JP2938940B2 - Surgical microscope - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a surgical microscope having two optical axes for stereoscopic viewing.

[Related Art] In recent years, with the development of surgical techniques and surgical tools, microscopic surgery, so-called microsurgery, has been frequently performed. As in microsurgery, for example, an operating microscope is used for magnifying and observing an operation site, as seen in, for example, ophthalmology and neurosurgery. Generally, an operating microscope is a ninth type.
As shown in the figure, the apparatus comprises a mirror 1 which is a stereo microscope and a gantry 2 for moving and holding the mirror 1 to a desired position and angle.

Further, the real optical system of the mirror body 1 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 10, wherein 3 is an objective lens, 4 is a variable power optical system, 5 is a beam splitter, and 6 is an eyepiece. is there. Then, the light emitted from the operation section 7 is imaged while being split by the beam splitters 5, 5 through the objective lens 3, the variable power optical systems 4, 4, and the image is passed through the eyepieces 6, 6. 3D observation by the surgeon's eyes. The light reflected by one of the beam splitters 5 and once formed into an image is supplied to a side endoscope composed of a relay lens 8, a deflecting prism 9, and an eyepiece 10.
Light incident on and imaged at 11, observed by a third party for the purpose of technical education, etc., and reflected once by the other beam splitter 5 to form an image is formed by an imaging lens 12 and an imaging device 13. Incident on the video camera 14, which forms an image, and is also video-recorded for technical training.

However, in such a configuration, the side endoscope 11 and the video camera 14 perform observation or video shooting using only one of the two optical paths of the stereoscopic optical system. 3D observation is not possible.

In addition, in order to allow a third party to perform stereoscopic observation, conventionally, means for dividing one optical path of the stereoscopic optical system into pupils has been used, but a surgical microscope requires a large working space for performing surgery. I have. That is, since the focal length is lengthened, the stereoscopic effect obtained by such means is extremely inferior to the stereoscopic effect of an operator who performs stereoscopic observation using two optical paths.

Further, as an operation microscope having a second observation optical system different from the operator's observation optical system for stereoscopic observation of an operation part, there is one disclosed in, for example, JP-A-61-16736. This has a configuration as shown in FIG. 11, where 16 is an objective lens, 17 is a variable power optical system, 18 is an eyepiece, 19 is a second variable power optical system, 20 is a deflecting mirror, and 21 is a deflecting mirror. This is the second eyepiece. The light emitted from the operation section 15 is
6, Focused by the variable power optical system 17, 17 and the eyepiece 1
It is stereoscopically observed through the eyes of the operator via 8,18. Also, the second
In the observation optical system, an image is formed by the objective lens 16 and the variable power optical systems 19, 19, and the deflecting mirrors 20, 20, the second eyepiece
It is stereoscopically viewed by the eyes of a third party via 21,21. Twelfth
The figure is a view of the variable power optical systems 17 and 17 and the second variable power optical systems 19 and 19 viewed from the direction of the objective lens 16. According to this configuration, good stereoscopic observation by a third party is possible.

By the way, the three-dimensional observation by a third party has been described so far, but the three-dimensional imaging by a video camera will be briefly described. Conventionally, in order to stereoscopically image the observation image of an operating microscope, the reflected light of the two beam splitters 5, 5 shown in FIG. 10 are respectively incident on two video cameras, imaged, and recorded on some recording medium. The way to do it is taken. Then, the recorded observation image is displayed on a TV monitor. For example, using a polarizing plate or the like, the left observation image of the surgical microscope is directed to the left eye of the monitor observer and the right observation image is directed to the right eye. The light is made to be stereoscopically observed by being incident.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, since the above-mentioned sideoscope cannot perform stereoscopic observation, it has a drawback that it cannot be used satisfactorily for the purpose of acquiring fine and complicated microsurgery techniques. In addition, there is a problem that the stereoscopic image obtained by the above-mentioned pupil division is not practical because it is extremely inferior to the stereoscopic effect of the operator. Further, in the surgical microscope described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-16736, although good stereoscopic observation is possible, not only the mechanism becomes complicated due to having two stereoscopic optical systems in the mirror body, but also the mechanism becomes complicated. However, there is a serious drawback that the working space for performing the operation is significantly narrowed due to the size increase. Needless to say, it becomes expensive.

In the case of stereoscopic photography, two video cameras must be arranged around the mirror in the case of the above-described conventional example, which not only further reduces the working space but also significantly increases the weight of the mirror. In a surgical microscope having no mount that can handle such a high weight, there is a problem that it is difficult to even move the mirror body to a desired position and angle. In addition, since two video cameras are always used to perform three-dimensional imaging, there is a problem that the cost is dramatically increased as compared with non-stereoscopic imaging.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a third party or a video camera with an observation image that can provide a sufficient three-dimensional effect corresponding to the purpose of acquiring a surgical technique without narrowing a working space for performing an operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a surgical microscope which can be supplied, is small, lightweight, has a simple structure and is inexpensive.

[Means for solving the problem]

An operating microscope according to the present invention is an operating microscope having two optical axes for stereoscopic viewing, wherein an optical path splitting means is disposed on the two optical axes and at least one of the light beams on the two optical axes is provided. While directing each part so as to overlap in the axial direction intersecting the two optical axes,
It is characterized in that a polarizing means is provided so that two light beams directed so as to overlap in an axial direction intersecting the two optical axes have polarization components having different vibration directions.

(Operation)

According to the above configuration, a stereoscopic observation image having a sufficient stereoscopic effect can be supplied to an observer other than the operator simply by combining the optical system with a side endoscope having an optical system that separates and forms a polarized light component into two again. . Also, a stereoscopic observation image with a sufficient three-dimensional effect can be supplied to the video camera simply by combining it with a video camera that forms an image by selecting and transmitting a polarization component using a nematic liquid crystal. Therefore, the same working space as in the related art can be secured, stereoscopic observation or stereoscopic photography with a sufficient stereoscopic effect can be performed, and the surgical microscope itself can be reduced in size and weight, and the structure can be simplified and inexpensive.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical system of a first embodiment of an operating microscope according to the present invention in a normal use state, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an optical system of the first embodiment in a sideoscope use state. is there.

In FIG. 1, 23 is an objective lens, 24 is a variable power optical system,
Reference numeral 25 denotes a polarization beam splitter that transmits most of the polarized light components in the vibration direction parallel to the incident surface and reflects most of the polarized light components in the vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface, and reference numeral 26 denotes an eyepiece. Second
In the figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a polarization plane of the polarization beam splitter 25.
A quarter-wave plate 28 arranged at an angle of 45.degree. With respect to the incident surface is a reflecting mirror, and these constitute a polarizing member 29 for rotating the polarizing plane by 90.degree .. The polarizing member 29 is attached to the right side as viewed in FIG. 2 and is detachable from the mirror body so that the reflecting mirror 28 is perpendicular to the reflecting optical axis of one polarizing beam splitter 25. .

30 is a relay lens, 31 is the polarizing beam splitter 25
A polarizing beam splitter that transmits most of the polarization component in the vibration direction parallel to the incident surface and reflects most of the polarization component in the vibration direction perpendicular to the incidence surface, 32 is a polarizing prism 34, 34 is an eyepiece, These constitute the sideoscope 33.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the light emitted from the operation section 22 is transmitted through the objective lens 23 and the variable power optical systems 24 and 24 to the polarization beam splitter. By means of 25 and 25, an image is formed while being split into a polarized light component in a vibration direction parallel to the incident surface and a polarized light component in a vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface. An image formed by polarized light components in a vibration direction parallel to the incident surface that has passed through the polarization beam splitters 25 and 25 is stereoscopically viewed by the surgeon's eyes via the eyepieces 26 and 26.

On the other hand, the polarized light component in the vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface, which is reflected by the polarization beam splitters 25 and once forms an image, enters a not shown side endoscope or a video camera to form an image again.

Therefore, they are usually observed in the same manner as a conventional surgical microscope, or are non-stereoscopically observed or video-recorded by a third party.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the light emitted from the operative portion 22 is transmitted through the objective lens 23 and the variable power optical systems 24 and 24 by the polarizing beam splitters 25 and 25, and vibrates in a direction parallel to the incident surface. An image is formed while being divided into a polarized light component and a polarized light component in a vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface. Polarizing beam splitter 2
The image formed by the polarized light components in the vibration direction parallel to the incident surface that has passed through the lenses 5 and 25 is stereoscopically viewed by the left and right eyes of the operator via the eyepieces 26 and 26. The polarized light component in the vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface on which the observation image of the right eye is to be formed and reflected by the polarization beam splitter 25 on the right side toward the paper is reflected by the reflecting mirror 28 via the quarter-wave plate 27 and is again reflected. By passing through the quarter-wave plate 27 twice, that is, through the quarter-wave plate twice, the polarization plane is rotated by 90 ° to become a polarization component in a vibration direction parallel to the incident plane, and is directed toward the paper surface initially reflected. The right polarizing beam splitter 25 is further transmitted through the left polarizing beam splitter 25 further toward the paper surface, and is reflected on the left polarizing beam splitter 25 toward the paper surface. The light is superimposed on the polarized light component in the vertical vibration direction and emitted from the mirror. Both polarized light components emitted from the mirror enter the side endoscope 33 and enter the relay lens 30.
Is again split by the polarization beam splitter 31 into a polarization component in a vibration direction parallel to the incident surface and a polarization component in a vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface. Then, the polarized light component in the vibration direction parallel to the incident surface on which the right-eye observation image is to be formed is transmitted through the polarization beam splitter 31 to form an image, and is observed by the third person's right eye via the eyepiece lens 34. . On the other hand, the polarized light component in the vibration direction perpendicular to the incident surface on which the left-eye observation image is to be formed is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 31, and further reflected by the double-reflection polarizing prism 32 arranged to obtain a surface image. The light is reflected and forms an image, and is observed by the third person's left eye via the eyepiece lens 34. Therefore, it is possible to provide a third party with an observation image having the same three-dimensional effect as the surgeon simply by combining with the side endoscope. In addition, the same working space as before can be secured. In addition, if the image rotator is incorporated in the side endoscope 33, it goes without saying that the observation posture of a third party can be made easier. Further, the present embodiment can be simply configured in a conventional surgical microscope by simply changing the beam splitter to a polarizing beam splitter and attaching a polarizing member. Accordingly, the surgical microscope itself is small, lightweight and inexpensive. Also, since it usually has the same function as a conventional surgical microscope, it can be used properly according to the purpose and is convenient.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the optical system of the second embodiment in a normal use state, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical system of the second embodiment in a video shooting state.

In FIG. 3, 36 is an objective lens, 37 is a variable power optical system,
38 is a beam splitter that can be rotated by 180 ° with respect to the observation optical axis from the operation section 35, 39 is a first polarizing plate, and 40 is a polarizing surface parallel to the polarizing surface of the polarizing plate 39. A second polarizing plate, 41 is an eyepiece, and 42 is a third polarizing plate whose polarizing plane is perpendicular to the polarizing plate 39.

In FIG. 4, 43 is a relay lens, 44 is an image inverting prism, 45 is a nematic liquid crystal plate, and 46 is a polarizing plate 39.
A fourth polarizing plate parallel to the above, 47 is an image forming lens, and 48 is an image sensor, and these constitute a video camera 49. In this case, the beam splitter 38 is in a state of being rotated by 180 ° with respect to the observation optical axis from the operation section 35 as compared with the case of FIG.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, in the state shown in FIG. 3, light emitted from the operative section 35 is transmitted through the objective lens 36, the variable power optical systems 37, 37, and the beam splitter.
The image is formed while being divided by 38,38. And
This image is stereoscopically observed by the eyepieces 41, 41. Here, the light on the left side of the drawing becomes one polarization component via the first polarizing plate 39 disposed immediately before the beam splitter 38. Then, the polarized light component transmitted through the beam splitter 38 forms an image once, which is observed by an operator's eyes via the eyepiece 41. Also, this polarized light component is
, Through the second polarizing plate 40 disposed immediately before. On the other hand, the light reflected by the beam splitter 38 is incident on a side endoscope or a video camera (not shown) and re-images.

Therefore, they are usually observed in the same manner as a conventional surgical microscope, or are non-stereoscopically observed or video-recorded by a third party.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the light emitted from the operative section 35 is imaged while being split by the beam splitters 38 via the objective lens 36 and the variable power optical systems 37 37. The light transmitted through the beam splitters 38, once forms an image, which is stereoscopically viewed by the operator's eyes via the eyepieces 41, 41. Beam splitter 38 on the right side of the page
Is reflected by the third polarizing plate 42, the polarization plane is limited to a polarization component perpendicular to the polarizing plate 39, and is split by the beam splitter 38 on the left side of the drawing. The polarization plane split by the left beam splitter 38 is a polarizing plate
Of the polarized light component perpendicular to 39, the transmitted component passes through the polarizing plate 39 emitted from the operation section 35, so that the polarization plane is polarized.
Of the polarization components parallel to 39, the components are reflected by the left beam splitter 38 and are emitted from the mirror. The polarized component split by the left beam splitter 38 and having a polarization plane perpendicular to the polarization plate 39 is reflected by the second polarization plate 40 because the polarization plane is orthogonal to the second polarization plate 40.
Of the polarizing plate 40.

Next, the light emitted from the mirror enters the video camera 49, passes through the relay lens 43, passes through the image inverting prism 44 to obtain an image, and further passes through the nematic liquid crystal plate 45, the fourth
An image is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device 48 via the polarizing plate 46 and the imaging lens 47. In the state where no voltage is applied to the nematic liquid crystal plate 45, only the polarized light component of the stereoscopic observation light, which is the observation light on the right side toward the paper surface and the polarization plane perpendicular to the polarization plate 39, is transmitted through the nematic liquid crystal plate 45. 90 polarization plane
゜ rotate, and thus the polarization plane is parallel to the fourth polarizing plate 46, so that the light passes through the fourth polarizing plate 46 and forms an image on the image sensor 48 via the imaging lens 47. In addition, when a voltage is applied to the nematic liquid crystal plate 45, the polarization component of the stereoscopic observation light whose observation surface on the left side toward the paper surface and whose polarization plane is parallel to the polarization plate 39 is directly used as the nematic liquid crystal plate 45, the fourth component. Through the polarizing plate 46, and forms an image on the image sensor 48 via the imaging lens 47. The polarization component whose polarization plane is perpendicular to the polarizing plate 39 is the fourth component.
Is shielded by the polarizing plate 46.

Therefore, by alternately switching the non-application and application of the voltage to the nematic liquid crystal plate 45, the same observation image as that of the operator can be stereoscopically observed with one imaging device. When an observation image is displayed on the screen, the switching signal of the nematic liquid crystal panel 45 in the video camera 49 is synchronized with the switching signal of the nematic liquid crystal panel disposed between the normal screen and the observation eye. Not even. Further, the present embodiment has an advantage that the stereoscopic imaging can be performed while securing the same working space as the conventional one by simply attaching the video camera for stereoscopic imaging composed of one image sensor directly to the mirror body. is there. Further, the polarization beam splitter shown in the first embodiment has a poor separation of two polarization components and is expensive. However, this embodiment uses a normal beam splitter, so that the extinction ratio is high and the cost is low. There is also an advantage that it can be configured. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to save the trouble of attaching a polarizing member separate from the mirror body, and it is possible to convert the optical system for stereoscopic photographing inside the mirror body as an advantage.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an optical system in a normal use state of the third embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main portion thereof, and FIG. 7 is a side view video / video use state of the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an optical system of FIG.

In FIG. 5, 51 is an objective lens, 52 is a variable power optical system,
53 is a first beam splitter, 54 is an eyepiece, 55 is a pair of first polarizing plates whose polarization planes are perpendicular to each other, 56 is a second beam splitter, 57 is a polarizing plate 55 and a polarization plane on the same optical path. Are arranged in parallel with each other, and 58 is a first beam splitter 53, a second beam splitter 56, a polarizing plate 55,
A holding member for holding the second polarizing plate 57 (not shown in the holding state).

Here, the first beam splitter 53, the second beam splitter 56, the polarizing plate 55, and the first beam splitter 53 held by the holding member 58 will be described with reference to FIG.
The positional relationship of the second polarizing plate 57 will be described. Holding member
At position 58 where the first beam splitter 53 is held
A second beam splitter 56 is disposed at a position rotated by 90 °, a first polarizing plate 55 is disposed immediately before each second beam splitter 56, and a second beam splitter 56 located further above the paper surface. (Not shown) immediately after the second polarizing plate 57
Is arranged. The reflection direction of the second beam splitters 56 is on the upper side in the drawing. The holding member 58 is the fifth
It is rotatable about the center of the left and right optical axes in the figure as a center of rotation, and is configured so that the positions of the beam splitter 53 and the second beam splitter 56 are switched when rotated by 90 °.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration obtained by rotating the holding member 58 by 90 ° counterclockwise in FIG. 6 from the configuration of FIG.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the light emitted from the operation section 50 is transmitted through the objective lens 51 and the variable power optical systems 52 and 52 to the first lens. An image is formed while being divided by the beam splitters 53 and 53. The light transmitted through the beam splitter 53 forms an image once, and the light is stereoscopically observed by the eyes of the operator via the eyepieces 54, 54.
On the other hand, the light reflected by the first beam splitters 53, 53 is incident on a side endoscope or a video camera (not shown) and re-images.

Therefore, they are usually observed in the same manner as a conventional surgical microscope, or are non-stereoscopically observed or video-recorded by a third party.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the light emitted from the operative part 50 includes the objective lens 51, the variable power optical systems 52, 52, the polarizing plate 55,
An image is formed while being divided by the second beam splitters 56 and 56 via 55. It should be noted that the light transmitted through each polarizing plate 55 is limited to only the polarization component of the same polarization plane as each polarization plane. The light transmitted through the second beam splitter 56 once forms an image, which is stereoscopically viewed by the operator's eyes via the eyepieces 54, 54. For example, a polarized light component whose polarization plane is parallel to the paper surface reflected by the second beam splitter 56 on the right side of the paper surface is the second beam splitter on the left side of the paper surface.
Divided again by 56. Of the polarized light components incident from the right second beam splitter 56 toward the paper surface split by the left second beam splitter 56, the transmitted components are emitted from the surgical unit 50 and leftward toward the paper surface. For example, the polarization plane reflected by the second beam splitter 56 overlaps with a polarization component perpendicular to the paper surface, and is emitted from the mirror.

Note that, of the polarized light components split by the second beam splitter 56 on the left side and incident from the second beam splitter 56 on the right side toward the paper surface, the reflected components are the second polarizing plate 57 and the polarizing surface. Are orthogonal to each other and are blocked by the second polarizing plate 57.

The light emitted from the mirror body is not shown,
The light is incident on a side endoscope as shown in the embodiment or a video camera as shown in the second embodiment and re-images.

Therefore, this embodiment can provide the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments. This embodiment is the first embodiment of the second embodiment.
Since the polarizing plate 39 and the second polarizing plate 40 can be omitted, there is an advantage that the same performance as that of the related art can be obtained particularly in the image brightness in a normal use state.

FIG. 8 shows an optical system according to a fourth embodiment, in which the reflecting mirror 28 which is a component of the polarizing member 29 in the first embodiment is replaced with a half mirror 59.

The half mirror 59 not only provides the function as the reflecting mirror 28 but also allows the transmitted light to enter the side endoscope 11.

Therefore, stereoscopic photography and monocular observation by a third party, that is, non-stereoscopic observation, can be performed simultaneously. In addition, it goes without saying that normal imaging, that is, non-stereoscopic imaging, and stereoscopic observation by a third party can be performed simultaneously with the same configuration.

This embodiment has an advantage that it can be configured simply as in the first embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the surgical microscope according to the present invention is capable of forming an observation image capable of obtaining a sufficient three-dimensional effect corresponding to the purpose of acquiring a surgical technique without reducing the working space for performing the operation. It has a practically important advantage that it can be supplied to three parties or a video camera, is small and lightweight, has a simple structure and is inexpensive.

Further, the surgical microscope of the present invention has an advantage that the function of a conventional surgical microscope is not impaired because left and right observation lights can be emitted from the mirror body in different directions when stereoscopic observation is not required. doing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical system of a first embodiment of the operating microscope according to the present invention in a normal use state, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an optical system of the first embodiment in a sideoscope use state, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an optical system in a normal use state of the second embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an optical system in a video shooting state of the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an optical system in a normal use state of the third embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part thereof, and FIG. 7 is an optical view of the third embodiment in a sideoscope use state / video use state. Diagram showing the system, eighth
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an optical system of a fourth embodiment, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an entire operation microscope, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an optical system of a conventional example,
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another conventional optical system, and FIG. 12 is a plan view of an essential part thereof. 23,36,51 …… Objective lens, 24,37,52 …… Magnifying optical system, 2
5, 31 polarizing beam splitter, 26, 34, 41, 54 eyepiece, 27 quarter-wave plate, 28 reflecting mirror, 29 polarizing member, 32 polarizing prism, 33 … Side endoscope, 38… beam splitter, 39,55… first polarizing plate, 40,57… second
, A third polarizing plate, 43, a relay lens,
44 …… Image inverting prism, 45 …… Nematic liquid crystal panel, 46
... A fourth polarizing plate, 47 an imaging lens, 48 an imaging device, 49 a video camera, 53 a first beam splitter, 56 a second beam splitter, 58 a holding member ,
59 ... half mirror.

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shun-ichiro Takahashi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-113414 (JP, A) JP-B-47-41473 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02B 19/00-21/00 G02B 21/06-21/36

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An operating microscope having two optical axes for stereoscopic viewing, wherein an optical path splitting means is arranged on the two optical axes and at least a part of each light beam on the two optical axes is provided. Polarized light that is directed so as to overlap in an axial direction that intersects the two optical axes, and that two light fluxes that are directed so as to overlap in an axial direction that intersects the two optical axes have polarization components in different vibration directions. An operating microscope comprising means.