Sub-micron Alignment of Monitoring Fiber in Ophthalmic Endo-illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ophthalmic endo-illumination system faces challenges in maintaining coupling efficiency due to factors like shock, vibration, thermal expansion, and movement of opto-mechanical components, which affect the alignment of the light beam and optical fiber, leading to decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a monitoring fiber with a sub-micron alignment mechanism, including a moveable ferrule housing and displacement mechanisms, such as a screw actuator with a sloped surface and transfer spring, to accurately align the monitoring fiber with the light beam, ensuring precise optical feedback and maintaining coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical port assembly is fixed to maintain coupling position, then the coupling efficiency is preserved during assembly, but shock and vibration during shipment and setup cause movement of components resulting in decreased coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback monitoring system that detects coupling efficiency changes before they become critical failures. The monitoring fiber continuously measures the actual coupling efficiency, and when degradation is detected (indicating movement from shock/vibration), the system generates feedback signals to alert operators and enable corrective action before complete misalignment occurs.
2Reliability
If the assembly is fixed to maintain coupling position, then the coupling efficiency is maintained, but thermal-induced expansion and rotation of opto-mechanical mounts cause movement and decrease in coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a real-time feedback mechanism where a monitoring fiber measures coupling efficiency continuously. When thermal expansion or rotation of opto-mechanical mounts causes misalignment, the monitoring system detects the change in coupling efficiency and provides feedback signals. This enables dynamic compensation or adjustment to maintain optimal coupling despite temperature variations.
3Reliability
If a monitoring fiber is added to provide optical feedback, then coupling efficiency can be maintained through real-time monitoring, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring fiber serves multiple functions: it monitors coupling efficiency, provides feedback signals for alignment adjustment, and can detect various types of disturbances (thermal, mechanical, vibrational). By using a single monitoring fiber for multiple purposes, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring without proportionally increasing complexity. The same optical path and detection mechanism handle multiple monitoring tasks.
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 allows for precise alignment and stable coupling efficiency, even under varying conditions, enhancing the reliability and performance of the ophthalmic endo-illumination system by providing real-time feedback and adjusting for thermal changes and mechanical movements.
Implementation Method 1
The first displacement mechanism includes a transfer spring coupled to the moveable ferrule housing and a screw actuator having a sloped surface contacting a motion transfer ball such that movement of the screw actuator causes the motion transfer ball to move along the sloped surface, the motion transfer ball contacting the transfer spring such that movement of the motion transfer ball along the sloped surface causes a displacement of the transfer spring, thereby displacing the moveable ferrule housing in the first direction.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An ophthalmic endo-illumination system includes a light source producing a light beam, a beam splitter configured to split the light beam into a first beam provided to a fiber port and a second beam coupled to a monitoring fiber, and an alignment system for aligning the monitoring fiber. The alignment system includes a moveable ferrule housing having the monitoring fiber secured therein and a displacement mechanism for displacing housing in a first direction. The displacement mechanism includes a transfer spring coupled to the housing and a screw actuator having a sloped surface contacting a motion transfer ball such that movement of the screw actuator causes the motion transfer ball to move along the sloped surface, the motion transfer ball contacting the transfer spring such that movement of the motion transfer ball along the sloped surface causes a displacement of the transfer spring, thereby displacing the housing in the first direction.