Multi-spot Laser Probe Diffractive Beam Splitter Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-spot laser probes face challenges in compatibility with conventional laser sources, increased costs due to complex optics, and difficulty in aligning and adjusting laser beams for efficient photocoagulation therapy, particularly in retinal treatments where precise and efficient delivery of multiple laser spots is required.
Innovation Solution
The use of a GRIN lens and diffractive beam splitter within a standardized adapter system allows for efficient relay and splitting of laser beams into multiple spots without the need for spatially varying diffractive elements, enabling alignment and adjustment of laser spots for accurate photocoagulation, and the integration of GRIN lenses within the laser probe cannula facilitates beam focusing and angular separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-spot/multi-fiber laser probe uses multiple fibers to drive multiple spots, then multiple laser beams can be produced simultaneously, but the laser source interconnect cannot simply receive the focused beam because the laser waist is too narrow to couple into multiple fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds a single optical fiber carrying the laser beam into a multi-fiber connector housing, where the single fiber is nested within the connector structure. This allows the simplified single-fiber delivery to interface with the multi-fiber probe architecture without requiring complex multi-fiber coupling at the source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffractive optical element as an intermediary component that receives the single laser beam from the fiber and splits it into multiple beams that couple into multiple fibers. This intermediary resolves the mismatch between the single focused beam and the multiple fiber inputs.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional optics are used to collimate and condense laser beams in the handpiece, then beam distribution to multiple fibers is achieved, but it is very difficult to move such lenses to the laser source interconnect due to the relatively small inner diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex lens system from the handpiece and replaces it with a diffractive optical element that can be integrated directly into the connector. This removes the problematic mechanical lens components that were difficult to position in the confined interconnect space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens system with a diffractive optical element that uses diffraction physics rather than mechanical focusing. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical positioning of lenses in the tight interconnect space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized SMA interconnect is used to connect the probe to the laser source, then compatibility with conventional laser sources is achieved, but the focused laser waist cannot be efficiently coupled into multiple fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling function into two parts: the standardized SMA connector maintains compatibility with conventional sources, while a separate diffractive optical element segment handles the beam splitting and coupling into multiple fibers. This segmentation allows both compatibility and efficient multi-fiber coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct axial coupling in the traditional dimension to using diffractive beam steering that exploits angular distribution. The single beam is transformed into multiple beams propagating at different angles, enabling efficient coupling into multiple fibers arranged in a spatial pattern.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient multi-spot laser probe that maintains alignment between aiming and burn spots, reduces the need for complex optics, and allows for adjustable spot sizes, enhancing the speed and precision of photocoagulation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a first GRIN lens within the first adapter, the first GRIN lens configured to receive a laser beam from the laser source at a proximal end of the first GRIN lens and to relay the received laser beam towards a distal end of the GRIN lens
Implementation Method 2
a first GRIN lens within the first adapter, the first GRIN lens configured to receive a laser beam from the laser source
Implementation Method 3
a diffractive beam splitter within first adapter adjacent the distal end of the first GRIN lens, wherein the diffractive beam splitter is configured to receive the collimated wave front so as to provide multiple diffracted beams
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-spot/multi-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a first adapter; a GRIN lens within the first adapter, the GRIN lens configured to receive a laser beam from a laser source at a proximal end of the GRIN lens and to relay the received laser beam towards a distal end of the GRIN lens; and a multi-fiber array having a proximal end configured to receive the relayed laser light. In addition, a multi-spot/single-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a cannula; an optical fiber positioned within the cannula; a diffractive beam splitter within the cannula; and a GRIN lens within the cannula and arranged between a distal end of the optical fiber and the diffractive beam splitter, wherein the diffractive beam splitter is configured to split a focused laser beam from the GRIN lens into multiple diffracted laser beams.