Laser Steering Optical Elements for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical techniques using CO2 lasers are limited by their inability to be transmitted through glass or conventional optical fibers, restricting their use to 'line-of-sight' applications and making it difficult to accurately maneuver the laser beam in confined body cavities, especially for accessing tumors in complex anatomical regions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes optical elements configured to refract and diffract laser light within a body cavity, with an actuating arrangement to control the angle of the refracted or diffracted light, allowing for precise steering and focusing of the laser beam, and a system that can be inserted into the body cavity to facilitate flexible and accurate laser delivery and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CO2 laser is used for minimally invasive surgery, then precision and tissue absorption are improved, but beam transmission capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces glass optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit CO2 laser beams through body cavities. The fiber acts as a mediator that couples the CO2 laser source to the surgical site, enabling the laser to reach otherwise inaccessible areas while maintaining its precision and tissue absorption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical line-of-sight laser delivery systems with an optical fiber-based transmission system. This substitution allows the laser beam to be guided through flexible fiber optic pathways rather than requiring direct mechanical alignment and unobstructed access to the target tissue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic delivery is used to transmit laser into body cavity, then access to confined spaces is improved, but beam control and maneuvering are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam transmission and control functions by placing independent optical elements (prisms, mirrors, gratings) at the distal end of the fiber within the body cavity. This segmentation allows each optical element to be controlled independently for precise beam steering and positioning without affecting the entire delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the laser beam by using actuators to move optical elements in real-time. The beam can be dynamically steered, focused, and repositioned within the body cavity by adjusting the position and orientation of optical components, enabling flexible maneuvering despite the confined fiber optic delivery pathway.
3Measurement precision
If multiple optical elements are used for laser steering, then beam control precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs optical elements that perform multiple functions simultaneously. For example, a single optical element can serve as both a steering mirror and a focusing lens, or a prism can both redirect the beam and compensate for fiber-induced distortions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining precise beam control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-aligning optical elements that automatically compensate for misalignments and positional variations. The optical system includes features that self-correct for fiber movement and bending, reducing the need for complex external alignment mechanisms and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining precision.
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
Enables precise and flexible laser delivery and control within body cavities, improving access to hard-to-reach areas and enhancing the precision of minimally invasive surgical procedures by allowing remote control of the laser beam, thereby improving surgical outcomes and reducing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element configured to refract light
Implementation Method 2
an optical element configured to diffract light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided and described herein are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, system, computer-accessible medium, procedure and method according to the present disclosure which can be used for providing laser steering and focusing for, e.g., incision, excision and/or ablation of tissue in minimally-invasive surgery. For example, an exemplary apparatus is provided that can include at least one optical element which can be configured to refract and/or diffract light provided in a structure which can be configured to be inserted into a body, where at least one of the optical element(s) is structured to receive the light at a first angle and generate a refracted and/or diffracted light at a second angle which can be different from the first angle relative to an optical axis. An exemplary actuating arrangement, which can be configured to control the optical element(s), can be provided and situated at least partially within the at least one structure.