Surgical Microscope OCT Wavefront Measurement Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes face challenges in integrating additional diagnostic functions such as imaging and refractive measurements without compromising the workflow and workspace during operations, due to the need for separate devices that occupy valuable space and interfere with the operation environment.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design that incorporates an observation beam path with a main objective, an OCT device, and a wavefront measuring device, utilizing shared optics groups and beam splitters to create a compact structure, allowing for nested Kepler telescopes and efficient illumination management to enable simultaneous measurements while minimizing optical interfaces and reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate diagnostic devices are integrated into the surgical microscope, then measurement functions are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple diagnostic functions (OCT device and wavefront measuring device) into a single surgical microscope system. The OCT device includes a first detection beam path with optics groups 13-15, while the wavefront measuring device includes a second detection beam path with optics groups 13-14. By merging these devices and sharing common optical components, the patent achieves enhanced measurement capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the surgical microscope to perform both standard surgical observation and multiple diagnostic measurements (OCT imaging and wavefront analysis) through a single integrated system. The main objective 5 and shared optics groups serve multiple purposes: they function for routine surgical visualization while also supporting OCT detection beam paths and wavefront measurement beam paths, eliminating the need for separate standalone diagnostic devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple detection beam paths are integrated, then measurement capabilities are improved, but workspace is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the second detection beam path (wavefront measuring device) within the optical structure of the first detection beam path (OCT device). Both beam paths share the main objective 5 and optics groups 13-14, with the wavefront measurement path being nested within the broader OCT system architecture. This nested arrangement allows multiple measurement capabilities to coexist in a compact configuration that preserves surgical workspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves spatial constraints by utilizing different optical dimensions and beam paths rather than stacking devices in the same physical space. The first detection beam path for OCT and the second detection beam path for wavefront measurement operate in separate but coordinated optical channels, allowing both measurement capabilities to function simultaneously without occupying the same physical workspace volume.
3Volume of stationary object
If shared optics groups are used, then compactness is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into distinct optics groups (13-15 for OCT, 13-14 for wavefront measurement) that can be selectively used depending on the measurement mode. While there is overlap in shared components, each optics group is optimized for its specific measurement function, allowing the system to maintain compactness through sharing while preserving measurement precision through functional segmentation and dedicated optical paths for each diagnostic modality.
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
The compact design allows for additional measurement functions within the surgical microscope, enhancing diagnostic capabilities without cluttering the workspace, and ensuring accurate wavefront measurements by reducing aberrations and stray light, thus improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The beam splitter can be embodied in such a way that the light of the second detection beam path is reflected and the light of the first detection beam path is transmitted
Implementation Method 2
the beam splitter can be embodied in such a way that the light of the second detection beam path is reflected and the light of the first detection beam path is transmitted
Implementation Method 3
the afocal imaging optical unit of the first detection beam path can be embodied as a Kepler telescope, with the first and the second optics group together forming the objective lens and the third optics group forming the eyepiece. Objective lens and eyepiece are configured in such a way that their foci coincide
Implementation Method 4
an object 4 to be observed, through a main objective 5
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope having an observation beam path including a main objective, an OCT device including a first detection beam path, a wavefront measuring device including a second detection beam path, a first, a second and a third optics group is provided, wherein the first detection beam path contains the main objective and the first to third optics group, and the first to third optics group forms an afocal imaging optical unit of the first detection beam path and the second detection beam path contains the main objective, the first optics group and the second optics group, and the main objective and the first and second optics group form an afocal imaging optical unit of the second detection beam path.