Optical Fiber Slit Projection for Accurate Kidney Stone Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining kidney stone size during urological procedures are subjective and inaccurate, leading to challenges in selecting effective treatment methods.
Innovation Solution
A system using an optical fiber with a slit gate to project light onto the stone, forming lines for precise size determination based on the distance from the fiber tip and spacing between lines, aided by image processing algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective visual estimation is used to determine kidney stone size, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the measurement precision is poor leading to inaccurate size determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber with a slit gate as an intermediary tool between the ureteroscope and the kidney stone. The slit gate projects light to form lines on the stone surface, creating a measurable reference system that mediates between the visual field and the measurement objective, enabling precise size determination without complex external equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual estimation method with an optical measurement system. Instead of relying on subjective visual judgment, the system uses light projection through a slit gate to create measurable line patterns on the stone, substituting optical phenomena for mechanical estimation and achieving objective, precise measurements
2Reliability
If accurate kidney stone size measurement is implemented using optical methods, then treatment method selection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber with slit gate serves multiple functions: it provides illumination, creates measurement reference lines, and enables size determination. This multi-functionality integrates several capabilities into a single device component, improving treatment selection reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The slit gate is integrated within the optical fiber structure, which itself is part of the ureteroscope system. This nested arrangement places the measurement functionality within existing anatomical access pathways and device hierarchies, allowing accurate measurement capability without requiring separate complex external equipment
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
Accurately measures kidney stone size for informed treatment decisions, enhancing procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
directing light from the first optical module through the slit onto the stone to form a pair of lines
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed that includes an optical fiber including a first optical module and a gate. The gate can be capable of moving between closed and opened states to form a slit. At least one storage medium can be included having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to carry out a method including directing light from the first optical module through the slit onto the stone to form a pair of lines with a spacing between the pair of lines; and determining a size of the stone, based on a distance from a distal tip of the optical fiber and the spacing between the pair of lines.