Illuminated Suction Apparatus Solid Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical suction devices with integrated fiber optic illumination suffer from light losses due to non-transmissive zones and Fresnel reflections, leading to inadequate illumination and potential thermal damage during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an illuminated suction apparatus featuring a non-fiber optic optical waveguide with a solid structure that uses total internal reflection to efficiently transmit high-intensity light, reducing losses and minimizing heat generation, while allowing for customizable illumination profiles and integration with suction functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fiber optic cable is used for illumination in suction devices, then light transmission is achieved, but light losses occur due to non-transmissive zones and Fresnel reflections leading to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic fiber optic cable from the system and replaces it with a solid-state light source (LED) integrated directly into the suction device handle. This eliminates the fiber optic interface that causes Fresnel reflections and non-transmissive zone losses, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving light transmission and minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical fiber optic cable system with an integrated LED lighting system. This replacement eliminates the physical interface between fiber optics and the surgical field, removing the source of light loss and heat generation while maintaining effective illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If high intensity light is transmitted through fiber optic interface, then illumination is improved, but thermal damage risk increases due to heat at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fiber optic interface that generates heat through Fresnel reflections and non-transmissive zones. By extracting this problematic component and replacing it with an integrated LED source, the system achieves high intensity illumination without the associated thermal damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generation at the fiber optic interface into a benefit by using an LED source that inherently produces less heat at the illumination point. The LED's electroluminescence process is more efficient at converting electrical energy to light energy, reducing wasted energy as heat.
3Illumination intensity
If fiber optic cable with metallic tubing is used, then illumination is provided, but light losses occur at the fiber-to-fiber coupling interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fiber optic cable and its problematic fiber-to-fiber coupling interface from the system. By replacing this with an integrated LED source, the system eliminates the interface losses entirely while continuing to provide effective illumination in the surgical field.
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 effective and reliable illumination in surgical fields, reducing the risk of thermal damage and improving visualization by minimizing light losses and heat generation, thus enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination waveguide is formed surrounding the optical cladding on the central portion of the suction tube and conducts light around the suction tube from a proximal end to a distal end of the illumination waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance non-fiber optic optical waveguide with suction. This device is useful in a wide array of surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.