Medical Light Source Calibration via Spatial Emission Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack effective calibration methods to ensure the correct intensity of electromagnetic radiation is delivered through light-guiding fibers during photodynamic therapy, risking improper treatment or patient injury due to incorrect fiber selection and coupling characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for calibrating a light source connected to a light-guiding fiber, using a calibration port with sensor means to determine and compare the spatial emission characteristics of the coupled radiation, ensuring the correct fiber and positioning device are used by matching actual and desired emission characteristics within defined tolerances, and outputting an error message if not matched.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only total light power coupling is calibrated without considering spatial emission characteristics, then the calibration process is simple, but the intensity at the treatment site may be incorrect leading to improper treatment or patient injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple power metering with optical sensor arrays that detect spatial emission characteristics. Sensor means including photodiodes are positioned to detect the angular distribution of light emitted by the fiber, substituting mechanical power measurement with optical field characterization to ensure both simplicity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a positioning device with defined spatial openings as an intermediary between the light-guiding fiber and the treatment site. This positioning device with specific geometric openings characterizes the emission pattern and serves as a mediator to verify that the fiber's spatial emission characteristics match the required treatment parameters
2Adaptability or versatility
If different fiber types are used without verification, then device versatility is improved, but the risk of incorrect intensity delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the verification parameter from simple power measurement to spatial emission characteristic detection. By measuring the angular distribution of emitted light through positioned sensors at defined openings, the system can distinguish between different fiber types and verify that the correct fiber is being used, maintaining both versatility and precision
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 method ensures accurate calibration of light sources for medical devices, preventing improper treatment and patient injury by verifying the correct fiber and positioning device combination, thereby ensuring the desired intensity is delivered during therapy.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means for determining a spatial emission characteristic of a light-guiding fiber introduced into the calibration port
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for calibrating a light source (104) of a medical device (102), wherein the light source (104) is connectable to at least one light-guiding fiber (112) such that electromagnetic radiation of a defined light power that is generated by the light source (104) is at least partly coupled into the light-guiding fiber (112). The medical device (102) is connected to at least one calibration port (108), wherein the calibration port (108) comprises sensor means for determining a spatial emission characteristic of a light-guiding fiber (112) introduced into the calibration port (108). In this case, the method avoids an improper treatment on account of an incorrectly chosen coupled-out intensity of the electromagnetic radiation used.