Improved spherical tip structure for medical optical fibers
By designing an improved spherical tip that extends along the longitudinal exposure length of the fiber and surrounds the exposed portion of the fiber, the existing medical spherical tip of the fiber is easily destroyed after laser pulse activation, achieving protection of the remote end of the fiber and extending service life.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380055251.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-11
AI Technical Summary
The spherical tip of existing medical optical fibers is easily destroyed after laser pulse activation, resulting in the distal end of the optical fiber losing protection, affecting the service life and safety of the optical fiber.
An improved spherical tip extends along the longitudinal exposure length of the optical fiber and surrounds the exposed portion of the optical fiber in the area where the optical fiber sheath is peeled to form a protective structure. The tip can be formed of an adhesive material and forms a specific shape during the manufacturing process by polishing or mold injection techniques.
The improved spherical tip allows the beam to be measured and diagnosed before the operation begins, while providing protection to the distal end of the fiber during the operation, avoiding damage and extending the service life of the fiber.
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Figure CN119604249A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 391,172, filed on July 21, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to medical optical fibers. In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a protective spherical tip on the distal end of a medical optical fiber. Background Art
[0004] Medical optical fibers typically include an optical fiber and a sheath surrounding the optical fiber. The optical fiber may include an innermost optical core and optionally a cladding surrounding the optical core. Some optical fibers may optionally include a mechanical support layer surrounding the cladding. In addition, medical optical fibers typically include a sheath (or protective layer), and, for example, like electrical wires, portions of the sheath of many optical fibers are stripped at the distal end, which leaves the stripped optical fiber with a bare distal portion of the optical fiber. Medical optical fibers have diameters ranging from tens of microns to hundreds of microns. Due to this small diameter, the distal portion of the medical optical fiber may be sharp or pointed.
[0005] Some medical optical fibers include a smooth tip disposed at the distal end to aid passage through an endoscope or body cavity. Such tip additions are designed to be shattered, fragmented, melted, or otherwise damaged when a laser pulse is activated to expose the fiber core. Some tips provide mechanical strength to the medical optical fiber. Summary of the invention
[0006] The present invention provides a medical optical fiber, which includes an optical fiber arranged along a longitudinal axis. The medical optical fiber also includes an optical fiber tip arranged at the distal end of the medical optical fiber, wherein the distal end of the medical optical fiber includes an optical fiber tip having an optical fiber end face transverse to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the optical fiber includes an innermost optical core having an optical core end face central to the optical fiber end face. The medical optical fiber also includes a sheath surrounding the optical fiber, wherein the sheath has a distal sheath face transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the sheath includes at least one hole.
[0007] Further provided herein is an improved ball-tip or protective tip surrounding the exposed portion of the optical fiber in the area where the jacket is stripped. The improved ball-tip radially surrounds the inner layer of the medical optical fiber near the end face of the optical fiber.
[0008] For some examples, a medical optical fiber includes: an optical fiber sheath; an inner optical fiber layer disposed within the optical fiber sheath, a length of the inner optical fiber layer being exposed at a distal end of the medical optical fiber, the inner optical fiber layer including at least a fiber core; and a modified spherical tip radially surrounding the exposed inner optical fiber layer near the distal end of the inner optical fiber layer, at least a portion of the distal end of the fiber core being exposed.
[0009] In some examples, the inner fiber layer includes a cladding, the core is disposed within the cladding, and the improved spherical tip is radially disposed around the cladding. In some examples, the distal front edge of the improved spherical tip is less than 10 microns away from the distal end of the core. In some examples, the distal front edge of the improved spherical tip is between 0 and 50 microns away from the distal end of the core longitudinally toward the proximal end of the medical optical fiber. In some examples, the distal front edge of the improved spherical tip includes a flat shape. In some examples, the distal front edge of the improved spherical tip includes a rounded shape. In some examples, wherein the exposed length of the inner fiber layer is between 2.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters (mm). In some examples, wherein the improved spherical tip extends longitudinally along the exposed length of the inner fiber layer for a distance between 400 microns and 1500 microns (μm). In some examples, wherein the improved spherical tip extends longitudinally along the exposed length of the inner fiber layer for a distance between 450 microns and 550 microns (μm). In some examples, the diameter of the modified spherical tip is between 500 and 550 micrometers (μm), among others.
[0010] For some examples, a method of manufacturing a medical optical fiber includes: providing a medical optical fiber, the medical optical fiber including a fiber optic sheath and an inner fiber optic layer disposed within the fiber optic sheath, the inner fiber optic layer including at least a fiber core; stripping a portion of the fiber optic sheath to expose a length of the inner fiber optic layer at a distal end of the medical optical fiber; applying an adhesive to a portion of the exposed length of the inner fiber optic layer near the distal end of the medical optical fiber to form a modified spherical tip, at least a portion of the distal end of the fiber core being exposed through the modified spherical tip.
[0011] In some examples, the adhesive is 6108T glue. In some examples, the method includes polishing the modified spherical tip to expose the distal end of the fiber core. In some examples, the method includes placing a portion of the exposed length of the inner optical fiber layer in a mold and injecting an adhesive into the mold to form the modified spherical tip. Some examples provide medical optical fibers formed using the above example methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] To facilitate identification of any component or action in the discussion, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number refers to the figure number in which the component is first introduced.
[0013] Figure 1A conventional medical optical fiber with a spherical tip is shown.
[0014] Figure 2 A medical optical fiber with a modified spherical tip is shown according to an example of the present disclosure.
[0015] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 Alternative view of medical fiber optics.
[0016] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 Another alternative view of medical fiber optics.
[0017] Figure 5 Shows Figure 2 Exploded view of a portion of a medical fiber optic cable.
[0018] Figure 6 A manufacturing method according to at least one embodiment is shown.
[0019] Figure 7 Another medical optical fiber having a modified spherical tip according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.
[0020] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 Alternative view of medical fiber optics.
[0021] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 7 Another alternative view of medical fiber optics.
[0022] Fig.10 Shows Figure 7 Exploded view of a portion of a medical fiber optic cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As noted, conventional optical fibers may include a spherical tip. Figure 1 A medical optical fiber 100 is shown. The medical optical fiber 100 includes an optical fiber 102 with a spherical tip 104 disposed on or surrounding the distal end 106 of the optical fiber 102. This conventional spherical tip design has several disadvantages. For example, the spherical tip 104 does not allow for automated calibration procedures or advanced diagnostic features. That is, the spherical tip 104 interferes with the light beam emitted before the laser beam has sufficient energy to destroy the spherical tip 104.
[0024] Additionally, empirical evidence tends to indicate that a spherical tip (e.g., spherical tip 104) can provide protection to the distal end 106 of the optical fiber 102 from damage or degradation during treatment. However, this protection is lost due to the design of conventional spherical tips 104, as conventional spherical tips 104 are immediately blown off or damaged (e.g., at the beginning of a procedure).
[0025] The present invention provides an improved spherical tip structure that advantageously allows the use of a light beam for preoperative (e.g., before activation of a therapeutic laser beam) measurements and diagnostics, as well as providing protection for the distal end of the optical fiber once surgery has begun while still protecting the working channel of the endoscope in the body cavity. Figure 2 A medical optical fiber 200 is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The medical optical fiber 200 includes an optical fiber 202, which may include an optical fiber core, a cladding, a mechanical support layer, or the like. The medical optical fiber 200 also includes a modified spherical tip 204 disposed at a distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202. In addition, the figure depicts a fiber jacket 208. As can be seen, the optical fiber jacket 208 is stripped from the distal end 206 by a length 210.
[0026] The modified spherical tip 204 extends a length 212 along the exposed length (e.g., longitudinally) of the optical fiber 202. As can be seen, the modified spherical tip 204 does not completely surround the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 and does not extend back to the optical fiber jacket 208. Figure 3 It is further shown in Figure 3 A view from the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 is shown.
[0027] like Figure 3 As depicted, the modified spherical tip 204 (eg, radially) surrounds the optical fiber 202. However, the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 is exposed. Additionally, a diameter 302 of the optical fiber 202 and a diameter 304 of the modified spherical tip 204 are depicted.
[0028] In addition, for Figure 2 In the improved spherical tip 204 structure depicted in FIG. 1 and shown with the medical optical fiber 200, the improved spherical tip 204 may not extend to the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202. For example, Figure 4 Shown from Figure 2 214. As shown in Figure 4 As can be seen in the exploded view 214 shown, the modified spherical tip 204 extends along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber 202 to within a distance 402 of the distal end 206. As shown in this figure, the modified spherical tip 204 can have a flat distal leading edge 404. In other examples, the distal leading edge 404 can be rounded.
[0029] For example, Figure 5An exploded view 214 is shown showing a circular shape (e.g., Figure 3 2 and 3.5 mm). In some examples, the length 210 can be between 2 millimeters and 4 millimeters (mm). In alternative examples, the length 210 can be between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. In some examples, the length 212 can be between 400 microns and 1500 microns (μm). For alternative examples, the length 212 can be between 500 μm and 600 μm or between 550 μm and 750 μm. For some examples, the diameter 302 of the optical fiber 202 can be between 50 μm and 500 μm. For alternative embodiments, the diameter 302 of the optical fiber 202 can be between 150 μm and 350 μm.
[0030] For some examples, the diameter 304 of the modified spherical tip 204 can be between 400 μm and 500 μm. In alternative embodiments, the diameter 304 of the modified spherical tip 204 can be between 450 μm and 500 μm or between 500 μm and 550 μm. In some examples, the distance 402 from the distal end 206 to the distal leading edge 404 (e.g., the leading edge, the edge closest to the distal end 206, or the like) of the modified spherical tip 204 can be between 0 and 50 μm. In alternative examples, the distal leading edge 404 is less than 10 μm from the distal end 206 (e.g., between 0 and 10 μm, less than 10 μm, or the like).
[0031] Figure 6 A method 600 of manufacturing a medical optical fiber is shown. The method 600 can be implemented to manufacture a medical optical fiber, such as the medical optical fiber 200 shown herein. The method 600 can start at block 602. At block 602, "Provide a medical optical fiber," a medical optical fiber can be provided. For some examples, the provided medical optical fiber can have an optical fiber 202 (e.g., including an optical fiber core, a cladding, and optional additional layers) surrounded or enclosed by an optical fiber jacket 208.
[0032] Continuing with block 604, "Strip the jacket of the medical fiber a distance away from the distal edge of the medical fiber," the optical fiber jacket 208 is stripped a length 210 away from the distal end 206. A portion of the medical fiber is exposed. For example, the optical fiber jacket 208 can be stripped to expose a mechanical support layer, a cladding, an optical fiber core, or another layer disposed below the optical fiber jacket 208. In some examples, the method 600 may not include block 604. In other words, for some examples, the modified spherical tip 204 can be formed on the optical fiber jacket 208. Therefore, block 604 can be omitted, the optical fiber jacket 208 will not be stripped from the inner optical fiber layers, and the modified spherical tip 204 can be formed on the optical fiber jacket so that the distal side at the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 is exposed as described herein.
[0033] Continuing with block 606, "Apply adhesive material to the side of the medical fiber proximate the distal end of the medical fiber," apply the adhesive material (e.g., a biocompatible adhesive, 6108T glue or the like) is applied to an exposed portion of the medical fiber 200 (e.g., in the area where the fiber jacket 208 is stripped and near the distal end 206). In some examples, the improved spherical tip 204 can be formed of a non-adhesive material. For example, the improved spherical tip 204 can be formed of a biocompatible material (with or without an adhesive material) having sufficient mechanical adhesion to stay on the distal end 206 of the medical fiber 200 during manufacturing, packaging, during insertion into a working channel of an endoscope, and / or during use in surgery.
[0034] For some examples, the adhesive is applied using a dispenser and rolling device (e.g., at block 606) to form the improved spherical tip 204 as described above. For some embodiments, the method 600 includes a block of curing or hardening the applied adhesive material. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied using a mold (e.g., at block 606) to form a shape (e.g., with a flat distal front edge 404 or the like). For some embodiments, block 606 applies the adhesive to form a conventional spherical tip (e.g., spherical tip 104), and the method 600 includes a further block (not shown) to polish the spherical tip 104 until the optical fiber 202 is exposed, exposing the distal end 206.
[0035] Figure 7 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The medical optical fiber 700 includes an optical fiber 202, which may include an optical fiber core, a cladding, a mechanical support layer, or the like. The medical optical fiber 700 also includes a modified spherical tip 204 disposed at a distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202. In addition, the figure depicts an optical fiber jacket 208. However, unlike Figure 2 Unlike the illustrated medical optical fiber 200, the optical fiber jacket 208 is not stripped from the distal end 206. Thus, the modified spherical tip 204 extends along the (e.g., longitudinal) length 212 of the optical fiber jacket 208. As can be seen, the modified spherical tip 204 does not completely surround the distal-most end face of the optical fiber 202 at the distal end 206. This Figure 8 It is further shown in Figure 8 A view of the medical optical fiber 700 from the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 is shown.
[0036] like Figure 8 As depicted, the modified spherical tip 204 (eg, radially) surrounds a fiber jacket 208, which itself (eg, radially) surrounds the optical fiber 202. However, the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202 is exposed.
[0037] In addition, for Figure 7 , and shown with the medical optical fiber 700, the improved spherical tip 204 may not extend to the distal end 206 of the optical fiber 202. For example, Fig. 9 Shown from Figure 7 Exploded view 702. As in Fig. 9 As can be seen in the exploded view 702 shown in FIG, the modified spherical tip 204 extends along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber 202 to within a distance 402 of the distal end 206. As shown in this figure, the modified spherical tip 204 can have a flat distal front edge 404. In other examples, the distal front edge 404 can be rounded.
[0038] For example, Fig.10 An exploded view 214 is shown, which shows a circular shape (e.g., with Figure 8 The improved spherical tip 204 has a distal leading edge 404 (as opposed to the flat one shown).
[0039] In the discussion, unless otherwise indicated, adjectives such as "substantially" and "about" modify conditions or relationship characteristics of one or more features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are understood to mean that the conditions or characteristics are defined within a tolerance range acceptable for the operation of the embodiments for the applications for which they are intended. Unless otherwise indicated, the word "or" in the specification and claims is an inclusive "or", not an exclusive or, and indicates at least one or any combination of the items it connects.
[0040] While the presented concepts have been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications and other applications of the present disclosure may be effected without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A medical optical fiber, comprising: Optical fiber sheath; an inner optical fiber layer, which is disposed in the optical fiber sheath, a length of the inner optical fiber layer is exposed at the distal end of the medical optical fiber, and the inner optical fiber layer comprises at least a fiber core; A modified spherical tip radially surrounds the exposed inner optical fiber layer proximate the distal end of the inner optical fiber layer, at least a portion of the distal end of the core being exposed.
2. The medical optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the inner optical fiber layer comprises a cladding, the core is disposed within the cladding, and the modified spherical tip is radially disposed around the cladding.
3. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The distal leading edge of the modified spherical tip is less than 10 microns away from the distal end of the fiber core.
4. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The distal leading edge of the modified spherical tip is longitudinally between 0 and 50 microns away from the distal end of the core toward the proximal end of the medical optical fiber.
5. The medical optical fiber of claim 4, the distal front edge of the modified spherical tip comprising a flat shape.
6. The medical optical fiber of claim 4, the distal front edge of the modified spherical tip comprising a rounded shape.
7. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The exposed length of the inner optical fiber layer is between 2.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters (mm).
8. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The modified spherical tip extends longitudinally a distance between 400 micrometers and 1500 micrometers (μm) along the exposed length of the inner optical fiber layer.
9. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The modified spherical tip extends longitudinally a distance of between 450 micrometers and 550 micrometers (μm) along the exposed length of the inner optical fiber layer.
10. The medical optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein: The diameter of the modified spherical tip is between 500 and 550 micrometers (μm).
11. A method for manufacturing a medical optical fiber, comprising: Provide a medical optical fiber, the medical optical fiber comprising an optical fiber sheath and an inner optical fiber layer disposed in the optical fiber sheath, the inner optical fiber layer comprising at least a fiber core; stripping a portion of the optical fiber jacket to expose a length of inner optical fiber layers at a distal end of the medical optical fiber; and Adhesive is applied to a portion of the exposed length of the inner fiber layer proximate the distal end of the medical optical fiber to form a modified spherical tip through which at least a portion of the distal end of the fiber core is exposed.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The adhesive is 6108T glue.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising polishing the modified spherical tip to expose a distal end of the fiber core.
14. The method of claim 11, comprising placing the portion of the exposed length of the inner optical fiber layer in a mold and injecting the adhesive into the mold to form the modified spherical tip.
15. A medical optical fiber formed using the method of claim 11.