Endoscopic Laser Aiming Beam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser lithotripsy procedures often result in damage to surrounding tissues and equipment due to misfires of the laser beam, as the beam can inadvertently be fired while the optical fiber is still inside the working channel, rather than protruding out to target the stone accurately.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system that includes an imaging assembly to capture and process images, an energy guide for directing energy, and a control unit to verify that the aiming beam is incident on the target before allowing energy emission, preventing misfires by ensuring proper alignment and actuation of the laser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the laser beam is fired while the fiber is still inside the working channel, then the procedure can be performed quickly, but the working channel and surrounding tissues are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by capturing an image, processing it to identify the target mass, and confirming aiming beam incidence before allowing laser actuation. This preliminary action ensures the fiber is properly positioned outside the working channel and aimed at the target, preventing damage while maintaining procedural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the imaging assembly and control unit to monitor whether the aiming beam is incident on the target mass. The control unit continuously verifies positioning and provides feedback to inhibit or permit laser operation, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that prevents misfires
2Reliability
If an imaging assembly and control unit are added to verify aiming beam incidence, then misfires are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging assembly serves multiple functions: it captures images for visualization, processes images to identify target masses, verifies aiming beam incidence, and provides feedback for safety control. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated verification devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the verification function with the existing imaging system. The same imaging assembly that provides visual guidance during the procedure is also used to verify aiming beam incidence and confirm proper fiber positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate verification hardware, reducing complexity while maintaining safety
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
Prevents damage to tissues and equipment by ensuring accurate targeting of the laser beam, reducing the risk of misfires and enhancing the precision of the lithotripsy procedure without requiring substantial modifications to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging assembly, configured to capture and output an image of a region of the body cavity in proximity to the distal end
Implementation Method 2
A laser beam is fired through the fiber onto the stone, causing the stone to absorb the laser beam energy and disintegrate
Implementation Method 3
causing the stone to absorb the laser beam energy and disintegrate
Data Source
AI summary
Medical apparatus includes an endoscope, which includes a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity and which includes an imaging assembly, configured to capture and output an image of a region of the body cavity in proximity to the distal end. An energy source is configured to emit pulses of energy through an energy guide. A control unit is configured to process the image so as to identify a target mass in the body cavity and to verify that an aiming beam directed through the energy guide is incident on the target mass and, responsively to so verifying, to actuate the energy source to direct a pulse of the energy via the energy guide onto the target mass.