Microsurgery Visualization Assembly for Stereoscopic Tissue Differentiation
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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, particularly in neurosurgery, due to challenges in integrating a complete Müller polarimeter that meets requirements of real-time capability, stereoscopy, small footprint, and low cost.
Innovation Solution
A visualization arrangement for microsurgery comprising a stereoscopic imaging device, illumination device, and polarization determination device with multiple video cameras and polarization filter devices, allowing simultaneous detection and analysis of light waves to determine the Müller matrix for real-time polarization contrast imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complete Müller polarimeter is integrated into the surgical microscope, then tissue differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarimeter is divided into modular components: a polarization state generator (PSG) with adjustable polarizers, a polarization state analyzer (PSA) with multiple analyzers, and a detector array. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module and simplifies integration into the existing microscope system while maintaining complete Müller matrix measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures standard intensity images for anatomical reference and simultaneously measures polarization states for tissue differentiation. The detector array processes both intensity and polarization information, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If real-time polarization contrast imaging is implemented, then tissue differentiation speed is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the relationship between polarization filter configurations and expected tissue responses during system calibration. During real-time operation, this pre-computed information is used to rapidly interpret polarization measurements without requiring complex on-the-fly calculations, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining accurate tissue differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces sequential mechanical rotation of polarizers with a static multi-analyzer configuration that simultaneously captures multiple polarization states. This eliminates mechanical movement and associated timing delays, enabling real-time imaging at full frame rate while completing complete Müller matrix measurements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple video cameras and polarization filter devices are added, then polarization measurement capability is improved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarization filter devices and analyzers are integrated into the existing optical path of the surgical microscope, nesting the polarimetry functionality within the established beam path. Multiple cameras are arranged to share common optical components and mounting structures, minimizing the additional space required while maintaining complete polarization measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If advanced polarization contrast imaging is implemented, then tissue differentiation accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the inherent polarization properties of biological tissues themselves as the contrast mechanism, requiring no external dyes, markers, or contrast agents. The tissue's natural interaction with polarized light provides the differentiation information, eliminating the need for expensive pharmaceutical additives while maintaining high measurement precision for tissue characterization.
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 the requirements of real-time capability, small footprint, and low cost, while providing improved tissue differentiation in neurosurgery without the use of markers or dyes.
Implementation Method 1
detection of the effect of biological tissue on the polarization state of light
Implementation Method 2
Light waves emitted by an object after an interaction of the object with incident light waves
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a visualisation assembly (1) for microsurgery, which assembly comprises an imaging device (14), an illumination device (4), and a polarisation determination assembly. The polarisation determination assembly comprises: at least two video cameras (2) which are designed to capture light waves of a plurality of light wavelengths in the visible wavelength range, and at least one further video camera (3), wherein each of the three video cameras (2, 3) mentioned is assigned an individual partial beam path in the beam path (6); a plurality of polarisation filter devices (20-24); and an evaluation device (13), wherein at least one polarisation filter device (21-24) is arranged in each beam path (6) in front of three of the at least three video cameras (2, 3), wherein the polarisation filter devices (20-24) are adjusted or can be adjusted such that the polarisation filters (20-24), that are arranged in the beam path (6) in front of the at least one further video camera (3) mentioned and at least one of the mentioned video cameras (2) designed to capture light waves of a plurality of light wavelengths in the visible wavelength range, differ from one another in their polarisation effect, wherein the evaluation device (13) is designed to generate images with polarisation contrast by means of the images captured by the video cameras (2, 3) and to display said images by means of the imaging device (14).