Microsurgery Visualization Assembly for Real-Time Polarization Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical microscopes lack real-time stereoscopic tissue differentiation capabilities using polarization contrast without the need for dyes, which is essential for neurosurgery to distinguish between different tissue types like tumors, vessels, and white and gray matter, while maintaining compact size, low cost, and real-time operation.
Innovation Solution
A visualization arrangement for microsurgery using a stereoscopic imaging apparatus with multiple video cameras, polarization-filtering devices, and an evaluation device to create and overlay image representations with polarization contrast, enabling simultaneous capture and display of high-resolution multicolored and polarization-enhanced images, allowing real-time stereoscopic tissue differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple video cameras and polarization-filtering devices are integrated into the surgical microscope, then tissue differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple video cameras (first and second video cameras for different wavelengths) and polarization-filtering devices (first and second polarization-filtering devices) into a single integrated surgical microscope system. The evaluation device processes images from all cameras simultaneously, merging the functionality of multiple components into one cohesive system that provides comprehensive tissue differentiation without requiring separate standalone devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical microscope is designed with multi-functional capabilities by integrating cameras that capture different wavelengths (visible and infrared) and polarization-filtering devices that analyze different polarization states. This universal system can differentiate various tissue types (tumors, healthy tissue, vessels, nerves) using multiple imaging modalities simultaneously, making the device adaptable to diverse surgical requirements.
2Productivity
If real-time image processing with polarization contrast is implemented, then tissue differentiation speed is improved, but computational requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation device is pre-configured with algorithms that automatically process images from multiple cameras and polarization angles in real-time. The system performs preliminary processing by capturing synchronized images from all cameras and immediately analyzing polarization contrast without requiring post-processing or manual intervention, enabling real-time tissue differentiation during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual image analysis and mechanical processing with automated computational methods. The evaluation device uses digital image processing algorithms to analyze polarization contrast and differentiate tissues computationally, substituting mechanical or manual procedures with electronic processing that operates in real-time.
3Measurement precision
If polarization-filtering devices are added to the optical path, then polarization contrast imaging is improved, but light transmission and image brightness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The polarization-filtering devices are strategically positioned in the optical path at specific locations where they can extract polarization information without completely blocking the light path. The first and second polarization-filtering devices are arranged to filter specific polarization states while allowing sufficient light transmission to maintain image brightness, applying filtering locally rather than uniformly across the entire optical system.
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
Enables real-time stereoscopic tissue differentiation with polarization contrast, meeting requirements of compact size, low cost, and real-time operation, improving tissue differentiation in neurosurgery by distinguishing between various tissue types without the use of markers or dyes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one polarization-filtering device (21, 22, 23, 24) arranged in the beam path (6) upstream of each of the at least three video cameras (2, 3)
Data Source
AI summary
A visualisation assembly for microsurgery has an imaging device, an illumination device, and a polarisation determination assembly. The polarisation determination assembly has at least two video cameras designed to capture light waves of a plurality of light wavelengths in the visible wavelength range, and at least one further video camera. Each of the three video cameras is assigned an individual partial beam path in the beam path. The polarisation determination assembly has a plurality of polarisation filter devices; and an evaluation device. At least one polarisation filter device is arranged in each beam path in front of three of the at least three video cameras. The polarisation filter devices differ from one another in their polarisation effect. The evaluation device is designed to generate images with polarisation contrast by the images captured by the video cameras and to display said images by the imaging device.