Virtual Image Display System for Endoscopic Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgery methods require surgeons to constantly adjust their viewing angle, leading to eye and neck fatigue, and increased surgical risk due to the fixed position of the monitor, which complicates the control of surgical devices, especially for less-experienced surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A virtual image display system that includes an infrared light source, image sensing module, and virtual image display module, allowing surgeons to wear a headset with a beam splitting unit that overlays surgical information onto their field of view, reducing the need for constant monitor observation and enabling more comfortable and precise surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed monitor is used for endoscopic surgery, then surgical information can be displayed, but the surgeon experiences eye and neck fatigue due to the need to constantly adjust viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed external monitor in three-dimensional space to a virtual image display system that projects surgical images directly onto the surgeon's retina through optical elements (beam splitting unit, condensing lens). This dimensional change from external observation to direct visual overlay eliminates the need for head and eye movement to maintain viewing angle, thereby resolving the contradiction between information display and viewing comfort.
2Reliability
If a fixed monitor is used for endoscopic surgery, then surgical information can be displayed, but surgical precision decreases due to difficulty in controlling sense of direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the surgical image feed with the surgeon's direct view of the surgical site by using a beam splitting unit to combine the optical paths. This allows the surgeon to simultaneously see both the real surgical field and the processed surgical images overlaid in the same visual plane, improving spatial orientation and directional control without requiring separation between monitor viewing and surgical operation.
3Ease of operation
If a virtual image display system is implemented, then viewing comfort and surgical precision are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitting unit as an intermediary optical component that separates and then recombines light paths between the surgical camera feed and the surgeon's direct vision. This intermediary element enables the complex function of overlaying virtual images without requiring a complete redesign of the surgical visualization system, thereby managing device complexity while achieving improved viewing comfort and surgical precision.
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
The system reduces eye and neck fatigue, improves surgical precision, and shortens surgical training time by allowing surgeons to maintain a comfortable viewing angle and focus on the surgical site without needing to constantly adjust their gaze, thereby reducing surgical risks and instrument control challenges.
Implementation Method 1
the beam splitting unit causes at least a part of the object beam to be transmitted to the eye, and the beam splitting unit causes at least a part of the image beam to be transmitted to the eye to display a virtual image
Implementation Method 2
The at least one infrared light source is configured to emit at least one infrared light to a tissue having a vein
Implementation Method 3
The at least one image sensing module is configured to receive the infrared light from the tissue so as to sense an image of the vein
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual image display system adapted for venipuncture applications is provided. The virtual image display system includes at least one infrared light source, at least one image sensing module, and at least one virtual image display module. The at least one infrared light source is configured to emit at least one infrared light to a tissue having a vein. The at least one image sensing module is configured to receive the infrared light from the tissue so as to sense an image of the vein. The at least one virtual image display module is disposed in front of at least one eye of a user. The at least one virtual image display module includes an image display unit configured to show an image of the vein to the at least one eye of the user.