OCT-Integrated Surgical Microscope Sub-Surface Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical microscopes in ophthalmic surgery lack the ability to provide adaptive, high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging necessary for precise visualization of sub-surface structures during procedures like cataract and cornea surgery, limiting their ability to guide surgeons effectively beyond surface visualization.
Innovation Solution
Integration of optical coherence tomography (OCT) into surgical microscopes, enabling telecentric scanning, independent control of focal position and magnification, and construction of multi-dimensional maps for precise visualization and metrology, along with clinically relevant computations displayed to guide surgeons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surgical microscopes are used for surface visualization, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but the ability to visualize sub-surface structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional surgical microscope functionality with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging capabilities into a single integrated system. This merging allows the surgical microscope to provide both surface visualization and sub-surface structural imaging, resolving the contradiction by adding advanced imaging capability without requiring a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical microscope is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional surface visualization through optical pathways and sub-surface imaging through integrated OCT technology. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address both surface and subsurface imaging needs, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through consolidation.
2Loss of information
If OCT is integrated into surgical microscopes for sub-surface imaging, then the visualization capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system segments imaging functions into distinct pathways: conventional optical pathways for surface visualization and separate OCT imaging pathways for sub-surface structures. This segmentation allows each imaging modality to be optimized independently while being coordinated through a unified control system, reducing the information loss without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that coordinates between the conventional microscope imaging and OCT imaging components. This intermediary controls the switching and integration of different imaging modes, managing the complexity of the integrated system while ensuring both surface and sub-surface information are captured and presented to the surgeon.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time OCT imaging is used during surgery, then the surgical accuracy is enhanced, but the productivity may be reduced due to additional imaging processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and structural mapping using OCT before the critical surgical intervention begins. This allows the surgical team to plan and prepare based on detailed sub-surface anatomy, improving surgical accuracy without requiring continuous real-time imaging during the entire procedure, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than continuous real-time imaging, the system uses periodic OCT imaging at key stages of the surgical procedure. This periodic action provides necessary sub-surface information at critical decision points, enhancing surgical accuracy while minimizing the time spent on imaging processing and maintaining overall surgical efficiency.
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
Enhances surgical accuracy, reduces risks, and improves outcomes by providing real-time sub-surface visualization and structural integrity assessment during ophthalmic surgeries, such as cataract and cornea procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is now a well-established technology for imaging beneath an optically translucent surface
Implementation Method 2
Optical coherence tomography imaging system includes a telecentric scanner assembly, a beam focus and magnification controller, and a controller
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for performing a surgical procedure using optical coherence tomography (OCT) including extracting lenticular material from within a capsular bag of the eye of a patient; placing a replacement lens within the capsular bag after extraction of the lenticular material from the capsular bag; acquiring a plurality of OCT images that visualize the placement of the replacement lens within the capsular bag; and determining from the plurality of OCT images a degree of contact of the posterior surface of the replacement lens with the posterior portion of the capsular bag.