Push-Pull Fiber Connector and Adapter for Laser Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in aligning multi-core fibers with multi-spot laser beam patterns, leading to decreased coupling efficiency and power uniformity due to misalignment, which can affect the performance of surgical laser systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a port adapter with a cylindrical barrel, tapered surface, clocking key, and tapered cam slot for quasi-helical guided rotation, along with a sleeve for high precision lateral alignment, ensures accurate alignment of optical fibers with surgical laser systems, facilitating efficient coupling and alignment in all six degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multi-core fibers are aligned with multi-spot laser beam patterns, then coupling efficiency and power uniformity are improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary alignment features (tapered surfaces, clocking keys, cam slots) on the optical fiber connector that pre-position the fiber cores relative to the laser beam spots before final coupling. This preliminary mechanical guidance ensures that when the fiber is inserted into the adapter, the cores are already in close proximity to the correct positions, reducing the final alignment error and improving coupling efficiency without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary alignment features (tapered barrel surfaces, clocking keys, cam slots) as mediators between the optical fiber connector and the adapter. These intermediary mechanical features facilitate the alignment process by providing physical guidance and constraint surfaces that guide the fiber into the correct position relative to the laser beam spots, thereby improving coupling efficiency while accommodating normal manufacturing variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment features are added to the connector and adapter, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the alignment function into multiple independent features: a tapered barrel for axial guidance, a clocking key for rotational alignment, and a cam slot for lateral positioning. Each feature handles a specific aspect of the six-degree-of-freedom alignment problem, allowing each component to be manufactured and assembled separately while collectively achieving high precision alignment without requiring an overly complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses alignment in all six degrees of freedom by introducing alignment features that operate in multiple dimensions: the tapered barrel addresses axial positioning, the clocking key addresses rotational positioning, and the cam slot addresses lateral positioning. By distributing alignment functions across different spatial dimensions and mechanical features, the patent achieves comprehensive alignment precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular functional decomposition.
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 provides improved coupling efficiency and power uniformity between laser beams transmitted through optical fibers, ensuring precise alignment and reducing misalignment issues, thereby enhancing the performance of surgical laser systems.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered surface disposed between the distal portion and the medial portion, the tapered surface configured to provide axial guidance during insertion of the optical fiber into the port adapter
Implementation Method 2
a clocking key disposed on an outer surface of the distal portion, the clocking key configured to facilitate quasi-helical guided rotation of the optical fiber during insertion into the port adaptor
Implementation Method 3
A sleeve is disposed within the medial portion of the barrel, the sleeve configured to provide a friction- and wear-resistant inner surface of the medial portion for high precision, lateral optical alignment of the fiber cores to the laser beam
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and devices for coupling optical fibers with laser surgical systems. In particular, certain aspects provide a push-pull connector and adapter for releasably coupling an optical fiber with a port of a laser surgical system. The connector and adapter facilitate mechanical lateral and rotational guidance of the optical fiber during insertion into the port to ensure proper alignment (e.g., clocking) of the optical fiber's cores with a laser beam pattern propagated by the laser surgical system. Accordingly, the connector and adaptor enable improved coupling efficiency between the laser beam pattern and one or more cores of the optical fiber, and therefore improved power uniformity between multiple laser beams transmitted through the cores.