Optical Probe Fiber Breakage Detection via Wavelength Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical probes used in medical and industrial applications face challenges in detecting fiber breakage, which can lead to unintended light leakage and damage to healthy tissues, especially when used in small-diameter tubes or blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe design that incorporates an optical fiber with a reflecting portion and a bending structure at the distal end, utilizing a multiplexer to combine cauterizing and monitor light, allowing for the detection of fiber breakage by monitoring the reflected light, thereby ensuring the desired intensity and direction of the laser beam are maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical fiber is inserted inside a catheter for lateral irradiation, then the ability to cauterize blood vessel walls laterally is improved, but the ability to detect fiber breakage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into multiple functional sections: a monitoring light input section, a cauterizing light input section, a wavelength separation section, and a distal end section with lateral irradiation capability. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section for its specific function while enabling breakage detection in the monitoring section without compromising lateral irradiation in the distal end section.
Solution Approach 2:
A wavelength separation section acts as an intermediary between the light sources and the distal end, separating monitoring light from cauterizing light. This intermediary enables the monitoring light to travel through the fiber and be reflected back for breakage detection, while the cauterizing light is directed laterally at the treatment site, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and lateral irradiation function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bending structure is added to change laser beam direction, then lateral irradiation is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end section of the optical fiber is bent into a curved configuration to enable lateral irradiation of the laser beam onto blood vessel walls. This curvature allows the fiber to deliver light laterally without requiring additional mirrors or prisms, achieving directional control through the fiber's own geometry and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber itself serves as a flexible light-guiding structure that can be bent and shaped to achieve the desired beam direction. This flexible light guide eliminates the need for rigid optical components and complex mounting structures, simplifying the device while maintaining lateral irradiation capability.
3Reliability
If monitoring light is introduced to detect breakage, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides cauterizing light to the treatment site, guides monitoring light for breakage detection, and provides lateral irradiation capability through its bent configuration. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating different light paths within a single fiber structure, eliminating the need for separate detection and treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring light path and cauterizing light path are merged within the same optical fiber structure, with the wavelength separation section enabling both functions to coexist. The reflecting portion at the distal end reflects monitoring light back through the fiber for detection, while cauterizing light is directed laterally. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device configuration.
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
Enables effective detection of optical fiber breakage, preventing light leakage and ensuring the desired intensity and direction of the laser beam, thus enhancing safety and efficacy in medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting portion that is provided on the optical fiber, transmits a laser beam of a first wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths and reflects light of a second wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a traveling direction changing portion that is provided on a distal end side of the optical fiber and changes a traveling direction of the laser beam of the first wavelength that has transmitted through the reflecting portion to a direction different from a traveling direction before transmitting through the reflecting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe includes: an optical fiber; a reflecting portion; and a traveling direction changing portion changing a traveling direction of a laser beam of a first wavelength that has transmitted through the reflecting portion to a direction different from a traveling direction before transmitting through the reflecting portion. Further, the traveling direction changing portion is configured by a bending structure having a structure in which a portion on a distal end side of the optical fiber is bent, and the reflecting portion is provided closer to a proximal end side of the optical fiber than the bending structure.