Digital Microscope XY Centering Using Real-Time Circular Image Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgery visualization systems face challenges in maintaining precise control over the centering of high-magnification images on display screens, particularly during procedures like vitreoretinal surgery, where manual adjustments are imprecise and can lead to the image being positioned off-screen, causing surgeon discomfort and reduced surgical efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing video analysis software to detect a circular image in real-time video and automatically adjust the position of the microscope's field of view in the XY plane using a motorized support, ensuring the image is centered on the display by calculating and transmitting movement instructions to the motorized microscope support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustments are used to center the microscope field of view, then the system is simple to operate, but the centering precision is insufficient and images may be positioned off-screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated computer vision system. The photosensor captures real-time video signals, the processor detects the circular image and calculates its center position, then the motorized support automatically adjusts the microscope field of view based on the calculated offset. This substitution of manual mechanical centering with an automated optical-mechanical system resolves the contradiction by achieving high precision centering without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-centering by automatically detecting the circular image in the field of view, calculating the center position, and adjusting the microscope position without requiring manual intervention. The motorized support receives movement instructions from the processor and autonomously positions the field of view, enabling the system to correct its own alignment errors and maintain optimal viewing position.
2Measurement precision
If high magnification is used to improve visualization, then the image detail is enhanced, but the field of view becomes smaller and more difficult to center and maintain on screen
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures real-time video signals from the photosensor at high magnification, processes the images to detect the circular target, calculates the center position, and compares it with the current field of view center. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain precise centering even at high magnification where small movements can cause the image to shift off-screen, resolving the contradiction between detailed visualization and ease of control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the microscope position with an automated motorized support system that responds to computer-calculated positioning instructions. This substitution enables precise control of the field of view at high magnification, where manual adjustment becomes difficult and error-prone, thereby resolving the contradiction between image detail and operational ease.
3Measurement precision
If automatic centering is implemented to improve precision, then the centering accuracy increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The processor serves multiple functions: it processes the real-time video signal from the photosensor, detects the circular image using image processing algorithms, calculates the center position, determines the offset from the current field of view center, and generates movement instructions for the motorized support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby achieving high centering accuracy while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection, calculation, and control functions into an integrated system where the photosensor, processor, and motorized support work as a unified automated centering mechanism. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate manual operations and components, the system achieves high centering accuracy while the overall complexity increase is managed through functional integration rather than additive components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system are described for automatically centering in an XY plane a field of view of a patient's eye under high magnification during ophthalmic surgery. The method includes automatically moving the center of the field of view to the center of a circular image detected in a real-time video signal acquired from the field of view of the patient's eye under high magnification during ophthalmic surgery. The system configured to perform the method has a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium accessible to the processor containing instructions executable by the processor to perform the method.