Fiber Positioning Interface for Sterile Calibration Port Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating light-guiding fibers in medical apparatuses face challenges due to incorrect alignment, which can lead to erroneous radiance measurements and potential tissue damage from improper light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus with a main body featuring a control element for rotational orientation and a channel design that ensures correct alignment of the light-guiding fiber, allowing precise calibration and sterility maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the light-guiding fiber is placed in an integrating sphere for calibration, then the total light power can be recorded, but sterility of the fiber cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the calibration process into two separate components: a sterile positioning apparatus that interfaces with the light-guiding fiber and a non-sterile integrating sphere for measurement. The positioning apparatus acts as an intermediary that maintains sterility while enabling accurate light power recording through the integrating sphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning apparatus serves as an intermediary component between the sterile light-guiding fiber and the non-sterile integrating sphere. It provides a sterile interface that allows light transmission while preventing contamination, enabling measurement without compromising sterility.
2Productivity
If the fiber is incorrectly aligned in the calibration port, then the calibration can be performed quickly, but erroneous radiance measurements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus incorporates preliminary alignment features such as alignment marks, guide structures, or pre-positioned mounting mechanisms that ensure the light-guiding fiber is correctly oriented before calibration begins. This preliminary positioning action prevents misalignment during the actual measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual alignment procedures with automated or mechanically-guided positioning mechanisms. These mechanisms use fixed geometric relationships, alignment fiducials, or automated positioning systems to ensure correct fiber orientation without requiring manual adjustment, thereby maintaining both speed and accuracy.
3Reliability
If the light-guiding fiber is surrounded by a sterile sleeve, then sterility is maintained, but light power measurement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus is designed with universal functionality that handles both sterility maintenance and light power measurement through a single integrated structure. It provides a standardized interface that accommodates the sterile sleeve while simultaneously enabling accurate optical coupling to the integrating sphere, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement setups.
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
Ensures accurate alignment of the light-guiding fiber, minimizing light loss and preventing tissue damage by ensuring the correct amount of light hits the sensors, thereby optimizing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
couple corresponding laser radiation into a light-conducting fiber and to couple it out of the light-conducting fiber at the treatment site
Implementation Method 2
radiation coupled out of the fiber emerges through one or more cutouts of the positioning apparatus and is subsequently determined by appropriate sensors of the calibration port, e.g. by photodiodes, photoresistors, phototransistors, and/or photovoltaic light sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a positioning apparatus (100) for positioning a light-guiding fiber (201) in a calibration port (204) of a medical apparatus (201), wherein the positioning apparatus (100) comprises a main body (101) having a base portion (102) and an elongate portion (103), wherein the base portion (102) of the main body (101) has a first end face (104) and wherein the elongate portion (103) of the main body (101) has a second end face (105), and wherein the main body (101) comprises a channel (106) for receiving the light-guiding fiber (201), the channel (106) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) of the main body (101) from the first end face (104) through the base portion (102) and at least partly through the elongate portion (103). The apparatus (100) is characterized in that the base portion (102) of the main body (101) comprises at least one control element (107) for ascertaining the rotational orientation of the light-guiding fiber (201) along the longitudinal axis (A) when the light-guiding fiber (201) is received by the channel (106). Further aspects of the invention relate to a system (200) comprising said apparatus (100), and to a method of calibrating the light source (202) of said system (200).