Dual-Hardness Buffer Coated Optical Fiber for Medical Laser Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coated optical fibers used for medical procedures, such as crushing urinary or kidney stones with laser irradiation, experience high bending loss when bent with small diameters, leading to potential resin jacket burnout and difficulties in jacket removal.
Innovation Solution
A coated optical fiber structure with a core and cladding, a first buffer layer with a lower refractive index and Shore D hardness of D/20.0/1 or higher, a second buffer layer with higher Shore D hardness, and a jacket, where the first and second buffer layers are between the optical fiber and the jacket, reducing bending loss and facilitating jacket removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical fiber is bent with a small diameter, then the flexibility and adaptability for medical procedures is improved, but the bending loss increases and resin jacket burnout occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer layer is divided into two distinct layers: a first buffer layer with lower Shore D hardness (D40-D70) and a second buffer layer with higher Shore D hardness (D70-D90). This segmentation allows the softer first layer to absorb bending stress and prevent jacket burnout, while the harder second layer provides structural support to minimize bending loss, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite buffer layer structure combining two resin materials with different hardness properties. The first buffer layer uses a softer resin (lower Shore D hardness) to provide flexibility and protect against burnout, while the second buffer layer uses a harder resin (higher Shore D hardness) to reduce bending loss. This composite approach enables the optical fiber to maintain both adaptability for small-diameter bending and low energy loss.
2Reliability
If a resin jacket is applied to protect the optical fiber, then the reliability and protection are improved, but the difficulty of jacket removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer layer is designed with specific local properties: a thickness of 1-10 μm and Shore D hardness between D40-D90. This localized optimization of the buffer layer's physical properties creates a controlled interface between the optical fiber and jacket, allowing the jacket to be securely attached for protection during use while enabling easy removal when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Loss of energy
If the buffer layer hardness is increased to reduce bending loss, then the energy loss is reduced, but the jacket burnout risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first buffer layer with lower Shore D hardness (D40-D70) acts as a cushioning layer positioned between the optical fiber and the jacket. This softer layer absorbs and distributes bending stresses before they can concentrate on the jacket, preventing burnout. The second buffer layer with higher hardness (D70-D90) provides additional support to minimize bending loss. This beforehand cushioning approach resolves the contradiction by protecting against burnout while maintaining low energy loss.
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 structure minimizes bending loss and enables effective removal of the jacket while maintaining the buffer layers, enhancing the optical fiber's performance and processability for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first buffer layer covering the optical fiber, and having a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the cladding
Implementation Method 2
a Shore D hardness of D/20.0/1 or higher
Data Source
AI summary
The coated optical fiber (10) includes: an optical fiber (11) including a core (111) and a cladding (112); a first buffer layer (121) covering the optical fiber (11), and having a refractive index lower than that of the cladding (112) and a Shore D hardness of D/20.0/1 or higher; a second buffer layer (122) covering the first buffer layer (121), and having a higher Shore D hardness than the first buffer layer (121); and a jacket (13) covering the second buffer layer (122).