Surgical Microscope Numerical Aperture Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes often fail to provide optimal image quality due to iris settings not being adapted to the specific surgical scenario, leading to suboptimal trade-offs between image resolution and depth of field, and manual adjustments can be burdensome and result in image quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the depth characteristic of a surgical site and adjusts the numerical aperture of the microscope to match the desired depth of field, taking into account the surgical scenario and personal preferences of the surgeon, using sensors and image processing to optimize iris settings automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the iris opening is made bigger to increase light transmission and image resolution, then the depth of field decreases, but if the iris opening is made smaller to increase depth of field, then image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the iris opening size variable rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the iris aperture based on real-time analysis of surgical site characteristics, allowing the microscope to dynamically optimize the balance between resolution and depth of field for different surgical scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of iris opening size based on surgical site depth characteristics. By analyzing the three-dimensional structure and depth variations of the surgical site, the system adjusts the numerical aperture parameter to achieve optimal image quality for the specific surgical context
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of the iris is implemented to optimize image quality, then the image resolution and depth of field can be optimized, but the operational burden on the surgeon increases and image quality may degrade due to improper adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the microscope system to automatically adjust its own iris settings without surgeon intervention. The system analyzes surgical site characteristics and autonomously optimizes the numerical aperture, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining optimal image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by continuously analyzing images of the surgical site and adjusting the iris settings based on the analyzed depth characteristics. This closed-loop system ensures optimal image quality is maintained throughout the surgical procedure without requiring manual intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples relate to a system (110), method, and computer program for a surgical microscope system (100), and to a corresponding surgical microscope system (100). The system is configured to determine a depth characteristic of a surgical site (10) being imaged using a microscope (120). The system is configured to adjust a numerical aperture of the microscope (120) based on the depth characteristic of at least a portion of the surgical site (10).