Bent-Tip Optical Fiber for Lateral Medical Light Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light irradiation devices for medical use face challenges in efficiently emitting light in a direction intersecting the axial direction of an elongated body, often requiring complex structures that lead to light energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A light irradiation device with an optical fiber bent at its tip portion, allowing direct emission of light in a direction intersecting the axial direction, stabilized by a stiffening portion, and optionally guided by a magnetic member or marker for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the optical fiber tip is bent to emit light in a direction intersecting the axial direction, then light emission efficiency is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into a base portion and a tip portion, with the tip portion bent at a specific angle while the base portion remains straight. This segmentation allows the tip to emit light in an intersecting direction while the base maintains structural stability and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the tip portion of the optical fiber is bent, while the base portion maintains its original axial orientation. This local modification enables directional light emission at the tip without compromising the overall structural stability and alignment of the optical fiber assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical fiber tip is bent to emit light laterally, then the treatment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bending function is extracted from complex mechanical articulation mechanisms and implemented through a simple pre-formed bent tip portion of the optical fiber. This eliminates the need for additional joints, actuators, or complex positioning mechanisms while achieving precise lateral light emission.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a straight optical fiber with adjustable mirrors or prisms to change light direction, the solution inverts the approach by directly bending the optical fiber tip itself. This simplifies the device by making the light direction change inherent to the fiber structure rather than requiring additional directional control components.
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 device achieves efficient light emission in a direction intersecting the axial direction with minimal energy loss and improved accuracy, facilitating precise medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber that transmits light emitted by a light source to a tip portion of the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A light irradiation device is a light irradiation device for medical use having an elongated shape. The light irradiation device includes an optical fiber that transmits light emitted by a light source to a tip portion of the optical fiber. The tip portion of the optical fiber is formed in a bent portion that is bent with respect to an axial direction of a base portion to which the tip portion is connected. The light irradiation device emits light in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the base portion by emitting the light from a tip end of the bent portion in the optical fiber.