Ophthalmic Endo-Illumination Coupling Efficiency Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmic endo-illumination systems face challenges in maintaining optimal coupling efficiency of light beams into optical fibers due to factors like shock, vibration, thermal expansion, and beam motion, leading to reduced illumination during surgeries.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic endo-illumination system that includes a beam splitter to divert a portion of the light beam into a monitoring fiber, allowing an optical sensor to detect the beam's coupling efficiency, and a processor to control an actuator to adjust the condenser's position and maintain optimal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical port assembly is fixed to maintain coupling position, then the coupling efficiency is preserved, but the system cannot adapt to movements caused by shock, vibration, thermal expansion, or beam motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where a monitoring fiber captures a portion of the light beam via a beam splitter, and an optical sensor continuously detects the coupling efficiency. This feedback signal is processed to determine deviations from optimal coupling, triggering automatic adjustment through an actuator to realign the condenser and maintain optimal coupling efficiency despite environmental disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed assembly to a dynamic adaptive system. An actuator is introduced to dynamically adjust the position of the condenser based on real-time coupling efficiency measurements, enabling the system to adapt to movements caused by shock, vibration, thermal expansion, or beam motion while maintaining optimal coupling.
2Measurement precision
If a beam splitter and monitoring fiber are added to detect coupling efficiency, then the coupling efficiency can be monitored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary component to divert a portion of the light beam into a monitoring fiber without significantly affecting the main optical path. This intermediary allows coupling efficiency measurement while maintaining the primary illumination function, enabling precise monitoring through a relatively simple optical coupling approach.
3Reliability
If an actuator is used to automatically re-align the condenser, then the coupling efficiency is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic feedback control. The optical sensor continuously monitors coupling efficiency, and when deviations are detected, the control system automatically activates the actuator to adjust the condenser position, enabling the system to self-correct and maintain optimal coupling without manual intervention.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the optical port assembly is immobilized, then the coupling position is stable, but it cannot compensate for thermal-induced expansion or motion
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors coupling efficiency and detects deviations caused by thermal-induced expansion or motion. When thermal stress causes misalignment, the optical sensor signals the control system to activate the actuator, which dynamically adjusts the condenser position to compensate for thermal effects and maintain optimal coupling.
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 system actively monitors and adjusts the coupling efficiency, ensuring consistent illumination by re-aligning the light beam, thereby maintaining optimal coupling efficiency and preventing losses during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter disposed between the fiber port and the condenser. The beam splitter may be configured to receive the light beam from the condenser and split the light beam into a first beam which is coupled to the optical fiber and a second beam which is coupled to a monitoring fiber
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor configured to detect an amount of the second beam output from the monitoring fiber
Implementation Method 3
a condenser that may couple at least a portion of the light beam into the optical fiber received at the fiber port
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic endo-illumination system includes a light source that produces a light beam, a fiber port that receives an optical fiber, a condenser that couples at least a portion of the light beam into the optical fiber received at the fiber port, and a beam splitter disposed between the fiber port and the condenser. The beam splitter is configured to receive the light beam from the condenser and split the light beam into a first beam which is coupled to the optical fiber and a second beam which is coupled to a monitoring fiber. An optical sensor is provided to detect an amount of the second beam output from the monitoring fiber. The coupling efficiency of the first beam coupled into the optical fiber may be determined based on the amount of the second beam output from the monitoring fiber.