Smart Light Isolator for Endoscope Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
During endoscopic surgical procedures, the disconnection of an endoscope from the light guide can lead to high-intensity light exposure in the surgical room, causing thermal and over-illumination hazards when the light guide is unplugged.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a first light source for illumination and a separate safety light source, controlled by a computing device to deactivate or reduce the illumination light when the light guide is disconnected from the endoscope, using optical fibers to sense connection status and manage light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light guide is disconnected from the endoscope, then the illumination light can be supplied to the surgical site, but thermal and over-illumination hazards occur in the surgical room
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a feedback mechanism where the computing device continuously monitors the connection status of the light guide to the endoscope and automatically adjusts the illumination light output accordingly. When disconnection is detected, the system reduces or turns off the illumination light to prevent thermal and over-illumination hazards in the surgical room.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation by automatically detecting the connection status of the light guide and adjusting the illumination light output without requiring external intervention. The computing device independently manages the light output based on real-time connection status.
2Reliability
If the light guide is connected to the endoscope, then the illumination light can be supplied safely, but the system complexity increases due to additional safety light sources and monitoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device performs multiple functions: it controls the illumination light output, monitors the connection status of the light guide, and adjusts the light output based on connection status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the light source and the surgical site, coordinating the illumination light output with the connection status monitoring. It mediates the interaction between these components to ensure safe operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the illumination light is reduced or turned off when disconnected, then thermal and over-illumination hazards are prevented, but the productivity of the surgical instrument decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback to ensure that the illumination light is only reduced or turned off when actual disconnection is detected. This prevents unnecessary reduction of productivity while maintaining safety by responding only to genuine connection status changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination light output based on real-time connection status. The light output transitions between full intensity and reduced/turned off states according to the actual connection condition, optimizing both safety and productivity.
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
Prevents thermal and over-illumination hazards by ensuring the light output is reduced or turned off when the light guide is disconnected from the endoscope, enhancing safety in surgical environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical switch configured to receive the safety light and supply the safety light back to the light port via the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a first light source of a surgical instrument includes selectively supplying from the first light source, illumination light to the surgical instrument via a light guide, supplying, from a light source-side of the light guide and separate from the illumination light, a safety light via the light guide, determining, at a computing device, whether the safety light is received at the light source-side of the light guide from an instrument-side of the light guide, and, in response to the determining, controlling the first light source to selectively deactivate or reduce an intensity of the illumination light.