Light Diffusing Fiber for Uniform Surgical Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laparoscopic surgery, physicians face challenges in visualizing anatomical structures due to limited vision and lack of direct tactile perception, increasing the risk of unintended injury to structures like ureters, blood vessels, and other luminal organs.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system featuring a tubular body with a light diffusing optical fiber that scatters guided light via nano-sized structures, providing uniform radiation along its length to enhance visibility of anatomical structures, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional open surgical techniques are used, then direct tactile perception is available, but the surgical procedure is not minimally invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (light sources, optical fibers, diffusers) as mediators to transmit visual information from the surgical site to the physician's eyes, replacing the direct tactile perception channel. The light diffuser specifically acts as an intermediary that transforms concentrated light from the optical fiber into uniform illumination across the surgical field, enabling visual substitution for tactile feedback in minimally invasive surgery
2Adaptability or versatility
If laparoscopic surgery is performed, then minimally invasive procedure is achieved, but visibility of anatomical structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the light diffuser at the distal end of the tubular body, close to the anatomical structures being examined. This localized placement ensures that illumination is concentrated exactly where needed in the surgical field, providing intense and uniform lighting precisely at the target site rather than distributing light throughout the entire surgical environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of light transmission by using a light diffuser with specific optical properties (diffusion coefficient, thickness, material composition) to transform the light characteristics from the optical fiber. The diffuser converts the concentrated, directional light into uniform, omnidirectional illumination, fundamentally altering the light distribution parameters to achieve optimal visibility
3Illumination intensity
If uniform light distribution is provided, then visibility is improved, but light source complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light diffuser operates on the self-service principle by passively transforming light through its inherent optical diffusion properties without requiring active control mechanisms, sensors, or complex electronic systems. The uniform light distribution emerges automatically from the physical structure and material properties of the diffuser itself, eliminating the need for complex active illumination control systems
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 system improves visibility of anatomical structures during surgery, reducing the risk of unintended injury by providing high illumination intensity and uniform light distribution, facilitating safer minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length
Data Source
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AI summary
An illumination system for a surgical device is provided. The illumination system includes a tubular body made of a light permeable material and having at least one lumen extending between a distal end and a proximal end. The illumination system further includes a light source. At least one light diffusing optical fiber is disposed in the at least one lumen, the at least one light diffusing optical fiber having a core, primary cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures, the optical fiber further including an outer surface, and an end optically coupled to the light source. The fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length.