STEREOSCOPIC ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE WORKSTATION

• US 20070121203A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TrueVision Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Riederer, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,358,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/377
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/22 Stereoscopic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/367 providing an output produced by processing a plurality of individual source images, e.g. image tiling, montage, composite images, depth sectioning, image comparison
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00

Abstract

A stereoscopic microscope workstation providing high-resolution, real-time video signals to a display means. 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 performing a procedure of simultaneously utilizing both foveal vision and peripheral vision.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic microscope workstation for a user to view an object as a stereoscopic 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;

one or more high-resolution cameras for acquiring the plurality of optical paths from the stereomicroscope and transmitting one or more real-time video signals representing the plurality of optical paths, wherein the one or more real-time video signals having a resolution of at least 1280×

720 pixels for at least one of the optical views thereof; and

,

one or more high-resolution display means receiving the one or more real-time video signals and displaying a magnified image of the object to the user, where at least one of the one or more high-resolution display means having a resolution of at least 1280×

720 pixels.

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

3. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, further comprising one or more deflective elements 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.

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

5. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 1, wherein the one or more high-resolution 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.

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

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

8. 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 for the user.

9. 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.

10. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 9, 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.

11. 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.

12. The stereoscopic microscope workstation of claim 11, wherein the mounting system can quantify the relative distance of points-of-interest on the object to provide measurement capabilities.

13. 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 real-time image data stream and displaying a stereoscopic magnified image of the object to the user;

focusing on the magnified image with the user'"'"'s foveal vision; and

,

viewing a manipulation of a tool with the user'"'"'s peripheral vision, while not losing foveal vision focus on the magnified image of the object.

14. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 13, wherein the manipulation of the tool comprises changing a hand tool.

15. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 13, wherein the manipulation of the tool comprises positioning the tool closer to the object.

16. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 13, wherein the procedure performed by the user is medical surgery.

17. 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 real-time image data stream and displaying a stereoscopic magnified image of the object to the user;

focusing on the manipulation of a tool with the user'"'"'s foveal vision, while viewing the magnified image of the object with the user'"'"'s peripheral vision.

18. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 17, wherein the manipulation of the tool comprises changing a hand tool.

19. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 17, wherein the manipulation of the tool comprises positioning the tool closer to the object.

20. The method of performing a procedure by a user according of claim 17, wherein the procedure performed by the user is medical surgery.