Medical Probe Multilumen Insert Straight Optical Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical probes with optical fibers for tissue discrimination face challenges such as low fluorescence detection efficiency due to side walls between fibers, total internal reflection, and unwanted autofluorescence from cladding materials, limiting real-time feedback during biopsies or surgical resections.
Innovation Solution
A medical probe system with a multilumen insert containing straight-cut optical fibers, where the fibers are placed without side walls and beveled ends to prevent total internal reflection, and optionally coated to reduce autofluorescence, enhancing fluorescence collection efficiency and allowing for simultaneous diffuse reflectance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fibers are incorporated with beveled ends in a stylet, then fluorescence measurements can be performed at the tip of the needle, but total internal reflection occurs at the fiber end causing significant unwanted autofluorescence from the cladding material that hampers tissue autofluorescence measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the fiber end from beveled to straight cut, eliminating the angle that causes total internal reflection. This parameter change prevents light from traveling through the buffer and causing autofluorescence from the cladding material, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the problematic beveled end configuration that causes total internal reflection. By eliminating this feature and using straight-cut fibers instead, the source of unwanted autofluorescence is removed from the system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical fibers are placed in separate lumens with side walls, then structural support is provided, but shadowing effects occur that reduce fluorescence collection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical fibers into a single common lumen without dividing side walls between them. This allows the fibers to be positioned closely together without shadowing effects, improving fluorescence collection efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the common lumen design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent rearranges the spatial configuration of fibers by placing them in a common lumen rather than separate lumens. This dimensional reorganization eliminates the shadowing problem by allowing fibers to be positioned in optimal proximity without lateral separation walls.
3Measurement precision
If fibers are placed close together to increase collection efficiency, then fluorescence detection improves, but the risk of total internal reflection and cladding autofluorescence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of fiber end geometry from beveled to straight-cut. This modification allows fibers to be placed close together for high collection efficiency while preventing total internal reflection that would otherwise cause cladding autofluorescence, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and harmful effects.
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 solution improves fluorescence detection efficiency and reduces autofluorescence, enabling effective discrimination between normal and tumor tissues in real-time, making it suitable for use in biopsies and surgical resections.
Implementation Method 1
the optical fibers in the stylet are beveled and as a result a significant part of the light in the optical fiber will undergo total internal reflection at the tip of the needle
Implementation Method 2
Various optical methods can be employed with diffuse reflectance (DRS) and autofluorescence measurement as the techniques that are most commonly investigated
Implementation Method 3
Various optical methods can be employed with diffuse reflectance (DRS) and autofluorescence measurement as the techniques that are most commonly investigated
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical probe which consists of a cannula with a multilumen stylet inside. The multilumen contains at least two lumen. Both the multilumen as well as the cannula may have beveled ends. In the lumen straight optical fibers (i.e.no angle end face) are present that can be connected at the proximal end to a console. The cannula, multilumen, fiber system forming the medical probe comprises at least in one of the lumen of the multilumen more than one optical fiber. Preferably the source and detector fibers for the fluorescence detection are contained in one single lumen of the multilumen.