Dual-Wavelength Laser Probe for Kidney Stone Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser lithotripsy procedures for breaking up kidney or bladder stones are limited by the inefficiency of stone fragmentation, as existing laser systems produce long pulse widths that do not effectively destabilize stones.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser system that combines two laser pulse trains with different pulse widths and wavelengths, allowing for temporal offset and high pulse repetition rates, is used to fragment stones by generating a combined laser pulse train that can effectively match the natural resonance frequencies of the stones, enhancing fragmentation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If long pulse width laser energy is used for stone fragmentation, then the laser can effectively heat water and create vaporization bubbles, but the stone fragmentation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a train of multiple laser pulses with specific timing intervals. The laser delivers pulses at frequencies between 1-1000 Hz, where each pulse creates a vaporization bubble and the periodic timing allows bubbles to form, expand, and collapse in sequence, progressively fragmenting the stone while maintaining effective heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by adjusting the pulse repetition frequency and pulse width dynamically based on stone characteristics. The system can vary pulse frequency from 1-1000 Hz and pulse width from microseconds to milliseconds to match the natural resonance frequencies of different stones, optimizing fragmentation efficiency for each specific case.
2Productivity
If high pulse repetition rates are used to improve fragmentation efficiency, then more energy is delivered to the stone, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying laser pulse frequency, pulse width, and energy per pulse to optimize fragmentation. The controller adjusts these parameters based on detected stone characteristics, allowing high pulse repetition rates (1-1000 Hz) to be achieved with manageable system complexity through automated parameter optimization rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect stone characteristics and fragment size, then feeding this information back to the laser controller. The controller automatically adjusts pulse frequency, width, and energy based on this feedback, enabling high pulse repetition rates to be maintained efficiently without requiring complex manual intervention or system reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If laser pulses are synchronized to match natural resonance frequencies of stones, then fragmentation efficiency is maximized, but the precision required for frequency matching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by delivering laser pulses at frequencies that match the natural resonance frequencies of stones (1-1000 Hz). Each pulse induces vibrational stress in the stone, and when the pulse frequency matches the stone's natural frequency, resonance occurs, maximizing destabilization and fragmentation efficiency with moderate precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of laser pulse frequency to match different stone resonance frequencies. The system can dynamically tune the pulse repetition rate between 1-1000 Hz based on stone size, composition, and shape, allowing precise frequency matching without requiring overly complex measurement systems.
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 achieves improved stone fragmentation by generating high-frequency pulse trains that match the natural frequencies of the stones, leading to more thorough and efficient breakdown of kidney or bladder stones during lithotripsy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the laser energy superheats water in the vicinity of the stone, and creates a vaporization bubble
Implementation Method 2
creates a vaporization bubble
Implementation Method 3
generating a combined laser pulse train that can effectively match the natural resonance frequencies of the stones, enhancing fragmentation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical laser system (100) includes a first laser source (140A), a second laser source (140B), a beam combiner (142) and a laser probe (108). The first laser source is configured to output a first laser pulse train (144, 104A) comprising first laser pulses (146). The second laser source is configured to output a second laser pulse train (148, 104B) comprising second laser pulses (150). The beam combiner is configured to combine the first and second laser pulse trains and output a combined laser pulse train (152, 104) comprising the first and second laser pulses. The laser probe is optically coupled to an output of the beam combiner and is configured to discharge the combined laser pulse train.