Microscope Illumination Projection for Imaged Region Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Targeted alignment of optical observation equipment with an observation object is difficult, particularly in digital surgical microscopes where the orientation of the monitor is independent of the microscope, making it challenging to identify the orientation and size of the imaged object region.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a projection device that projects a structure onto the observation object within the illuminated field, using a stop or self-luminous display to indicate the orientation and size of the imaged object region, and an optical observation system with a positioning apparatus to stabilize the equipment relative to the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a digital surgical microscope with monitor is used, then the surgical staff can view the imaged object region on a monitor, but the orientation of the monitor is completely independent of the orientation of the surgical microscope, making it difficult to identify the orientation and size of the imaged object region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an illuminated field as an intermediary element that is projected onto the observation object. This illuminated field serves as a mediator that maintains the spatial relationship between the microscope's orientation and the monitor's display, allowing surgical staff to visually correlate the imaged region on the monitor with its actual position and orientation on the observation object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the illuminated field's properties (such as its presence, absence, or characteristics) to convey spatial orientation information. By making the illuminated field visible on the observation object, the system provides visual feedback that helps surgical staff understand the orientation and size of the imaged region without requiring direct line-of-sight correlation between monitor and object.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the size of the illuminated field does not change with magnification, then the illuminated field provides stable illumination, but it does not allow estimation of the size of the imaged object region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the characteristics of the illuminated field are used to provide information about the imaged object region's size and orientation. The illuminated field's properties are correlated with the magnification and field-of-view settings, creating a visual feedback system that helps surgical staff estimate the size of the imaged region without requiring the illuminated field size to change directly with magnification.
3Loss of information
If a light projection unit is added to project a light pattern onto the observation object, then the orientation and size of the imaged object region can be indicated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illumination function with the spatial indication function by using the existing illumination device to project both the illuminated field and the orientation/size indication patterns onto the observation object. This integration eliminates the need for a separate light projection unit, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to convey spatial information.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device is designed to serve multiple functions: providing necessary illumination for viewing, defining the illuminated field boundaries, and simultaneously indicating the orientation and size of the imaged object region through projected patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
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
Facilitates easier identification of the object region's orientation and size on the image sensor, enhancing alignment accuracy and reducing distractions from stray light.
Implementation Method 1
at least one illumination beam path (51, 53) that leads from an illumination light source (41) to an observation object (3) and serves to generate an illuminated field (57) on the observation object (3) by means of illumination light
Implementation Method 2
a projection device for projecting a structure onto the observation object (3) within the illuminated field (57) with the aid of the illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device for a piece of optical observation equipment is provided. The illumination device is equipped with at least one illumination beam path that leads from an illumination light source to an observation object and serves to generate an illuminated field on the observation object by illumination light, and a projection device for projecting a structure onto the observation object. The projection device acts on the illumination light in such a way that the structure is projected onto the observation object within the illuminated field with the aid of the illumination light that generates the illuminated field. A method is provided for identifying on an observation object an object region of said observation object that has been imaged on an image sensor of a piece of optical observation equipment. In the method, a structure is projected onto the observation object.