Fused Cap Optical Cladding for Laser Diffuser Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser light diffusers for treating body tissue, such as varicose veins and vascular malformations, face issues with cap detachment during treatment, leading to infection risks and internal bleeding due to incomplete removal of the cap from the body tissue.
Innovation Solution
A device with a fiber optic core and optical cladding where the cap is fused to the optical cladding in regions between and around imperfections, ensuring a fluid-tight and secure attachment to prevent cap detachment during treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is provided to enclose the distal end of the core and optical cladding, then the distal end is protected and fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but the cap may detach during treatment leading to infection risks and internal bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is fused to the optical cladding through heating and softening the cladding material, merging the cap and cladding into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the detachment risk by combining two previously separate components into one unified assembly, ensuring the cap remains securely attached during treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is pre-positioned onto the core and optical cladding before the treatment procedure begins. The fusion process is completed in advance, creating a secure attachment that prevents detachment during the actual treatment, thereby eliminating infection risks and internal bleeding hazards.
2Reliability
If the cap is securely attached to prevent detachment, then patient safety is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By fusing the cap to the optical cladding, the invention combines two components into one integrated structure. This merging approach secures the cap attachment while actually simplifying the device structure by eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms, adhesives, or mechanical fastening systems.
3Reliability
If the outer surface of the optical cladding is fused to the inner surface of the cap, then cap detachment is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion process utilizes phase transitions by heating the optical cladding to its softening point, where it transitions from a rigid state to a pliable state. This allows the cladding to conform to and bond with the cap's inner surface. After cooling, the cladding returns to its rigid state, creating a permanent, stable attachment that prevents cap detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process involves changing the temperature parameter of the optical cladding to enable fusion. By controlling the heating temperature and duration, the cladding material becomes sufficiently soft to fuse with the cap, creating a secure attachment. This parameter-based approach provides a controlled and repeatable manufacturing process.
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 fusion of the cap to the optical cladding prevents cap detachment, reducing infection risks and ensuring the cap remains securely in place during treatment, enhancing patient safety by maintaining a stable and secure treatment environment.
Implementation Method 1
the imperfections are adapted to direct the light, preferably to refract and/or reflect the light propagating within the core and/or its optical cladding in generally radial directions
Implementation Method 2
the imperfections are adapted to direct the light, preferably to refract and/or reflect the light propagating within the core and/or its optical cladding in generally radial directions
Implementation Method 3
a fiber optic core covered by an optical cladding having a refractive index smaller than that of the core
Implementation Method 4
a cap transparent to the laser light, enclosing the distal end of the core and its optical cladding in a fluid tight and/or liquid tight manner. The laser light can pass through the optical cladding and the cap.
Implementation Method 5
the outer surface of said optical cladding is fused in the region between said imperfections to the inner surface, in particular the inner diameter, of the cap
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (17) for treatment of body tissue, in particular for the permanent occlusion of varicose veins, preferably in the lower limbs, of varicocele and/or of vascular malformations and/or for the use in aesthetic surgeries, preferably laser assisted lipolysis, and/or for tumor treatment by means of laser induced thermotherapy and/or photodynamic therapy, by means of a light diffuser (13) circumferentially and endoluminally irradiating said tissue by laser light energy, said diffuser (13) being connected at its proximal end to a source (10) of laser light energy via a flexible wave guide (12) comprising a fiber optic core (1) covered by an optical cladding (2) having a refractive index smaller than that of the core (1), wherein in the cladding (2) and/or in the core (1) imperfections (18) are provided, designed as recesses and adapted to direct the light, preferably to refract and/or reflect the light propagating within the core (1) and/or its optical cladding (2) in generally radial directions, wherein a cap (7) transparent to the laser light enclosing the distal end of the core (1) and its optical cladding (2) in a fluid tight and/or liquid tight manner is provided. According to the invention the device (17) is characterized in that the outer surface (19) of said optical cladding (2) is fused in the region (A) between said imperfections (18) to the inner surface (21), preferably the inner diameter, of the cap (7) and/or in that the outer surface (19) of said optical cladding (2) extending over a distance in front and/or behind the region (A) provided with the imperfections (18) is fused to the inner surface (21), preferably the inner diameter, of the cap (7).