Laser System Linear Rail Collimator for ART Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser systems used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) face challenges in efficiently creating holes or thinning sections of the zona pellucida surrounding oocytes or embryos, and immobilizing sperm cells during IVF procedures, requiring improved precision and compatibility with standard IVF equipment.
Innovation Solution
A laser system comprising a collimator, support member, and linear rail for precise movement, combined with infrared and red lasers, and optical components to create a collimated beam that can be directed to specific targets, allowing for user-defined ablation or immobilization of sperm cells and embryos, while being compact and compatible with microscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser system is used to create holes or thin sections of the zona pellucida, then fertilization and hatching are facilitated, but the system requires high precision and compatibility with standard IVF equipment which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the laser ablation system with standard microscope equipment used in IVF laboratories. The laser unit is integrated into the microscope's optical path, allowing the laser to work in conjunction with existing imaging and manipulation equipment. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to create precise holes or thin sections of the zona pellucida for fertilization procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated platform. It can create holes in the zona pellucida for sperm injection, thin sections to facilitate hatching, and immobilize sperm cells. By consolidating these functions into one universal system compatible with standard IVF equipment, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate devices while improving reliability across different ART procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If the laser system includes multiple components for precise beam control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the system size increases making it less compatible with standard IVF equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system employs a nested arrangement where the collimator, scanning lens, and other optical components are positioned within or alongside the existing microscope structure. The laser beam path is nested within the microscope's optical train, allowing precise beam control through multiple components without significantly increasing the overall system footprint. This nested configuration maintains compatibility with standard IVF equipment while achieving the necessary manufacturing precision for targeted ablation.
3Measurement precision
If the laser system uses complex optical components for beam direction, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex mirror movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical mirror movement systems with an optical scanning approach using a scanning lens and collimated beam. Instead of mechanically moving mirrors to direct the laser beam to different positions, the system uses optical scanning where the collimated beam is directed through a scanning lens that steers the beam across the sample plane. This substitution maintains high positioning accuracy while significantly simplifying operation, as the scanning can be controlled electronically without complex mechanical actuation.
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 system enables precise and efficient creation of holes or thinning of the zona pellucida, facilitating fertilization, hatching, and other ART procedures, with a compact design suitable for standard IVF equipment, simplifying operation by avoiding complex dichroic mirror movements.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator configured to receive the one laser beam as a divergent laser beam and to output the divergent laser beam as the collimated laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a lens positioned downstream of the collimator and configured to direct the collimated laser beam to a target location on a specimen
Implementation Method 3
an infrared laser configured to generate an infrared laser beam including infrared light waves with wavelengths in a range of about 700 nm to about 1 mm
Implementation Method 4
infrared light waves with wavelengths in a range of about 700 nm to about 1 mm
Implementation Method 5
a red laser configured to generate a red laser beam including red light waves with wavelengths in a range of about 620 nm to about 700 nm
Implementation Method 6
a set of optical components configured to combine the infrared laser beam and the red laser beam into one laser beam
Implementation Method 7
the collimated laser beam, carrying the infrared light waves, can produce a hole in a structure of the specimen at the target location
Data Source
AI summary
A laser system includes a collimator configured to output a collimated laser beam, a support member to which the collimator is mounted, and a linear rail along which the support member is movable in a first dimension such that the collimator, mounted to the support member, and the collimated laser beam, outputted from the collimator, are movable in the first dimension. The laser system further includes a lens positioned downstream of the collimator and configured to direct the collimated laser beam to a target location on a specimen.