Fiber Unit Pitch Conversion for Minimally Invasive Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical measurement systems face challenges in reducing the diameter of measurement probes for minimally invasive procedures, as existing techniques for decreasing fiber unit diameter are inadequate for reducing patient burden during probe insertion.
Innovation Solution
A fiber unit with bendable soft portions and hard distal ends, featuring a pitch conversion portion that adjusts the distance between fibers, ensuring a maximum inclination angle of 1.0 to 6.0 degrees to prevent fiber breakage and allow for a reduced probe diameter while maintaining effective light transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameter of each fiber is decreased to reduce the measurement probe diameter, then the probe diameter is reduced, but the light transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber is designed with different properties at different locations: the distal end hard portion maintains a larger diameter for effective light transmission, while the soft portion can be bent to reduce the overall probe diameter. This local differentiation allows the fiber to serve multiple functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber is divided into distinct segments: a soft portion that is bendable and a distal end hard portion with greater hardness. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the soft portion for reducing probe diameter and the hard portion for maintaining light transmission capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the receiving end portion of each fiber is bent to narrow the distance between fibers, then the measurement probe diameter is decreased, but the fiber breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber has different mechanical properties at different locations: the soft portion is designed to be bendable and can be deformed to narrow the distance between fibers, while the distal end hard portion maintains greater hardness and strength to resist breakage during bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber is segmented into a soft portion and a distal end hard portion, allowing the bending operation to be performed on the soft portion while the hard portion maintains its structural integrity and prevents fiber breakage.
3Volume of moving object
If the distance between adjacent fibers is reduced to decrease probe diameter, then the probe diameter is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber is divided into a soft portion and a distal end hard portion, allowing the soft portion to be bent to reduce the distance between adjacent fibers. This segmentation enables flexible adjustment of fiber spacing during manufacturing to achieve the desired probe diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft portion of the fiber is designed to be bendable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fiber arrangement to optimize the distance between adjacent fibers. This dynamic property enables flexible manufacturing processes to achieve precise fiber spacing.
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 solution effectively reduces the diameter of the measurement probe without compromising light transmission, preventing fiber breakage and enabling more precise and minimally invasive optical measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a pitch conversion portion that connects the soft portion and the distal end hard portion and changes a distance between adjacent fibers at the distal end hard portion with respect to a distance between the adjacent fibers at the soft portion, by bending and extending
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber unit has an illumination fiber and detection fibers. The illumination fiber and the detection fiber comprise a soft portion that is bendable, a distal end hard portion provided at an end thereof and having a greater hardness than the soft portion, and a pitch conversion portion that connects the soft portion and the distal end hard portion and changes a distance between adjacent fibers at the distal end hard portion with respect to a distance between the adjacent fibers at the soft portion, by bending and extending. 1.0 degree<Deg_max<6.0 degrees, where Deg_max is a most inclined angle of angles each formed by a central axis of the distal end hard portion and a line segment connecting an end portion of the pitch conversion portion closer to the soft portion and an end portion of the pitch conversion portion closer the distal end hard portion.