Surgical Microscope Autofocus Using User-Defined Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes face challenges in autofocus functionality, as they typically rely on predefined image areas, which may not align with the surgeon's area of interest, leading to focus on unintended regions during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows surgeons to manually define an area of interest using anatomical features, employing machine-learning algorithms for image segmentation and object detection to track and maintain focus on specified features, even if the field of view changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a predefined image area is used as focus reference for autofocus, then the autofocus function can operate automatically, but the focus may be set on areas other than the surgeon intended when the area of interest is not within the predefined area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static predefined autofocus area into a dynamic, user-defined area. The system allows the surgeon to interactively select the area of interest through various input methods (pointing, voice, gaze tracking), enabling the autofocus area to adapt to different surgical scenarios and maintain focus accuracy throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the surgeon's input (through pointing devices, voice commands, or gaze tracking) is processed to identify the area of interest. The system then provides visual feedback by highlighting the detected area and adjusts the autofocus accordingly, ensuring the surgeon's intended area is in focus.
2Device complexity
If the autofocus area is fixed in space, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt when the area of interest moves or when the field of view changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by continuously updating the autofocus area based on real-time information about the area of interest. When the surgeon changes the field of view or the area of interest moves, the system detects this change and automatically adjusts the autofocus area to follow the surgeon's attention, maintaining focus accuracy without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of the area of interest using various input methods before initiating autofocus. By pre-determining the area of interest through user input (pointing, voice, or gaze), the system prepares the autofocus parameters in advance, enabling rapid and accurate focus adjustment when needed.
3Measurement precision
If the surgeon manually selects the area of interest, then the focus accuracy is improved, but the surgical workflow is interrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service autofocus by enabling the system to automatically identify and track the area of interest without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system uses the surgeon's natural behaviors (pointing, voice commands, or gaze patterns) as input, processes this information automatically, and adjusts focus autonomously, thereby maintaining focus accuracy while minimizing workflow interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous autofocus operation by continuously monitoring and adapting to the area of interest. Instead of requiring discrete manual selections that interrupt the surgical workflow, the system operates continuously in the background, automatically tracking the area of interest and adjusting focus as needed, thus eliminating gaps in the useful action of maintaining focus.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to a surgical microscope system, and to a system, a method, and a computer program for a microscope of a surgical microscope system. The system is configured to the system is configured to obtain imaging sensor data from at least one optical imaging sensor of the microscope. The system is configured to determine information on an area of interest of a user of the surgical microscope system based on an input of the user. The system is configured to determine an anatomical feature of interest within the area of interest. The system is configured to detect a position of the anatomical feature of interest within the imaging sensor data. The system is configured to trigger an autofocus functionality of the microscope to focus on the position of the anatomical feature of interest.