Surgical Microscope Doppler Imaging for Intraocular Blood Flow Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscopes face challenges in providing clear visualization during glaucoma surgery, particularly in identifying the trabecular meshwork, avoiding undue outward pressure, and confirming proper placement of devices or ablation instruments due to poor views caused by corneal folds and excessive bleeding, with a steep learning curve for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope system that processes intraoperative sensor data from a Doppler-based imaging sensor to determine blood flow within the eye, generating a visualization of blood flow to aid in stent placement, using Color or Power Doppler imaging to highlight flow patterns and layers, and optionally integrating Optical Coherence Tomography for three-dimensional imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical microscopy is used for glaucoma surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but clear visualization of blood flow patterns and trabecular meshwork is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional surgical microscopy with Doppler imaging technology to create an integrated system that provides both anatomical visualization and blood flow information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between maintaining surgical capability and adding functional imaging
2Reliability
If MIGS procedures are performed to reduce complications, then safety profile is improved, but poor view due to corneal folds and excessive bleeding makes the procedure challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The Doppler imaging system acts as an intermediary tool that provides additional information about tissue perfusion and bleeding, helping surgeons navigate the challenges of MIGS procedures while maintaining their safety benefits
3Measurement precision
If Doppler-based imaging sensor is integrated to visualize blood flow, then surgical precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical microscope system is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional anatomical imaging, Doppler blood flow visualization, and integrated overlay display, making the complex system versatile and justifying the added complexity through multiple benefits
4Manufacturing precision
If real-time blood flow visualization is provided to aid stent placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary Doppler imaging and blood flow analysis before stent placement to identify optimal locations and avoid areas with inadequate perfusion, preventing the need for repositioning and reducing overall processing time
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 precision by providing real-time visualization of blood flow patterns and layers, aiding in accurate stent placement and reducing the learning curve for surgeons, while offering non-invasive detection of retinal anomalies and tumors.
Implementation Method 1
obtain intraoperative sensor data of at least a portion of an eye from a Doppler-based imaging sensor
Implementation Method 2
integrating Optical Coherence Tomography for three-dimensional imaging
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 1d~2
AI summary
Examples relate to a surgical microscope system, and to a system, a method and a computer program for a surgical microscope system. The system comprises one or more processors and one or more storage devices. The system is configured to obtain intraoperative sensor data of at least a portion of an eye from a Doppler-based imaging sensor of the surgical microscope system. The system is configured to process the intraoperative sensor data to determine infor- mation on a blood flow within the eye. The system is configured to generate a visualization of the blood flow. The system is configured to provide a display signal to a display device of the surgical microscope system based on the visualization of the blood flow within the eye.