The term “laser” is an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,” a phrase coined by American physicist and inventor, Gordon Gould. Lasers are well-known devices that emit light (electromagnetic radiation) through the process of stimulated emission. The laser and its many variants have been employed in thousands of highly varied applications in every sector of modem society, including consumer electronics, information technology, science, medicine, industry, law enforcement, entertainment, and the military. Lasers are used in everyday products ranging from complex surgical devices to Digital Video Disc (DVD) and Company Disc (CD) players.
In certain situations, lasers can be very dangerous to the human body. For example, even low power lasers can cause minor damage to the human eye if the beam hits the eye directly or is reflected from a shiny surface. Other lasers are powerful enough to cause immediate and severe eye damage or even bum skin.
Due to the inherent dangers of laser operation, federal and state regulations control the manufacturing and sale of products containing laser devices. In order to best regulate the sale of lasers or laser-containing devices, various different types of lasers have been classified based on those lasers' potential to do harm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has provided detailed regulations in the manufacture of lasers and laser devices. These regulations, among other things, require lasers to include specific features based on such parameters as their type, class, wavelength, and power output.
By way of example, lasers have been separated into various classes. Class IIIA lasers are considered intermediate power lasers (continuous wave (CW): 1-5 mW), and are only hazardous for intrabeam viewing. Class IIIB lasers are moderate power lasers (CW: 5-500 mW, pulsed: 10 J/cm2 or the diffuse reflection limit, which ever is lower). In general, Class IIIB lasers are not be a fire hazard and are not generally capable of producing a hazardous diffuse reflection except for conditions of intentional staring done at distances close to the diffuser. Finally, Class IV lasers are high power lasers (CW: 500 mW), are hazardous to view under any condition (directly or diffusely scattered) and are a potential fire hazard and a skin hazard. Significant controls are required of Class IV lasers.
Despite the detailed regulations that control the manufacture, sale and distribution of lasers and laser-containing devices, several non-compliant laser devices have been manufactured and sold in commerce. A non-compliant laser may be missing several important performance features that are required by regulation and increase the safety of such a laser device. For example, several Class IIIB lasers have been manufactured and/or sold missing three important performance features: (1) a key control; (2) a remote interlock connector; and (3) an emission indicator. Because of the vast amount of non-compliant lasers previously sold, the cost of recalling or replacing the non-compliant lasers would be extremely high.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
The present specification describes methods and material kits that allow retrofitting of a non-compliant laser device to make that laser device compliant with applicable regulations. As described herein, these methods and products are developed for use with any laser device including laser devices that differ in various aspects including, but not limited to, type, class, wavelength, and power output. In various examples, the methods and products described herein are for use in retrofitting a laser device to comply with applicable regulations.
Previously, the primary method of remedying the non-compliancy of a laser product, such as class IIIB lasers, has been to perform a post-sale recall of the lasers. Upon recall, the manufacturer of the laser device may either replace the laser with a compliant laser or somehow upgrade the previously sold laser device such that it becomes compliant with applicable regulations.
Although replacing previously sold lasers with a compliant laser device is an option, for most manufacturers, due to the number of non-compliant lasers previously sold, the cost of doing so would be enormous. Alternatively, the costs of bringing a non-compliant laser into compliancy may be considerably less by re-manufacturing the previously sold lasers. However, many of these laser devices were designed in such a way that once assembled, the working parts of the laser are not accessible except by destroying at least portions of the laser device. In fact, the only part of the laser device generally intended to be removed by the purchaser of one of these laser devices is the battery cover. Therefore, current solutions for bringing non-compliant lasers and laser devices into compliancy are not economically viable solutions.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein and in the appended claims, a compliant laser device is one that satisfies the applicable health and safety regulations of a given jurisdiction, for example, the United States, European Union, Japan, China, etc. A non-compliant laser device is a device that, in at least one respect, does not satisfy the applicable health and safety regulations of a given jurisdiction.
Finally, as used herein and in the appended claims, the methods and material kits that allow retrofitting of a non-compliant laser device may be applied to any device which is capable of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In other words, the methods and material kits that allow retrofitting of a non-compliant laser device may be applied to any laser device.
To begin, the elements of a basic laser device will now be explained.
Referring to
Further, the laser device (100) may be contained within a cylindrical laser housing (120). The laser housing (120) of the laser device (100) may also include an electrical contact (not shown) for completing the electrical circuit between the laser device assembly which produces the laser beam, and the power source used to deliver power to the laser device assembly. In one embodiment, the power source may comprise a number of batteries as will be discussed in more detail below.
A battery cover (140) may also be included in the laser device (100) for retaining a number of batteries within the laser housing (120). The battery cover (140) may be removably engaged with the laser housing (120), and may have threads at one end configured to engage threads located within the inner wall of the laser housing (120). Like the laser housing (120), the battery cover (140) of the laser device (100) may also include an electrical contact for completing the electrical circuit between the batteries and the battery cover (140).
Finally, the illustrated laser device may include a switch (130) for completing the electrical circuit of the laser device (100), and activating the emission of light from the light emission end (110) of the laser device (100). The switch (130) may be engineered such that the user must continually hold down the switch (130) (e.g. a “momentary ‘on’ switch”) to operate the laser device (100). Alternatively, the switch (130) may be engineered such that the user presses or otherwise engages or disengages the switch (130) once and the laser device selectively turns on or off.
The laser device assembly (210) may be any assembly that is capable of producing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through the process of stimulated emission of radiation, and may include elements such as a gain medium disposed within a reflective optical cavity. Further, the power source (220A, 220B) may include any source capable of providing sufficient electromotive force to activate the laser device assembly (210). In one exemplary embodiment, the power source may include a number of batteries (220A, 220B). The batteries may be any type of power cell including, but not limited to, galvanic cells, electrolytic cells, voltaic cells, and fuel cells.
As discussed above, a non-compliant laser device may be brought into compliance via the inclusion or addition of one or more elements that enhance the safety of the device. The incorporation of such elements into non-compliant laser device will now be disclosed.
As is depicted in
As described above, a basic laser device (100) may typically include a battery housing (320). The battery housing (320) is used to retain a number of batteries in order to power the laser device (100). In some embodiments, in order to make the non-compliant laser device (100) compliant, the non-compliant laser device (100) may be provided with an emission indicator assembly (350). The emission indicator assembly (350) is used to indicate to a user that the laser device is on as will be described in more detail below.
Finally, a combination assembly of a key control and remote interlock assembly (360) may be provided. The key control/remote interlock assembly (360) may be fastened to the emission indicator assembly (350). Generally, the key control of the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) is a safety device used to selectively provide or interrupt electrical energy flow through the circuit of the laser device (100). In other words, once the key control is engaged, the electric circuit of the laser device (100) is closed, and the laser device (100) may operate. On the other hand, if the key control is disengaged, the electric circuit of the laser device (100) is open, and the laser device (100) will not operate.
The remote interlock of the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) is a safety device used to remotely control the laser device (100) with an external switch.
As described above, the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) may be embodied in one assembly. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the key control and the remote interlock assembly may be embodied in separate elements and electrically coupled.
The individual compliant elements will now be discussed. To begin,
Like the laser housing (
When installed, the battery housing (320) provides electrical contact between the negative terminal of the lower battery (340B) and the coiled compression spring within the laser device via the electrically conductive end (330) of the battery housing (320). The battery housing (320) may also provide electrical contact between the negative terminal of the lower battery (340B) and the contactor spring of the emission indicator assembly (350) or other element as will be discussed in more detail below.
Further, the housing (510) of the emission indicator assembly (350) may include a number of fastening points (520A, 520B, 520C) for fastening other elements to the non-threaded end of the emission indicator assembly (350). In one exemplary embodiment, the fastening points (520A, 520B, 520C) may include internal threads used to receive screws. However, other fasteners may be utilized in coupling other elements to the emission indicator assembly (350) including, but not limited to, rivets, pins, screws, or bolts. As will be discussed below, the fastening points (520A, 520B, 520C) may be configured to receive a number of screws included in the key control/remote interlock assembly (
The housing (510) of the emission indicator assembly (350) may also include an electrical contact port (530) for electrically coupling other elements to the non-threaded end of the emission indicator assembly (350) such as, for example, the key control/remote interlock assembly (
Finally, the housing (510) may include an aperture (540) in a portion thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the aperture (540) may be configured to receive a Light Emitting Diode (LED) assembly (560) as will be discussed in more detail below. The aperture (540) may be open to the outer wall of the housing (510), or may further include a window or other transparent or translucent covering to protect the LED assembly (560).
The emission indicator assembly (350) may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) mount (550). In one embodiment, the PCB mount (550) may be made of an electrically non-conductive material and may serve to insulate the exterior of the battery housing (
The printed circuit boards (555A, 555B) may provide the emission indicator assembly (350) with the circuitry necessary to cause the emission indicator assembly (350) to function according to its intended purpose. As indicated above, the emission indicator assembly (350) is used to indicate to a user that the laser device is on. Therefore, in one embodiment, the printed circuit boards (555A, 555B) may include circuitry required to turn on a light emitting diode (LED) assembly (560) electrically connected to the printed circuit boards (555A, 555B). In one embodiment, a single printed circuit board may be used.
A lens (565) may further be in optical alignment with the LED assembly (560) so that light emitted from the LED assembly (560) may be focused. In one embodiment, the lens (565) may function as a conduit to allow light to escape the housing (510) while ensuring that no contaminants enter the housing via the aperture (540). In another embodiment, the lens may also serve to focus light emitted from the LED assembly (560) in a manner that is more readily ascertainable by a user. The lens (565) may assist a user in better identifying the activation of the LED assembly (560), and, in turn, more readily recognize the actuation of the laser device (
The next elements included in the emission indicator assembly (350) may be an upper contact (580A) and a lower contact (580B). Generally, the upper and lower contacts (580A, 580B) serve to electrically couple various elements of the laser device (
Finally, the emission indicator assembly (350) may be provided with a battery housing contactor spring (570). The battery housing contactor spring (570) serves to electrically couple printed circuit board (555A) and the battery housing (
The support base (605) may include a number of apertures (610A, 610B, 610C, 610D) for receiving and retaining a number of elements as will be discussed in more detail below. The apertures (610A, 610B, 610C, 610D) may be formed with regard to the vertical axis of the support base (605), and may run the entire length of the support base (605). In one embodiment, aperture (610D) may not run the entire length of the support base (605) as will be discussed in more detail below. In connection with the support base (605), the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) may include several fasteners for mechanically and/or electrically coupling the elements of the laser device (
The apertures (610A, 610B, 610C, 610D) in the support base (605) may be configured to retain the screws (615A, 615B, 615C, 615D) respectively, within the support base (605) such that once a screw (615A, 615B, 615C, 615D) is threaded through an aperture (610A, 610B, 610C, 610D), the screw may mechanically and/or electrically couple the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) to the emission indicator assembly (
In one exemplary embodiment, screws (615A, 615C) may serve no electrical coupling function, but may, instead, be utilized to mechanically couple the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) to the emission indicator assembly (
Further, screw (615D) may also serve no direct electrical coupling function between the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) and the emission indicator assembly (
The key control/remote interlock assembly (360) may also include a shunt wire (620). As mentioned above, the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) may include a remote interlock system. The remote interlock system is a safety device used to remotely permit activation or deactivation of the laser device (
Still in reference to
First, screw (615D) may be in electrical contact with a spring contact (630). The spring contact (630) may include a circular portion including an aperture through which screw (615D) may be inserted. The spring contact (630) may also include a spring portion that is biased to apply force to the top of the upper contact (640).
In order to place the laser device (
However, when the key (650) is not inserted into the key aperture (660), the laser device (
The lower contact (670) of the key control/remote interlock assembly (360) is retained within the support base (605) by the lower contact guide (690) and the E-ring (680). The E-ring (680) ensures that the lower contact (670) does not slip through the lower contact guide (690) or further into the support base (605). The lower contact guide (690) may be configured to securely fit the electrical contact port (
As discussed above in connection with
The following description regarding the control circuitry and current flow of a non-compliant laser device (
To begin, a user may actuate the switch (130). Upon doing so, an amount of current flows through the current sensing circuit (710) via current path A. In one embodiment, the amount of current that is provided to flow through the current sensing circuit (710) may be a minimal amount of current. The current sensing circuit (710) then generates two signals. The first signal may be directed to the LED circuit (720) via current path D. Current flowing via current path D to the LED circuit (720) turns on the LED/LED's located in the emission indicator assembly (
When the high current switch (730) is on, ample operating current is allowed to flow through the laser device assembly (210) via current path B. Further, when the high current switch (730) is on, the high current switch (730) causes current to shunt across or bypass the current sensing circuit (710). This bypass reduces the current flowing through path A to zero, and effectively disables the current sensing circuit (710). This, in turn, also eliminates the current flowing through current path C. Because no current is flowing through current path C, the high current switch (730), after a period of time, turns off. This then eliminates the shunting effect across the current sensing circuit (710). At this point, electrical current again flows through the current sensing circuit via current path A. The process described above then starts over.
Except for very brief periods of time when the high current switch is off, ample current is allowed to flow through the laser device assembly (210) via current path B, and the LED circuit (720) located in the emission indicator assembly (
When assembled, the battery housing (
In yet another embodiment, the battery housing (
The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe embodiments and examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.