Stereoscopic Camera Fluorescence Visualization Microsurgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microsurgery visualization tools, such as surgical loupes and microscopes, are cumbersome and restrictive, causing discomfort and limiting the mobility of surgeons due to their weight and bulkiness, while also dictating the surgeon's position and view, which can hinder precise control and flexibility during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic visualization camera and platform that decouples microsurgery visualization from the surgeon's head and eyes, providing full-range, operator-independent orientation and internalizing microscope optical elements for manual or automatic adjustment, allowing for a lightweight, maneuverable, and flexible viewing system that can be positioned optimally for the surgeon's comfort and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical loupes with magnifying lenses and light sources are used, then magnification and visualization capability are improved, but weight increases causing discomfort and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy magnifying lenses and light sources from the surgeon's head-mounted equipment and relocates them to a separate overhead microscope system, thereby reducing the weight on the surgeon's face while maintaining visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an overhead microscope as an intermediary device that provides magnification and illumination without being worn by the surgeon, acting as a mediator between the surgeon's needs and the visualization requirements
2Measurement precision
If surgical microscopes with large arrays of optical elements are used, then magnification and visualization are improved, but the bulkiness consumes considerable operating space above the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microscope system into modular components including separate optical paths, lens sets, and imaging sensors that can be independently adjusted, allowing compact configuration while maintaining high magnification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space above the patient more efficiently by arranging optical elements in multiple layers and using telecentric optical paths that maintain parallel light rays, reducing the horizontal footprint while preserving magnification
3Measurement precision
If traditional visualization tools are used, then magnification is provided, but the surgeon's mobility and positioning flexibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visualization system from the surgeon's body (head-mounted position) and relocates it to a mobile overhead platform, freeing the surgeon from fixed positioning requirements and enabling greater mobility during surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable overhead microscope system with motorized positioning and articulation that can adapt to different surgical scenarios and surgeon preferences, providing flexibility without sacrificing magnification quality
4Use of energy by moving object
If surgical loupes with cables connected to remote power supply are used, then power supply is ensured, but the cable acts as a chain limiting surgeon mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the restrictive cable connection from the surgeon's equipment and replaces it with wireless power and data transmission systems, eliminating the physical chain that limited mobility while maintaining reliable power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with wireless electromagnetic energy and data transmission, substituting a flexible wireless system for the rigid mechanical constraint of the cable
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
Enables surgeons to perform microsurgeries comfortably and with enhanced precision without the restrictions of traditional visualization tools, providing a virtually flawless three-dimensional stereoscopic display that reduces fatigue and improves surgical efficiency by allowing optimal positioning and movement during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a near-infrared light source positioned to transmit near-infrared light through the main objective assembly to the target surgical site
Implementation Method 2
a visible light source positioned to transmit visible light through the main objective assembly to the target surgical site
Implementation Method 3
left and right lens sets defining respective parallel left and right optical paths along the optical axis and configured to form the respective optical paths from light that is received from the main objective assembly of the target surgical site
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic camera with fluorescence visualization is disclosed. An example stereoscopic camera includes a visible light source, a near-infrared light source, and a near-ultraviolet light source. The stereoscopic camera also includes a light filter assembly having left and right filter magazines positioned respectively along left and right optical paths and configured to selectively enable certain wavelengths of light to pass through. Each of the left and right filter magazines includes an infrared cut filter, a near-ultraviolent cut filter, and a near-infrared bandpass filter. A controller of the camera is configured to provide for a visible light mode, an indocyanine green (“ICG”) fluorescence mode, and a 5-aminolevulinic acid (“ALA”) fluorescence mode by synchronizing the activation of the light sources with the selection of the filters. A processor of the camera combines image data from the different modes to enable fluorescence emission light to be superimposed on visible light stereoscopic images.