Laser Assembly Shock Absorber Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side fire laser assemblies used in surgical procedures face issues with adhesive breakdown and capillary tube fracture due to high vibrations caused by intense laser pulses, leading to the need for a more robust design that can withstand these forces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shock absorber between the capillary tube and the cap, which is made of a flexible material to cushion and absorb vibrations, thereby reducing the risk of capillary tube fracture during energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-power laser pulses are delivered through the optical fiber, then effective tissue ablation is achieved, but the capillary tube and adhesive are subjected to significant vibrational forces that cause breakdown and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
A shock absorber element is incorporated into the laser assembly to preemptively cushion and dampen the vibrational forces generated during high-power laser pulse delivery. This prevents the capillary tube and adhesive from experiencing damaging vibrations, thereby maintaining assembly reliability while enabling effective tissue ablation at high power levels
2Productivity
If the laser operates at high pulse rates, then surgical efficiency is improved, but the vibrational forces increase causing adhesive breakdown and capillary tube fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber element is positioned within the assembly to preemptively dampen vibrational forces generated during high-rate pulsing. This allows the laser to operate at high pulse rates for improved surgical efficiency while the shock absorber prevents cumulative vibrational damage to the adhesive and capillary tube, maintaining assembly reliability
3Strength
If rigid structures are used to protect the optical fiber, then mechanical strength is improved, but vibration-induced stress concentration increases leading to capillary tube fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber element acts as a flexible protective structure that replaces rigid protective elements. This flexible component absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, preventing stress concentration at rigid interfaces while still providing mechanical protection for the optical fiber and capillary tube assembly
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 shock absorber effectively dampens vibrations, preventing capillary tube breakage and extending the lifespan of the laser assembly by reducing mechanical stress during high-power pulse operations.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a shock absorber between the capillary tube and the cap, which is made of a flexible material to cushion and absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 2
which is made of a flexible material to cushion and absorb vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including an optical fiber having a distal end configured to emit a beam of energy. The apparatus also includes a tube including a tube channel. The distal end of the optical fiber is disposed in the tube channel. The apparatus further includes a shock absorber disposed on the tube and a cap disposed on the shock absorber.