Patent Description:
The human eye can suffer a number of maladies causing mild deterioration to complete loss of vision. While contact lenses and eyeglasses can compensate for some ailments, ophthalmic surgery is required for others. Generally, ophthalmic surgery is classified into posterior segment procedures, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and anterior segment procedures, such as cataract surgery. Vitreoretinal surgery may address many different eye conditions, including, but not limited to, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopaty, diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, detached retina, epiretinal membrane, and cytomegalovirus retinities.

In vitreoretinal surgery, the surgeon needs to visualize the posterior segment to properly address the eye condition. However, undesirable light, such as glare and/or glistening, from the surgical field may impact visibility of the posterior segment of the eye. Currently, vitreoretinal surgeons can work in a darkened operating room to decrease concerns with the undesired light. Alternatively, the operating room may not be darkened, but the vitreoretinal surgeon may then have difficulty visualizing the posterior segment due to the undesired light.

Access to the posterior segment in vitreoretinal surgery can be provided by one or more cannulas inserted into the eye. In the case of the darkened operating room, the surgical field (e.g., posterior segment, retina, etc.) can be illuminated with an endoilluminator disposed through a cannula. To introduce a new instrument through the cannula, the proximal end of the cannula (i.e., cannula hub) and the instrument will need to be visualized by the vitreoretinal surgeon. This often requires the vitreoretinal surgeon to zoom out the microscope and switch on the microscope light in order to visualize the proximal end of the cannula and the instrument and insert the instrument through the lumen formed in the cannula. Once the instrument is introduced into the eye through the cannula, the microscope light is switched off. While this technique provides light to introduce a new instrument through the cannula, the technique has drawbacks. For example, the time associated with readjustment of the microscope delays the vitreoretinal surgery.

Reference is made to the documents <CIT> and <CIT> which have been cited in the search report as relating to the state of the art.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for use during eye surgery, comprising a microscope, illumination devices adapted to generate a light pattern on the eye, a camera adapted to capture the light pattern generated on the eye, a computer configured to ascertain the orientation and to control the illumination device to generate a light pattern from the image data of the camera.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical system for projecting illumination onto an eye is provided. The example surgical system includes the features of claim <NUM>.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a non-claimed method of projecting light onto an eye. The method may include collecting image data of an eye using a camera; determining one or more discrete locations on the eye to be illuminated with projected light, the one or more discrete locations determined, at least in part, from the collected image data; projecting the visible, non-treatment light onto the one or more discrete locations of the eye using a projector.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a non-claimed method of projecting light onto an eye. The method may include collecting image data of an eye using a camera; processing the received image data to determine one or more discrete locations on the eye to be illuminated with projected visible, non-treatment light; projecting light onto the one or more discrete locations of the eye to be illuminated, the one or more discrete locations being one or more cannulas disposed in the eye; and inserting a surgical instrument into at least one of the one or more cannulas while the light is being projected.

The different aspects may include one or more of the following features. The one or more eye features may include a feature of the eye or a feature disposed on the surface of the eye. The processor may be operable to determine the one or more particular locations on the eye based on the received image data. The image data of the eye may correspond to an image viewable through the microscope. The camera may be mounted to the microscope, and the projector may be mounted to the microscope. The one or more eye features may include a cannula inserted into the eye. The projected visible, non-treatment light may illuminate a discrete area of the eye surface that encompasses the cannula to the exclusion of the remainder of the eye surface. The projected light may include an incision marker, a toric axis, or a toric axis marker.

These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the disclosure.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles disclosed herein, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles described herein are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with reference to one or more implementations may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with reference to other implementations of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The devices, instruments, methods, and other aspects described herein are made in the context of ophthalmology. However, the scope of the disclosure may be applicable to other medical arts. Consequently, the scope of the disclosure is intended to encompass other application within or outside of the medial arts.

The embodiments provided herein relate to ophthalmic surgery. More particularly, the embodiments relate to projecting visible, non-treatment light onto an eye to illuminate specific areas of a surgical field. The illumination projected onto a surface of the eye enables visualization of objects in specific areas within the surgical field, including an incision marker, selective illumination of an instrument inserted into the eye, an optical axis, and other symbols or information. In a darkened operating room during vitreoretinal surgery, targeted illumination is directed to a cannula located in an eye. The targeted illumination is focused so as to illuminate only the cannula or the cannula and a portion of the surgical field immediately adjacent to the cannula. That is, the targeted illumination is used to illuminate discrete portions of the eye associated with a specific area of the surgical, as opposed to a generalized illumination of the eye. The illumination may also include projection of light rays to provide information on the eye. This information may be used by a surgeon, for example, during the course of a surgical procedure. The information projected onto the eye may include, but is not limited to, an incision indicator (e.g., a cannula location indicator, a cataract incision indicator (Paracentesis), a glaucoma flap size and position indicator), and, in a case of toric IOL implantation, a toric axis indicator. The illumination may also include selective illumination such as glaucoma surgery illumination with the pupil shadowed or otherwise not illuminated. The illumination is non-treatment in that the illumination is not adapted to perform a surgical treatment to the eye but is merely provided for illumination purposes.

<FIG> illustrates an example surgical system <NUM> operable to project visible, targeted, and non-treatment light <NUM> onto an eye <NUM>. As illustrated, the surgical system <NUM> includes a camera <NUM> that is operable to collect information on the eye <NUM> and a microscope <NUM> that is operable to visually inspect the eye <NUM>. The surgical system <NUM> also includes a surgical console <NUM> that receives the information from the camera <NUM> and/or the microscope <NUM>. The surgical console <NUM> is configured to process the information from the camera <NUM> to determine one or more locations on the eye <NUM> where light is to be projected for targeted illumination. The surgical system <NUM> also includes a projector <NUM> for projecting the targeted light <NUM> onto the eye <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> collects information about the eye <NUM>. The camera <NUM> is configured to collect one or more images of the eye <NUM>, interchangeably referred to herein as image data. The image data may be real-time image data. The camera <NUM> provides the image data to the surgical console <NUM> for subsequent processing. The camera <NUM> may be any type of camera, including, but not limited to, CMOS and CCD monochromatic or color cameras, as well as color or monochromatic cameras with a broad wavelength in the visible range, as well as near infrared, or a very specific wavelength in visible-near-infrared range. Further, the camera <NUM> may be specifically tailored to detect a defined spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths or one or more particular electromagnetic wavelengths, as desired. In some instances, the camera <NUM> may be configured to detect one or more electromagnetic wavelengths or a spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths with the use of filters. The camera <NUM> communicates with the surgical console <NUM>. The camera <NUM> is in signal communication with the surgical console <NUM> via a wired or wireless connection. The image data collected by the camera <NUM> are sent to the surgical console <NUM> for further processing. In some embodiments, the camera <NUM> may be optimized for low light levels, such as in a vitreoretinal surgical environment where the operating room may be dark. In some embodiments, the eye <NUM> may be illuminated with light outside of the human visual range so as to avoid disturbing the surgeon. In such instances, the camera <NUM> may be of a type that is capable of detecting this light outside of the human visual range. The camera <NUM> is positioned and focused to receive reflected light <NUM> from the eye <NUM>. In some embodiments, the camera <NUM> may use the reflected light <NUM> to image the eye <NUM> and provide information about the eye <NUM> to the surgical console <NUM>.

The microscope <NUM> may be any microscope operable to visually inspect the eye <NUM>. In some instances, the microscope <NUM> may be, although is not limited to, an ophthalmic surgical microscope or a stereo-microscope. A user, such as a surgeon or other medical professional, may operate the microscope <NUM> during surgery, for example, to visualize the eye <NUM> (or one or more specific regions thereof) in more detail. The microscope <NUM> also communicates with the surgical console <NUM>. The microscope <NUM> may be in signal communication with the surgical console <NUM> via a wired or wireless connection. In some instances, the information collected by the microscope <NUM> is sent to the surgical console <NUM> for further processing. While not shown, the microscope <NUM> may include additional equipment, including, but not limited to, a light source.

The surgical console <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> and one or more memory devices <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be or include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded microcontroller, a programmable digital signal processor, or any other programmable device operable to receive information from the memory device <NUM> or other sources in communication with the processor <NUM> and perform one or more operations on the received information. The processor <NUM> may also be operable to output results based on the operations performed thereby. In some instances, the processor <NUM> may also be or include an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other device of combinations of devices operable to process electric signals.

In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the memory device <NUM> is internal to the surgical console <NUM>. However, in other implementations, the memory device <NUM> may be external to the surgical console <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may be a plurality of memory devices. In still other implementations, the memory device <NUM> may include one or more memory devices that are both internal and external of the surgical console <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may include any device operable to receive, store, or recall data, including, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, or optical memory, whether volatile or non-volatile. The memory device <NUM> may include code <NUM> stored thereon. The code <NUM> may include instructions that may be executable by the processor <NUM>. The code <NUM> may be created, for example, using any programming language, including but not limited to, C++ or any other programming language (including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages). In some instances, the code <NUM> may be a program that, when loaded into the processor <NUM>, causes the surgical console <NUM> to receive information from one or more of the camera <NUM> and microscope <NUM>, determine one or more locations on the eye <NUM> needing illumination, and cause the projector <NUM> (described in more detail below) to project light onto the one or more determined locations.

In operation, the surgical console <NUM> receives image data, about the eye <NUM> from the camera <NUM>. The information about the eye <NUM> received by the surgical console <NUM> from the camera <NUM> is processed by the processor <NUM>. In some implementations, the camera <NUM> may include a separate processor, and the processor of the camera <NUM> may process the image data obtained by the camera <NUM>. The processed image data are transmitted to the surgical console <NUM>. In some instances, the processor <NUM> may receive user input <NUM>. The user input <NUM> may be information received from an input device, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or other input device by which a user inputs information. The processor <NUM> processes the information received from one or more of the camera <NUM>, the user input <NUM>, and one or more other sources to determine one or more locations on the eye <NUM> where light is to be projected, interchangeably referred to as desired light projection.

The desired light projection determined by the processor <NUM> is sent to the projector <NUM>. The projector <NUM> projects light <NUM> onto the eye <NUM>. The desired light projection is in the form of targeted illumination to illuminate one or more areas on the eye <NUM>. In some instances, the desired light projection may be in the form of numerals, text, or other symbols projected onto a particular location of the surface of the eye. In still other implementations, desired light projection may include both targeted illumination as well as the projection of symbols, and the projector <NUM> may be operable to project both types of targeted illumination on the eye <NUM> at the same time.

According to other implementations, the camera <NUM>, the microscope <NUM>, and the projector <NUM> may be a stand-alone illumination system that operates independently of a surgical console, such as surgical console <NUM>. In such implementations, one or more of the cameral <NUM>, microscope <NUM>, and projector <NUM> may include a processor and memory similar to the processor <NUM> and memory <NUM> described above. Code, similar to code <NUM>, may be stored on the memory and executed by the processor to cause the illumination system to operate as described above. For example, the illumination system may operate in a similar manner to identify one or more areas of an eye to be illuminated with targeted light and cause the projector <NUM> to project targeted illumination onto the eye, as also described above. In some implementations, such an illumination system may be connected to a surgical console, such as, for example, surgical console <NUM>, while, in other implementations, the illumination system may not be coupled to a surgical console.

The projector <NUM> includes any light source capable of generating the visible, targeted, and non-treatment light <NUM>. For example, the light source may include, but is not limited to, light emitting diodes, organic light emitting diodes, and laser sources, which may either monochromatic, or in the red green blue color space, as well as other applicable type. The targeted light <NUM> from the projector is projected onto discrete locations of the eye <NUM> to enable visualization of a cannula (e.g., cannula illumination). Thus, the light <NUM> is in the form of discrete areas of light projected onto particular, discrete areas of the eye surface in order to highlight the particular area or feature of or on the eye surface. That is, the light <NUM> is a targeted, and not a general, illumination of the eye surface. Projection of light <NUM> may be particularly applicable when done in a darkened operating room during vitreoretinal surgery. In some instances, the light <NUM> provided by the projector <NUM> may be or include an overlay into the surgical field. In still other instances, the light <NUM> provided by the projector <NUM> may be or include selective illumination of a particular region or regions of the eye, such as illumination with the pupil shadowed or otherwise not illuminated. This type of selective illumination may be particularly applicable to glaucoma surgery.

<FIG> illustrates another example surgical system <NUM> operable to project the targeted light <NUM> onto the eye <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the surgical system <NUM> includes camera <NUM>, a microscope <NUM>, a surgical console <NUM>, and a projector <NUM>. The camera <NUM> collects information, in the form of image date, on the eye <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> is mounted to the microscope <NUM>. In other implementations, the camera <NUM> may be integrated into the microscope <NUM>. For example, the camera <NUM> may be included in the optical path of the microscope <NUM>, such as by a semi-transparent beam splitter. The camera <NUM> may be mounted to the microscope <NUM> in any desired manner. For example, the camera <NUM> may be mounted to the microscope <NUM> with the use of, fasteners, adhesives, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the camera <NUM> receives the reflected light <NUM> by way of the microscope <NUM>. The information collected by the camera <NUM> is sent to the surgical console <NUM> through a communication line <NUM> that communicatively couples the camera <NUM> to the surgical console <NUM>. As previously described, the surgical console <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory device <NUM> that includes code <NUM>. The descriptions of the processor <NUM>, memory device <NUM>, and code <NUM> are applicable to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and are not repeated.

The desired light projection determined by the processor <NUM> is sent to the projector <NUM> for projecting the light <NUM> onto the eye <NUM>. In some embodiments, the projector <NUM> may be mounted to the microscope <NUM>. The projector <NUM> may be mounted to the microscope <NUM> in any desired manner. For example, the projector <NUM> may be attached or otherwise coupled to the microscope <NUM> with the use of fasteners, adhesives, or the like. While, in some implementations, the projector <NUM> may be mounted to the microscope <NUM>, the scope of the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, in other implementations, the camera <NUM>, the projector <NUM>, or both may be provided separate from the microscope <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surgical system <NUM> may further include a surgical instrument <NUM>. In some implementations, the surgical instrument <NUM> may be or include an instrument for use in a surgical procedure, including, but not limited to, an ophthalmic endoilluminator, a vitrectomy probe, forceps, scissors, backflush, soft tip cannula, pic, a scraper, or other surgical instrument. The surgical instrument <NUM> couples to the surgical console <NUM> via a connection line <NUM>. In some implementations, the connection line <NUM> may provide power to the surgical instrument <NUM>; data communication between the surgical console <NUM> and the surgical instrument <NUM>; a passage for the communication for a fluid to or from the surgical instrument <NUM> (e.g., for irrigation, aspiration, or to power a fluidic motor of the surgical instrument <NUM>); or a combination of any of these.

With reference now to <FIG>, an example of using the surgical instrument <NUM> with projection of the targeted light <NUM> from the projector <NUM> will now be described. As illustrated, cannulas <NUM> are disposed in the eye <NUM>. The cannulas <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, trocar cannulas and infusion cannulas. The cannulas <NUM> provide access into the eye <NUM>. For example, the cannulas <NUM> may provide access into the eye <NUM> for the surgical instrument <NUM>.

As previously described, operating room environment <NUM> may be darkened, for example, so that ambient light in the operating room environment <NUM> does not interfere with visualization through the microscope <NUM>. With the operating room environment <NUM> in such a darkened state, a user may find inserting the surgical instrument <NUM> into one of the cannulas <NUM> to be difficult. As a result, the projector <NUM> may be configured to project the visible, targeted light <NUM> only onto proximal ends <NUM> of the cannulas <NUM>. With this type of targeted illumination, the light <NUM> forms defined spots of light projected onto the eye surface that encompasses only the proximal ends <NUM> of the cannulas <NUM>. In other instances, the spots of light formed by the light <NUM> projects onto the eye surface encompasses the proximal ends <NUM> of the cannulas <NUM> and a small portion of the eye surface immediately surrounding the proximal ends <NUM>. A size of the visible spot of light created by the light <NUM> may be selected according, for example, to the preferences of a user. With the light <NUM> projected onto the proximal ends <NUM> of the cannulas <NUM> to form target areas of illumination, the cannulas <NUM> may be visualized, to the exclusion of other portions of the eye surface, even in the darkened environment <NUM> of an operating room so that a surgeon, for example, can locate the cannula <NUM> and insert the surgical instrument <NUM> thereinto.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating an example of a non-claimed method <NUM> of light projection. At <NUM>, a patient is positioned for surgery. At <NUM>, information from the eye <NUM> is collected. For example, a camera, such as the camera <NUM> described above in the context of <FIG>, may be used to collect the information from the eye <NUM>. The information received from the eye may be in the form of image data. The image data may be received by a camera and analyzed by a processor executing a program operable to detect one or more locations on the eye requiring illumination. The processed image data may indicate one or more locations on or in the eye where surgical devices are disposed. For example, the information received from the eye, once processed, may include location information of a cannula, such as cannula <NUM>, disposed in the eye. At <NUM>, one or more locations where light is to be projected is determined based, at least in part, on the information received from the eye. For example, a processor, such as the processor <NUM> described in the context of <FIG>, may operate to process the information received from the eye to determine one or more locations where light is to be projected onto the eye. At <NUM>, light, such as the light <NUM> described above, is projected onto the eye <NUM>. For example, a projector, such as the projector <NUM> described in the context of <FIG>, may operate to project the light onto the eye. The light projected by the projector may be both for illumination, projection of symbols or other information, or both.

<FIG> illustrates an example eye <NUM> on which no illumination or projection is being made. In <FIG>, the eye <NUM> is positioned and prepared for a surgical procedure. As shown, a speculum <NUM> is positioned to hold the eye <NUM> in an open position during the surgical procedure.

<FIG> illustrates an example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. Particularly, <FIG> shows light projection in the form of incision markers <NUM>. The incision markers <NUM> are discrete areas of illumination projected onto the eye surface in the form of arcs of visible light, as shown. In the illustrated example, the incision markers <NUM> are placed at locations along a circumference of an unfilled circle or narrow ring <NUM> projected onto the eye <NUM>. In some instances, the entire circle <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM>. The incision markers <NUM> may also be projected onto the eye <NUM> in a manner, e.g., by a representation, that is distinguishable from the circle <NUM>. In other implementations, the incision markers <NUM> may be omitted, and a surgeon, for example, may select a location where one or more incisions are to be made in the eye <NUM> at one or more locations along the circumference of the circle <NUM>. In some instances, the circle <NUM> may not be projected onto the eye <NUM>. Rather, in some instances, the incision markers <NUM> without the circle <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM>. Although numerous incision markers <NUM> are illustrated, in some implementations, a single incision marker <NUM> may be projected.

The incision markers <NUM> may be placed onto the eye <NUM> to indicate a desired spacing from pupil <NUM> of incisions <NUM> to be formed at the incision markers <NUM>. By way of example, the incision markers <NUM> may indicate one or more locations on the eye (e.g., one or more locations on the sclera) at which the incisions may be made for insertion of the cannulas <NUM> as shown, for example, in <FIG>. A surgeon may then proceed to make one or more incisions <NUM> along the incision markers <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example embodiment of incision markers <NUM> projected onto the eye <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates three projected incision markers <NUM>, each of which is formed by a targeted light beam that illuminates a specified location of the eye surface to the exclusion of the other areas of the eye surface. The three projected incision markers <NUM> are located at a separate location on the eye <NUM>. The incision markers <NUM> designate where placement of a cannula <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>) is to be inserted into the eye <NUM> to provide access into an interior of the eye <NUM>. A surgeon may then proceed to make one or more incisions <NUM> along the incision markers <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates yet another example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the light <NUM> is projected onto the eye <NUM> to illuminate one or more discrete areas on the surface of the eye <NUM> or one or more objects inserted into or otherwise present on the eye <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a cannula <NUM> is shown inserted into the eye <NUM>. As illustrated, the light <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM> in the form of a ring <NUM> of the light <NUM> (indicated by the dotted circular lines) that encircles the pupil <NUM> and illuminates the cannulas <NUM>. Thus, <FIG> illustrates an example in which a region of the eye <NUM> is illuminated by the light <NUM> contains multiple features, e.g., the multiple cannulas <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates another example of light projection in which multiple, discrete instances of illumination are projected on to the eye <NUM>. <FIG> shows a different region of illumination, each of the illumination regions being directed towards a single feature, e.g., a cannula <NUM>. Instead of projecting the light in the form of the ring <NUM> encircling the pupil <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the light <NUM> is projected onto the eye <NUM> at each of the cannulas <NUM>. That is, the light <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM> in discrete light zones <NUM>, each light zone <NUM> corresponding to a location where a cannula <NUM> is present. Thus, the light <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM> to selectively illuminate each of the cannulas <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the light <NUM> forms a lighted zone <NUM> at each of the cannulas <NUM>. The lighted zones <NUM> of visible light allows a user readily to identify the areas of the eye surface illuminated by the lighted zones <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the targeted light <NUM> may be projected onto the eye <NUM> in a desired shape, e.g., in the form of an arc, for example, to indicate one or more incision locations 1000a, 1000b, and 1000c in cataract surgery. The projection of the one or more incision locations 1000a, 1000b, and 1000c may be sized different, for example, to reflect different sizes of the incisions to be made. The incision location 1000a may represent a main incision while incision locations 1000b and 1000c may represent paracentesis. As shown in <FIG>, the light <NUM> of the light projection may designate different locations on the eye, and the light projections may have different sizes and shapes. In the particular illustrated example, a size of the light projection indicating incision location 1000a is larger than a size of the light projection indicating incision location 1000b or 1000c. Further, each of the light projections defining the incision locations 1000a, 1000b, and 1000c are in the form of an arc. However, the scope of the disclosure is not so limited. In other instances, the projected light may have or include other geometric shapes, symbols, or other indicators. <FIG> illustrates another example for projection of the light <NUM> onto the eye <NUM>, for example, for use in cataract surgery. <FIG> illustrates the one or more incision locations 10000a, 1000b, and 1000c. The incision locations 1000b and 1000c may be in the form of small arc sections or boxes that indicate an extend of the incision to be made, while the incision location 1000a is marked with an arc shape similar to that shown in <FIG>. As discussed above, the light <NUM> provides one or more visible indicators and is non-treatment in nature.

<FIG> illustrates another example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. In some procedures, such as cataract surgery, it may be desired to project a toric axis onto the eye <NUM>, for example, in toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation so that an implanted intraocular lens is oriented properly within the eye to provide the proper visual correction. <FIG> shows a light projection in which light <NUM> is projected onto the eye <NUM> in the form of toric axis markers <NUM>. The toric axis markers <NUM> indicate a toric axis on the eye <NUM> to permit a user, such as a surgeon, to visualize a toric axis of the eye <NUM>. In some embodiments, the toric axis markers <NUM> may be placed at an edge <NUM> of the cornea <NUM>, as shown on <FIG>. The toric axis markers <NUM> may provide a visual representation of the toric axis for the surgeon. In the illustrated example, the toric markers <NUM> are in the form of filled-in circles. However, the scope of the disclosure is not so limited, and the toric axis markers <NUM> may be any desired shape, character, symbol, or other indication.

<FIG> illustrates another example embodiment for an overlay <NUM> that includes toric axis markers <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the toric axis markers <NUM> extend in a line across the cornea <NUM> and pupil <NUM> to provide a visual representation of the toric axis to the surgeon. Although <FIG> shows the toric axis marker <NUM> as being a dotted line, the toric axis maker <NUM> may have other forms, such as, for example, a solid line. <FIG> illustrates another example embodiment light <NUM> being projected onto the eye <NUM> in the form of toric axis markers <NUM>. However, in the example of <FIG>, the toric axis markers <NUM> extend in a line through the cornea <NUM>, but the toric axis markers <NUM> are not projected onto the pupil <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the light <NUM> is projected onto the eye <NUM> in the form of a ring to provide selective illumination. In some procedures, such as glaucoma surgery, it may be desirable to illuminate some portions of the eye <NUM> while not illuminating others. As shown in <FIG>, a portion of the sclera <NUM> of the eye <NUM> is illuminated without illuminating the pupil <NUM>. As illustrated, the light <NUM> may be projected in the form of a ring <NUM> of the light <NUM>. The ring <NUM> of the light <NUM> may illuminate the eye <NUM> without illumination of the pupil <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of light projection onto the eye <NUM>. In some procedures, such as a glaucoma surgical procedure, it may be desirable to make an incision in the sclera <NUM> and form a scleral flap <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the light <NUM> is projected onto the eye <NUM> in the form of an incision marker <NUM>. The incision marker <NUM> defines a scleral flap marker <NUM>. To make the scleral flap <NUM>, the surgeon may cut along the scleral flap markers <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example of a non-claimed method <NUM> that may be used to detect one or more features on the eye for illumination. During a surgical procedure, ambient light within an operating room or light provided by a light source may provide imaging light to illuminate a surgical area, such as an eye of a patient. Reflected imaging light from the surgical area may be received by a camera, such as camera <NUM> described above. At <NUM>, the camera may capture images of the eye. In particular, the camera may capture frames of images to form a video. Each image frame may be forwarded to an image processor, which may be similar to a processor of a type described herein, e.g., processor <NUM>, to be processed and analyzed. In some instances, the image processor may be separate from processor <NUM> included in the surgical console <NUM>. In other instances, the processor <NUM> may operate as the image processor and may include code, whether forming part of code <NUM> or a separate code, to cause the processor <NUM> to process and analyze each image frame. Thus, in some instances, code running on the image processor, such as code <NUM>, may provide the instructions to cause the image processor to process and analyze the received image frames.

At <NUM>, the image processor may perform contrast and feature enhancement processing on the image frame. For example, the image processor may receive the image frame in Red-Green-Blue (RGB) format. At <NUM>, the image processor may convert the RGB format image frame into a Hue-Saturation-Value (HSV) space; HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) space; or Lab color space. HSV space is discussed in the examples described herein. However, HSV space is used merely as one possible red-green-blue (RGB) color model example, and it is understood that other color space models may also be used. At <NUM>, after the image frame has been enhanced to bring out the contrast and feature, the image processor may determine a first-order estimation mask of a feature of the eye or an item disposed on or extending into the eye. For example, the feature may be a pupil of an eye, an end of a cannula, or other feature. In some instances, the feature may be identified based on a predetermined color of the feature, a shape of the feature, or other predetermined characteristic. In the context of a predetermined color, the image processor <NUM> may apply criteria to the hue and saturation channels of the HSV image frame that may separate the feature from the background in order to bring out and estimate the image of the feature.

At <NUM>, the image processor may extract the image of the feature from the image frame. For example, the image processor may implement a blob detection process to detect a boundary of the feature in the image frame. A blob may be a region of the image frame where some properties, such as color and brightness, are approximately constant. The image processor may search for regions of approximately constant properties in the image frame to detect blobs. Thus, the image processor may find the boundary of a feature, such as, for example, a proximal end of a cannula inserted into an eye, and extract the feature from the image frame.

At <NUM>, the image processor may analyze the shape and orientation of the feature extracted from the image frame. Based on a predetermined pattern and color, the image processor may determine the orientation of the feature in the image frame.

At <NUM>, once the feature is identified, a processor, such as a processor of a type described herein, e.g., processor <NUM>, directs a projector, such as projector <NUM>, to project illumination towards the feature or onto the eye in a manner relative to the feature. For example, where the detected feature is a proximal end of a cannula, the processor may direct the projector to project illumination in the form of a lighted zone onto the proximal end of the cannula that closely approximates the shape of the proximal end of the cannula. In other instances, the processor may direct the projector to project illumination identifying incision markers, toric axis markers, or other types of markers or illumination zones onto an eye.

Although method <NUM> illustrates an example process to detect one or more features on the eye for illumination, other methods to detect one or more features on the eye for illumination may include fewer, additional, and/or a different arrangement of operations. For example, the step of analyzing a shape and orientation of feature may be omitted.

Claim 1:
A surgical system (<NUM>) for projecting illumination onto an eye, one or more cannulas being inserted into the eye, comprising:
a microscope (<NUM>);
a camera (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to a surgical console, the camera operable to collect image data of an eye (<NUM>); and
the surgical console (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the camera (<NUM>), the surgical console operable to receive the image data, the surgical console comprising:
a processor (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>), the memory comprising code (<NUM>) executable by the processor;
wherein the processor is configured:
to process the image data in a manner defined by the code to identify said one or more cannulas (<NUM>) inserted into the eye (<NUM>); and
to determine one or more discrete zones of the eye surface to be illuminated, wherein the one or more discrete zones encompass the one or more cannulas to the exclusion of the remainder of the eye surface based on the received image data;
a projector (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the surgical console (<NUM>), and configured to receive the desired light projection and to project visible, non-treatment light (<NUM>) onto the eye surface ;
wherein the projected light (<NUM>) is in the form of one or more discrete light projections is directed to the one or more discrete zones (<NUM>) of the eye surface to selectively illuminate each of the one or more cannulas (<NUM>) to form a lighted zone at each of the one or more cannulas conforming to a shape of said cannula.