An optical fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe and a scleral crosslinking probe

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber arrangement structure technology for probes, and discloses an optical fiber bundle for a scleral cross-linking probe, comprising multiple side-emitting optical fibers. These fibers, extending into the irradiation cavity of the scleral cross-linking probe, are arranged in various predetermined spatial configurations to form an optical fiber bundle that emits light towards the eyeball. These predetermined spatial configurations include parallel equidistant arrangement or non-uniform spatial arrangement. In the non-uniform spatial arrangement, the axial spacing or spatial trajectory curvature of adjacent fibers differs, causing interference and reflection of light during transmission. A scleral cross-linking probe is also disclosed. This utility model, through the dual design of optical fiber spatial arrangement and side-emitting light, eliminates the phenomenon of strong light at the center and weak light at the edge in traditional point light sources, achieving uniform light intensity in the scleral irradiation area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of probe fiber arrangement structure technology, and in particular to an fiber bundle and a scleral crosslinking probe for use as a scleral crosslinking probe. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, to control myopia, ophthalmologists have proposed a new scleral cross-linking technology. This technology uses a scleral cross-linking device in conjunction with a scleral cross-linking probe to irradiate specific areas of the sclera, thereby enhancing the biomechanical strength of the scleral tissue and achieving myopia control. Because the application space of the scleral cross-linking probe within the specific area of ​​the patient's eye is very limited and specific, scleral cross-linking requires both transmitting light signals within this limited space and preserving as much transmitted energy as possible, while also achieving a certain degree of light uniformity within the application space. This ensures a relatively uniform irradiation intensity within the light signal irradiation range, thus meeting the patient's treatment needs.

[0003] Optical fibers, based on the total internal reflection effect, can achieve long-distance transmission of optical signals through the refractive index difference between the fiber core and cladding, and can be applied to scleral crosslinking probes. Due to the limited space within the eye for scleral crosslinking probes, achieving the required crosslinking necessitates a large uniform illumination area and a certain level of irradiance. Achieving these requirements through fiber tip emission necessitates a complex homogenizer design and an even more complex scleral crosslinking probe structure. However, these structural requirements are not only limited by the intraocular space but also present significant challenges in achieving uniform illumination, failing to meet the required irradiance and uniform illumination for scleral crosslinking.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for improvements to the fiber bundles used in scleral crosslinking probes in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model embodiment is to provide an optical fiber bundle and a scleral crosslinking probe for use as a scleral crosslinking probe. By emitting light from the side of the optical fiber and arranging it in different ways, interference and reflection occur between the optical fibers, so that the scleral crosslinking probe is illuminated uniformly within the irradiation range and the light intensity meets the crosslinking requirements.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide an optical fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe, comprising:

[0007] It includes multiple side-emitting optical fibers that extend into the irradiation cavity of the scleral crosslinking probe. These multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in various predetermined spatial arrangements to form an optical fiber bundle that emits light towards the eyeball. The various predetermined spatial arrangements include: parallel equidistant arrangement or non-uniform spatial arrangement. In the non-uniform spatial arrangement, there are differences in the axial spacing or spatial trajectory curvature of adjacent optical fibers, so that the light interferes and reflects during transmission.

[0008] In some implementations, the non-uniform spatial arrangement includes: orchid-shaped arrangement, semi-circular encircling arrangement, spiral arrangement, wave-shaped arrangement, and arch-shaped arrangement, wherein...

[0009] The orchid-shaped arrangement radiates outward from the center line, which is located along the direction that extends into the irradiation cavity along the optical fiber and symmetrically divides the irradiation cavity.

[0010] The semi-circular encircling arrangement is a semi-circular arrangement symmetrically distributed on both sides with the center line as the reference.

[0011] Spiral arrangement is an arrangement that extends from the inside out or from the outside in along a spiral trajectory;

[0012] The wave pattern arrangement is a sinusoidal wave arrangement in the direction of the light guide plane;

[0013] The arched arrangement is an arched arrangement that extends along a curved surface convex towards the eyeball, with the light guide plane as the top cut surface.

[0014] In some implementations, in the arched arrangement, the radius of curvature R of the arched surface is 5mm ≤ R ≤ 15mm.

[0015] In some implementations, multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in a single layer or multiple layers.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cladding of the side-emitting optical fiber is provided with multiple axially extending light-transmitting holes, and light is scattered by the sidewalls of the light-transmitting holes to achieve side light emission. The multiple light-transmitting holes are located in the axial direction of the optical fiber in the irradiation cavity.

[0017] In some implementations, multiple light-transmitting holes are distributed at equal intervals along the optical fiber axis.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cladding of the side-emitting fiber is partially removed in the thickness direction to achieve side emission, with the removal area located in the axial direction of the fiber within the irradiation cavity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cladding removal portion of the cladding removal fiber forms a ring-shaped light-emitting unit or a block-shaped light-emitting unit.

[0020] In another aspect, this utility model also provides a scleral crosslinking probe, which uses the optical fiber bundle described above for scleral crosslinking probes, and the optical fiber bundle is laterally fixed on the structural components of the scleral crosslinking probe.

[0021] In some embodiments, the scleral crosslinking probe is further provided with a light-diffusing plate, which is disposed on the outside of the optical fiber bundle and fixed to the structural component of the scleral crosslinking probe body.

[0022] This utility model has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0023] (1) By using the dual design of spatial arrangement of optical fibers and side emission, the phenomenon of strong light at the center and weak light at the edge of traditional point light sources is eliminated, and the uniformity of light intensity in the scleral irradiation area is achieved.

[0024] (2) The side emission of the optical fiber and the multiple reflection interference effect of the metal parts / light guide plate convert the ineffective scattered light into effective illumination light, so as to achieve the effect of energy transfer and uniform light of optical signal;

[0025] (3) It can replace the complex structure of the light-diffusing sheet, reducing the design and production costs of the scleral crosslinking probe mold. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in which multiple optical fibers are arranged in parallel and equidistant.

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of multiple optical fibers arranged in a curve according to this utility model;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of multiple optical fibers arranged in an orchid pattern according to this utility model;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in which multiple optical fibers are arranged in a semi-circular surround;

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in which multiple optical fibers are arranged in a semi-circular surround;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the scleral crosslinking probe structure provided by this utility model.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 1. Side-emitting optical fiber; 2. Structural components; 3. Light guide plate; 4. Light homogenizer. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific examples and accompanying drawings.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. For example, terms such as “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer” indicate orientations or positions based on the orientations or positions shown in the accompanying drawings and are merely for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0037] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. "A plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0038] In the description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model, when an element is referred to as "fixed to," "mounted to," "set on," or "connected to" another element, it can be directly or indirectly located on that other element. For example, when an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to that other element.

[0039] Furthermore, the reference to "embodiment" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0040] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides an optical fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe, such as... Figures 1-5 The diagram shows the arrangement of the optical fiber bundle, which includes multiple side-emitting optical fibers that extend into the irradiation cavity of the scleral crosslinking probe. The multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in various predetermined spatial arrangements to form the optical fiber bundle that emits light towards the eyeball. The various predetermined spatial arrangements include: parallel equidistant arrangement or non-uniform spatial arrangement. In the non-uniform spatial arrangement, there are differences in the axial spacing or spatial trajectory curvature of adjacent optical fibers so that the light interferes and reflects during transmission.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 The image shows a parallel equidistant arrangement of optical fibers, which emit light from the side to cause interference and reflection of the light during transmission.

[0042] Furthermore, non-uniform spatial arrangement specifically includes:

[0043] Non-uniform spatial arrangements include, but are not limited to: curved arrangements, orchid-shaped arrangements, semi-circular encircling arrangements, spiral arrangements, wave-shaped arrangements, and arch-shaped arrangements.

[0044] like Figure 2 The diagram shows a curved arrangement, which can be a mirror image of the central fiber, with the two mirrored fibers bent at the same curvature and laid out horizontally as a whole; or it can be that each fiber is bent at the same position at the same curvature and laid out horizontally as a whole (not shown).

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the orchid-shaped arrangement radiates outward from the center line, which is located along the direction of the optical fiber extending into the irradiation cavity and symmetrically dividing the irradiation cavity.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the semi-circular arrangement is a symmetrical semi-circular arrangement on both sides of the center line. Figure 4 -A shows the centerline fiber extending into the interior of the structural component. Figure 4 -B shows the configuration where the centerline fiber does not extend into the interior of the structural component. Those skilled in the art can arrange it according to actual needs.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, a spiral arrangement is an arrangement that extends from the inside out or from the outside in along a spiral trajectory.

[0048] In addition, but not shown in the accompanying drawings, other possible arrangements include: a wave-like arrangement in a sinusoidal wave pattern parallel to the plane of the light guide plate; and an arch-like arrangement extending in an arch shape along a curved surface convex towards the eyeball, with the light guide plane as the apex. In some embodiments, in the arch-like arrangement, the radius of curvature R of the arched surface is 5mm ≤ R ≤ 15mm, which is suitable for the average curvature of the sclera of an adult eyeball. Specifically, the average values ​​for normal adults are approximately 24mm, 23mm, and 23.5mm, respectively. The size of a child's eyeball may vary with development, and there are individual differences. The size of a newborn's eyeball is significantly smaller than that of an adult; for example, the anteroposterior diameter of a normal newborn's eyeball is approximately 12.5-15.8mm. Those skilled in the art can adjust the radius of curvature of the arched surface based on the eyeball size of the actual user population.

[0049] This invention achieves two key optical effects during light transmission by actively designing different fiber optic arrangements:

[0050] (1) Interference control: The difference in spacing leads to dynamic changes in optical path difference, forming complementary constructive interference and destructive interference on the surface of the eyeball, which directly cancels out the bright and dark fringes;

[0051] (2) Reflection control: Adjust the direction of the light path so that the light shines on the metal structure of the probe, increase multi-angle scattering, and expand the coverage of the light.

[0052] Multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in a single or multiple parallel layers. Each layer of multiple side-emitting optical fibers emits light towards the eyeball in various predetermined spatial arrangements. The single-layer arrangement simplifies the structure and reduces the probe size, while the multi-layer arrangement allows for the superposition of light fields with different arrangements and the complementary superposition of interference fringes, further improving the intensity and uniformity of the light.

[0053] Furthermore, the side-emitting optical fiber is a through-hole transparent optical fiber. The cladding of the side-emitting optical fiber is provided with multiple axially extending light-transmitting holes. Light is scattered through the sidewalls of the light-transmitting holes to achieve side light emission. The multiple light-transmitting holes are located in the axial direction of the optical fiber in the irradiation cavity. In some embodiments, the irradiation cavity can be a circular cavity with a diameter of 5 mm or 10 mm. The light-transmitting holes are located in the axial direction of the optical fiber in the circular cavity to illuminate the eyeball by leaking light.

[0054] Furthermore, the multiple light-transmitting holes are evenly distributed along the fiber axis, which better meets the cross-linking requirements for the uniformity of overall illumination and the uniformity of illumination generated by the superposition of light emitted from adjacent light-transmitting holes.

[0055] Furthermore, the side-emitting fiber is a cladding removal type fiber, in which the cladding of the side-emitting fiber is partially removed in the thickness direction to achieve side light emission. The removal range is located in the axial direction of the fiber within the irradiation cavity. In some embodiments, the irradiation cavity can be a circular cavity with a diameter of 5 mm or 10 mm. The removal portion is located in the axial direction of the fiber within the circular cavity. The axial length of the removal portion can be equal to the diameter of the irradiation cavity to allow light leakage towards the eyeball for illumination.

[0056] Furthermore, the cladding removal portion of the aforementioned cladding removal optical fiber forms a ring-shaped light-emitting unit or a block-shaped light-emitting unit.

[0057] Specifically, the annular light-emitting unit is formed by etching the cladding along the circumference of the optical fiber in an annular pattern to create a continuous annular light-emitting unit surrounding the fiber core.

[0058] Specifically, the blocky light-emitting unit is formed by locally etching the cladding to form discrete blocky light-emitting units, each of which is spaced apart in the axial direction and / or discontinuously distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0059] In another aspect, this invention also provides a scleral crosslinking probe, which uses the fiber bundles for scleral crosslinking probes as described above for light emission, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the side-emitting optical fiber 1 is horizontally fixed in the structural component 2 of the probe body. The area enclosed by the structural component is the irradiation cavity, and the plane of the optical fiber layer is parallel to the plane of the light guide plate. The optical fiber bundle is embedded in the probe body along its length and extends into the irradiation cavity, with its end abutting against the structural component 2 of the probe body.

[0060] Furthermore, a light-diffusing plate 4 is further provided on the outer side of the scleral crosslinking probe's light-emitting fiber 1. The light-diffusing plate 4 covers the outer side of the scleral crosslinking probe's light-emitting fiber 1 and is fixed on the structural component 2, serving as an optical terminal processing element to achieve a secondary light-diffusing effect.

[0061] The above are exemplary embodiments disclosed in this utility model. However, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this utility model as defined by the claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the methods according to the disclosed embodiments described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although the elements disclosed in the embodiments of this utility model may be described or claimed individually, they may be understood as multiple unless explicitly limited to a singular number.

[0062] It should be understood that, as used herein, the singular form “a” is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly supports an exception. It should also be understood that, as used herein, “and / or” refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0063] The embodiment numbers disclosed in the above-described embodiments of the present utility model are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0064] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the present invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples. Within the framework of the present invention, technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and many other variations of different aspects of the present invention exist, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe, characterized in that, The device includes multiple side-emitting optical fibers that extend into the irradiation cavity of the scleral crosslinking probe. These multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in various predetermined spatial arrangements to form an optical fiber bundle that emits light towards the eyeball. The various predetermined spatial arrangements include parallel equidistant arrangements or non-uniform spatial arrangements. In the non-uniform spatial arrangement, the axial spacing or spatial trajectory curvature of adjacent optical fibers differs so that the light interferes and reflects during transmission.

2. The fiber bundle for scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-uniform spatial arrangement includes: orchid-shaped arrangement, semi-circular encircling arrangement, spiral arrangement, wave-shaped arrangement, and arch-shaped arrangement, among which... The orchid-shaped arrangement is radiating outward from the center line, which is located along the direction of the optical fiber penetrating into the irradiation cavity and symmetrically dividing the irradiation cavity. The semi-circular encircling arrangement is a semi-circular arrangement symmetrically distributed on both sides with the center line as the reference. The spiral arrangement is an arrangement that extends from the inside out or from the outside in along a spiral trajectory; The wave pattern is arranged in a sinusoidal wave shape in the direction of the light guide plane; The arched arrangement is an arched arrangement that extends along a curved surface convex towards the eyeball, with the light guide plane as the top cut surface.

3. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the arch-shaped arrangement, the radius of curvature R of the arch surface is 5mm≤R≤15mm.

4. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple side-emitting optical fibers are arranged in a single layer or multiple layers.

5. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cladding of the side-emitting optical fiber is provided with multiple axially extending light-transmitting holes. Light is scattered by the sidewalls of the light-transmitting holes to achieve side light emission. The multiple light-transmitting holes are located in the axial direction of the optical fiber within the irradiation cavity.

6. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 5, characterized in that, The multiple light-transmitting holes are distributed at equal intervals along the optical fiber axis.

7. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cladding of the side-emitting optical fiber is partially removed in the thickness direction to achieve side light emission, and the removal range is located in the axial direction of the optical fiber within the irradiation cavity.

8. The fiber bundle for a scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cladding removal portion of the optical fiber forms a ring-shaped light-emitting unit or a block-shaped light-emitting unit.

9. A scleral crosslinking probe, characterized in that, The scleral crosslinking probe uses an optical fiber bundle as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the optical fiber bundle is laterally fixed to the structural components of the scleral crosslinking probe.

10. The scleral crosslinking probe according to claim 9, characterized in that, The scleral crosslinking probe is also provided with a light-diffusing plate, which is disposed on the outside of the optical fiber bundle and fixed to the structural component of the scleral crosslinking probe body.

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