Ophthalmic Microscope Drive Coupling for Lens Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical microscope systems require separate adjustments for the surgical microscope and ophthalmic magnifier lens, making it difficult for an ophthalmologist to view the ocular fundus sharply with good contrast and high light intensity with a single operator-controlled unit.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical microscope system with a carrier unit for adjustable elevation, a drive for the surgical microscope, an adjustable ophthalmic magnifier lens system, and a drive coupling that synchronizes the movement of the surgical microscope and magnifier lens to maintain a constant distance and optimal image field without vignetting, allowing for motorized and electronically controlled adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate adjustments are made for the surgical microscope and ophthalmic magnifier lens, then each component can be optimized independently, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple operator actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment mechanisms of the surgical microscope and ophthalmic magnifier lens into a single integrated adjustment system. The coupling unit mechanically links the microscope carrier and magnifier lens holder, so that a single adjustment operation simultaneously positions both components, eliminating the need for separate adjustments and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated adjustment system serves multiple functions: it simultaneously adjusts the position of the surgical microscope and the ophthalmic magnifier lens, maintains proper optical alignment, and ensures both components work together as a unified system. This multi-functional approach simplifies the operator's task while maintaining system optimization
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgical microscope is moved to adjust working distance, then the distance between microscope and patient eye changes, but the position of the ophthalmic magnifier lens remains unchanged causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit merges the adjustment movements of the microscope carrier and magnifier lens holder, ensuring that when the working distance is adjusted, both components move in a coordinated manner to maintain proper optical alignment throughout the adjustment range
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic coordination between the microscope and magnifier lens positions. As the working distance changes, the coupling mechanism dynamically adjusts the relative positions of both components to maintain optimal optical alignment, rather than using fixed positional relationships
3Measurement precision
If the ophthalmic magnifier lens is adjusted independently, then the distance between magnifier lens and patient eye changes, but the surgical microscope position remains fixed causing image field vignetting
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit ensures that magnifier lens adjustment is merged with microscope position adjustment, so that focusing precision is achieved while simultaneously maintaining the full image field area without vignetting by coordinating both component positions
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the magnifier lens adjustment and microscope position. It translates the focusing adjustment into coordinated movements of both components, ensuring that precision focusing is achieved without causing image field vignetting
4Device complexity
If manual adjustment of both microscope and magnifier lens is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adjustment time increases and operator comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling combines multiple adjustment functions into a single operational interface, allowing the operator to adjust both microscope and magnifier lens positions simultaneously with one control mechanism, thereby reducing adjustment time while maintaining reasonable system structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic surgical microscope system (100) includes a surgical microscope (101). The surgical microscope (101) is accommodated on a carrier unit (109) so as to be adjustable in elevation in order to be able to adjust a work distance (124) between the surgical microscope (101) and a patient eye (120). A first drive (112) is provided for adjusting the elevation of the surgical microscope (101). The ophthalmic surgical microscope system (100) includes an ophthalmic ancillary module (114) having an adjustable ophthalmic magnifier lens (116). The work distance (125) between the ophthalmic magnifier lens (116) and the patient eye (120) can be adjusted with a second drive (117). A drive coupling (123) is provided which couples the first drive for adjusting elevation of the surgical microscope (101) to the second drive (117) for adjusting the ophthalmic magnifier lens (116).