JPH0363604A - laser 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] Industrial applications The present invention relates to a laser glow 1. The present invention relates to a laser glow 1.

Conventional technology FIG. 2 shows the structure of a conventional laser probe tip.

As shown in FIG. 2, a silver chloride-silver bromide optical fiber 1 for a CO2 laser is housed in a stainless steel protective tube 2, and a stainless steel protective tube 2 is attached to the tip metal part 4 of the pro-1 that holds the window 3. Insert and secure with adhesive. The Teflon outer tube 6 houses the stainless steel protective tube 2 and is connected to the probe tip metal part 4.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention In the above structure, when assembling the probe, the optical fiber 1
If the distance between the tip of the optical fiber 1 and the window 3 is shorter than the extension of the optical fiber 1 that occurs during laser input, the optical fiber 1 extends due to the laser input and hits the window 3. At this time, since the reflected light from the window 3 directly enters the end face of the optical fiber 1, a rise in temperature inside the metal part 4 of the probe tip can be prevented.
The end face of the optical fiber 1 in contact with the window 3, where heat absorption occurs, deteriorates due to the heat.

On the other hand, if the distance is too long, the 9-angle expansion of the laser beam will cause
The amount of reflected light from the window 3 that enters the end face of the optical fiber 1 is reduced by heating the inside of the probe tip metal shoulder 4, and by directly applying the laser beam to the probe 1 tip metal part 4. , the optical fiber 1 is heated and deteriorates due to a high temperature rise.

In this way, because the optical fiber stretches when the laser is input, the distance between one end of the optical fiber and the window cannot be set constant, and the optical fiber deteriorates due to the thermal influence of the tip of the laser probe. Ta.

Means for Solving the Problems In the laser probe of the present invention, the tip of an elastic protective tube that houses an optical fiber is inserted into the metal part of the probe tip, and pressure is applied to deform the metal part to create an elastic protective tube. An optical fiber is fixed through the cable.

Effect: With the above configuration, the distance between one end face of the optical fiber and the window can be kept constant even during laser input, and can be set to an optimal distance.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the tip of a laser probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same numbers as in FIG. 2 indicate the same members.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a silver chloride-silver bromide optical fiber for CO2 laser, which is housed in a silicone rubber protective tube 2' as an elastic protective tube, and a metal part 4' at the tip of the probe that holds the window 3. The tip of the protection tube 2' made of silicone rubber is inserted, pressure is applied to deform (caulk) the metal part A, and the optical fiber 1 is fixed via the protection tube 2' made of silicone rubber.

The Teflon outer tube 6 accommodates a silicone rubber protection tube 2' and is connected to the probe tip metal portion 4'. Incidentally, the convex portion of part B is a reflected light blocking portion for preventing the reflected light from the window 3 from melting into the silicone rubber protective tube 2'.

With this structure, the extension of the optical fiber 1 can be stopped even during laser input, and the distance between one end face of the optical fiber and the window 3 can be set constant. Therefore, the optimum distance can be set, and the reflected light from the window 3 can reduce the thermal influence of the temperature rise inside the probe tip metal part 4'.
It is possible to prevent the tip of the optical fiber from deteriorating due to thermal influence from the window 3.

In addition, by tightening and fixing the optical fiber 1 through the elastic protective tube 2', the surface of the optical fiber will not be damaged, and the force that deforms the metal part 4' will be allowed within an appropriate range. It is easy to control.

In addition, in this embodiment, the necessity of setting the distance between the window 3 and the end face of the optical fiber at a constant value was shown above in a probe with a structure in which a window 3 is attached, but it is also possible in a probe with a structure without a window 3. The tip of the probe tip metal portion 4' must protrude from the one end surface of the optical fiber so that flying objects are less likely to adhere to the one end surface of the optical fiber. If the amount of protrusion of the tip of the blow 1 tip metal part 4' from the one end surface of the optical fiber is too large, the laser beam will not reach the probe tip metal part 4.
Moreover, if the amount of protrusion is small, the optical fiber 1 will extend when the laser is input and protrude from the metal part 4' at the tip of the pro-1. Therefore, the method of fixing the optical fiber shown in the embodiment is also effective in the plow 1 having a structure without a window.

Although the optical fiber has been described as a silver chloride-silver bromide optical fiber for CO2 laser, the same effect can be obtained with a thallium halide optical fiber or a chalcogenide optical fiber.

Although silicone rubber has been used as the elastic protective tube, fluororubber or resin tubes may also be used.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the extension of the optical fiber can be stopped even during laser input, and the distance between one end face of the optical fiber and the window can be set constant. Therefore, it is possible to set the optimal distance, and it is possible to prevent the optical fiber tip from deteriorating due to the thermal influence inside the probe tip metal part due to the reflected light from the window and the thermal influence from the window.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the tip of a laser probe showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tip of a conventional laser probe. 1...Optical fiber 2'...Protection tube, 4'...Metal part of probe tip, A...
...Fixing part (fixed by caulking), B...Reflected light blocking part.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Insert an elastic protective tube that accommodates the optical fiber and the tip of the elastic protective tube,
The probe tip metal part is fixed by applying pressure and caulking to fix the optical fiber through the protective tube, and a resin outer tube houses the protective tube and is connected to the probe tip metal part. laser probe. (2) The laser probe according to claim 1, wherein the protective tube is a rubber tube.