Surgical Microscope Assistant Scope Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical microscope systems interfere with the placement of an assistant scope due to the positioning of longitudinal and lateral sliders, limiting the assistant's observational positions around the microscope.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope system with a stand, including a first arm, a second arm with a pivot, longitudinal and lateral sliders, an objective lens system, a zoom lens system, reflectors, a beam splitter, and a rotary barrel with a third reflector, allowing the assistant scope to be detachably attached and rotated for unobstructed observation from various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If longitudinal and lateral sliders are positioned at the side face near the hanging arm to support the surgical microscope, then the weight balance is equalized around the pivot, but the light beam outlet cannot be formed at that side face, preventing attachment of the assistant scope
Solution Approach 1:
The assistant scope is moved from the lateral side face to the upper surface of the surgical microscope, utilizing a different spatial dimension. The optical path is extended upward through the beam splitter and rotary barrel positioned on the upper surface, allowing the assistant to observe from positions above or around the microscope without interfering with the lateral sliders.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the assistant scope is attached to the side face near the hanging arm, then the assistant can observe from various positions, but the longitudinal and lateral sliders interfere with forming the light beam outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple independent components: the main optical path through the objective and zoom lens systems, the beam splitter separating a portion of light upward, and the rotary barrel with third reflector for directional adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in configurations that avoid interference with the sliders.
3Ease of manufacture
If the assistant scope is attached only to the side face away from the hanging arm, then the sliders do not interfere with the light beam outlet, but the assistant is forced to stand at a limited position
Solution Approach 1:
The upper surface of the surgical microscope is designed to serve multiple functions: supporting the beam splitter, mounting the rotary barrel, and providing attachment points for the assistant scope. This multi-functional design allows the assistant scope to be positioned at various angles and orientations while maintaining a clear optical path, effectively replacing the limited side-face attachment option.
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 the assistant to observe the surgical field from any position around the microscope, including where the hanging arm is not present, without interference, facilitating effective surgical assistance.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens system vertically arranged
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens system vertically arranged
Implementation Method 3
a first reflector configured to horizontally reflect a pair of light beams from a surgical field
Implementation Method 4
a pair of second reflectors arranged below and above configured to reversely reflect the light beams from the zoom lens system
Implementation Method 5
a beam splitter configured to upward split a part of one of the light beams reversely reflected
Implementation Method 6
a third reflector configured to horizontally reflect the split light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical microscope has an upper face provided with a light beam outlet. An assistant scope is mounted on the light beam outlet, and is rotatable in a horizontal plane so as to direct in any direction in the plane.