U.S. patent application number 09/732751 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for stereomicroscope.
Invention is credited to Fukaya, Takashi, Morita, Kazuo, Ueda, Masaaki.
Application Number | 20010050808 09/732751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26005969 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010050808 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morita, Kazuo ; et
al. |
December 13, 2001 |
Stereomicroscope
Abstract
The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope comprising
an object observation unit and an electronic image unit. The object
observation unit includes an objective lens barrel section and a
binocular lens barrel section, with the binocular lens barrel
section including an interpupillary adjusting mechanism in a light
path following a first image plane. The electronic image unit
includes an electronic image display device and a projection
optical system The object observation unit has an object
observation image that remains fixed in position at the first image
plane during interpupillary adjustment of the binocular lens barrel
section. The projected image from the electronic image display
device is made to be substantially in focus at the first image
plane. Images at the first image plane may be relayed to a second
image plane. An object observation image formed by the object
observation unit and an electronic image formed by the electronic
image unit may be observed simultaneously in the same field of view
by an observer looking into an eyepiece of a binocular lens barrel
section. In one embodiment of the invention, the position within
the first image plane of the projected image from the electronic
image display device is adjustable within a range such that the
projected image may lie within or outside of the field of view of a
viewer looking into an eyepiece of a binocular lens barrel
section.
Inventors: |
Morita, Kazuo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ueda, Masaaki; (Sagamihara-shi, JP) ;
Fukaya, Takashi; (Sagamihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARNOLD INTERNATIONAL
P.O. BOX 585
GREAT FALLS
VA
22066-0585
US
|
Family ID: |
26005969 |
Appl. No.: |
09/732751 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/376 ;
359/368; 359/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 21/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/376 ;
359/368; 359/382 |
International
Class: |
G02B 021/22; G02B
021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-192690 |
Jun 6, 2000 |
DE |
100 27 851.5 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stereomicroscope having a compact structure which provides an
electronic image and one or more images formed by an objective of
said stereomicroscope so as to be substantially in focus at a first
image plane, said stereomicroscope comprising: an object
observation unit that includes an objective lens barrel section and
a binocular lens barrel section, the binocular lens barrel section
including an interpupillary adjusting mechanism in a light path
following said first image plane; and an electronic image unit that
includes an electronic image display device and a projection
optical system; wherein the object observation unit forms at least
one object observation image at said first image plane and the
electronic image unit forms an image substantially at the first
image plane, the position of said object observation image(s) at
said first image plane remaining stationary during adjustment of
the interpupillary distance by the interpupillary adjustment
mechanism to thereby provide an electronic display image that may
be viewed while viewing one or more images formed by the object
observation unit without need to move the projection optical system
during movement of the interpupillary adjustment mechanism.
2. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said binocular lens barrel
section comprising: movable lens barrel that may be moved by said
interpupillary adjusting mechanism; and a fixed lens barrel.
3. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said objective lens barrel
section comprising an objective optical system and a relay optical
system, said first image plane lying within the relay optical
system.
4. The stereomicroscope of claim 2, and further comprising a beam
splitter and an additional lens barrel section so as to allow a
plurality of observers to use the stereomicroscope
simultaneously.
5. The stereomicroscope of claim 2, wherein a projected image of an
electronic image display device is provided for at least one eye of
an observer.
6. The stereomicroscope of claim 2, wherein a projected image of an
electronic image display device is provided for both eyes of an
observer.
7. The stereomicroscope of claim 3, said object observation unit
further including a beam splitter and an additional binocular lens
barrel section, said beam splitter positioned between the objective
lens barrel section and the binocular lens barrel sections.
8. The stereomicroscope of claim 7, said objective lens barrel
section further comprising a pair of variable magnification optical
systems, each variable magnification optical system being paired
with a different eyepiece of a given binocular lens barrel
section.
9. The stereomicroscope of claim 8, wherein an image formed by said
electronic image display device is projected to at least one
eyepiece of a binocular lens barrel section.
10. The stereomicroscope of claim 8, wherein the image formed by
said electronic image display device and projected to said first
image plane is relayed to second image planes and then viewed by
both eyepieces of a binocular lens barrel section.
11. The stereomicroscope of claim 7, said objective lens barrel
section further including a single variable magnification optical
system.
12. The stereomicroscope of claim 11, wherein said first image
plane is provided to both eyes of at least one observer.
13. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, and further comprising a
moving mechanism which moves the position, within the first image
plane, of the projected image from said electronic image display
device.
14. The stereomicroscope of claim 11, wherein a moveable range of
the projected image from said electronic image display device is
within the field of view of an observer looking into an eyepiece of
the binocular lens barrel section.
15. The stereomicroscope of claim 11, wherein a moveable range of
the projected image from said electronic image display device
includes positions that are within as well as outside the field of
view of an observer looking into an eyepiece of the binocular lens
barrel section.
16. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said electronic image display
device being a small-size LCD.
17. The stereomicroscope of claim 11, said moving mechanism
including a motor.
18. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, wherein a member is provided
to interrupt the luminous flux of the object observation image in a
region which corresponds to the projected image from the electronic
image display device.
19. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said electronic image display
device displaying a computer assisted tomography image.
20. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said electronic image display
device displaying a magnetic resonance image.
21. The stereomicroscope of claim 1, said electronic image display
device displaying an endoscope image.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A stereomicroscope, such as a surgical microscope, has
provided an operator with magnified observation images of an
affected part in a surgical operation relative to neurosurgery,
otolaryngology, ophthalmology, etc., and has played an important
role in the improvement of surgical efficiency. In recent years,
not only the magnified observation images of the affected part
obtained by the stereomicroscope, but also a tomographic image
including the surroundings of the affected part, produced by
computer aided tomography (CAT) imaging, magnetic resonance (MR)
imaging, or ultrasonic imaging, and endoscope observation imaging
have come into use in order to plan a surgical operation as well as
to perform the surgical operation. Each of these individual imaging
types provide useful information when viewed alone. However,
greater benefits are achieved when two or more types of images are
simultaneously presented to the viewer so that comparisons between
the images may be made. In this way, additional information can be
provided to the operator as compared to that which is available
from viewing the separate images alone.
[0002] Thus, it is desired that a stereomicroscope allow an
operator to observe, for example, a CAT or MR image and an
endoscope observation image simultaneously with the
stereomicroscope observation images while looking into the
stereomicroscope eyepieces. Stereomicroscopes having this
capability are disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Applications
S62-166310 and H10-333047.
[0003] The stereomicroscope as set forth in Japanese Laid Open
Patent Application S62-166310 has an electronic image display means
for displaying images (i.e., electronic images) and image
projection optical systems for conducting these images to eyepiece
optical systems. The eyepiece optical systems are shared so that
the electronic images are viewed within the field of view of the
stereomicroscope observation image. This publication, however, does
not in any way suggest a problem relative to the movement of the
eyepiece optical systems caused by the interpupillary adjustment of
a stereomicroscope. Nor does this publication suggest a solution to
this problem that is solved by the present invention.
"Interpupillary adjustment" refers to adjusting the spacing between
the left and right eyepieces of the stereomicroscope in order to
conform the spacing to the distance between the left and right
pupils of an observer. An interpupillary adjustment mechanism is
commonly used with stereomicroscopes to account for the variability
in interpupillary distance among different observers.
[0004] Using the technique described in Japanese Laid Open Patent
Application S62-166310 to perform interpupillary adjustment, the
electronic image display means and the image projection optical
systems must be moved integrally with the eyepiece optical systems.
This is required because the images on the electronic image display
means are projected in accordance with the movement of the eyepiece
optical systems due to interpupillary adjustment. Thus, a
sufficient space for moving the electronic image display means and
projection optical systems in the housing of the stereomicroscope
is required, causing the housing to be larger than otherwise
needed. In a stereomicroscope such as a surgical microscope,
compactness of the entire microscope is indispensable for improved
work efficiency. However, with the technique described in Japanese
Laid Open Patent Application S62-166310, achieving compactness is
impossible.
[0005] On the other hand, in the stereomicroscope disclosed in
Japanese Laid Open Patent Application H10-333047, each image
projection optical system is divided into a collimating optical
system and an imaging optical system. An arrangement is made so
that only the imaging optical system is moved integrally with an
eyepiece optical system in accordance with the interpupillary
adjustment in order to always receive an image beam that emerges
from a collimating optical system. An electronic image display
means remains fixed with respect to the interpupillary adjustment,
but the displayed electronic image is projected in accordance with
the movement of the eyepiece optical system so that the
stereomicroscope observation image and the projected electronic
image can be observed simultaneously. Thus, a portion of the image
projection optical system is moved during interpupillary
adjustment, and a space is required for this movement. Therefore, a
larger size housing is again required as compared to the housing
size that would be needed if there were no movement of a portion of
the image projection system during interpupillary adjustment, and
optimum compactness is again not achieved.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates to a stereomicroscope, such as a
surgical microscope, suitable for observing simultaneously
microscope observation images and an image displayed on one or more
electronic image display devices.
[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a stereomicroscope in which a stereomicroscope observation
image can be observed simultaneously with projected electronic
images, but with the electronic image display device(s) and the
entire image projection optical system(s) remaining fixed during
interpupillary adjustment movement of the eyepiece optical system.
Thus, a more compact and efficient design is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings,
which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not
limitative of the present invention, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a stereomicroscope in a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic, sectional view showing the
construction of a binocular lens barrel section of the
stereomicroscope shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic, sectional view showing the
arrangement of the optical system of a binocular lens barrel
section of the stereomicroscope according to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the optical system of a
stereomicroscope according to a third embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a modified arrangement of the optical system of
FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The stereomicroscope of the present invention includes: (1)
an object observation unit that has an objective lens barrel
section that forms an image at a first image plane, and a binocular
lens barrel section that relays images formed at the first image
plane to the observer for viewing; and (2) an electronic image
display unit that includes an electronic image display device as
well as an image projection optical system that relays the
electronic display images so as to be substantially in focus at the
first image plane. The binocular lens barrel section includes an
interpupillary adjusting mechanism, however, this adjustment
mechanism is in the light path following the first image plane.
Such a construction enables images from both the stereomicroscope
objective(s) and images from the electronic image display device to
be observed simultaneously in the same field of view, and yet
remain stationary during interpupillary adjustment of the
stereomicroscope.
[0015] By having the interpupillary adjusting mechanism in the
light path following the first image plane, the stereomicroscope
observation images are not shifted when the eyepiece optical system
is moved for interpupillary adjustment. Further, there is no need
to move the electronic image display device or the image projection
optical system during interpupillary adjustment, and it is no
longer necessary to provide space for such movement in the housing
of the stereomicroscope. Consequently, it becomes possible for a
viewer to simultaneously observe the stereomicroscope observation
images and the image(s) displayed on the electronic image display
device(s) using a more compact stereomicroscope. In addition, the
construction of the stereomicroscope is simplified as compared with
prior construction arrangements.
[0016] The first image plane is physically located within an afocal
optical relay system. A stereomicroscope observation image that is
formed at the first image plane may be relayed by the rear lens
unit of the afocal relay optical system and an imaging optical
system to a second image plane. Images at this image plane or the
first image plane may then be magnified by observing them through
an eyepiece optical system. The imaging optical system and the
eyepiece optical system are the optical systems of an ordinary
binocular lens barrel section. Without modifying these optical
systems, a medical image such as an endoscope image that is
displayed on an electronic image display device and projected so as
to be in-focus at the first image plane can be observed
simultaneously with the microscope observation image within the
visual field of the microscope.
[0017] Where a plurality of binocular lens barrels are attached to
a stereomicroscope, viewers corresponding in number to the attached
binocular lens barrels can simultaneously observe the
stereomicroscope observation images and the electronic display
images. In particular, when optical systems which form the first
image plane and which help relay it are constructed using a single
lens system, it is only necessary to provide one electronic image
display and one image projection optical system. As a result, each
of a plurality of viewers can observe the displayed images in the
visual field of the microscope, and thus a lightweight and compact
design of the stereomicroscope can be achieved. Various embodiments
of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to
the drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an object 1 to be observed is
viewed via a body section 2 of a stereomicroscope by a viewer 5.1
looking through left and right eyepiece optical systems 5,5 which
are attached to a binocular lens barrel section 3 of a
stereomicroscope using a "Siedentoph" interpupillary adjusting
mechanism 4. An observation image 5.2, which includes a
stereomicroscope observation image 5.3 as well as an electronic
display image 5.4, is observed by the viewer. In the Siedentoph
interpupillary adjusting mechanism 4, two-reflection optical
systems, such as parallelogram prisms, in which the reflecting
surfaces are parallel and the incident optical axis and the
emergent optical axis are offset with respect to each other, are
placed in the light paths immediately following the left and right
optical systems that are provided inside the binocular lens barrel
section 3. The two-reflection optical systems are rotated about
their respective incident optical axes in directions opposite to
each other, thereby changing a distance between the left and right
eyepiece optical systems placed on the emergent optical axes of the
left and right, two-reflection optical systems
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic, sectional view showing the
construction of a binocular lens barrel section of the
stereomicroscope shown in FIG. 1. Light from the body section 6 of
the stereomicroscope enters the housing 7 via an imaging lens 8
positioned within the binocular lens barrel section. The light is
then reflected twice by surfaces of a prism 9 and forms an image at
first image plane 10 before entering a parallelogram prism 11 which
constitutes the Siedentoph interpupillary adjusting mechanism. The
light then passes through an eyepiece optical system 12 to an exit
pupil position 13. Also, images formed on a small-sized LCD 14 are
relayed via image projection optical system 15 so as to be
substantially in focus at first image plane 10 and so as to be
centered within first image plane 10 at position 16.
[0020] The first image plane 10 is located at a position where
images are not shifted by the interpupillary adjustment mechanism,
namely, before the light enters the parallelogram prism 11.
According to this arrangement, images from the microscope and from
the electronic image display are not moved at first image plane 10
even when the eyepiece optical system is moved for interpupillary
adjustment. Hence, there is no need to move either of the
electronic image display or the image projection optical system
when performing interpupillary adjustment of the eyepiece optical
axes, and it becomes unnecessary to provide a space for movement in
the housing of the binocular lens barrel section of the
stereomicroscope. Consequenty, it becomes possible for a viewer to
observe simultaneously the stereomicroscope observation image and
the image displayed on the electronic image display using a more
compact stereomicroscope that provides increased work
efficiency.
Embodiment 2
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
Light from the body section 17 of the stereomicroscope enters the
housing 18 of the binocular lens barrel section via an imaging lens
19 positioned within the binocular lens barrel section. The light
is then reflected twice by surfaces of a prism 20 and forms an
image at a first image plane 21 before entering a relay optical
system 22 which forms a second image at a second image plane 23.
The light then passes through an eyepiece optical system 24 and
exit pupil position 30. Also, images formed on a small-sized LCD 25
are relayed via an image projection optical system 26 to position
27, which corresponds to the first image plane 21. This embodiment
differs from the first embodiment in that the position of an
electronic display image, as seen in the field of view of the
microscope, can be varied. This is accomplished by varying the
position of a holding member 28 for supporting the small-sized LCD
and the image projection optical system 26 by using a motor 29 and
drive mechanism (not labeled), as illustrated.
[0022] The first image plane 21 formed by the imaging lens 19 of
the binocular lens barrel optical system is located at a position
that is not moved by the interpupillary adjustment mechanism. The
first image plane 21 is relayed by the relay optical system 22 so
that the second image plane 23 is located immediately before the
eyepiece optical system 24. When interpupillary adjustment occurs,
the second image plane 23 is moved, together with the eyepiece
optical system, so that a magnified image of the second image plane
23 may be observed by a viewer. The image projection optical system
26 relays an image electronically created on the small-sized LCD 25
such that the relayed image is formed at the first image plane 21.
In addition, the holding member 28 for supporting the small-sized
LCD and the image projection optical system is moved by using a
motor 29, and thereby the position within first image plane 21
where the electronic display image is formed can be shifted in a
range within or outside the eyepiece field of view According to
this construction, it is only necessary that the electronic image
projection optical system be moved in order to shift the position
where the image is projected to the fixed, first image plane 21.
Consequently, a simple and compact stereomicroscope apparatus can
be obtained where the viewer can simultaneously see the
stereomicroscope observation images and an electronic display
image, if desired, with the position of the electronic display
image in the field of view of the microscope being adjustable. In
this manner, a compact stereomicroscope is provided wherein the
position of the electronic display image within the first image
plane may be readily adjusted.
Embodiment 3
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention The
stereomicroscope of this embodiment includes an objective optical
system 102 for receiving light beams from an object 101, and afocal
relay optical systems 103,103 for receiving each light beam,
forming an image at a first image plane 111 that is positioned
within the afocal relay optical system, and relaying each beam as a
collimated beam. Variable magnification optical systems 106,106 are
provided between the objective optical system 102 and the afocal
relay optical systems 103,103. The arrangement of components is
such that the collimated light beams emerging from the afocal relay
optical systems 103,103 are directed toward a chief viewer 108 and
a sub-viewer 109 by a beam splitter 107. Thus, the stereomicroscope
of this embodiment also includes pairs of imaging optical systems
104,104 for re-imaging the collimated light beams from the afocal
relay optical systems, and pairs of eyepiece optical systems
105,105 for magnifying relayed images formed at second image planes
115,115. The stereomicroscope of this embodiment further includes:
electronic image displays 110,110 for providing in-field images
selected from various observation images such as CAT, MR,
ultrasonic, and endoscope images; projection optical systems
112,112 for projecting images displayed on the electronic image
displays onto the first image planes 111,111; light-blocking
members 113,113 for partially intercepting the light beams from the
object 101, and reflecting members 114,114 for reflecting light
beams emerging from the projection optical systems to convey the
light beams to portions where the light beams are intercepted by
the light-blocking members 113,113. Consequently, in each of the
first image planes 111,111 a part of the microscope observation
image is blocked so that, in the blocked part, light beams
emanating from electronic image displays 110,110 may be
simultaneously displayed so as to be seen by the viewer.
[0024] FIG. 4 also illustrates an observation image 116 as seen by
each eye of the chief viewer 108, which image includes a microscope
observation image 117 and an electronic display image 118, as well
as an observation image 119 as seen by each eye of an assistant
viewer 109. The chief viewer and the assistant viewer each view the
operation by looking through respective binocular lens barrel
sections 120,120. Since the stereomicroscope of the third
embodiment is constructed as mentioned above, the images at the
first image planes 111,111 are relayed and focused onto the second
image planes 115,115. The pairs of eyepiece optical systems 105,105
magnify these images for viewing. Thus, without entirely changing
the construction of the binocular lens barrel sections 120 for the
chief viewer and the sub-viewer, each of the viewers can
simultaneously observe, for example, an endoscope observation image
displayed on the electronic image display 110 and the
stereomicroscope observation images. Also, the image plane where
each of the image projection optical systems projects the image
displayed on the electronic image display is the first image plane
111. This image plane is formed within the relay optical systems
103,103 and is fixed with respect to interpupillary adjustment of
the binocular lens barrel section. Therefore, there is no need to
move the electronic image display device or the image projection
optical system in accordance with an interpupillary adjustment of
the binocular lens barrel section. Further, it becomes unnecessary
to provide a space for movement of optical components in the
housing of the stereomicroscope. Consequently, a more compact
stereomicroscope having improved efficiency in terms of use and
manufacture can be provided.
[0025] In FIG. 5, a single variable magnification optical system
121 and single, afocal relay optical system 122, respectively,
replace the two variable magnification optical systems 106 and the
two relay optical systems 103 shown in FIG. 4. According to this
construction, it is only necessary to provide a single electronic
image display device 110, a single image projection optical system
112, a single light-blocking member 113, and a single reflecting
member 114. It is thus possible to achieve a simpler design
stereomicroscope that is more compact. The function and effect of
the stereomicroscope of FIG. 5 is otherwise similar to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
[0026] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Rather the scope of the invention shall be defined as set forth in
the following claims and their legal equivalents. All such
modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *