SURGICAL MICROSCOPE

Abstract

This invention relates to a surgical microscope comprising an optical body (100) connected to a holder (110) by a hinge (50), and a balancing device, characterized in that it comprises a counterweight (203), connected in at least one connection point (204) to the optical body (100) of the surgical microscope through a support (201) which allows the free rotation of said counterweight (203) around said connection point (204), so as to balance the weight distribution of the optical body (100) with respect to said hinge (50) and prevent unwanted rotations of said optical body (100).

Claims

1. Surgical microscope comprising an optical body (100) connected to a holder (110) by a hinge (50), and a balancing device (200), wherein said optical body (100) comprises eyepieces of said microscope and a lower body and wherein said microscope also comprises a counterweight (203), connected in at least one connection point (204) to said optical body (100) of said microscope by means of a support (201) which allows the free rotation of said counterweight (203) around a connection point (204), so as to balance the weight distribution of said optical body (100) with respect to said hinge (50) and prevent unwanted rotation of said optical body (100), characterized in that said support (201) includes a fastening annular portion (210) configured to be interposed between said eyepieces of the microscope and said lower body, to which said eyepieces are removably connected, said support (201) includes a fastening annular portion (210), configured to be interposed between eyepieces and the body to the optical body (100) of said microscope.

2. (canceled)

3. Surgical microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that said connection point (204) which connects said counterweight (203) to said support (201) is of the “ball head” type.

4. Surgical microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that said counterweight (203) is connected to said support (201) at said connection point (204) by means of an arm (202) and of a threaded ring (205) attached to said support (201).

Description

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a surgical microscope equipped with a first embodiment of the balancing device according to this invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of a second embodiment of the balancing device for a surgical microscope according to this invention.

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical assembly 100 of a surgical microscope is schematically represented, connected by means of a hinge 50 to an arm 110 of a support frame.

[0023] The optical body 100 of the surgical microscope is free to rotate around the hinge 50, and this causes numerous drawbacks during the operating procedures, as will be explained in detail below.

[0024] The balancing device 200 according to the invention is positioned at a wall 101 of the optical body 100, preferably the upper one.

[0025] This device comprises a support 201 fixed to the optical body 100 and a counterweight 203 connected to it.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the support 201 has an annular portion 210 to be interposed between the eyepieces of the microscope and the lower body, to which the eyepieces are removably connected.

[0027] In this way, the balancing device according to the invention can be installed on different and already existing microscopes simply by varying the dimensions of the annular portion 210 of the support 201.

[0028] The counterweight 203 has a rod or arm 202 equipped with a connection 204 of the “ball head” type; the support 201 consequently comprises a threaded ring 205 which limits or allows the movement of the head in the respective seat according to the clamping force applied.

[0029] Alternative clamping methods to the threaded ring 205 may be present in other preferred embodiments, such as adjustment pins or knobs, all having the same effect of locking the counterweight 203 in a determined position.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a constructive detail of the device according to the invention, in an operating situation.

[0031] In conventional systems, if the surgeon makes even minimal inclination movements of the eyepiece body of the microscope, the centre of gravity is displaced, and this generates a rotation of the entire optical body.

[0032] The eyepiece body is generally tiltable within a 90 degree angle so it can be positioned in a variable direction with respect to the optical body itself, shifting the centre of gravity of the entire microscope.

[0033] The device according to the invention advantageously allows fine balancing adjustments to be made, even during operating procedures.

[0034] Currently, this slight imbalance is compensated for by slightly tightening the couplings placed on the joints, but effectively immobilizing the microscope in its position.

[0035] This would also have the effect of delaying the operation, and could also increase the chances of error in its execution as the surgeon must necessarily divert attention from the operating field to adjust the position of the microscope.

[0036] The adjustment device according to the invention advantageously allows maintaining the centre of gravity of the optical body 100 in proximity of the hinge 50 by simple rotations of the counterweight 203 around the connection 204.

[0037] In this way, the creation of a mechanical moment and also the consequent rotation of the body 100 itself is avoided.

[0038] Operationally, the surgeon, after loosening the threaded ring 205, moves the counterweight 203 in a direction indicated by the arrows I, to then lock it once the balance has been reached.

[0039] At this point, the surgeon will be able to make all the movements he deems necessary, within an interval of space that reasonably extends at least over the entire operating field, without the fear of having to continuously adjust the position of the optical body 100 at every minimum movement.

[0040] The invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0041] Further, all the details can be replaced by other technically-equivalent elements.

[0042] Lastly, the components used, providing they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may vary according to requirements and the state of the art.

[0043] Where the features and the techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been used only with the aim of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, the reference signs do not constitute in any way a limitation to the interpretation of each element identified, purely by way of example, by the reference signs.