Microscope Housing With Integrated Tracers for Surgical Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope systems for image-guided surgery (IGS) face challenges with tracker devices that can affect the balancing and draping of the microscope due to their external attachment, necessitating an improved integration of the tracer within the microscope housing.

Innovation Solution

The tracer is integrated into the housing of the microscope, specifically arranged in the outer shell, allowing for multiple tracers on different side walls to enhance detection and reduce external attachment impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a tracker device is externally attached to the microscope, then the position and orientation can be tracked in real-time, but the balancing and draping of the microscope are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking precisionVSAvoidbalancing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tracker device is merged with the microscope housing, integrating the tracking functionality directly into the microscope structure. The housing comprises an outer shell with a tracer arranged inside, eliminating the need for external attachment and thus preserving the microscope's balancing and draping characteristics while maintaining real-time tracking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tracer is nested within the outer shell of the microscope housing, placing the tracking component inside the housing structure. This nesting approach allows the tracker to be part of the microscope without adding external weight or affecting the microscope's operational characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If a tracker device is externally attached to the microscope, then the position and orientation can be tracked in real-time, but the external attachment may interfere with surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking precisionVSAvoidinterference with surgical procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tracer is extracted from the external environment and placed inside the sealed outer shell of the microscope housing. This extraction eliminates the need for external attachments that could interfere with surgical procedures, while the tracer remains accessible for optical detection through the housing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If multiple tracers are arranged on different side walls of the outer shell, then the detectability and reliability of position determination is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell serves multiple functions: it provides structural housing for the microscope components, acts as a container for the tracer, and enables tracking from multiple directions through strategically placed tracers on different side walls. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking housings or additional structural elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250377531A1Housing for a Microscope, Microscope and Optical Imaging System

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD

AI summary

A housing is provided. The housing comprises an outer shell and a tracer arranged in the outer shell. The outer shell forms a cavity for arranging an optical component of the microscope.