External Tube Laser Transmission Path Fluid Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser treatment tools for endoscopic procedures lack a structure that can simultaneously guide multiple fluids, such as cooling water, assist gas, and irrigation, while maintaining effective laser light transmission and safely managing fumes during operations like endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
Innovation Solution
An external tube with a hollow waveguide path and multiple fluid passages is designed to form a laser transmission path, allowing for the insertion of a hollow waveguide path into an endoscope external hose, with fluid passages outside the waveguide path for cooling, irrigation, and assist gas, and gap formation parts to inhale fumes, ensuring the laser transmission path is centered and can handle various fluid functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a hollow waveguide path is used to guide laser light, then laser light transmission is achieved, but the path becomes susceptible to heating and requires cooling fluid guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube is divided into functionally distinct regions: a central hollow waveguide path for laser light transmission, surrounding fluid passages for cooling and irrigation, and outer gap formation parts for fume inhalation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the waveguide path. The fluid passage allows cooling fluid to flow between the waveguide path and the external tube wall, acting as a thermal intermediary that prevents overheating without interfering with laser light transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluids are guided through the laser transmission path, then cooling and irrigation functions are improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the hollow waveguide path transmits laser light, the fluid passages provide cooling and irrigation, and the gap formation parts enable fume inhalation. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated component rather than requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid passages are positioned concentrically around the hollow waveguide path, with the waveguide path nested within the external tube. This nested arrangement allows multiple fluid-guiding functions to be integrated within the spatial envelope of the laser transmission path structure, minimizing overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the laser transmission path is inserted into the endoscope external hose, then the treatment can be performed with minimal patient burden, but the path may not be centered and fluids cannot be effectively guided
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional structure where the hollow waveguide path is positioned offset from the central axis. This asymmetric design allows the tube to be inserted into the endoscope external hose while maintaining proper centering, as the offset geometry compensates for the insertion geometry constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid passages are arranged in a radial dimension around the hollow waveguide path, allowing fluid guidance in multiple directions simultaneously. This dimensional arrangement enables effective fluid distribution without requiring the path to be perfectly centered in the insertion dimension.
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
This configuration enables reliable and safe surgical operations by expanding the treatment space, maintaining a clear visual field, and efficiently cooling the hollow waveguide path, while preventing laser light absorption and ensuring the laser light reaches the target site effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A tubular member is formed of a material having a highly smooth surface, for example, glass or the like. On an inner wall of the tubular member, a reflective film of silver or the like is formed.
Implementation Method 2
The gas guided through the hollow waveguide path is described as acting as a cooling fluid for cooling the hollow waveguide path which has been heated by the laser light.
Implementation Method 3
a tool using a laser transmission path for providing laser light for treatment (herein after, referred to as the 'treatment laser light')
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a laser treatment tool capable of guiding a plurality of fluids, a laser transmission path insertable into such a laser treatment tool, and an external tube for forming the laser transmission path. In an external tube 80 which forms a laser transmission path 70 together with a lengthy hollow waveguide path 90 for guiding treatment laser light 57a and has an inner insertion space 81 for allowing insertion of the hollow waveguide path 90, a plurality of sub passages 84 and cooling water passages 85 are provided outside the hollow waveguide path 90, inserted into the insertion space 81, along a longitudinal direction of the insertion space 81.