Laser Fiber Carbonization Prevention Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical laser fibers used in procedures like lithotripsy face damage from thermal radiation reflected back, causing carbonization and erosion due to the low operating temperature of coating and buffer layers, which leads to fiber weakness and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A carbonization preventing structure made of heat-resistant materials like PEEK, PTFE, or polyimide surrounds the fiber core and cladding, blocking, absorbing, or diverting thermal radiation, and an optional standoff or protective sleeve provides additional spacing and structural support to prevent erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If coating and buffer layers are stripped from the fiber to improve laser energy transmission, then laser energy transmission is improved, but the fiber becomes vulnerable to thermal radiation damage causing carbonization
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the stripped section for optimal laser transmission, and the protected distal end section with heat-resistant coating for damage prevention. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat-resistant coating or buffer layer is introduced as an intermediary protective barrier between the vulnerable fiber layers and the thermal radiation from the laser target. This intermediary layer absorbs or reflects thermal radiation, preventing it from reaching and carbonizing the coating and buffer layers.
2Productivity
If the fiber is allowed to contact or approach the stone to improve surgical effectiveness, then surgical effectiveness is improved, but free electron erosion causes fiber tip damage
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the fiber is pre-protected with heat-resistant coating and buffer layers before exposure to thermal radiation. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even when the fiber contacts or approaches the stone during surgery, the tip is already fortified against free electron erosion and thermal damage.
3Temperature
If heat-resistant coating and buffer layers are applied to prevent carbonization, then temperature tolerance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Heat-resistant properties are applied locally only to the distal end section of the fiber where thermal radiation exposure occurs, rather than the entire fiber length. This localized application maintains temperature tolerance where needed while minimizing overall structural complexity and material usage.
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 effectively prevents carbonization of fiber layers and limits erosion, enhancing the fiber's temperature tolerance and structural integrity, allowing for more reliable and effective surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
thermal radiation represented by arrows 9 is generated and passes back into the fiber
Implementation Method 2
blocking, absorbing and/or diverting the reflected thermal radiation
Implementation Method 3
the thermal radiation entering the fiber becomes sufficient to create free electron absorption (FEA) or fiber fusing, resulting in erosion of the distal tip of the fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement that prevents carbonization of cladding, coating, or buffer layers of a surgical laser fiber due to thermal radiation reflected back into the fiber from, or emitted by, a target of the laser, includes a thermal radiation blocking, absorbing or diverting structure. The thermal radiation blocking, absorbing or diverting structure surrounds an end portion of the fiber that has been stripped of one or more coating and/or buffer layers, and may be made of a heat resistant material such as PTFE or polyimide to block heat from reaching the coating or buffer layers, an optical ferrule such as fused silica to guide the heat away from the fiber coating or buffer layers, or a high refraction index material such as UV adhesive.