Diffuser Light Guide Reflector for Targeted Tissue Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical lighting systems for applications like PDT and PIT face challenges in achieving homogeneous lateral emission with minimal heat input and protecting adjacent healthy tissue from unwanted radiation, while being reusable and withstandable in harsh sterilization conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a diffuser element featuring a reflector layer that selectively reflects and transmits light, allowing targeted irradiation of diseased tissue while protecting healthy tissue, using a reflector layer with high reflectivity and a multilayered structure to manage heat and withstand sterilization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a thin silicone cylinder with scattering particles is used as a diffuser element, then lateral emission homogeneity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from silicone with embedded scattering particles to cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) material, which inherently provides the required optical properties without complex particle embedding processes. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving emission homogeneity through material selection rather than complex manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining COC material with a specific refractive index matching the optical fiber core, creating an optimal light diffusion interface. This composite approach achieves homogeneous lateral emission while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through material property optimization rather than complex structural design
2Productivity
If the diffuser element is designed for reuse and sterilization, then cost-effectiveness improves, but the material must withstand harsh chemical and thermal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects COC material with specific chemical and thermal property parameters that inherently resist autoclaving conditions (121°C or 135°C) and alkaline cleaning solutions. This material parameter selection enables the diffuser to withstand repeated sterilization cycles without degradation, achieving both reusability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly rejects disposable designs in favor of reusable components, stating that reusable solutions are increasingly being considered to reduce cost pressure. The design enables multiple reprocessing cycles (tens to hundreds of autoclaving cycles) while maintaining performance, resolving the contradiction between reusability and material durability
3Loss of energy
If scattering particles are embedded in the diffuser, then light scattering efficiency improves, but emission hotspots and inhomogeneities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using discrete scattering particles to using COC material with bulk optical properties that provide uniform light scattering. This parameter change eliminates emission hotspots by distributing scattering uniformly throughout the material volume rather than at discrete particle locations, achieving both scattering efficiency and emission homogeneity
4Loss of energy
If the reflector layer is applied to increase light reflection, then light utilization improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects COC material with specific refractive index parameters that optimize light reflection at the optical fiber-diffuser interface without requiring additional reflective coatings. This material parameter optimization achieves high light utilization while maintaining simple manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between reflection efficiency and manufacturing complexity
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
Enables homogeneous and targeted light emission for medical treatments, protecting healthy tissue and ensuring the system's durability and safety under rigorous sterilization conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuser element comprises a reflector layer, in particular a mirror layer, which covers a lateral surface of the diffuser element
Implementation Method 2
Another type of diffuser, particularly one that scatters light volume, is described
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnostic system, in particular for use on living tissue, which has at least one light source, a light guide which can be connected to or assigned to the light source at a proximal end, and an optical element which is preferably designed as a diffuser element and is arranged at a distal end of the light guide and light from the light guide can be coupled into the optical element.The optical element has a lateral surface which is at least partially covered by at least one reflector layer, which preferably has a mirror layer, wherein the optical element has a light-reflecting area which is covered by the reflector layer and a light-transmitting area which remains free of the reflector layer, such that the light coupled into the optical element is at least partially reflectable at the light-reflecting area and light is emitted at the light-transmitting area, wherein the reflectivity of the reflector layer is greater than 90% for at least one wavelength range.