Surgical Microscope Temporal Switching for Clear Image Details
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscopes face challenges in providing clear and unobstructed visualization of multiple image modalities, such as white light and fluorescence, due to overlapping information that can obscure the recognition of complete image details.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope system that integrates an observation device and a visualization device capable of receiving and processing multiple image modalities, allowing for controlled temporal switching and blending of these modalities on a single visualization unit, ensuring congruent and complete information display without overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple image modalities are displayed simultaneously on the same visualization unit, then complete information is provided, but image details become obscured due to overlapping information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by sequentially switching between different image modalities (white light, fluorescence, etc.) in time-separated intervals. The visualization device displays one modality at a time in a cyclic manner, allowing each modality to be clearly perceived without overlap, while still providing access to all modalities through repeated cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the displayed modality changeable over time rather than static. The system dynamically switches between different image modalities based on predetermined sequences or user control, allowing the visualization to adapt and provide different information layers at different time points.
2Loss of information
If multiple image modalities are displayed simultaneously, then comprehensive information is available, but the complexity of the visualization system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic sequential display instead of simultaneous display, the system reduces visualization complexity while maintaining comprehensive information coverage. The same hardware resources are reused across different time intervals for different modalities, avoiding the need for multiple parallel visualization channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization device is designed to handle multiple image modalities through a universal display mechanism that can present different types of image data sequentially. This multi-functional approach allows one visualization unit to serve multiple purposes at different time points without requiring separate dedicated displays for each modality.
3Productivity
If image modalities are switched rapidly, then all information is presented efficiently, but the user cannot recognize complete image details
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action with carefully controlled switching intervals between modalities. Each modality is displayed for a sufficient duration to allow detailed recognition, then switches to the next modality in the sequence. This rhythmic switching pattern balances efficiency with comprehensibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity by implementing seamless transitions between modalities without complete interruption. The switching is designed to maintain continuous visual engagement while ensuring each modality receives adequate display time for detailed examination, creating an unbroken flow of information presentation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical microscope (2) comprising - an observation device (41) adapted to observe a patient and to generate images of a region of interest of the patient and - a visualization device (45) comprising an output to at least one visualization unit (49), wherein the visualization unit (49) is adapted to generate a visual presentation that can be viewed at a time by at least one viewer, wherein the visualization device (45) is adapted to prepare visualization, by outputting an output signal to the at least one visualization unit (49), of the images generated by the observation device (41) and/or images derived from the images generated by the observation device (41), wherein the visualization device (45) is adapted to receive at least two different input modalities of images of the region of interest comprising at least one modality defined by and/or derived from the images generated by the observation device (41), and is adapted to prepare visualization of a plurality of visualization modalities by outputting a modality output signal via an output to which a specific one of the at least one visualization unit (49) is connected during operation, and wherein the visualization device (45) is adapted to control the modality output signal to change in the course of time with respect to the modality of images to be visualized that is represented in a current state of the modality output signal.