Angled Optical Fiber Tip Attachment for Medical Laser Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side-firing lasers used in medical procedures, such as treating kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia, face challenges in efficiently delivering electromagnetic radiation at an angle due to limitations in optical fiber tip designs, which often rely on internal reflection and lack flexibility in orientation.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber tip attachment is designed with a cavity that orients the cross-sectional surface of the optical fiber at an angle, allowing for flexible delivery of electromagnetic radiation, featuring a body with a first opening and a second opening, and optionally a top with a hemispherical shape, to enable precise angle adjustment and secure attachment of the fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If internal reflection is used to direct laser at an angle, then side-firing capability is achieved, but flexibility in orientation and manufacturing precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is made movable within the attachment body through a cavity system, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fiber's orientation relative to the attachment axis. The fiber can be positioned at various angles (e.g., 45 degrees) and secured in place, providing both flexibility in orientation and manufacturing precision through controlled positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the attachment by incorporating a cavity with specific dimensional relationships (e.g., cavity width greater than fiber diameter, cavity depth defining angular orientation). This allows precise control over the fiber's angular position while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized cavity dimensions that can be manufactured with conventional tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If optical fiber is secured in cavity, then angle orientation is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion with a cavity for angular positioning, a separate fiber securing mechanism, and an optional protective cap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining precise angle orientation through the cavity geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary element between the attachment body and the optical fiber, providing a dedicated space that defines the angular orientation. This intermediary structure simplifies the connection mechanism by using the cavity's geometric constraints to maintain orientation rather than requiring complex active positioning systems.
3Ease of repair
If optical fiber tip is cut flush with outer surface, then fiber replacement is enabled, but orientation accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is pre-formed with specific dimensional characteristics (width, depth, angular orientation) that guide the fiber into the correct position before the fiber tip is cut. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the fiber is cut flush with the outer surface for easy replacement, the orientation accuracy is maintained because the cavity has already established the proper angular relationship between the fiber and attachment axis.
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 optical fiber tip attachment allows for efficient and controlled delivery of electromagnetic radiation at desired angles, enhancing the effectiveness of medical procedures by maintaining the optical fiber's integrity and preventing radiation leakage, while enabling easy replacement of damaged fiber ends.
Implementation Method 1
a cavity extending from the opening through at least a portion of the body, wherein the cavity is configured to orient a cross-sectional surface of the optical fiber, from which electromagnetic radiation is delivered, at an angle to an axis of the optical fiber tip attachment at the opening
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber tip attachment comprising:a body having an opening at a first end of the body, the opening configured to receive an optical fiber; anda cavity extending from the opening through at least a portion of the body, wherein the cavity is configured to orient a cross-sectional surface of the optical fiber, from which electromagnetic radiation is delivered, at an angle to an axis of the optical fiber tip attachment at the opening.