Optical: systems and elements – Projection screen
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-10
2001-10-23
Mahoney, Christopher E. (Department: 2851)
Optical: systems and elements
Projection screen
C128S897000, C436S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307674
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to video display systems for displaying an image of a patient, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for projecting a medical image along an optical path and upon a viewing screen adjacent to an aseptic or sterile field. For convenience of disclosure, any medical intervention utilizing sterile techniques will be simply referred to as a surgical procedure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Surgical procedures are often performed in surgical fields which are of a limited size or beneath the skin. With respect to endoscopic procedures, there are several methods for viewing the body interior. For example, the surgeon may look directly through the eyepiece of the endoscope. Alternatively, a beam splitter may be used to provide a second eyepiece for a surgical assistant to simultaneously view the surgical field. For those instances where more than two simultaneous views are necessary, the second view is replaced with a video camera. Splitting the beam between the eyepiece and video camera allows the surgeon to view the surgical field in a high resolution display while the video camera and monitor allow the remaining members of the surgical team to view the procedure. Alternatively, a video camera is mounted directly to the endoscope and one or more monitors are located about the operating environment so that the surgical team may view the field.
Alternatively, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors can be employed. However, the LCD monitors have a limited viewing angle and an LCD having a sufficient size to permit sufficiently high resolution creates a substantial intrusion to the operating environment. In addition, the LCD monitors are nondisposable, thereby creating a sterilization problem. Further, the accompanying electronics and wires add undesired clutter to the operating environment.
The disadvantages of the prior systems include disorientation created by locating the monitor or projected image of the surgical field remotely from the surgical field. This disorientation is enhanced by the surgeon being unable to view the area of the surgical field and their hands simultaneously. In addition, forcing the surgeon to focus on an image at a relatively large distance while the surgeon's hands are adjacent the body is an unnatural perspective detrimental to the efficiency of surgeons. In addition, constraints on the available locations of the video monitors relative to the surgical field are such that the direction of movement of an instrument within the surgical field is often not translated into a movement in the same direction in the projected image.
Therefore, a need exists for a video display system for an operating environment, wherein a high resolution projected image of a surgical field or other video information may be located adjacent the surgical field or in a viewing orientation which is optimal to the surgeon. In addition, the need exists for a video display system which presents an image which is consistent with the direction of movement within the surgical field. The need also exists for a sterile disposable screen that can sustain permitting contact with the surgical team, or blood and other bodily fluids during the surgical procedure. The need further exists for a single-use sterile viewing screen which precludes resterilization by degrading. Thus, the display screen will degrade to an inoperative configuration upon washing and resterilization. As a new sterile display screen must be used for each procedure, sterility and optical quality are ensured. The need also exists for a viewing screen which may be located at a favorable viewing angle without jeopardizing the integrity of the projected image. A need further exists for a projector and display screen which are physically linked so that a reorientation of the screen causes a corresponding reorientation of the projector to maintain the integrity of the displayed image. A need further exists for a screen support which enables the screen to be easily and quickly repositioned within the surgical field and which enables the surgical team to easily grasp and move the system without comprising their sterile status. A need further exists for a simple screen mounting system which can mount a viewing screen in a stable orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system that degrades if resterilization is attempted. It is a further object to provide a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system wherein the sterile screen comprises a layer of reflective material for forming an image by reflection from a projector. A further object includes a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system, wherein the sterile screen further comprises a layer of degradable material bonded to a layer of reflective material for maintaining the layer of reflective material in a substantially flat condition for imaging, and degrading to prevent formation of a usable image if the screen is resterilized.
Yet another object includes a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system having a slot adjacent one edge of the layer of reflective material, for receiving a support for the screen. Another object includes a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system having a recess in the layer of degradable material for receiving a folded sleeve. The present invention also has the object of a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system having a sticker overlapping the recess, having a layer of adhesive in the area overlying the degradable layer, and being substantially free from adhesive in the portion overlying the recess. Another object includes a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system having a slot adjacent one edge of the layer of degradable material, aligned with the slot in the layer of reflective material, for receiving a support for the screen. Another object includes a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system in which the degradable layer comprises a layer of paper. A further object is a sterile single use projection screen for a medical imaging system in which the layer of reflective material comprises a layer of plastic.
The present invention includes a video projection system designed for a sterile operating environment for locating a viewing screen at an optimum viewing angle adjacent a surgical field and within the reach of the viewers. As the screen is adjacent the surgical field and within reach of the surgical field, direct eye and hand coordination is enhanced as viewers can simultaneously view the display of the surgical field and their hands. In addition, communication is facilitated by permitting manual referencing to the images on the view screen to unequivocally identify areas within the surgical field. Locating the projected image adjacent the surgical field also reduces fatigue of the surgeons.
In an embodiment of the invention, an endoscopic surgical field is displayed upon a viewing screen adjacent the surgical field. A high resolution small screen projection system projects the endoscopic image along an optical path. The projected image may be characterized by a focal plane that is non perpendicular to the optical path. Mirrors locate the optical path adjacent the surgical field. A sterile single use, disposable viewing screen is retained along the optical path adjacent the surgical field at a predetermined distance from the projector at a nonperpendicular angle to the optical path. The projection optics and angle between the optical path and the normal to the screen provides uniform focus of the entire projected image upon the screen.
In an embodiment of the invention, a projected image is created to exhibit a depth of focus extending along the optical path. The viewing screen may then be disposed in the optical path with a normal to the screen being nonperpendicular angle to the optical path such that th
Hammond John F
Sauer Jude S
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
LaserSurge, Inc.
Mahoney Christopher E.
Salai Esq. Stephen B.
Shaw Esq. Brian B.
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