Beveled Fiber Optic Illuminator for Microsurgical Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vitreo-retinal surgical procedures require multiple small incisions for illumination and microsurgical instruments, leading to decreased illuminating efficiency and light distribution due to the integration of optical fibers with microsurgical instruments.
Innovation Solution
The development of an illuminated microsurgical instrument with a nano-scale fiber optic illuminator and a beveled end face configuration that deflects light away from the instrument, enhancing light distribution and reducing the need for additional incisions by using high-coherence light sources and optimizing the orientation of beveled end faces to achieve a wider angular distribution of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If optical fibers are integrated with microsurgical instruments, then the number of incisions is reduced, but illuminating efficiency and light distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is selectively positioned at specific locations around the microsurgical instrument shaft rather than being uniformly distributed. The beveled end faces are oriented at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to direct light toward the target site, creating localized optimal illumination zones where light is most needed while maintaining instrument functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber end faces are beveled at asymmetric angles relative to the instrument axis rather than being perpendicular. This asymmetric configuration causes light to be deflected away from the instrument shaft and directed toward the surgical target site, improving light distribution while the fiber remains integrated with the instrument.
2Length of moving object
If optical fiber size is reduced to minimize incision size, then incision size is reduced, but light distribution capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nano-scale optical fiber is positioned within or alongside the microsurgical instrument shaft, nesting the illumination function within the existing instrument structure. This allows the optical fiber to be extremely thin (enabling minimal incisions) while still providing effective illumination through strategic positioning and beveled end face configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on fiber diameter for light distribution, the solution uses spatial arrangement in another dimension - positioning multiple beveled fiber end faces at different angles and locations around the instrument shaft. This angular and positional dimensionality compensates for the reduced fiber size, maintaining light distribution capability despite minimal incision requirements.
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
This solution improves illuminating efficiency and light distribution within the eye during vitreo-retinal procedures, allowing for reduced incision sizes and potentially self-healing wounds, while maintaining effective illumination of the surgical site.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end of the optical fiber includes a beveled end face that deflects a propagation path of the light beam
Data Source
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AI summary
An illuminated microsurgical instrument (46,48,50,51) includes a microsurgical instrument having a distal tip and an optical fiber (56) for delivering a beam of light (70) to a surgical site. The optical fiber includes a proximal end (60) for receiving a light beam from a light source (72), and a distal end proximate to the distal tip of the microsurgical instrument for emitting the light beam. The distal end (76) includes a beveled end face oriented away from the distal tip of the microsurgical instrument.