Ablation System Beam Assessment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing and diagnosing issues in ablation systems, particularly those involving laser beams, are inadequate as they do not provide clear failure mode diagnosis without opening the optical box, leading to potential damage and increased costs due to the need for multiple testing catheters and potential on-site issues.
Innovation Solution
A qualitative and quantitative beam assessment device is introduced, comprising a camera and energy sensor respectively, to interface with the ablation system, allowing for the recording and measurement of beam profiles and energy, and transmitting data to a processor for determining failure modes and necessary repairs, thereby enabling on-site rectification and reducing the need for unnecessary opening of the optical box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a testing catheter is connected to the optical box to measure emitted energy, then energy drift can be detected, but the testing catheter may degrade and require replacement, increasing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture an optical image of the laser beam profile as a copy/representation of the beam's spatial distribution and quality. This image serves as a diagnostic copy that reveals alignment status and optical component conditions without requiring physical insertion of a testing catheter into the optical path, thereby avoiding catheter degradation while enabling precise measurement of beam characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the laser beam and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring energy with a catheter that degrades, the camera captures optical information about the beam profile, allowing indirect measurement of alignment and optical health without contacting the beam with degradable materials.
2Loss of information
If multiple testing catheters are used to diagnose failure modes, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera creates a visual copy of the beam profile that encodes information about alignment status, optical component conditions, and potential failures. By analyzing this optical image, the system can diagnose multiple failure modes (misalignment, dirty lenses, damaged components) without needing multiple physical testing catheters, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining diagnostic completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion and physical measurement approach (using multiple testing catheters) with an optical imaging approach. The camera captures optical information that substitutes for the mechanical measurements would provide, enabling comprehensive diagnostics without the complexity of managing multiple catheter devices.
3Ease of repair
If the optical box is opened to repair misalignment, then alignment issues can be fixed, but potential damage to components and loss of time occur
Solution Approach 1:
The camera provides real-time visual feedback about the beam profile and alignment status. This feedback loop allows the system to detect misalignment and optical issues without opening the optical box, enabling remote diagnosis and reducing the need for physical intervention. The feedback image guides whether opening the box is necessary and helps locate the specific issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera enables preliminary detection and diagnosis of alignment issues and optical component conditions before opening the optical box. By capturing the beam profile in advance, the system can assess whether the issue requires physical access and guide the repair process, thereby reducing unnecessary openings and associated time losses.
4Measurement precision
If testing catheters are used to measure beam energy, then energy delivery can be verified, but the catheters may be damaged by the laser beam
Solution Approach 1:
The camera captures an optical image of the beam profile as a non-contact copy, allowing verification of beam characteristics without the testing device being exposed to the laser beam. This eliminates the harmful effect of laser damage to the testing catheter while maintaining the ability to verify energy delivery and beam quality through image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves as an intermediary that measures beam properties without direct exposure to the laser beam. The optical image acts as a mediator that carries information about the beam's spatial distribution and energy characteristics without requiring the measurement device to be in the direct laser path, thereby avoiding catheter damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for precise identification of failure modes in ablation systems, facilitating on-site repairs and reducing costs by eliminating the need for multiple testing catheters and minimizing the risk of damage during diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
a camera configured to record one or more signals related to a beam profile of a beam emitted by the optical box
Implementation Method 2
an energy sensor configured to measure a beam energy of the beam emitted by the optical box
Implementation Method 3
a guiding component configured to direct the beam emitted by the optical box to the energy sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for testing an ablation system comprising an optical box and a catheter connector is disclosed. The system comprises a qualitative beam assessment device, a quantitative beam assessment device, and a processor. The qualitative beam assessment device has a camera configured to record signals related to a beam profile of a beam emitted by the optical box. The quantitative beam assessment device has an energy sensor configured to measure a beam energy of the beam. The processor is configured to receive the signals from the beam assessment devices, determine a qualitative condition of the beam based on the beam profile signals, and determine a quantitative condition of the beam based on the beam energy signals.