Microscopy-Current Status

Microscopy has been used in the operating room in the form of loops for a long time. More recent microscopes from Zeiss optics and other companies have improved surgeries requiring fine precision. These devices have no potential side-effects, but obviously have no depth-imaging ability. There are microscopes made for ophthalmology, ENT, Neuro/Spine surgery, hand & plastic surgeries, and dental microscopes. Shown at right is a microscope made for plasatic surgery, the Leica 680. It has two viewports for either two surgeons or a surgeon and a trainee. The design is pretty typical, a mobile stand with a counterweighted boom with the actual microscope on it. Shown below are two other microscopes, on the left is a Zeiss NC 4 for neurosurgery and spine surgery. On the right is a Leica 841 ophthalmology scope. Most of these systems have a mechanism for acquiring digital pictures during surgery. Additionally, the image seen by the surgeon can be displayed on screens either in the operating room or remotely.

Sources:

http://www.surgicalmicroscopes.com/microscopes.html