Optical Fiber Catheter Hoop for Clean Light Intensity Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to maintain the cleanliness of a catheter with a built-in optical fiber while easily performing a light intensity confirmation operation, particularly during storage and transportation, and ensure accurate light intensity measurement without exposing the catheter tip end portion to potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

A catheter kit design that includes a hoop with a closing part and a transmission window, allowing light intensity measurement while the catheter is accommodated, with a position adjustment mechanism to protect the tip end portion and align it with the light receiving part, and a protection cap to ensure cleanliness and accurate measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the catheter is removed from the hoop for light intensity measurement, then the light intensity confirmation operation can be performed, but the cleanliness of the catheter cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity confirmation operationVSAvoidcontamination of catheter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hoop is divided into two functional parts: a storage region with a closed end that protects the catheter tip, and a measurement region with an open end that allows light intensity measurement. This segmentation enables the catheter to be measured without complete removal from the protective hoop structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hoop acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates light intensity measurement while maintaining catheter protection. The transmission window in the hoop's wall allows light to pass through for measurement without requiring the catheter to be fully exposed or removed from the hoop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the catheter tip end portion is exposed for measurement, then light intensity can be measured, but the catheter tip end portion is vulnerable to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity measurementVSAvoidcontamination of catheter tip
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hoop structure segments the catheter into a protected storage portion and a measurement portion. The closed end of the hoop protects the catheter tip during storage and transportation, while the open end allows the tip to be positioned for measurement without full exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-positioned within the hoop structure during storage, with the tip oriented toward the open end. This preliminary arrangement allows immediate measurement when needed without requiring removal from the protective environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the catheter is stored with the tip exposed, then measurement is easier, but the tip end portion cannot be protected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement operationVSAvoidprotection of catheter tip
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hoop is structurally segmented with a closed end for protection and an open end for measurement access. This design allows the catheter tip to be protected during storage while enabling easy measurement when the hoop is positioned appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hoop serves multiple functions: it protects the catheter during storage and transportation, maintains catheter positioning, and facilitates light intensity measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between protection and measurement ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the catheter position varies during measurement, then the hoop cannot protect the tip consistently, but distance variation affects measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter tip protectionVSAvoidlight intensity measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hoop provides a consistent reference frame and positioning structure that maintains the catheter at a standardized distance from the light source during measurement. This equipotential positioning ensures both consistent protection and accurate measurement results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The hoop's structured design with specific opening and closing portions creates defined positioning zones that maintain consistent catheter placement, eliminating position variation that would affect both protection and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design maintains catheter cleanliness and facilitates easy light intensity confirmation by allowing measurement without removing the catheter from the hoop, reducing variations in distance and protecting the tip end portion, thus ensuring accurate and hygienic light intensity verification.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission window which transmits the light emitted from the catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3626198B1Catheter kit
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3626198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3626198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3626198B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A catheter kit 30 includes a catheter 31 having an optical fiber 33, and a catheter accommodating tool 32 which accommodates the catheter 31. The catheter accommodating tool 32 has a tubular hoop 36, and a position adjustment mechanism 47 provided at the hoop 36. The hoop 36 has a hoop tip end portion 36a at which a catheter tip end portion 31a from which laser light L transmitted through the optical fiber 33 is emitted is disposed, and a hoop base end portion 36b which is opposite to the hoop tip end portion 36a. The position adjustment mechanism 47 is provided at the hoop base end portion 36b and changes a position of the catheter tip end portion 31a with respect to the hoop tip end portion 36a.