Surgical Light Waveguide with Distributed Extraction to Limit Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated surgical instruments face issues with thermal damage due to high energy density, which can cause burns, melt surgical drapes, and obstruct light output, while increasing the device profile to manage heat can compromise surgical access.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical waveguides with a large light extraction area, controlled energy density, and low profile design, featuring tapered or conical tapers and surface features like lenslets and prisms to distribute light uniformly across a larger surface area, minimizing thermal buildup and maintaining visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high intensity light is delivered through a fiber bundle to illuminate the surgical field, then illumination intensity is improved, but thermal damage to patient and equipment worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the concentrated light output into multiple discrete light-emitting points along the fiber bundle surface. By creating numerous small emission zones rather than one large concentrated output, the energy is distributed across a larger surface area, reducing energy density and preventing thermal damage to patient tissues and surgical drapes while maintaining overall illumination intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a point-source or line-source light output to a distributed surface emission pattern. By activating individual fiber segments along the length and circumference of the fiber bundle, the light is emitted across a two-dimensional surface area rather than concentrating energy in a single point or narrow line, thereby reducing energy density and thermal effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light extraction area is increased to reduce energy density, then thermal damage is reduced, but device profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively activating specific segments of the fiber bundle based on the surgical requirements. Different portions of the fiber bundle can be independently controlled, allowing light to be emitted from specific locations and at specific intensities. This enables the device to maintain a compact profile while providing distributed light extraction only where needed, reducing energy density without increasing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of light emission by independently activating different fiber segments in real-time. The illumination pattern can be dynamically adjusted during surgery to match the surgical field requirements, enabling the device to concentrate light where needed while keeping other areas dark, thus maintaining a small profile while achieving effective distributed illumination and heat management.
3Illumination intensity
If light is blocked by obstructing materials such as blood or drapes, then illumination is reduced, but thermal buildup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the surgical field conditions and adjust the illumination pattern accordingly. When obstruction is detected (such as blood or drape covering the surgical site), the system responds by activating additional fiber segments or adjusting light intensity in real-time, maintaining effective illumination while distributing thermal load across multiple emission points to prevent overheating of obstructing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively distributing light across multiple fiber segments before thermal damage can occur. Instead of concentrating all light output in a single location that might be blocked, the system preemptively divides the illumination across many small emission points, ensuring that even if some areas are obstructed, the distributed energy pattern prevents thermal buildup on any single obstructing material surface.
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
This design effectively reduces thermal damage to instruments and patients, maintains illumination without obstructing the surgical field, and ensures uniform light distribution, preventing overheating and maintaining surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitting section transmits light therethrough, preferably by total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
the light extraction area is large enough to maintain the energy density at a level that prevents melting or other damage of the illumination element or burning of the patient or operator
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination element has a light input section, a light transmitting section, and a light output section. The light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section and inputs light into the illumination element. The light transmitting section transmits the light by total internal reflection or by other transmission means. The light output section is adjacent a distal section of the light transmitting section which has a light extraction area from which the light exits with an energy density. The light extraction area comprises a bore extending at least partially inward into a distal end of the light output section. A plurality of optical structures is disposed on an inner wall of the bore. The optical structures are configured to extract light from the light output section and direct it toward the surgical field.