Patent Publication Number: US-2020292396-A1

Title: Temperature indicator for fiber connectors and methods regarding same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/818,197, filed Mar. 14, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to medical/surgical laser systems, and more particularly, to methods and tools for notifying a user that a portion of the system has an elevated temperature. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Medical laser systems are used for a variety of surgical procedures. These procedures may include dusting and/or fragmentation of stones in the kidney, the bladder, and/or the ureter. Medical laser systems are also used to create incisions and to ablate and/or coagulate soft tissues, such as, but not limited to, the prostate. 
     Medical laser systems generally include a laser generating module connected to an output fiber using a connector. The laser fibers transfer high energy light beams from the laser generating apparatus to patient treatment sites. The high energy of the light beams can leak out from the fiber into the connector and a temperature of the connector can increase over the duration of the fiber use. In some cases, the temperature of the connector increases enough that the connector can burn a user if contacted by the user. The present disclosure may solve the problem set forth above, and/or other problems in the art. The scope of the disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims and not the ability to solve a specific problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect, a medical laser fiber configured to receive laser light and configured to output the laser light to a location determined by a user comprises: a connector at a first end, and a laser output at a second end, and an indicator located on the connector, the indicator configured to visually change when a temperature of the connector is above a temperature threshold. 
     According to another aspect, a method for determining a temperature of a medical laser fiber of a medical laser system comprises: delivering a laser light through a connector of the medical laser fiber; and determining, in response to a visual change of an indicator on the connector, a temperature of the connector is greater than an elevated temperature threshold. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a medical laser system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an output fiber according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an output fiber connector according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  if a perspective view of an output fiber connector according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% in a stated value or characteristic. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a medical laser system  1 . Medical laser system  1  includes a medical laser console  5  having one or more cavities  10  (e.g., cavities  10   a - d ) (e.g., laser resonators), each cavity capable of outputting an output laser beam (or laser light). The output laser beam from cavities  10   a - d  is directed to a corresponding relay mirror  20  (e.g., relay mirrors  20   a - d ). For ease of reference, reference will be made to a single cavity  10   a  and a single relay mirror  20   a.  For example, the output laser beam is output from cavity  10   a  to relay mirror  20   a.  Each output laser beam is reflected from relay mirror  20   a  to a Galvo mirror  30 . For example, an output laser beam is reflected from relay mirror  20   a  to Galvo mirror  30 . Galvo mirror  30  reflects each output laser beam along a same optical path to a beam splitter  40 . A shutter  50  selectively outputs each output laser beam from beam splitter  40  to a beam combiner  60 . Beam combiner  60  combines the output laser beams from cavity  10  with an aiming beam from an aiming beam source  65 , and passes the combined output laser beam to a coupling lens  70 . The aiming beam may be a relatively low power light beam in the visual spectrum that enables an operator to visualize where the output beam from cavity  10  will be fired. Coupling lens  70  couples the output laser beam and matches the output laser beam to an output fiber  90 , which is connected to medical laser console  5  by a connector  80 , to be transmitted to a delivery location. It is understood that laser console  5  may include any additional or alternative laser generating components known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , connector  80  may be fixed to output fiber  90  in any conventional manner including, but not limited to, laser welding and/or adhesive connections. Connector  80  may also be removably connected to medical laser console  5 . For example, connector  80  may include screw threads (not shown) and may be attached to an aperture  15  having corresponding threads on medical laser console  5 . Connector  80  is not limited to this connection mechanism and may include any other conventional connection mechanism, e.g., by a snap fit connection to a corresponding aperture on medical laser console  5 . Additionally or alternatively, connector  80  could be fixed to medical laser console  5  by, e.g., adhesive, welding, or any attachment now known or later developed. 
     According to an embodiment, a user may apply a laser energy to one or more locations on or in a patient&#39;s body with the aid of output fiber  90 . Generally, the user may grasp output fiber  90  and maneuver output fiber  90  inside or outside the body to place a distal tip of output fiber  90  at a location for applying laser light energy. Manipulating output fiber  90  may include contacting connector  80 . For example, a user may accidentally contact connector  80  when reaching for and/or when maneuvering output fiber  90 . Alternatively or additionally, the user may manipulate connector  80  to attach and/or detach output fiber  90  from medical laser console  5 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , output fiber  90  may include of a glass fiber  100  which may transmit light from medical laser console  5  to the desired output location from a distal end of the output fiber  90  and connector  80  which may connect output fiber  90  to medical laser console  5 . According to the disclosure, connector  80  may be formed of a metal or a metal alloy, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. It will be understood, however, that connector  80  is not limited to metal and may be any now known or later developed substance suitable for connecting output fiber  90  to medical laser console  5  including, but not limited to, a resin or plastic rated for high temperature use or a ceramic. Similarly, glass fiber  100  is not limited to glass, and may be any conventional material for transmitting laser energy from medical laser console  5  to an output location. 
     In some embodiments, output fiber  90  may leak light energy to connector  80  because, e.g., output fiber  90  may not be completely efficient. Light energy that leaks into connector  80  may heat connector  80  and cause connector  80  to become hot (a temperature above ambient temperature). For example, prior to using laser medical system  1 , connector  80  may be at an ambient, or room, temperature. When laser medical system  1  is activated and laser energy passes from cavity  10  through medical laser console  5  to output fiber  90 , light energy may escape from output fiber  90  into connector  80 . As light energy escapes output fiber  90  into connector  80 , the temperature of connector  80  may increase above the ambient temperature. For example, the temperature of connector  80  may increase from an ambient temperature to a temperature that can injure a user, including burning, causing a user pain, and/or other bodily injury. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an example of connector  80  according to the disclosure is illustrated. Connector  80  has a generally cylindrical shape with a smooth outer surface at a proximal end  80   a,  adjacent the medical laser console  5 , and a distal end  80   b  having two textured gripping portions  85 . A ring-shaped member  86  having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of proximal end  80   a  may be provided between gripping portions  85 . Ring-shaped member  86  and gripping portions  85  may aid a user in manipulating connector  80 , such as providing the user with an area to grip when connecting connector  80  to medical laser console  5 . It will be understood that the shape and outer surface of connector  80  are not limited to this configuration. For example, in some embodiments, proximal end  80   a  may have protrusions and a ring-shaped member while distal end  80   b  may have a smooth outer surface. Additionally or alternatively, the entire outer surface of connector  80  may be smooth; the entire outer surface of connector  80  may include textured gripping portions; and/or the outer surface of connector  80  may include one or more ridges to facilitate gripping of connector  80 . It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the shape and outer surface of connector  80  may be any shape and/or surface finish sufficient to allow a user to manipulate connector  80  and to connect connector  80  to medical laser console  5 . 
     With renewed reference to  FIG. 3 , connector  80  may include an indicator  102  provided around proximal end  80   a.  According to an example, indicator  102  is a visual indicator for a user which indicates when connector  80  has reached a certain temperature. For example, indicator  102  may include a first inner radial layer (e.g., colored tape)  105  provided around a periphery of connector  80  and a second outer radial layer (e.g., chromatic layer)  110  provided on top of at least part of first layer  105 . First layer  105  may be disposed partially or completely beneath second layer  110 . According to the disclosure, second layer  110  may be opaque when second layer  110  is below a temperature threshold, such that a user is unable to view first layer  105 . As a temperature of second layer  110  increases to and above a temperature threshold, second layer  110  may become semi-transparent and/or completely transparent. That is, second layer  110  may be formed of a chromatic material that changes from opaque to translucent as a temperature of the chromatic material increases. The chromatic material can be used as an ink or pigment mixed with resin which can either be stamped, brushed, or sprayed as second outer radial layer  110 . As discussed herein, the activation temperature of this chromatic material can range from, e.g., approximately 40° C. to approximately 60° C. to avoid user injury. A wide range of materials, including organic and inorganic materials (e.g., inorganic polymers), may be used for the chromatic material. As second layer  110  becomes transparent, a user may view first layer  105  through second layer  110 , which may indicate that connector  80  is above a temperature threshold and should not be touched. For example, first layer  105  may be a colored tape, e.g., a red tape, and may signify that a user should not touch connector  80  for safety reasons. It will be understood that first layer  105  may be a paint, ink, or other marking mechanism applied directly to a surface of connector  80 . 
     Connector  80  may be formed of a material that is generally thermally conductive, such that connector  80  is approximately a same temperature across its surface. As connector  80  heats up from an ambient temperature to a temperature above a temperature threshold, second layer  110  heats up at approximately the same rate and has approximately a same temperature as connector  80 . According to an embodiment, a temperature threshold may be approximately 40° C. to approximately 70° C., more particularly 60° C. According to an embodiment, the temperature threshold may be equal to or greater than 40°. The temperature threshold may be a temperature at which a user feels discomfort and/or causes injury to a user, such as burning a user&#39;s skin when the user contacts connector  80 . When connector  80  and second layer  110  reach the temperature threshold, second layer  110  may gradually transition from opaque to semi-transparent and/or completely transparent, thereby informing a user when connector  80  is above the temperature threshold. 
     Indicator  102  is not limited to a colored tape. For example, first layer  105  may include a word, a phrase, a picture, an emoji, and/or any other graphic to indicate connector  80  is above a temperature threshold. For example, first layer  105  may display the word HOT and, when the temperature of connector  80  and second layer  110  are above a temperature threshold, second layer  110  may become semi-transparent and/or transparent and a user may view the word HOT through the second layer  110 . In this manner, a user may become readily aware that connector  80  is too hot to handle and can avoid connector  80 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, second layer  110  may gradually transition from being semi-transparent or transparent to opaque as the temperature of second layer  110  decreases below the temperature threshold. For example, second layer  110  may become semi-transparent of transparent when connector  80  is heated to a temperature above the temperature threshold during a patient treatment using medical laser system  1 . After treating a patient using medical laser system  1 , medical laser system  1  may be shut down and/or laser energy may stop flowing to fiber  90  through connector  80 . Connector  80  may begin to cool to an ambient temperature, which may be below the temperature threshold. As connector  80  cools below the temperature threshold, second layer  110  may transition from semi-transparent or transparent to opaque and may block a user&#39;s view of first layer  105 . Thus, a user may understand that when first layer  105  is no longer visible, it may be safe to contact connector  80 . This may allow a user to disconnect fiber  90  from medical laser console  5  without fear of being injured by a hot connector  80 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which depicts another aspect of the disclosure. Indicator  104  according to an embodiment may include a first portion  115  which is chromatic and a second portion  120  which is non-chromatic. If indicator  104  is below a temperature threshold, indicator  104  may be a first color, pattern, design, etc. In response to connector  80  and, thus, indicator  104  being heated above a temperature threshold, first portion  115  may change color, thereby changing a color, pattern, design, etc. of indicator  104 . For example, indicator  104  may be a white color below the temperature threshold. As laser energy passes from medical laser console  5  to fiber  90  through connector  80 , the temperature of connector  80  and indicator  104  may increase above the temperature threshold. As indicator increases above the temperature threshold, first portion  115  may change from a white color to a red color while second portion  120  may remain a white color. First portion  115  and second portion  120  may be arranged on indicator  104  such that second portion  120  displays the word HOT on a background, e.g., red background, in response to first portion  115  changing from a white color to a red color, thereby indicating to a user that connector  80  is above the temperature threshold. It will be understood that both first portion  115  and second portion  120  may both be chromatic, or only an area of each of first portion  115  and second portion  120  may be chromatic, and a color of the chromatic portions may change when a temperature thereof is above a temperature threshold. 
     After dissipation of laser energy from medical laser console  5  is terminated, connector  80  and first portion  115  may begin to cool, causing first portion  115  to transition from the red color to the white color. Once connector  80  and first portion  115  have cooled below the temperature threshold, the entirety of indicator  104  may be a white color and may not display the word HOT. Accordingly, a user may understand that it is safe to contact connector  80 . It will be understood that first portion  115  and second portion  120  may be disposed on indicator  104  in any manner to form any word, phrase, symbol, etc. that may indicate to a user that connector  80  is too hot to touch when a temperature of connector  80  is above a temperature threshold. 
     Additionally or alternatively, indicator  104  may include more than first portion  115  and second portion  120  as indication areas. For example, indicator  104  may include several areas of different colors and/or may have areas having different chromatic parameters. For example, a first area of indicator  104  may change color at a first temperature and a second area of indicator  104  may change temperature at a different, higher temperature. This arrangement may aid in creating different patterns, words, phrases, symbols, etc. to inform a user of gradations in the elevated temperature of the connector  80 . 
     According to yet another embodiment of this disclosure, indicator  102 ,  104  may be applied using known techniques, e.g., as a paint or an ink, and may be applied directly to connector  80 . For example, indicator  102 ,  104  may be applied directly to connector  80  as a paint and may include multiple layers of chromatic and non-chromatic materials. When a temperature of connector  80  is increased above a temperature threshold, a user may determine connector  80  is too hot to touch based on a change of at least a portion of indicator  102 ,  104 , e.g., a change in color or pattern. Applying indicator  102 ,  104  to an entirety of connector  80  provides additional visual cues for a user and may allow a user to identify connector  80  is above a temperature threshold at an earlier time. Alternatively or additionally, a chromatic dye may be used in the formation of connector  80  and/or connector  80  may be formed of a material having chromatic properties. Thus, when a temperature of connector  80  is increased above a temperature threshold, the entirety of connector  80  may change color to indicate connector  80  is above a temperature threshold. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a method of determining if connector  80  is greater than a temperature threshold is described. In Step S 10 , medical laser system  1  may be initiated. This may include powering on medical laser console  5  and initiating any startup functions, including but not limited to safety checks, preparation of laser cavities  10   a - d,  etc. Once medical laser system  1  is initiated, the user may direct laser light through medical laser system  1  in Step S 20 . This may include firing a laser light from one or more of laser cavities  10   a - d  and outputting laser light through fiber  90 . As the laser light passes from medical laser console  5  into fiber  90 , the laser light passes through connector  80  and may heat connector  80 . 
     In Step S 30 , a user may observe connector  80 , including indicator  102 ,  104 . Indicator  102 ,  104  may be a first color, including but not limited to a transparent color. As the laser light enters connector  80 , connector  80  may be below a temperature threshold and, thus, indicator  102 ,  104  may be a color that indicates the same. 
     In Step S 40 , it is determined whether indicator  102 ,  104  has changed from a first color to a second color. It will be understood that a changing of color of indicator  102 ,  104  may include changing from a first color, e.g., blue, to a second color, e.g., red, or may include changing from a first color to a second color, e.g., transparent. Additionally or alternatively, a portion of indicator  102 ,  104  may change color and/or become transparent. As described herein, indicator  102  may have first layer  105  that is visible to a user when second layer  110  changes from a color to a transparent color. According to another example, indicator  104  may include first portion  115  and second portion  120 . As connector  80  increases in temperature above a temperature threshold, first portion  115  may change color. 
     If a color of indicator  102 ,  104  changes in Step S 50 , it may be determined that the temperature of connector  80  is above a threshold and may be too hot for a user to touch. Accordingly, indicator  102 ,  104  may display an indication, such as the word HOT, to indicate that the user should not touch connector  80 . Further, if a color of indicator  102 ,  104  does not change in Step S 60  (or changes back to a non-elevated temperature indication), a user may determine that connector  80  is below a temperature threshold and that connector  80  may be cool enough to touch or handle. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed device without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.