Optical Fiber Probe Coating for Chemical Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fiber probes used in medical treatments face challenges in chemical and heat resistance, and preventing external substances from entering the probe, especially when used in human bodies, with existing solutions like cover glass being difficult to apply at the micron scale.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber probe design featuring a side surface divergence part that diverges light to the side surface, a spherical distal end divergence part, and a coating layer with specific refractive indices to enhance chemical and heat resistance, along with a manufacturing method that includes processing a concavely curved side surface divergence part and a spherical distal end divergence part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cover glass is used to finish the end of the optical fiber probe, then chemical reaction in the human body is restrained, but it is difficult to apply to optical fiber probe of μm unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidapplicability to μm unit probe

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a coating layer (flexible shell) on the optical fiber probe surface instead of using rigid cover glass. This coating layer provides chemical resistance and protection while being compatible with μm-scale probes, resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and scalability to small dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface parameters of the optical fiber probe by applying a coating layer with specific refractive index and thickness characteristics. This changes the optical and chemical properties of the probe surface, enabling chemical resistance without requiring cover glass structure that cannot be applied to μm-scale probes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the optical fiber probe is inserted into the human body for optical treatment, then lesion tissues can be treated, but chemical reactions causing fire or oxidation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to treat lesion tissuesVSAvoidchemical reaction, fire, oxidation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer acts as an intermediary between the optical fiber probe and the human body environment. It prevents direct contact between the probe and bodily fluids/tissues, thereby preventing chemical reactions, oxidation, and fire hazards while allowing the probe to perform its optical treatment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer provides a protective barrier that can be applied to disposable or single-use optical fiber probes, ensuring safety during medical procedures by preventing harmful chemical reactions without requiring complex reusable protective mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the coating layer seals the cladding and diffusion layer, then chemical and heat resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical and heat resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single coating layer: chemical resistance, heat resistance, and sealing of the cladding and diffusion layer. This integration reduces the number of separate components and manufacturing steps compared to using multiple separate protective layers or assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively improves chemical and heat-resistant characteristics while preventing external substances from entering the probe, ensuring uniform light emission and biological safety during medical treatments.

Implementation Method 1

a core, to which incident light is guided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the refractive index of the diffusion layer is higher than the refractive index of the core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10509171B2Optical treatment optical fiber probe and manufacturing method therefor

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 TAIHAN FIBEROPTICS

AI summary

Disclosed is an optical fiber probe for an optical treatment including a core, to which incident light is guided, a cladding disposed to surround the core, a side surface divergence part connected to the core and configured to diverge the incident light guided to the core to a side surface of a cylindrical column, a diffusion layer disposed to surround the side surface divergence part, a distal end divergence part connected to the side surface divergence part, having a cylindrical shape, and configured to diverge the incident light guided to the side surface divergence part to the outside, and a coating layer disposed to surround the cladding and the diffusion layer and configured to seal the cladding and the diffusion layer, wherein the refractive index of the cladding is lower than the refractive index of the core, the refractive index of the diffusion layer is higher than the refractive index of the core, and the refractive index of the coating layer is higher than the refractive indices of the cladding and the diffusion layer.