Optical Diffusion Device with Angled Refraction for Tumor Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light diffusion devices lack flexibility in material selection and operability for efficiently irradiating light obliquely to tumor sites, particularly in organs like the intestine and esophagus, due to limitations in material configuration and angle of emitted light.
Innovation Solution
A light diffusion device comprising an optical transmission cable, a reflective member with a refractive surface, and a tubular member made of resin, where the refractive surface is inclined and spaced apart from the emission surface to emit light at a predetermined angle, allowing for biocompatible and cost-effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light is emitted in a fixed direction through a lens at the distal end of the optical transmission cable, then the light can be irradiated in a predetermined direction, but the device lacks flexibility in material selection and cannot efficiently irradiate light obliquely to tumor sites on organ side surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the optical transmission cable for light delivery, the reflective member with refractive surface for light redirection, and the tubular member for protection and positioning. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's material and geometry to achieve both flexibility and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive surface is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the optical axis, introducing angular dimensionality to the light emission. This allows light to be emitted not only along the cable axis but also at oblique angles, enabling efficient irradiation of tumor sites on organ side surfaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If the distal end of the optical transmission cable is covered with metal or quartz members to refract light, then light can be directed, but the device lacks biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive surface is designed with specific geometric parameters (inclination angle, curvature radius) that optimize light redirection while allowing the use of biocompatible materials like resin. The inclined plane geometry enables effective refraction without requiring expensive or less biocompatible materials such as metal or quartz.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines different materials with complementary properties: the tubular member is made of biocompatible resin, while the reflective member uses materials with appropriate optical properties. This composite approach achieves both biocompatibility and reliable light refraction performance.
3Device complexity
If the refractive surface is placed close to the emission surface, then the device structure is compact, but the light cannot be effectively emitted at oblique angles
Solution Approach 1:
By inclining the refractive surface at a predetermined angle, the device introduces angular separation between the optical axis and the light emission direction. This allows oblique light emission without significantly increasing the axial length of the device, maintaining structural compactness while enabling effective irradiation of side surface tumor sites.
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 device enables efficient irradiation of light in directions inclined to the axial direction of the optical transmission cable, offering enhanced biocompatibility, material flexibility, and improved operability for photoimmunotherapy and photodynamic therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective member having a refractive surface that refracts the light emitted from the emission surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical diffusion device for photoimmunotherapy or photodynamic therapy comprises: a light transmission cable which transmits light emitted from a laser oscillator and which outputs the transmitted light from an output surface of a tip end part; a reflection member which has a refraction surface that refracts light output from the output surface; and a resin tube-shaped member into which the light transmission cable and the reflection member are inserted. The refraction surface is disposed in the tube-shaped member at a position which is a prescribed distance from the output surface, is inclined with respect to the axial direction X of the light transmission cable, causes laser light output from the output surface to be inclined by a prescribed angle or greater with respect to the axial direction of the light transmission cable, and outputs the laser light.