Alignment method and tool

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to alignment methods and tools, and specifically discloses a laser system comprising: a first cavity for outputting laser light along a first path; a first mirror for receiving the laser light from the first cavity and redirecting the laser light along a second path different from the first path; a beam splitter removably positioned at a first position on the second path; a beam combiner removably positioned at a second position on the second path; and an alignment device having first and second alignment features. When the beam splitter and the beam combiner are removed from the first position and the second position, the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature occupy the first position and the second position on the second path respectively.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number "202080009413.X", application date "January 13, 2020", and invention name "Alignment Method and Tool".

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 792,524, filed on January 15, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to medical / surgical laser systems and, more particularly, to methods and tools for aligning medical / surgical laser systems. Background Art

[0005] Medical laser systems are used for a variety of surgical procedures. These procedures may include pulverization and / or fragmentation of stones in the kidneys, bladder, and / or ureters. Medical laser systems are also used to create incisions and ablate and / or coagulate soft tissues, such as, but not limited to, the prostate. The surgical laser output from a medical laser system has a small diameter, such as 2 μm, and is invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, it is necessary to use a visible alignment laser beam to align the medical laser system.

[0006] Conventional alignment procedures for medical laser systems are time consuming, with alignment typically taking about one to two days to complete. One problem with conventional alignment techniques is the multiple beam spots displayed on the mirror during alignment. Large and weak alignment beam spots on the mirror make it difficult to provide accurate alignment results. Another problem associated with conventional alignment techniques is the inability to determine whether the alignment beam is perpendicular to the mirror surface. If the alignment beam is not perpendicular to the mirror surface, the output laser beam will not be on the same optical axis as the output optical fiber. The result is sometimes a failure of the output from the core fiber after the rough alignment step, requiring additional manipulation of the medical laser system. Another problem associated with conventional alignment techniques is the use of thermal paper during alignment. The use of thermal paper is necessary due to inaccurate alignment, and thermal paper helps to correct this accuracy. However, when the output beam passes through the thermal paper, particles are generated that contaminate the optical device and cause damage to the optical device. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one aspect, a laser system includes: a first cavity configured to output laser light along a first path; a first mirror configured to receive laser light from the first cavity and redirect the laser light along a second path different from the first path; a beam splitter removably positionable at a first position on the second path; a beam combiner removably positionable at a second position on the second path; and an alignment device having a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature, wherein the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are configured to occupy the first position and the second position on the second path, respectively, when the beam splitter and the beam combiner are removed from the first position and the second position.

[0008] The alignment device may also include two extensions spaced apart from each other, wherein the first alignment feature may be a hole in one of the two extensions and the second alignment feature may be a hole in the other of the two extensions.

[0009] The alignment device may include a body portion having two slots, and each of the two extensions may extend at least partially through one of the two slots.

[0010] The first alignment feature and the second alignment feature may be equidistant from the body portion.

[0011] The laser system may also include one or more fastening components, and may be configured to fix the beam splitter and the beam combiner to a first position and a second position, respectively, when the laser system is in an operating configuration, and may fix the alignment device so that when the laser system is in a first calibration configuration, the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are in a first position and a second position, respectively.

[0012] The first mirror may be a Galvo mirror that is adjustable in at least two dimensions.

[0013] The laser system may further include a second mirror configured to direct laser energy from the first cavity to the first mirror along a third path different than the first path and the second path.

[0014] The second mirror may include a film applied to at least one surface of the second mirror.

[0015] The laser system may also include a second cavity configured to output laser light along a fourth path, wherein the fourth path may be different from the first, second, and third paths.

[0016] The laser system may further include a third mirror configured to direct laser energy from the second cavity to the first mirror along a fifth path different from the fourth path.

[0017] The first cavity may include a fourth mirror, and the laser system may further include an alignment laser source, and the optical fiber may be configured to deliver alignment laser light from the alignment laser source through the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature toward the fourth mirror.

[0018] The alignment laser may be configured to travel through the second alignment feature before traveling through the first alignment feature.

[0019] Optical fibers may have core diameters from 5 μm to 7 μm.

[0020] The optical fiber may have a numerical aperture from 0.11 to 0.13.

[0021] The alignment laser may be configured to be directed from the first mirror to the fourth mirror.

[0022] According to another aspect, a method for aligning a laser system includes delivering an alignment beam to a first mirror contained within a first laser cavity via a first alignment feature positioned at a first position and a second alignment feature positioned at a second position; removing the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature from the laser system; and positioning a beam splitter at the first position and positioning a beam combiner at the second position.

[0023] Both the first and second alignment features may be holes positioned within spaced apart extensions of the alignment device.

[0024] The laser system may include a tunable mirror configured to redirect laser light from the first laser cavity, and the method further includes adjusting one or more angles of the tunable mirror until the alignment beam is centered on the first mirror.

[0025] In yet another aspect, a method for aligning a laser system having a first laser cavity includes: activating the first laser cavity to emit laser light along a first path toward a first mirror; deflecting the emitted light from the first mirror to the second mirror along a second path, wherein the second path is different from the first path; deflecting the emitted light from the second mirror along a third path through a first output fiber; measuring a first power of the emitted laser light at the first output fiber; measuring a reflected second power of the emitted laser light between a beam splitter and a beam combiner; determining whether a ratio of the first power to the second power is below a first threshold; and adjusting a position of the first mirror and / or the second mirror until the ratio of the first power to the second power is below the first threshold while the first output fiber is coupled to the laser system.

[0026] The method may also include: replacing the first output fiber with a second output fiber having one or more optical properties different from the first output fiber; activating the first laser cavity to emit laser light along a first path toward the first mirror; deflecting the emitted light from the first mirror to the second mirror along a second path; deflecting the emitted light from the second mirror along a third path through the second output fiber; measuring a first power of the emitted laser light at the second output fiber; measuring a reflected third power of the emitted laser light between the beam splitter and the beam combiner; and adjusting the position of the first mirror and / or the second mirror until a ratio of the first power to the second power is below a first threshold while the second output fiber is coupled to the laser system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a medical laser system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alignment device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 is in the first alignment configuration Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a medical laser system;

[0031] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a first alignment procedure according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a flow chart of a second alignment procedure according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0033] Figure 6 is in the second alignment configuration Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a medical laser system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not limiting of the claimed features. As used herein, the terms "comprises or comprising," "having," "including," or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the present disclosure, relative terms such as "about," "substantially," "generally," and "approximately" are used to indicate a possible variation of 10% of a stated value or characteristic.

[0035] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a medical laser system 1 is shown. The medical laser system 1 includes one or more cavities 10a to 10d, each cavity being capable of outputting an output laser beam (or laser). The output laser beam from each of the cavities 10a to 10d is directed to a corresponding relay (e.g., first) mirror 20a to 20d. For example, the output laser beam is output from cavity 10a to mirror 20a; for cavity 10b, it is output to mirror 20b; from cavity 10c to mirror 20c; and from cavity 10d to mirror 20d. Each output laser beam is reflected from a corresponding one of the relay mirrors 20a to 20d to a Galvo (e.g., second) mirror 30. For example, the output laser beam is reflected from the relay mirror 20a to the Galvo mirror 30. The Galvo mirror 30 reflects each output laser beam along the same optical path to a beam splitter 40, a safety shutter 50 (e.g., a shutter), and a beam combiner 60. The beam combiner 60 combines the output laser beams from one or more cavities 10a to 10d with the aiming beam from the aiming beam source 65 and delivers the combined output laser beam to the coupling lens 70. The aiming beam can be a relatively low power beam in the visible spectrum, which enables the operator to visualize the location where the output beams from the cavities 10a to 10d will be excited. The coupling lens 70 couples the output laser beam and matches the output laser beam to the output optical fiber 80 to transmit it to the delivery location.

[0036] To help ensure proper output and to help avoid damage to the medical laser system 1 and injury to the user and / or patient, the medical laser system 1 can be calibrated prior to use. Calibration and alignment of the medical laser system 1 can help ensure that the output laser light from one or more cavities 10a to 10d is properly reflected from each mirror and coupled into the output optical fiber 80 through the coupling lens 70.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 The alignment device 90 shown in FIG. 1 can be used to assist in the alignment of the medical laser system 1. Figure 2As shown, the alignment device 90 includes a body 91 extending along a longitudinal axis 95. The body 91 includes a top surface 91c, a side surface 91d, and a bottom surface (not shown) opposite to the top surface 91c. The body 91 may include two slots 91a, 91b disposed at opposite ends of the body 91. The slot 91 may extend through each of the top surface 91c and the side surface 91d, but not through the bottom surface of the body 91. A first insert (or extrusion) 92a may be disposed in the first slot 91a, and a second insert (or extrusion) 92b may be disposed in the second slot 91b. A fastening mechanism such as one or more bolts 93 may be used to fasten the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b to the body 91. It should be understood that the fastening mechanism is not limited to bolts or screws. In fact, any fastening may be used, such as an adhesive or other fastening mechanism known in the art. Furthermore, the main body 91 may be provided without the slots 91a, 91b, and the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b may be fastened to the same face of the main body 91 by any mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b can each include a groove 92c, 92d. The grooves 92c, 92d can cooperate with a protrusion (not shown) of each of the slots 91a, 91b to properly align the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b in the first slot 91a and the second slot 91b, respectively. The protrusions can extend into the slots 91a and 91b, and the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b can slide along the corresponding protrusions in a track-like arrangement.

[0039] like Figure 2As shown, the first pinhole 93a can be set to pass through the first insert 92a, and the second pinhole 93b can be set to pass through the second insert 92b. The position of the pinholes 93a, 93b on each of the protrusions 92a, 92b is not limited; however, when the protrusions 92a, 92b are attached to the body 91, the laser should be able to pass through each of the pinholes 93a, 93b. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pinholes 93a, 93b are located at the same position on the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b, respectively. In one embodiment, the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b can be substantially identical and interchangeable within the alignment device 90. When the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b are coupled to the body 91, the longitudinal optical axis 96 can extend through substantially similar positions within the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b. The longitudinal optical axis 96 can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 95. As will be explained in detail herein, such positioning of pinholes 93a, 93b may allow alignment laser to be passed from the output of the medical laser system 1 to the Galvo mirror 30, relay mirrors 20a-20d and cavities 10a-10d for assisting alignment of the medical laser system 1.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 3 The alignment device 90 is shown as being usable in the medical laser system 1 in a first alignment configuration of the system 1 to assist in its alignment. Figure 3 As shown, the alignment device 90 may be positioned such that the first insert 92a is disposed at the location of the beam splitter 40, and the second insert 92b is disposed at the location of the beam combiner 60. According to this exemplary embodiment, the beam splitter 40, the shutter 50, and the beam combiner 60 may be removed before the alignment device 90 is inserted into the medical laser system 1. Using the alignment device 90 whose dimensions are determined such that the first and second protrusions 92a, 92b are disposed at the locations of the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60 may allow the user to attach the alignment device 90 in the medical laser system 1 using the same fastening elements (not shown) as used to position the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60 in the medical laser system 1. However, it should be understood that fastening the alignment device 90 is not limited, and any attachment mechanism (such as a thumb screw, a clamp, or any other fastening mechanism unfamiliar to a person of ordinary skill in the art) may be used to removably fasten the alignment device 90 in the medical laser system 1 during alignment of the medical laser system 1. It should be understood that after the medical laser system 1 is aligned, the alignment device 90 may be removed from the medical laser system 1 , and the beam splitter 40 , the shutter 50 , and the beam combiner 60 may be replaced and fixed in the medical laser system 1 .

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the relay mirrors 20a to 20d may be provided with a coating to increase the brightness of the alignment beam (alignment laser) on the output coupling (OC) mirrors 11a to 11d in each of the cavities 10a to 10d. The coating may provide a reflection greater than about 50% at the alignment laser wavelength. Further, a thin film may be applied to enhance the brightness of the alignment beam on the OC mirrors 11a to 11d. According to an exemplary embodiment, when an alignment laser beam at a visible wavelength range is provided, the coating may provide a reflectivity greater than about 50% from the OC mirrors 11a to 11d, and the incident angle of the OC mirrors 11a to 11d is at 0°. In response, a single alignment beam having a diameter of approximately 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm or approximately 2 mm may be obtained on each of the OC mirrors 11a to 11d, which may simplify the alignment procedure and help ensure more accurate alignment.

[0042] Continue to refer Figure 3 , the alignment beam source 100 can be used to provide an alignment laser beam for aligning the medical laser system 1. The alignment beam source 100 may include a semiconductor laser diode and a single-mode optical fiber (alignment laser fiber) 101 having a core diameter of 6 μm and NA=0.12. The alignment beam source 100 according to an exemplary embodiment may provide a beam diameter of approximately 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm or approximately 3 mm on the Galvo mirror 30, and a beam diameter of approximately 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm or approximately 2 mm on each of the OC mirrors 11a to 11d, thereby improving alignment accuracy. It should be understood that the alignment beam source 100 is not limited to these parameters and may be changed according to the requirements of the laser medical system 1.

[0043] like Figure 3 As further shown, an aiming laser fiber 101 of the aiming beam source 100 is connected to the output 1a of the medical laser system 1 and the aiming beam source 100. A simplified illustration of the medical laser system 1 and the aiming beam source 100 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 The output 1a of the medical laser system 1 may be an SMA fiber optic connector disposed after the coupling lens 70 (relative to the beam path). The output 1a is not limited to an SMA fiber optic connector and may be any connector suitable for outputting and receiving laser energy.

[0044] exist Figure 6 In the second alignment configuration of the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 , a first core fiber (test fiber) 120, which may have a diameter greater than 550 μm, may be attached to the output 1a using, for example, an SMG connector. A second core fiber 130 having a diameter of 365 μm may also be attached to the output 1a using an SMG connector. In addition, a first power meter 110a may be attached to the end of the first core fiber 120 opposite to the end connected to the output 1a, such as Figure 6As shown. The optical power measured at the far end of the optical fiber using the first power meter 110a is measured as P1. The second power meter 110b can be arranged between the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60, as shown. Figure 6 As shown. The optical power measured at the position near the optical fiber is measured by the second power meter as P2. The optical fiber coupling efficiency is defined as P1 / P2 multiplied by 100%.

[0045] When the angle of incidence of the OC mirrors 11a to 11d is set to 0°, the medical laser system 1 provides reflection of the aiming laser beam from each of the OC mirrors 11a to 11d. This orientation can provide a reflection of 35% to 45%, and in some cases about 40%, of the aiming laser beam from the OC mirrors 11a to 11d. According to an exemplary embodiment, the wavelength of the aiming laser beam can be about 625nm to 675nm, or 640nm to 660nm, and in some embodiments about 650nm. It should be understood that the wavelength of the aiming laser beam is not limited thereto, and any visible wavelength suitable for the aiming laser beam can be used.

[0046] A method of aligning the medical laser system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described. First, the coordinates of the various elements of the medical laser system are described herein, with reference to Figure 3 .

[0047] Figure 4 A flow chart of a first (e.g., initial) alignment procedure according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. As shown in step S1, the alignment device 90 is inserted into the medical laser system 1 between the Galvo mirror 30 and the coupling lens 70 (after the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60 are removed). As described above, the alignment device 90 can be removably attached to the medical laser system 1 using the same attachment mechanism as used to attach the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60. Further, the first insert 92a can be placed in the same position as the attachment position for the beam splitter 40, and the second insert 92b can be placed in the same position as the attachment position for the beam combiner 60. For ease of understanding, the discussion will involve the first insert 92a adjacent to the Galvo mirror 30 and the second insert 92b adjacent to the coupling lens 70. However, the medical laser system 1 is not limited to this orientation.

[0048] Once the alignment device 90 is inserted into the medical laser system 1 , the alignment laser fiber 101 of the alignment beam source 100 is connected to the output 1 a of the medical laser system 1 , and the alignment beam source 100 is activated, as shown in step S2 .

[0049] In step S3, Figure 3The coupling lens 70 shown in FIG. 1 is adjusted in the X-axis and the Y-axis to guide the alignment laser beam through the pinholes 93a, 93b of the first insert 92a and the second insert 92b, respectively.

[0050] In step S4, Figure 3 The Galvo mirror 30 shown in FIG. 1 has an angle β=0, and the angle θ of the Galvo mirror 30 is adjusted to reflect the laser aiming beam from the Galvo mirror 30 back into at least the pinhole 93a of the first insert 92a. For reference purposes, the z-axis is located along the output path of the output beam; the y-axis is perpendicular to the z-axis and is at Figure 1 The x-axis extends in the vertical direction, for example, perpendicular to a substrate (not shown) on which the Galvo mirror 30 and the relay mirrors 20a to 20d are disposed; and the x-axis is perpendicular to both the z-axis and the y-axis, and is orthogonal to Figure 1 . Angle β can be defined as a rotation angle along a plane defined by the x-axis and the z-axis, such as a rotation of the Galvo mirror 30 and / or the relay mirrors 20a to 20d in the horizontal direction, and angle θ can be defined as a rotation angle along a plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis, such as a rotation of the Galvo mirror 30 and / or the relay mirrors 20a to 20d in the vertical direction.

[0051] Once the laser aiming beam is reflected back into at least the pinhole 93a of the first insert 92a, step S5 is performed. In step S5, the angle β of the Galvo mirror 30 and the angle θ of the first relay mirror 20a are adjusted to direct the laser aiming beam onto the center of the first OC mirror 11a of the first cavity 10a.

[0052] In step S6, a lens paper is placed over the pinhole 93a on the side of the first insert 92a facing the first OC mirror 11a. The lens paper is used to observe the laser alignment beam reflected from the first OC mirror 11a around the pinhole 93a of the alignment device 90. During step S6, the angle β of the first relay lens 20a and the angle θ of the cavity 10a are adjusted until the laser alignment beam is reflected back through the first pinhole 93a of the alignment device 90.

[0053] It is possible that after steps S5 and S6, the laser alignment beam is not on the center of the first OC mirror 11a, and the laser alignment beam reflected from the first OC mirror 11a is not reflected through the first pinhole 93a. If this happens, step S7 includes repeating steps S5 and S6 until the laser alignment beam is on the center of the first OC mirror 11a, and the laser alignment beam reflected from the first OC mirror 11a is reflected through the first pinhole 93a. Lens paper is placed in front of the OC mirror 11a to determine whether the alignment beam is on the center of the OC mirror 11a.

[0054] Once the laser alignment beam is centered on the first OC mirror 11a, or at least substantially centered on the first OC mirror 11a, and the laser alignment beam reflected from the first OC mirror 11a is reflected through the first pinhole 93a, it is determined in step S8 whether all cavities 10a to 10d have been aligned. If not, in step S9, the next cavity is selected, and steps S5 to S7 are repeated for each cavity 10b to 10d using the corresponding relay mirrors 20b to 20d and Galvo mirrors 30.

[0055] Once the first alignment procedure is completed, a second (e.g., final) alignment procedure is performed, such as Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown.

[0056] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, in step S10 , the alignment beam source 100 and the alignment device 90 are removed from the medical laser system 1 .

[0057] In step S11, the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60 are Figure 6 4 and 6. The beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60 may be attached to the medical laser system 1 using the same or different fastening mechanisms as those used to removably fasten the alignment device 90.

[0058] In step S12, the first core fiber 120 may be attached to the output 1a using an SMG connector. In addition, a first power meter 110a may be attached to the end of the first core fiber 120 opposite to the end connected to the output 1a. A second power meter 110b may be disposed between the beam splitter 40 and the beam combiner 60.

[0059] During step S13, the first chamber 10a may be powered on, and the pulse energy is gradually increased from 0.2 J to 0.5 J. During this period, at different pulse energies, the power P1 is measured at the first power meter 110a, and the power P2 is measured at the second power meter 110b. The pulse energy may be preset, and the number of pulse energies for performing P1 and P2 measurements is not limited.

[0060] In step S14, it is determined whether P1 / P2 is greater than or equal to a first threshold (e.g., 80%). If P1 / P2 is less than 80%, step S15 is performed in which the angle β of the Galvo mirror 30 and the angle θ of the relay mirror 20a are adjusted. The adjustment of the Galvo mirror 30 and the relay mirror 20a is iterative until the ratio P1 / P2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold. After performing step S15, step S13 is repeated to determine whether P1 / P2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold. According to some embodiments, the first threshold may be determined by the specifications of the medical laser system 1, such as the tolerance of the system. Additionally or alternatively, the first threshold fiber coupling efficiency may take into account the transmission losses of the combiner, the fiber coupling lens 70, and the explosion-proof shield; the reflection low points of the two surfaces of the optical fiber; the absorption and scattering losses of the optical fiber; and / or the coupling losses.

[0061] Once it is determined that P1 / P2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, step S16 determines whether the power of each cavity has been tested. If the power of each cavity has not been measured, the cavity is changed in step S17. Therefore, steps S13 to S15 are performed for each of the cavities 10b to 10d. Although the medical laser system 1 described herein includes four cavities 10a to 10d, the medical laser system 1 is not limited thereto. Therefore, steps S13 to S15 should be performed for each of the cavities of the medical laser system 1.

[0062] After completing steps S13 to S15 for each of the cavities 10a to 10d, step S18 is performed, which determines whether the second core fiber (test fiber) 130 has been used. If the second core fiber 130 has not been used, in step 19, the first core fiber 120 having a diameter of 910 μm can be replaced with the second core fiber 130 having a diameter of 365 μm. Steps S13 to S17 are repeated using the second core fiber 130. The second core fiber 130 represents an optical fiber that can be used in the medical laser system 1 because a 100-watt laser can be coupled into an optical fiber having a diameter of 365 μm. Therefore, this test ensures correct orientation when using an optical fiber designated for use with the medical laser system 1.

[0063] After the power of each of the cavities 10 a to 10 d has been measured using the first core optical fiber 120 and the second core optical fiber 130 , step S20 is performed during which the second power meter 110 b is removed from the medical laser system 1 .

[0064] Step S21 includes using the first power meter 110a to measure the power P1 of the pulses from the first cavity 10a using the first core fiber 120 and the second core fiber 130. The first cavity 10a is configured to generate a beam having an energy of up to about 2J per pulse at about 25 to 75 Hz or in some embodiments about 50 Hz. If the difference in output power P1 at the first power meter 110a between the first core fiber 120 and the second core fiber 130 is less than a second threshold value (e.g., 5%) in step S22, step S21 is completed. If the difference in output power P1 is greater than the second threshold value, step S25 is performed, in which the method returns to step S15 so that the Galvo mirror 30 and the relay mirror 20a are readjusted.

[0065] In step S23, it is determined whether the power P1 of each of the cavities 10a to 10d has been measured. If not, the cavity is changed in S24, and steps S21 and S22 are repeated for each of the cavities 10b to 10d.

[0066] Step S26 includes measuring the power P1 of the first cavity 10a using the first power meter 110a, using the first core fiber 120 and the third core fiber (test fiber) 140 having a diameter of 242 μm and NA=0.28. The first cavity 10a is set to generate a beam with an energy of 0.5 J per pulse at 80 Hz. If the difference in output power P1 at the first power meter 110a between the first core fiber 120 and the third core fiber 140 is less than a third threshold value (e.g., 10%) in step S27, step S26 is completed. If the difference in output power P1 in step S26 is greater than the third threshold value, step S30 is performed, in which the method returns to step S15 so that the Galvo mirror 30 and the relay mirror 20a are readjusted.

[0067] In step S28, it is determined whether the power P1 of each of the cavities 10a to 10d has been measured. If not, the cavity is changed in S29, and steps S26 and S27 are repeated for each of the cavities 10b to 10d.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment, the alignment methods described herein can be performed using two stages, thereby eliminating the need for a third stage. According to an embodiment, a system can be provided without a light emitting diode (LED) because an LED produces a beam that is insufficient for aligning a medical laser system. According to another embodiment, the system can be used without thermal paper because the alignment beam source can be seen directly on the insert. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the alignment systems and methods described herein can be used without the need for a special beam splitter, such as a beam splitter that reflects more light into a power meter rather than coupling into an optical fiber at the output of the system. Moreover, the alignment systems and methods described herein can be used without the need for thermal paper.

[0069] The alignment procedure described above can significantly reduce the alignment time of the medical laser system 1. Due to the smaller, brighter alignment beam from the alignment beam source 100 and the alignment device 90, the alignment procedure described herein is more accurate, simpler, and less time-consuming than conventional techniques. The reflected beam from the OC mirrors 11a to 11d through the first pinhole 93a is advantageous because it ensures that the output laser beam is on the same optical axis of the output optical fiber 80 attached to the output 1a of the medical laser system 1. Therefore, after alignment using the alignment beam source 100, little, if any, fine alignment of the medical laser system 1 is required to complete the alignment. The alignment procedure of the present disclosure can also help technicians and operators maintain the laser system on site without the need to send the system off-site for maintenance.

[0070] It should be understood that reference is made to a plurality of cavities and / or mirrors in a medical laser system 1. It should be understood that the apparatus is not limited to this number and may vary depending on the requirements of the medical laser system 1. Further, while reference is made to a medical / surgical laser system, the alignment techniques described herein are not limited to medical / surgical laser systems and may be used with any laser system.

[0071] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed device without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and embodiments are intended to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present invention being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laser system comprising: a first cavity configured to output laser light along a first path; a first mirror configured to receive laser light from the first cavity and redirect the laser light along a second path different from the first path; a beam splitter removably positionable at a first location on the second path; a beam combiner removably positionable at a second location on the second path; as well as An alignment device having a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature, wherein the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are configured to occupy the first position and the second position on the second path respectively when the beam splitter and the beam combiner are removed from the first position and the second position.

2. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the alignment device comprises two extensions spaced apart from each other, wherein the first alignment feature is a hole in one of the two extensions, and the second alignment feature is a hole in the other of the two extensions.

3. The laser system of claim 2, wherein: The alignment device includes a body portion having two slots; and Each of the two extensions extends at least partially through one of the two slots. 4 . The laser system of claim 3 , wherein the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are equidistant from the body portion.

5. The laser system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more fastening components configured to: fixing the beam splitter and the beam combiner to the first position and the second position, respectively, when the laser system is in an operational configuration, and The alignment device is secured such that when the laser system is in a first calibration configuration, the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are in the first position and the second position, respectively.

6. The laser system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first mirror is a Galvo mirror that is adjustable in at least two dimensions.

7. The laser system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second mirror configured to direct laser energy from the first cavity to the first mirror along a third path different from the first path and the second path.

8. The laser system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second mirror comprises a film applied to at least one surface of the second mirror.

9. The laser system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second cavity configured to output laser light along a fourth path, wherein the fourth path is different from the first, second and third paths.

10. The laser system of claim 9, further comprising a third mirror configured to direct laser energy from the second cavity to the first mirror along a fifth path different from the fourth path.

Images