Ophthalmic Microscope Illumination System with Coupled Intensity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic microscopes for eye surgery are difficult to operate and expensive, with suboptimal image quality due to complex illumination and observation systems that require separate and costly coaxial illuminations for generating a red reflex.
Innovation Solution
An illumination and observation system where the main illumination is provided in the second observation pupil, with a control subsystem to automatically adjust its intensity based on the coaxial illumination, allowing for a coupled intensity control that maintains a target ratio, thereby enhancing the stereoscopic red reflex without the need for additional expensive coaxial illuminations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate coaxial illuminations are provided for each observation pupil to generate red reflex, then the red reflex quality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple coaxial illuminations into a single main illumination system that serves both observation pupils. The main illumination is directed through the second observation pupil to generate red reflex, while also providing general illumination through the first observation pupil, thereby eliminating the need for separate coaxial illumination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The main illumination system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides general illumination for the first observation pupil and generates red reflex for the second observation pupil simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces system complexity while maintaining the quality of red reflex imaging.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of illumination intensity is used, then the system is simple in design, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining proper intensity ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control subsystem that automatically adjusts the intensity of the main illumination based on feedback regarding the desired intensity ratio. The control subsystem receives input about the current illumination state and automatically modifies the main illumination intensity to maintain the proper ratio, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while improving ease of operation.
3Illumination intensity
If the field of illumination of coaxial illumination is made smaller to concentrate light, then the red reflex contrast is improved, but the area of illumination decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function into two distinct components: the main illumination that provides a large field of illumination for general viewing, and the coaxial illumination component that concentrates light for red reflex generation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing the main illumination to provide broad coverage for the first observation pupil while concentrating the same illumination source through the second observation pupil to generate high-contrast red reflex. Different regions of the illumination system serve different quality requirements simultaneously.
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
Facilitates easier operation, reduces costs, and improves image quality by maintaining consistent contrast and intensity of the red reflex across observation pupils, enhancing the stereoscopic effect while eliminating the need for additional expensive coaxial illumination systems.
Implementation Method 1
A second type of illumination makes use of the characteristic of the eye's retina to provide a reddish-orange reflection of light called the red reflex. The red reflex is generated by an illumination, which is coaxial or at least closely coaxial, e.g. within +/- 5°, to the axis of an observer's pupil
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an Illumination and observation system (1), in particular for an ophthalmic microscope. The system comprises a first observation pupil (4) and a second observation pupil (5) for the eyes of an observer such as an assistant. Further, the system comprises a coaxial illumination (6) in the first observation pupil (4) and a main illumination (7), the coaxial illumination (6) being adapted to generate a red reflex (13) in the observed eye in operation and the main illumination having a larger field of illumination than the coaxial illumination (6, 10, 11). In order to facilitate usage of the system (1) and/or the microscope (2) and to create a superior stereoscopic view using the red reflex (13), a control subsystem (21, 27) is provided which is adapted to automatically adjust an intensity of the main illumination (7) depending on a change in an intensity of the coaxial illumination (6).