Diode Laser Handpiece With Disposable Tip Cannula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser systems for soft tissue cutting and ablating procedures face limitations due to the need for frequent replacement of worn-out optical fibers and inadequate control over thermal energy distribution, leading to inefficient and potentially damaging tissue interaction.
Innovation Solution
A diode laser system with a permanently coupled trunk optical fiber and a handpiece featuring a bendable, disposable tip cannula, allowing for independent adjustment of pulse duration and interval to minimize thermal energy impartation and facilitate 'cold cutting' techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional laser systems use continuous or long-pulse electromagnetic energy delivery, then cutting power is sufficient, but thermal energy accumulates causing tissue damage and prolonged healing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed electromagnetic energy delivery with pulse durations of 1-100 microseconds and pulse intervals of 10-1000 microseconds. This periodic action allows the tissue to cool between pulses, preventing thermal accumulation while maintaining effective cutting power during the pulse duration. The pulsed regime enables precise control over thermal energy impartation to the target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pulse duration and pulse interval parameters to optimize the balance between cutting power and thermal management. By varying these parameters, the system can deliver sufficient peak power for cutting while controlling the average power to minimize thermal damage. The independent adjustment of pulse width and repetition rate enables flexible control over energy deposition patterns.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical fiber is permanently affixed in the handpiece, then assembly is simple, but the fiber cannot be replaced when worn or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The optical delivery system is segmented into replaceable modules: the handpiece housing, the optical fiber, and the tip cannula. This segmentation allows the optical fiber to be independently replaced when worn or damaged, while the handpiece housing and other components remain. The modular design maintains assembly simplicity while enabling easy fiber replacement, resolving the contradiction between permanent affixation and replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber connection transitions from a static permanent affixation to a dynamic replaceable connection. The fiber can be inserted and secured in a simple manner during assembly, yet can be removed and replaced when needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to exhibit both permanent and temporary characteristics depending on the operational phase, combining assembly simplicity with replacement capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tip cannula is rigid and permanently affixed, then structural stability is high, but the tip cannot be disposed of or sterilized frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The tip cannula is segmented as a separate replaceable component from the handpiece housing. This allows the tip to be disposed of after use or frequently sterilized, while the main handpiece structure remains stable and reusable. The segmentation enables different sterilization protocols for different components, with the disposable tip eliminating the need for frequent sterilization of the entire handpiece assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip cannula is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after a single use or limited number of uses. This eliminates the need for frequent sterilization and ensures that the tip is always in optimal condition for precise energy delivery. The disposable nature of the tip maintains high reliability without requiring the structural stability of a permanent, reusable component.
4Device complexity
If pulse duration and pulse interval are fixed, then system control is simple, but thermal energy distribution cannot be optimized for different tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse duration and pulse interval parameters are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the system to adapt to different tissue types and procedural requirements while maintaining a relatively simple control interface. The independent adjustment of these two parameters provides flexibility in optimizing thermal energy distribution without requiring complex control algorithms or multiple pre-programmed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables independent variation of pulse duration and pulse interval parameters to optimize thermal energy distribution for different tissue types and procedural needs. By allowing these parameters to be changed without interdependence, the system achieves adaptability while maintaining control simplicity. Users can select appropriate parameter combinations for superficial versus deep tissue treatment, coagulation versus cutting, and other procedural variations.
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 enables precise and efficient soft tissue cutting with reduced thermal impact, minimizing tissue damage and promoting faster healing by controlling pulse parameters and using a replaceable tip to maintain procedure efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A variety of laser systems have existed in the prior art. A solid-state laser system generally comprises a laser rod for emitting coherent light and a stimulation source for stimulating the laser rod to emit the coherent light.
Implementation Method 2
The optical connector 31 is typically disposed within and concealed by a portion of the housing 27 and, further, is typically constructed to facilitate attachment and removal of the trunk fiber 33 to and from the housing 27.
Implementation Method 3
A diode laser system with a permanently coupled trunk optical fiber and a handpiece featuring a bendable, disposable tip cannula, allowing for independent adjustment of pulse duration and interval to minimize thermal energy impartation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having an excitation source that includes at least one laser diode and also having a handpiece with a disposable, bendable tip cannula is disclosed.