JPH10323350A - Medical laser projector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an inexpensive projector preferable for operating and handling, by enabling the projector to easily supply laser light with a plurality of kinds of wave length by one projector. SOLUTION: This projector can irradiate either of wave length of 970 nm, 2.8 μm, or 275.5 nm by switching three kinds of irradiating optical fiber cables. The laser irradiating device main body 40 houses one semiconductor laser light source with the wave length of 970 nm and a control circuit and can adjust the wave length within a range of 12 nm by changing the temperature of the semiconductor laser light source. A projecting optical fiber cable 41 is integrated with a solid laser oscillating part capable of oscillating a laser with the wave length of 2.8 μm on the tip end part 41a of quartz optical fiber and equipped with a connector 41b on the other end. Indicators 43, 44, 45 correspond to three kinds of cables connected and used. Thus plural kinds of medical treatment can be carried out at plural kinds of wave length by one small size medical laser projector.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a diagnosis and treatment apparatus in the medical field, and more particularly to a medical laser irradiation apparatus suitable for exerting different effects depending on a plurality of laser wavelengths.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When laser light is used for medical purposes,
Since the effect on living tissue varies depending on the wavelength of the laser light, it is common to select and use a laser device that can output a wavelength according to the purpose. For example, when coagulating biological tissue for treatment purposes, laser light in the near-infrared region from the visible region having relatively high penetration is preferable, and when evaporating, the laser beam in the infrared region with low penetration is low. Laser light becomes more effective. In the case of observing fluorescence for diagnostic purposes, laser light in the ultraviolet region is suitable.

[0003] A conventional medical laser irradiation apparatus used for such purpose is connected to an apparatus main body provided with at least one laser oscillator, for example, by connecting an optical fiber as a laser light guiding means to irradiate a laser beam to an arbitrary position. In general, when a laser beam having two or more wavelengths is irradiated, a laser oscillating unit corresponding to a different wavelength is provided in a laser irradiation device body, and at least one of the laser wavelengths is 300 nm. In the case of laser light in the following ultraviolet region or infrared region of 2.5 μm or more, besides a general-purpose quartz optical fiber, a special ultraviolet or infrared optical fiber should be used as the laser light guiding means. Can be considered.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a configuration conceivable as a medical laser irradiation apparatus for irradiating laser light having two or more wavelengths as described above. 100 is a laser irradiation apparatus main body, and 101 is a quartz light. Fiber, 120 is a fluoride optical fiber, 102 is an output setting switch, 103 is a laser wavelength changeover switch, 104 is a display unit that displays output power and set irradiation time, 105 is a foot switch that performs laser irradiation, and 106 is an emergency stop. Switch. FIG. 10 shows an example of the internal configuration of the medical laser irradiation apparatus in the example shown in FIG. 9, and reference numeral 110 denotes a first laser oscillation that outputs a laser beam 111 having a first wavelength of 1.064 μm. A Nd: YAG laser as a portion, 112 an Er: YAG laser as a second laser oscillating portion for outputting a laser beam 113 of 2.94 μm as a second wavelength, 1
14 is a fixed reflecting mirror, 115 is a movable reflecting mirror, and 116 is a condenser lens.

[0005] The operation of the medical laser irradiation apparatus configured as described above will be described. First, wavelength 1.
In order to emit the 064 μm laser beam 111 from the tip of the optical fiber 101, the laser oscillation unit 110 is selected by the wavelength selection switch 103, so that the movable reflecting mirror 115 is moved to the position of 115 a,
To the standby state. Next, by stepping on the foot switch 105, the laser oscillation unit 110 is oscillated, and the wavelength is set to 1.0.
A 64 μm laser beam 111 is emitted. Laser light 11
1 is changed in optical path by a fixed reflecting mirror 114 and
The light is condensed by being incident on the optical fiber 6, is incident on the optical fiber 101, is guided to the tip of the optical fiber 101, and is irradiated on the irradiation position. Next, in order to irradiate a laser beam having a wavelength of 2.94 μm, first, the optical fiber for light guiding is replaced with a fluoride optical fiber 120, and then the wavelength selective switch 10 is switched.
3, the movable reflecting mirror 115 is moved to the position of 115b, and the laser oscillator 1 is selected.
12 is set to a standby state. Next, the foot switch 10
Step 5 causes the laser oscillation unit 112 to oscillate. The laser beam 113 having a wavelength of 2.94 μm emitted from the laser oscillating unit 112 has its optical path changed by a movable reflecting mirror 115, is incident on a condenser lens 116, is condensed, is incident on an optical fiber 101, and has a tip of the optical fiber 101. It is guided to a part and is irradiated to an irradiation place.

As another means for irradiating the laser light in the ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 300 nm or less or the infrared region having a wavelength of 2.5 μm or more from the tip of the optical fiber, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
812, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-106665 proposes an optical fiber cable in which a nonlinear optical crystal and / or a solid-state laser medium is incorporated at the tip of an optical fiber cable.

[0007]

However, according to the study of the present inventors, in the medical laser irradiation apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, the irradiation wavelength of the laser is 300 nm or less in the ultraviolet region or 2.5 μm or more. When it is desired to emit laser light of a plurality of wavelengths including an infrared region from an optical fiber, the apparatus main body is extremely large because a plurality of laser oscillation units capable of outputting the laser wavelength are required in the apparatus main body.
There is a problem that it becomes expensive and a special optical fiber is required separately in addition to a general-purpose quartz optical fiber.

Further, such a laser irradiation apparatus is generally used by penetrating an optical fiber for guiding light into a living body together with another medical device such as a catheter, for example. The length of the optical fiber cable for
An extremely long length compared with other medical devices is not preferable in terms of operation and handling such as sterilization. In conventional laser irradiation equipment, when switching the laser wavelength to be irradiated, the optical fiber cable for light guide must be once removed from the connection part of the main body of the device, and replaced with another one according to the wavelength. The length of the optical fiber cable for use is necessary from the main body of the device to the laser irradiation target site, and it is extremely long compared to other medical tools from the target site to the user's hand outside the living body. Has serious challenges.

Further, with respect to the conventional example in which a nonlinear optical crystal and / or a solid-state laser medium is incorporated at the end of the optical fiber cable, the solid-state laser medium is optimal for pumping and / or wavelength conversion by a nonlinear optical element. Since a laser light source having a wavelength is required for the laser irradiation device main body, the laser irradiation device main body and the optical fiber cable containing the nonlinear optical crystal and / or solid-state laser medium are not compatible with each other. There is a problem that the laser irradiation device body and the optical fiber cable must be used in pairs.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has two or more wavelengths including an ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 300 nm or less or an infrared region having a wavelength of 2.5 μm or more. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical laser irradiation device that can easily supply light with one device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it is configured as follows.

That is, in a medical laser irradiation apparatus comprising a laser irradiation apparatus main body and at least two irradiation optical fiber cables connected to the laser irradiation apparatus main body, the irradiation optical fiber cable is made of quartz. An optical fiber is used as a light guide path, and a solid laser medium and / or a non-linear optical crystal capable of generating a laser beam having a wavelength at which light guiding of the quartz optical fiber is substantially difficult are provided at the tip of the quartz optical fiber, and the laser irradiation is performed. By providing a laser light source capable of oscillating laser light of a plurality of wavelengths capable of transmitting a quartz optical fiber and one laser light emission port,
Depending on the type of the irradiating optical fiber cable connected to the laser irradiating device, selectively irradiating a laser beam having a wavelength suitable for exciting the solid-state laser medium or converting the wavelength with the nonlinear optical crystal. A laser beam of at least two wavelengths including a wavelength at which light guiding of the quartz optical fiber is substantially difficult is emitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber cable. This can be solved by a laser irradiation device.

[0013] Here, detecting means for detecting the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable connected to the laser irradiation device main body, and a laser output from the laser irradiation device main body based on the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable. It is desirable to further include a changing means for changing the wavelength.

Further, it is more desirable that the laser generating means provided in the laser irradiation device main body includes a semiconductor laser.

It is preferable that a relay optical fiber cable made of quartz optical fiber is further provided between the laser irradiation device main body and the irradiation optical fiber cable.

A means for detecting a type of the irradiation optical fiber cable connected to the relay optical fiber cable; and a laser wavelength output from the laser irradiation apparatus main body based on the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable. It is desirable to further comprise a changing means for changing

Further, it is preferable that the laser generating means includes one laser light source and a driving means for causing the laser light source to oscillate the laser light having the plurality of wavelengths.

Further, it is preferable that the one laser light source is a semiconductor laser, and the driving means includes a temperature changing means for changing a temperature of the semiconductor laser.

Further, it is preferable that the temperature changing means includes a Peltier device and a current value changing circuit for changing a current flowing through the Peltier device.

Further, it is desirable to provide a temperature detecting means for monitoring the temperature of the Peltier element.

Further, the one laser light source is preferably a titanium sapphire laser.

Further, it is desirable that the laser generating means includes a plurality of laser light sources that oscillate laser lights having different wavelengths.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

The laser irradiating apparatus according to the present embodiment emits an optical fiber cable having a nonlinear optical element capable of outputting a laser beam having a wavelength of 300 nm or less at its tip or a laser beam having a wavelength of 2.5 μm or more. A laser that guides the irradiation optical fiber cable by connecting an irradiation optical fiber cable having a possible solid laser medium at the tip or an irradiation optical fiber cable made of quartz optical fiber to the laser irradiation device body. The light is switched to an appropriate wavelength in accordance with the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable, and a laser light having a wavelength of 300 nm or less or a wavelength of 2.5 μm or more from a different end of the irradiation optical fiber cable,
Alternatively, a semiconductor laser beam having a near-infrared wavelength, which is suitable as a laser light source of the laser irradiation device body, can be emitted.

As described above, by simply selecting the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable to be used, the laser light of a plurality of wavelengths including the laser light in the wavelength region in which the quartz optical fiber cannot be efficiently transmitted is irradiated according to the purpose. Since it can be emitted from the end of the optical fiber cable, diagnosis using ultraviolet laser light, coagulation treatment using near-infrared laser light, and infrared laser light can be performed using one small medical laser irradiation device. The transpiration therapy used can be performed. In addition, since the irradiation optical fiber cable uses a quartz optical fiber as a light guide path, it is possible to insert a relay optical fiber cable made of a quartz optical fiber between the laser irradiation device body and The length of the irradiation optical fiber cable may be shorter than the distance from the laser irradiation device main body to the irradiation site, and can be adjusted to the length of another medical device used together at the medical site.

The connection between the two or more irradiation optical fiber cables and the laser irradiation device main body or the relay optical fiber cable is provided with means for detecting the type of each optical fiber cable. The target laser light can be emitted safely without mistakenly connecting the irradiation optical fiber cable.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a medical laser irradiation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
This shows an apparatus capable of irradiating laser light of any one of the wavelengths of 970 nm, 2.8 μm, and 275.5 nm by connecting different kinds of irradiation optical fiber cables.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes a laser irradiation apparatus main body, which includes one semiconductor laser light source having a wavelength of 970 nm and a control circuit for controlling lighting of the semiconductor laser. Further, a control circuit capable of adjusting the wavelength in a range of 12 nm by changing the temperature of the semiconductor laser light source is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the semiconductor laser light source 90 has a Peltier device 92 mounted on a Peltier device 92 having a radiation fin 91 attached to a lower portion.
Changes the amount of heat generated by the applied current value, and heats (or cools) the semiconductor laser 90 by the heat generated from the Peltier element 92. A thermistor 93 for monitoring the temperature is attached to the Peltier device 92, and the monitored temperature is fed back to a temperature controller 94 having a driver circuit for the Peltier device 92, and the Peltier device 92, that is, the semiconductor laser light source 90. Is controlled. Semiconductor laser light source 90
For example, when the temperature changes by 1 ° C., the wavelength of the output laser light changes by 0.3 nm. By giving a temperature change of ± 20 ° C., the wavelength of the output laser light changes by ± 6 nm. be able to.

Reference numeral 41 denotes one of the optical fiber cables for irradiation, and a wavelength 2.8 μm
The solid-state laser oscillating portion capable of oscillating is integrated, and a connector 41b for connecting to the laser irradiation device main body 40 is provided at the other end. The connector 41b is provided with a projection capable of identifying the irradiation optical fiber cable 41. Reference numeral 51 denotes another optical fiber cable for irradiation, in which a solid laser medium capable of oscillating at a wavelength of 551 nm and a non-linear optical crystal are integrated at the tip end 51a of a quartz optical fiber, and a laser irradiation device body is provided at the other end. A connector 51b for connecting to the control unit 40 is provided. The connector 51b is formed with a projection capable of identifying the irradiation optical fiber cable 51. Reference numeral 42 denotes a receptacle for connecting any one of the three types of irradiation optical fiber cables in the laser irradiation device main body 40, and a mechanism for detecting a fiber type identification protrusion in the connector 41b when the irradiation optical fiber cable is connected. have.

Reference numerals 43, 44, and 45 denote indicators indicating which of the three types of irradiation optical fiber cables are connected based on the identification signal detected by the detection mechanism. Irradiation optical fiber cable having a solid-state laser oscillator capable of oscillating at a wavelength of 2.8 μm,
Reference numeral 4 denotes an irradiation optical fiber cable having a solid-state laser medium capable of oscillating a wavelength of 551 nm and a wavelength conversion element formed of a nonlinear optical crystal at the tip, and reference numeral 45 corresponds to an irradiation optical fiber cable formed of a quartz optical fiber.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a switch / lamp indicating that laser irradiation is possible, 46 is an output setting switch for selecting a laser output and an irradiation waveform, and 47 is a setting switch 46.
A display unit for displaying the contents of the setting is a foot switch for turning on / off the laser output. 49 is an emergency stop switch, and any operation can be stopped by pressing this switch.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the distal end portion 41a of the optical fiber cable 41 for irradiation. 70 is a quartz optical fiber, 22 is a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 967 nm, and 71 is a laser beam for condensing the semiconductor laser beam 22. The lens 72 has a wavelength of 2.8.
Er as a solid laser medium capable of oscillating μm laser light
Is a YSGG crystal doped with 30% of
The light exiting surface 72b is coated with a reflecting mirror for a laser having a wavelength of 2.8 μm.
a and the emission surface 72b constitute a laser resonator. 7
Reference numeral 5 denotes a sleeve for fixedly positioning the optical fiber 70, the condenser lens 71 and the solid-state laser medium 72, and reference numeral 76 denotes an output laser beam having a wavelength of 2.8 μm.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the tip of the optical fiber cable 51 for irradiation.
2 is a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 975 nm, 82 is a condensing lens for the semiconductor laser beam 22, 83 is a YLF crystal doped with 5% of Er as a solid laser medium capable of oscillating a laser beam of 551 nm, and 85 is a 551 nm wavelength. As a nonlinear optical crystal that converts the wavelength of laser light to half, β-
BaB2O4, the end face 83a of the solid-state laser medium 83
And the end face 85b of the nonlinear optical crystal 85 has a wavelength of 5
A reflection mirror coating for 51 nm laser light is provided, and an end face 83b of the solid-state laser medium 83 and an end face 85a of the nonlinear optical crystal 85 are provided with anti-reflection coating for laser light of 551 nm wavelength, respectively. Constitute a laser resonator. 87 is a quartz optical fiber 80, a condenser lens 82, a solid-state laser medium 83, and a nonlinear optical crystal 8;
5 is a sleeve for fixing and positioning, 84 is a wavelength of 551 nm
86 is an output laser beam having a wavelength of 275.5 nm.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the form of the connector 41b shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 17 denotes an optical fiber cable for irradiation, reference numeral 18 denotes a ferrule, and reference numeral 30 denotes a fixed position around the ferrule 18 and connection to the receptacle. It is a fitting part at the time. Reference numeral 19 denotes a projection attached to or integrally formed with the fitting part 30, and has different shapes or different numbers of projections depending on the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable in order to identify different irradiation optical fiber cables. The receptacle 42 has a mechanism for detecting the shape or number of the projections 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes a screw portion for fixing the irradiation optical fiber cable to the laser irradiation device main body 40.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the shape of the projection 19 for identifying three types of irradiation optical fiber cables in the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a mechanism for detecting the type of the optical fiber cable for irradiation in the receptacle 42 shown in FIG.
Is a screw portion for fixing the optical fiber cable for irradiation, and 62 is a slide portion of the optical fiber cable connector for irradiation that moves when the projection 19 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, and a part of the screw portion 61 is cut out. It is located in the place where it was. Reference numeral 63 denotes a spring that pushes the slide portion 62 by a predetermined amount, and reference numeral 64 denotes a switch that operates when the slide portion 62 is pushed by the connector protrusion 19.

The operation of the medical laser irradiation apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, when an irradiation optical fiber cable 41 capable of emitting, for example, a wavelength of 2.8 μm is connected to a receptacle 42 in a laser irradiation apparatus main body 40, for example, a connector 4
1b has an identification projection having the shape of 19a in FIG.
By pressing down the corresponding portion of the slide portion 62 (FIG. 7) provided in the switch, the corresponding portion of the switch 64 is turned ON, and it is detected that the irradiation optical fiber cable 41 is connected. In this state, at the same time when the indicator 43 is turned on, the temperature of the semiconductor laser light source installed in the laser irradiation device main body 40 is controlled by the temperature control circuit 9.
By (4), the temperature is adjusted to a temperature at which the solid laser medium 72 emits a laser beam of 967 nm, which is most efficient for oscillating a laser beam of a wavelength of 2.8 μm.

The output mode, output value, and irradiation time of the laser to be irradiated using the irradiation optical fiber cable 41 are set to arbitrary values using the output setting switch 46 in FIG. Is displayed. here,
The output mode refers to a time waveform of a laser beam to be irradiated.

After setting the output setting switch 46,
When the switch 48 is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit confirms that there is no abnormality, the apparatus enters a laser irradiation standby state. In this standby state, when the foot switch 50 in FIG. 1 is depressed,
A laser beam having a wavelength of 2.8 μm can be output from the distal end portion 41 a of the optical fiber cable 41 for irradiation.

Here, since the slide portions are arranged at all positions in the receptacle 42 corresponding to the identification protrusions provided on the connector portion according to the type of the optical fiber cable for irradiation, Although the optical fiber cable can be connected to the receptacle 42 irrespective of its type, the type of the irradiating optical fiber cable is automatically determined by the detection mechanism described above. Therefore, as another operation of the laser irradiation apparatus, irradiation light in which a solid-state laser medium capable of oscillating laser light having a wavelength of 551 nm and a nonlinear optical crystal are integrated at the tip of a quartz optical fiber as shown in FIG. When the fiber cable 51 is used, if the identification projection provided on the connector portion 51b is set to, for example, the shape of 19b in FIG. 5, the connection of the irradiation optical fiber cable 51 can be detected by the receptacle. In this state, at the same time when the indicator 44 is turned on, the temperature of the semiconductor laser light source installed in the laser irradiation apparatus main body 40 is adjusted by the temperature control circuit 94 so that the solid-state laser medium 83 emits laser light having a wavelength of 551 nm. It is changed to 975 nm, which is efficient.

The output mode, output value and irradiation time of the laser to be irradiated using the irradiation optical fiber cable 51 are set to arbitrary values by using the output setting switch 46 in FIG. Is displayed. When the setting of the output setting switch 46 is completed, when the switch 48 is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit confirms that there is no abnormality, the apparatus enters a laser irradiation standby state. In this standby state, when the foot switch 50 in FIG. 1 is depressed, laser light having a wavelength of 275.5 nm can be output from the distal end 51a of the optical fiber cable 51 for irradiation.

As another operation of the laser irradiation apparatus, when an irradiation optical fiber cable made of quartz optical fiber is used, the identification projection provided on the connector portion is set to, for example, the shape of 19c in FIG. If you leave
The connection of the irradiation optical fiber cable is detected by the receptacle 42, and in this state, the indicator 45 is turned on, and at the same time, the laser irradiation device main body 4
The wavelength of the semiconductor laser light source set in 0 is 970 nm
Can be changed to

The output mode, output value and irradiation time of the laser to be irradiated by using the irradiation optical fiber cable are set to arbitrary values by using the output setting switch 46 in FIG. Is displayed. When the setting of the output setting switch 46 is completed, when the switch 48 is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit confirms that there is no abnormality, the apparatus enters a laser irradiation standby state. In this standby state, when the foot switch 50 in FIG. 1 is depressed, laser light having a wavelength of 970 nm can be emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber cable for irradiation. It is needless to say that the wavelength of the semiconductor laser light source in the case of using the irradiation optical fiber cable made of the quartz optical fiber can be set to any wavelength that can be changed by changing the temperature of the semiconductor laser, for example, from 964 nm to 976 nm. You can select from a range.

The oscillation of the semiconductor laser changes the bowel,
In addition to the above-described change by temperature, for example, a change unit by arranging a prism in a resonator and rotating the prism may be considered.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a medical laser irradiation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 80 denotes a relay optical fiber cable made of a quartz optical fiber;
a is an optical fiber cable receptacle located at the end of the relay optical fiber cable 80, and has a mechanism for detecting the type of the connector part of the irradiation optical fiber cable as shown in FIG. For example, it has a function of transmitting to the laser irradiation device main body 40 by an electric signal.

The operation of the medical laser irradiation apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above is basically the same as that of the first embodiment described above. A detailed description is omitted, and only different points will be described.

The feature of this embodiment is that a relay optical fiber cable 80 is used. The three types of irradiation optical fiber cables described in the first embodiment all use quartz optical fibers as light guide paths. Since it is used, it can be used by being connected to the front end receptacle 80a of the relay optical fiber cable 80 made of the same quartz optical fiber.
Further, the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable connected to the relay optical fiber cable 80 is detected by the receptacle 80a, and the wavelength of the semiconductor laser light source provided in the laser irradiation device main body 40 is changed to an optimum value. The wavelength setting of the irradiation laser light using the irradiation optical fiber cable can be performed as in the first embodiment.

The length of the irradiation optical fiber cable used in this embodiment can be shortened compared to the first embodiment by using the relay optical fiber cable between the laser irradiation device. not to mention,
In addition, only one relay optical fiber cable 80 may be used, and laser light of at least two wavelengths that cannot transmit the quartz optical fiber only by exchanging only the irradiation optical fiber cable is transmitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber cable. It goes without saying that light can be emitted.

In the first and second embodiments, one semiconductor laser is used as the laser light source provided in the laser irradiation device main body. However, the irradiation light connected to the laser irradiation device main body is used. Any fiber that can oscillate laser light having a wavelength suitable for the type of fiber cable may be used. For example, a wavelength variable laser such as a titanium sapphire laser is also suitable. In the case where the wavelength tunable laser is used, a laser in an 800 nm band can be used as a laser wavelength for guiding the irradiation optical fiber cable. Therefore, the first embodiment and the second embodiment are used. As the irradiation optical fiber cable capable of emitting ultraviolet laser light described in the above, an Nd: YAG
A device having a solid-state laser crystal and two nonlinear optical crystals can also be used.

FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a medical laser irradiation apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a laser irradiation device main body, which incorporates a semiconductor laser light source having a wavelength of 970 nm. Reference numeral 2 denotes a quartz optical fiber as a first optical fiber cable used for irradiation. Reference numeral 3 denotes a second optical fiber cable also used for irradiation. A solid-state laser capable of oscillating a laser having a wavelength of 2.8 μm at the tip 3a of the quartz optical fiber. The oscillating unit is integrated. A third optical fiber cable 4 is also used for irradiation. A solid laser oscillation section capable of oscillating a laser having a wavelength of 551 nm and a wavelength conversion section made of a non-linear optical crystal are integrated at the tip 4a of the quartz optical fiber. I have. Reference numerals 5, 6, and 7 denote optical fiber cables 2,
Receptacles for connecting 3 and 4, each having a fitting portion having a different shape so that other combinations cannot be made with each other as described later. Reference numeral 8 denotes a selection switch for the optical fiber cables 2, 3, and 4.
1 is an optical fiber cable 2, 3,.
4 is a light-emitting lamp type indicator that indicates which of 4 is selected. Reference numeral 12 denotes a lamp / switch indicating that laser irradiation is possible. Reference numeral 13 denotes an output setting switch for selecting a laser output and an irradiation waveform. Reference numeral 14 denotes a display unit for displaying a set value by the setting switch 13. A foot switch 15 turns on / off the laser output at an arbitrary timing when the operator steps on the foot. Reference numeral 16 denotes an emergency stop switch. By pressing this switch,
Any operation can be stopped.

As described above, the solid-state laser oscillating portion is integrated at the end of the optical fiber cable 3, and the structure is the same as that of the irradiation optical fiber cable 41 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Is exactly the same as the structure of the tip portion 41a.

At the end of the optical fiber cable 4,
Although the solid-state laser oscillation section and the wavelength conversion section made of the nonlinear optical crystal are integrated, the structure is completely the same as the structure of the distal end 51a of the irradiation optical fiber cable 51 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Are identical.

Further, the receptacle 5 shown in FIG.
The structure of the connector portions of the optical fiber cables 2, 3, and 4 fitted to 6, 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the optical fiber cable 2,
The shape of the protrusion 19 for identifying 3 and 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a mechanism for switching an optical fiber cable to be used inside the laser irradiation apparatus main body 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes a semiconductor laser light source; 22, a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 21; , 2
Reference numerals 4 and 25 are reflecting mirrors, and 24 and 25 are provided with moving means. 26, 27, and 28 are condenser lenses;
The laser beam 22 reflected by the reflecting mirrors 23, 24, and 25 is collected and coupled to the optical fiber cables 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Reference numeral 29 denotes a control circuit which controls the position of the reflecting mirrors 24 and 25 to switch the optical path of the laser light 22 according to the type of the optical fiber cable selected by the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 and switches the semiconductor light if necessary. The wavelength is adjusted by controlling the temperature of the laser 21. Further, the control circuit 29 controls the driving conditions of the semiconductor laser 21 according to the laser output and the irradiation waveform displayed on the display unit 14 by being input by the output setting switch 13.

The operation of the medical laser irradiation apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
When the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 in FIG. 1 is set in accordance with, for example, the optical fiber cable 2, the lamp of the indicator 9 is turned on, and the reflecting mirrors 24 and 25 in FIG. Is moved so as to be incident on the reflecting mirror 23, and the laser beam 22 is moved so that the optical fiber cable 2 can be used.
Is selected.

The output mode, output value and irradiation time of the laser irradiated by using the optical fiber cable 2 are set to arbitrary values by using the output setting switch 13 in FIG. 1, and these values are displayed on the display unit 14. You. Here, the output mode refers to a time waveform of a laser beam to be irradiated.

After setting the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 and the output setting switch 13, the switch 12
When the button is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit 29 in FIG. 12 confirms that there is no abnormality, the laser irradiation standby state is set. When the foot switch 15 in FIG. 11 is depressed in the standby state,
The 970 nm wavelength laser light of the semiconductor laser 21 can be output from the tip of the optical fiber cable 2.

As another operation of the laser irradiation apparatus, when the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 is set in accordance with the optical fiber cable 3, the lamp of the indicator 10 is turned on and the reflecting mirror 25 is turned on the optical path of the laser light 22. Then, the reflection mirror 24 moves so as to reflect the laser light 22, and the optical path of the laser light 22 is selected so that the optical fiber cable 3 can be used. The output mode, output value, and irradiation time of the laser irradiated using the optical fiber cable 3 are displayed on the display unit 14, and are set to arbitrary values using the output setting switch 13.

Since the semiconductor laser 21 functions as an excitation light source for the solid-state laser medium 72 (see FIG. 3) integrated at the end of the optical fiber cable 3, the display section 14 emits light from the solid-state laser oscillation section 3a. 2.8 μm wavelength
The set value of the laser output 76 (see FIG. 3) is displayed, but the actual control is performed by the control circuit 29.
The oscillation wavelength of the semiconductor laser 21 is tuned (changed) to 967 nm, which is the most efficient for the solid-state laser medium 72 to oscillate a wavelength of 2.8 μm.

After setting the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 and the output setting switch 13, the switch 12
When the button is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit 29 confirms that there is no abnormality, the apparatus enters a laser irradiation standby state. In the standby state, when the foot switch 15 is depressed, the fixed laser medium 72 is excited by the semiconductor laser light 22, and the laser light 76 having a wavelength of 2.8 μm can be output from the tip of the optical fiber cable 3.

Further, as another operation of the laser irradiation apparatus, when the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 is set in accordance with the optical fiber cable 4, the lamp of the indicator 11 is turned on and the reflecting mirror 25 reflects the laser light 22. The optical path of the laser light 22 is selected so that the optical fiber cable 4 can be used. The output mode, output value, and irradiation time of the laser irradiated using the optical fiber cable 4 are displayed on the display unit 14, and are set to arbitrary values using the output setting switch 13.

Since the semiconductor laser 21 functions as excitation light for the solid-state laser medium 83 (see FIG. 4) integrated at the end of the optical fiber cable 4, it is emitted from the wavelength converter 4a to the display unit 14. The set value of the laser output 86 (see FIG. 4) having a wavelength of 275.5 nm is displayed. Actual control is performed on the output of the semiconductor laser 21 by the control circuit 29, and the oscillation wavelength of the semiconductor laser 21 is ,
The wavelength is changed to 975 nm, which is the most efficient for oscillating a wavelength of 551 nm in the solid-state laser medium 83.

After setting the optical fiber cable selection switch 8 and the output setting switch 13, the switch 12
When the button is pressed, the lamp integrated with the switch is turned on, and after the control circuit 29 confirms that there is no abnormality, the apparatus enters a laser irradiation standby state. When the foot switch 15 is depressed in the standby state, the fixed laser medium 83 is excited by the semiconductor laser light 22 and the laser light 8 having a wavelength of 551 nm is emitted.
As the laser beam 4 oscillates, the laser beam 84 is converted to a half wavelength by the nonlinear optical crystal 85, and a laser beam 86 having a wavelength of 275.5 nm can be output from the tip of the optical fiber cable 4.

The connectors for connecting the optical fiber cables 2, 3, and 4 shown in FIG. 5 to the laser irradiation apparatus body 1 are shown in FIGS. 19a, 19b and 19c, respectively. The projections are provided, and the receptacles 5, 6, and 7 of the laser irradiation device main body 1 are provided with fitting portions corresponding to the projections 19a, 19b, and 19c.
Can be exclusively connected to the receptacles 5, 6, 7 respectively.

[0066]

As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, in a medical laser irradiation apparatus, one laser irradiation apparatus that outputs laser light of a plurality of wavelengths that can be transmitted by a quartz optical fiber is provided with a tip. By selectively using at least two irradiation optical fiber cables including a part provided with a solid-state laser medium and / or a non-linear optical crystal, it is difficult for the quartz optical fiber to transmit from the irradiation optical fiber cable tip. It is possible to emit at least two wavelengths of laser light in an ultraviolet wavelength region or a wavelength band exceeding a wavelength of 2.5 μm.

Further, since a relay optical fiber cable made of a general-purpose quartz optical fiber can be used, the length of the irradiation optical fiber cable can be shortened, and therefore, processing essential for handling such as sterilization is easy. In addition to this, it is also possible to adjust the length of other medical devices to be used together in the medical field.

Further, by providing a mechanism for identifying two or more types of irradiation optical fiber cables, it is possible to safely use the laser irradiation apparatus without mistakenly connecting different irradiation optical fiber cables. The practical effect is greatly improved, and greatly contributes to the expansion of the use of the medical laser irradiation apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a medical laser irradiation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for controlling a temperature of a semiconductor laser light source according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of an irradiation optical fiber cable 41 used in the medical laser irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of an irradiation optical fiber cable 51 used in the medical laser irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a connection portion of an irradiation optical fiber cable used in the medical laser irradiation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a component diagram used for a connection portion of an irradiation optical fiber cable used in the medical laser irradiation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an irradiation optical fiber cable connection receptacle of the medical laser irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external view of a medical laser irradiation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a medical laser irradiation apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an internal configuration diagram of the medical laser irradiation device.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a medical laser irradiation apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for changing an optical path of laser light according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

19 Identification component (protrusion) 40 Laser irradiation device main body 41 Irradiation optical fiber cable (for 2.8 μm wavelength) 42 Receptacle 43, 44, 45 Indicator 46 Output setting switch 47 Display unit 48 Irradiation confirmation switch / lamp 49 Emergency stop switch 50 Foot switch 51 Irradiation optical fiber cable (wavelength 275.5 nm
62) Slide part 63 Spring 64 Switch 80 Relay optical fiber cable

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A medical laser irradiation apparatus comprising: a laser irradiation device main body; and at least two irradiation optical fiber cables connected to the laser irradiation device main body, wherein the irradiation optical fiber cable is quartz. An optical fiber is used as a light guide path, and a solid laser medium and / or a non-linear optical crystal capable of generating a laser beam having a wavelength at which light guiding of the quartz optical fiber is substantially difficult are provided at the tip of the quartz optical fiber, and the laser irradiation is performed. The apparatus main body is provided with a laser light source and a laser light emitting port capable of oscillating laser light of a plurality of wavelengths capable of transmitting a quartz optical fiber, according to the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable connected to the laser irradiation apparatus. Selectively pumping laser light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the solid-state laser medium or for converting the wavelength with the nonlinear optical crystal. The laser light is guided through the irradiation optical fiber cable, and laser light of at least two wavelengths including a wavelength at which light guiding of the quartz optical fiber is substantially difficult is emitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber cable. Medical laser irradiation equipment. 2. A detecting means for detecting a type of the optical fiber cable for irradiation connected to the main body of the laser irradiation apparatus, and a laser wavelength outputted from the main body of the laser irradiation apparatus based on the type of the optical fiber cable for irradiation. 2. The medical laser irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a changing unit for changing the laser beam. 3. The medical laser irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser generating means included in the laser irradiation apparatus main body includes a semiconductor laser. 4. The medical laser irradiation according to claim 1, further comprising a relay optical fiber cable made of a quartz optical fiber between the laser irradiation device main body and the irradiation optical fiber cable. apparatus. 5. A means for detecting a type of the irradiation optical fiber cable connected to the relay optical fiber cable, and based on the type of the irradiation optical fiber cable,
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising changing means for changing a laser wavelength output from the laser irradiation device main body.
The laser irradiation device according to claim 1.