Multi-fiber Laser Probe Radial Fiber Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-spot laser probes face challenges in efficiently delivering multiple laser beams to the retina due to compatibility issues with conventional laser sources and high costs associated with complex optics and fiber bending, which complicates the photocoagulation process.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plurality of optical fibers with a cannula and a distal pass-through element that induces radial rotation of each fiber, allowing for efficient angular separation and divergence of laser beams, compatible with standard interconnects, and eliminates the need for complex multi-lens relay systems or spatially varying diffractive beam splitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-spot/multi-fiber laser probe uses multiple optical fibers to deliver multiple laser beams, then the photocoagulation procedure speed is improved, but the compatibility with conventional laser sources deteriorates and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser probe is segmented into multiple optical fibers, each capable of delivering an independent laser beam to create multiple burn spots simultaneously. This segmentation allows the probe to treat multiple retinal areas in parallel, significantly improving photocoagulation procedure speed while maintaining compatibility with conventional single-fiber laser sources through a standardized connector interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser probe incorporates a universal connector interface that can accept both single-fiber and multi-fiber configurations, allowing the same probe design to work with conventional laser sources. The multiple optical fibers are bundled together in a way that maintains compatibility with standard SMA connectors, enabling the probe to function as a multi-spot delivery system without requiring modifications to the laser source.
2Productivity
If multiple optical fibers are used to deliver multiple laser beams, then the photocoagulation procedure speed is improved, but the compatibility with conventional laser sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The laser probe incorporates a universal connector interface that can accept both single-fiber and multi-fiber configurations, allowing the same probe design to work with conventional laser sources. The multiple optical fibers are bundled together in a way that maintains compatibility with standard SMA connectors, enabling the probe to function as a multi-spot delivery system without requiring modifications to the laser source.
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 enables efficient multi-spot beam delivery while maintaining compatibility with conventional laser sources, reducing costs and improving thermal reliability, and allows for selective delivery of single-spot or multi-spot patterns, enhancing the photocoagulation process.
Implementation Method 1
The distal pass-through element has a groove and/or channel corresponding to each of the optical fibers and through which a respective optical fiber passes, the grooves and/or channels extending through the distal pass-through element, and is formed so as to induce a radial rotation of each of the plurality of optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An example probe multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe includes a plurality of optical fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of optical fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe. A distal pass-through element is positioned within the cannula and at or near the distal end of the cannula and has a groove and/or channel corresponding to each fiber and through which a respective optical fiber passes, and is formed so as to induce a radial rotation of each of the plurality of optical fibers, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula, as the respective optical fiber passes through the distal pass-through element.