Bent Tip Optical Fiber With Rotatable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser surgical systems for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and other urological conditions face challenges with accuracy, durability, and efficiency due to complex fiber configurations, fragility, and limited maneuverability, leading to longer procedure times and potential damage to surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber system with a bent tip and rotatable connector, featuring a fused sleeve and grip for enhanced steerability and rotation, allowing for precise and efficient tissue ablation with reduced energy loss and improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex fiber configurations are used to improve laser delivery capability, then tissue ablation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into distinct functional zones: a delivery zone with a first diameter for efficient laser transmission, and a treatment zone with a second diameter for tissue interaction. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber configuration transitions from a straight linear structure to a curved three-dimensional path. The fiber curves from the delivery zone to the treatment zone, enabling spatial separation of functions and reducing complexity by avoiding the need for multiple separate components.
2Measurement precision
If side-firing fibers are used for laser surgery, then treatment precision is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber treatment zone is designed to rotate during the surgical procedure, dynamically changing the orientation of the laser delivery. This rotation enables the surgeon to access different tissue areas without retracting or repositioning the entire device, thereby maintaining precision while reducing procedure time.
3Productivity
If high power laser energy is delivered to improve ablation efficiency, then tissue removal speed is improved, but energy loss and surrounding tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber exhibits different optical properties in different zones: the delivery zone has properties optimized for low-loss laser transmission, while the treatment zone has properties optimized for efficient energy transfer to tissue. This local quality differentiation reduces overall energy loss while maintaining high ablation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber parameters (diameter, curvature, material properties) are changed between the delivery zone and treatment zone. The delivery zone uses a smaller diameter core for efficient coupling, while the treatment zone uses a larger diameter for better energy distribution, optimizing the balance between energy loss and ablation efficiency.
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 system enables faster, more precise, and safer surgical procedures with reduced bleeding and improved power transfer, cutting procedure times by up to 30% and maintaining tissue integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber set with an off-axis distal end configuration comprising a bent tip fiber with a fused sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The observed clinical effects are due to the absorption of light (by the target tissue itself and/or surrounding fluids) and subsequent heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
laser energy has been used in order to accomplish this aim... laser techniques are usually preferred due to its special capacity of delivering high amounts of power on reduced areas
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
An improved device and method for safe, accurate and efficient surgical procedures are disclosed. The disclosed device is an optical fiber set with an asymmetric distal end configuration, comprising a bent tip fiber with a fused sleeve as an integral part of it, placed at the fiber's distal (output) end and with a rotatable connector at the proximal (input) side. Fiber tip and tissue-contacting surface located at the distal end of the tip may be constructed with different shape configurations, such as convex tip to improve focusing characteristics, concave tip to achieve diverging irradiation or an expanded beam tip to achieve an effect similar to that obtained by electrosurgical tools. A grip guarantees and enhances the ability to twist and rotate it easily. In another preferred embodiment, twisting maneuvers are enhanced through a special configuration. Both special features (bent tip and rotatable connector), allow for improved and enhanced treatment of diverse pathologies, making possible to efficiently and easily reach and treat specific tissues. Optical fiber's steerability, twistability and rotation lead to a more precise and improved effect on tissues. Due to this, easier, faster and more precise and efficient treatments can be performed by its means. For instance, it may be inserted into a cystoscope to perform high power ablation of prostatic tissue for BPH treatments, or steered into one of the prostatic lobes, which can be excavated from the inside in order to relieve pressure on the urethra while maintaining the urethra's integrity. Other uses might be the removal of tumorous, hyperplasic or other unwanted tissue in the body. Optical fiber set disclosed can be used with laser sources of various wavelengths, including dual laser sources, but also higher power LED devices or very bright light sources can be used to generate the radiation to be transmitted as well. Due to this novel design, described fiber is easy to put in place, also easy to maintain in contact with tissue and highly durable. The feel to the doctor is greatly improved too. This results in more effective power transfer into tissue and therefore procedures are more reliable and procedure times are cut by up to 30%.