Detecting degradation of an arc lamp element

Abstract

In a surgical system, an arc lamp can generate arc light. An endoscope can guide the arc light from its distal end toward the target site. An optical fiber can extend from the distal end of the endoscope to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light. An optical sensor, such as a spectrometer, can measure the spectrum of the returning arc light. Processing circuitry can analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light. Based on the analysis of the spectrum, the processing circuitry can determine that at least one of the arc lamp or the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance, such as due to aging. The processing circuitry can generate alarm data signals, such as instructions to replace the deteriorated component.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 597,448, filed November 9, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 597,460, filed November 9, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This literature generally deals with surgical systems, such as endoscopic systems. Background Technology

[0004] Practitioners (such as physicians, clinicians, operators, or users) can use endoscopes to provide visual access to a patient's internal location. A physician can insert an endoscope into the patient's body. An endoscope delivers light to the target being examined, such as the target anatomical structure or object. An endoscope collects light reflected from the object. The reflected light can carry information about the target being examined.

[0005] Endoscopes may include a working channel. In some examples, practitioners can perform aspiration through the working channel. In some examples, practitioners can pass instruments such as brushes, biopsy needles, or forceps through the working channel. In some examples, practitioners can perform minimally invasive procedures through the working channel, such as removing unwanted tissue or foreign bodies from a patient's body.

[0006] Endoscopes can use laser or plasma systems to perform laser treatments such as ablation, coagulation, vaporization, fragmentation, and lithotripsy. In laser treatments, practitioners can use an endoscope to deliver surgical laser energy to various target treatment areas, such as soft or hard tissue. In lithotripsy, practitioners can use an endoscope to deliver surgical laser energy to break up stone structures in a patient's kidneys, gallbladder, ureters, or other areas where stones have formed, or to ablate large stones into smaller fragments. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In an example, a surgical system used with an arc lamp configured to generate arc light may include: an endoscope configured to guide arc light from a distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; a distally extending optical fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light; an optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; and processing circuitry configured to: analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light; determine, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returning arc light, that the arc lamp has degraded performance; and generate an alarm data signal in response to determining that the arc lamp has degraded performance.

[0008] In an example, a method for operating a surgical system may include: generating an arc light using an arc lamp; guiding the arc light from the distal end of an endoscope toward a target site; receiving at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as a return arc light using a distally extending optical fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope; measuring the spectrum of the return arc light using an optical sensor; analyzing the spectrum of the return arc light using a processing circuit; determining, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the return arc light, that the arc lamp has degraded performance using the processing circuit; and generating an alarm data signal using the processing circuit in response to determining that the arc lamp has degraded performance.

[0009] In the example, the surgical system may include: a laser housing; a laser disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a laser fiber configured to guide the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; a xenon arc lamp configured to generate an arc light spectrally separate from the therapeutic laser; an arc light fiber configured to guide the arc light away from the xenon arc lamp; an endoscope coupled to the laser fiber and the arc light fiber, the endoscope being configured to receive the arc light from the arc light fiber and guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to: receive the therapeutic laser from the laser fiber and guide the therapeutic laser toward the target site; receive at least some of the therapeutic laser reflected from the target site as a returned therapeutic laser; receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as a returned arc light; and guide the returned therapeutic laser and the arc light from the laser housing. The returned arc light propagates along the laser fiber to the laser housing; a dichroic beam splitter, disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the returned arc light along a first optical path and the returned therapeutic laser along a second optical path; an optical sensor, disposed in the laser housing and configured to receive the returned arc light along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the returned arc light; and a processing circuit configured to: form a first determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is less than a specified amount of visible light; form a second determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light includes more than a specified amount of infrared light; form a third determination in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, namely, that the xenon arc lamp has degraded performance due to aging; and generate an alarm data signal in response to the third determination.

[0010] In the example, a surgical system used with an arc lamp configured to generate arc light may include: an arc lamp focusing lens configured to at least partially focus the arc light; an arc lamp fiber configured to receive the arc light from the arc lamp focusing lens at a proximal end of the arc lamp fiber and to guide the arc light to a distal end of the arc lamp fiber; an endoscope configured to receive the arc light from the distal end of the arc lamp fiber and to guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returned arc light; an optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returned arc light; and processing circuitry configured to: analyze the spectrum of the returned arc light; determine, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc light, that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance; and generate an alarm data signal in response to determining that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance.

[0011] In an example, a method for operating a surgical system may include: generating an arc light using an arc lamp; focusing the arc light at least partially using an arc lamp focusing lens; receiving the arc light from the arc lamp focusing lens at a proximal end of an arc light fiber; directing the arc light to a distal end of the arc light fiber; receiving the arc light from the distal end of the arc light fiber using an endoscope; directing the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; receiving at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returned arc light using a distally extending fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope; measuring the spectrum of the returned arc light using an optical sensor; analyzing the spectrum of the returned arc light using a processing circuit; determining from the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc light that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance using the processing circuit; and generating an alarm data signal using the processing circuit in response to determining that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance.

[0012] In the example, the surgical system may include: a laser housing; a laser disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a therapeutic laser fiber for guiding the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; a xenon arc lamp configured to generate an arc light spectrally separate from the therapeutic laser; an arc lamp focusing lens configured to at least partially focus the arc light from the xenon arc lamp; an arc light fiber configured to receive the arc light from the arc lamp focusing lens at a proximal end of the arc light fiber and guide the arc light to a distal end of the arc light fiber; an endoscope configured to receive the arc light from the distal end of the arc light fiber and guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; and a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to: receive the therapeutic laser from the therapeutic laser fiber and guide the therapeutic laser toward the target site; receive at least some of the therapeutic laser reflected from the target site as returning therapeutic laser; and receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light. The system includes: a return treatment laser and a return arc light source propagating along the treatment laser fiber to the laser housing; a dichroic beam splitter disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the return arc light source along a first optical path and the return treatment laser source along a second optical path; an optical sensor disposed in the laser housing and configured to receive the return arc light source along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the return arc light source; and a processing circuit disposed in the laser housing and configured to: form a first determination based on the spectrum of the return arc light source, i.e., the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the return arc light source is within a specified range of visible light amount; form a second determination based on the spectrum of the return arc light source, i.e., the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the return arc light source is greater than a specified infrared light amount; form a third determination in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, i.e., the arc light condenser lens has degraded performance due to aging; and generate an alarm data signal in response to the third determination. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Various embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying figures. Such embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the subject matter.

[0014] Figure 1 A side view schematic diagram of an example surgical system is shown.

[0015] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for operating a surgical system is shown.

[0016] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for operating a surgical system is shown.

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an example of a computer-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) is shown, which is configured to determine whether an arc lamp has degraded performance based on spectral analysis. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In laser treatment, a physician can position the distal end of an endoscope close to a target such as a kidney stone. The endoscope may include optical fibers that can deliver the therapeutic laser to the target, for example, via the distal end of the fiber. During treatment, the endoscope can illuminate the target, and an image of the illuminated target can be formed, for example, by using a camera at the distal end of the endoscope, and the image can be displayed to the practitioner, for example, on a monitor or head-mounted device.

[0019] In some examples, arc lamps (such as xenon arc lamps) can generate illumination in the form of arc light. Arc lamps are particularly well-suited for illuminating targets because they can have a substantially continuous and uniform spectrum across most or all of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In other words, the spectrum of an arc lamp can have little or no sharp peaks or valleys (such as those caused by spectral lines), discontinuities, or inhomogeneities.

[0020] To deliver arc light to the target, an arc light focusing lens can at least partially focus the arc light onto the end of the arc light fiber optic cable. The arc light fiber optic cable can then guide the arc light to an endoscope, which can then guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target.

[0021] Over time, arc lamps may experience performance degradation, such as due to aging. For example, over time, the plasma generated in the arc lamp can burn away a portion of the cathode, potentially increasing the distance between the cathode and anode. This increased distance can reduce the brightness of the arc lamp by up to 40% or more. Other examples of performance degradation may include one or more of the following: reduced light output, flickering, illumination failure, arc lamp blackening, cathode and / or anode deformation, anode discoloration, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to detect performance degradation in arc lamps and, in response, warn physicians of this performance degradation.

[0022] Furthermore, over time, arc lamp condenser lenses may exhibit performance degradation, such as due to aging. For example, one or more coatings on the surface of an arc lamp condenser lens may deteriorate due to prolonged exposure to arc lamp light. Degraded coatings can allow an increased amount of infrared light to pass through the arc lamp condenser lens and be directed towards the target. Generally, non-therapeutic infrared light exposure within the patient's body should be avoided to help prevent damage to surrounding tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to detect performance degradation in arc lamp condenser lenses and, in response, warn practitioners of such degradation.

[0023] It has been found that the spectrum of light reflected from a target can indicate whether an arc lamp has degraded performance. For example, a surgical system can determine that the infrared portion of the spectrum may include increased light intensity, while the visible portion may include decreased light intensity, and in response, determine that the arc lamp's performance has degraded. As another example, a surgical system can determine that the infrared portion of the spectrum has increased above the infrared baseline value, while the visible portion has decreased below the visible baseline value, and in response, determine that the arc lamp's performance has degraded. The surgical system can determine whether the arc lamp has degraded performance based on the spectrum. When the surgical system has determined that the performance has degraded, it can alert the practitioner to replace the arc lamp.

[0024] For example, an arc lamp can generate arc light. An endoscope can guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target area. A distally extending optical fiber can extend from the distal end of the endoscope and can receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target area as returned arc light. An optical sensor can measure the spectrum of the returned arc light. Processing circuitry can analyze the spectrum of the returned arc light. Based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc light, the processing circuitry can determine that the arc lamp has degraded performance. In response to determining that the arc lamp has degraded performance, the processing circuitry can generate an alarm data signal.

[0025] Similarly, it has been found that the spectrum of light reflected from a target can indicate whether the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance. For example, a surgical system can determine that the infrared portion of the spectrum may include an increased amount of light, while the visible portion of the spectrum may not exhibit this increased amount of light, and in response, determine that the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance. As another example, a surgical system can determine that the infrared portion of the spectrum has increased beyond a baseline value, while the visible portion of the spectrum remains unchanged, and in response, determine that the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance. The surgical system can determine whether the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance based on the spectrum. When the surgical system has determined that performance has deteriorated, it can alert the practitioner to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0026] For example, an optical fiber can extend from the distal end of an endoscope to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returned arc light. An optical sensor (such as a spectrometer) can measure the spectrum of the returned arc light. Processing circuitry can analyze the spectrum of the returned arc light. Based on the spectral analysis, the processing circuitry can determine whether the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance due to aging. The processing circuitry can generate alarm data signals, such as instructions to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0027] The following describes in detail various analytical techniques used to analyze spectra and determine whether arc lamp elements, such as arc lamps or arc lamp focusing lenses, exhibit degraded performance. Similar techniques can also be applied to other light sources, such as one or more light-emitting diodes, to determine whether the light source exhibits degraded performance.

[0028] Figure 1 A side view schematic diagram of an example of a surgical system 100 is shown. The surgical system 100 may include an endoscope 102. The endoscope 102 can be held by a practitioner, who can position the endoscope 102 as needed to observe and ablate one or more targets, such as kidney stones, at one or more locations within the patient's body. In some examples, the endoscope 102 may be rigid. In one or more examples, the endoscope 102 may extend along an elongation axis. The endoscope 102 may include one or more channels, passages, or orifices extending through the endoscope 102 along an elongated axis. For example, the endoscope 102 may include a working channel. In some examples, the practitioner can perform aspiration through the working channel. In some examples, the practitioner can pass instruments such as brushes, biopsy needles, or forceps through the working channel. In some examples, the practitioner can perform minimally invasive procedures through the working channel, such as removing unwanted tissue or foreign bodies from the patient's body. As another example, the endoscope 102 may include a flushing channel that can supply flushing fluid to the target site 104, such as to flush away debris from the target. Other channels can also be used.

[0029] The surgical system 100 may include an illumination subsystem that directs illumination from the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102 toward a target site 104. The illumination subsystem may include an arc lamp housing 108. The illumination subsystem may include an arc lamp 110 disposed within the arc lamp housing 108, which can generate an arc lamp light 112. In some examples, the arc lamp 110 may be a xenon arc lamp. The illumination subsystem may include an arc lamp focusing lens 114 disposed within the arc lamp housing 108, which can at least partially focus the arc lamp light 112.

[0030] In some examples, the arc lamp 110 may include an anode spaced apart from the cathode, wherein the spacing increases over time due to repeated exposure to plasma in the arc lamp 110. As mentioned above, the increased spacing between the anode and cathode may result in degraded performance of the arc lamp 110.

[0031] In some examples, the arc lamp condenser lens 114 may include one or more glass or plastic optical elements that can at least partially focus the arc lamp light 112 via refraction, diffraction, and / or total internal reflection. The surface of the optical elements may include a coating, such as a spectral filtering coating, which can reduce losses caused by reflection, scattering, etc. The coating may degrade over time, for example, due to prolonged exposure to high light intensity levels. As mentioned above, degradation of the coating can lead to degraded performance of the arc lamp condenser lens 114.

[0032] The lighting subsystem may include an arc lamp fiber 116, which can receive arc lamp light 112 from the arc lamp focusing lens 114 at the near end of the arc lamp fiber 116 and guide the arc lamp light 112 to the far end of the arc lamp fiber 116. The arc lamp fiber 116 can guide the arc lamp light 112 away from the arc lamp housing 108.

[0033] In some configurations, the arc lamp fiber 116 may have a distal end that can be coupled via a coupler to the proximal end of an endoscopic illumination fiber 118 extending along the length of the endoscope 102. In these configurations, the arc lamp fiber 116 may be held together with the arc lamp housing 108 for use in multiple surgical procedures. In these configurations, the endoscopic illumination fiber 118 may be held together with the endoscope 102 and may optionally be cleaned and reused together with the endoscope 102 for subsequent surgical procedures. In these configurations, the endoscopic illumination fiber 118 may guide the arc lamp 112 along the length of the endoscope 102 to the distal end of the endoscopic illumination fiber 118 located at the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102. In these configurations, the arc lamp 112 may be emitted from the distal end of the endoscopic illumination fiber 118 to illuminate the target site 104.

[0034] In other configurations, the arc light fiber 116 may be coupled to the arc light housing 108 via a coupler at or near the arc light housing 108, and may extend along the endoscope 102 to its distal end 106. In these configurations, the arc light 112 may be emitted from the distal end of the arc light fiber 116 to illuminate the target area 104.

[0035] In each of these configurations, the endoscope 102 can receive arc light 112 from the distal end of the arc light fiber 116 and can guide the arc light 112 from the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102 toward the target site 104. Any or all of these fiber optic configurations can be used with any or all analytical techniques described in detail below.

[0036] The surgical system 100 may include a camera 120, such as a video camera, disposed on the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102. In some examples, the camera 120 may include a lens, a sensor element located at the focal plane of the lens, and electronics that can convert electrical signals generated by the sensor element into digital signals. The camera element may be located in a relatively small hermetically sealed package at the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102. The camera 120 may capture or generate real-time video images of the illuminated target site 104. In some instances, the camera 120 may be coupled to processing circuitry 144 (described below).

[0037] The surgical system 100 may include a display 122, such as a video display, which can display video images of the illuminated target area 104. For example, the display 122 may be mounted on or within a rack of the equipment, remote from the endoscope 102, and separate from the arc lamp housing 108. The display 122 may provide or display to the practitioner a real-time video image of the target area 104 illuminated by the arc lamp 112. In some instances, the display 122 may be coupled to processing circuitry 144 (described below). In some examples, when processing circuitry 144 has determined that the arc lamp 110 has deteriorated performance, processing circuitry 144 may cause the display 122 to display an alarm instructing the practitioner to replace the arc lamp 110. In some examples, when processing circuitry 144 has determined that the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has deteriorated performance, processing circuitry 144 may cause the display 122 to display an alarm instructing the practitioner to replace the arc lamp condenser lens 114.

[0038] Surgical system 100 may include a laser 124, such as a pulsed therapeutic laser, capable of generating a therapeutic laser 126. The laser 124 may be positioned remotely from the endoscope 102, allowing the endoscope 102 to be positioned by the practitioner, and the laser 124 may be housed within a laser housing 128, which may be held in a fixed position spaced apart from the endoscope 102 during surgery. In some examples, laser 124 may include a thulium fiber laser capable of generating light with one or more wavelengths between about 1920 nm and about 1960 nm. In some examples, laser 124 may include a thulium:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser capable of generating light with a wavelength of 2010 nm. In some examples, laser 124 may include a holmium:YAG laser capable of generating light with a wavelength of 2120 nm. In some examples, laser 124 may include an erbium:YAG laser capable of generating light with a wavelength of 2940 nm. In some examples, the therapeutic laser 126 generated by laser 124 may include a first wavelength, such as between about 1908 nm and about 2940 nm, or between about 1920 nm and about 1960 nm, between about 1900 nm and about 1940 nm, greater than about 1900 nm, greater than about 1800 nm, or other wavelengths. For these (and other) therapeutic laser sources, the therapeutic laser 126 may have one or more wavelengths in a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum at which water (the main component of tissue) has a relatively high absorption rate. During the procedure, the tissue may absorb the therapeutic laser 126, may be locally heated to a relatively high temperature, and may break down due to localized thermal strain within the tissue.

[0039] The surgical system 100 may include a distal extension fiber 130 extending from the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102. In some examples, the distal extension fiber 130 may be a multimode fiber. In some examples, the distal extension fiber 130 may have a distal end extending from the distal end 106 of the endoscope 102. In some examples, the distal extension fiber 130 may direct light toward and from a target site 104. The endoscope 102 may direct a treatment laser 126 toward the target site 104 via the distal extension fiber 130. The distal extension fiber 130 may receive at least some of the arc light 112 reflected from the target site 104 as a return arc light 132. The distal extension fiber 130 may also receive at least some of the treatment laser 126 reflected from the target site 104 as a return treatment laser 134.

[0040] The surgical system 100 may include a laser fiber 136 extending from a laser housing 128. The laser fiber 136 may be coupled to a distally extending fiber 130 to guide a treatment laser 126 from a laser 124 to an endoscope 102, and to guide a return treatment laser 134 and a return arc lamp 132 from the endoscope 102 to the laser housing 128. Both the treatment laser 126 and the return treatment laser 134 may be spectrally separated from the arc lamp 112. In other words, the treatment laser 126 and the return treatment laser 134 may have a first wavelength, and the arc lamp 112 may have a spectrum that does not include the first wavelength. In some examples, the return treatment laser 134 may be an undesirable downstream component. To filter the return treatment laser 134 out of the detection path, the surgical system 100 may also include a dichroic beam splitter 138 that can direct the return arc lamp 132 toward an optical sensor 140 and direct the return treatment laser 134 away from the optical sensor 140. In some examples, the dichroic beam splitter 138 may be disposed in or on the laser housing 128.

[0041] Surgical system 100 may include an optical sensor 140 that measures the spectrum of the returning arc lamp light 132. In some examples, the optical sensor 140 may be disposed in or on the laser housing 128. For example, in some configurations, the optical sensor 140 may include a spectrometer that analyzes the light returning to the proximal side via the distal extension fiber 130, including the returning arc lamp light 132. In addition to analyzing the returning arc lamp light 132 to determine whether one or both of the arc lamp 110 and the arc lamp focusing lens 114 have deteriorated performance (such as due to aging), the spectrometer may also perform analysis of the target site 104. For example, the spectrometer and processing circuitry 144 (described below) may use the spectral distribution of the target site 104 to determine the material composition of the target site 104, such as by matching the measured spectral distribution of the target site 104 with one or more of a specified (limited) plurality of predetermined spectral distributions corresponding to known materials. These are merely examples; other suitable analyses of the target site 104 may also be performed. The spectrometer can generate a sensor output signal 142, which includes data representing light intensity (or amplitude or other suitable photometric measure) as a function of wavelength. Processing circuitry 144 (described below) can receive and analyze the sensor output signal 142.

[0042] The surgical system 100 may include processing circuitry 144 that analyzes the spectrum of the returned arc lamp 132. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be referred to as a controller. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be implemented purely in software. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be implemented purely in hardware. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be implemented as a combination of software and hardware. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be implemented on a single processor. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be implemented on multiple processors. In some examples, multiple processors may be housed in a common housing. In some examples, at least two of the multiple processors may be spaced apart in different housings. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may be disposed in or on laser housing 128.

[0043] The processing circuit 144 can determine that the arc lamp 110 has degraded performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light 132.

[0044] Processing circuitry 144 may generate alarm data signal 146 in response to determining that arc lamp 110 has degraded performance. In some examples, display 122 may receive alarm data signal 146 and display a visual alarm to a user or worker, instructing the user or worker to replace arc lamp 110. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may transmit alarm data signal 146 to a remote server 148, such as via a wired or wireless connection.

[0045] In some examples, alarm data signals 146 can be logged. For instance, the log can record instances of arc lamp performance degradation, along with corresponding data such as lamp model, lamp manufacturer, and manufacturing batch, including the specific arc lamp. This log can be used to determine how the arc lamp is wearing down. Recording degradation data may be of interest to lamp manufacturers, hospital administrators trying to manage maintenance costs, and others.

[0046] Various analytical techniques for analyzing the spectrum and determining whether the arc lamp 110 has degraded performance are described in detail here. This analysis looks for an increase in the infrared portion (compared to a baseline level) of the spectrum returning to the arc lamp 132, where the visible portion of the spectrum returning to the arc lamp 132 decreases accordingly. When the spectrum satisfies the condition of an increase in the infrared portion and a decrease in the visible portion, the surgical system can determine that the arc lamp 110 has degraded performance.

[0047] Specifically, the processing circuit 144 can analyze the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132 by at least one of the following: (a) forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc lamp 132 is less than a specified visible light amount; or (b) forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132, namely, the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc lamp 132 is more than a specified infrared light amount. In some examples, the specified visible light amount and / or the specified infrared light amount can be stored in a lookup table, for example. In some examples, the specified visible light amount and / or the specified infrared light amount can be specified by the manufacturer of the surgical system 100. In some examples, the specified visible light amount and / or the specified infrared light amount can be dynamically determined from historical measurements performed by the surgical system 100.

[0048] Any of the following determination techniques may be used in combination with each other. Any or all of the following determination techniques may be used with any of the fiber optic configurations described above.

[0049] In a first example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 can determine that the arc lamp 110 has degraded performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp 132 in such a way that a third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, namely that the arc lamp 110 has degraded performance due to the aging of the arc lamp.

[0050] In a second example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is less than a specified visible light level value for that wavelength; and (b) in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is less than a specified visible light level value for that wavelength, forming the first determination.

[0051] In a third example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) fitting a curve to the measured light level of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum; (b) confirming that the fitted curve is less than a specified light level curve; and (c) forming the first determination in response to confirming that the fitted curve is less than the specified light level curve.

[0052] In a fourth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) averaging or otherwise summarizing the measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum to form a summed measured light level; (b) confirming that the summed measured light level is less than a specified light level; and (c) forming the first determination in response to confirming that the summed measured light level is less than the specified light level.

[0053] In a fifth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength; and (b) in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength, forming a second determination.

[0054] In a sixth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) performing a linear fit on the measured light level of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum; (b) determining the slope of the linear fit; (c) comparing the slope with a threshold slope value; (d) determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; and (e) forming a second determination in response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value.

[0055] In the seventh example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) averaging or otherwise summarizing the measured light levels of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum to form a summarized measured light level; (b) confirming that the summarized measured light level is greater than a specified light level; and (c) forming a second determination in response to confirming that the summarized measured light level is greater than the specified light level.

[0056] These seven examples are merely illustrations of determination techniques that can be used to identify spectra that satisfy the condition of an increase in the infrared portion while the visible portion does not. Other determination techniques may also be used.

[0057] Figure 2 The following are illustrations of operating surgical systems (such as...) Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating an example of method 200 using a surgical system 100 or other suitable surgical system. Figure 2 Method 200 is merely one example of a method for operating a surgical system. Other suitable methods may also be used.

[0058] At operation 202, an arc light, such as arc light 112, generated by an arc light, such as arc light 110, can be received.

[0059] At operation 204, an endoscope (such as endoscope 102) can guide an arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site (such as target site 104).

[0060] At operation 206, a distal extension fiber (such as distal extension fiber 130) extending from the distal end of the endoscope can receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as a return arc light.

[0061] At operation 208, an optical sensor (such as optical sensor 140) can measure the spectrum of the returning arc light.

[0062] At operation 210, processing circuitry (such as processing circuitry 144) can analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light.

[0063] At operation 212, the processing circuit can determine whether the arc lamp has deteriorated performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light.

[0064] At operation 214, the processing circuitry may generate an alarm data signal, such as alarm data signal 146, in response to determining that the arc lamp has deteriorated performance. In some examples, as described above, alarm data signal 146 may be recorded.

[0065] In some examples, analyzing the spectrum of the returned arc light using processing circuitry may include at least one of the following: (a) forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is less than a specified amount of visible light; or (b) forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is greater than a specified amount of infrared light.

[0066] In some examples, method 200 may also include receiving an alarm data signal using a display (such as display 122); and in response to receiving the alarm data signal, displaying a visual alarm on the display to the user instructing the user to replace the arc lamp.

[0067] In some examples, method 200 may also include using processing circuitry to transmit alarm data signals to a remote server, such as remote server 148.

[0068] The processing circuit 144 can determine whether the arc lamp focusing lens 114 has deteriorated performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light 132.

[0069] Processing circuitry 144 may generate an alarm data signal 146 in response to determining that the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has deteriorated performance. In some examples, display 122 may receive the alarm data signal 146 and display a visual alarm to a user or worker, instructing them to replace the arc lamp condenser lens 114. In some examples, processing circuitry 144 may transmit the alarm data signal 146 to a remote server 148, for example, via a wired or wireless connection.

[0070] Various analytical techniques for analyzing the spectrum and determining whether the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has degraded performance are described in detail. This analysis looks for an increase in the infrared portion of the spectrum returning to the arc lamp light 132 (compared to a baseline level), while the visible portion of the spectrum returning to the arc lamp light 132 does not show a corresponding increase. When the spectrum meets the condition of an increase in the infrared portion but no increase in the visible portion, the surgical system can determine that the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has degraded performance.

[0071] Specifically, the processing circuit 144 can analyze the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132 by at least one of the following: (a) forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132, namely, that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc lamp 132 is within a specified range of visible light amounts; or (b) forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp 132, namely, that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc lamp 132 is greater than a specified infrared light amount. In some examples, the specified range of visible light amounts can be stored in, for example, a lookup table. In some examples, the specified range of visible light amounts can be specified by the manufacturer of the surgical system 100. In some examples, the specified range of visible light amounts can be dynamically determined from historical measurements performed by the surgical system 100.

[0072] Any of the following determination techniques may be used in combination with each other. Any or all of the following determination techniques may be used with any of the fiber optic configurations described above.

[0073] In a first example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 can determine that the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has deteriorated performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light 132 in such a way that a third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, namely that the arc lamp condenser lens 114 has deteriorated performance due to aging of the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0074] In a second example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is within a specified range of the visible light level value of that wavelength; and (b) in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is within a specified range of the visible light level value of that wavelength, forming the first determination.

[0075] In a third example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) fitting a curve to the measured light level of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum; (b) confirming that the fitted curve is between a specified minimum light level curve and a specified maximum light level curve; and (c) forming the first determination in response to confirming that the fitted curve is between the specified minimum light level curve and the specified maximum light level curve.

[0076] In a fourth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a first determination by: (a) averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum to form a summary measured light level; (b) confirming that the summary measured light level is between a specified minimum light level and a specified maximum light level; and (c) forming the first determination in response to confirming that the summary measured light level is between the specified minimum light level and the specified maximum light level.

[0077] In a fifth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength; and (b) in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength, forming a second determination.

[0078] In a sixth example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) performing a linear fit on the measured light level of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum; (b) determining the slope of the linear fit; (c) comparing the slope with a threshold slope value; (d) determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; and (e) forming a second determination in response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value.

[0079] In the seventh example of the determination technique, the processing circuit 144 may form a second determination by: (a) averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum to form a summary measured light level; (b) confirming that the summary measured light level is greater than a specified light level; and (c) forming a second determination in response to confirming that the summary measured light level is greater than the specified light level.

[0080] These seven examples are merely illustrations of determination techniques that can be used to identify spectra that satisfy the condition of an increase in the infrared portion while the visible portion does not. Other determination techniques may also be used.

[0081] Figure 3 The following are illustrations of operating surgical systems (such as...) Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating an example of method 300 using a surgical system 100 or other suitable surgical system. Figure 3Method 300 is merely one example of a method for operating a surgical system. Other suitable methods may also be used.

[0082] At operation 302, an arc lamp (such as arc lamp 110) can generate an arc lamp light, such as arc lamp 112.

[0083] At operation 304, the arc lamp focusing lens (such as arc lamp focusing lens 114) can at least partially focus the arc lamp light.

[0084] At operation 306, the near end of the arc lamp optical fiber (such as arc lamp optical fiber 116) can receive arc lamp light from the arc lamp focusing lens.

[0085] At point 308, the arc light fiber can guide the arc light to the far end of the arc light fiber.

[0086] At operation 310, an endoscope (such as endoscope 102) can receive arc light from the far end of the arc light fiber.

[0087] At operation 312, the endoscope can guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target site (such as target site 104).

[0088] At operation 314, a distal extension fiber (such as distal extension fiber 130) extending from the distal end of the endoscope can receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as a return arc light.

[0089] At operation 316, an optical sensor (such as optical sensor 140) can measure the spectrum of the returning arc light.

[0090] At operation 318, processing circuitry (such as processing circuitry 144) can analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light.

[0091] At operation 320, the processing circuit can determine whether the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light.

[0092] At operation 322, the processing circuit may generate an alarm data signal, such as alarm data signal 146, in response to determining that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance.

[0093] In some examples, analyzing the spectrum of the returned arc lamp using processing circuitry may include at least one of the following: forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc lamp that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc lamp is within a specified range of visible light amount; or forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc lamp that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc lamp is greater than a specified amount of infrared light.

[0094] In some examples, method 300 may also include receiving an alarm data signal using a display (such as display 122); and in response to receiving the alarm data signal, displaying a visual alarm on the display to the user instructing the user to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0095] In some examples, method 300 may also include using processing circuitry to transmit alarm data signals to a remote server, such as remote server 148.

[0096] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an example of a computer-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) 400 is shown, which is configured to determine, based on spectral analysis, whether at least one of an arc lamp or an arc lamp condenser lens has degraded performance. In various embodiments, the CDSS 400 includes: an input interface 402 through which patient-specific optical characteristics are provided as input features to an artificial intelligence (AI) model 404; a processor, such as processing circuitry 144, which performs inference operations, wherein the measured spectrum is applied to the AI ​​model to generate a spectral distribution; and a user interface (UI) through which the spectral distribution is transmitted to a user, such as a practitioner.

[0097] In some embodiments, input interface 402 may be a direct data link between CDSS 400 and one or more medical devices (such as surgical system 100 or endoscope 102) that generate at least some input features. For example, input interface 402 may transmit optical characteristics directly to CDSS during treatment and / or diagnostic medical procedures. Additionally or alternatively, input interface 402 may be a classic user interface that facilitates interaction between a user and CDSS 400. For example, input interface 402 may be a user interface that facilitates manual input of measured spectra by the user. Additionally or alternatively, input interface 402 may provide CDSS 400 with access to an electronic patient record from which one or more input features may be extracted. In any of these cases, input interface 402 is configured to collect optical characteristics associated with a particular patient at or before CDSS 400 is used to evaluate a medical condition (such as kidney stones) addressed by surgical system 100 or endoscope 102.

[0098] Based on one or more of the aforementioned input features, a processor (such as processing circuitry 144) uses an AI model to perform inference operations to generate a spectral distribution. For example, input interface 402 can deliver a measured spectrum to the input layer of the AI ​​model, which then propagates the input features through the AI ​​model to the output layer. AI models can provide computer systems with the ability to perform tasks without explicit programming by reasoning based on patterns discovered in data analysis. AI model exploration involves the research and construction of algorithms (e.g., machine learning algorithms) that can learn from existing data and predict new data. Such algorithms operate by building AI models from example training data to make data-driven predictions or decisions represented as outputs or evaluations.

[0099] Machine learning (ML) has two common paradigms: supervised ML and unsupervised ML. Supervised ML uses prior knowledge (e.g., examples that associate inputs with outputs or outcomes) to learn the relationship between inputs and outputs. The goal of supervised ML is to learn a function that best approximates the relationship between inputs and outputs given some training data, so that the ML model can achieve the same relationship to generate the corresponding output given the input. Unsupervised ML trains the ML algorithm using information that is neither classified nor labeled, allowing the algorithm to act on that information without guidance. Unsupervised ML is useful in exploratory analytics because it can automatically identify structures in the data.

[0100] Common tasks in supervised machine learning (ML) are classification and regression problems. Classification problems, also known as categorization problems, aim to classify items into one of several category values ​​(e.g., is the object an apple or an orange?). Regression algorithms aim to quantify some items (e.g., by assigning scores to some input values). Some examples of commonly used supervised ML algorithms are logistic regression (LR), Naive Bayes, random forest (RF), neural networks (NN), deep neural networks (DNN), matrix factorization, and support vector machines (SVM).

[0101] Some common tasks in unsupervised machine learning include clustering, representation learning, and density estimation. Examples of commonly used unsupervised machine learning algorithms include K-means clustering, principal component analysis, and autoencoders.

[0102] Another type of machine learning is federated learning (also known as collaborative learning), which trains algorithms across multiple decentralized devices that maintain local data without exchanging data. This approach contrasts with traditional centralized machine learning techniques where all local datasets are uploaded to a single server, and with more classic decentralized methods that typically assume local data samples are distributed in the same way. Federated learning enables multiple participants to build public, robust machine learning models without sharing data, thus allowing for the resolution of critical issues such as data privacy, data security, data access permissions, and access to heterogeneous data.

[0103] In some examples, the AI ​​model can be trained continuously or periodically before the inference operation is performed by a processor (such as processing circuit 144). Then, during the inference operation, patient-specific input features provided to the AI ​​model can propagate from the input layer through one or more hidden layers and eventually to the output layer corresponding to the spectral distribution.

[0104] In some examples, the AI ​​model may include a database that can contain patient-specific data. The database can provide patient records to CDSS 400. In some examples, the AI ​​model may receive measured spectra.

[0105] During and / or after inference operations, the spectral distribution can be transmitted to the user via a user interface (UI) such as output interface 408, and / or automatically cause the processor or an alarm connected to the processor to perform the desired action. For example, the processor can cause a light source to generate light with the selected spectral distribution. Alternatively, the processor can cause an alarm to alert practitioners.

[0106] In some examples, the CDSS 400 can optionally be used to determine the action to be taken in response to the measured spectrum.

[0107] In the foregoing detailed description, the methods and apparatus of this disclosure have been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this specification and the accompanying drawings are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0108] To further illustrate the apparatus and related methods disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of examples is provided below. Each of the following non-limiting examples may exist independently or may be combined with any one or more other examples in any permutation or combination.

[0109] In Example 1, a surgical system for use with an arc lamp configured to generate arc light may include: an endoscope configured to guide arc light from a distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; a distally extending optical fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light; an optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; and processing circuitry configured to: analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light; determine, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returning arc light, that the arc lamp has degraded performance; and generate an alarm data signal in response to determining that the arc lamp has degraded performance.

[0110] In Example 2, the surgical system of Example 1 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuitry is further configured to analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light by at least one of the following: forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is less than a specified visible light amount; or forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is more than a specified infrared light amount.

[0111] In Embodiment 3, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 2 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to determine that the arc lamp has the degraded performance by means of the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light: forming a third determination in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, namely, that the arc lamp has degraded performance due to aging of the arc lamp.

[0112] In Embodiment 4, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination by: confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at the wavelength is less than a specified visible light level value of the wavelength; and forming the first determination in response to confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at the wavelength is less than the specified visible light level value of the wavelength.

[0113] In Embodiment 5, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination by: fitting a curve to a measured light level of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum; confirming that the fitted curve is less than a specified light level curve; and forming the first determination in response to confirming that the fitted curve is less than the specified light level curve.

[0114] In Embodiment 6, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination by: averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum to form a summary measured light level; confirming that the summary measured light level is less than a specified light level; and forming the first determination in response to confirming that the summary measured light level is less than the specified light level.

[0115] In Embodiment 7, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination by: confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value of that wavelength; and forming the second determination in response to confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than the threshold visible light level value of that wavelength.

[0116] In Example 8, the surgical system of any one of Examples 1 to 7 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a second determination by: performing a linear fit on the measured light level of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum; determining the slope of the linear fit; comparing the slope with a threshold slope value; determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; and forming the second determination in response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value.

[0117] In Embodiment 9, the surgical system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination by: averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum within the infrared portion of the spectrum to form a total measured light level; confirming that the total measured light level is greater than a specified light level; and forming the second determination in response to confirming that the total measured light level is greater than the specified light level.

[0118] In Embodiment 10, the surgical system of any one of Embodiments 1 to 9 may optionally be configured such that: the endoscope is configured to guide a treatment laser toward a target site via a distal extension fiber, the treatment laser being spectrally separated from the arc light; the distal extension fiber is further configured to receive at least some of the treatment laser reflected from the target site as returning treatment laser; and the surgical system further includes a dichroic beam splitter configured to guide the returning arc light toward an optical sensor and to guide the returning treatment laser away from the optical sensor.

[0119] In embodiment 11, the surgical system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 may optionally further include: a laser configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a laser housing configured to surround the laser, an optical sensor, a dichroic beam splitter, and processing circuitry; and a laser fiber extending from the laser housing and configured to be coupled to a distal extension fiber to guide the therapeutic laser from the laser to the endoscope and to guide the returning therapeutic laser and returning arc light from the endoscope to the laser housing.

[0120] In Example 12, the surgical system of any of Examples 1 to 11 may optionally be configured such that the arc lamp is a xenon arc lamp.

[0121] In embodiment 13, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 1 to 12 may optionally further include: an arc light fiber configured to guide arc light from an arc lamp to an endoscope; and an arc lamp focusing lens configured to focus at least partially the arc light from the arc lamp onto the arc light fiber.

[0122] In embodiment 14, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 1 to 13 may optionally further include: a display configured to receive alarm data signals and display a visual alarm to a user, the visual alarm instructing the user to replace the arc lamp.

[0123] In Embodiment 15, the surgical system of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14 may optionally be configured to enable the processing circuitry to transmit alarm data signals to a remote server.

[0124] In embodiment 16, a method for operating a surgical system may include: generating an arc light using an arc lamp; guiding the arc light from the distal end of an endoscope toward a target site; receiving at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light using a distally extending optical fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope; measuring the spectrum of the returning arc light using an optical sensor; analyzing the spectrum of the returning arc light using a processing circuit; determining, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returning arc light, that the arc lamp has degraded performance using the processing circuit; and generating an alarm data signal using the processing circuit in response to determining that the arc lamp has degraded performance.

[0125] In Example 17, the method of Example 16 may optionally be configured such that the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc light using the processing circuitry includes at least one of the following: forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is less than a specified visible light amount; or forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is more than a specified infrared light amount.

[0126] In Example 18, the method of any one of Examples 16 and 17 may optionally further include: receiving an alarm data signal using a display; and, in response to receiving the alarm data signal, displaying a visual alarm on the display to the user instructing the user to replace the arc lamp.

[0127] In Example 19, the method of any one of Examples 16 to 18 may optionally further include: using processing circuitry to transmit alarm data signals to a remote server.

[0128] In embodiment 20, a surgical system may include: a laser housing; a laser disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a laser fiber configured to guide the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; a xenon arc lamp for generating an arc light spectrally separated from the therapeutic laser; an arc light fiber for guiding the arc light away from the xenon arc lamp; an endoscope coupled to the laser fiber and the arc light fiber, the endoscope being configured to receive the arc light from the arc light fiber and guide the arc light from a distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; a distal extension fiber extending from a distal end of the endoscope and configured to: receive the therapeutic laser from the laser fiber and guide the therapeutic laser toward the target site; receive at least some of the therapeutic laser reflected from the target site as a returned therapeutic laser; receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as a returned arc light; and guide the returned therapeutic laser and the returned arc light... The arc light propagates along the laser fiber to the laser housing; a dichroic beam splitter is disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the returning arc light along a first optical path and the returning therapeutic laser along a second optical path; an optical sensor is disposed in the laser housing and configured to receive the returning arc light along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; a processing circuit is optionally disposed in the laser housing and configured to: form a first determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, i.e., the light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is less than a specified visible light amount; form a second determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, i.e., the light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is more than a specified infrared light amount; form a third determination in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, i.e., the xenon arc lamp has degraded performance due to aging; and generate an alarm data signal in response to the third determination.

[0129] In Example 21, a surgical system for use with an arc lamp configured to generate arc light may include: an arc lamp focusing lens configured to at least partially focus the arc light; an arc light fiber configured to receive arc light from the arc lamp focusing lens at its proximal end and to direct the arc light to its distal end; and an endoscope configured to receive arc light from the distal end of the arc light fiber and to direct the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target area. Position guide; a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light; an optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; and a processing circuit configured to: analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light; determine, through spectral analysis of the returning arc light, that the arc light focusing lens has degraded performance; and generate an alarm data signal in response to determining that the arc light focusing lens has degraded performance.

[0130] In Example 22, the surgical system of Example 21 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuitry is further configured to analyze the spectrum of the returning arc light by at least one of the following: forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is within a specified range of visible light amount; or forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is greater than a specified amount of infrared light.

[0131] In Example 23, the surgical system of any one of Examples 21 to 22 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to determine, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light, that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance by forming a third determination in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance due to aging of the arc lamp focusing lens.

[0132] In embodiment 24, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 23 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a first determination by: confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is within a specified range of the visible light level value of that wavelength; and in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is within a specified range of the visible light level value of that wavelength, forming the first determination.

[0133] In embodiment 25, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 24 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a first determination by: fitting a curve to a measured light level of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum; confirming that the fitted curve is between a specified minimum light level curve and a specified maximum light level curve; and forming the first determination in response to confirming that the fitted curve is between the specified minimum light level curve and the specified maximum light level curve.

[0134] In embodiment 26, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 25 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a first determination by: averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum to form a summary measured light level; confirming that the summary measured light level is between a specified minimum light level and a specified maximum light level; and forming the first determination in response to confirming that the summary measured light level is between the specified minimum light level and the specified maximum light level.

[0135] In Example 27, the surgical system of any one of Examples 21 to 26 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a second determination by: confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength; and forming the second determination in response to confirming that for each of a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength.

[0136] In Example 28, the surgical system of any one of Examples 21 to 27 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a second determination by: performing a linear fit on the measured light level of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum; determining the slope of the linear fit; comparing the slope with a threshold slope value; determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; and forming the second determination in response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value.

[0137] In Example 29, the surgical system of any one of Examples 21 to 28 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuit is further configured to form a second determination by: averaging the measured light levels of the spectrum in the infrared portion of the spectrum to form a total measured light level; confirming that the total measured light level is greater than a specified light level; and forming a second determination in response to confirming that the total measured light level is greater than the specified light level.

[0138] In embodiment 30, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 29 may optionally be configured such that: the endoscope is configured to guide a treatment laser toward a target site via a distal extension fiber, the treatment laser being spectrally separated from the arc light; the distal extension fiber is further configured to receive at least some of the treatment laser reflected from the target site as returning treatment laser; and the surgical system further includes a dichroic beam splitter configured to guide the returning arc light toward an optical sensor and to guide the returning treatment laser away from the optical sensor.

[0139] In embodiment 31, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 30 may optionally further include: a laser configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a laser housing configured to surround the laser, an optical sensor, and a dichroic beam splitter; and a laser fiber extending from the laser housing and configured to connect to a distal extension fiber to guide the therapeutic laser from the laser to the endoscope and to guide the returning therapeutic laser and returning arc light from the endoscope to the laser housing.

[0140] In embodiment 32, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 31 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuitry is disposed in the laser housing.

[0141] In Example 33, the surgical system of any one of Examples 21 to 32 may optionally be configured such that the arc lamp is a xenon arc lamp.

[0142] In embodiment 34, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 33 may optionally further include: a display configured to receive alarm data signals and display a visual alarm to a user, the visual alarm instructing the user to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0143] In embodiment 35, the surgical system of any one of embodiments 21 to 34 may optionally be configured such that the processing circuitry is configured to transmit alarm data signals to a remote server.

[0144] In Example 36, a method for operating a surgical system may include: generating an arc light using an arc lamp; focusing the arc light at least partially using an arc lamp focusing lens; receiving the arc light from the arc lamp focusing lens at a proximal end of an arc light fiber; directing the arc light to a distal end of the arc light fiber; receiving the arc light from the distal end of the arc light fiber using an endoscope; directing the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; receiving at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as returning arc light using a distally extending fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope; measuring the spectrum of the returning arc light using an optical sensor; analyzing the spectrum of the returning arc light using processing circuitry; determining from the analysis of the spectrum of the returning arc light using processing circuitry that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance; and generating an alarm data signal using processing circuitry in response to determining that the arc lamp focusing lens has degraded performance.

[0145] In Example 37, the method of Example 36 may optionally be configured such that the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc light using the processing circuitry includes at least one of the following: forming a first determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely that the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is within a specified range of visible light amount; or forming a second determination based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely that the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is greater than a specified amount of infrared light.

[0146] In Example 38, the method of any one of Examples 36 to 37 may optionally further include: receiving an alarm data signal using a display; and, in response to receiving the alarm data signal, displaying a visual alarm on the display to the user instructing the user to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

[0147] In Example 39, the method of any one of Examples 36 to 38 may optionally further include: transmitting alarm data signals to a remote server using processing circuitry.

[0148] In embodiment 40, a surgical system may include: a laser housing; a laser disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; a therapeutic laser fiber for guiding the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; a xenon arc lamp for generating an arc light beam spectrally separate from the therapeutic laser; an arc lamp focusing lens configured to at least partially focus the arc light beam from the xenon arc lamp; and an arc light fiber configured to connect to the arc light beam from the arc lamp focusing lens at its proximal end. The device includes: an arc light source and a guide light beam to the distal end of an arc light fiber; an endoscope configured to receive the arc light beam from the distal end of the arc light fiber and guide the arc light beam from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; and a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to: receive a therapeutic laser beam from a therapeutic laser fiber and guide the therapeutic laser beam toward the target site; receive at least some of the therapeutic laser beams reflected from the target site as returning therapeutic laser beams; and receive at least one portion of the arc light beams reflected from the target site. The laser housing includes a return arc lamp light source; a return treatment laser and the return arc lamp light source propagating along a treatment laser fiber to a laser housing; a dichroic beam splitter disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the return arc lamp light source along a first optical path and the return treatment laser along a second optical path; an optical sensor disposed in the laser housing and configured to receive the return arc lamp light source along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the return arc lamp light source; and a processing circuit disposed in the laser housing and configured to: form a first determination based on the spectrum of the return arc lamp light source, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the return arc lamp light source is within a specified range of visible light amount; form a second determination based on the spectrum of the return arc lamp light source, namely, the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the return arc lamp light source is greater than a specified infrared light amount; form a third determination in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, namely, the arc lamp condenser lens has deteriorated performance due to aging; and generate an alarm data signal in response to the third determination.

Claims

1. A surgical system for use with an arc lamp configured to generate an arc lamp light, the surgical system comprising: An endoscope configured to guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; A distal extension fiber extends from the distal end of the endoscope and is configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as return arc light. An optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; as well as Processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: Analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp; Based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp, it was determined that the arc lamp has degraded performance; and An alarm data signal is generated in response to the determination that the arc lamp has deteriorated performance.

2. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein, The processing circuit is also configured to analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp by at least one of the following: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is less than a specified visible light amount; or A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light contains more light than the specified infrared light.

3. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to determine that the arc lamp has the degraded performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light in the following manner: A third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, namely that the arc lamp has deteriorated performance due to aging of the arc lamp.

4. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: Confirm that for multiple wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at said wavelength is less than a specified visible light level value for said wavelength; and In response to confirming that for the plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at the wavelength is less than the specified visible light level value of the wavelength, the first determination is formed.

5. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: The measured light level of the spectrum is fitted to the visible portion of the spectrum; Determine whether the fitted curve is smaller than the specified light level curve; as well as The first determination is formed in response to determining that the fitted curve is less than the specified light level curve.

6. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: The measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum are averaged or otherwise summarized to form a summary measured light level; Determine whether the aggregated measured light level is less than the specified light level; as well as The first determination is formed in response to determining that the aggregated measured light level is less than the specified light level.

7. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: Determine whether, for multiple wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at said wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for said wavelength; and In response to determining that for the plurality of wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at the wavelength is greater than the threshold visible light level value of the wavelength, a second determination is formed.

8. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: Perform linear fitting on the measured light level of the spectrum within the infrared portion of the spectrum; Determine the slope of the linear fit; The slope is compared with a threshold slope value; Determine whether the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; as well as In response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value, a second determination is formed.

9. The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: The measured light levels of the spectrum within the infrared portion of the spectrum are averaged or otherwise summarized to form a summary measured light level; Determine whether the aggregated measured light level is greater than the specified light level; as well as In response to determining that the aggregated measured light level is greater than the specified light level, the second determination is formed.

10. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein: The endoscope is configured to guide a treatment laser toward the target site via the distal extension fiber, the treatment laser being spectrally separated from the arc lamp light; The distal extension fiber is also configured to receive at least some of the therapeutic laser reflected from the target site as returned therapeutic laser; and The surgical system also includes a dichroic beam splitter configured to direct the returning arc light toward the optical sensor and to direct the returning therapeutic laser away from the optical sensor.

11. The surgical system of claim 10, further comprising: A laser for generating the therapeutic laser; A laser housing configured to surround the laser, the optical sensor, the dichroic beam splitter, and the processing circuitry; as well as A laser fiber extends from the laser housing and is configured to couple to the distal extension fiber to guide the therapeutic laser from the laser to the endoscope, and to guide the returning therapeutic laser and the returning arc light from the endoscope to the laser housing.

12. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein, The arc lamp is a xenon arc lamp.

13. The surgical system according to claim 1, further comprising: Arc light fiber optic cable, the arc light fiber optic cable being configured to direct the arc light from the arc lamp to the endoscope; as well as An arc lamp focusing lens is configured to focus at least partially the arc light from the arc lamp onto the arc light fiber.

14. The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a display configured to receive the alarm data signal and display a visual alarm to a user, the visual alarm instructing the user to replace the arc lamp.

15. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein, The processing circuit is configured to transmit the alarm data signal to a remote server.

16. A method for operating a surgical system, the method comprising: Receives arc light generated by an arc lamp; Guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target area; At least some of the arc light reflected from the target site is received as return arc light using a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope. The spectrum of the returned arc light was measured using an optical sensor; The spectrum of the returned arc lamp light is analyzed using processing circuitry; The processing circuit uses the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light to determine whether the arc lamp has degraded performance; as well as In response to determining that the arc lamp has the degraded performance, the processing circuit generates an alarm data signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Analyzing the spectrum of the returned arc lamp using the processing circuit includes at least one of the following: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is less than a specified visible light amount; or A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light contains more light than the specified infrared light.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: The alarm data signal is received using a display. as well as In response to receiving the alarm data signal, a visual alarm is displayed on the display to the user, instructing the user to replace the arc lamp.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: The processing circuit is used to transmit the alarm data signal to a remote server.

20. A surgical system, the surgical system comprising: Laser housing; A laser, which is disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; A laser fiber configured to direct the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; A xenon arc lamp, the xenon arc lamp being configured to generate an arc light that is spectrally separated from the therapeutic laser; Arc light fiber optic cable, configured to guide the arc light away from the xenon arc lamp; An endoscope coupled to the laser fiber and the arc light fiber, the endoscope being configured to receive the arc light from the arc light fiber and guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site; A distal extension fiber, the distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to: Receives the therapeutic laser from the laser fiber and directs the therapeutic laser toward the target area; Receive at least some of the therapeutic lasers reflected from the target site as returned therapeutic lasers; Receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target location as returned arc light; and The returning therapeutic laser and the returning arc light are guided to propagate along the laser fiber to the laser housing; A dichroic beam splitter is disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the returning arc light along a first optical path and the returning therapeutic laser along a second optical path; An optical sensor is disposed within the laser housing and configured to receive the returned arc light along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the returned arc light; as well as Processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is less than the specified amount of visible light; A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light is greater than the specified amount of infrared light; A third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, namely, that the xenon arc lamp has degraded performance due to aging; and An alarm data signal is generated in response to the third determination.

21. A surgical system for use with an arc lamp configured to generate an arc lamp light, the surgical system comprising: An arc lamp focusing lens, the arc lamp focusing lens being configured to at least partially focus the arc lamp light; Arc light fiber, the arc light fiber being configured to receive the arc light from the arc light focusing lens at the near end of the arc light fiber and to guide the arc light to the far end of the arc light fiber; An endoscope configured to receive the arc light from the distal end of the arc light optical fiber and to guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site. A distal extension fiber extends from the distal end of the endoscope and is configured to receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target site as return arc light. An optical sensor configured to measure the spectrum of the returning arc light; as well as Processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: Analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp; Based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light, it was determined that the arc lamp focusing lens had degraded performance; and An alarm data signal is generated in response to the determination that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance.

22. The surgical system according to claim 21, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to analyze the spectrum of the returned arc lamp by at least one of the following: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is within a specified range of visible light intensity; or A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light contains more light than the specified infrared light.

23. The surgical system according to claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to determine that the arc lamp focusing lens has the degraded performance based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light in the following manner: A third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first determination or the second determination, namely that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance due to aging.

24. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: Confirm that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength falls within a specified range of the visible light level value at that wavelength; and In response to confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the visible portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is within the specified range of the visible light level value at that wavelength, the first determination is formed.

25. The surgical system according to claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: The measured light level of the spectrum is fitted to the visible portion of the spectrum; Confirm that the fitted curve lies between the specified minimum light level curve and the specified maximum light level curve; and In response to confirming that the fitted curve is between the specified minimum light level curve and the specified maximum light level curve, the first determination is formed.

26. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the first determination in the following manner: The measured light levels of the spectrum within the visible portion of the spectrum are averaged to form a summary measured light level; Confirm that the aggregated measured light level is between the specified minimum light level and the specified maximum light level; as well as In response to confirming that the aggregated measured light level is between the specified minimum light level and the specified maximum light level, the first determination is formed.

27. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: Confirm that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength; and In response to confirming that for each of the plurality of wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, the measured light level at that wavelength is greater than a threshold visible light level value for that wavelength, a second determination is formed.

28. The surgical system of claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: Perform linear fitting on the measured light level of the spectrum within the infrared portion of the spectrum; Determine the slope of the linear fit; The slope is compared with a threshold slope value; Determine that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value; as well as In response to determining that the slope exceeds the threshold slope value, a second determination is formed.

29. The surgical system according to claim 22, wherein, The processing circuit is further configured to form the second determination in the following manner: The measured light levels of the spectrum within the infrared portion of the spectrum are averaged to form a summary measured light level; Confirm that the aggregated measured light level is greater than the specified light level; as well as In response to confirming that the aggregated measured light level is greater than the specified light level, the second determination is formed.

30. The surgical system of claim 21, wherein: The endoscope is configured to guide the therapeutic laser toward the target site via the distal extension fiber, the therapeutic laser being spectrally separated from the arc lamp light; The distal extension fiber is also configured to receive at least some of the therapeutic laser reflected from the target site as returned therapeutic laser; and The surgical system also includes a dichroic beam splitter configured to direct the returning arc light toward the optical sensor and to direct the returning therapeutic laser away from the optical sensor.

31. The surgical system of claim 30, further comprising: A laser configured to generate the therapeutic laser; A laser housing configured to surround the laser, the optical sensor, and the dichroic beam splitter; as well as A laser fiber extending from the laser housing and configured to couple to the distal extension fiber to guide the therapeutic laser from the laser to the endoscope and to guide the return therapeutic laser and the return arc light from the endoscope to the laser housing.

32. The surgical system according to claim 31, wherein, The processing circuit is housed within the laser housing.

33. The surgical system according to claim 21, wherein, The arc lamp is a xenon arc lamp.

34. The surgical system of claim 21, further comprising a display configured to receive the alarm data signal and display a visual alarm to a user, the visual alarm instructing the user to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

35. The surgical system according to claim 21, wherein, The processing circuit is configured to transmit the alarm data signal to a remote server.

36. A method for operating a surgical system, the method comprising: Arc light is generated using arc lamps; The arc lamp light is at least partially focused using an arc lamp focusing lens; The arc light is received at the near end of the arc light optical fiber from the arc light focusing lens; Guide the arc light to the far end of the arc light optical fiber; The arc light is received from the distal end of the arc light optical fiber using an endoscope; Guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward the target area; At least some of the arc light reflected from the target site is received as return arc light using a distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope. The spectrum of the returned arc light was measured using an optical sensor; The spectrum of the returned arc lamp light is analyzed using processing circuitry; The processing circuit determines, based on the analysis of the spectrum of the returned arc lamp light, that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance. as well as In response to determining that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance, the processing circuit generates an alarm data signal.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein, Analyzing the spectrum of the returned arc lamp using the processing circuit includes at least one of the following: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc light, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included by the returning arc light is within a specified range of visible light intensity; or A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returned arc light, namely, that the infrared portion of the spectrum included by the returned arc light contains more light than the specified infrared light.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising: The alarm data signal is received using a display. as well as In response to receiving the alarm data signal, a visual alarm is displayed on the display to the user, instructing the user to replace the arc lamp condenser lens.

39. The method according to claim 37, further comprising: The processing circuit is used to transmit the alarm data signal to a remote server.

40. A surgical system, the surgical system comprising: Laser housing; A laser, which is disposed within the laser housing and configured to generate a therapeutic laser; A therapeutic laser fiber configured to guide the therapeutic laser away from the laser housing; A xenon arc lamp, the xenon arc lamp being configured to generate an arc light that is spectrally separated from the therapeutic laser; An arc lamp focusing lens, the arc lamp focusing lens being configured to at least partially focus the arc light from the xenon arc lamp; Arc light fiber, the arc light fiber being configured to receive the arc light from the arc light focusing lens at the near end of the arc light fiber and to guide the arc light to the far end of the arc light fiber; An endoscope configured to receive the arc light from the distal end of the arc light optical fiber and to guide the arc light from the distal end of the endoscope toward a target site. A distal extension fiber, the distal extension fiber extending from the distal end of the endoscope and configured to: The therapeutic laser is received from the therapeutic laser fiber and guided toward the target area; Receive at least some of the therapeutic lasers reflected from the target site as returned therapeutic lasers; Receive at least some of the arc light reflected from the target location as returned arc light; as well as The returning therapeutic laser and the returning arc light are guided to propagate along the therapeutic laser fiber to the laser housing; A dichroic beam splitter is disposed in the laser housing and configured to guide the returning arc light along a first optical path and the returning therapeutic laser along a second optical path; An optical sensor is disposed within the laser housing and configured to receive the returned arc light along the first optical path and measure the spectrum of the returned arc light; as well as Processing circuitry, disposed within the laser housing and configured to: A first determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp, namely, the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum included in the returning arc lamp is within a specified range of visible light amount; A second determination is made based on the spectrum of the returning arc lamp, namely, the amount of light in the infrared portion of the spectrum included in the returning arc lamp is greater than the specified amount of infrared light; A third determination is formed in response to at least one of the first and second determinations, namely, that the arc lamp focusing lens has deteriorated performance due to aging; and An alarm data signal is generated in response to the third determination.

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