Beam Delivery System Power and Spot Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-based scanning photomedical systems face challenges in safely and reliably scanning light beams onto target tissue when there is little or no control over the external light source, compromising the integrity and reliability of the treatment.
Innovation Solution
A beam delivery system that includes optical elements for power detection, wavelength filtering, and a controller to adjust the light beam's power and spot size, allowing for safe and reliable scanning with minimal control over the light source, using a combination of optical fibers and lenses to produce different spot sizes and align the light beam accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external light sources are used with little or no system control, then flexibility and cost are improved, but safety and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using power detectors to continuously monitor the light beam power level and providing this information to the controller, which then adjusts the variable attenuator to maintain safe and reliable operation with external light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including power detectors, wavelength filters, and variable attenuators that mediate between the external light source and the target tissue, enabling safety control without requiring direct control of the light source itself
2Reliability
If light source control is integrated into the scanning system, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light delivery function from the light source control, allowing the scanning system to receive light from external sources while maintaining safety through separate monitoring and control components
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is designed with universal components that can work with multiple external light sources without requiring integration of the light source itself, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
3Ease of operation
If external light sources are used with minimal control, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Power detectors provide real-time feedback on the actual power level reaching the target tissue, enabling the controller to make precise adjustments to compensate for variations in external light source output
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical/electrical control of the light source with optical measurement and control methods, using power detectors and variable attenuators to achieve precise power control without controlling the light source itself
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
Enables safe and reliable scanning of light beams onto target tissue with minimal control over the light source, allowing for flexible use of external light sources and maintaining safety and reliability standards, while allowing for the selection and replacement of light sources without reconfiguring the system.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter positioned to filter out or diffract certain wavelengths of light from the light beam first portion before reaching the first detector
Implementation Method 2
a first filter positioned to filter out or diffract certain wavelengths of light from the light beam first portion before reaching the first detector
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of lenses disposed at output ends of the plurality of optical fibers for collimating the light beam exiting the output ends, wherein the plurality of optical fibers and the plurality of lenses are configured to produce different spot sizes of the light beam
Implementation Method 4
a first scanning optical element for moving a direction of propagation of the light beam in a first direction
Implementation Method 5
a second scanning optical element for selectively moving a direction of propagation of the light beam in a second direction between a plurality of positions
Implementation Method 6
one or more pick-off optical elements for directing a first portion of the light beam to a first power detector for measuring a power level of the light beam first portion, and for directing a second portion of the light beam to a second power detector for measuring a power level of the light beam second portion
Data Source
AI summary
A beam delivery system for treating target tissue that includes an input for receiving a light beam, a variable attenuator for providing variable attenuation of the light beam, a power and wavelength detection assembly, a spot size adjustment assembly, and a controller. The power and wavelength detection assembly measures the power level of the beam, and detects when unwanted wavelengths are present in the light beam. The spot size adjustment assembly selectively feeds the beam through different optical fibers to achieve different spot sizes of the beam. The controller controls the variable attenuator, the power and wavelength detection assembly, and the spot size adjustment assembly to achieve the desired power and wavelength, and beam spot size.