Surgical Microscope Distance Visualization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical operating microscopes lack effective visualization of the distance between surgical instruments and predetermined structures within the target area during eye surgery, making it difficult for surgeons to maintain precise control and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A visualization system that includes a measuring device to determine the distance between a surgical instrument and a predetermined structure, generating a first view (e.g., top view) and a second view (e.g., side or sectional view) that automatically switches display modes based on distance thresholds, with the second view being optically highlighted when the instrument approaches the structure, ensuring the surgeon has a clear visual representation of the distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a stereo surgical microscope is used to provide a stereoscopic top view of the target area, then the surgeon can orientate himself well in the target area, but the surgeon cannot visually grasp the distance of the surgical instrument to a predetermined structure in the target area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second view that is transverse or non-parallel to the first top view, providing a side or sectional perspective. This dimensional change allows the surgeon to perceive depth and distance information that is not visible in the conventional top-down stereoscopic view alone, thereby resolving the information loss about instrument-to-structure distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that automatically manages the switching between different display modes based on measured distance values. This intermediary handles the complexity of multi-view management and distance threshold monitoring, allowing the surgeon to benefit from enhanced distance visualization without directly managing the system complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple views are represented simultaneously to provide both overview and distance information, then the surgeon can maintain orientation and assess distance, but the display complexity and information overload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between display modes based on the measured distance between the surgical instrument and the predetermined structure. When the distance exceeds a threshold, the system displays the first view (top view) for orientation; when the distance falls below the threshold, it switches to the second view (side/sectional view) for distance assessment. This dynamic adaptation simplifies display management by showing only the relevant view at each surgical stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies optical highlighting specifically to the second view when it is represented, making it visually distinct from the first view. This local enhancement of visual properties (brightness, size, or position) allows the surgeon to quickly identify which view is active and what type of information is being presented, easing the cognitive load of managing multiple views.
3Measurement precision
If the second view is optically highlighted to emphasize distance information, then the surgeon can clearly perceive the distance to the predetermined structure, but the visual contrast and potential distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical highlighting of the second view is applied dynamically only when distance measurement is critical (when the instrument approaches the predetermined structure below the threshold distance). During phases where overview is more important, the system reverts to displaying only the first view without highlighting, thereby minimizing visual distraction while maximizing distance perception precision when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for visualizing a three-dimensional target area of an object with a measuring device which determines a distance of a surgical instrument in a target area with respect to a predetermined structure in the target area, a display unit for representing the views, and a control unit. The control unit controls the display unit such that the display unit is in a first display mode when a determined distance is greater than a predetermined first limit value, and switches from the first display mode into a second display mode when the determined distance changes from being greater than a predetermined second limit value, which is smaller than or equal to the predetermined first limit value, to smaller than the predetermined second limit value.