JPH03218774A - Optical probe - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention transmits the power of a laser beam to an optical probe through an optical fiber to irradiate a diseased part of an irradiated body, that is, a living body.
It mainly relates to medical optical probes that relieve pain and promote wound healing.
The present invention relates to an optical probe that guides and emits laser light ranging from red to infrared, such as He or semiconductor laser light.

Prior Art The structure of a conventional optical probe is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical fiber that guides laser light through one light input end face and outputs the laser light from the other light output end face 2. In this example, it is composed of seven optical fibers. Reference numeral 3 denotes an original fiber fixing body that encompasses the output end of the optical fiber 1 and forms a light output unit 6 by exposing each output end face 2 of the optical fiber 1 to its surface, and is made of metal or hard synthetic resin. It is formed. Reference numeral 6 denotes a neck piece part that includes the optical fiber 1 and the optical fiber fixing body 3 and is used by the operator to grasp the optical probe by hand. light probe 7
is formed. Note that 8 is a protection tube that protects the optical fiber 1.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional optical probe, as shown in FIG.
When irradiating a laser beam with the light emitting surface 6 of the optical probe 7 in close contact with an irradiated object 8 such as a living body, the surface of the living body is generally not flat and the fixing part 6 of the optical fiber is a hard member. In some cases, it may not be possible to bring all of the light emitting end faces 2 of the optical fiber 1 into close contact with the surface of the living body, and the emitted laser light in such a state leaks, which reduces the power density of the laser light 9 irradiated to the living body. This results in a decrease in therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, there is a problem that the emitted laser beam 9 is scattered by the living body surface 8, resulting in danger.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an optical probe for laser light that can eliminate leakage of emitted laser light, prevent deterioration of therapeutic effects, and eliminate danger.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention includes one or more optical fibers and a light emitting end of the optical fibers, and includes a light emitting end of the optical fibers. The optical fiber fixing body is formed of a flexible material, and the light output surface is formed in a flat shape to form a light emitting surface. This is what constitutes a probe.

Similarly, the second method is to form the optical fiber fixing body in the form of a sheet of flexible material, to enclose the output end of the optical fiber with the sheet, and to expose the light output end surface of the optical fiber to the surface of the sheet. An optical probe is constructed by forming a light emitting surface.

Similarly, the third method is to form the optical fiber fixing body with upper and lower sheets, to enclose the optical fiber between the upper and lower sheets, and to form the light emitting end surface of the optical fiber into a tapered surface that intersects with the original fiber axis. The original probe is constructed by providing a space in which the tapered surface faces one of the upper and lower sheets to form a light emitting surface.

Similarly, the fourth type is one in which an adhesive body is removably attached to the light output surface of the optical fiber fixing body except for the light output end surface of the optical fiber.

Effect of the present invention With the above-described configuration, the optical fiber fixing body has flexibility, so when the light emitting surface of the optical probe is brought into contact with the living body surface, the light emitting surface is in close contact with the living body surface along the abutting part. Therefore, no gap is created between the light emitting end face of the optical fiber and the surface of the living body, and a decrease in the power density, scattering, and leakage of the irradiated laser light can be prevented.

Moreover, since the adhesive can be removably attached to the light emitting surface,
The optical probe can be attached to a living body, and the operator can operate the optical laser device without holding the optical probe.

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 11 introduces laser light from one original incident end face;
This is an optical fiber that emits laser light from the other output end face 12, and in this example, it is composed of six optical fibers. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes an optical fiber fixing body that embeds and encloses the output end 121L of the optical fiber 11 and forms a light output surface 14 with each output end face 12 of the optical fiber 11 facing the surface thereof, and is made of silicone rubber or urethane. It is made of a flexible material such as rubber, and its light emitting surface 14 is formed in a flat shape to constitute an optical probe. Reference numeral 16 denotes an adhesive body detachably attached to the light output surface 14, and is attached to each output end surface 1 of the optical fiber 11.
A through hole 16 is formed in the portion of the optical fiber fixing body 13 where the optical fiber fixing member 2 faces the light emitting surface 14, so as not to obstruct the emission of laser light.

Next, the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and the third embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 6.

Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and their explanations will be omitted.

First, in FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 17 denotes an optical fiber fixing body, which is formed into a sheet shape from a flexible material such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber, and is attached to the output end 121L of the optical fiber 11.
is buried and enclosed inside, and each output end face 12 of the original fiber 11 is bent to face the surface thereof, and that surface becomes a light output surface 14 and constitutes the original globe. Reference numeral 16 denotes an adhesive body detachably attached to the light emitting surface 14.

Next, in FIGS. 6 and 6, 18 is an upper sheet body, and 19 is a lower sheet body, each of which is made of a flexible material such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber.
The optical fiber fixing body 17 is integrally formed by adhesion or the like, supporting and enclosing the output end 121L of the first optical fiber. The light emitting end surface 12 of the optical fiber 11 is finished by polishing or the like on the tapered surface 12 that intersects with the optical fiber axis 11a, and faces the through hole 20 bored in the lower sheet body 19, and faces the surface of the lower sheet body 19. serves as a light emitting surface 14 and constitutes an optical probe. Reference numeral 16 denotes an adhesive body detachably attached to the light emitting surface 14. In the above embodiment, the optical fiber 11 is supported and wrapped between the upper and lower sheet bodies 18 and 19 to form the optical fiber fixing body 17. However, as in the second embodiment, an integral sheet is used. It may also be buried in the body. Further, the flexible material may be any material as long as it can realize the effects of the present invention, and is not limited to silicone rubber or urethane rubber.

To explain the operation in the above configuration, the optical fiber fixing body 17 itself becomes an optical probe, and comes into contact with a living body (hereinafter referred to as a living body) which is an object to be irradiated with this optical globe. In the optical probe, the optical fiber fixing body 17 is made of a flexible material, and the light emitting surface 14 of the laser beam is formed in a flat shape, so that it adapts well to the unevenness of the biological surface and can be attached to the light emitting surface. It can be reliably attached to the affected area of a living body using an adhesive material. In particular, in the second and third embodiments, the original fiber fixing body 17 is formed in a sheet shape, so that it can more easily conform to the surface of the living body.

As described above, according to the optical probe of the embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting surface 14 of the optical fiber fixing body 17 can be attached in close contact with the living body, so that the power density of the irradiated laser beam can be prevented from decreasing. It is possible to prevent the occurrence and leakage of scattered light on the surface of the irradiated object.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the optical fiber fixing body is made of a flexible material to form an optical probe, the light emitting surface of which is formed into a flat shape, and an adhesive body is attached. Since the optical probe is attached in contact with the affected area of the living body, the optical probe blends into the living body and firmly adheres to the living body.Therefore, the power density of the laser light emitted from the light emitting end face of the optical fiber does not decrease, thereby preventing a decrease in the therapeutic effect. In addition, since the emitted laser light is not scattered from the surface of the living body, dangers caused by this can be prevented, and furthermore, the operator does not need to hold the optical probe, and it is possible to provide an optical probe that is easy to handle. It is something that can be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 6 show optical probes according to embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an external view of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same side, and FIG. 3 is the second embodiment of the same. An external view of the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the same side, Fig. 6 is an external view of the third embodiment, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the same side, and Fig. 7 is an external view of the conventional optical probe. , FIG. 8 is a side view of the same. 11... Optical fiber 12... Light output end face, 12a... Light output end, 13.17...
...Optical fiber fixing body (former globe), 14...
...Light exit surface, 16...Adhesive body, 16...
...Through hole, 18...゛...Top sheet body, 19
...Sheet body on the bottom surface.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An optical fiber fixing body that encloses one or more optical fibers and the light emitting end of the optical fiber, and forms a light emitting surface with the light emitting end face of the optical fiber facing the surface thereof. An optical probe comprising: the optical fiber fixing body made of a flexible material; and the light emitting surface formed into a planar shape. (2) The optical fiber fixing body is formed into a sheet shape from a flexible material, the output end of the optical fiber is wrapped in the sheet, and the light output end face of the optical fiber is exposed to the surface of the sheet to output light. Optical probe with a surface. (3) Forming an optical fiber fixing body with upper and lower sheet bodies, enclosing the optical fiber between the upper and lower sheet bodies, and
An optical probe, wherein the light emitting end surface of the optical fiber is formed into a tapered surface that intersects with the optical fiber axis, and a space is provided in one of the upper and lower sheet bodies where the tapered surface faces, thereby forming the light emitting surface. (4) The optical probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an adhesive body is detachably attached to the light output surface of the optical fiber fixing body except for the light output end surface of the optical fiber.