Optical Fiber Temperature Estimation for Laser Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser treatments lack a method or means to measure the temperature inside working environments such as the urinary tract or kidney, which can lead to unwanted tissue damage due to increased temperature during treatments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using optical fibers to estimate temperature based on the coefficient of absorption of light wavelengths in a liquid medium, incorporating a light source, detectors, and processing circuitry to determine temperature by measuring light intensities and distances, allowing for control of laser power to maintain safe temperature levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser power is increased to improve treatment effectiveness, then treatment productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature is continuously measured using optical fibers during laser treatment, and the laser power is automatically adjusted based on the measured temperature to maintain safe operating conditions while ensuring treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber serves multiple functions: it delivers laser light to the treatment site, measures temperature through light absorption coefficient changes, and provides real-time feedback for laser power control, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing equipment
2Reliability
If temperature measurement capability is added to monitor working environment, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing optical fiber used for laser delivery is made to also perform temperature measurement by exploiting the temperature-dependent light absorption coefficient of the liquid medium, thereby adding sensing capability without requiring separate temperature probes or sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the optical fiber's own light transmission properties to measure temperature, where the fiber itself serves as the sensing element by detecting changes in light absorption caused by temperature variations in the surrounding medium
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 precise temperature measurement and control, preventing tissue damage by adjusting laser power based on real-time temperature readings, ensuring safe and effective treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged to generate a source light beam wherein a coefficient of absorption of the source light beam in a liquid medium is a function of the temperature of the liquid medium
Implementation Method 2
a first detector arranged to measure an intensity of the source light beam; a second detector arranged to measure an intensity of the reflected light beam
Implementation Method 3
an optical component arranged to convey the source light beam to an optical fiber and to receive a reflected light beam responsive to the source light beam being directed at the target via the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and system for estimating the temperature of a working environment. Treatments that use laser and optical fiber technology may cause an undesirable increase in the temperature of a working environment. To that end, a laser source to generate light beams sensitive to a change in temperature can be generated and the temperature determined based on a distance between a distal end of the optical fiber and a target and the generated temperature of the sensitive light beam.