Flexible Guide Scanning Laser Fiber Light Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light therapy methods for treating curved and large tissue areas face challenges with uncontrolled light dose deposition, leading to over or under treatment, and existing solutions are either expensive or inadequate in controlling light delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system using a flexible guide with scanning laser fibers, controlled by a computer to ensure precise light dose delivery, utilizing multiple fibers for simultaneous illumination and dosimetry control, with detection fibers and imaging for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual scanning with a spot source is used to treat curved and large surfaces, then the treatment can be applied to complex geometries, but the light dose deposition becomes uncontrolled leading to over or under treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time monitoring of light fluence rate and fluence distribution during treatment, using this feedback to control and adjust the light delivery, ensuring accurate dosimetry while treating complex geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning with computer-controlled motorized movement of laser fibers through a flexible guide, enabling precise control of light dose delivery while maintaining the ability to treat curved and large surfaces
2Manufacturing precision
If motion tracking devices or robotic scans are used to control light dose delivery, then dosimetry control is improved, but the system becomes expensive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible guide with channels as an intermediary structure that mechanically constrains laser fiber movement paths, simplifying the control system while maintaining precise dosimetry without requiring complex motion tracking or robotic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flexible guide (flap) that can conform to curved surfaces, providing both structural support for fiber positioning and adaptability to complex geometries, reducing the need for rigid complex positioning systems
3Productivity
If multiple fibers are used to deliver light simultaneously to reduce treatment time, then productivity increases, but synchronization of fiber movements becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the treatment area into multiple zones served by separate fibers, each with its own motorized control, allowing simultaneous independent operation of multiple fibers to treat different regions concurrently, increasing productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular control
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed that use a flexible guide (flap) and a scanning method to control the delivery of light dose to a treatment area. This approach overcomes the non-reliable delivery of light dose with a flap that conforms to the target area. Dosimetry control can be improved through the use of a computer controlled motor to move the laser fibers at known speed over the target tissue. In some embodiments, treatment time is reduced and illumination of large surfaces is achieved by using multiple fibers to deliver the light simultaneously.