Motorized full field adaptive microscope

A method of providing an intraoperative optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure, the method comprising:

• providing an optical assembly, providing the optical assembly comprising providing moveable zoom optics and providing moveable focus optics and having an aperture;
• providing a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics;
• providing a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics;
• providing a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input;
• and
• providing a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly,
• wherein providing the zoom optics providing the focus optics comprises respectively providing each of the zoom optics and the focus optics with a plurality of independently moveable lenses operably coupled with a linear stage and a conveyor system operably coupled with the zoom actuator and the focus actuator for respectively controlling positioning the zoom optics and the focus optics, the linear stage comprising a linear guide and a guide actuator, and the conveyer system comprising a conveyor belt mechanism, and the conveyor system operably coupled with the zoom actuator and the focus actuator for respectively controlling positioning the zoom optics and the focus optics, and
• wherein providing at least one of the zoom actuator and the focus actuator comprises providing at least one of a shape-changing material and a smart material;
• and
• configuring the optical imaging system to automatically autofocus to a predetermined point relative to a medical instrument only after a time lag, whereby erroneous focus change is avoided.

A method of autofocusing using an intraoperative optical imaging system during a medical procedure, the method comprising:

• providing an intraoperative optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure, providing the intraoperative optical imaging system comprising:
• providing an optical assembly, providing the optical assembly comprising providing moveable zoom optics and providing moveable focus optics and having an aperture;
• providing a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics;
• providing a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics;
• providing a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input;
• and
• providing a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly,
• wherein providing the zoom optics providing the focus optics comprises respectively providing each of the zoom optics and the focus optics with a plurality of independently moveable lenses operably coupled with a linear stage and a conveyor system operably coupled with the zoom actuator and the focus actuator for respectively controlling positioning the zoom optics and the focus optics, the linear stage comprising a linear guide and a guide actuator, and the conveyer system comprising a conveyor belt mechanism, and the conveyor system operably coupled with the zoom actuator and the focus actuator for respectively controlling positioning the zoom optics and the focus optics, and
• wherein providing at least one of the zoom actuator and the focus actuator comprises providing at least one of a shape-changing material and a smart material;
• and
• configuring the optical imaging system to automatically autofocus to a predetermined point relative to a medical instrument only after a time lag, whereby erroneous focus change is avoided;
• determining a working distance between an imaging target and the aperture;
• determining a desired position of the focus optics based on the working distance;
• and
• positioning the focus optics at the desired position.