Endoscopic Laser Fiber Bundle for Adjustable Composite Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining laser energy from individual low-power laser diodes into a high-power composite beam is challenging, particularly for surgical applications requiring different wavelengths, pulse widths, beam sizes, and shapes, and power intensities.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser system comprising an array of laser diodes, a fiber bundle, and a tubular sheath, which allows for the combination of laser energy from multiple diodes into a single composite beam through a delivery fiber, enabling adjustable properties such as wavelength, power, and beam shape via selective activation of laser diode subsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple low-power laser diodes are combined to achieve high power output, then the desired power level is reached, but the difficulty of combining laser energy into a single composite beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the laser source into multiple independent low-power laser diodes, each emitting into a separate optical fiber. This segmentation allows individual diodes to be controlled and combined independently, managing the complexity of achieving high power output while maintaining flexibility in beam combination strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical fibers carrying laser energy from individual diodes are merged into a single composite beam through specialized combining optics. This merging process achieves the desired high power level while the patent addresses the combining difficulty through specific optical arrangements and fiber coupling techniques.
2Ease of manufacture
If laser diode bars are used for high power applications, then simple design and high efficiency are achieved, but availability is limited for certain wavelength ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple individual laser diodes instead of wavelength-specific laser diode bars, enabling the same platform to operate across different wavelength ranges. Each diode can be selected or tuned for specific wavelength requirements, providing universal applicability across various surgical applications while maintaining the simplicity of diode-based design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different surgical applications require different laser properties, then treatment versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of individual laser diodes and optical fibers, allowing real-time adjustment of beam properties such as wavelength, power, and distribution patterns. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different surgical applications without requiring multiple fixed systems, managing complexity through software and control mechanisms rather than hardware proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions or subsets of the laser diode array can be activated with different parameters to create locally optimized beam characteristics for specific surgical needs. This allows customization of laser properties at different locations or time periods within the same system, providing application-specific optimization without overall system redesign.
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 customizable laser energy delivery for various surgical procedures by adjusting wavelength, power, and beam shape, enhancing surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers and has a proximal end that is configured to receive laser energy from the array of laser diodes
Implementation Method 2
an array of laser diodes that are configured to output laser energy
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical laser system includes an array of laser diodes that are configured to output laser energy, a fiber bundle, a delivery fiber, and a tubular sheath. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers and has a proximal end that is configured to receive laser energy from the array of laser diodes. The delivery fiber includes a proximal end that is configured to receive laser energy from a distal end of the fiber bundle. The tubular sheath defines a lumen, in which at least a portion of the delivery fiber is disposed. The tubular sheath is insertable into a working channel of an endoscope or a cystoscope. A distal end of the tubular sheath is configured to deliver laser energy discharged from the delivery fiber into a body of a patient.