Double-Clad Fiber Optics for Endoscopic Laser Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatment apparatuses face challenges in feeding different types of radiation through a narrow and highly bendable optical fiber, particularly when used with endoscopes like cystoscopes, while maintaining accurate monitoring and controlling treatment parameters.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-optic medical treatment apparatus utilizing a double-clad optical fiber that time-division multiplexes treatment laser radiation and sensor laser radiation, allowing separate spatial and temporal separation of these signals, enabling reliable monitoring and maintaining fiber flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thin and highly bendable optical fiber is used to fit through narrow working channels of endoscopes, then the fiber can be advanced through the working channel and bent to small radii, but the fiber may not be able to transmit both treatment and sensor radiation without degrading signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into distinct functional regions: a core for sensor radiation transmission and cladding(s) for treatment laser radiation transmission. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the fiber to transmit both types of radiation simultaneously without mutual interference despite the fiber's thin and bendable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-function fibers to multi-functional fibers by utilizing the cross-sectional dimension of the fiber. By implementing a double-clad structure with a core and cladding(s), the fiber can transmit different types of radiation through different spatial dimensions (core vs. cladding), resolving the contradiction between maintaining signal quality and achieving thin, bendable design
2Ease of operation
If multiple types of radiation are transmitted through the same optical fiber, then the fiber can remain thin and highly bendable, but the different radiation types may interfere with each other and degrade signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber structure is segmented into a core and cladding(s) that spatially separate different radiation types. The core transmits sensor radiation while the cladding(s) transmit treatment laser radiation, preventing mutual interference and signal degradation while maintaining fiber flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The cladding acts as an intermediary structure that guides treatment laser radiation separately from the core, which guides sensor radiation. This intermediary arrangement prevents direct interaction between the two radiation types, eliminating interference while allowing both to propagate through the same flexible fiber
3Measurement precision
If the core has high V number to support sensor radiation transmission, then sensor measurements can be accurate, but the fiber diameter increases reducing bendability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by moving the treatment laser transmission function to the cladding dimension, allowing the core to maintain a small diameter optimized for sensor radiation and bendability. The cladding provides an additional dimension for treatment radiation transmission without compromising core dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fiber have different optical properties optimized for their specific function: the core has properties optimized for sensor radiation transmission with small diameter for bendability, while the cladding has properties optimized for treatment laser transmission. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and bendability
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 apparatus allows for accurate and efficient monitoring of treatment parameters with high signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring safe and controlled treatment while keeping the optical fiber thin and highly bendable, and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an at least double-clad optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be advanced through a working channel of an endoscope, wherein the at least double-clad optical fiber has at least one core and at least two claddings
Implementation Method 2
the at least double-clad optical fiber has at least one core and at least two claddings; the medical treatment apparatus is configured to output the treatment laser radiation through at least one of the two or more claddings
Data Source
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Figure 8A~9C
AI summary
A fiber-optic medical treatment apparatus comprising a medical treatment device and a disposable fiber-optic device, wherein the disposable fiber-optic device comprises an at least double-clad optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be advanced through a working channel of an endoscope, wherein the at least double-clad optical fiber has at least one core and at least one cladding; wherein the medical treatment device comprises: a control unit configured to control operation of the medical treatment device; a treatment laser source configured to output treatment laser radiation for treatment of a medical condition; wherein the medical treatment apparatus is configured to output the treatment laser radiation through at least one of the two or more claddings of the at least doubled-clad optical fiber towards tissue to be treated; a sensor module configured to output and receive sensor laser radiation through the at least doubled-clad optical fiber and to optically measure one or more parameters of the treatment based on the received sensor laser radiation; wherein the at least one core of the at least double-clad fiber has a V number of less than 10 at a wavelength of the sensor laser radiation, wherein the medical treatment apparatus is configured to output the sensor laser radiation through the at least one core of the at least doubled-clad optical fiber, and wherein the medical treatment apparatus is configured to time-division multiplex the output of the treatment laser radiation and at least the optical measurement of the one or more parameters.