Ophthalmic Microscope Illumination System Reducing Stereoscopic Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic microscopes for eye surgery lack superior observation properties, being difficult to operate and expensive, with suboptimal image quality for stereoscopic perception.
Innovation Solution
The illumination and observation system employs separate light sources for each observation pupil, with the main illumination overlapping at least 50% with the coaxial illumination in other pupils to enhance stereoscopic quality, using LEDs arranged in a geometric pattern and a control subsystem to adjust intensities for optimal red reflex generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used for coaxial illumination in all observation pupils, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and stereoscopic perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into separate light sources for each observation pupil. Each pupil receives light from its own dedicated light source, allowing independent optimization of illumination parameters for each observer's stereoscopic perception requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each observation pupil receives customized illumination with specific properties tailored to that pupil's requirements. The main illumination is optimized for the second pupil while coaxial illuminations are optimized for the first, third and fourth pupils, creating local quality variations that improve overall system performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If coaxial illumination is used in all observation pupils, then red reflex quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing coaxial illumination to all four observation pupils, the system applies coaxial illumination only to three pupils (first, third, and fourth) while using main illumination for the second pupil. This partial application achieves the red reflex quality improvement without the full complexity and cost of universal coaxial illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The main illumination serves multiple functions: it provides primary illumination for the second observation pupil and simultaneously contributes to generating red reflex in that pupil. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated coaxial illumination in all pupils.
3Manufacturing precision
If main illumination field is reduced to match coaxial illumination, then red reflex homogeneity improves, but overall illumination coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system applies different field sizes to different observation pupils. The main illumination provides a large field for the second pupil while coaxial illuminations provide appropriately sized fields for the other pupils, allowing each pupil to receive optimal illumination characteristics for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination fields are segmented and independently controlled for each observation pupil. This allows the main illumination to maintain its large field coverage while coaxial illuminations are optimized for their respective pupils, avoiding the compromise that would result from uniform field sizing.
4Manufacturing precision
If separate light sources are used for each observation pupil, then stereoscopic perception and image quality improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into separate light sources for each observation pupil, with each light source independently controllable. This segmentation enables optimized stereoscopic perception for each observer while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light source is equipped with independent intensity control, allowing dynamic adjustment of illumination parameters. This dynamic control enables real-time optimization of stereoscopic perception quality without requiring permanent structural changes to the system.
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
This configuration improves stereoscopic perception by generating a strong, homogeneous red reflex, enhancing image quality without the need for expensive coaxial illumination systems, allowing for adjustable intensity settings for optimal observer experience.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first, second, third and fourth observation pupil is associated with a separate light source
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an Illumination and observation system (1) for a microscope (2), in particular a microscope for performing eye surgery, a microscope and a microscopying method. The Illumination and observation system (1) comprises a first, second, third and fourth observation pupil (4, 5, 8, 9) for the eyes of two observers such as a surgeon and an assistant, a coaxial illumination (6, 10, 11) in the first, third and fourth observation pupil (4, 8, 9) to generate a red reflex (13) in the first, third and fourth observation pupil (4, 8, 9), and a main illumination (7) in the second observation pupil (5). In order to provide a wide illumination of the surroundings, the main illumination has a larger field of illumination than the coaxial illumination (6, 10, 11) in any of the first, third and fourth observation pupil (4, 8, 9). To provide superior observation quality, in particular for the observer using the second observation pupil (5) and further to be able to generate a visible and homogenous red reflex in the second observation pupil (5), it is provided according to the invention that the main illumination overlaps at least 50 % with the second observation pupil (5) to generate a red reflex (13) in the second observation pupil (5). Further improvements relate to align the main illumination (7) within ±5° to an optical axis (12) of the second observation pupil (5) and to overlap the coaxial illumination (6, 10, 11) at least 50 % with the respective first, third and fourth observation pupil (4, 8, 9).