Module for a visualization apparatus for viewing an object

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9820820-B2
Application number	US-201514609285-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2015
Priority date	Jan 29, 2014
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

A module for a visualization apparatus includes an imaging optic accommodated in a base body for generating a viewing image of an object region with an optical viewing beam path. The module includes a display unit for visualizing an image superimposed on the viewed image of the object region with orientation information. The module has an image acquisition unit having an image sensor for acquiring an image of the object region. The module contains a switching unit for selectively providing and blocking an optical beam path from the display to the image sensor. The switching unit, in a first switching state, provides the image of a geometric structure on the display onto the image sensor with the optical beam path and, in a further switching state blocks the optical beam path from a geometric structure on the display to the image sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A module for a visualization apparatus for viewing an object, the visualization apparatus having a base body and an imaging optic defining an optical viewing beam path and being accommodated in said base body; said imaging optic being configured for generating a viewing image of a region of the object with said optical viewing beam path; the module comprising:
a display unit having a display and being configured for visualizing an image superposed on said viewing image of said object region;
said superposed image having orientation information in said optical viewing beam path;
an optical channel for said optical viewing beam path;
an image acquisition unit having an image sensor for detecting an image of the region of the object;
an in-coupling beam splitter arranged in said optical channel;
said display and said image sensor conjointly defining an optical beam path running from said display to said image sensor and passing through said beam splitter;
a switching unit for selectively passing and blocking said optical beam path;
said in-coupling beam splitter being configured to deflect said optical beam path from said display into said optical channel so as to be superposed on said optical viewing beam path;
said switching unit having a first switching state wherein an image of a geometric structure shown on said display is made available on said image sensor via said optical beam path and having a second switching state, which is different from said first switching state, wherein said optical beam path is blocked to prevent said geometric structure shown on said display from reaching said image sensor;
an out-coupling beam splitter arranged in said optical channel for said optical viewing beam path;
said out-coupling beam splitter being configured to conduct said viewing image of said object region to said image acquisition unit;
said switching unit including a beam deflection system configured to deflect said optical beam path coming from said display and passing through said in-coupling beam splitter and then being conducted to said image sensor via said out-coupling beam splitter;
said in-coupling beam splitter having a side facing away from said display and said out-coupling beam splitter having a side facing away from said image acquisition unit;
said beam deflection system including a first mirror surface and a second mirror surface; and,
said beam deflection system being configured to guide said optical beam path coming from said display at said side of said in-coupling beam splitter via reflection onto said first mirror surface and then to said second mirror surface which, in turn, reflects said optical beam path to said side of said out-coupling beam splitter.

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein said beam deflection system is configured as a 90° prism.

3. The module of claim 1 , further comprising an optical element arranged between said in-coupling beam splitter and said beam deflection system; and, said optical element being configured for selectively passing and interrupting said optical beam path passing through said in-coupling beam splitter.

4. The module of claim 1 , wherein said optical channel is an optical channel for a first stereoscopic component viewing beam path, and a further optical channel for a second stereoscopic component viewing beam path is provided, which further optical channel contains an optical element for the at least partial compensation of the optical path length for the first stereoscopic component viewing beam path in the optical channel and the optical path length for the second stereoscopic component viewing beam path in the further optical channel.

5. The module of claim 1 , wherein the optical channel is an optical channel for a first stereoscopic component viewing beam path, wherein, in addition, a further optical channel for a second stereoscopic component viewing beam path is provided, which contains an optical element for the at least partial compensation of the light intensity of the first stereoscopic component viewing beam path in the optical channel and the light intensity of the second stereoscopic component viewing beam path in the further optical channel.

6. The module of claim 1 , further comprising an optical element arranged in the optical viewing beam path on that side of the out-coupling beam splitter which faces toward the object region for selectively enabling and interrupting the optical viewing beam path supplied to the out-coupling beam splitter from the object region.

7. The module of claim 1 , wherein the geometric structure comprises a pattern defining the position and at least one length and the azimuthal orientation.

8. The module of claim 3 , wherein said optical element is configured as a shutter mounted so as to be movable into and out of said optical beam path.

9. The module of claim 8 , wherein said shutter is configured as a displaceable light trap.

10. A module for a visualization apparatus for viewing an object, the visualization apparatus having a base body and an imaging optic defining an optical viewing beam path and being accommodated in said base body; said imaging optic being configured for generating a viewing image of a region of the object with said optical viewing beam path; the module comprising:
a display unit having a display and being configured for visualizing an image superposed on said viewing image of said object region;
said superposed image having orientation information in said optical viewing beam path;
an optical channel for said optical viewing beam path;
an image acquisition unit having an image sensor for detecting an image of the region of the object;
an in-coupling beam splitter arranged in said optical channel;
said display and said image sensor conjointly defining an optical beam path running from said display to said image sensor and passing through said beam splitter;
a switching unit for selectively passing and blocking said optical beam path;
said in-coupling beam splitter being configured to deflect said optical beam path from said display into said optical channel so as to be superposed on said optical viewing beam path;
said switching unit having a first switching state wherein an image of a geometric structure shown on said display is made available on said image sensor via said optical beam path and having a second switching state, which is different from said first switching state, wherein said optical beam path is blocked to prevent said geometric structure shown on said display from reaching said image sensor;
an out-coupling beam splitter arranged in said optical channel for said optical viewing beam path;
said out-coupling beam splitter being configured to conduct said viewing image of said object region to said image acquisition unit;
said in-coupling beam splitter and said out-coupling beam splitter having respective splitter surfaces; and,
said switching unit including a beam deflecting system having a displaceable mirror, which reflects said optical beam path from said display superposed on said optical viewing beam path via said in-coupling beam splitter by deflection on said splitter surface thereof back into said in-coupling beam splitter and directs said optical beam path through the splitter surface of said in-coupling beam splitter to the out-coupling beam splitter, in which said optical beam path is reflected on the splitter surface thereof to a further mirror, which is arranged on a side of the out-coupling beam splitter which faces away from the image acquisition unit, which further mirror directs the optical beam path through the out-coupling beam splitter along a beam path which passes through the splitter surface to the image acquisiti

Assignees

• Zeiss Carl Meditec Ag

Inventors

• Jess Helge
• Wirth Michael

Classifications

• G02B21/0012

  Surgical microscopes (counterbalanced structures for surgical microscopes G02B7/001) · CPC title

• A61B19/5223 Primary

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• G02B21/361

  Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor (G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups) · CPC title

• G02B21/22

  Stereoscopic arrangements · CPC title

• A61B90/20 Primary

  Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects · CPC title