Surgery – Endoscope – Having imaging and illumination means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-10-30
Leubecker, John P. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Endoscope
Having imaging and illumination means
C600S168000, C600S172000, C359S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309348
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an endomicroscope system, comprising an operation microscope and a flexible image transmission system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Operation microscopes are used in a variety of medical disciplines in order to perform microsurgical work on fine structures. Thus, there are specific operation microscopes for ophthalmology, neurosurgery, dental medicine and numerous other fields.
In many cases, however, the direct view through the microscope is limited. Thus, in ophthalmology, hemorrhages may obstruct or prevent the view of the retina through the vitreous humor. In neurosurgery, in the event of access through the brain to a tumor, there is a desire to observe said tumor from the side or underside, in order to identify concrescence with blood vessels or nerves early on. In dental medicine, at the present time only few operations are actually performed with an operation microscope, since the rimose topology of the jaws allows only few areas of teeth or gum to be identified. It is important, furthermore, that a stereoscopic image is generated in order that the surgeon can estimate the depth of the operation field.
Microscopes are known which allow a particular mobility by virtue of a cardanic suspension and are used in neurosurgery. Such a microscope is described in DE-A-43 11 467. The problem of looking beside or behind a structure cannot, however, be solved by this microscope either. Moreover, this microscope cannot significantly improve the occlusion in dental medicine, since the viewing direction is limited from the outset.
The patent specifications DE-C-41 16 810, DE-C-42 25 507 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,261 in each case describe combinations of endoscopes with operation miscroscopes and operation microscope-like views on endoscopes. Although this results in stereoscopic vision through an endoscope and, if appropriate, the endoscope can be pivoted away in order to use the operation microscope on its own, these combinations of endoscopes and operation microscopes are not suitable for the purpose of use described above. The rigid coupling of microscope and endoscope does not allow free mobility of the endoscope tip, with the result that occlusions continue to occur. Moreover, it is possible for relative movements to occur between the patient, who is in each case only locally anaesthetized in ophthalmology and dental medicine, and the endoscope, as a result of which the rigid arrangement may not only lose the image but become a hazard for the patient.
Admittedly, DE-C-42 25 507 describes the use of flexible endoscopes enabling the last-mentioned disadvantage to be avoided. However, the citations reveal that the endoscope generates an image at a location corresponding to the location of the object if the microscope is used as a customary microscope. In this case, the endoscope with the imaging device by which the image to be observed is generated is situated on that side of the object plane which is remote from the objective lens. If, therefore, one wishes to observe the object previously observed through the endoscope directly with the microscope, not only does the endoscope have to be removed, but also the microscope has to be moved closer to the object and focused This means a considerable effect in respect of adjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention consists in providing an endomicroscope system which is adjustable in such a way that the object can be sharply imaged without readjustments of the operation microscope on the one hand with a flexible image transmission system and on the other hand after the removal of the same without this image transmission system.
The solution according to the invention consists in the fact that the flexible image transmission system ends in an imaging device, which is arranged between the objective lens and the object plane of the operation microscope and can be removed from the beam path.
Thus, unlike in the case of the prior art, the imaging system is not arranged on the other side of the object plane, as seen from the objective lens, but rather between the object plane and the objective lens. After the removal of the image transmission system, the object plane is then situated clearly below the operation microscope. In this case, the arrangement can readily be chosen such that the object plane of he microscope coincides with the object plane of the endomicroscope system, which comprises the operation microscope and the flexible image transmission system. Thus, a sharp image is obtained both by means of the flexible image transmission system and without adjustment of the operation microscope without the same, if the image transmission system is removed from the beam path.
The imaging device is expediently fitted pivotably on the operation microscope.
In this case, the endomicroscope system of the invention is expediently designed in such a way that the imaging device contains optical elements, which image images in or near the imaging device into one or both beam paths of the operation microscope in such a way that a parallel pencil of rays is produced behind the objective lens of said microscope. This pencil of rays can then be observed through the eyepiece as in the case of a normal microscope.
It is expediently provided that the optical elements are converging lens arrangements whose principal planes are at a distance from the images which is less than the focal length of the optical elements.
An advantageous embodiment provides for the image transmission system to have two separate transmission channels whose images, in the imaging device, are radiated separately into the two beam paths of the operation microscope.
If the spacing of the ends of the transmission channels on the side facing the object is variable (stereo variator), then the stereoscopic effect can be magnified or diminished. In an advantageous embodiment, the image transmission system comprises one or more flexible endoscopes, in particular oriented bundles of fibers are used in this case. On the object side, the image is imaged onto one end of the bundle of fibers. The identical image at the other end of the bundle of fibers is then guided via the imaging device into the microscope beam path.
In another embodiment, the image transmission system comprises one or more video endoscopes. CCD chips are known for this purpose which have a diameter of just ¼ inch (approximately 6 mm), with the result that they can be fitted on the tip of the image transmission system (endoscope) introduced into the body. Monitors are then situated at the other end of the image transmission system, the image of which monitors is guided into the microscope beam path by the imaging device in exactly the same way as the image of the oriented bundle of fibers in the first embodiment.
The image recording system on the side facing the object expediently has an image sensor, in which there is fitted an imaging optical system separated from the object by a window. In this case, it is particularly expedient if a supply line through which compressed air from an external source can be conducted is integrated in the image sensor, and if an outlet opening is present for the compressed air and is configured in such a way that the compressed air can flow across the window. The window can be cleaned in this way.
As was mentioned in the introduction, the imaging device should be able to be removed from the beam path. This can be done on the one hand by said imaging device being fitted pivotably on the operation microscope. However, it is also possible for the image transmission system to be designed as a module that can be mounted and demounted.
According to the invention, it may be provided that the light for illuminating the observation field is guided by the flexible image transmission system. Thus, the image transmission system is used not only for observing the observation field but also for illumination. It is not necessary, therefore, to use a separate optical waveguide or the like, with the result that the elements to be introduce
Draeger Jorg
Fenske Christian
Schmidt Martin
Alix Yale & Ristas, LLP
Leubecker John P.
Moller-Wedel GmbH
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