STEREOSCOPIC ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE WORKSTATION

• US 20070121202A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TrueVision Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Riederer, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,339,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/377
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/22 Stereoscopic arrangements

Abstract

A stereoscopic microscope workstation providing high-resolution, real-time data to a display means. Various embodiments are disclosed including desktop and free-standing workstations. An image processing unit can be implemented, providing for natural orientation of the magnified image of the viewed object, also allowing rotation, cropping, filtering and other image manipulation features. Methods of performing a procedure utilizing the stereoscopic microscope workstation are disclosed, including a method of manipulating an object while viewing the object in a high-resolution real-time magnified image.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic microscope workstation for a user to view an object as a magnified image, comprising:

a stereomicroscope capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the object and providing a plurality of optical paths of the plurality of optical views thereof;

a stereoscopic image acquisition device acquiring the plurality of optical paths from the stereomicroscope and transmitting a real-time image data stream representing the plurality of optical paths; and

,

a display means receiving the real-time image data stream and displaying a stereoscopic magnified image of the object to the user.

2. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the real-time image data stream has a resolution of at least 1280×

720 pixels for at least two of the optical views of the plurality of optical views.

3. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the magnified image of the object is displayed in the same orientation as the object.

4. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising an image processing unit for manipulating the real-time image data stream prior to the display means receiving the real-time image data stream.

5. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 4, wherein the image processing unit for manipulating the real-time image data stream provides the user the ability to rotate, crop, invert, mirror and filter the real-time image data stream.

6. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 4, wherein the image processing unit for manipulating the real-time image data stream is affixed to the stereoscopic microscope workstation.

7. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the display means comprises a single flat LCD display, such that the user wears differently-polarized spectacles to achieve a stereoscopic view of the object in the magnified image.

8. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the display means comprises separate left and right views.

9. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic microscope workstation is configured in a free-standing configuration.

10. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising one or more deflective elements configured between the object and the stereomicroscope.

11. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising a deflective element to change a central optical axis of the plurality of optical paths.

12. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 11, further comprising a deflective element that can be rotated about one or more axes to provide a change in the location of the viewing point of the object in the magnified image.

13. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising a spectacles, wherein at least a portion of the spectacles is polarized, thereby providing a stereoscopic view of the magnified image of the object.

14. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising a holding means capable of holding the object, thereby controlling the position and motion of the optical views of the object.

15. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 14, wherein the holding means is a stage, and wherein the stage can quantify the relative distance of points-of-interest on the object to provide measurement capabilities.

16. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising a mounting system capable of controlling the position and motion of the optical views of the object.

17. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 16, wherein the mounting system can quantify the relative distance of points-of-interest on the object to provide measurement capabilities.

18. A stereoscopic microscope workstation for a user to view an object as a magnified image, comprising:

a stereomicroscope capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the object and providing a plurality of optical paths of the plurality of optical views thereof;

a stereoscopic image acquisition device acquiring the plurality of optical paths from the stereomicroscope and transmitting a high-resolution real-time image data stream representing the plurality of optical paths, wherein the high-resolution real-time image data stream has a resolution of at least 1280×

20 for at least two of the optical views in the plurality of optical views;

an image processing unit for manipulating the real-time image data;

a display means receiving the high-resolution real-time image data stream and displaying a stereoscopic magnified image of the object to the user; and

,

wherein the magnified image of the object is presented in the same orientation as the object.

19. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 18, further comprising a spectacles, wherein a portion of the spectacles are polarized, and wherein the display means comprises a single flat LCD display providing stereoscopic views of the magnified image of the object.

20. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 18, wherein the stereoscopic microscope workstation is configured in a free-standing configuration.

21. A method of performing a procedure upon an object by a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a stereoscopic microscope workstation, wherein the stereoscopic microscope workstation comprises;

a stereomicroscope capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the

object and providing a plurality of optical paths of the plurality of optical views thereof;

a stereoscopic image acquisition device acquiring the plurality of optical paths from the stereomicroscope and transmitting a high-resolution real-time image data stream representing the plurality of optical paths;

a display means receiving the high-resolution real-time image data stream and displaying a stereoscopic magnified image of the object to the user;

manipulating the object, wherein the manipulation of the object is viewed in high-resolution in real-time in the magnified image.

22. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 21, wherein the procedure performed by the user is medical surgery.