Helical Mode Scrambler for Vascular Probe Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular conduit sclerosis probes face limitations in numerical aperture and undergo significant heating, leading to potential damage and complications due to coagulated blood adhering to the protective capsule.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a silica core optical fiber surrounded by a helical metallic tube and a polymer sheath, featuring a conical emission head with a 57-degree apex angle, which homogenizes and increases the numerical aperture of optical radiation, reducing local heating and preventing capsule damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conical emission head is used to apply laser beams to the vascular conduit wall, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the emission head undergoes significant heating causing blood coagulation and capsule damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a helical curvature to the optical fiber using a bent tubular structure, transforming the straight linear path into a three-dimensional helical configuration. This curvature redistributes the optical radiation along a longer, distributed path, reducing concentration of energy at any single point on the emission head, thereby limiting local heating while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If conventional silica/silica optical fiber is used, then the probe structure is simple, but the numerical aperture is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite optical fiber structure with a silica core surrounded by a polymer optical cladding. This composite material configuration enables a higher numerical aperture compared to conventional silica/silica fibers, as the polymer cladding provides different refractive index properties that enhance light gathering and emission capabilities, improving probe adaptability for various treatment configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the optical fiber is kept straight for simple construction, then manufacturing is easy, but the radiation distribution is non-homogeneous causing localized overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a helical curvature in the optical fiber by introducing it into a bent tubular structure. This three-dimensional configuration transforms the radiation distribution from a concentrated linear pattern to a distributed helical pattern, achieving homogeneous light distribution across the emission head surface. The helical geometry ensures uniform spacing and angular distribution of light emission, preventing localized overheating while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the use of flexible polymer cladding that accommodates the curvature.
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 provides a homogeneous, non-radial optical radiation distribution, minimizing local heating and ensuring the probe's durability and safety during endovenous thermal treatments, reducing the risk of complications for the patient.
Implementation Method 1
The helical tube arranged in this way within the probe constitutes a mode jammer
Implementation Method 2
the silica/polymer construction of the optical fiber offers a greater aperture than conventional silica/silica fibers
Implementation Method 3
an emission head, of conical shape, for the annular emission of optical radiation coming from an optical source
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a probe comprising an optical fiber (2) including, at the distal end (20), a cone-shaped emission head (3) for the annular emission of optical radiation, the probe being characterized in that the optical fiber (2) includes a core (6) made of silicon surrounded by an optical sheath (7) made of polymer and in that it includes a tubular metal structure enveloping a longitudinal portion of the optical fiber, said structure taking a helical shape to form a mode scrambler.