Right-Shifted Laser Pulse Shape for Medical Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser systems for medical treatments face challenges in controlling heat diffusion and tissue damage due to asymmetrical laser pulse shapes, particularly left-shifted pulses that result in high initial intensity spikes, leading to thermal damage and inefficient energy distribution during tissue ablation.
Innovation Solution
A laser system with a modulated pumping mechanism to generate right-shifted pulses, where the cumulative energy delivered in the first half of the pulse duration is less than 45% of the total energy, and the pulse intensity is kept low during the initial phase to prevent thermal damage and enhance treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional left-shifted laser pulses are used, then the laser intensity peak occurs early in the pulse, but this causes high initial intensity spikes that lead to thermal damage and inefficient energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional left-shifted pulse shape to create a right-shifted pulse shape where the intensity peak occurs at the end rather than the beginning. This is achieved by modulating the pump power with a specific temporal profile that delays the laser intensity maximum, thereby avoiding initial high intensity spikes that cause thermal damage while maintaining treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the laser pulse by controlling the pump power modulation. Specifically, the pump power is modulated to create a pulse shape where the intensity rises gradually and peaks at the end of the pulse duration, transforming the harmful parameter distribution (intensity over time) into a beneficial one that minimizes thermal damage
2Reliability
If pulsed lasers are used to limit heat diffusion, then energy loss is reduced and target selectivity is improved, but controlling the temporal pulse shape remains challenging due to fixed resonator quality and pumping characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the pump power during the laser pulse generation. Instead of using fixed pumping characteristics, the system dynamically modulates the pump power with a time-varying profile that matches the desired output pulse shape, enabling precise control over the temporal characteristics of the laser pulse
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a control unit that monitors and adjusts the pump power in real-time to achieve the desired right-shifted pulse shape. The control unit processes the required temporal profile and applies appropriate modulation to the pumping mechanism, creating a feedback-controlled system that ensures precise pulse shape delivery
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser intensity is kept low during the initial phase, then thermal damage is prevented, but the cumulative energy delivered in the first half of the pulse must be limited to less than 45% of total energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an asymmetrical energy distribution within the pulse by enforcing that less than 45% of the total cumulative energy is delivered in the first half of the pulse duration. This asymmetrical distribution ensures that the intensity remains low during the initial phase (preventing thermal damage) while concentrating more energy delivery toward the end of the pulse for effective treatment
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 right-shifted pulse design reduces thermal damage to deeper tissue layers, optimizes energy distribution, and improves the precision and efficiency of medical treatments by minimizing thermal effects and maximizing the intended treatment effect.
Implementation Method 1
the pumping means additionally comprises an optical pump light source such as a flash lamp or a diode, and the pulsed current from the current source flows through the optical pump light source that pumps the laser source in a pulsed manner
Implementation Method 2
lasers have been used to treat medical conditions for several decades. Because of their properties and the range of wavelengths available
Implementation Method 3
In order to limit the undesired heat diffusion into surrounding tissue, pulsed lasers with temporally limited laser pulses are typically used for tissue treatments
Data Source
AI summary
A laser system for medical treatment is disclosed which comprises a pump, wherein the laser system is adapted to be operated in pulsed operation so that at least one laser pulse of a temporally limited pulse duration (Tp) is generated. The generated laser pulse irradiates some part of the human or animal body so that a two-dimensional laser spot S is located on the top layer of the irradiated part of the human or animal body. The pump power of the pump of the laser system is modulated in such a way that the cumulative energy ES(Tp/2) which is delivered by said laser pulse to said laser spot S during the first half of the pulse duration is less than 45% of the energy ES(Tp) which is delivered by said laser pulse to said laser spot S during the entire pulse duration Tp.