Surgical Microscope OCT Beam Alignment via Variable Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscopes with OCT systems struggle to provide a compact configuration for variable magnification while ensuring that the OCT-scanning beam accurately covers the same object region as the optical viewing beam, especially for uneven surfaces, and fail to maintain identical imaging scales between the optical viewing and OCT-scanning beams.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope design that integrates an imaging optic assembly with a variable magnification system and an OCT system, where the OCT-scanning beam is coupled into the viewing beam path using a divider mirror, and an afocal lens system is used to adjust the lateral resolution of OCT-data to match the viewing image, with adjustable optical components to align the OCT-scanning plane with the viewing plane, and multiple OCT systems operating at different wavelengths for enhanced tissue examination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the OCT-scanning beam is coupled into the illuminating beam path via a divider mirror, then the system configuration is simplified, but the OCT-scanning beam may not accurately cover the same object region as the optical viewing beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam expanding lens as an intermediary optical element between the divider mirror and the object region. This intermediary component adjusts the beam diameter of the OCT-scanning beam to match the beam diameter of the optical viewing beam, ensuring both beams cover the same object region while maintaining the simplified configuration of coupling through the divider mirror.
2Measurement precision
If a beam expanding lens is introduced to match beam diameters, then the OCT-scanning beam accurately covers the viewing beam region, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The beam expanding lens is designed with multi-functionality: it simultaneously expands the OCT-scanning beam to match the viewing beam diameter, maintains the collimated state of the scanning beam, and ensures proper positioning of the scanning plane. This consolidates multiple optical functions into a single component, minimizing the increase in system complexity while achieving accurate beam coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the imaging scale of the OCT-scanning beam is adjusted to match the optical viewing beam, then identical imaging scales are achieved, but additional adjustable optical components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging scale adjustment function with the existing variable magnification system of the surgical microscope. By coordinating the OCT-scanning beam imaging scale adjustment with the microscope's magnification changes, the system achieves identical imaging scales for both OCT and optical viewing without requiring completely separate adjustment mechanisms. This integration reduces the number of independent adjustable components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple OCT systems operating at different wavelengths are integrated, then enhanced tissue examination capability is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OCT examination capability into multiple wavelength-specific OCT systems, each optimized for different tissue types and penetration depths. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each wavelength channel while sharing common optical path infrastructure (beam expanding lens, divider mirror, scanning mechanisms), thereby achieving enhanced versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 allows for precise detection of depth images and maintains identical imaging scales, enabling clear visualization and adjustable resolution for different tissue structures, ensuring sharp imaging and optimal examination of various tissue types and penetration depths.
Implementation Method 1
an in-coupling element is provided which couples the OCT-scanning beam into the viewing beam in order to guide the OCT-scanning beam superposed on the viewing beam through the microscope imaging optic to the object region. Preferably, the in-coupling element is configured as a divider mirror
Implementation Method 2
The microscope imaging optic transposes a convergent viewing beam from the object region into a beam having parallel rays
Implementation Method 3
Laser radiation, which is radiated back into the specimen beam path because of scatter centers in the tissue, superposes the OCT-system with laser radiation from the reference beam path. An interference signal develops because of the superposition
Implementation Method 4
The unit for scanning contains two scan mirrors, which can be displaced about two movement axes, in order to scan a surgical region with the OCT-scanning beam
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical microscope (100) has viewing beams (109a, 109b) passing through a microscope imaging optic which includes a microscope main objective system (101) having a magnification system of variable magnification. The microscope imaging optic transposes a convergent viewing beam (109a, 109b) from the object region (114) into a parallel beam. The surgical microscope includes an OCT-system (120) for examining the object region (114). The OCT-system (120) makes available an OCT-scanning beam (190) which is guided through the microscope imaging optic.