Ophthalmic Laser Plasma Applicator Illumination via Needle Wall Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic treatment instruments using laser plasma applicators face challenges in effectively illuminating the treatment site within the eye, necessitating external lamps or microscope light, which can be cumbersome and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an illumination system within the laser plasma applicator using the same optical fiber to guide both laser pulses and illumination light, leveraging plasma and needle wall reflections to direct light to the treatment site, ensuring illumination occurs without interfering with laser operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If external lamps or microscope light are used to illuminate the treatment site, then illumination is provided, but the setup becomes cumbersome and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function with the existing laser plasma applicator by integrating an illumination fiber into the hollow needle structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate external lighting sources, making the setup less cumbersome and more comfortable for patients during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow needle applicator is designed to serve multiple functions: delivering laser pulses for plasma generation, providing illumination through an integrated fiber, and enabling irrigation and suction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional external devices and improves procedural comfort.
2Device complexity
If the same optical fiber is used to guide both laser pulses and illumination light, then device complexity is reduced, but interference between laser operations and illumination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber into distinct functional zones: a proximal section for receiving both laser and illumination light, a middle section with a reflective surface that separates the paths, and a distal section where laser pulses generate plasma while illumination light is reflected to the treatment site. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective surface is introduced as an intermediary element within the optical fiber to separate the laser pulse path from the illumination light path. This mediator reflects the illumination light toward the treatment site while allowing laser pulses to pass through to the target, preventing interference between the two functions.
3Productivity
If the target surface is aligned toward both the laser light fiber and the exit opening, then plasma generation efficiency is improved, but the alignment becomes a compromise between two conflicting directions
Solution Approach 1:
The target surface is designed with a curved or spherical geometry that allows it to reflect and redirect light and plasma effectively. The curved surface can be oriented to receive laser pulses from the fiber while simultaneously directing plasma and illumination light toward the exit opening, resolving the alignment compromise through geometric optimization.
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
Provides continuous, bright illumination at the treatment site within the eye, reducing the need for external lighting sources and enhancing procedural comfort for patients.
Implementation Method 1
These laser pulses are selected to be of such intensity (power) and duration that an optical breakdown or breakdown (. optical breakdown ) which leads to the formation of a plasma or a plasma cloud in front of the target (laser-induced plasma).
Implementation Method 2
leveraging plasma and needle wall reflections to direct light to the treatment site
Implementation Method 3
The sudden or very rapid buildup and expansion of the laser-induced plasma leads to a very rapid and strong increase in temperature and pressure in the working fluid, which in turn creates shock waves (or shock waves, pressure pulses) in the working fluid inside the needle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for illuminating a treatment site, in particular a treatment site on a human or animal body, in particular in an eye, comprising a) an applicator (2) and b) an illuminating light source (18) for generating illuminating light (BL), c) wherein the applicator has a hollow needle (20) with a distal end (6) and with a target (5) at the distal end (6), and with a opening (4) at the distal end (6), d) wherein the applicator has a light guide (8) in the hollow needle (20) leading to the distal end (6) with a free end (10) orientated towards the target (5), e) wherein laser pulses (LP) can be transmitted via the light guide (8), which exit the light guide (3) at the free end (10) and land on the target (5) and generate a plasma (P) in front of a target surface (50) of the target (5), f) wherein the treatment site to be illuminated is located in the region at the opening (4) and the plasma is provided for direct or indirect treatment at the treatment site, d) wherein the illuminating light source (18) is or can be optically coupled to the light guide (3) of the applicator, in such a way that the illuminating light (BL) of the illuminating light source (18) is transmitted via the light guide (3) and exits the light guide (3) at the free end (10); e) wherein an inner surface (26, 40) of the hollow needle (20) is formed as a mirror surface (26, 40) for the illuminating light (BL) at the distal end (6), in such a way that, after exiting the light guide (3), the illuminating light (BL) is reflected by said mirror surface (26, 40) and by the plasma (P), at least partially with one or more interreflections, to the opening (4).