Ophthalmic Microscope Filtering for Vitreous Floater Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
During ophthalmic laser surgery, vitreous floaters are difficult to visualize due to weaker light reflection from floaters compared to background light, which includes Purkinje reflections and red reflections from the retina, making it challenging to accurately direct a laser beam for removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ophthalmic microscope with polarization and spectral filtering to suppress Purkinje and red reflections, enhancing the visibility of vitreous floaters by using crossed polarizers and spectral filters to eliminate unwanted light components, allowing clearer visualization of floaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional illumination is used to visualize the eye, then the overall structure is visible, but vitreous floaters are difficult to see due to weaker light reflection from floaters compared to background light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using spectral filtering to selectively transmit certain wavelengths while blocking others. The spectral filter is configured to pass wavelengths where floaters have stronger reflection and block wavelengths where background light (particularly red reflections from the retina) dominates, thereby enhancing floater visibility through parameter-based differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color changes through spectral filtering, where the filter selectively transmits specific wavelength ranges (colors) that enhance the contrast between floaters and background. By filtering out red spectral components and other background-dominant wavelengths, the system changes the color composition of the observed light to favor floater visibility
2Illumination intensity
If spectral filtering is used to reduce background light, then visibility of floaters improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ophthalmic microscope system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a general illumination device for viewing eye structures and as a specialized tool for visualizing floaters through spectral filtering. The spectral filter is integrated into the existing microscope optical path, allowing the same device to perform both general examination and enhanced floater detection without requiring separate systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If red spectral components are filtered out to reduce background interference, then floater visibility improves, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spectral filter is configured to block red spectral components (wavelengths where background light dominates) while transmitting other wavelengths. This parameter-based selection changes the energy distribution of transmitted light, reducing total light transmission but improving signal-to-noise ratio by eliminating wavelengths that contribute primarily to background interference
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
Improves the visibility of vitreous floaters by reducing background light interference, enabling precise laser targeting and effective removal of floaters.
Implementation Method 1
The spectral filter filters out red spectral components of the light
Implementation Method 2
the linear polarizer linearly polarizes the light to yield the light linearly polarized at a first axis
Implementation Method 3
The crossed polarizer cross polarizes the light reflected or scattered backwards from the eye to yield the light crossed polarized at a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis
Implementation Method 4
The ophthalmic microscope receives light reflected or scattered backwards from within the vitreous of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic surgical system for viewing an eye includes an ophthalmic microscope and a laser device. The ophthalmic microscope receives light reflected or scattered backwards from within the vitreous of the eye in order to provide an image of an object within the vitreous. The ophthalmic microscope includes a slit illumination source (which includes a light source and an optical element), a spectral filter, and oculars. The slit illumination source illuminates the eye with light, where the light source provides the light, and the optical element directs the light into the eye. The spectral filter filters out red spectral components of the light. The oculars receive the light from the eye in order to provide the image of the object. The laser device generates a laser beam to direct towards the object within the eye.