Surgical Microscope Adapter Arm for OCT Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical microscopes lack integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) capabilities, and existing handheld OCT devices are difficult to align and stabilize for high-quality imaging in the operating field.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a longitudinally oriented center pivot and adapter arm system that allows for the selective connection of accessory items, such as OCT probes, to the downward-facing surface of a surgical microscope, providing a stable and maneuverable platform for imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If handheld OCT devices are used to supplement surgical microscopes, then OCT imaging capability is provided, but alignment and stabilization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate adapter assembly that mediates between the surgical microscope and the handheld OCT device. This adapter provides a stable mounting interface with adjustment mechanisms, serving as a bridge that eliminates the difficulty of directly integrating handheld OCT devices while maintaining their versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the surgical microscope, the adapter assembly, and the handheld OCT device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing easy alignment and stabilization through the modular adapter interface.
2Ease of operation
If OCT devices are directly integrated into the surgical microscope, then alignment and stabilization are improved, but the operating field is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly acts as an intermediary mounting platform that allows OCT devices to be stably integrated without becoming part of the microscope's core optical path. This enables proper alignment and stabilization while keeping the microscope's original operating field intact and unobstructed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of integrating OCT components within the microscope's optical axis (one dimension), the adapter mounts the OCT device in a separate spatial dimension below the microscope stage, allowing both systems to coexist without interfering with each other's operating fields.
3Adaptability or versatility
If accessory items are mounted to the surgical microscope, then imaging capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed as a universal mounting platform that can accommodate various accessory items including handheld OCT devices, cameras, and other imaging equipment. This multi-functionality enhances imaging capability without requiring separate mounting structures for each accessory, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for selectively connecting an accessory item to a surgical microscope includes a center pivot. An adapter arm includes an adapter support having a substantially planar support body which extends laterally in an outboard direction from the center pivot and has laterally spaced inboard and outboard support regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. The adapter arm is configured to accept at least a portion of the accessory item in a supporting relationship. An undermount adapter includes a substantially planar undermount body having laterally spaced inboard and outboard body regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. A plurality of microscope attachment throughholes each throughhole extend through the undermount body. Each throughhole is configured to accept a fastener for securement of the undermount adapter to the surgical microscope. An arm receiver is configured to accept the adapter tongue of the adapter arm in a supporting relationship.