JPS5995039A - Handpiece of laser apparatus - 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 [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a device for protecting the surface of a kaleidoscope from contamination during use in a laser device having a handpiece equipped with a kaleidoscope.

[Technical Background of the Invention] Attempts have been made to use Loser for medical purposes for a long time, and its application has been attempted in various fields.

As one such method, a method of using a laser device to treat birthmarks (for example, birthmarks, spots, freckles, etc.) on the surface of living bodies has been proposed, is being carried out on a trial basis, and its effectiveness has been reported.

By the way, there are many conventional treatments for birthmarks, such as baking with electric drying, cell destruction using dry ice, excision, loosening, and skin grafting, but eventually... However, it is highly invasive, the treatment is painful, the treatment period is long, and the results are not as good as expected.There are cases where hospitalization is required.

On the other hand, the method of burning the affected area with laser light has the advantage of being less invasive and therefore less painful.
The light intensity distribution in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of travel of the laser beam is generally not uniform, and due to this non-uniformity, when the laser beam is irradiated onto the surface of a living body, irradiation spots may occur and the expected treatment results may not be obtained. Sometimes it was difficult to obtain.

In other words, there are currently two main methods of laser therapy: one is to directly irradiate the affected area with laser light, and the other is to guide the laser light through a light guide such as an optical fiber and irradiate it to the affected area. The laser beam has a light intensity distribution that is strong near the center and weaker toward the outer periphery, exhibiting a convex shape distribution.

In addition, in the latter method, the laser light emitted from the output end face of the fiber has a far-field pattern determined by the characteristics of the fiber, and the shape of the light intensity distribution of the emitted laser light depends on the distance between the fiber output end face and the affected area. changes in a complicated manner, making it impossible to obtain laser light with a uniform distribution.

Therefore, both methods have a fundamental cause of producing irradiation spots.

Kaleidoscope was developed to solve this problem. The method using a kaleidoscope has the characteristics that the laser beam can be irradiated with a nearly uniform light intensity distribution within the irradiation field, the shape of the irradiation field can be arbitrarily selected, and the light output of the kaleidoscope The light emitted from the end surface spreads rapidly in free space, and the output per unit surface also rapidly attenuates.Moreover, the output light loses coherence, so if it accidentally enters the body, especially the eyes. It is an ideal method for treating bruises, etc. as it has the advantage of being highly safe.

A kaleidoscope is a transparent rod-shaped light transmitting body made of acrylic or optical glass. Both end faces are flat and the periphery is smooth. It is a type of light guide that randomizes light during the light guide process. It is.

To perform birthmark treatment with a laser treatment device equipped with a kaleidoscope, for example, as shown in FIG. Directly or with a protective plate 9
The kaleidoscope 7 indirectly contacts the affected area 10 through the
This is performed by irradiating the affected area 10 with laser light from the distal end surface of the laser beam, thereby instantaneously cauterizing the affected tissue.

[Problems with the background art] However, when cauterizing the affected area 10 with laser light,
Tissue fragments, charcoal fire, and cauterized pieces scatter from the affected area 10, so if the tip of the kaleidoscope 7 is brought into direct contact with the affected area 10 for treatment, the output end face of the kaleidoscope 7 will be contaminated with tissue pieces, charcoal fire, and cauterized pieces. As a result, there is a problem that a predetermined output of the laser beam cannot be obtained, or the emission end face of the kaleidoscope 7 may be overheated and destroyed depending on the location. However, even if the tip of the kaleidoscope 7 is used to indirectly irradiate the affected area 10 with laser light through the protective plate 9, as shown in FIG. The problem of the side of the Ride scope 7 being contaminated with tissue fragments, charcoal fire, cauterized pieces, etc. has not yet been resolved, and above all, the laser end of the protection plate 9 is contaminated every time the laser beam is emitted. The problem is that the use of the protection plate 9 makes the operation of the surgeon extremely complicated, since the transparent part must be inserted and the protection plate 9 must be shifted one by one so that the clean side of the protection plate 9 always comes into contact with the affected area 10. occurs.

Furthermore, in order to prevent contamination near the end face of the kaleidoscope 7, the end face of the holder 8 and the output end face of the kaleidoscope 7 are placed in the same plane so that a gap A between the holder 8 and the protective plate 9 does not occur. When the handpiece 6 is changed as shown in FIG. become unable to do so.

rObject of the Invention] This invention was made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and it solves the trouble of having the operator operate each protective plate that is separate from the handpiece, and also provides a kaleidoscope. A kaleidoscope with a simple structure that can prevent the laser beam emitting end face and its vicinity from being contaminated by tissue fragments, charcoal, cautery pieces, etc., and also allows easy confirmation of the laser beam irradiation position on the affected area. The purpose of this invention is to provide a removable protective device for the surface of a kaleidoscope.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a hand piece for a laser device in which a kaleidoscope is held in a holder in order to irradiate a laser beam having a standardized light intensity distribution, at least a laser beam irradiation end face of the kaleidoscope. It is characterized by comprising a transparent protective cover that is engaged with the holder so as to cover the kaleidoscope and to be movable forward and backward in the optical axis direction of the kaleidoscope, Further, when the handpiece is pressed against the affected area and preparations for irradiation are made, an auxiliary switch is turned on, and then laser irradiation can be made possible only when the laser irradiation button is pressed.

[Embodiments of the invention] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a kaleidoscope for making the light output distribution uniform, and is the same as that shown in FIG. The reason why the entrance end surface 7a is formed into a concave surface is that, as shown in FIG. This is to enable the incoming laser light to be efficiently input to the kaleidoscope 7. Reference numeral 7b denotes an output end face of the kaleidoscope, and the laser light input through the input end face 7a undergoes repeated total reflection inside the kaleidoscope 7, and is outputted with a uniform light output distribution at the output end face 7b.

A protective cover 11 is located in front of the output end surface 7b of the kaleidoscope 7, and is made of a transparent material to wrap around the tip of the kaleidoscope 7. It serves as a protector from pollution.

A screw hole 2o is bored in one side of the protective cover 11, and the bottle 15 is screwed to the protective cover 11 through the screw hole 20.

12 is a holder, and the input end surface 7 of the kaleidoscope 7
By holding the side surface of the optical fiber 3 shown in FIG.
The precision of the optical axis is maintained by connecting it to a metal fitting (not shown) that holds the output section. It is a matter of theory that the distance 11 at which the holder 12 holds the kaleidoscope 7 is a range within which the laser light does not propagate.

The holder 12 has a kaleidoscope 7 as shown in FIG.
The protective cover 11 is formed to wrap around the sides of the protective cover 11. A slide hole 16 is bored in one side of the holder 12, and the head of the bottle 15, which is screwed to the protective cover 11, passes through this slide hole 16 and is configured to be higher than the side of the holder 12. . Furthermore, a step 21 is provided on the inside of the holder 12, and a backing material 22 is provided on the step 21 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. The other side of the end face of -〇- has a structure that allows it to slide smoothly within the range regulated by the backing material 22.

That is, the position where the end face 11a of the protective cover leaves the output end face 7b of the kaleidoscope is the position where the bottle 15 screwed to the protective cover 11 hits one end face of the slide hole 16; is the output end face 7b
In the position where the end of the protective cover 11 approaches the backing material 2
This is the position corresponding to 2. When performing laser treatment, end face 1
When 1a is pressed against the affected area, the end of the protective cover 11 is pressed against the backing material 22, and the inside of the holder 12 is configured to have an airtight structure.

In the case of laser irradiation using the uniformity of the light output distribution of the kaleidoscope, it is preferable to bring the output end face of the kaleidoscope close to the nevus to a position close to contact.

To replace the protective cover 11, the protective cover 11 can be easily removed by simply removing the bottle 15 screwed to the protective cover 11.

In order to separate the end face 11a of the protective cover from the 10-output end face 7b of the kaleidoscope, a small amount of air is fed into the holder 12 from the pipe 23 to increase the pressure. When the end of the protective cover 11 is away from the backing material 22, the air sent into the holder 12 escapes little by little from the sliding movement of the protective cover 11 and the holder 12. However, in the present invention, the end surface 11a is separated from the backing material 22. A sufficient amount of air is sent into the holder 12 from the pipe 23 away from the output end surface 7b. This air pressure allows the end surface 11a to easily move into the output end surface 7b when the end surface 11a is pressed against the affected area.
It is a matter of heat theory that the pressure is adjusted so that it can slide toward. Although FIG. 2 shows a state in which the end surface 11a is separated from the output end surface 7b, conversely, the end surface 11a is separated from the output end surface 7b.
Fig. 5 shows a state close to contact with b.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the air system. 24 is an air source such as a N2 gas cylinder or compressor, and 25
is a pressure regulating valve, which is installed between the air source 24 and the pipe 23 and can adjust the pressure of the air sent into the holder 12 to an appropriate amount as described above.The valve receives a signal from the drive circuit 28 described later. During this period, the valve closes or the feed rate is reduced.

A pressure sensitive element 26 is located inside the pipe 23 and can generate a voltage proportional to the pressure of the air inside the vibrator 23. Reference numeral 27 denotes an amplifier, which serves to amplify the output signal of the pressure sensitive element 26 to a voltage at which the subsequent drive circuit 28 can operate.

The drive circuit 28 operates when the output signal of the amplifier 27 exceeds a preset value, and the pressure regulating valve 25
It functions to close the valve or reduce the feed rate so that the pressure inside the pipe 23 does not exceed a certain value, and to send a signal to the auxiliary switch 29.

The auxiliary switch 29 is configured to close a circuit contact only while a signal is received from the drive circuit 28, and although not shown, the contact is arranged in series with a laser irradiation contact that instructs laser light irradiation. Therefore, auxiliary switch 2
When the contact point 9 is not closed, the laser irradiation function is disabled.

That is, it is not possible to irradiate the affected area with laser light.

Next, the operation will be explained. The compressed air coming out of the air source 24 is adjusted to an appropriate pressure by the pressure regulating valve 25, and increases the pressure inside the holder 12 via the pipe 23. Then,
The protective cover 11 slides until the end surface 11 a separates from the output end surface 7 b of the kaleidoscope and the bottle 15 screwed to the protective cover 11 comes into contact with the end surface of the slide hole 16 . Air escapes little by little due to the sliding motion between the protective cover 11 and the holder 12, but the air source 24 supplies enough air to replace the amount of air escaping.

In this state, the end surface 11a is separated from the output end surface 7b, and since the protective cover 11 is made of a transparent material, the operator can easily aim. The operator can clearly grasp the irradiation field by setting the target, pressing the end surface 11a onto the nevus, and bringing the end surface 11a close to the output end surface 7b. Even when laser irradiation is performed, since the boundary line can be clearly identified, overlapped irradiation can prevent 13-filtered irradiation and the danger of irradiation IIJ spots due to non-irradiation.

When the end surface 11a is pressed against the birthmark and the end of the protective cover hits the backing material 22, air leakage is stopped and the holder 12
The air pressure inside increases. Then, the pressure sensitive element 26 detects the increase in pressure and increases the output voltage. The amplifier 27 amplifies the input voltage, and the drive circuit 28 amplifies the end face 11 when the output voltage of the amplifier 27 exceeds a voltage determined by the front plate.
It is determined that a is pressed against the nevus, and the pressure regulating valve 25 is activated.
This sends a signal to the system to instruct the valve to close, etc., to prevent accidents such as the pipe 23 coming off due to excessive pressure in the system, and also activates the auxiliary switch 29 to conduct the contacts and closes the laser irradiation switch. (not shown) is enabled. That is, laser light is irradiated.

After that, when laser irradiation is performed and the end face 11a is separated from the birthmark, the end face 11a is separated from the output end face 7b due to the pressure held inside the holder 12, and when air leakage begins, the pressure sensitive element 26 14- detect the decrease and communicate it to the drive circuit 28 via the amplifier 27. Then, the drive circuit 28
A signal is sent to direct air to be sent to the pipe 23, and a signal is also sent to the auxiliary switch 29 to open the contact and disable the operation even if the laser irradiation button is pressed by mistake thereafter.

Next, a further embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. In these figures, the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and therefore the explanation of those parts will be omitted.

The holder 12 has three steps. First step 12
A cover 13 is bonded to a position between the step a and the second step 12b. Two springs 14a, 14b are arranged between the cover 13 and the holder 12, and one end of the springs 14a, 14b is connected to the second step 1 of the holder 12.
2b, the other terminals of the springs 14a, 14b are in contact with the end of the protective cover 11, and act to push the end of the protective cover 11 away from the second step 12b of the holder 12.

A bottle 15 is screwed to the holder 12 in the vicinity of the intermediate position between the second step 12b and the third step 12G of the holder 12, and the protective cover 11 is attached to the holder by the tension of springs 14a and 14b. From 12 onwards, it acts as a stopper to prevent the handle from falling. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the protective cover 11 has a slide hole 16 that is longer than the slide distance 12 of the protective cover 11, which will be described later.Since the height of the bottle 15 is higher than the slide hole, the spring 14a, Even if 14b pushes up the end of the protective cover 11, the bottle 15 hits the end of the slide hole 16, and the protective cover 11 will not fall out of the holder 12.

The third step 12c of the holder 12 functions to limit the sliding amount of the protective cover 11. That is, the protective cover 11 has a step 11b, and when treating a birthmark, when the end surface 11a of the protective cover 11 is pressed against the affected area, the springs 14a and 14b contract, and the inner surface of the end surface 11a becomes
When it comes to a position close to the output end surface 7b of the kaleidoscope 7, the protective cover 11 is placed on the third step 12c of the holder 12.
It is configured so that the step 11b of the hole is in contact with the step 11b.

In the case of laser irradiation that utilizes the uniformity of the light output distribution of the kaleidoscope, the output end face of the kaleidoscope needs to be in a state close to contacting the birthmark, so the position of the step 11b of the protective cover is Must be careful.

Reference numeral 17 indicates a magnetic material attached to the upper surface of the terminal end of the protective cover 11, and 18 indicates a reed switch attached to the side surface of the cover 13. The distance between the step 11b and the third step 12c of the holder 12 is Until the magnetic material 17 reaches the reed switch 18
When approached, the reed switch 18 is configured to close and connect the circuit. Furthermore, reed switch 18
is arranged in series with a laser irradiation button that instructs laser irradiation, and a circuit is constructed to disable the function of the laser irradiation button when the reed switch 18 is not closed.

7 shows a state in which the springs 14a and 14b are tensioned, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the end surface 11b is pressed against the birthmark and the step 11a is in contact with the third step 12c of the holder 12. show.

The length of the cover 13 is such that it does not touch the bottle 15,
Furthermore, it is a matter of fact that the material is not capable of preventing the operation of the reed switch 18.

It is preferable to make the sliding lengths of the protective cover 11 and the cover 13 and the protective cover 11 and the holder 12 as long as possible. This is because the longer the sliding length, the more the kaleidoscope 7 can be protected from various contaminants generated during laser irradiation.

To replace the protective cover 11, the protective cover 11 can be easily handled by simply removing the bottle 15 screwed to the holder 12.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a handpiece for a laser device that is easy to replace and is equipped with a protective cover that allows the irradiation field of the laser beam to be clearly identified.

What is important in laser treatment of nevus is to clearly define the irradiation field of the laser beam. In the present invention, 18- usually by air pressure or tension of springs 14a, 14b,
The end surface 11a of the protective cover 11 is separated from the output end surface 7b of the kaleidoscope, and since the protective cover 11 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic, the birthmark can be easily sighted from the side. Furthermore, the end surface 11 of the protective cover 11
By pressing a to the nevus, the position of the kaleidoscope 7 on the nevus can be clarified, so even in the case of multiple irradiation in which laser irradiation is performed on a large nevus with adjacent irradiation fields, the border line can be clearly identified. It has the advantage of preventing the risk of irradiation spots because it can clearly identify the irradiation spots.

Furthermore, the laser irradiation button (which enables laser irradiation) is pressed only after the protective cover 11 is pressed against the birthmark and preparations for irradiation are made.
It is possible to add a safety device that enables the laser irradiation button (not shown), and by providing this safety device, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident in which the laser irradiation button is pressed by mistake.

Furthermore, the protective cover 11 can be easily replaced by simply removing the pin 15.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes various modifications without changing the gist of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional laser treatment method, FIGS. 2 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is part 8 of FIG. 2. An enlarged diagram of
Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram to explain the overculm where the laser beam irradiated from the laser device enters the kaleidoscope, and Figure 6 shows an example of the air system used in the embodiment of Figure 2. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing other embodiments of the invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the relationship between the pin and slide hole in FIG. 7. 7...Kaleidoscope 11...
......Protective cover 12...Holder 15...Pin 16...Slide hole 22... Backing material 23...Pipe 24...Air source 25...Pressure regulating valve 26...Pressure sensitive Element 27......Amplifier 28...Drive circuit 29...Auxiliary switch Patent attorney Kensuke Norichika (and one other person) 21 - Figure 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) - In a handpiece of a laser device in which a kaleidoscope is held in a holder to irradiate a laser beam having a standardized light intensity distribution, a small portion of the kaleidoscope (including the laser beam irradiation end face) is used. A handpiece for a laser device, comprising a transparent protective cover that covers a ridescope and is engaged with the holder so as to be movable forward and backward in the optical axis direction of the kaleidoscope. (2) A handpiece for a laser device according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover is moved forward and backward by gas pressure. (3) A handpiece for a laser device according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover is moved forward and backward by the force of a spring.