Two-Part Surgical Waveguide for High-Power Laser Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fibers are not suitable for medical laser systems that use high power, long wavelength laser radiation, as they are not effective in guiding radiation with wavelengths greater than 2 microns, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in surgical applications.
Innovation Solution
A two-part conduit system comprising a flexible photonic crystal fiber as the proximal portion and a rigid or thermally robust waveguide as the distal portion, designed to efficiently guide high power laser radiation with wavelengths greater than 2 microns, allowing for flexible bending and precise control of the beam delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional optical fibers are used to guide laser radiation, then the waveguide is flexible and can be easily positioned, but it cannot effectively guide radiation with wavelengths greater than 2 microns
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is divided into two distinct segments: a proximal photonic crystal fiber portion for flexible positioning and a distal rigid waveguide portion for efficient long-wavelength radiation guidance. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and wavelength capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the waveguide are assigned different material properties and structural characteristics. The proximal portion uses photonic crystal fiber structure for flexibility, while the distal portion uses rigid waveguide structure for optimal long-wavelength transmission, allowing each local region to have the quality needed for its specific role.
2Reliability
If a rigid waveguide is used for the entire conduit, then long wavelength radiation can be guided effectively, but the conduit loses flexibility and cannot be easily positioned or bent
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into a flexible proximal portion and a rigid distal portion, allowing the system to兼具 both flexibility for positioning and rigidity for effective long-wavelength radiation guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion is designed with flexible photonic crystal fiber properties for ease of positioning, while the distal portion is designed with rigid waveguide properties for optimal radiation guidance, allowing each local region to exhibit the quality appropriate for its function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the entire conduit is made from the same material, then manufacturing is simpler, but thermal stress distribution is uneven and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is manufactured as two separate segments with different material properties optimized for their specific locations. The proximal photonic crystal fiber portion and distal rigid waveguide portion are manufactured independently and then coupled together, allowing each segment to be optimized for its thermal and mechanical requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit uses a composite structure combining photonic crystal fiber material in the proximal portion with rigid waveguide material in the distal portion. This composite approach allows each material to be used where its properties are most beneficial, improving overall thermal stress resistance while maintaining manufacturing practicality through separate fabrication and coupling.
4Device complexity
If a single-waveguide conduit is used, then the structure is simpler, but beam control and thermal management are less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The single-waveguide structure is segmented into two functional portions with different properties. The proximal photonic crystal fiber portion provides flexibility and initial beam guidance, while the distal rigid waveguide portion provides precise beam control and optimal thermal management for long-wavelength radiation delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the conduit are assigned different structural qualities: the proximal portion has flexible photonic crystal structure for adaptability, while the distal portion has rigid precision structure for optimal beam control and thermal management, allowing each local region to perform its function effectively.
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 two-part conduit system enables efficient delivery of high power laser radiation with improved beam control and reduced risk of overheating, ensuring reliable performance in surgical procedures by separating the flexible and rigid components to manage thermal stress and mechanical flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at λ through the core along the waveguide axis
Implementation Method 2
The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.