Light Guide Unit Injection Molded Coupling Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide units for medical laser applicators face challenges in manufacturing ease and maintaining good optical properties while ensuring the proximal end face of the optical fiber remains clean and undamaged during assembly and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
The light guide unit employs an injection-molded proximal coupling member onto the optical fiber, which simplifies manufacturing, maintains the cleanliness of the optical fiber end face, and allows for easy sterilization, with a tube serving as a protective shield and securing mechanism to maintain the optical connection and sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the proximal coupling member is provided by injection molding, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the risk of contaminating the optical fiber end face increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is inserted into the mold cavity before injection molding occurs, so the coupling member forms around it in a controlled environment. This preliminary positioning ensures the end face is protected from contamination during the molding process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The mold cavity acts as an intermediary structure that guides the liquid material away from the optical fiber end face. The cavity geometry serves as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the injecting material and the sensitive end face region
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical clamping is used to fix the coupling bushing, then the optical fiber end face remains clean, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical clamping system is replaced with an injection molding process that forms the coupling member in one piece around the optical fiber. This substitution eliminates the need for separate clamping mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining end face cleanliness
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member integrates multiple functions into a single molded component: it provides mechanical support, secures the optical fiber, and maintains proper positioning. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate clamping devices and simplifies the overall structure
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical fiber is cleaned to remove contamination, then optical properties are maintained, but the optical fiber end face may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The injection molding process is designed to prevent contamination in the first place by controlling material flow away from the end face. This preliminary anti-contamination approach eliminates the need for subsequent cleaning operations that could damage the fiber
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of liquid material contact is converted into a benefit by using the molding process to form a protective coupling member that permanently seals and protects the end face region, turning a potential contamination risk into a protective feature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a light guide unit for a laser applicator, wherein the light guide unit has a light guide tip assembly removably insertable into the laser applicator, wherein the light guide tip assembly comprises an optical fiber and a coupling member provided on a proximal end of the optical fiber. When the coupling member is provided on the optical fiber, a proximal end face of the optical fiber needs to be kept clean. It is also desired that the light guide tip assembly can be manufactured easily. It is suggested to provide the coupling member via a casting technique.