Hand-Movable OCI Camera Unit with Integrated Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Optical Coherence Imaging (OCI) medical devices are largely static, making it inconvenient for users to simultaneously orient and visualize the observed area without needing to hold the device, which limits usability and increases learning time.
Innovation Solution
A hand-movable camera unit with a display that serves as a virtual window, allowing real-time visualization of OCI maps, enabling users to move the device freely while maintaining a direct eye view of the area of interest, with integrated OCI acquisition tools and visualization within a single housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the OCI device is made static with fixed screen and support, then the device structure is simple and stable, but the usability and ease of operation deteriorate because users cannot simultaneously orient and view the observed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the OCI sensor, display screen, and supporting arm into a single integrated camera unit. This merging allows the user to move the entire imaging and visualization system together, enabling simultaneous orientation and viewing without needing to hold the device, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the OCI imaging device and the display unit, and can be positioned freely via the supporting arm. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both operational flexibility and integrated visualization without requiring separate components
2Ease of operation
If the OCI device is made hand-movable, then the ease of operation improves, but the weight and portability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arm provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the camera unit to be moved to various positions and angles. This dynamic support system enables easy handling and repositioning without requiring the device itself to be lightweight, as the arm bears the weight while providing mobility
3Adaptability or versatility
If the screen is permanently fixed to support, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability deteriorates because the device cannot be repositioned flexibly
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the screen and supporting arm into the same integrated unit, the system gains repositioning flexibility through the arm's adjustable positioning capabilities, while avoiding the complexity of separate mounting mechanisms. The entire camera unit can be repositioned as one integrated component
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 design significantly enhances usability by allowing easy handling and focusing, reducing learning time, and providing a direct eye view with free hands for other manipulations, while ensuring no dead angles during visualization.
Implementation Method 1
Optical coherent imaging is a non-contact imaging utilizing, to a large extent, the physical properties and in particular the coherence properties of light
Implementation Method 2
A digital imaging device such as a detector array is used that allows independent intensity measurements at each pixel to capture images of laser speckle patterns on any surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The resultant two-dimensional images can be displayed on a color monitor and superimposed on images of the tissues
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention concerns an OCI medical device (100) comprising the following elements: - a coherent light source (120), - a 2D light sensor (120), - a screen (110) that displays OCI map and/or mixture map, - a processing unit that calculates the OCI map; all said elements being included in a single movable unit. The invention also relates to the use of said OCI medical device.