A system to prevent lathing inside the endoscope.

Abstract

This specification describes a laser-emitting medical device and techniques that can be performed by the laser-emitting medical device to determine when an optical fiber is positioned within the endoscope. The device and techniques for determining the position of the endoscope are based on light received by the optical fiber from a stylist's illumination light positioned above the distal end of the endoscope. An activation device enables lathing, and a computer system interrupts the lathing procedure when the optical fiber enters the endoscope.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 586,289, filed on September 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to endoscopes and surgical laser systems. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to preventing lasing when an optical fiber coupled to a surgical laser system is inside an endoscope.

Background Art

[0003] Endoscopes (e.g., ureteroscopes, hysteroscopes, etc.) are used in a variety of procedures. Among several procedures, surgical laser systems are used to direct laser energy to specific regions of the body through an optical fiber disposed within the endoscope (e.g., endoscopic laser lithotripsy, endoscopic laser ablation, endoscopic laser coagulation, hysteroscopy, etc.). During such procedures, the optical fiber is inserted into the working channel of the endoscope. The optical fiber is advanced until the farthest distal end of the optical fiber extends out from the distal end of the endoscope. At this point, a physician can activate the surgical laser system (e.g., via a foot pedal or the like) to generate laser energy and guide it through the optical fiber toward a target. There are several potential safety issues that may arise if the distal end of the optical fiber is unintentionally pulled back into the working channel of the endoscope during lasing. Accordingly, lasing must be immediately stopped when the distal end of the optical fiber is retracted into the working channel of the endoscope. In many cases, human reaction may not be fast enough to stop lasing in a timely manner, and / or the physician may not even notice that the distal end of the optical fiber has been pulled back into the endoscope. Current medical devices do not have a method for a lasing system to detect when the distal end of the optical fiber is inside the endoscope. That is, a need exists for such a system. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed explanation. This summary is not intended to necessarily identify any important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] The disclosure of this invention provides an endoscopic device for use in conjunction with a surgical laser system. Generally, an endoscope includes at least one working channel, a camera element, and a light source for illumination. As will be described in more detail below, the endoscope is often placed in a human lumen (e.g., the urinary tract), and the light source and camera element are used to provide visual guidance for the operator to locate a target (e.g., a kidney stone) using the endoscope. With the target identified, a tool (e.g., an optical fiber) can be advanced through the working channel to interact with the target and / or treat it. In the case of an optical fiber, the optical fiber is exposed to light from the light source when its distal end extends out of the working channel of the endoscope. Similarly, when the distal end of the optical fiber is inside the working channel of the endoscope, it is in darkness. The disclosure of this invention provides a surgical lathing system configured to determine whether the distal end of an optical fiber is extending out of or inside the working channel of the endoscope using a photodetection system incorporated inside the lathing system.

[0006] Some embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention can be implemented as computer implementation methods. These methods may include computer implementation methods for a surgical laser console, which include receiving an electrical signal from a photodetector to a processor, including an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of an optical fiber, the light corresponding to light generated by one or more illumination lights of an endoscope.

[0007] In some embodiments, the computer implementation method may further include a processor determining from an electrical signal whether the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level. In response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to a threshold level, a control signal is sent to the laser source of the surgical laser console, such that the control signal is configured to cause the laser source to stop generating laser light.

[0008] In some embodiments, the computer implementation method may further include receiving a second electrical signal from a photodetector in a processor, which includes an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of an optical fiber, and the light corresponds to light generated by one or more illumination lights. The processor determines from the second electrical signal whether the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and transmits a second control signal to the laser source in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, the second control signal being configured to cause the laser source to resume generating laser light.

[0009] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, a control signal configured to stop the laser source from generating laser light is configured to disable the laser source.

[0010] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, a control signal configured to stop the laser source from generating laser light is further configured to block a start signal from a start device coupled to the laser console.

[0011] In some embodiments, the computer implementation method may further include a processor determining whether an activation signal was generated by an activation device, and transmitting a second control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level and the determination that an activation signal was generated by an activation device.

[0012] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, the startup device is a foot pedal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the computer implementation method further includes a processor determining whether the laser source is generating laser light, and transmitting a control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console in response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to a threshold level and the determination that the laser source is generating laser light.

[0014] In some embodiments of the computerized method, the optical fiber is positioned to be inserted through the operating channel of the endoscope.

[0015] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, the optical fiber is slidably positioned within the working channel of the endoscope.

[0016] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, one or more illumination lights are positioned on the distal end of the endoscope.

[0017] In some embodiments of the computer implementation method, the optical fiber is coupled to a laser console that includes a processor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the surgical laser console includes a controller configured to perform one of the methods described above. The console may further include a photodetector, a laser source arranged to generate laser light, and a beam splitter arranged to direct the laser light from the laser source into an optical fiber and to direct light from one or more illumination lights to the photodetector.

[0019] In some embodiments of surgical laser consoles, the laser console further includes an optical head which includes at least a lens arranged to couple laser light to an optical fiber.

[0020] In some embodiments of surgical laser consoles, the beam splitter includes a dichroic mirror.

[0021] Some embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention may be implemented as a system. The system may include a system for a surgical laser console, the system including a processor, a photodetector, and a memory containing instructions that cause the processor to receive an electrical signal from the photodetector, which includes an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of an optical fiber, when executed by the processor. The light corresponds to light generated by one or more illumination lights of an endoscope.

[0022] In some embodiments, the instruction further causes the processor to determine from the electrical signal whether the power of the light received by the processor when executed is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and in response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to a threshold level, it causes the instruction to send a control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console. The control signal is configured to cause the laser source to stop generating laser light.

[0023] In some embodiments, the instruction further causes the processor to receive a second electrical signal from the photodetector, which includes an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of the optical fiber when executed by the processor, and the light corresponds to light generated by one or more illumination lights. The second electrical signal is used to determine whether the power of the received light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, a second control signal is transmitted to the laser source of the surgical laser console, the second control signal is configured to cause the laser source to resume generating laser light.

[0024] In some embodiments, a control signal configured to stop the laser source from generating laser light is configured to disable the laser source.

[0025] In some embodiments, the control signal configured to cause the laser source to stop generating laser light is further configured to block an activation signal from an activation device coupled to the surgical laser console.

[0026] In some embodiments, the surgical laser console further comprises the activation device, and the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to determine whether an activation signal has been generated by the activation device, and transmit a second control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level and the determination that the activation signal has been generated by the activation device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the one or more illumination lights are disposed on the distal end of the endoscope.

[0028] In some embodiments, the optical fiber is arranged to be slidably inserted into the working channel of the endoscope.

[0029] In some embodiments, the optical fiber is coupled to a laser console that includes a processor.

[0030] In some embodiments, the laser console comprises a lasing system including a laser source arranged to generate laser light, and a beam splitter arranged to direct the laser light from the laser source to the optical fiber and arranged to direct light from the one or more illumination lights to the photodetector.

[0031] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as a computer-readable memory storage device (CRM), which may comprise a computer-readable memory storage device containing instructions executable by a processor of a surgical laser console that, when executed, cause the processor to receive an electrical signal from a photodetector that includes an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of an optical fiber. The light corresponds to light generated by the one or more illumination lights of the endoscope.

[0032] In some embodiments of a computer-readable memory storage device, an instruction, when executed by a processor, is further configured to cause the processor to determine from an electrical signal whether the power of the light received is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and, in response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to a threshold level, to send a control signal to the laser source of a surgical laser console, the control signal being configured to cause the laser source to stop generating laser light.

[0033] In some embodiments, when an instruction is executed by the processor, the processor further causes the processor to receive a second electrical signal from the photodetector, which includes an indication of the power of light received at the distal end of the optical fiber, and the light corresponds to light generated by one or more illumination lights. The processor determines from the second electrical signal whether the power of the received light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, it sends a second control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console, which is configured to cause the laser source to resume generating laser light.

[0034] In some embodiments, a control signal configured to stop the laser source from generating laser light is further configured to block the activation signal from an activation device coupled to the surgical laser console.

[0035] In some embodiments, when the instruction is executed by the processor, it further causes the processor to determine whether or not an activation signal has been generated by the activation device, and to transmit a second control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console in response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level and the determination that an activation signal has been generated by the activation device.

[0036] To facilitate the identification of any element or action, the leading digit of a reference number (one or more digits) refers to the drawing number in which that element was first introduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1A] This diagram shows a medical system including an endoscope and a laser console.

[0038] [Figure 1B] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary laser console.

[0039] [Figure 2A] This is a diagram illustrating an example endoscope.

[0040] [Figure 2B] This figure shows an exemplary endoscope in which an optical fiber extends out of the working channel of the endoscope.

[0041] [Figure 3] This diagram shows how to enable or disable racing.

[0042] [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates graphs showing the power of light detected by a light detection system at different times.

[0043] [Figure 5] This figure shows a computer-readable storage medium according to one embodiment.

[0044] [Figure 6] This figure shows a schematic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system that can execute an instruction set within itself to cause the machine to perform one or more of the methods discussed herein by exemplary embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] The above is a general overview of the features and technical advantages of the disclosure of the present invention, so as to enable a better understanding of the following detailed description of the disclosure of the present invention. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments can be readily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures to carry out the same purpose of the disclosure of the present invention. Novel features of the disclosure of the present invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in relation to the accompanying drawings, along with further purposes and advantages with respect to both their organization and method of operation. However, it will be expressly understood that each of the drawings is provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and is not intended to define the limits of the disclosure of the present invention.

[0046] As mentioned above, medical lasers (or surgical laser systems) are used in various endoscopic procedures in which laser light is directed to a target through an optical fiber. One such procedure that addresses kidney stones (e.g., nephrolithiasis) is ureteroscopy or lithotripsy. In a lithotripsy procedure, an endoscopic probe equipped with a camera and / or other sensors is inserted into the patient's urinary tract to position the stone to be removed. An optical fiber is inserted through the working channel of the endoscopic probe, and laser energy is directed through the optical fiber towards the stone, allowing the stone to break up when it is found through the camera.

[0047] Figure 1A shows an exemplary lithotripsy system 100 configured to prevent lathing when the distal end of an optical fiber is inside an endoscope, according to an embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. The lithotripsy system 100 may include an endoscope console 102 and a lathing console 104. The endoscope console 102 and the laser console 104 can be coupled to an endoscope 112 and an optical fiber 110, respectively. As described above, the endoscope 112 may include one or more working channels into which the optical fiber 110 can be inserted.

[0048] The racing console 104 typically includes an optical system 106 comprising one or more laser sources and various optical systems arranged to generate laser beams. Typically, the optical system 106 will include at least two light sources, one arranged to generate a aiming beam that identifies a target 108 and ensures that the optical fiber 110 is directed towards the target 108, and a second arranged to generate a therapeutic beam that therapeutically treats the target 108 (e.g., excision, dusting, etc.). Such laser sources may include, but are not limited to, solid-state lasers, gas lasers, diode lasers, and fiber lasers. Furthermore, the optical system 106 includes an optical system that shapes the generated laser beam and / or couples it to the optical fiber 110.

[0049] The various optical systems within the optical system 106 may include, but are not limited to, one or more polarizers, beam splitters, beam combiners, photodetectors, wavelength division multiplexers, collimators, circulators, and / or lenses. The laser light source of the optical system 106 may include a thulium fiber laser, a holmium laser, or other types of laser light sources.

[0050] In addition, although the endoscope console 102 and the racing console 104 are depicted as separate consoles in Figure 1A, it is acknowledged that embodiments can be implemented in which the endoscope console 102 and the racing console 104 are combined into a single console that shares many computer components (e.g., processor, memory, display, controller, etc.). However, for clarity, the disclosure of the present invention describes embodiments in which the endoscope console 102 and the racing console 104 are separate.

[0051] As introduced above, the endoscope 112 includes a camera and a light (see, for example, Figures 2A and 2B) capable of acquiring images of the target 108 (e.g., a gallstone, tissue, etc.). In some embodiments, the target 108 may be tissue, gallstone, tumor, and cyst within a subject to be treated, excised, or destroyed. In some embodiments, the subject may be a human or an animal. With the target acquired through the endoscope, the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is advanced out of the working channel of the endoscope 112 (see, for example, Figures 2A and 2B) to initiate razing to excise, dust, or otherwise treat the target 108.

[0052] However, during the procedure, the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 may be inadvertently pulled back into the working channel, at which point it is not safe to continue racing. Disclosure of the present invention provides a racing console 104 configured to prevent racing when the distal end 114 is inside the endoscope 112.

[0053] Figure 1B shows an exemplary racing console 104. The racing console 104 may include an optical system 106 comprising a laser light source 118, a photodetector 120, a processor 122, and a dichroic mirror 116. As described above, the laser source 118 may be arranged to generate laser light through several different racing mechanisms, such as using a holmium racing medium or a thulium racing medium. The laser light can be directed towards an optical fiber 110. The laser source 118 is optically coupled to the optical fiber 110. Furthermore, the laser source 118 may be coupled to an activation device 124 to allow the user to enable racing. In some embodiments, the activation device 124 may be a pedal, button, or foot switch. In addition to this, the laser source 118 is coupled to the processor 122. In some embodiments, the activation device 124 is coupled to the laser source 118 through the processor 122 (for example, as depicted in this figure). During operation, the user can activate the laser source 118 through the activation device 124, causing the laser light source 118 to generate laser light 126 that can propagate down the optical fiber 110 and be guided toward the target 108.

[0054] In addition, during operation, the processor 122 can receive a signal from the photodetector 120 to determine whether the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is outside or inside the endoscope 112, and based on such a determination, can prevent the activation of the laser source 118 (and therefore the generation of laser light 126).

[0055] For that purpose, the optical system 106 includes a dichroic mirror 116 and a photodetector 120. It will be acknowledged that the optical fiber 110 provides the propagation of laser light 126 from the proximal end 128 of the optical fiber 110 to the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110. Similarly, the optical fiber 110 provides the propagation of light from the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 to the proximal end 128 of the optical fiber 110. Thus, ambient light 130 from the environment in which the endoscope 112 and target 108 are positioned will propagate up the optical fiber towards the laser console 104 and back. Specifically, light from the endoscope's light will be transmitted from the distal end 114 to the proximal end 128 of the optical fiber 110.

[0056] The racing console 104 includes a dichroic mirror 116 positioned in the optical path between the optical fiber 110 and the laser source 118, configured to allow substantially all light having wavelengths within a first wavelength range to pass through so that laser light 126 is optically transmitted from the laser source 118 to the proximal end 128 of the optical fiber 110. Furthermore, the dichroic mirror 116 is positioned and configured to reflect light having wavelengths within a second wavelength range so that substantially all ambient light 130 is reflected toward the photodetector 120. Generally, the photodetector 120 is arranged to measure and / or generate an electrical signal indicating the intensity of light incident on the photodetector 120. In connection with the disclosure of the present invention, the photodetector 120 is configured to generate an electrical signal indicating the intensity of ambient light 130. These electrical signals can be communicated to a computer device (e.g., a processor 122) to determine the intensity of ambient light 130. Although the term ambient light is used, it should be noted that the environment may not have actual ambient light and may only have light from the lathing and light from the endoscope light (or ambient light). However, light that does not come from the lathing (e.g., light from the endoscope light) is referred to as ambient light for convenience in this specification.

[0057] As described above, it is considered important to stop lasing when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is inside the endoscope 112 during the lasing procedure. The processor 122 can be configured to stop lasing when the intensity of ambient light 130 falls below a first threshold level (e.g., by shutting off the laser source 118). The processor 122 can also be configured to enable lasing when the intensity of ambient light 130 increases above a second threshold, which may be the same as or different from the first threshold. Thus, the activation device 124 enables the laser source 118 to generate laser light 126, while the processor 122 can shut off the generation of laser light 126 when the intensity of ambient light 130 falls below a threshold, and can simply enable the restart or regeneration of laser light 126 in both cases when the activation device 124 is activated and the intensity of ambient light 130 increases above a threshold.

[0058] Figure 2A shows an example of the distal end 202 of an endoscope 112. As depicted in this figure, the endoscope 112 may include an operating channel 204 through which an optical fiber 110 can be inserted. The distal end 202 of the endoscope 112 may also include a camera 206 and a light 208 configured to illuminate the subject and provide imaging information. The distal end 202 is shown with two lights 208, but one or more lights 208 (e.g., 2, 3, etc.) may be provided.

[0059] As described above, during operation, the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is advanced down the working channel 204 and exits the distal end 202 of the endoscope 112. However, if the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is not exposed to light from the light 208 before it can exit the distal end 202 of the endoscope 112 or is inadvertently pulled back into the working channel 204 of the endoscope 112, the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is not exposed to light from the light 208. Therefore, the ambient light 130 does not propagate up the fiber to the photodetector 120 as described above. In such cases, the photodetector 120 measures and / or detects ambient light 130 below a threshold level, which can trigger the processor 122 to disable or prevent razing by the laser source 118 as described above.

[0060] Figure 2B shows the distal end of the endoscope 202 as the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 extends out of the working channel 204. When the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is outside the working channel 204, it is exposed to light from the light 208. This light then propagates up the optical fiber 110 as ambient light 130, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 116, and enters the photodetector 120. The photodetector 120 can measure the intensity of the ambient light 130 and generate an electrical signal indicating the measured intensity, which can trigger the processor 122, enabling lathing by the laser source 118 as described above.

[0061] Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 by which a lathing console enables lathing or disables lathing within the endoscope to prevent lathing, as outlined herein. For example, method 300 can be performed by a lithotripsy system 100 to prevent lathing of a laser source 118 when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is inside the endoscope 112. However, it is conceivable that method 300 can be performed by a system other than the lithotripsy system 100. Examples are not limited by this association. Method 300 can be initiated in block 302. In block 302, “Initiating the Surgical Lathing Procedure,” a physician initiates the procedure. For example, the endoscope 112 can be inserted into a treatment area (e.g., the environment to be treated as part of the lithotripsy procedure or the patient’s urinary tract or biliary tract). In some embodiments, the distal end 202 of the endoscope 112 may be positioned in the environment including the target 108. In some embodiments, method 300 may not include block 302, in which case actions by a physician and / or actions to place an endoscope, etc., are not included as part of method 300.

[0062] Following block 304, "Is the boot device on?", a decision is made regarding whether the boot device is on or not. For example, processor 122 may determine whether the boot device 124 is "on" (e.g., booted). In some embodiments, processor 122 may execute an instruction (e.g., stored in a computer-readable memory storage device) to determine whether the boot device 124 has been booted. From decision block 304, method 300 may proceed to either block 306 or block 312. Method 300 may proceed from decision block 304 to block 306 based on the decision in decision block 304 that the boot device is on, or it may proceed from decision block 304 to block 312 based on the decision in decision block 304 that the boot device is not on.

[0063] In block 306, "Receiving an indication of ambient light intensity," an indication of ambient light intensity can be received. For example, the processor 122 can receive an indication of ambient light intensity 130 from the photodetector 120.

[0064] Following decision block 308, "Does the ambient light intensity exceed the threshold?", a decision is made regarding whether the ambient light intensity exceeds the threshold. For example, processor 122 can determine whether the ambient light intensity 130 exceeds the threshold. From decision block 308, method 300 can proceed to either block 312 or block 310. Method 300 can proceed from decision block 308 to block 310 based on the decision in decision block 308 that the ambient light intensity exceeds the threshold (e.g., is greater than or equal to the threshold), or from decision block 308 to block 312 based on the decision in decision block 308 that the ambient light intensity does not exceed the threshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold).

[0065] It is acknowledged that an increase in the level of ambient light 130 correlates with the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 extending from the distal end 202 of the endoscope 112. It is safe to enable raising when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is at a certain distance outside the endoscope 112. When the optical fiber is inside the endoscope 112, it will not be exposed to the endoscopic illumination light 208, and the photodetector 120 will either not detect light or detect light below the threshold. Raising must be disabled when the level of light detected by the photodetector 120 is below the threshold. In other words, raising must be enabled when (1) the activation device is on and (2) the intensity of ambient light 130 exceeds the threshold level.

[0066] Block 310, "Enable racing by laser source," enables racing by a laser source. For example, the processor 122 can send a control signal to the laser source 118 to generate laser light 126. That is, when (1) the activation device is on and (2) the intensity of ambient light 130 exceeds the threshold level when determined by determination blocks 304 and 308, the processor 122 can send a control signal to the laser source 118 to activate it.

[0067] In block 312, "Disable racing by laser source," racing by the laser source is disabled. For example, the processor 122 can send a control signal to the laser source 118 to stop the generation of laser light 126. That is, when (1) the activation device is not turned on or (2) the intensity of ambient light 130 is below the threshold level when determined in determination blocks 304 and 308, the processor 122 can send a control signal to the laser source 118 to disable or stop the laser source 118.

[0068] Figure 4 illustrates a graph 400 showing the ambient light intensity at various threshold levels. For example, the ambient light intensity is plotted on the y-axis 406. This intensity can correspond to the light intensity received by the photodetector 120 and / or determined by the processor 122. As shown in this figure, when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is retracted into the endoscope 112, the ambient light intensity 130 decreases. When the ambient light intensity 130 is below threshold 402, racing can be blocked as described herein. Furthermore, as the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 extends out of the endoscope 112, the ambient light intensity 130 detected by the photodetector 120 and / or determined by the processor 122 increases. When the intensity exceeds threshold 402, racing can be enabled. This figure also illustrates the change in ambient light intensity 130 when the endoscope light 208 is set to various levels of output power. For example, even when the endoscopic illumination light 208 is at 20% intensity, there is still a clear difference between the intensity of the ambient light 130 and the threshold 402 when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is outside the endoscope 112.

[0069] Figure 5 shows a computer-readable storage medium 500. The computer-readable storage medium 500 may include any non-transient computer-readable storage medium or machine-readable storage medium, such as optical, magnetic, or semiconductor storage media. In various embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 500 may include manufactured articles. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 500 may store computer-executable instructions 502 that a circuit can use to execute. For example, the computer-executable instructions 502 may include instructions 504 that enable or disable razing as described herein, which can be executed by a processor (e.g., processor 122). In another example, the computer-executable instructions 502 may include instructions corresponding to method 300 in Figure 3, which is configured to cause the lithotripsy system 100 to perform method 300. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums or machine-readable storage media may include any tangible medium that can store electronic data, including volatile or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writable or rewritable memory, and so on. Examples of computer executable instruction 502 may include any appropriate type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, object-oriented code, and visual code.

[0070] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of machine 500 in the form of a computer system capable of executing a set of instructions within itself to cause the machine to perform one or more of the methods discussed herein. More specifically, Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of machine 600 in the form of an exemplary computer system capable of executing instructions 608 (e.g., software, programs, applications, applets, apps, or other executable code) within itself to cause machine 600 to perform one or more of the methods discussed herein. For example, instructions 608 can cause machine 600 to perform method 300, etc. More generally, instructions 608 can cause machine 600 to enable lazing or disable lazing to prevent lazing when the distal end 114 of the optical fiber 110 is inside the endoscope 112.

[0071] Instruction 608 is transformed into a specific machine 600 programmed to perform in a particular manner the functions described and illustrated by a general-purpose, unprogrammed machine 600. In alternative embodiments, machine 600 may operate as a standalone device or be coupled with other machines (e.g., networked). In a networked deployment, machine 600 may operate as a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Machine 600 may include, but is not limited to, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a network, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, an entertainment media system, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a consumer electronics device (e.g., a smartwatch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), another smart device, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of sequentially or otherwise executing Instruction 608 which specifies the actions to be taken by machine 600. Furthermore, although only a single machine 600 is shown, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a set of machines 200 that individually or together perform Instruction 608 to perform one or more of the methods discussed herein.

[0072] Machine 600 may include processors 602, memory 604, and I / O components 642, which can be configured to communicate with each other, for example, via a bus 644. In exemplary embodiments, processor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a composite instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or a suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, processors 606 and 610, which can execute instruction 608. The term “processor” is intended to include multi-core processors, which may include two or more independent processors (sometimes called “cores”) that can execute instructions simultaneously. Figure 6 shows multiple processors 602, but machine 600 may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with single cores, multiple processors with multiple cores, or any combination thereof.

[0073] Memory 604 may include main memory 612, static memory 614, and a storage unit 616, both of which are accessible to the processor 602 via a bus 644 or the like. Main memory 604, static memory 614, and storage unit 616 store instructions 608 that embody one or more of the methods or functions discussed herein. Instructions 608 may also be entirely or partially present in main memory 612, in static memory 614, in machine-readable media 618 in the storage unit 616, in at least one of the processors 602 (e.g., in the processor's cache memory), or in any suitable combination thereof, during their execution by the machine 600.

[0074] The I / O components 642 can include a wide range of components for receiving inputs, providing outputs, generating outputs, transmitting information, exchanging information, capturing measurements, and so on. The specific I / O components 642 included in a particular machine will depend on the type of machine. For example, a portable machine such as a mobile phone is likely to include a touch input device or other such input mechanism, while a headless server machine is unlikely to include such a touch input device. It will be acknowledged that the I / O components 642 may include many other components not shown in Figure 6. The I / O components 642 are grouped according to their potential simply to simplify the following discussion, and the grouping is by no means limiting. In various exemplary embodiments, the I / O components 642 may include output components 628 and input components 630. The output components 628 may include visual components (e.g., displays such as plasma display panels (PDPs), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), projectors, or cathode ray tubes (CRTs)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), tactile components (e.g., vibration motors, resistance mechanisms), and other signal generators, etc. The input components 630 may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., keyboards, touchscreens configured to accept alphanumeric input, optical keyboards, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (e.g., mice, touchpads, trackballs, joysticks, motion sensors, or other pointing devices), tactile input components (e.g., physical buttons, touchscreens that provide location and / or force for touch or touch actions, or other tactile input components), and voice input components (e.g., microphones), etc.

[0075] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the I / O component 642 may include, among a wide range of other components, biometric components 632, motion components 634, environmental components 636, or positional components 638. For example, the biometric component 632 may include components that detect facial expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, voice expressions, body movements, or eye tracking), measure biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, sweating, or electroencephalography), and identify individuals (e.g., voice recognition, retinal recognition, face recognition, fingerprint recognition, or electroencephalography-based recognition). The motion component 634 may include acceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometers), gravity sensor components, and rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscopes), and so on. The environmental component 636 may include, for example, an illuminance sensor component (e.g., a photometer), a temperature sensor component (e.g., one or more thermometers for detecting ambient temperature), a humidity sensor component, a pressure sensor component (e.g., a barometer), an acoustic sensor component (e.g., one or more microphones for detecting background noise), a proximity sensor component (e.g., an infrared sensor for detecting nearby objects), a gas sensor (e.g., a gas detection sensor for detecting the concentration of hazardous gases for safety or measuring airborne pollutants), or other components that can provide a display, measurement, or signal corresponding to the surrounding physical environment. The position component 638 may include a location sensor component (e.g., a GPS receiver component), an altitude sensor component (e.g., an altimeter or barometer for detecting atmospheric pressure from which altitude can be derived), and a direction sensor component (e.g., a magnetometer), etc.

[0076] Communication can be carried out using a wide range of technologies. The I / O component 642 may include a communication component 640 that can be operated to connect machine 600 to network 620 or device 622 via couplings 624 and 626, respectively. For example, the communication component 640 may include a network interface component or another suitable device for interface with network 620. In yet another example, the communication component 640 may include a wired communication component, a wireless communication component, a cellular communication component, a near-field communication (NFC) component, a Bluetooth® component (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), a Wi-Fi® component, and other communication components that provide communication via other modalities. Device 622 may be either another machine or a wide range of peripheral devices (e.g., peripheral devices coupled via USB).

[0077] Furthermore, the communication component 640 may include components that can detect identifiers or are operable to detect identifiers. For example, the communication component 640 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader component, an NFC smart tag detection component, an optical reader component (e.g., an optical sensor that detects one-dimensional barcodes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes, Quick Response (QR) codes, Aztec Codes, Data Matrix, Data Glyphs®, Maxi Codes, PDF417, Ultra Codes, UCC RSS-2D barcodes, and other optical codes), or an acoustic detection component (e.g., a microphone that identifies tagged audio signals). In addition, various information can be derived through the communication component 640, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, location via Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, and location via detection of NFC beacon signals that can indicate a specific location.

[0078] Various memories (i.e., memory 604, main memory 612, static memory 614, and / or the memory of processor 602) and / or storage unit 616 can store one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) that are embodied or utilized by one or more of the methods or functions discussed herein. These instructions (e.g., instruction 608), when executed by processor 602, cause the disclosed embodiments to be implemented in various operations.

[0079] As used herein, the terms “mechanical storage medium,” “device storage medium,” and “computer storage medium” mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably in the disclosure of the present invention. The terms refer to one or more storage devices and / or media (e.g., centralized or distributed databases and / or associated caches and servers) that store executable instructions and / or data. The terms are therefore to be interpreted as including semiconductor memory and optical and magnetic media, including internal or external memory for a processor, but not limited to the following. Specific examples of mechanical storage mediums, computer storage mediums, and / or device storage mediums include, exemplary, semiconductor memory devices, e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGAs, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and non-volatile memory including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROM disks. The terms “mechanical storage medium,” “computer storage medium,” and “device storage medium” specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such mediums, at least some of which are covered under the term “signal medium,” which will be discussed below.

[0080] In various exemplary embodiments, one or more parts of network 620 may be an ad hoc network, intranet, extranet, VPN, LAN, WLAN, WAN, WWAN, MAN, Internet, part of the Internet, part of the PSTN, simply an old telephone service (POTS) network, a mobile phone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks. For example, network 620 or part of network 620 may include a wireless or cellular network, and coupling 624 may be a code division multiple access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) connection, or another type of cellular or wireless coupling. In this example, coupling 624 can implement any of the various types of data transfer technologies, such as single-carrier radio transmission technology (1xRTT), evolutionary data optimization (EVDO) technology, general packet radio service (GPRS) technology, enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE) technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, 4th generation radio (4G) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Global Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, others defined by various standards-setting organizations, other long-distance protocols, or other data transfer technologies.

[0081] Instruction 608 can be transmitted or received over the network 620 using a transmission medium via a network interface device (e.g., a network interface component included in communication component 640) and using any one of several known transfer protocols (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, instruction 608 can be transmitted or received using a transmission medium via a coupling 626 to device 622 (e.g., peer-to-peer coupling). The terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably in the disclosure of the present invention. The terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” shall be interpreted to include any intangible medium on which instruction 608 for execution by machine 600 can be stored, encoded, or carried, and including digital or analog communication signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. Accordingly, the terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” shall be interpreted to include any form of modulated data signals and carrier waves, etc. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal in which one or more of its properties are set or modified in such a way as to encode the information within the signal.

[0082] Terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meanings in the relevant art or their use in the context of which they are used, but the meaning of explicit definitions provided shall prevail where such definitions are given.

[0083] In this specification, a reference to “one embodiment” or “embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Throughout this description and the claims, unless otherwise clearly required, the words “comprise” and “comprising,” etc., shall be interpreted in an inclusive sense, as opposed to a restrictive or comprehensive sense, i.e., “includes but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural also include the plural or singular, respectively, unless expressly limited to one or more. In addition, the words “in this specification,” “more than,” “less than,” and similar words, when used in this application, refer to the entire application and not to any part of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, the word shall, unless expressly limited to one or the other, cover any of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. Any term not expressly defined herein shall have its conventional meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the relevant art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 10. Lithotripsy system 102 Endoscopy Console 104 Racing Console 110 Fiber Optic 112 Endoscope

Claims

1. A computer implementation method for a surgical laser console, The process involves receiving an electrical signal from a photodetector to a processor, which includes an indication of the power of light that corresponds to light received at the distal end of an optical fiber and generated by one or more illumination lights of an endoscope. Computer implementation methods, including those mentioned above.

2. The processor determines from the electrical signal whether the light is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and In response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to the threshold level, a control signal configured to cause the laser source to stop generating laser light is transmitted to the laser source of the surgical laser console. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The photodetector receives a second electrical signal from the photodetector to the processor, which includes an indication of the power of the light, corresponding to the light received at the distal end of the optical fiber and generated by the one or more illumination lights. The processor determines from the second electrical signal whether the light is greater than or equal to the threshold level, and Transmitting a second control signal to the laser source, configured to cause the laser source to resume generating laser light in response to a determination that the light is greater than or equal to the threshold level. The computer implementation method according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The computer implementation method according to claim 2, wherein the control signal configured to stop the generation of laser light from the laser source is configured to disable the laser source.

5. The computer implementation method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control signal configured to stop the generation of laser light from the laser source is further configured to block a startup signal from a startup device coupled to the surgical laser console.

6. The processor determines whether or not the startup signal was generated by the startup device, and In response to the determination that the light is greater than or equal to the threshold level and the determination that the activation signal has been generated by the activation device, transmit the second control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console. The computer implementation method according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The computer implementation method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the activation device is a foot pedal.

8. The processor determines whether or not the laser source is generating laser light, and Transmitting the control signal to the laser source of the surgical laser console in response to the determination that the light is not greater than or equal to the threshold level and the determination that the laser source is generating laser light. A computer implementation method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising:

9. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is arranged to be inserted through the operating channel of the endoscope.

10. The computer implementation method according to claim 9, wherein the optical fiber is slidably disposed within the operating channel of the endoscope.

11. The computer-assisted method according to claim 9, wherein the one or more illumination lights are arranged on the distal end of the endoscope.

12. The computer implementation method according to claim 2, wherein the optical fiber is coupled to a laser console including the processor.

13. A controller configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 12, The aforementioned photodetector, A laser source arranged to generate laser light, and A beam splitter is positioned to direct the laser light from the laser source to the optical fiber, and to direct the light from one or more illumination lights to the photodetector. A surgical laser console including...

14. The surgical laser console according to claim 13, further comprising an optical head including at least a lens arranged to couple the laser light to the optical fiber.

15. The surgical laser console according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the beam splitter includes a dichroic mirror.

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