Protective Screen Shields Laser Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of tissue debris on external optical elements in laser systems for medical and cosmetic applications leads to reduced transmission and potential damage, affecting the safety and efficacy of treatments, especially with pulsed lasers.
Innovation Solution
A laser system equipped with a mechanical filter in the form of a protective screen that shields the external optical element from ejected particles, using electrically conducting structural elements to attract and burn off debris, maintaining constant optical transmission and preventing thermal overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no protective screen is used, then the optical system has simpler structure and lower cost, but the external optical element becomes polluted with tissue debris leading to reduced transmission and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A protective screen is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser beam and the external optical element. The screen captures tissue debris before it reaches the optical element, maintaining optical transmission stability while allowing the optical system to maintain its原有 structure
Solution Approach 2:
The protective screen is designed with a grid structure consisting of multiple structural elements arranged in a pattern. This segmentation allows the screen to effectively capture debris while maintaining sufficient laser beam transmission through the gaps between structural elements
2Reliability
If a protective screen is added, then optical transmission is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen serves as a mediator that protects the external optical element from tissue debris. By placing the screen in the optical path before the optical element, it captures debris that would otherwise contaminate and damage the optical element, ensuring reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The protective screen is designed to be self-cleaning through the laser beam itself. The high-intensity laser beam continuously ablates any debris that accumulates on the screen surface, maintaining its protective function without requiring manual intervention or additional cleaning mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective screen has high structural density to block particles, then particle shielding is improved, but laser beam transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen exhibits different properties in different regions: the structural elements provide high density for particle blocking, while the gaps between structural elements allow laser beam transmission. This local differentiation of density allows simultaneous achievement of particle shielding and energy transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The protective screen can be constructed from materials with high thermal damage thresholds such as metals or ceramics, which can withstand both the mechanical impact of debris and the thermal load of the laser beam. The composite structure of structural elements and gaps creates a material system that simultaneously blocks particles and transmits energy
4Reliability
If the protective screen is placed close to the optical element, then protection is more effective, but the risk of thermal damage to the screen increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen is designed with high thermal damage threshold materials and appropriate geometric parameters (structural element thickness, spacing, and pattern) that allow it to withstand the thermal load generated by laser beam absorption. The screen parameters are optimized to balance protection effectiveness with thermal management
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 protective screen ensures consistent and high optical transmission, preventing debris accumulation and thermal damage, while allowing for adjustable illumination patterns to optimize treatment energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
Particles that have collected in or on the protective screen are burned off continuously by the incoming laser light
Implementation Method 2
Particles that have collected in or on the protective screen are burned off continuously by the incoming laser light
Implementation Method 3
the effect is utilized that the particles ejected by the laser beam are electrically charged or even ionized by interaction with the impinging laser beam. At least a significant portion of the ejected particles therefore is exposed by the electric potential of the protective screen to sufficiently high electrostatic attractive forces
Implementation Method 4
the particles ejected by the laser beam are electrically charged or even ionized by interaction with the impinging laser beam
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention concerns a laser system (1) for medical and cosmetic applications. The laser system (1) comprises an optical delivery system (2) for guiding a laser beam (3) to a target surface (4). The optical delivery system (2) has an external optical element (5) facing toward the target surface (4). A mechanical filter in the form of a protective screen (6) is arranged at the exit side of the external optical element (5) for shielding the external optical element (5) from particles (7) ejected by the laser beam (3).