Faceted Optical Fiber Tip for Lateral Radiation Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fibres used in medical applications, such as dentistry and photodynamic therapy, are unsuitable for navigating complex anatomical spaces due to their rigidity and limited flexibility, leading to inefficient radiation distribution and prolonged treatment times, especially in areas like root canals and pulp chambers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves roughening and etching the end portion of optical fibres to create a faceted, honeycomb surface structure that allows for radiation emission and collection at multiple angles, enhancing lateral emission and improving flexibility, enabling more even irradiation without the need for extensive operator manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plain optical fibres are used with forward emission, then the fibre structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the radiation distribution is inefficient and requires extensive operator manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibre tip is pre-modified with a faceted surface structure before use, creating multiple emission angles in advance. This preliminary structural change enables the fibre to automatically distribute radiation laterally without requiring operator manipulation during treatment, thus improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-direction (forward) radiation emission to multi-directional emission by creating faceted surfaces at the fibre tip. This dimensional change in radiation distribution allows simultaneous irradiation of multiple areas, significantly enhancing treatment efficiency without complicating the fibre manufacturing process
2Device complexity
If plain optical fibres are used, then the device complexity is low, but the flexibility and adaptability for complex anatomical spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The faceted surface structure is applied locally at the fibre tip rather than throughout the entire fibre. This localized modification provides the adaptability needed for complex anatomical spaces while keeping the rest of the fibre structure simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The faceted surface creates curved or angled emission surfaces that can adapt to the curved and tortuous anatomy of root canals and pulp chambers, enhancing versatility without requiring complex fibre construction
3Stability of the object's composition
If plain optical fibres with small divergence are used, then the fibre maintains structural integrity, but the irradiation coverage is limited and requires plunging, withdrawing and rotating action
Solution Approach 1:
The faceted surface structure is pre-formed on the fibre tip to automatically achieve even irradiation distribution. This eliminates the need for operator plunging, withdrawing, and rotating actions during treatment, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining fibre structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The modified fibre tip self-adjusts to provide even irradiation distribution through its faceted surface geometry, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by the operator. The structure serves itself to achieve uniform radiation distribution across the treatment area
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 surface modification significantly increases lateral radiation emission and collection, facilitating more efficient treatment of dental and other medical applications by allowing for even irradiation of complex cavities and reducing treatment time, while minimizing the risk of tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
roughening at least part of an end portion of the optical fibre; and etching the roughed end portion to thereby form an optical fibre tip... allows radiation to be emitted from or received via the tip at least partially in a direction perpendicular to an optical fibre axis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an optical fiber tip, the method including, roughening at least part of an end portion of the optical fiber; and, etching the roughed end portion to thereby form an optical fiber tip.