Multi-Wavelength Laser Beam Alignment With Multi-Core Fiber Cores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical laser systems face challenges in aligning multi-wavelength laser beams with the cores of a multi-core fiber, leading to misalignment and non-uniform power distribution among the laser spots, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of photocoagulation procedures.
Innovation Solution
The surgical laser system employs two diffraction optical elements (DOEs) tuned to different wavelengths, allowing both the treatment and aiming beams to be diffracted at the same angle, ensuring precise alignment and uniform power distribution across the multi-spot pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single diffraction optical element is used for both treatment and aiming beams, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision between multi-wavelength laser beams and fiber cores deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the diffraction optical element into multiple wavelength-specific DOEs, with each DOE optimized for a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows each DOE to precisely diffract its designated wavelength without interference from other wavelengths, thereby maintaining high alignment precision while managing device complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the diffraction angle parameters of each DOE to compensate for wavelength-dependent diffraction variations. By carefully designing the diffraction angles for treatment and aiming beams, the system ensures that both beams align with the same fiber core despite having different wavelengths, thus resolving the alignment precision issue.
2Device complexity
If different diffraction angles are used for treatment and aiming beams, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power distribution uniformity among laser spots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the diffraction angle parameters of each DOE to ensure uniform power distribution. By carefully selecting the diffraction angles for treatment and aiming beams, the system compensates for wavelength-dependent diffraction effects and ensures that the resulting laser spots have uniform power distribution across the treatment area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs each DOE with wavelength-specific optimization, where the diffraction pattern and angle are tailored for the particular wavelength range it handles. This local optimization ensures that each wavelength component contributes uniformly to the overall power distribution, maintaining spot uniformity despite multi-wavelength operation.
3Productivity
If multi-wavelength laser beams are used simultaneously, then the productivity of photocoagulation procedure is improved, but the alignment precision between beams and fiber cores deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path into wavelength-specific channels, each handled by a dedicated DOE optimized for that wavelength. This allows multiple wavelengths to be processed simultaneously without cross-interference, maintaining alignment precision while enabling high-productivity multi-wavelength photocoagulation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the diffraction parameters of each DOE to account for wavelength-specific behavior. By optimizing the diffraction angles and patterns for each wavelength, the system ensures that all multi-wavelength beams maintain precise alignment with their respective fiber cores, thereby preserving alignment precision while achieving high productivity through simultaneous multi-wavelength operation.
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 configuration ensures that each diffracted aiming beam is closely aligned with the corresponding diffracted treatment beam, reducing inter-spot power non-uniformity and increasing the system's stability and accuracy, thereby enhancing the efficiency and precision of photocoagulation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first diffraction optical element (DOE) tuned to the first wavelength and a second DOE tuned to the second wavelength, wherein the first DOE is configured to diffract the first laser beam into one or more first diffracted beams at a diffraction angle and the second DOE is configured to diffract the second laser beam into one or more second diffracted beams at the same diffraction angle
Implementation Method 2
The lens is configured to focus the one or more first diffracted beams and the one or more second diffracted beams onto an interface plane of a proximal end of a cable coupled to the surgical laser system
Implementation Method 3
one or more beam splitters configured to reflect the one or more first diffracted beams and the one or more beams onto a lens
Data Source
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AI summary
Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a surgical laser system comprising first laser source configured to emit a first laser beam with a first wavelength and a second laser source configured to emit a second laser beam with a second wavelength. The surgical laser system further comprises a first diffraction optical element (DOE) tuned to the first wavelength and a second DOE tuned to the second wavelength, wherein the first DOE is configured to diffract the first laser beam into one or more first diffracted beams at a diffraction angle and the second DOE is configured to diffract the second laser beam into one or more second diffracted beams at the same diffraction angle. The surgical laser system further comprises one or more beam splitters configured to reflect the one or more first diffracted beams and the one or more second diffracted beams onto a lens.