One-Piece Optical Scalpel Design for Surgical Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical laser scalpel designs are complex, leading to performance losses and increased cleaning and positioning efforts due to separate light guide and scalpel tip structures.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece optical scalpel design where the light guide and scalpel end are integrated, featuring a distal end with a corner and cutting bevels for enhanced strength and functionality, allowing for both mechanical cutting and laser-assisted coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate light guide and scalpel tip structures are used, then cleaning and sterilization can be performed, but the structure becomes complex and energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide and scalpel tip into a single integrated structure where the light guide itself forms the cutting element. This eliminates the need for separate components that would require assembly and disassembly for cleaning, while maintaining the ability to perform both optical and mechanical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides laser light for cutting and coagulation, and its distal end forms a mechanical cutting edge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate scalpel tips while maintaining cleaning capability through the single-piece design.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate light guide and scalpel tip structures are used, then cleaning can be performed, but positioning effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the light guide and scalpel tip into one piece, the patent eliminates the positioning step entirely. The single integrated structure naturally aligns the optical path with the mechanical cutting edge, removing the need for precise positioning that would be required with separate components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If coupling is used to transfer laser radiation, then energy transfer occurs, but performance losses happen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates coupling interfaces by making the light guide and scalpel tip one piece. This removes the coupling losses that occur at interfaces between separate components, allowing direct energy transfer from the light guide core to the tissue through both optical radiation and mechanical contact.
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 one-piece design simplifies construction, reduces energy losses, and facilitates easier cleaning and sterilization, while providing effective tissue cutting and coagulation with reduced bleeding.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (3) with a proximal end (4) and a distal end (11) facing away from the proximal end (4), wherein at the distal end (11) of the light guide (3) a scalpel end (12) is formed
Implementation Method 2
at least one processing light source (6) connectable to its proximal end (4)... the use of high-energy radiation, in particular laser radiation
Implementation Method 3
the actual scalpel and the light guide are designed in one piece... at least one corner (22) arranged at the distal end (11) of the light guide (3), in which at least three edges intersect, of which at least one is designed as a cutting edge
Implementation Method 4
The use of high-energy light, in particular laser radiation, allows the application of photothermal or photoinduced properties... Another major advantage of using laser radiation in a surgical sense is that blood vessels can be closed directly during the cut
Data Source
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AI summary
Optical scalpel (1) comprising at least one light guide (3), with a proximal and a distal end (11) facing away from the proximal end (4), wherein at least one first light source is arranged at its proximal end (4), wherein the distal end (11) of the light guide (3) is designed as a scalpel end (12) and the scalpel end (12) is formed integrally with the at least one light guide (3).