APPARATUS FOR OCT-BASED IMAGING, MICROSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A MICROSCOPY SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus for OCT-based imaging, a microscopy system and a method for operating a microscopy system, include at least one OCT radiation source and at least one connection device for connecting the apparatus to the microscopy system, an optical connection configured to be established between the OCT radiation source and the light-guide element of the apparatus in a connected state, wherein the microscopy system includes means for detecting a connection state change, and a change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system being performable upon the detection of a connection state change.

Claims

1. An apparatus for OCT-based imaging, the apparatus comprising: at least one light-guide element; at least one connection device for connecting the apparatus to a microscopy system with an OCT radiation source; an optical connection being configured to be established between the OCT radiation source and the at least one light-guide element in a connected state; and the apparatus having or forming at least one element for detecting a change in the connection state of the apparatus by the microscopy system.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has or forms at least one element for identification of the apparatus by the microscopy system.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has or forms at least one element for readout of at least one apparatus-specific information item by the microscopy system.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one apparatus-specific information item is an information item about at least one of: at least one of a length and a diameter of the at least one light-guide element, a polarization characteristic of the at least one light-guide element, a distortion characteristic of the at least one light-guide element, a transfer characteristic of the apparatus, a maximum admissible power of radiation to be transferred through the at least one light-guide element, an admissible wavelength or an admissible wavelength range of the radiation to be transferred through the at least one light-guide element, an OCT imaging modality of the apparatus, a field of application of the apparatus, an approval characteristic of the apparatus, and a maximum admissible scanning rate of the OCT imaging using the apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has or forms at least one of an element for continuous and bidirectional data transfer between the apparatus and the microscopy system.

6. A microscopy system, comprising: at least one OCT radiation source and at least one connection device for connecting an apparatus according to claim 1 to the microscopy system; and the optical connection being configured to be established between the OCT radiation source and the at least one light-guide element of the apparatus in a connected state; and means for detecting a connection state change, and wherein a change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system is performable upon a detection of the connection state change.

7. The microscopy system according to claim 6, wherein the change-conditional adjustment is performable in a partly or fully automatic fashion.

8. The microscopy system according to claim 6, further comprising: means for identifying a connected apparatus, and wherein the microscopy system is configured to perform an identity-dependent adjustment of the mode of operation.

9. The microscopy system according to claim 6, further comprising: means for determining at least one apparatus-specific information item of a connected apparatus, and wherein the microscopy system is configured to perform an information item-dependent adjustment of the mode of operation.

10. The microscopy system according to claim 6, wherein microscopy system is configured to at least one of: establish or separate the optical connection between the OCT radiation source and the at least one light-guide element of a connected apparatus, adjust at least one characteristic of radiation generated by the OCT radiation source, adjust signal processing of an OCT signal, adjust an operational state of at least one illumination device of the microscopy system, and adjust a visualization of the OCT signal by a visualization device of the microscopy system as a result of the change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation.

11. The microscopy system according to claim 6, wherein the microscopy system is configured to: perform a calibration when a connection state change is detected, perform the change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation based on a result of the calibration.

12. The microscopy system according to claim 11, wherein the microscopy system is configured to: perform at least one of a polarization optimization, a sweep signal search, and a signal-to-noise ratio estimate by the calibration.

13. A method for operating the microscopy system according to claim 6, the method comprising: performing the change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system when a connection state change is detected.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising at least one of: identifying a connected apparatus; determining at least one apparatus-specific information item of the connected apparatus; and performing at least one of an identity-dependent and information item-dependent adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: determining at least one apparatus-specific information item based on the identity of the apparatus.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: reading the at least one apparatus-specific information item from an apparatus-side element for readout of the at least one apparatus-specific information item.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus for OCT imaging according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a microscopy system according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0102] FIG. 3A shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus-side connection device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0103] FIG. 3B shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus-side connection device in a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0104] FIG. 3C shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus-side connection device in a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0105] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a system including a microscopy system and an apparatus for OCT imaging,

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0107] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and

[0108] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0109] Identical reference signs hereinafter denote elements having identical or similar technical features.

[0110] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus 1 for OCT-based imaging. The apparatus includes a connection device 2 for connecting the apparatus 1 to a microscopy system 3 (see FIG. 2), in particular to a microscopy system-side connection device 4. Further, the apparatus 1 includes a light-guide element 5, which is also referred to as apparatus-side light-guide element 5. What is further shown is that the apparatus 1 has an actuation body 6 for manual actuation/handling of the apparatus 1. Shown further is an output coupling portion 7 at one end of the actuation body 6, the output coupling portion being used to output couple OCT radiation from the light-guide element 5 into the surround, in particular into an examination region. Naturally, this output coupling portion 7 may also serve to input couple light that was reflected by the examination region into the light-guide element 5. In this case, the light-guide element 5 extends from the connection device 2 to the aforementioned output coupling portion 7. Shown further is a protective sleeve 8 for the light-guide element 5, through which the light-guide element 5 is guided from the connection device 2 to the actuation body 6.

[0111] The apparatus 1, in particular the connection device 2, has an element 9 for detection of a change in the connection state of the apparatus 1 by the microscopy system 2. Exemplary forms of such an element 9 are still explained in more detail below, in particular in relation to the embodiments in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0112] In this case, this element 9 is arranged and/or formed such that microscopy system-side means for detection are able to detect this element 9 if the apparatus 1 is connected to the microscopy system 3 by way of the connection device 2 (see the state illustrated in FIG. 4). By way of example, an acquisition region may be assigned to the microscopy system-side means for detection, the element 9 of the apparatus 1 only being located in the acquisition region of the means and/or the means for detection only being able to detect the element 9 with a predetermined detection reliability when said element is connected to the microscopy system 1.

[0113] Shown further is that the apparatus 1, in particular the connection device 2, has an element 10 for identification of the apparatus 1 by the microscopy system 3. This element 10 for identification may be in the form of a barcode or an RFID element, for example, which is acquirable/readable by microscopy system-side identification means. It is possible that the microscopy system-side identification means and/or the element 10 for identification are arranged and/or formed such that identifying is only possible and/or only possible with a predetermined reliability if the apparatus 1 is connected to the microscopy system 2, that is to say if the apparatus is in the connected state.

[0114] Shown further is that the apparatus 1 has an element 11 for readout of at least one apparatus-specific information item by the microscopy system 3. By way of example, this element 11 may likewise be in the form of an RFID element. Alternatively, this element 11 may include a memory device and a device for information transfer, for example in the form of a signal transfer and/or data transfer. This element may be configured for unidirectional data transfer or for bidirectional data transfer. The microscopy system 3 may include means for reading this information. It is conceivable that the reading means and/or the element 11 for readout are arranged and/or formed such that the apparatus-specific information item can only be read, in particular only be read with a predetermined reliability/quality, by the microscopy system 3 in the connected state of the apparatus 1.

[0115] FIG. 3 illustrates that the element 9 for detection of the change, the element 10 for identification and element 11 for readout are formed as separate elements. However, this is not mandatory. Thus, it is conceivable that the element 9 for detection includes or is formed by the element 10 for identification and/or the element 11 for readout. It is further possible that the element 10 for identification includes or is formed by the element 11 for readout.

[0116] Further, it is possible that the detection of the change in the connection state, the identification or the readout is implemented by the same means of the microscopy system 3. By way of example, if the microscopy system 3 includes a sensor for detecting the change of the connection state or for detecting the connection state, this sensor may also be used for the identification of the apparatus 1 by the microscopy system 3 and/or for the readout of at least one apparatus-specific information item by the microscopy system 3. By way of example, such a sensor may be an optical sensor.

[0117] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the microscopy system-side reading means includes a receiver device for signals/data transferred by the apparatus 1 in wireless or wired fashion. These means may also be formed for unidirectional or bidirectional signal transfer.

[0118] Then, this means can likewise be used to identify the apparatus 1 and/or to detect the change in the connection state. In particular, signals/data transferred from the apparatus 1 to the microscopy system 3 may be used to detect the change in the connection state and to identify and/or read out the specific information item. If the means is configured for bidirectional signal transfer, it is possible, e.g., to transfer control signals for operating a controllable element of the apparatus 1 to the latter.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a microscopy system 3. This microscopy system 3 includes an OCT unit 12, this OCT unit 12 including an OCT radiation source 12a, an OCT reference beam path 12b and an OCT evaluation device 12c, which may also be referred to as an OCT detector. Further, the microscopy system 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an optical switching device 13, which may be configured, but is not necessarily configured, as a changeover switching device. Shown further is that the microscopy system 3 includes an evaluation and control device 14 which may be in the form of, or include, a microcontroller or integrated circuit, for example.

[0120] Shown further is a microscopy system-side connection device 4 for the connection of an apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1), in particular for the connection of the apparatus-side connection device 2. Likewise shown is a device 15 for detection of a change in the connection state of the apparatus 1 by the microscopy system 3. In this case, the device 15 can form or be part of the above-described means for detection of the change of the connection state. The device 15 may likewise serve for identification of a connected apparatus 1. Likewise, the device 15 may serve for readout of an apparatus-specific information item by the microscopy system 3. What is shown is that this device 15, the optical switching device 13 and the OCT unit 12 are data-connected to the control and evaluation device 14, for example by way of suitable data lines and/or signal lines, in a further example by way of a bus system.

[0121] Shown further is that the OCT unit 12 is connected to the optical switching device 13 by way of a first microscopy system-side light-guide element 16a. Shown further is that the optical switching device 13 is connected via a second microscopy system-side light-guide element 16b to a beam splitter 17 of the microscopy system 3, with which OCT radiation can be input coupled into a schematically illustrated beam path 18 of the microscopy system 3 and can be output coupled from this beam path 18. A third microscopy system-side light-guide element 16c is likewise shown, the optical switching device 13 being connected to the microscopy system-side connection device 4 therewith. Shown further is a patient 19 on an operating table 20, the patient 19 likewise being arranged in the beam path of the microscopy system 3.

[0122] In a first switching state of the optical switching device 13, the OCT unit 12 is connected to the beam splitter 17 via the first and the second light-guide element 16a, 16b. In a second switching state, the OCT unit 12 is connected to the microscopy system-side connection device 4 via the first and the third light-guide element 16a, 16c. In this case, the control and evaluation device 14 can adjust the switching states of the optical switching device 13.

[0123] If an apparatus 1 is connected to the microscopy system-side connection device 4, the third microscopy system-side light-guide element 16c is optically connected to the apparatus-side light-guide element 5. Consequently, the OCT unit 12 is also connected to the output coupling portion 7 of the apparatus 1, illustrated in FIG. 1, via the first microscopy system-side light-guide element 16a, the third microscopy system-side light-guide element 16c and the apparatus-side light-guide element 5. This facilitates OCT imaging by way of the apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, the OCT unit 12 of the microscopy system 3 being used for the imaging.

[0124] FIG. 2 further shows an illumination device 21 of the microscopy system 3, which can illuminate an optical acquisition region of said microscopy system 3. Likewise shown is an imaging device 22 for generating non-OCT-based image information items of the examination region of the microscopy system 3, for example of the patient 19. Likewise shown is an eyepiece 23, which may be in the form of a stereo eyepiece, for example, and which is coupled to the beam path 18. In this case, the shown control and evaluation device 14 can control an operation of the illumination device and of the imaging device 22.

[0125] FIG. 3A shows a schematic illustration of a connection device 2 of an apparatus 1 for OCT imaging and a portion of the microscopy system 3. Shown here is a connected state, in which the apparatus-side connection device 2 is connected, in particular mechanically connected, to the microscopy system-side connection device 4, in such a way that an optical connection is established between the third microscopy system-side light-guide element 16c, illustrated in FIG. 2, and the apparatus-side light-guide element 5. Shown further is a memory device 24 and a transmitter device 25 of the apparatus 1, in particular of the connection device 2. In this case, the memory device 24 can store information items about an identity of the apparatus 1 and/or apparatus-specific information items such as, for example, information items about a length and/or a diameter of the apparatus-side light-guide element 5 and optionally further characteristics specified in this disclosure.

[0126] The microscopy system 3, in particular the device 15, includes a receiver device 26 for receiving signals/data which are transmitted from the apparatus-side transmitter device 25 to the receiver device 26. Consequently, the above-described information items can be transmitted from the apparatus 1 to the microscopy system 3. Further, these information items can then be transmitted from the device 15 to the control and evaluation 14, which can then adjust a mode of operation of the microscopy system 3 in a manner adapted to the above-described information items. It is possible for the transmitter device 25 to be in the form of a readable RFID transponder. Further, the receiver device 26 may be an RFID reader for readout. The receiver device 26 can be part of a transmitter and receiver device which facilitates a bidirectional signal transfer, that is to say a signal transfer from the apparatus 1 to the microscopy system 3, and vice versa. However, it is also possible for the receiver device 26 to be configured for unidirectional signal transfer only, that is to say from the apparatus 1 to the microscopy system 3.

[0127] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the receiver device 26 may be arranged or configured such that the transmitter device 25 is only in the reception region of this receiver device 26 if the apparatus is connected to the microscopy system 3 in the desired way.

[0128] FIG. 3B shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus-side connection device 2 according to a further exemplary embodiment. This connection device 2 also includes a memory device 24 for storing the above-described information items. Shown further is that the connection device 2 includes an interface 27 for wired data transfer. The microscopy system-side device 15 likewise includes an interface 28 for wired data transfer. If the apparatus-side connection device 2 is connected to the microscopy system-side connection device 4, an optical connection is firstly established between the light-guide elements 16c, 5, as is a data connection between the microscopy system 3 and the apparatus 1, in particular via the interfaces 27, 28. This facilitates a readout of the information items stored in the memory device 24, which can then be transferred to the control and evaluation device 14.

[0129] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, it is possible to detect a change in the connection state if a data transfer and/or signal transfer via the interfaces 27, 28 which was not possible previously is rendered possible, or vice versa.

[0130] FIG. 3C shows a schematic illustration of a connection device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of disclosure of an apparatus 1 for OCT-based imaging according to a further exemplary embodiment. In this case, the connection device 2 includes a marker 29 in the form of a QR code. The device 15 of the microscopy system includes an image acquisition device 30 for optically acquiring the marker 29. In this case, the acquisition region of this optical acquisition device 30 can be arranged and/or formed such that the QR code can only be acquired if the connection device 2 is connected to the connection device 4 of the microscopy system 3 in the desired manner and hence an optical connection has been established between the microscope-side and apparatus-side light-guide elements 16c, 5.

[0131] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a microscopy system with an apparatus 1 for OCT-based imaging connected thereto. In this state, the switching state of the optical switching device 13 can be adjusted by the control and evaluation device 14 in such a way that the OCT unit 12 is connected to the apparatus 1 but not to the beam splitter 17. If this connected state is undone and the corresponding connection state change is detected, the control and evaluation device 14 can control the optical switching device 13 such that a switching state in which the OCT unit 12 is connected to the beam splitter 17 but no longer connected to the apparatus 1 is set.

[0132] The control and evaluation device 14 can adjust the mode of operation of the microscopy system 3 if a connection state change is detected.

[0133] What is not shown is that the microscopy system 3 may include a memory device for storing apparatus-specific information items, typically of a plurality of apparatuses 1. By way of this memory device, it is possible, for example, to store an assignment of identities of these apparatuses 1 to the corresponding apparatus-specific information items. Should an identity of a connected apparatus 1 subsequently be determined, apparatus-specific information items may then be retrieved from this memory device, it then being possible to perform an information item-dependent adjustment of the mode of operation. It is conceivable that this memory device is a memory device of the microscopy system 3, but also a microscope-external memory device, for example a memory device that is callable via a network.

[0134] FIG. 5 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to the disclosure for operating a microscopy system 3 (see FIG. 2) according to a first exemplary embodiment. In this case, a connection state change—as explained above—is detected in a first step S1. Then, a change-conditional adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system 3 is performed in a second step S2. In particular, the optical switching device 13 of the microscopy system 3 can be controlled, or the switching state thereof can be adjusted, in connection state-dependent fashion.

[0135] FIG. 6 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In this case, a connection state change is detected in a first step S1. If a connected state of an apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) is detected, an identity of the connected apparatus 1 and/or an apparatus-specific information item can be determined in a second step S2. Then, an identity-dependent and/or information item-dependent adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system 3 can be implemented in a third step S3.

[0136] FIG. 7 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In this case, a connection state change can be detected in a first step S1. Then, a calibration, for example including a polarization optimization, a sweep signal search or a signal-to-noise ratio estimate, can be performed in a second step S2. Then, an adjustment of the mode of operation of the microscopy system 3 can be performed on the basis of the result of the calibration in a third step S3.

[0137] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0138] 1 Apparatus [0139] 2 Connection device [0140] 3 Microscopy system [0141] 4 Microscopy system-side connection device [0142] 5 Apparatus-side light-guide element [0143] 6 Actuation body [0144] 7 Output coupling portion [0145] 8 Protective sleeve [0146] 9 Element for detection [0147] 10 Element for identifying [0148] 11 Element for readout [0149] 12 OCT unit [0150] 12a OCT radiation source [0151] 12b OCT reference beam path [0152] 12c OCT evaluation device [0153] 13 Optical switching device [0154] 14 Control and evaluation device [0155] 15 Device for detection [0156] 16a, 16b, 16c Microscopy system-side light-guide element [0157] 17 Beam splitter [0158] 18 Beam path [0159] 19 Patient [0160] 20 Operating table [0161] 21 Illumination device [0162] 22 Imaging device [0163] 23 Eyepiece [0164] 24 Memory device [0165] 25 Transmitter device [0166] 26 Receiver device [0167] 27 Interface [0168] 28 Interface [0169] 29 Marker [0170] 30 Image acquisition device [0171] S1 First step [0172] S2 Second step [0173] S3 Third step