Operation lamp with camera system for 3D referencing

• US 20030164953A1
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Bauch, Thomas, Vilsmeier, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 7,224,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/611
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for the combined shadow-free illumination of a pre-definable area and for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates, and to an active or passive referencing system, each in particular for referencing surgical or medical instruments. The system is characterized in that at least two cameras and the light source (operation lamp) are held together such that the optical signals detected by the cameras, for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates in the area illuminated by the light source, can be evaluated. Since the field of view of the light source, in its conventional use, is not obscured or only negligibly obscured, this field of view can simultaneously be used for optical navigation by the cameras held together with the light source. In accordance with the invention, the cameras are automatically aligned optimally for optical navigation.

The cameras can be rigidly or flexibly connected to the light source. The position and/or orientation of the cameras can be adjustable.

Claims

1. A system for the combined, shadow-free illumination of a pre-definable area (A) and for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates, in particular of surgical or medical instruments, comprising:

a light source (15) for the shadow-free illumination of said area; and

at least two cameras (1-4) for detecting optical signals,

wherein said light source and said cameras are held together such that said optical signals may be evaluated, for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates in said illuminated area (A).

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two cameras (1, 2) are arranged outside a casing (9) of the light source and near a circumferential edge of said casing, such that the sight of said cameras onto said illuminated area (A) is not obstructed by sections of said casing.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two cameras (3, 4) are integrated in said casing (9) of said light source, viewing windows being respectively provided for said cameras on sections of said casing where no illuminating means (5) of said light source (15) are arranged.

4. The system as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light source (15) and at least two cameras are rigidly connected to each other such that said light source and said cameras may be moved together.

5. The system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the orientation and/or position of at least two cameras may be adjusted relative to said light source (15).

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein at least two cameras (1, 2;

3, 4) arranged respectively on opposite sides of said light source (15) may be moved together, an inclination angle of said cameras being adjustable, in the opposite direction, with respect to the center of said light source.

7. The system as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two cameras are arranged substantially point-symmetrically with respect to said center of said light source (15).

8. The system as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cameras are provided with infrared transmission filters in order to detect infrared radiation reflected by reflectors or emitted by light sources, the infrared portion of said light emitted from said light source (15) being at least in part filtered out.

9. The system as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three cameras, wherein an evaluation circuit is provided to evaluate the signals detected by said cameras, in order to detect when the field of view of at least one camera is obstructed, and in order—

for referencing—

to change from said respective camera with the obstructed field of view to another camera of said plurality of cameras, whose field of view is not obstructed.

10. A reflector referencing system for surgical or medical instruments and for apparatus for treatment, comprising:

at least two cameras (1-4);

a computational unit (11) connected to said cameras, for evaluating said camera signals and for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates;

a radiation source for infrared radiation; and

a group of reflectors comprising at least two reflectors for said infrared radiation;

wherein said cameras detect said infrared radiation reflected by said group of reflectors characterized in that said at least two cameras (1-4) and a light source (15) for the shadow-free illumination of an area are held together in such a way that said optical signals may be evaluated, for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates in said illuminated area (A).

11. A referencing system for surgical or medical instruments and for apparatus for treatment, comprising:

at least two cameras (1-4);

a computational unit (11) connected to said cameras, for evaluating said camera signals and for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates;

a group of radiation sources comprising at least two radiation sources for said infrared radiation, wherein said cameras detect said infrared radiation emitted by said group of radiation sources characterized in that said at least two cameras (1-4) and a light source (15) for the shadow-free illumination of an area are held together in such a way that said optical signals may be evaluated, for referencing three-dimensional spatial co-ordinates in said illuminated area (A).