Piezoelectric Fiber Scanner Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning devices are limited by large size, suboptimal image quality, sensitivity to environmental changes, and inefficiencies in duty cycle and frame rates, making them less suitable for compact, high-resolution applications, especially in medical and narrow-space scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A scanning apparatus utilizing a piezoelectric actuator that self-senses its displacement to adapt drive signals, allowing for precise control of optical fibers without external sensors, and employs adaptive control configurations to maintain performance across varying conditions and manufacturing variances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fiber scanner is used to deliver laser energy to the treatment site, then the laser can be focused to a small spot size for precise treatment, but the scanner introduces mechanical complexity and potential positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fiber scanner from the system entirely, extracting the problematic mechanical component while preserving the laser delivery function through direct optical coupling to the catheter tip
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the treatment delivery mechanism and the optical waveguide, eliminating the need for separate scanning components while maintaining treatment precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fiber scanner is used to position the laser, then the laser can be directed to different locations, but mechanical wear and positioning drift occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber scanner is completely removed from the system, eliminating the source of mechanical wear and positioning drift while maintaining laser delivery capability through the catheter's integrated optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip itself serves as the optical delivery mechanism, requiring no external scanning components or complex positioning mechanisms, thereby eliminating mechanical wear and drift issues
3Measurement precision
If piezoelectric materials are used for sensing, then mechanical strain can be detected with high precision, but the sensing system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric sensing elements are integrated directly into the catheter structure, merging the sensing function with the existing mechanical components rather than adding separate sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter structure serves dual purposes: it is both the treatment delivery mechanism and the sensing element, with piezoelectric materials embedded to detect mechanical strain directly at the treatment site
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 solution enables compact, high-resolution scanning with improved accuracy and flexibility, reduced size and cost, and increased frame rates, while maintaining image quality across diverse environments and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing elements are piezoelectric in nature and sense mechanical strain in the catheter
Implementation Method 2
A laser is optically coupled to a catheter so that the laser delivers optical energy directly to a treatment site at the catheter tip
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Improved systems, methods, and devices relating to optical fiber scanners are provided. In one aspect, a scanning apparatus includes an optical fiber and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the optical fiber to deflect a distal end of the optical fiber in a scanning pattern. The apparatus can include drive circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric actuator, sense circuitry electrically coupled to the piezoelectric actuator and the drive circuitry to determine displacement of the piezoelectric actuator, and a processor coupled to the drive circuitry and the sense circuitry to drive the piezoelectric actuator in response to the displacement.