Optical Spectroscopy Probe Assembly With Reusable Tip Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probes for tissue analysis are time-consuming and expensive to manufacture, and conventional histopathology methods are labor-intensive and dependent on pathologist expertise.
Innovation Solution
A probe design with a reusable body portion and disposable tip portion, where waveguides are randomly mounted in equal angular spacing, allowing for simplified alignment during manufacturing, reducing time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If waveguides are mounted with precise alignment requirements in known probes, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion is designed with multiple mounting positions arranged in equal angular spacing around the axis, creating equivalent alignment conditions for each waveguide position. This allows any waveguide to be mounted in any position without compromising alignment accuracy, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational asymmetry in the mounting portion design, where the equal angular spacing of mounting positions around the axis creates a configuration that is asymmetric in orientation but symmetric in functional equivalence. This allows the tip portion to be rotated to different orientations while maintaining proper alignment with the body portion.
2Strength
If the entire probe is manufactured as a single unit, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into two separate portions: a body portion and a tip portion. The body portion contains the mounting portion with waveguides arranged in equal angular spacing, while the tip portion can be manufactured separately and then coupled to the body portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective tissue analysis by enabling quick assembly and disassembly of the probe components, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion mounting portion positions the free ends of the first waveguides in an equal angular spacing around the axis of the body; the tip portion mounting portion positions the free ends of the second waveguides in the same equal angular spacing around the axis of the tip portion
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A probe (10) comprising a body portion (70) and a tip portion (80). The body portion comprises: a first mounting portion (72) comprising a plurality of first carriers supporting elongate first waveguides, and disposed in an equiangular arrangement around a longitudinal axis (A) of the body portion; a body end fitting (74) at which first ends of the first waveguides are supported such that the first waveguides can transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from an energy source to the body end fitting and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from the body end fitting to a receiver. The tip portion comprises: a second mounting portion (82) comprising a plurality of second carriers supporting elongate second waveguides, the second carriers being disposed in the equiangular arrangement around a longitudinal axis of the tip portion; and a tip end fitting (88) at which first ends of the second waveguides are supported in the equiangular arrangement around the longitudinal axis of the tip portion; and an elongate conduit (12) for piercing human tissue.