Surgical Microscope Illuminating Module OCT Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscopes with OCT systems face challenges in compact design and easy retrofitting, as well as efficient integration of OCT systems into illuminating modules, which complicates their structural integration and usage.
Innovation Solution
A surgical microscope design that includes an illuminating system with a field diaphragm, first and second lens assemblies, and an objective for imaging a parallel beam path, along with an in-coupling element for the OCT-scanning beam, allowing for a compact configuration and easy integration of the OCT system into the illuminating module, and a path-folding device for axis-near illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an OCT-system is integrated into a surgical microscope using a separate coupling arrangement with divider mirrors, then the OCT functionality can be added, but the device complexity and structural volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT-system is merged with the illuminating module by integrating the OCT light conductor directly into the illuminating module housing. The OCT scanning beam is coupled into the illuminating beam path through the field diaphragm region, combining two previously separate systems (OCT and illumination) into a single integrated module, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining OCT functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminating module is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides surgical illumination through the field diaphragm and simultaneously serves as the coupling interface for the OCT-scanning beam. The field diaphragm region acts as a universal interface for both illumination light and OCT scanning beam, allowing the same structural component to fulfill multiple optical functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If an OCT-system is integrated into a surgical microscope with separate coupling components, then OCT scanning can be performed, but the overall system volume and structural footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT light conductor is nested within the illuminating module housing, with the light conductor exit region positioned within the field diaphragm region. This nesting arrangement allows the OCT-system components to be housed within the existing illuminating module volume, eliminating the need for separate OCT coupling components and reducing overall system volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If the OCT-scanning beam is coupled into the illuminating beam path via a divider mirror, then the OCT beam can be directed through the objective, but the ease of manufacture and assembly are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The complex divider mirror coupling arrangement is extracted and replaced by directly positioning the OCT light conductor exit within the field diaphragm region of the illuminating module. This extraction of the coupling function from a separate component and its integration into the existing field diaphragm structure simplifies assembly and manufacturing by eliminating the need for precise divider mirror alignment
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 enables a compact and easily retrofittable surgical microscope with improved OCT system integration, facilitating efficient scanning and illumination, particularly advantageous for ophthalmologic procedures by allowing axis-near illumination and adjustable OCT scanning planes.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating optic which can image the field diaphragm to a parallel imaging beam at infinity. The illuminating optic includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly
Implementation Method 2
an illuminating mirror for directing the illuminating light, which exits from the field diaphragm, with a parallel imaging beam through the microscope main objective to the object region
Implementation Method 3
an OCT-system (optical coherence tomography) which generates an OCT-scanning beam from laser beam radiation
Implementation Method 4
The OCT-system includes an analyzing unit for evaluating interference signals. 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 results because of the superposition
Implementation Method 5
an in-coupling element for coupling the OCT-scanning beam into the illuminating beam path, which is arranged between the first and the second lens assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical microscope (100) has an illuminating module (120). The illuminating module contains an illuminating optic which images a field diaphragm (124) to a parallel illuminating beam path at infinity. The field diaphragm (124) is illuminated by a light source. The illuminating optic includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly which functions to image the field diaphragm (124) into the object region (108) via the microscope main objective (101) of the surgical microscope (100). An in-coupling element (128) is provided between the first lens assembly (125) and the second lens assembly (126) and this in-coupling element couples the OCT-scanning beam into the illuminating beam.