Surgical Microscope Recalibration for Accurate Optical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjustable zoom and focus settings in surgical microscopes affect the accuracy of optical tracking, making it difficult to meet high spatial tracking demands.
Innovation Solution
A method that recalibrates the surgical microscope's optical system by comparing spatial positions detected by the microscope and a separate detection system, allowing for accurate tracking by adjusting the microscope's calibration based on deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable zoom and focus settings are implemented in the surgical microscope, then the versatility and adaptability of the microscope is improved, but the measurement precision and reliability of spatial tracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing images at multiple predetermined zoom and focus settings before actual surgical use. This pre-calibration creates a lookup table or calibration data structure that maps each zoom/focus combination to its corresponding spatial transformation parameters, enabling accurate tracking without real-time recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies optical parameters (zoom level and focus distance) to capture their effect on spatial positioning. By measuring and storing the relationship between these parameter changes and resulting position deviations, the system compensates for their impact on tracking accuracy through computational correction.
2Ease of operation
If the optical path is made adjustable for zoom and focus, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the optical system configuration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual zoom and focus settings of the microscope and uses this feedback to select or adjust the appropriate calibration parameters. By comparing the current optical configuration against the pre-stored calibration data, the system dynamically compensates for configuration changes to maintain tracking stability.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary calibration data for different optical configurations is captured and stored in advance. This preliminary characterization of the optical system's behavior across its full range of motion allows the system to quickly compensate for any configuration change without requiring real-time optical path stabilization.
3Productivity
If spatial tracking is implemented with adjustable optics, then the productivity and functionality of the surgical system is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to optical path changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that translates between the adjustable optical domain and the stable spatial tracking domain. By using captured images at multiple settings as intermediary data, the system calculates transformation parameters that bridge the gap between different optical configurations and maintain consistent spatial measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is performed in advance to establish the relationship between optical settings and spatial positions. This preliminary action creates a reference framework that enables accurate tracking throughout the surgical procedure, regardless of subsequent optical adjustments made during surgery.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented medical method, a computer program and a medical system for determining the spatial position of an object to be tracked not only via the surgical microscope, but also via a separate detection system. In case a deviation between the detected spatial positions is recognised, the optical system of the surgical microscope is re- calibrated.