Methods and systems for enhanced medical procedure visualization

• US 20070244367A1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Original Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Inventors: Humayun, Mark, Caffey, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/20 Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects
• 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: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0012 Surgical microscopes counterbalanced structures for surgical microscopes G02B7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

The present invention employs image intensification for medical procedures within the human body. Methods and systems of the invention utilize infrared radiation (e.g. greater than about 750 nm) illumination and visualization of a surgical treatment area Preferred methods and systems of the invention incorporate use of an infrared radiation visualization system which may be known as “night vision” systems.

Claims

1. A method for viewing a patient area on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing a patient area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising:

viewing a patient area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than 750 nm; and

performing a surgical procedure on the patient areas based on the viewing of the surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein infrared radiation having wavelength(s) of 750 nm or greater is perceived to view the patient area.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising illuminating the patient area with radiation having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient area is illuminated with radiation having wavelength(s) of from about 800 nm to 850 nm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein an image intensification apparatus is employed to view the patient area.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is a Night Vision viewing apparatus.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the night vision apparatus is a retrofitted microscope.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein a patient eye is illuminated and an ophthalmic procedure is performed.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein an arthroscopic procedure is performed.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein areas of the patent'"'"'s knee are illuminated with radiation having wavelength(s) of 750 nm or greater.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein a laparoscopic procedure is performed.

12. (canceled)

13. A method for viewing a patient area on which surgery is or will be performed, comprising:

viewing a patient area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than 750 nm

performing an ophthalmic, arthroscopic, laparoscopic, cardiothoracic, muscular or neuro procedure within the viewed patient area.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a patient eye is viewed and an ophthalmic procedure is performed.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein an arthroscopic procedure is performed.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein a laparoscopic procedure is performed.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein a night vision apparatus is used to view the patient area.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein one or more dye compounds that are visible in radiation having wavelength(s) of 750 nm or greater are applied to the patient area.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the patient is a human.

20. A system for viewing a patient area on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing a patient area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising at a medical treatment site:

apparatus to illuminate an ophthalmic, arthroscopic or laparoscopic surgical site of a patient with radiation having wavelength(s) of 750 nm or greater; and

apparatus to view the illuminated surgical site at 750 nm or greater while performing an ophthalmic, arthroscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising one or more dyes that are visible at 750 nm or greater.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the one or more dyes are formulated for application to the surgical site.

23. A microscope adapted for viewing images in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than 750 nm and comprising an image intensification apparatus.

24. The microscope of claim 23 wherein the microscope comprises a night vision apparatus.