Surgical Microscope Illuminating Arrangement for Slit and Red Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ophthalmologic surgical microscopes face challenges in providing both red reflection and slit illumination while maintaining a large workspace, as existing systems often require additional light sources and complex manipulation for slit illumination, which complicates sterile procedures and reduces workspace.

Innovation Solution

A surgical microscope design with an adjustable illuminating arrangement featuring a beam deflection unit, including a mirror and pivotable light exit section, allows for both red reflection and slit illumination configurations using a single light source, optimizing light incidence angles and minimizing structural space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a slit illuminating module is mounted on the side facing toward the object region ahead of the microscope main objective, then slit illumination with large inclined angle of incidence is achieved, but the free work space under the surgical microscope is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslit illumination qualityVSAvoidfree work space

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from lateral mounting (2D plane) to axial mounting (3D space) by directing illuminating light through the optical axis of the microscope main objective. This dimensional change allows slit illumination to be achieved without occupying lateral workspace, thereby resolving the contradiction between illumination quality and work space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The microscope main objective is designed to serve dual functions: both viewing and illuminating. By enabling the objective to transmit both stereoscopic beam paths and illuminating light, the system eliminates the need for separate illuminating modules, thus maintaining large work space while providing quality slit illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an additional light source is used for slit illumination, then slit illumination capability is achieved, but sterile manipulation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination modeVSAvoidsterile manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light source with the microscope main objective assembly, integrating the illumination function into the existing sterile field. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external light sources that would complicate sterile manipulation, while still enabling slit illumination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If the illuminating light passes through the cross sectional area of the microscope main objective in an area section surrounding the optical axis, then red reflection illumination with excellent contrast is achieved, but the ability to provide slit illumination is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvered reflection contrastVSAvoidillumination configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the illuminating arrangement, allowing the beam path to be repositioned between coaxial (for red reflection) and inclined (for slit illumination) configurations. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between different illumination modes without compromising either red reflection contrast or slit illumination quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The design enables excellent contrast in red reflection and slit illumination with a large workspace, facilitating efficient and sterile surgical procedures by adjusting light configurations without compromising the microscope's functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a beam deflection unit mounted on the side of the microscope main objective facing away from the object region in order to direct the illuminating light through the microscope main objective to the object region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8159743B2Surgical microscope having an illuminating arrangement

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a surgical microscope having a microscope main objective for the visualization of an object plane in an object region. The objective is passed through by a first stereoscopic component beam path and by a second stereoscopic component beam path. The ophthalmologic surgical microscope includes an adjustable illuminating arrangement which makes illuminating light available. The illuminating arrangement has an illuminating optic having a beam deflecting unit which is mounted on the side of the objective facing away from the object region in order to direct the illuminating light through the objective to the object region. In a first position of the illuminating arrangement, the illuminating light passes through the cross sectional area of the objective in an area section, which at least partially surrounds the optical axis of the first stereoscopic component beam path and/or the optical axis of the second stereoscopic component beam path.