Mechanical Optics for Homogeneous Surgical Laser Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ophthalmic surgery, the inhomogeneous illumination field caused by inter-mode interference in optical fibers limits the clarity of the surgical view due to dynamic patterns of different colored light, which is undesirable for precise procedures like vitreoretinal surgery, especially with shorter and smaller diameter fibers that experience insufficient mode mixing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mechanical optics, such as a rotating prism or mirror membrane, within the optical fiber system to move the focal spot and enhance mode mixing, generating a homogeneous illumination field by redirecting and perturbing the coherent light beam, thereby improving the uniformity of the light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If shorter and smaller diameter optical fibers are used for surgical illumination, then the physical dimensions and flexibility are improved, but the mode mixing is insufficient causing inhomogeneous illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by moving the focal spot dynamically across the fiber core during illumination. The mechanical optical element redirects coherent light to scan or move the focal spot over different regions of the fiber core, creating mode mixing that homogenizes the illumination field even in shorter and smaller diameter fibers where natural mode mixing is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration by using a mechanical optical element (such as a rotating prism or oscillating mirror) that vibrates or moves rapidly to scan the focal spot across the fiber core. This mechanical motion induces mode mixing in the optical fiber, transforming the inhomogeneous coherent light into a homogeneous illumination field suitable for surgical applications.
2Illumination intensity
If coherent light sources are used in optical fibers, then high light intensity is achieved, but inhomogeneous illumination with dynamic patterns occurs due to inter-mode interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the interference pattern problem by dynamically moving the focal spot across the fiber core using a mechanical optical element. This dynamic scanning approach ensures that all spatial modes are excited and mixed, converting the stable but inhomogeneous coherent light into a dynamically mixed homogeneous illumination field that eliminates dynamic interference patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of the light by moving the focal spot position across the fiber core. By varying the position of the focal spot during operation, the system excites multiple modes in the optical fiber, transforming the light field from an inhomogeneous coherent pattern to a homogeneous illumination pattern suitable for surgical use.
3Illumination intensity
If mechanical optical elements are added to move the focal spot, then mode mixing is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical optical element as an intermediary component between the coherent light source and the optical fiber. This intermediary (such as a rotating prism, oscillating mirror, or movable lens) serves to redirect and move the focal spot across the fiber core, enabling mode mixing without requiring complex modifications to the fiber or light source themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex optical systems with simpler mechanical motion to achieve mode mixing. Instead of using complex optical arrangements to create mode mixing, the system uses simple mechanical movement of a focal spot (via rotating prisms, oscillating mirrors, or translating lenses) to achieve the same effect with reduced overall system complexity.
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 solution provides a clear and stable homogeneous illumination field, enhancing the surgeon's view during ophthalmic surgeries by reducing inter-mode interference and ensuring consistent light distribution, even with smaller and shorter optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
projecting first light from a coherent light source into an optical fiber using a first condenser lens to direct the first light onto a mechanical optical element that redirects the first light to a focal spot at a fiber core
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical optical element may be a prism that deflects the first light, while the method operation of causing the mechanical optical element to move the focal spot may further include rotating the prism about an axis parallel to a transmission direction of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
the mechanical optical element may be a mirror membrane that reflects the first light, while the method operation of causing the mechanical optical element to move the focal spot may further include perturbing the mirror membrane
Implementation Method 4
transmitting the second light from the optical fiber to a second optical fiber that projects the second light onto the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanical optics for mode mixing may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A mechanical optical element, such as a rotating prism or a mirror membrane, may impart motion to an incident beam entering the optical fiber to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.