Movable Beam Coupler for Wide-Angle Ophthalmic OCT Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical imaging techniques, particularly for vitreo-retinal surgeries, face challenges due to the transparency of the vitreous and the need for wide-angle visualization, which is limited by existing microscope-based, handheld, and endoprobe-based OCT systems that lack adjustable scanning angles and locations, restricting real-time intra-surgical imaging and treatment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A movable wide-angle ophthalmic surgical system with an adjustable beam scanning and delivery system that allows rotational and translational motion, enabling flexible incidence angles and locations of the scanning beam, integrated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other imaging modalities, to provide real-time, hands-free, and non-invasive imaging and treatment capabilities without disrupting surgical workflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If microscope-based OCT systems are used with fixed orientation, then the system can be integrated with standard surgical microscopes, but the scanning angle and target location are fixed and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the OCT beam delivery system movable rather than fixed. The system includes a movable beam delivery system that can be positioned at different locations and oriented at different angles relative to the microscope, allowing dynamic adjustment of the scanning angle and target location while maintaining integration with standard surgical microscopes without substantial modifications.
2Area of stationary object
If wide angle contact-based lenses are used, then the field of view can reach approximately 120°, but the system still has limited field of view compared to what is needed for comprehensive retinal observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling dynamic repositioning of the OCT beam delivery system to track and image different regions of the retina. Instead of requiring eye rotation or scleral depression to move the target into the fixed microscope field of view, the movable OCT system can actively follow the region of interest, providing a wider effective field of view and eliminating the need for uncomfortable patient maneuvers.
3Loss of information
If pre-op OCT images are taken, then diagnostic reference is provided, but the images have limited utility following morphologic modifications during surgery and do not support real-time decision making
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the continuity of useful action principle by providing continuous real-time OCT imaging throughout the surgical procedure. The movable OCT system can continuously acquire images of the retina as the surgery progresses, capturing morphologic changes in real-time and providing ongoing diagnostic information that supports immediate surgical decision-making without interrupting the surgical workflow.
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
This system enhances surgical visualization with wider scan angles, improved lateral resolution, and reduced motion artifacts, enabling simultaneous OCT imaging and microscope observation, and supports both diagnostic and therapeutic applications with adjustable field of view, facilitating more effective and efficient ophthalmic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
OCT scanning is currently not available in the operating room... by focusing a laser beam onto the target, collecting the reflected beam, interfering the reflected beam with a reference beam and detecting the interference
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A surgical imaging system can include at least one light source, configured to generate a light beam; a beam guidance system, configured to guide the light beam from the light source; a beam scanner, configured to receive the light from the beam guidance system, and to generate a scanned light beam; a beam coupler, configured to redirect the scanned light beam; and a wide field of view (WFOV) lens, configured to guide the redirected scanned light beam into a target region of a procedure eye; wherein the beam coupler is movably positioned relative to the procedure eye such that the beam coupler is selectively movable to change at least one of an incidence angle of the redirected scanned light beam into the procedure eye and the target region of the procedure eye.