Methods and systems for enhanced medical procedure visualization
First Claim
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1. A method for viewing an ophthalmic surgical area in a human eye on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing the ophthalmic surgical area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising:
- directing, using a radiation source apparatus, infrared radiation having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater into the ophthalmic surgical area;
visualizing the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than about 750 nm, through using an imaging apparatus capable of generating an anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area under such light conditions by only detecting the infrared radiation that is directed into the ophthalmic surgical area and that is naturally reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; and
performing an ophthalmic procedure on the ophthalmic surgical area or examining the ophthalmic surgical area using the visualizing of the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light,wherein the imaging apparatus is a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for viewing an ophthalmic surgical area in a human eye on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing the ophthalmic surgical area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising:
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directing, using a radiation source apparatus, infrared radiation having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater into the ophthalmic surgical area; visualizing the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than about 750 nm, through using an imaging apparatus capable of generating an anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area under such light conditions by only detecting the infrared radiation that is directed into the ophthalmic surgical area and that is naturally reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; and performing an ophthalmic procedure on the ophthalmic surgical area or examining the ophthalmic surgical area using the visualizing of the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light, wherein the imaging apparatus is a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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7. A method for viewing an ophthalmic surgical area in a human eye on which surgery is or will be performed, comprising:
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directing, using a radiation source apparatus, infrared radiation having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater into the ophthalmic surgical area; visualizing the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than about 750 nm, through using an imaging apparatus capable of generating a visual anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area under such light conditions by detecting only the infrared radiation directed into ophthalmic surgical area by the radiation source apparatus that is reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; and performing an ophthalmic procedure within the viewed ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light, wherein the imaging apparatus is a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A system for viewing an ophthalmic surgical area in a human eye on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing the ophthalmic surgical area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising:
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an infrared radiation source apparatus to direct infrared radiation at the ophthalmic surgical area-having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater and in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than about 750 nm; a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube and a detector apparatus receiving infrared radiation generated by the infrared radiation source apparatus that is reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; and a display apparatus configured to display an anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area using only the infrared radiation generated by the infrared radiation source apparatus that is reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area to view the ophthalmic surgical area at about 750 nm or greater while performing an ophthalmic procedure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A computer-implemented method for visualizing an ophthalmic surgical area comprising:
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transmitting infrared radiation from a visualization device into the ophthalmic surgical area; detecting reflected infrared radiation from the ophthalmic surgical area using a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube and a detector; displaying an anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area using only the transmitted infrared radiation that is reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; wherein visible light is substantially absent at the ophthalmic surgical area. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification