Laser-Sustained Plasma Illumination for 200-500 µm Endoscopy Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic light sources face challenges in delivering sufficient light through small diameter fibers, leading to insufficient illumination for minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, as they experience radiance loss and cannot effectively couple light into fibers smaller than 3 mm, hindering image quality and procedural capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A laser sustained plasma light source is developed, utilizing a combination of laser driver units to generate high-intensity light that is focused into a sealed chamber containing an ionizable medium, creating a plasma which emits collimated light that can be efficiently coupled into small diameter fibers (200-500 micrometer) for improved illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional arc lamps are used to illuminate through small diameter fibers, then the light source structure is simple and well-established, but radiance loss occurs and insufficient light is delivered through fibers smaller than 3 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the light source by using laser-driven plasma instead of conventional arc discharge. This enables generation of high brightness light with superior radiance characteristics that can be efficiently coupled into small diameter fibers (200-500 micrometers), directly resolving the radiance loss problem while maintaining system simplicity
2Illumination intensity
If conventional arc lamps are used, then the device structure is straightforward, but the fiber diameter must be large (greater than 3 mm) to transmit sufficient light
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the light source parameters to laser-driven plasma, the patent achieves high brightness output that enables coupling into small diameter fibers (200-500 micrometers). This parameter change in the light source fundamentally enables miniaturization of the fiber diameter while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity for surgical applications
3Illumination intensity
If laser driver units and plasma generation components are added, then high brightness light delivery through small fibers is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser driver units, plasma generation chamber, and optical coupling components into an integrated light source assembly. This consolidation achieves high brightness light delivery through small diameter fibers while managing system complexity through unified design rather than separate discrete components
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
This solution enables high brightness light delivery through small diameter fibers, enhancing imaging capabilities and procedural feasibility by providing sufficient light for noise-free images and more compact surgical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a first laser driver unit generates a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The laser beam is introduced into a plasma chamber and focused onto a focal point within the plasma chamber to ignite an ionizable medium contained within the plasma chamber to form a plasma
Implementation Method 3
A laser sustained plasma light source is developed, utilizing a combination of laser driver units to generate high-intensity light that is focused into a sealed chamber containing an ionizable medium, creating a plasma which emits collimated light
Implementation Method 4
creating a plasma which emits collimated light that can be efficiently coupled into small diameter fibers (200-500 micrometer) for improved illumination
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination source includes a laser driver unit configured to emit a plasma sustaining beam. An ingress collimator receives the plasma sustaining beam and produces a collimated ingress beam. A focusing optic receives the collimated ingress beam and produce a focused sustaining beam. A sealed lamp chamber contains an ionizable media that, once ignited, forms a high intensity light emitting plasma having a waist size smaller than 150 microns. The sealed lamp chamber further includes an ingress window configured to receive the focused sustaining beam and an egress window configured to emit the high intensity light. An ignition source is configured to ignite the ionizable media, and an exit fiber is configured to receive and convey the high intensity light. The high intensity light is white light with a black body spectrum, and the exit fiber has a diameter in the range of 200-500 micrometers.