Ophthalmologic Microscope Light Synchronization for Flicker-Free Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmologic microscopes face challenges in achieving better image quality due to flicker effects and inefficient synchronization between illumination and camera operations.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmologic microscope system with a spatial light modulator and synchronized illumination device, where the camera operates in free-running mode, generating multiple illumination pulses per frame to reduce flicker and improve image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera operates in triggered mode with synchronization to illumination pulses, then image quality is improved, but the frame rate is limited by the illumination pulse frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of triggering the camera based on illumination pulse timing (illumination master), the system inverts the relationship by making the camera the master device that operates in free-running mode, and synchronizing the illumination pulses to the camera's frame timing (camera master). This allows the camera to operate at its native high frame rate while the illumination is synchronized to avoid flicker, resolving the contradiction between high frame rate and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the synchronization parameter from illumination-driven to camera-driven. By using the camera's frame signal to control the illumination pulsing, the system decouples the frame rate from the illumination frequency, allowing independent optimization of both parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a single illumination pulse is used per frame, then synchronization is simple, but flicker effects irritate the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization controlVSAvoidflicker effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single illumination pulse per frame, the system segments the illumination into multiple pulses within each frame period. The control unit divides the frame interval into multiple sub-intervals and generates multiple illumination pulses, each synchronized to specific camera frame timing. This segmentation increases the effective illumination frequency while maintaining synchronization, thereby reducing flicker effects without significantly increasing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the illumination device is synchronized to camera frames, then image recording is optimized, but mechanical strain increases on synchronization components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage recording optimizationVSAvoidmechanical strain on components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with electronic synchronization using a control unit that processes frame signals and generates precise illumination timing controls. This electronic control approach eliminates mechanical wear and strain associated with traditional synchronization mechanisms while maintaining precise timing for optimized image recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

The system achieves higher frame rates with reduced flicker, enhancing image quality and reducing mechanical strain on components, while allowing for precise control of illumination patterns and brightness.

Implementation Method 1

A spatial light modulator: This part is structured to spatially modulate the light. It is an electronically controlled light modulator.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpatial light modulation:

Implementation Method 2

At least one electronic camera: The camera is adapted to record the projected image from the microscope optics.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4051083B1Ophthalmologic microscope with synchronized light source and camera

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HAAG STREIT AG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The ophthalmologic microscope has an illumination device (9) for projecting light onto an eye (10) to be observed and a microscope device (8) with a camera (16) to view the eye. The illumination device (9) generates pulsed light and is slaved to the frame rate of the camera (9), which allows to run the camera in free-running mode for achieving a high frame rate. The light is pulsed at least at twice the frame rate of the camera to reduce flicker. The illumination device (9) uses an array of micro-mirrors as spatial light modulator (24), and the mirrors are controlled for a balanced deflection over the frame cycles.