Multifiber Endoscope Assembly for Real-Time Tissue Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic laser therapy lacks accuracy in recognizing and continuously monitoring tissue composition during procedures, leading to inefficient and potentially harmful laser treatment, as it relies on manual visualization and requires tissue biopsy for analysis, which is time-consuming and cannot monitor tissue changes in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A multifiber assembly and method for endoscopic procedures that includes a proximal end with connectors for a light source and spectrometer, a distal end with optical fibers for light transmission and spectroscopic signal transmission, and a transition section to couple these components, enabling continuous in vivo identification of tissue composition and automatic adjustment of laser settings based on real-time spectroscopic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visualization and biopsy are used for tissue analysis, then the endoscope structure remains simple, but the measurement precision of tissue composition and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into functionally independent modules: illumination optical fibers for delivering light, spectroscopic signal optical fibers for receiving reflected light, and a spectrometer for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries between the light source and the target tissue, and between the tissue and the spectrometer. These fibers transmit light and spectroscopic signals without requiring direct electrical connections or complex mechanical structures, enabling precise measurement while maintaining device simplicity.
2Productivity
If tissue biopsy is performed for composition analysis, then the equipment complexity remains low, but the loss of time for real-time monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous real-time monitoring of tissue composition through ongoing spectroscopic measurements. The optical fibers continuously transmit illumination light to the tissue and collect reflected spectroscopic signals, allowing uninterrupted monitoring without the need to remove tissue samples for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical process of tissue biopsy and laboratory analysis is replaced by an optical measurement system. Light is transmitted through optical fibers to the tissue, and spectroscopic signals are collected and analyzed in real-time, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical process of tissue removal and external analysis.
3Reliability
If conventional endoscopic laser therapy is used without real-time monitoring, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of laser treatment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where spectroscopic signals reflected from the tissue are continuously collected and analyzed by a spectrometer. This real-time spectral information feedback allows for accurate identification of tissue composition and monitoring of tissue changes during laser treatment, significantly improving treatment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: delivering illumination light to the tissue, collecting reflected spectroscopic signals for real-time monitoring, and enabling laser energy delivery. This multi-functionality integrates monitoring and treatment capabilities without requiring separate complex systems.
4Measurement precision
If multiple optical fibers are used for light transmission and signal collection, then the measurement precision and monitoring capability improve, but the device complexity and fiber management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical fibers are nested within a protective shaft structure that maintains their spatial arrangement. The illumination optical fibers and spectroscopic signal optical fibers are positioned concentrically or in organized patterns within the shaft, simplifying fiber management while preserving the functionality of multiple fibers for enhanced measurement precision.
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
Enables precise and efficient laser treatment by continuously monitoring tissue composition, allowing for instant adjustments in laser settings, reducing surgery time and complexity, and improving treatment efficacy by distinguishing between different tissue types and compositions within a single target, such as kidney stones, during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft includes at least two first optical fibers to transmit light and at least one second optical fiber to transmit a spectroscopic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A multifiber assembly and methods of using the same in an endoscopic procedure for transmitting illumination light to, and a response signal reflected from, a target is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a proximal end, and distal end, and a transition section between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end includes a first connector to be connected to a light source and a second connector configured to be connected to a spectrometer. The distal end includes a shaft including at least two first optical fibers to transmit light and at least one second optical fiber to transmit a spectroscopic signal. The transition section can couple the first connector to the at least two first optical fibers, and to couple the second connector to the at least one second optical fiber.