Adjustable Endoscopic Probe for Laser Beam Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic probes lack the ability to adjust the direction of the laser beam effectively, requiring multiple specific probes for different surgical procedures, and have challenges with narrow channels that restrict the movement of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic probe with an adjustable means that allows the optical fiber to be directed in any desired direction by changing its configuration, enabling the beam to be skewed relative to the probe's axis, and a narrow channel design that accommodates the fiber's movement without jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the probe uses a fixed configuration to deliver laser light, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the probe cannot adapt to different surgical procedures requiring different beam directions
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates an adjustable means with curved sections that can be rotated relative to each other, transforming the rigid fixed configuration into a dynamic adjustable structure. This allows the optical fiber to be positioned at different angles and orientations to deliver laser light in various directions suitable for different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable curved sections enable a single probe design to perform multiple surgical functions by changing the beam direction. Instead of requiring separate probes for different procedures, one probe can be configured to deliver laser light parallel to the longitudinal axis or at various skewed angles, making it universally applicable across multiple surgical applications
2Ease of operation
If the probe channel is made narrow to facilitate insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but the optical fiber movement is restricted and may jam
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable means is divided into multiple curved sections that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the fiber to navigate narrow channels more easily, as each section can be adjusted to follow the channel geometry without requiring the entire assembly to move rigidly, thereby reducing jamming risk in narrow insertion paths
3Reliability
If multiple specific probes are used for different procedures, then each probe is optimized for its specific use, but the quantity of probes and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates an adjustable means with curved sections that can be rotated to different positions, enabling a single probe to replace multiple procedure-specific probes. The optical fiber can be directed parallel to the longitudinal axis for orthopaedic procedures or at various skewed angles for soft tissue procedures, eliminating the need to maintain inventories of multiple specialized probes
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 probe provides versatility in surgical procedures by allowing the laser beam to be directed precisely, reducing the need for multiple probes and facilitating insertion and treatment in narrow areas.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible optical fibre to deliver laser light from a laser device to a treatment site
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable means which can be adjusted to direct light travelling down the fibre in any desired direction
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber endoscopic probe used to deliver radiation, in particular laser radiation, during a surgical procedure. The configuration of components of the endoscopic probe in use is adjustable so as to direct the radiation which exits the fiber as desired. The present invention also relates to a device used to direct the exiting beam of radiation in such an endoscopic probe, which may in particular be used in a narrow probe channel, for example for prostate laser surgery, and to a method of surgical treatment using the endoscopic probe.