Laser Scalpel Acute Angle Coupling Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser scalpel designs are complex to manufacture and inefficient in directing a high proportion of laser light to the cutting edge, leading to suboptimal photocoagulation and increased bleeding during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A laser scalpel with a scalpel body made of transmissive material, featuring a converging blade and back, and a coupling surface that refracts laser light at an acute angle, allowing partial reflection towards the blade and direct transmission to the cutting edge, optimizing laser light distribution and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the laser beam is directed at perpendicular incidence to the coupling surface, then the coupling process is simple, but the laser light does not reach the cutting edge efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the incidence angle parameter from perpendicular (0°) to acute (25°-45°) to optimize the optical path. This parameter change allows the laser beam to refract towards the surface normal and travel closer to the tip, ensuring efficient delivery to the cutting edge while maintaining a relatively simple coupling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by positioning the coupling surface at a greater distance from the back of the scalpel than from the bottom surface. This three-dimensional arrangement creates an optimized optical path where the laser beam can reflect off the back surface and reach the cutting edge, transforming a two-dimensional perpendicular coupling into a three-dimensional angled coupling system.
2Manufacturing precision
If concave or convex coupling surfaces are used to focus laser light, then the laser beam can be focused on the cutting edge, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a flat coupling surface without the full complexity of concave or convex lens designs. Instead of completely focusing the beam through surface curvature, the patent achieves sufficient focusing through the combination of acute angle incidence and strategic positioning, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective laser delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified flat surface design that copies the essential function of complex curved surfaces without replicating their manufacturing complexity. The flat coupling surface at an acute angle achieves the necessary optical function through geometric arrangement rather than through complex surface shaping.
3Volume of moving object
If the coupling surface is positioned closer to the back of the scalpel, then the structure is more compact, but the laser light distribution to the cutting edge is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the coupling surface position in three-dimensional space by placing it at a greater distance from the back than from the bottom surface. This spatial arrangement creates an optimized optical path length and angle, allowing the laser beam to reflect effectively off the back surface and reach the cutting edge with high efficiency while maintaining reasonable compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of the coupling surface, specifically setting its distance relationships with respect to different surfaces (greater distance from back than from bottom). This parameter optimization ensures the laser beam travels the optimal path length and achieves proper distribution at the cutting edge.
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 design ensures a high proportion of laser light reaches the cutting edge, enhancing photocoagulation and reducing bleeding, while simplifying the manufacturing process by using a converging blade and back structure with a strategically positioned coupling surface.
Implementation Method 1
the laser beam is refracted towards the surface normal and then runs more towards or closer to the tip of the scalpel body than before entering the scalpel body
Implementation Method 2
part of the laser radiation coupled into the coupling surface is reflected at the back of the scalpel at least partially by internal reflection towards the scalpel blade
Implementation Method 3
The laser radiation emitted in the area of the scalpel blade causes photocoagulation of the blood and thus reduces bleeding in the wound
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The scalpel (2) has a body (12) comprising a scalpel blade (20) and a scalpel rear part (21) running together at a top part (22). The body is made from a transmissive material for transmission of laser radiation. A coupling surface is arranged and dimensioned at the body, so that a part of the laser radiation is partially reflected at the scalpel rear part by internal reflection toward the scalpel blade and another part of the laser radiation is transmitted on a direct way through the body to the scalpel blade.