Actuated Laser Fiber for Kidney Stone Fragmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In laser lithotripsy, the fragments of stones scattered in the body can be too large to dissolve or pass naturally, requiring time-consuming and difficult retrieval by physicians, and the presence of these fragments can complicate patient treatment.
Innovation Solution
A laser therapy system that includes a laser fiber capable of varying its lateral position and laser pulse intensity without requiring the endoscope to be repositioned, allowing for precise delivery of laser energy to kidney stones or other targets through a sequence or pattern of pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope is repositioned laterally to deliver laser energy at different positions, then the laser can treat different areas of the stone, but the procedure becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The laser fiber is made dynamically repositionable through an actuation mechanism that allows lateral movement of the fiber tip relative to the endoscope shaft. This enables the laser to treat different areas of the stone without removing or repositioning the endoscope itself, thus maintaining treatment flexibility while reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the endoscope shaft from the laser fiber, allowing independent movement of the laser fiber through the working lumen. This segmentation enables the laser fiber to be repositioned laterally while the endoscope remains stationary, resolving the contradiction between treatment versatility and procedure time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope is repositioned laterally to deliver laser energy at different positions, then the laser can treat different areas of the stone, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuated laser fiber assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the laser delivery medium and the positioning mechanism. The same structure that delivers laser energy also provides lateral repositioning capability, eliminating the need for separate repositioning devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser fiber is positioned within the working lumen of the endoscope, and the actuation mechanism allows the fiber to move independently within this confined space. This nested arrangement enables lateral repositioning without requiring external mechanical structures, maintaining simplicity while providing versatility.
3Productivity
If high intensity laser pulses are used to fragment stones, then the fragmentation efficiency improves, but the risk of complications and harmful effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers laser energy with spatially varying intensity by repositioning the laser fiber at different lateral locations. This allows concentrated high-intensity pulses at specific targets while maintaining lower intensity at surrounding areas, improving fragmentation efficiency while minimizing harmful effects on adjacent tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic repositioning capability allows the laser to deliver high-intensity pulses precisely where needed and avoid high-intensity exposure to unnecessary areas. The ability to rapidly change fiber position enables selective energy delivery that maximizes productivity while minimizing harmful effects.
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
This system enables more efficient fragmentation of stones into smaller pieces that can pass naturally, reducing the need for physician intervention in fragment retrieval and simplifying the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
A laser fiber that can be configured for providing one or both of varying lateral position and varying laser pulse intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A lithotripsy or other medical laser treatment system can include a lateral actuator to laterally displace a distal portion of a laser fiber, such as can be scanned or otherwise controlled to generate a spatial or spatiotemporal sub-targeting pattern without requiring laterally moving an endoscope carrying the laser fiber in a longitudinal passage such as a working channel. A targeted stone can be selectively weakened along the pattern, such as using lower energy pulses, before being fragmented, such as by a higher energy shock pulse.