Rotating Optical Switch for Surgical Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical switching technologies, such as beam splitters, shuttles, and liquid crystal shutters, face inefficiencies in light transmission and heat generation, leading to light loss and potential burns in medical applications, with liquid crystal shutters having limited light transmission and finite lifetimes due to impurity ion migration.
Innovation Solution
An optical switch with a rotatable light pathway system, featuring a base plate, light pathway plate, and housing with rotational coupling and detents, allowing selective light path formation between inputs and outputs, and an optional rotatable mask for precise control of light communication paths, enabling efficient light routing and blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical shutter mechanism is used to block light, then light transmission control is achieved, but light is lost and converted to heat causing potential burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-blocking function from a mechanical shutter and relocates it to a beam splitter component. The beam splitter separates the light path, directing light away from unwanted paths without mechanical movement, thereby eliminating heat generation from absorbed light while maintaining precise light control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an optical beam splitting system. Instead of using a moving mechanical blade to block light, the invention uses a beam splitter to optically divide and redirect light paths, eliminating mechanical wear and heat generation while maintaining light control functionality.
2Speed
If a twisted-nematic liquid crystal shutter is used, then low operating voltage and high switching speed are achieved, but light transmission is limited and device lifetime is finite due to impurity ion migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid-state beam splitter components that have no moving parts and are not subject to degradation from ion migration. These passive optical components maintain stable performance over extended periods, providing a reliable alternative to liquid crystal shutters that suffer from finite lifetimes due to material degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is used for light switching, then light can be directed to multiple outputs, but light loss occurs at junctions due to geometry differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the beam splitter design with locally adapted optical surfaces and anti-reflective coatings at each junction point. By tailoring the optical properties at specific locations where light paths diverge, the system minimizes reflection losses and maximizes light transmission to multiple outputs while maintaining geometric compatibility.
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 optical switch achieves efficient light routing with minimal light loss and heat generation, providing precise control over light paths and preventing light transmission when needed, thus enhancing operational safety and extending device lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
A beam splitter in its most common form is a cube made from two triangular glass prisms, which are glued together at their base using Canada balsam. The thickness of the resin layer is adjusted such that for a certain wavelength half of the light incident through one 'port' i.e. face of the cube is reflected and the other half is transmitted due to frustrated total internal reflection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical switch (10) includes a light input (12a), a plurality of light outputs (12b) and at least one light pathway movable from a first position where a light communication path is formed between a light input (14a) and a first light output (14b) and a second position where a light communication path is formed between the light input and a plurality of light outputs. Multiple light pathways are configured within the switch and selectable by rotation of a switch housing part enabling sequential selection of light communication paths. The switch can be used on a surgical device to control illumination of the surgical field during a procedure.