Cyclo Olefin Polymer Light Waveguide for Surgical Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light sources for in vivo surgical illumination, such as incandescent, semiconductor, and laser lighting, face challenges due to heat and weight penalties, and conventional waveguide materials suffer from unstable transmission characteristics and limited mechanical properties, making them unsuitable for extended medical use.

Innovation Solution

A surgical retractor system utilizing a light waveguide made of cyclo olefin polymer (COP) or cyclo olefin copolymer (COC) with a cylindrical design, incorporating an illumination source and adapter ring for relative movement, and featuring air gaps and optical components like facets, lenses, and diffusers for precise light delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional waveguide materials are used, then light transmission is achieved, but transmission characteristics become unstable under extended use and sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission characteristics stabilityVSAvoidextended use duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional waveguide materials to cyclo olefin polymer, which has inherent stability properties that maintain transmission characteristics during extended use and sterilization processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cyclo olefin polymer as a composite material that combines optical clarity with mechanical strength and sterilization resistance, resolving the instability issue of conventional materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If precision optical polymers are used, then optical stability is improved, but mechanical properties are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical stabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cyclo olefin polymer as a composite material that simultaneously provides both optical stability and enhanced mechanical properties, overcoming the limitation of conventional precision optical polymers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If conventional light sources are used, then illumination is achieved, but heat and weight penalties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminationVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical light sources (incandescent, semiconductor, laser) with a fiber optic-based illumination system that transmits light through a flexible waveguide, eliminating the need for heavy light sources at the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the light source from the surgical instrument itself, using a separate illumination source connected via fiber optic cable, thereby removing the weight and heat generation from the critical surgical area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Illumination intensity

If conventional light sources are used, then illumination is achieved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminationVSAvoidheat

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat-generating light source from the surgical instrument, using a remote illumination source connected via fiber optic cable, thereby eliminating heat generation at the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces heat-generating conventional light sources with a fiber optic transmission system that delivers illumination without generating heat at the application point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides stable, efficient, and customizable illumination with reduced light loss, enhancing surgical precision and safety by maintaining mechanical strength and optical stability, allowing for focused or diffuse light output as needed.

Implementation Method 1

The waveguide conducts light from the proximal end to the distal end and projects the light from the distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

air gaps are maintained around the waveguide input and disposed between the light input connector and the waveguide input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical isolation through air gap: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2320967B1Cyclo olefin polymer and copolymer medical devices

Publication Date: 2017.05.24 INVUITY INC

Figure 1~1B
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3C

AI summary

Medical retractors including light guides made of cyclo olefin polymer and cyclo olefin copolymer.