Stereoscopic Camera Fluorescence Strobing Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical visualization tools, such as surgical loupes and microscopes, are cumbersome and restrictive, causing discomfort and fatigue for surgeons during prolonged procedures, and limiting their mobility and flexibility.
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 and automatic adjustment, allowing for a wide variety of multi-axis orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical loupes with magnifying lenses and light sources are used, then magnification capability is improved, but weight and mobility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy magnifying lenses and light sources from the surgeon's head-mounted loupes and relocates them to a separate, stationary surgical microscope system. This allows the surgeon to perform microsurgeries without carrying the weight of magnification equipment, while the microscope remains fixed in the operating room to provide magnification when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical visualization system is segmented into two independent components: a stationary surgical microscope that provides magnification and a mobile surgical tool that the surgeon controls. This segmentation allows the heavy magnification equipment to remain fixed while the surgeon moves freely with lighter instrumentation.
2Measurement precision
If surgical microscopes with large optical arrays are used, then magnification capability is improved, but operating space and surgeon mobility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the surgical microscope from above the patient's head to the side of the operating table, utilizing horizontal space rather than vertical space. This dimensional change allows the large optical array to be accommodated without consuming the critical vertical operating space needed for surgical instrument manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microscope is extracted from its traditional position directly over the patient, freeing up the vertical space above the patient for surgical instrument access and surgeon movement, while the microscope is relocated to the side where it provides magnification without interfering with the surgical field.
3Measurement precision
If surgical loupes are positioned on the surgeon's face, then visualization is improved, but comfort and fatigue are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnification and illumination equipment from the surgeon's face and positions it in a stationary location. The surgeon views the magnified surgical field through a monitor or display system, eliminating the weight and discomfort of head-mounted equipment while maintaining high-quality visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical head-mounted loupes with an electronic visualization system that uses cameras and displays. This substitution eliminates the physical burden on the surgeon's head while providing flexible, high-quality imaging of the surgical field.
4Extent of automation
If surgical tools are designed to dictate surgical flow, then procedural standardization is improved, but surgeon flexibility and adaptability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the surgical system with dynamic, adjustable components that can be reconfigured during surgery. The microscope and imaging system can be repositioned and reoriented to accommodate different surgical approaches and surgeon preferences, allowing standardization of equipment while maintaining flexibility in surgical technique.
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 in any position, with enhanced magnified views and reduced visual encumbrances, improving surgical precision and reducing fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation filter positioned in front of the near-infrared light source configured to enable light at indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence absorption wavelengths to pass through
Implementation Method 2
a light filter assembly having left and right filter magazines positioned respectively along the left and right optical paths and configured to selectively enable certain wavelengths of the light to pass through
Implementation Method 3
left and right image sensors configured to receive the filtered light and convert the filtered light into image data that is indicative of the received filtered light
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic camera with fluorescence strobing based visualization is disclosed herein. In an example, a stereoscopic camera is configured to provide a visible light mode for a first specified number of frames over a cycle by causing visible light reflected from a surgical site to be provided to left and right image sensors by activating a visible light source. The stereoscopic camera is also configured to provide a fluorescence mode for a second specified number of frames over the cycle by causing fluorescence emission light from the surgical site to be provided to the left and right image sensors by activating a near-ultraviolet light source. The stereoscopic camera switches between the visible light mode and the fluorescence mode based on the first and second specified number of frames. A processor superimposes image data corresponding to the fluorescence mode on subsequently received image data corresponding to the visible light mode.