Microscope-integrated OCT with Electrically Tunable Lens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic surgical microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face challenges in real-time visualization and guidance due to bulky designs, cumbersome operation, and lack of true surgical integration, making it difficult to aim regions-of-interest and provide effective intraoperative feedback during surgical maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A microscope-integrated intraoperative OCT system with an electrically tunable lens and heads-up display (HUD) for real-time feedback, incorporating telecentric optical design and split aperture approach to maintain parfocality and enhance ergonomics, allowing for visualization of instrument positions relative to tissue layers and integration of volumetric data during surgical maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional OCT systems are integrated with surgical microscopes, then imaging capability is provided, but the system becomes bulky and operationally cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidsystem bulkiness and operational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the OCT imaging system with the surgical microscope into a single integrated platform. The OCT scanner, light source, and detection systems are combined with the microscope's optical path and mechanical structure, allowing both imaging and surgical visualization functions to be performed through one unified device rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system provides multiple functions through a single device: surgical visualization through the microscope, OCT cross-sectional imaging, and real-time feedback during surgery. The system can switch between different imaging modes and provides both 2D microscopic views and 3D volumetric OCT data, making it a multi-functional surgical platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If OCT systems are integrated with surgical microscopes, then real-time imaging is provided, but true surgical integration and parfocality are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time imaging capabilityVSAvoidparfocality and spatial registration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with an electrically tunable lens that can rapidly change focal distance through electrical control. This allows the OCT system to electronically adjust focus and maintain parfocality with the microscope without complex mechanical movements, enabling real-time imaging while preserving spatial accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes optical parameters including focal distance, scan depth, and imaging plane position through electrical control of the tunable lens. These parameter adjustments allow the OCT system to adapt to different surgical depths and maintain accurate spatial registration with the microscopic field of view in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If traditional OCT systems are used during surgery, then imaging is provided, but effective intraoperative feedback and surgical guidance are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical information availabilityVSAvoidsurgical guidance effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback by displaying OCT images and surgical information through a heads-up display (HUD) that overlays critical data directly in the surgeon's field of view. The HUD presents processed OCT data, tissue depth information, and surgical instrument position feedback without requiring the surgeon to look away from the surgical site, enabling continuous monitoring and immediate surgical guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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, high-resolution imaging and guidance for ophthalmic surgery by maintaining parfocality with the surgical microscope, reducing system complexity, and providing effective visualization of surgical maneuvers, thus improving surgical precision and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically tunable lens positioned in the sample arm before any scanning optics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrically tunable lens effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

A telecentric optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning unit configured to scan a sample through at least one optical component associated with the surgical microscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTelecentric optical design: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS9848770B2Microscope-integrated OCT system with an electrically tunable focus

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

A surgical imaging system is provided. The surgical imaging system includes a surgical microscope and a telecentric optical coherence tomography scanning unit configured to scan a sample through at least one optical component associated with the surgical microscope.