Optical Fiber Flashing Event Detection via Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser tissue ablation procedures, the distal end of the optical fiber can accidentally come into contact with tissue, causing a flashing event that degrades the fiber and reduces its longevity due to fiber burn back, which existing systems fail to effectively detect and mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A laser tissue ablation system that includes an optical fiber for delivering therapeutic laser light, a sensor for spectrally measuring return light, and processor circuitry to determine if a flashing event has occurred by comparing light levels at specific wavelengths outside the therapeutic spectrum to a threshold, generating a data signal and taking actions such as retracting the fiber or adjusting laser power to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber is used to deliver therapeutic laser light during ablation procedures, then the therapeutic effect is achieved, but the fiber is susceptible to flashing events that cause burn back and reduce longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring the return light spectrum for flashing event signatures before significant fiber damage occurs. The processor circuitry analyzes spectral characteristics in real-time to identify the presence of flashing events, enabling preventive action to be taken before burn back substantially reduces fiber longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the sensor to detect return light from the treatment site and analyzing its spectral composition. When flashing event light is detected through spectral analysis, the system generates feedback signals that can trigger alerts or automatic adjustments to prevent further fiber damage, creating a closed-loop protection mechanism.
2Reliability
If existing systems are used without spectral detection, then the system complexity is low, but flashing events cannot be detected and fiber damage cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary spectral information for flashing event detection by using a sensor to capture return light and processor circuitry to analyze specific spectral characteristics. Rather than implementing a complete spectral analysis system, the invention extracts and processes only the relevant wavelength ranges and spectral signatures needed to identify flashing events, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability.
3Power
If the optical fiber comes into contact with tissue during ablation, then the therapeutic laser energy is delivered effectively, but fiber burn back occurs and reduces fiber life
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the sensor to detect return light and analyzing its spectral composition. When flashing event light is detected through spectral analysis, the system generates feedback signals that can trigger alerts or automatic adjustments to prevent further fiber damage, creating a closed-loop protection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring the return light spectrum for flashing event signatures before significant fiber damage occurs. The processor circuitry analyzes spectral characteristics in real-time to identify the presence of flashing events, enabling preventive action to be taken before burn back substantially reduces fiber longevity.
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 effectively detects flashing events and takes corrective actions to prevent fiber burn back, thereby increasing the longevity of the optical fiber and ensuring the integrity of the ablation process.
Implementation Method 1
deliver therapeutic laser light from the distal end of the optical fiber toward a target site
Implementation Method 2
receive return light into the distal end of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
performing a spectral measurement of the return light to determine a measured light level in a detection spectral region
Implementation Method 4
deliver therapeutic laser light from a distal end of an optical fiber extending distally from the distal end of the endoscope body toward the target site
Implementation Method 5
therapeutic laser light having at least one therapeutic laser light wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A laser tissue ablation system can include an optical fiber, with a distal end being extendible from an endoscope body of an endoscope. The optical fiber can deliver therapeutic laser light from the distal end of the optical fiber toward a target site, and receive return light into the distal end of the optical fiber. The laser tissue ablation system can include a sensor that can spectrally measure the return light. The laser tissue ablation system can include processor circuitry that can form a first determination, from the spectral measurement of the return light, whether flashing event light is present in the return light. The flashing event light can be generated when a flashing event occurs at the distal end of the optical fiber. The processor circuitry can generate, in response to the first determination, a flashing event data signal that indicates whether the flashing event has occurred.