Medical Probe Laser Intensity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical observation systems using laser light for scanning medical probes face safety concerns as they are not designed to prevent direct eye exposure to laser light, potentially harming operators or patients when the probe is not inserted into a body cavity.
Innovation Solution
A medical observation system with a medical probe that includes a laser source, a judgment unit, and a control unit to adjust the laser light intensity based on the probe's insertion state, ensuring safety by limiting light emission when the probe is not inserted, using sensors and light-receptive members to determine the probe's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the medical probe emits laser light with high intensity to obtain sufficient image quality, then the image observation capability is improved, but the risk of eye damage to operators or patients increases when the probe is not inserted into a body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of laser light intensity based on the probe's insertion state. The control unit adjusts the laser output between a first intensity level (when inserted in body cavity) and a second intensity level (when not inserted), allowing the system to adapt its illumination characteristics to the operational context. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high intensity only when medically necessary while maintaining safety during external operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of laser light intensity based on the detection result of the probe's insertion state. When the judgment unit determines the probe is inserted into a body cavity, the control unit permits high intensity laser emission for adequate imaging. When the probe is outside the body, the intensity is reduced to a safe level. This parameter adjustment strategy directly addresses the contradiction between imaging quality and safety.
2Device complexity
If the medical probe is designed to emit laser light without safety control for direct eye exposure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety reliability deteriorates when the probe is used outside a body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the judgment unit continuously monitors the probe's insertion state and provides information to the control unit, which then adjusts the laser output accordingly. This closed-loop control system automatically ensures safety without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated device architecture. The feedback approach achieves safety reliability through a relatively simple and elegant control structure.
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 effectively controls laser light intensity to ensure safety during medical observations, preventing eye damage even when the probe is outside a body cavity, allowing for safe diagnostic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source that supplies the laser light to the medical probe
Implementation Method 2
produce resonance on a tip of a single optical fiber to scan on a subject with scanning light
Implementation Method 3
reflected light from the subject is detected and the reflected light is subjected to photoelectric conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A medical observation system, which includes a medical probe that observes a subject by scanning on the subject with laser light; a laser source that supplies the laser light to the medical probe; a judgment unit that judges whether the medical probe is in a predetermined state; and a control unit that controls an amount of laser light emitted from the laser source based on a judgment result by the judgment unit.