Lithotripsy Apparatus Laser Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithotripsy apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the distance to a stone and adjusting the laser beam quantity due to absorption in liquids and fluctuations in laser beam intensity, which affects the formation of an optimal bubble size for efficient stone crushing.
Innovation Solution
A lithotripsy apparatus that uses a guide light source and photodetector to measure distance via the Time of Flight method, determining bubble conditions, and adjusts the treatment laser beam's intensity based on measured distance and bubble size to maintain an appropriate bubble for efficient energy delivery and stone crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a continuous pulsed laser beam is used to crush the stone, then the stone crushing function is achieved, but the distance measurement accuracy deteriorates due to laser beam absorption in liquids and intensity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the laser beam into two independent functional components: a guide light source for distance measurement and a treatment laser beam source for stone crushing. This segmentation allows the guide light to provide stable distance measurements without being affected by the treatment laser's intensity fluctuations and absorption issues, while the treatment laser focuses solely on effective stone crushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide light acts as an intermediary between the treatment laser system and the stone. By using the guide light's reflected signal for distance measurement, the system obtains accurate distance information without relying on the treatment laser beam's characteristics, which are subject to absorption and intensity variations in the liquid medium.
2Power
If the laser beam quantity is increased to improve stone crushing efficiency, then the crushing power is improved, but the harmful absorption in liquids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the measured distance from the guide light's reflected signal is used to dynamically adjust the treatment laser beam quantity. The processor determines bubble conditions based on distance measurements and automatically adjusts the laser parameters, ensuring optimal energy delivery to the stone while minimizing unnecessary energy absorption in the liquid medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the treatment laser beam parameters (intensity, pulse duration) based on real-time distance measurements and bubble condition assessment. By adjusting these parameters according to the actual distance and bubble state, the system maximizes stone crushing efficiency while minimizing energy loss through liquid absorption.
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
This approach allows for accurate distance measurement and laser beam adjustment, ensuring efficient stone crushing by maintaining an optimal bubble size, reducing absorption and improving energy delivery to the stone.
Implementation Method 1
A lithotripsy apparatus that uses a guide light source and photodetector to measure distance via the Time of Flight method
Implementation Method 2
a treatment laser beam source that emits a treatment laser beam that crushes a stone
Data Source
AI summary
A lithotripsy apparatus includes: a treatment laser beam source that emits a treatment laser beam that crushes a stone; a guide light source that emits guide light; a photodetector that detects return light that returns as a result of the emitted guide light being reflected at the stone; and a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: measure a distance from the treatment laser beam source to the stone on the basis of the return light; determine a condition of a bubble occurring between the treatment laser beam source and the stone on the basis of the measured distance; and adjust a light quantity of the treatment laser beam on the basis of the determined condition of the bubble.