Surgical Microscope Illuminating Arrangement for Red Reflex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes in ophthalmology face challenges in providing clear, contrast-rich illumination of the anterior section of the patient's eye, particularly in achieving a homogeneous red reflex and adjusting contrast effectively.
Innovation Solution
The surgical microscope employs a dual illuminating beam path system with a first beam path for axis-near illumination and a second beam path for axis-far illumination, using a partially transmissive mirror and adjustable diaphragms to generate a large, clear illuminating field with a red reflex, while minimizing retinal load and allowing for ergonomic control of light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single illuminating beam path is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adjust contrast and provide homogeneous illumination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminating arrangement is divided into two separate illuminating beam paths (first and second beam paths) that can be independently controlled. Each beam path has its own light exit unit and field diaphragm, allowing independent adjustment of illumination characteristics to achieve contrast control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable field diaphragms in both beam paths that can be dynamically positioned to control the illumination field size and shape. This dynamic adjustability allows the surgeon to optimize contrast and illumination homogeneity for different surgical conditions without requiring a completely different illuminating system
2Area of stationary object
If illuminating light is directed through the microscope main objective, then the illuminating field is large and clear, but retinal load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first light exit unit is positioned to direct illuminating light through the microscope main objective for large field illumination, while the second light exit unit provides an alternative illumination path that does not pass through the main objective. This segmentation allows the system to use the main objective path when large field size is needed while having the capability to switch to or combine with the alternative path to reduce retinal load
Solution Approach 2:
The system can change the illumination parameters by adjusting the field diaphragms and combining light from both beam paths. By controlling the size and intensity of the illumination field through the main objective, the system optimizes the balance between providing sufficient illuminating field size and minimizing retinal load through parameter adjustment rather than structural modification
3Area of stationary object
If the light exit plane is imaged directly into the object plane, then the illumination is simple, but the illuminating field is limited in size and clarity
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate image plane is introduced in the illuminating optic path between the light exit plane and the object plane. This intermediate plane allows for additional optical elements and field diaphragms to be positioned, enabling the system to expand and clarify the illuminating field while maintaining a manageable overall optical design through staged image formation
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
This configuration ensures a high-intensity, homogeneous red reflex with adjustable contrast, enhancing visibility of transparent structures in the anterior eye region while preventing retinal damage and providing a compact, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a first illuminating optic for imaging the light exit plane or a plane conjugated to the light exit plane into a first image plane
Implementation Method 2
a second illuminating optic for imaging the illuminating field diaphragm into a second image plane different from the first image plane
Implementation Method 3
using a partially transmissive mirror and adjustable diaphragms to generate a large, clear illuminating field with a red reflex
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical microscope (100) has an illuminating arrangement (110) which can guide illuminating light to the object region (105) with a first illuminating beam path (111) and with a second illuminating beam path (112). A light exit unit is provided in the first illuminating beam path (111). An illuminating field diaphragm is mounted in the second illuminating beam path. The first illuminating beam path (111) has an illuminating optic which images the light exit plane of the light exit unit or a plane conjugated to the light exit plane into a first image plane (350). An illuminating optic is provided in the second illuminating beam path (112) and this illuminating optic images the illuminating field diaphragm into a second image plane (250) different from the first image plane.