Oblique-Emission Fiber Probe With Multi-Surface Refraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical irradiation fiber probes face issues with beam splitting and inadequate beam expansion when emitting light at an oblique angle relative to the axial direction, particularly in organs like the intestines and esophagus where cancer cells are often located on lateral surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The optical irradiation fiber probe employs a light refraction part with at least two refractive surfaces, including a spherical lens, to refract light at an angle relative to the axial direction, with the lens center offset from the core's center, and uses a retaining part to maintain the relative position without displacement, ensuring the incidence angle satisfies specific refractive index conditions to minimize beam splitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single refractive surface with an inclined angle is used to emit light obliquely, then light can be emitted at an inclined angle relative to the axial direction, but beam splitting occurs and the beam cannot be sufficiently expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The single refractive surface is divided into multiple refractive surfaces (first and second refractive surfaces) with different inclined angles. This segmentation allows the light beam to be refracted in stages, preventing beam splitting while achieving the desired oblique emission angle and sufficient beam expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different inclined angles are assigned to different refractive surfaces (first inclined angle θ1 and second inclined angle θ2). By changing the angular parameters of the refractive surfaces, the system achieves optimal light emission at oblique angles without beam splitting, resolving the contradiction between emission angle and beam quality.
2Illumination intensity
If the incidence angle approaches the critical angle to achieve oblique light emission, then light can be bent at the desired angle, but both reflected light and transmitted light are generated causing beam splitting
Solution Approach 1:
The refraction process is segmented into multiple stages at different refractive surfaces, each with controlled incidence angles. This prevents any single surface from operating at the critical angle, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of beam splitting while maintaining oblique light emission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first refractive surface acts as an intermediary that partially refracts the light before it reaches the second refractive surface. This intermediate refraction step distributes the angular change across multiple surfaces, preventing critical angle incidence and the associated beam splitting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light is emitted at an oblique angle to irradiate lateral surfaces of organs, then cancer cells on lateral surfaces can be treated, but beam expansion is insufficient over the irradiation distance
Solution Approach 1:
The beam expansion function is segmented across multiple refractive surfaces. Each surface contributes to gradual beam divergence, achieving sufficient beam expansion over the irradiation distance while maintaining the oblique emission angle needed for lateral surface irradiation of organs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds angular dimensionality to the light emission by using inclined refractive surfaces. This enables the beam to expand not only radially but also in the axial direction, increasing the effective irradiation area on lateral organ surfaces.
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 probe achieves high-quality light emission in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction, minimizing beam splitting and expanding the emission range, enabling efficient irradiation of cancer cells on lateral organ surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a light refraction part provided on a distal end side of the optical transmission cable and configured to refract the light emitted from the optical transmission cable via at least two refractive surfaces, thereby emitting light inclined at least at a predetermined angle relative to an axial direction of the optical transmission cable
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a light radiating fiber probe that can emit light with high beam quality in a direction inclined relative to an axial direction of an optical transmission cable. A light radiating fiber probe 1 is mounted in medical equipment for treatment, and includes: an optical transmission cable 10 through which light emitted from a light source is transmitted; and a light refracting unit 20 provided on a leading end 13 side of the optical transmission cable 10 and refracting, via two or more refracting surfaces 21, laser light L emitted from the optical transmission cable 10 to emit light inclined by a predetermined angle or larger relative to an axial direction X of the optical transmission cable 10.