paths. It takes the optical observation beam and the display device beam, and superimposes them onto a common path that leads to the eyepiece, enabling the integration of multiple information sources without compromising the optical quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If digital acquisition and display of object structures is used, then comparatively little illumination is required significantly reducing radiation exposure to body tissue, but the observer loses the color-accurate natural visual impression and optical image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the low-illumination digital capture path with the high-quality optical observation path. The digital image sensor captures the surgical area with minimal illumination, reducing tissue exposure to harmful radiation. This digital image is then superimposed with the high-quality optical image via the beam splitter, preserving both the safety benefits and the visual quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as an intermediary that allows the digital image from the low-illumination path to be combined with the optical image. This enables the system to benefit from reduced radiation exposure while maintaining color accuracy and optical image quality through the superimposition of both image sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is arranged in the optical observation beam path to superimpose images, then preoperative imaging data can be visualized, but the optical observation beam path is interrupted and image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter is positioned as an intermediary element in the optical path that minimally interrupts the beam. It allows a portion of the optical beam to pass through while redirecting another portion to combine with the display device output, maintaining the continuity and quality of the optical observation beam path while enabling superimposition of preoperative imaging data.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sources are integrated for adaptive visualization, then the system can meet diverse observer and patient needs, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter serves multiple functions: it allows the optical observation beam to pass through, redirects a portion of the beam to combine with the display device output, and enables the superimposition of multiple image sources. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single optical element, reducing the overall device complexity while providing adaptive visualization capabilities.
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 precise, adaptive visualization of surgical areas with reduced tissue exposure to radiation, improving surgical precision and handling by integrating preoperative data and providing stereoscopic views.
Implementation Method 1
US Patent 4,786,155 describes a surgical microscope in which image data displayed on a screen can be visualized by an observer in superimposition onto the image of the object area in the eyepiece. This surgical microscope incorporates a beam splitter arranged in the optical observation beam path. This beam splitter reflects an image of the object area, displayed on a screen, into the optical observation beam path
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical microscope (10) for producing an observation image of an object region (32) for an observing person. The surgical microscope (10) has an image-recording device (35) for recording an image of the object region (32), a display device (47), and an image-processing and control device (54), which is connected to the image-recording device (35) and to the display device (47) for the visualization of an image of the object region (32) recorded by means of the image-recording device (35). According to the invention, the surgical microscope (10) contains a computing unit (45) for providing object-region image data that are obtained in an imaging method and that can be fed to the display device (47) for display, which computing unit is connected to the image-processing and control device (54). In the surgical microscope (10), there is a switchable imaging optical unit (14), which feeds the observation image of the object region (32) to an eyepiece (22) by means of an optical observation beam path (28) in a first switching state, on which observation image of the object region the object-region image data displayed by means of the display device (47) can be superimposed in a positionally correct manner. In a further switching state different from the first switching state, the switchable imaging optical unit (14) interrupts the purely optical observation beam path (28) from the object region (32) to the eyepiece (22) in order to display in the eyepiece (22) an image of the object region (32) from the optical observation beam path (28), which image is recorded by means of the image-recording device (35) and displayed by means of the display device (47).