Surgical Microscope Tube with Telesystem Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscope tubes face challenges in achieving good ergonomic characteristics and imaging quality due to limitations in optical path length and image field curvature, which restricts the inclusion of additional optical components and affects user comfort and viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a telesystem tube lens configuration with a lens unit of positive refractive power and a lens unit of negative refractive power, where the first and second mirror elements are positioned between these lens units to reduce optical path length and allow for additional structural space, enabling better ergonomic design and improved imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional tube lens system with only positive refractive power is used, then the optical path length is sufficient for component placement, but the tube length becomes excessively long and image field curvature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a lens unit with negative refractive power into the tube lens system. This changes the optical parameters of the system, allowing the optical path length to be significantly shortened while maintaining adequate space for mirror elements and other components. The negative refractive power counteracts the positive refractive power of other lens units, effectively reducing the overall optical path length and enabling a more compact, ergonomic tube design.
2Ease of operation
If the optical path length is shortened to improve ergonomics, then structural space for additional components is reduced, but image field curvature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by incorporating a lens unit with negative refractive power that is specifically designed to correct image field curvature. This lens unit's negative refractive power compensates for the positive field curvature produced by other lens units in the system. By carefully selecting the refractive power and positioning this lens unit within the shortened optical path, the patent achieves both compact ergonomics and proper image field flatness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mirror elements are positioned to allow larger pivot angles, then vignetting is reduced, but the optical path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a lens unit with negative refractive power to compress the optical path length. This allows mirror elements to be positioned at optimal angles for large pivot ranges without increasing the overall tube length. The negative refractive power effectively folds the optical path, enabling mirrors to be placed closer together while maintaining the necessary angular adjustment range without vignetting.
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 significantly shortens the optical path length, reduces image field curvature, and provides structural space for additional components, enhancing both ergonomic and imaging qualities by allowing larger pivot angles without vignetting, thus improving user comfort and viewing experience.
Implementation Method 1
a lens unit (68l, 68r) of positive refractive power
Implementation Method 2
a lens unit (69l, 69r) of negative refractive power
Implementation Method 3
The tube (1) contains a first adjustable mirror element (71) and a second adjustable mirror element (73)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tube for a surgical microscope. The tube has a base part, an intermediate part, which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the base part, and an ocular part which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the intermediate part. The imaging beam path is guided through the base part, the intermediate part and the pivotable ocular part. The tube has a tube lens system which transfers a parallel imaging beam paths into an intermediate image. The parallel imaging beam path enters via an opening in a connecting piece of the base part. The tube has a first displaceable mirror element which can be moved about the rotational axis on the base part. The tube lens system is a telesystem which has a lens unit having positive refractive power and a lens unit having negative refractive power.