JPH01207051A - Laser treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure safety, by providing a sensor for detecting such a state that the emitting end of a beam guide fiber is heated by laser beam to generate a poisonous gas in the vicinity of the emitting end of said fiber. CONSTITUTION:The insert part 2 of a hard endoscope 1 is inserted in the body cavity to turn the leading end thereof to an object to be irradiated and a laser probe 9 is inserted in a channel 4 from the cut hole 6 of a sheath member 7 to allow the emitting end 11 thereof to approach a cover glass 8. Laser beam is transmitted through the laser probe 9 and emitted from the emitting end 11 to irradiate the object to be irradiated through the cover glass 8. When the irradiation with laser beam is continued, the emitting end 11 is baked and the material of the beam guide fiber is melted to generate a poisonous gas. This state is immediately detected beforehand by the detection sensor 12 arranged in the vicinity of the emitting end 11 of the laser probe 9 and this data is transmitted to the display means 14 provided to the outer surface of an operation part 3 through a lead wire 13 to perform display operation. An operator observes said display to stop the continuation of the irradiation with laser beam and a serious state can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a laser treatment device that performs surgery, treatment, etc. using laser light.

[Prior Art] In recent years, laser light has come to be widely used for treatment. Until now, CO2 laser light could not be guided through fibers, and YAG laser light was often used.

Conventionally, the only way to use this CO2 laser beam was to use a mirror-articulated light guiding means, but recently a light guiding fiber for transmitting this CO2 laser beam has been developed.

However, due to the characteristics of the material, this KH2-5 (mixed crystal of thallium bromide and thallium iodide: T, 7?Br-Tl!I) generates toxic gas when heated. .

By the way, this light guide fiber has poor transmittance for CO2 laser light. In addition, since the CO2 laser is used in continuous oscillation rather than in a pulsed manner, the light guide fiber for the CO2 laser itself is heated due to transmission loss, resulting in poor quality.

In particular, the output end was likely to be strongly heated.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] As described above, the light guide fiber for CO2 laser is easily susceptible to heating loss, and since the material itself is toxic, toxic gas is generated when heated relatively strongly. do. If a large amount of this toxic gas leaks out, there is an inconvenience that it harms the operator and the patient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a relatively simple method for laser treatment that detects the leakage of toxic gases generated from light guide fibers and ensures safety. The goal is to provide equipment.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a laser treatment apparatus having a light guide fiber for transmitting laser light, in which a laser treatment device is provided in the vicinity of the output end of the light guide fiber. A sensor is installed to detect when the output end is heated by the laser beam and generates H4 gas.
It is designed to prevent the generation of toxic gas.

Examples of sensors that detect the situation where the output end of the light guide fiber is heated by laser light and generates toxic gas include a temperature detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, and a pressure detection sensor.

Therefore, according to the present invention, during use of laser irradiation, the output end face of the light guide fiber is heated by the laser beam,
When a situation arises in which toxic gas is generated, this is detected by the sensor, countermeasures can be taken, and safety in laser treatment can be ensured. Moreover, since the detection sensor is provided near the output end face of the light guide fiber, which is most likely to be heated, the situation can be detected quickly and reliably.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the present invention is applied to a rigid endoscope 1.

The rigid inner Uil has a channel 4 extending between the insertion part 2 and the operating part 3, and a sealing member 7 having a l'' hole 6 is removably attached to the proximal opening 5 of the channel 4. ing. Further, a cover glass 8 as a light-transmitting member is attached to the tip opening 7 of the channel 4 in an airtight manner. Thus, the inside of the channel 4 is hermetically closed by the sealing member 7 and the cover glass 8.

A laser probe 9 is inserted into the channel 4 by being inserted through the cut hole 6 of the seal member 7.

This laser probe 9 is made of a light guide fiber made of a material with high transmittance for CO2 laser light, such as KRS-5 (mixed crystal of thallium bromide and thallium iodide: TI!Br-T, 171). , as a whole is relatively flexible. The proximal end of the laser probe 9 is detachably connected to a CO2 laser device (not shown) to receive and transmit CO2 laser light.

Further, when the laser probe 9 is inserted as shown in FIG.
A sensor 12 is provided on the inner surface near the tip of the channel 4 where the laser probe 9 is located to detect a situation in which the output end of the light guide fiber of the laser probe 9 is heated by laser light and generates toxic gas.

As this sensor 12, for example, a temperature detection sensor, a toxic gas detection sensor, a pressure detection sensor, or the like is used. For example, in the case of a temperature detection sensor, the temperature of the surrounding area also rises as the output end of the light guide fiber of the laser probe 9 is heated by the laser beam, so this temperature is detected. In addition, in the case of a gas detection sensor, the output end of the light guide fiber of the laser probe 9 is heated by laser light, and the toxic gas generated is detected near the output end at an early stage when the amount is small. It is. In addition, in the case of a pressure detection sensor, when the output end of the light guide fiber of the laser probe 9 is heated by the laser beam, the temperature around it also rises, and the 1f detects the increase in the pressure of the air in the channel 4. This is what I am trying to do.

Further, a detection signal from the sensor 12 is transmitted through a lead wire 13 to a display means 14 such as a lamp provided on the outer surface of the operating section 3, and the display means 14 is caused to perform a display operation.

Note that the operating section 3 is provided with a light guide connector 15 and an eyepiece section 16. In addition, although not shown, other parts necessary for the rigid endoscope 1 are incorporated.

When performing laser treatment using this rigid endoscope 1, the insertion section 2 of the rigid endoscope 1 is inserted into a body cavity and its tip is directed toward the object to be irradiated.

Then, the laser probe 9 is inserted into the channel 4 through the cut hole 6 of the sealing member 7, and its output end 11 is brought close to the cover glass 8. And this laser probe 9
The laser beam is transmitted through the cover glass 8 and emitted from the output end 11 to irradiate the object to be irradiated through the cover glass 8 .

If this laser beam irradiation is continued, the emission end 11 of the laser probe 9 is particularly likely to be heated.

If the laser beam irradiation is continued as it is, the output end 11 will burn and become unusable, and the material of the light guide fiber will melt, generating toxic gas.

However, this situation is detected beforehand or immediately by the sensor 12 installed near the emission end 11 of the laser probe 9. This information is then transmitted through the lead wire 13 to a display means 14 such as a lamp on the outer surface of the operating section 3, and the display means 14 is caused to perform a display operation. Therefore, the operator stops continuing the laser beam irradiation upon seeing this display. Therefore, serious situations can be prevented. Further, even when the laser probe 9 is inserted, the inside of the channel 4 is blocked from the outside, so even if toxic gas is generated, it will not be released into the body cavity. Therefore, 5. damage to the human body. No. Therefore, even if toxic gas were to be released, it would be extremely safe.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is also applied to the rigid endoscope 1. In FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the channel 4 formed between the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3 is
Leave both ends open, especially the tip end. That is, in this embodiment, the sealing member 7 and the cover glass 8, especially the cover glass 8, are not provided. This allows the laser probe 9 to be inserted into the channel 4 at an angle of .chi.1 and the tip thereof to be projected into the body cavity.

Furthermore, a thermal sensor 21 is provided at the tip of the laser probe 9. Then, the temperature of the emission tip of the laser probe 9 is detected by the heat-sensitive sensor 21. This detection signal is transmitted to the control section of the laser device through a lead wire attached to the laser probe 9.

When emitting laser light with the laser probe 9, the temperature of the emitting tip is detected, and when this temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the emitting operation of the laser device is stopped to ensure safety.

3 to 5 show a third embodiment of the present invention, which is a laser treatment system applied to a flexible endoscope. In FIG. 3, 31 is a laser device, and 32 is an endoscope. be. The laser device 31 has a built-in CO2 laser oscillator (not shown), and the CO2 laser oscillator oscillates with the CO2 laser oscillator.
2 laser beams are transmitted through a laser probe 34 connected to a base 33.
It is now transmitted to

This laser probe 34 is a light guide fiber made of a material with high transmittance for C02 laser light, such as KRS-5 (mixed crystal of thallium bromide and thallium iodide: T, l?Br-T)I). It is relatively flexible as a whole. A connector 35 is provided at the base end of the laser probe 34 and is detachable from the base 33 of the laser device 31. The laser probe 34 is inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel 36 of the endoscope 32 and can be introduced into the body cavity.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 32
A gas sensor 38 is provided on the distal end surface of 7 in close proximity to the distal opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 36 .

This gas sensor 38 is connected to a lead wire 39 disposed within the insertion portion 37. This lead wire 39 is led to the proximal side of the endoscope 32 and connected to the control section 40.

When the control section 40 receives the detection signal from the gas sensor 38, it causes the display device 41 to perform a display operation and stops the oscillation operation of the laser device 31.

Note that a connector 45 connected to the light source device 44 is provided at the extending end of the light guide cable 43 led out from the operating section 42 of the endoscope v1.32. Further, an air supply tube 47 communicating with an air supply pump 46 and a suction tube 49 communicating with a suction pump 48 are connected to this connector 45 .

Then, as shown in Fig. 4, the laser probe 34 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 36, and the irradiation target area within the body cavity is then guided. II-t
When the laser beam is emitted, the emission end 11 of the laser probe 34 is heated, producing toxic gas. This toxic gas is detected by the gas sensor 38, and this detection signal causes the display device 41 to perform a display operation and also causes the laser device 31 to stop oscillating.

Therefore, laser light irradiation is blocked before much toxic gas is absorbed into the human body, ensuring safety.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a laser probe 34 connected to a laser device 31 and having a configuration similar to that described above is used in a surgical microscope 61. The surgical microscope 1'i61 is provided on a support base 62 via a movable arm 63 and a multi-joint arm 64 so as to be movable three-dimensionally. The lens barrel 65 of the surgical microscope VT61 includes an eyepiece 66 and an output end 11 of the laser probe 34.
A connecting portion 68 is provided for connecting. Also, provided within the lens barrel 65 are six mirrors that optically correspond to the eyepiece section 66 and the laser probe connection section 68, and an objective optical system 70. The object to be irradiated is observed from the eyepiece 66 through the mirror 69 and the objective optical system 70, and the CO2 laser beam incident from the laser probe 34 is irradiated onto the object through the mirror 69 and the objective optical system 70. ing.

Further, the inside of the VT cylinder 65 is sealed for the time being.

Inside this mirror ↑2165 is a sensor 71 similar to the above.
will be established. Suitable sensors of this type include, but are not limited to, gas sensors, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors.

This sensor 71 is connected to the control section 40 that controls the display device 41 and the laser device 31 in the same manner as described above.

When toxic gas is generated from the light guiding fiber forming the laser probe 4 and flows into the lens barrel 65, this is detected and the display device 41 is caused to perform a display operation, and the laser device 31 is caused to perform an oscillation operation. Stop J-.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides a laser treatment device having a light guide fiber for transmitting laser light, in which the light guide fiber is heated near the light emitting end by the laser light. To prevent the generation of toxic gas, we have installed a sensor that detects the situation in which toxic gas is generated. During laser irradiation, the output end face of the light guide fiber is heated by the laser beam and white poisonous gas is generated. When a situation arises, the sensor will detect this and ensure safety. Moreover, since the detection sensor is provided near the output end face of the light guide fiber, which is most likely to be heated, the situation can be detected quickly and reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an endoscope as a laser treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an endoscope as a laser treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view of a laser system according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 4 is the same (a side sectional view of the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope of this system, Figure 5 is a block diagram of the electric circuit of this system, and Figure 6 is a surgical procedure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention). It is a schematic configuration diagram of a microscope for use. 1... Rigid endoscope, 4... Channel, 9... Laser probe, 11... Output end, 12... Sensor,
14...Display means, 34...Laser probe, 38
. . . Gas sensor, 40 . . . Control unit, 41 . . . Display device (means). Applicant Representative Patent Attorney Atsushi Tsuboi Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a laser treatment device having a light guide fiber that transmits laser light, there is a situation in which the output end is heated by the laser light and generates toxic gas in the vicinity of the light guide fiber's output end. 1. A laser treatment device characterized by being provided with a sensor for detection, and means for detecting the situation using the sensor and preventing the generation of toxic gas.