Surgical Microscope Overlay Correction With External Reference Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical microscopes face challenges in accurately aligning preoperative image data with real-time images due to non-reproducible errors in magnification and focus changes, which affect the overlay precision in navigation systems, particularly when using optical viewing systems without a zero tube for calibration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional camera outside the beam path to capture overlapping regions with main cameras, allowing for the determination and correction of positional errors through image processing, using methods like correlation, feature extraction, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to align images in a common coordinate system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical viewing system with zero tube is used for calibration, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a second camera to capture a copy image of the surgical field, which serves as a reference for correcting positional deviations in the main camera's magnification and focus changes. This copying approach eliminates the need for complex optical viewing systems with zero tubes while maintaining alignment precision through digital image processing and coordinate system transformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If continuous magnification and focus changes are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-reproducible errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second camera continuously captures reference images, and the control unit calculates positional deviations between the main camera and second camera images. These deviations are used to dynamically correct the overlay of preoperative and intraoperative images, ensuring high precision even during continuous magnification and focus changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter reference frame from fixed optical mechanical calibration to dynamic digital coordinate system transformation. By continuously transforming coordinates based on real-time positional deviations detected through image processing, the system maintains overlay precision despite changes in magnification and focus parameters.
3Device complexity
If calibration is performed only at fixed magnification and focus settings, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static calibration approach into a dynamic correction system. Instead of performing calibration only at fixed magnification and focus settings, the system continuously detects positional deviations using the second camera and dynamically adjusts the overlay coordinates in real-time, enabling adaptability across all magnification and focus settings without increasing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a surgical microscope and microscope are disclosed, wherein at least one main image of a capture region, which is imaged through a beam path of an imaging optical unit of the surgical microscope, is captured by means of at least one main camera arranged in or at the beam path, wherein at least one additional image is captured by means of at least one additional camera arranged outside the beam path, wherein a capture region of the at least one additional camera at least partially overlaps with the imaged capture region of the at least one main camera, wherein the captured at least one main image and additional image are compared by an image processing device, and wherein, at least one correction parameter for the at least one main image is determined and provided.