Light Applicator With Flexible Safety Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light applicators for photodynamic therapy (PDT) are limited by their non-isotropic light output, flexibility, and complexity, which restricts effective penetration depth and increases the risk of the distal tip breaking off, requiring surgical removal.
Innovation Solution
A light applicator with a minimally invasive insertion portion featuring an LED at its distal end, a needle tip with a light-transparent scattering body, and a flexible security element that surrounds the needle tip to prevent complete detachment and enhance stability, allowing for safer interstitial and percutaneous PDT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a thin laser light guide is used for interstitial PDT, then the insertion section can be made minimally invasive, but the light output becomes strongly focused distally instead of isotropic
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser light guide and the treatment site. This diffuser scatters the focused laser light to create an isotropic light distribution pattern, resolving the contradiction between maintaining a thin insertion section and achieving uniform light output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin-film diffuser structure that can be integrated into the distal end of the light guide. This thin film maintains the minimally invasive profile while transforming the light distribution from focused to isotropic through its scattering properties.
2Ease of operation
If the laser light guide is made flexible to navigate tissue, then it can be guided close to pathological tissue, but significant resistance must be overcome during insertion and penetration depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into segmented sections with varying flexibility characteristics. The proximal section has higher flexibility for navigation, while the distal section maintains sufficient rigidity to overcome insertion resistance and achieve the required penetration depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide incorporates dynamic flexibility characteristics, being flexible during the navigation phase to follow tissue contours, then becoming sufficiently rigid during the insertion phase to penetrate tissue with adequate force.
3Force
If the distal tip of the light applicator is made thin for minimally invasive insertion, then insertion resistance is reduced, but the risk of tip breakage and detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
A safety element is pre-installed on the light guide before insertion. This safety element acts as a protective mechanism that prevents complete tip detachment in case of breakage, cushioning against the worst-case scenario while maintaining the thin profile needed for minimally invasive insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety element is constructed as a thin-film structure that can be integrated into the distal end of the light guide. This thin film maintains the minimally invasive profile while providing the mechanical reinforcement needed to prevent tip detachment.
4Ease of operation
If a rigid channel is used to guide the flexible light guide, then the light guide can be positioned close to pathological tissue, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The complex rigid channel guidance system is extracted and replaced with a self-guiding light guide design. The light guide incorporates inherent guidance features that allow it to navigate to the pathological tissue without requiring an external rigid channel structure.
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 solution provides a safer and more effective interstitial and percutaneous PDT by ensuring isotropic light distribution and reducing the risk of the needle tip breaking off, while maintaining minimal invasiveness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transparent diffuser for scattering the light of the LED
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a light applicator (5) for the examination and/or treatment of an organic body, wherein the light applicator (5) has a minimally invasive insertion section (11) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and having an LED (19) at its distal end, wherein a needle tip (71) extending at least partially distally from the LED (19) and tapering distally is arranged at the distal end of the insertion section (11) with a light-transparent diffuser for scattering the light of the LED (19), wherein a safety element (133) surrounding at least partially circumferentially the distal end of the insertion section (11) and the needle tip (71) is connected to the insertion section (11) and the needle tip (71).wherein the safety element (133) is at least partially flexible and, in the event of at least partial tearing or breakage of the needle tip (71), secures it at the distal end of the insertion section (11) against complete tearing off.