Side Fire Optical Fiber Tip for High Power Laser Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser treatment systems for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) face challenges with high power laser beam transmission, reliability of the optical fiber tip, and manufacturing complexity, particularly in handling high power applications above 50 Watts, which can lead to adverse complications and limited suitability across all patient groups.
Innovation Solution
A side fire optical fiber tip with a preselected cladding to core diameter ratio of at least 1.2, a pure silica capillary tube fusion to minimize thermal mismatch and Fresnel reflection losses, and a heat-treated surface for enhanced durability, allowing for efficient high power laser energy transmission in medical treatments like BPH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional optical fiber tips are used for high power laser transmission (above 50 Watts), then laser energy can be delivered to the treatment site, but the fiber tip reliability deteriorates and damage threshold is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the optical fiber tip by using pure silica material instead of conventional materials, increasing the damage threshold to withstand high power laser transmission above 50 Watts while maintaining reliability. The pure silica composition raises the melting point and thermal conductivity parameters, enabling safe operation at higher power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of pure silica capillary tube fused to the optical fiber core. This composite material approach combines the high strength and thermal stability of pure silica with the optical transmission properties of the fiber core, creating a tip that can handle high power lasers while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
2Power
If conventional optical fiber tips are used for high power laser transmission, then laser energy delivery is possible, but adverse complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameters to pure silica, the patent raises the damage threshold and thermal stability, preventing fiber tip failure during high power laser transmission. This eliminates the harmful effect of fiber degradation and associated complications while maintaining effective power delivery to the treatment site.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing laser treatment systems are used for certain patient groups, then treatment can be provided, but suitability is limited across all patient groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power transmission capability parameter by using pure silica fiber tips that can safely handle higher laser powers. This enables the treatment system to be adapted to a wider range of patient groups and clinical scenarios while maintaining treatment reliability through the enhanced damage threshold and reduced complication rates.
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 increased damage threshold and reliability of the optical fiber tip, enabling effective high power laser beam transmission with reduced complications and improved durability, suitable for a wide range of patient groups, including those previously unsuitable for existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a pure silica capillary tube fusion to minimize thermal mismatch and Fresnel reflection losses
Implementation Method 2
a pure silica capillary tube fusion to minimize thermal mismatch and Fresnel reflection losses
Implementation Method 3
a heat-treated surface for enhanced durability
Implementation Method 4
transmission of high power laser energy over an optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A side fire optical fiber tip is provided for use in high power laser applications having outputs of greater than or equal to 50 Watts. A predetermined length of an output tip on the distal end of the optical fiber is formed with an optical fiber core and cladding layer of preselected thickness wherein the cladding to core diameter ratio is at least as great as 1.2. A side fire surface is formed on the distal end of the core/clad output end. Over this optical fiber output end, a pure silica capillary tube is fused to the predetermined length of exposed cladding where the outermost cladding is also pure silica to reduce thermal mismatch during the fusion process. By having the refractive index at the fusing interface matched, and bubbles or gaps eliminated or prevented, it is possible to substantially eliminate Fresnel reflection losses at this interface.