JPH1142237A - Laser probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser probe which enables evenly jetting of a mixture of a liquid and a gas over the entire circumference of a probe fiber with a relatively simple structure. SOLUTION: This laser probe is provided with a probe holder 58 to be mounted on the body of a hand piece, a probe fiber 60 mounted on the probe holder 58, a first tube member 70 covering a part of the probe fiber 60 and a second tube member 72 covering the first tube member 70. A first passage 74 for supplying a liquid is formed between the probe fiber 60 and the first tube member 70, a second passage 76 for supplying a gas is formed between the first tube member 70 and the second tube member 72, and the liquid and the gas are mixed and jetted toward a part to be irradiated with a laser light being atomized. The first tube member 70 is provided with a concentric holding part 70a to hold the first and second tube members 70 and 72 concentrically on the probe fiber 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser probe for irradiating a laser beam to a part to be irradiated such as an affected part.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a laser probe in a laser treatment apparatus, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-51286 is known. This known laser probe includes a probe holder mounted on a laser handpiece and a probe fiber mounted on the probe holder, and a laser beam guided through a light guide fiber built in the handpiece is used as a probe. Irradiation is performed toward the irradiation site (affected part) via the fiber. A first tube member is attached to the probe holder so as to cover a part of the probe fiber, and a second tube member is attached to cover the first tube member. A first flow path is formed between the probe member and the probe fiber, and a second flow path is formed between the first tube member and the second tube member.
The first flow path is communicated with a water supply flow path extending through the inside of the handpiece, and water supplied from the water supply source through the water supply flow path flows through the first flow path. The second flow path is communicated with an air supply flow path extending through the inside of the handpiece, and air supplied from the air supply source through the air supply flow path flows through the second flow path. The water from the first flow path and the air from the second flow path are mixed when they are injected from the injection ports, and the mixture of water and air is sprayed to form a laser beam irradiation site. So that an appropriate amount of water can be applied to the irradiation site during laser treatment.

[0003]

However, the conventional laser probe has the following problems to be solved. The first and second tube members are typically formed of stainless steel, one end of which is mounted on the probe holder so as to be concentric with the probe, and the other end of which is connected to the one end. Extending from. When used in a linearly extended state as a probe, the first
And the second tube members are concentrically disposed at one end thereof relative to the probe, so that if their lengths are relatively short, they extend linearly and substantially concentrically over their entire length. Will be retained. Therefore, the first flow path formed between the first tube member and the probe, the first tube member and the second
The second flow path formed between the first and second pipe members is arranged concentrically with respect to the probe, whereby the first and second flow paths are provided annularly on the outer periphery of the probe, and The water from the second flow path and the air from the second flow path are injected substantially uniformly from the injection ports over the entire circumference of the probe.

[0004] On the other hand, when the probe is used in a relatively large arcuate curved state, the first and second tube members have one ends thereof connected to the probe similarly to the linear one. However, it is difficult to hold the first and second tube members concentrically with respect to the probe at the other end thereof. To elaborate,
The arc-shaped probe is formed by forcibly inserting a linear probe into a first tube member that is curved in an arc shape in advance. Therefore, a restoring force is generated in the probe to return to the original state, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is elastically pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the first pipe member by the restoring force. When the probe is pressed against the first tube member in this manner, the first flow path defined between them is not formed in a ring shape but in a portion located on the opposite side to the above-mentioned pressed portion. Although a relatively large crescent-shaped first flow path is formed, the first flow path does not substantially exist at this press-contact portion. Therefore, the water delivered through the first channel is
It is ejected from the part on the opposite side of the part to be pressed,
It is hardly ejected from the above pressed portion, and it becomes difficult to spray the mixture of water and air in a spray state substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe. When it becomes impossible to uniformly spray the spray state toward the laser irradiation site in this way, the laser beam irradiation site cannot be partially cooled, and, for example, in a dental treatment, a tissue may be damaged by heat. .

[0005] Even when the probe is used in a linearly extended state, when the first and second tube members have relatively long lengths, the length of the first and second tube members increases as the length increases. In other words, it is difficult to concentrically maintain the tip portion, that is, the portion of the injection port.

Further, when the first and second pipe members are used in a situation where a physical force is likely to be applied from the outside, the first and second pipe members need to be in the first position.
Even if a relatively short second tube member is used, it is difficult to maintain the distal ends thereof concentrically when a physical external force acts due to contact with the affected part or the like.

[0007] In these cases as well, it becomes difficult to spray a mixture of water and air substantially uniformly in the form of a spray over the entire circumference of the probe, as described above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laser probe capable of injecting a mixture of liquid and gas substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe with a relatively simple structure.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a probe holder mounted on a handpiece body, a probe mounted on the probe holder, and mounted on the probe holder so as to cover a part of the probe. A first pipe member forming a first flow path between the probe and the probe; a second pipe member mounted on the probe holder so as to cover the first pipe member; A second pipe member forming a flow path of the laser probe, wherein liquid is supplied through one of the first and second flow paths, and gas is supplied through the other of the first and second flow paths. Concentric holding means for concentrically holding the injection ports of the first and second pipe members is provided, and the liquid supplied through the first flow path is ejected by the first pipe member. The second stream injected from the mouth It said feed gaseous through a second
The laser probe is characterized in that the liquid and the gas ejected from the ejection ports of the tube member are mixed and ejected substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe.

According to the present invention, since the concentric holding means is provided, the injection ports of the first and second pipe members are arranged concentrically with respect to the probe. Therefore, each ejection port is arranged over the entire circumference of the probe, and the liquid and gas ejected from those ejection ports are ejected substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe, and the laser light irradiation site (the treatment Sprayed substantially uniformly toward the affected area to be sprayed.

Further, in the present invention, at least a part of the probe and the first and second tube members are curved and extend, and the tip of the probe is connected to the first and second tube members.
Projecting forward from the injection port of the pipe member of
And that the liquid and gas ejected from the ejection port of the second pipe member are mixed to form a spray, and are ejected substantially uniformly over the entire circumference toward the tip of the probe. Features.

According to the present invention, the tip of the probe is the first
And the liquid and the gas jetted from these jets are mixed and sprayed toward the tip of the probe because they protrude forward from the jets of the second pipe member. The mixture of the liquid and the gas is injected toward the laser light emitting site while cooling the tip of the probe.

Further, according to the present invention, the concentric holding member includes a first holding member interposed between the probe and the first tube member, and the first and second tube members. And a second holding member interposed between the first and second holding members, wherein the first holding member concentrically holds the first tube member with respect to the probe, and wherein the second holding member is The second tube member is concentrically held with respect to the first tube member.

According to the present invention, the first holding member is interposed between the probe and the first tube member, and the second holding member is provided between the first tube member and the second tube member. Since it is interposed, the first and second holding members
Can be securely held concentrically with respect to the probe.

Further, according to the present invention, the first and second holding members are formed in a regular polygonal shape, and the inscribed diameter of the first holding member is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the probe, or The circumscribed diameter is set slightly larger than that of the first
Is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube member, and the inscribed diameter of the second holding member is substantially equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the first tube member. The circumscribed diameter is set substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe member.

According to the present invention, since the first and second holding members are formed in a regular polygonal shape, the first and second tube members are concentric with the probe with a relatively simple configuration. Can be securely held in the shape.

Further, according to the present invention, the concentric holding means is constituted by a concentric holding portion provided integrally with the first tube member, and the concentric holding portion is provided on the first tube member with respect to the probe. The member is held concentrically, and the second tube member is held concentrically with respect to the first tube member.

According to the present invention, since the first tube member is integrally provided with the concentric holding portion, the first and second tube members can be surely concentrically arranged with respect to the probe with a simple structure. Can be held.

Further, according to the present invention, the concentric holding portion of the first tube member is formed in a regular polygonal shape, and an inscribed diameter of the concentric holding portion is substantially equal to or larger than an outer diameter of the probe. It is characterized in that it is set somewhat larger and its inscribed diameter is set substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe member.

According to the present invention, since the concentric holding portion of the first tube member is formed in a regular polygonal shape, the first and second tube members are concentric with the probe with a simple configuration and shape. Can be held in a shape.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing a part of a laser handpiece provided with a laser probe according to the present invention. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the principle configuration of the laser probe according to the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1, the illustrated laser handpiece 4 includes a handpiece body 6 and the handpiece body 6.
And a laser probe 8 mounted on the tip of the laser probe. The handpiece body 6 has the light transmission body 18 mounted thereon and a gas supply flow path 20b and a liquid supply flow path 22b. The optical transmission body 18, the gas supply flow path 20b, and the liquid supply flow path 22b extend in the axial direction of the handpiece body 6, rightward in FIG. The light transmitting body 18 is connected to an Er: YAG (erbium / Yag) laser light source (not shown), and the Er: YAG laser light from the laser light generating source passes through the light transmitting body 18 to the handpiece body 6. Guided inside. Gas supply channel 20b
Is connected to a gas supply source (not shown), and gas from the gas supply source is supplied through the gas supply flow path 20b. The liquid supply channel 22b is connected to a liquid supply source (not shown), and the fluid from the liquid supply source is supplied to the liquid supply channel 22b.

The laser probe 8 includes a probe holder 58
And a probe fiber 60 as a probe held by the probe holder 58. The probe holder 58 has a sleeve portion 61 extending in the axial direction thereof.
The zero incidence end 60a is held. A first tube member 70 is provided so as to cover the probe fiber 60, and a second tube member 72 is provided so as to cover the first tube member 70. In this principle, the probe fiber 60 extends linearly, and the first and second tube members 70 and 72 also extend linearly concentrically with the probe fiber 60. Then, the probe fiber 60 and the first
An annular first flow path 74 is formed between the first pipe member 70 and the second pipe member 72, and an annular second flow path 76 is formed between the first pipe member 70 and the second pipe member 72. I have.

A pair of feed holes 78 and 82 are formed in the sleeve portion 61 of the probe holder 58 at intervals in the axial direction. In addition, the base end of the second tube member 72 projects from the base end of the first tube member 70 to the left in FIG. One of the supply holes 78 is located on the left side in FIG. 1 of the base end of the first pipe member 70, and communicates the liquid supply flow path 22b with the first flow path 74. The other feed hole 82 is located to the left of the base end of the second pipe member 72 in FIG. 1 and located radially outward of the base end of the first pipe member 70, The supply flow path 20b communicates with the second flow path 76.

The distal ends of the first and second tube members 70 and 72 are located at a position slightly retracted from the distal end surface of the probe fiber 60, that is, the exit end surface 64, and the retracted distance is about 2 to 10 mm. Is set. The distal ends of the first and second tube members 70 and 72 are held concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60 by concentric holding means (described in detail later). Therefore, the injection port of the first flow path 74 and the injection port of the second flow path 76
0 is formed concentrically.

The incident end face 62 of the probe fiber 60 is
The lens 46 is located opposite the exit end face 19 of the optical transmission body 18 and between the entrance end face 62 and the exit end face 19.

With such a configuration, the laser light transmitted through the optical transmission body 18 emits light from its emission end face 19
After being converged by the lens 46, the light is incident on the incident end face 62 of the probe fiber 60. Thereafter, this laser light is emitted from the emission end face 64 through the probe fiber 60 toward the affected part.

On the other hand, the liquid supplied through the liquid supply flow path 22b is supplied to the first flow path 74 through the supply hole 78, and is ejected through the first flow path 74 at the tip thereof. It is injected from the mouth toward the distal end of the probe fiber 60, in other words, toward the affected part to be treated. In addition, the gas supply flow path 20b
The gas supplied through the second passage 76 is supplied to the second flow path 76 through the supply hole 82, and is directed from the injection port at the distal end to the distal end of the probe fiber 60 through the second flow path 76. Is injected. Therefore, the liquid jetted from the first flow path 74 and the gas jetted from the second flow path 76 are mixed to form a spray, and are jetted toward the tip of the probe fiber 60, whereby the probe fiber The spray can be sprayed toward the laser beam irradiating part while cooling the tip of the nozzle 60. By spraying the mixture of the liquid and gas toward the laser beam irradiation site in this manner, a thin liquid layer is formed on the surface of the irradiation site, thereby increasing the evaporation efficiency of the Er: YAG laser. Further, since the injection ports of the first and second flow paths 74 and 76 are arranged concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60 by concentric holding means (described later), the first and second flow paths 74 and 76 are provided. , 76 are sprayed concentrically onto the probe fiber 60, in other words, are sprayed substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction of the probe fiber 60, and are therefore substantially uniformly sprayed toward the laser beam irradiation site. Injected in a shape.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a laser medical device provided with an embodiment of the laser handpiece of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the handpiece in the laser medical device of FIG. FIG. In order to facilitate understanding, in the following description, members that are substantially the same as those in FIG. 1 will be described with the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated laser medical device includes a laser medical device main body 2 and a laser handpiece 4, and the laser handpiece 4 includes a handpiece main body 6 held by an operator and a handpiece main body 6. A laser probe 8 detachably attached to the tip of the handpiece body 6.

The laser medical device main body 2 includes an Er: YAG laser light source 10 for generating Er: YAG laser light,
A gas supply 12 for supplying a gas such as air or an inert gas, and a liquid supply 14 for supplying a liquid such as water, particularly preferably sterile purified water or physiological saline, are incorporated. . The laser light from the laser light source 10, the gas from the gas supply 12 and the liquid from the liquid supply 14 are supplied to the handpiece 4 via the medium supply cable 16. The medium supply cable 16 includes, for example, an optical transmission body 18 formed of an optical fiber, a gas supply pipe 20 forming a gas supply flow path, and a liquid supply pipe 2 forming a liquid supply flow path.
2 built-in. One end of the optical transmitter 18 is connected to the laser source 10, and the other end 18 a extends into the handpiece body 6. One end of the gas supply pipe 20 is connected to the gas supply source 12, and the other end 20 a extends into the handpiece body 6. One end of the liquid supply pipe 22 is connected to the liquid supply source 14, and the other end 22 a extends into the handpiece body 6.

Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 3, the handpiece main body 6 has a hollow cylindrical handpiece housing 24, an optical transmission body 18, a gas supply pipe 20 forming a gas supply flow path 20b, and The other end portions 18a, 20a, 22a of the liquid supply pipe 22 forming the liquid supply flow path 22b
The front end side of the handpiece housing 24 (FIG. 3)
(Rightward in FIG. 4) in the axial direction. A cylindrical intermediate member 26 is attached to the tip of the handpiece housing 24, and the laser probe 8 is attached to the intermediate member 26. A female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the housing 24, while a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the intermediate member 26. By screwing these female screws and male screws, the intermediate member 26
Is attached.

The distal end of the intermediate member 26 has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the other portions, and a mounting mechanism 28 for detachably mounting the laser probe 8 is provided at the distal end. . The mounting mechanism 28 includes a cover nut 30 that is mounted on the tip of the intermediate member 26. A male screw is provided at the front end of the intermediate member 26, while a female screw is formed at the rear end of the cover nut 30, and the cover nut 30 is attached to the intermediate member 26 by screwing the male screw and the female screw. . The mounting mechanism 28 further includes a plurality of spheres 34 that can engage with an annular recess 32 (see also FIG. 5) formed in a part of the laser probe 8. It is housed in an annular housing groove 36 formed at the tip. Also, cover nut 30
A pressing portion 39 for pressing the plurality of spheres 34 inward in the radial direction and an inclined portion 40 having an enlarged inner diameter for releasing the above-mentioned pressing of the spheres 34 are provided at the tip of the sphere 34. ing. With such a configuration, when the cover nut 30 is tightened, the pressing portion 39 presses the plurality of spheres 34 inward in the radial direction, whereby the plurality of spheres 34 The laser probe 8 is detachably mounted on the intermediate member 26 of the handpiece body 6 in this manner. On the other hand, when the cover nut 30 is loosened, the plurality of spheres 34 move radially outward on the inclined portion 40, whereby the pressing of the plurality of spheres 34 by the pressing portion 39 is released. In this state, the laser probe 8 can be detached from the handpiece body 6 by pulling it toward the distal end. In order to prevent the cover nut 30 from dropping off from the intermediate member 26 when the cover nut 30 is loosened, a retaining ring 92 is locked at the tip of the intermediate member 26.

The intermediate member 26 is configured as follows. A ferrule 42 is attached to the rear end of the intermediate member 26, and the ferrule 42 supports the other end 18 a of the optical transmission body 18. A lens holder 44 is attached to the intermediate member 26 in contact with the emission side end of the ferrule 42. The lens holder 44 is attached to the intermediate member 26 by screwing a female screw of the intermediate member 26 and a male screw of the lens holder 44. The lens holder 44 is provided with a lens 46, and the lens holder 44
The lens 46 is mounted on the lens holder 44 by screwing the male screw of the fixing sleeve 48 into the female screw of the lens. The lens 46 is disposed to face the emission end face 19 of the other end 18 a of the optical transmission body 18, condenses the laser light from the optical transmission body 18, and guides the laser light to the incidence end face 62 of the laser probe 8.

A gas flow path 50 and a liquid flow path 52 are formed in the intermediate member 26. The gas flow path 50 and the liquid flow path 52 extend in the axial direction of the handpiece main body 6 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). A connection pipe 54 is fixed to one end of the gas flow path 50, and the other end 20 a of the gas supply pipe 20 is connected to the connection pipe 54. A connection pipe 56 is fixed to one end of the liquid flow path 52, and the other end 22 a of the liquid supply pipe 22 is connected to the connection pipe 56. With this configuration, the gas from the gas supply source 12 is supplied to the gas supply passage 20b.
Is supplied to the gas flow path 50 through the The liquid from the liquid supply source 14 is supplied to the liquid flow path 52 through the liquid supply flow path 22b.

The laser probe 8 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 4. The illustrated laser probe 8 includes a probe holder 58 attached to the tip of the intermediate member 26 by the cover nut 30, and a probe holder And a probe fiber 60 as a probe mounted at 58. The probe holder 58 is formed to be elongated, and one end (base end) thereof is inserted into the distal end of the intermediate member 26. The probe fiber 60 is mounted at the center of the probe holder 58 so as to penetrate the probe holder 58, and the incident end face 62 at one end thereof is exposed to the one end face of the probe holder 58 and located opposite the lens 46.
, I.e., the tip portion further extends outward from the end face of the probe holder 58. An output end face 64 is provided at the other end of the probe fiber 60, and an input end face 62 is provided.
Is emitted from the emission end face 64 through the probe fiber 60 toward the affected part.
The probe fiber 60 has a core 65 existing at the center and a clad 66 covering the core 65.
Are covered by a protective jacket 68 (FIG. 8,
(See FIG. 9). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the protective jacket 68 is peeled off at both ends of the probe fiber 60, and the lower clad 66 is exposed to the outside.

The probe holder 5 of the laser probe 8
8 is provided with a hollow first tube member 70 and a second tube member 72. The first tube member 70 is provided so as to cover the probe fiber 60, one end (base end) of the first tube member 70 extends to near the one end of the probe fiber 60, and the other end (distal end) is the other end of the probe fiber 60. It extends to near the end. The second tube member 72 is provided so as to cover the first tube member 70, and one end (base end) thereof extends to near the one end of the first tube member 70, and the other end (tip) The portion extends to the other end of the first pipe member 70. The first and second pipe members 70 and 72 are, for example,
Formed from stainless steel. As will be described later, the first and second tube members 70 and 72 are arranged concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60 by the concentric holding means 102. With this arrangement, an annular first flow path 74 is formed between the first tube member 70 and the probe fiber 60, and the first tube member 70 and the second tube member 72 are formed.
And an annular second flow path 76 is formed. As shown in FIG. 6, the other end of the probe fiber 60 protrudes from the first and second tube members 70 and 72, and extends from the intermediate portion of the protruding end to the other end (tip).
8 has been peeled off. The protruding amount of the tip of the probe fiber 60 is set to about 2 to 10 mm.

Referring to FIG. 6, one end of first flow path 70 extends to the vicinity of one end of probe holder 58, and feed to probe holder 58 communicates with one end of first flow path 74. A hole 78 is formed. An annular space 80 is formed between the intermediate member 26 and the probe holder 58, and the feed hole 78 communicates with the annular space 80.
Are communicated with the liquid flow path 52. With such a configuration, the liquid supplied through the liquid supply channel 22 b is supplied to the liquid channel 52, the annular space 80, and the supply hole 7.
8 and is supplied to the first flow path 74, and is injected through the flow path 74 from an injection port 79 located at the other end (tip). One end of the second flow path 76 extends to near the center of the probe holder 58 in the axial direction, and the probe holder 58 is formed with a feed hole 82 communicating with one end of the second flow path 76. ing. An annular space 84 is further formed between the intermediate member 26 and the probe holder 58,
The feed hole 82 communicates with the annular space 84, and the annular space 84 communicates with the gas flow path 50. With this configuration, the gas supplied through the gas supply channel 20b is supplied to the second channel 76 through the gas channel 50, the annular space 84, and the supply hole 82, It is injected from an injection port 81 existing at the other end (tip) through 76. The supply of the gas through the first flow path 74 and the supply of the liquid through the second flow path 76 can be appropriately selected according to the treatment content using the laser medical device. The supply of the liquid mixture (in this case, a liquid in a mist state) can be performed toward the irradiation region of the laser beam.

In this embodiment, the relative rotation of the probe holder 58 with respect to the intermediate member 26 is prevented as follows. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG.
A notch 88 extending from the other end (front end) toward one end in the axial direction is formed at a predetermined portion of. Further, a pin 90 is fixed to the probe holder 58 corresponding to the notch 88. When the laser probe 8 is mounted, the pin 90 is positioned in the notch 88 of the intermediate member 26, and the probe holder 58 is inserted into the intermediate member 26 in such a state. Thus, the pin 90
Is provided, the relative rotation of the laser probe 8 with respect to the intermediate member 26 is reliably prevented. For example, even if an external force is applied to the probe fiber 60 during treatment by contact with the affected part or the like, the angular position of the probe fiber 60 is changed. There is no change, and it is possible to provide a detachable structure while preventing such relative rotation. In addition,
The intermediate member 26 is used to prevent gas and liquid leakage.
O-rings 94, 96, 98 are provided between the probe holder 58 and the feed holes 78, 82, respectively. The ring 92 is a stopper for the cover nut 30.

When this laser medical device is used in the fields of dentistry, oral surgery, otolaryngology, etc., it is desirable to use laser light having a wavelength of 0.5 to 5.5 μm. Er: YAG (erbium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet), Er: YSGG (erbium-yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet), Ho: YAG
(Holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet), Th: YAG (thorium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet), Co: VF (cobalt-panadium-fluoride), Er: GLASS (erbium-glass), Nd: GLASS (neodymium-glass) ), Solid lasers such as Nd: YAG (neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet), Ti: Sa (titanium-sapphire), and CO (carbon monoxide)
For example, a gas laser such as this can be used.

The first and second pipe members 70, 70
The tips of 72 are located at the same position. Therefore, the liquid from the first flow path 74 and the gas from the second flow path 76 are mixed after being injected from the injection ports 79 and 81 to form a spray, and the liquid and the gas in the spray state are mixed. Is injected toward the tip of the probe fiber 60, in other words, toward the laser beam irradiation site. In order to eject the mixture toward the laser irradiation site, the tips of the first and second tube members 70 and 72 are preferably retracted from the tip of the probe fiber 60 by, for example, about 2 to 10 mm. In addition, in order to ensure a good spraying state, it is desirable that the tip of the second pipe member 72 be retracted somewhat from the tip of the first pipe member 70, for example, by about 1 to 2 mm.

As in this embodiment, the probe fiber 60
Is greatly curved in an arc shape, it is difficult to concentrically hold the probe fiber 60 and the first and second tube members 70 and 72 at the distal end of the probe fiber 60. In the embodiment, they are configured as follows and held concentrically. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 together with FIG. 7, the first pipe member 70
, A concentric holding portion 104 is integrally provided near the front end thereof. The concentric holding section 104 includes first and second
Function as a concentric holding means 102 for concentrically holding the tube members 70 and 72 of FIG. Concentric holding section 104 shown
Is formed by plastically deforming the distal end portion of the first pipe member 70 so that the cross-sectional shape becomes a square.
Such a concentric holding portion 104 can be formed by inserting a processing tool (not shown) having a regular quadrangular pyramid end from the distal end opening of the first pipe member 70 and performing plastic working such as caulking. With such processing, no special member is required as the concentric holding means 102, and the concentric holding means 102 can be provided relatively easily and at low cost.

As shown in FIG. 9, the concentric holding portion 104 (specifically, the tip of the most expanded first tube member 70) has an inscribed diameter (diameter of an inscribed circle) of the probe fiber 60. Is set to be substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outside diameter. Therefore, when the portion between the four corners of the concentric holding portion 104 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the probe fiber 60, the first pipe member 70, particularly, its tip and its vicinity are formed in a polygonal shape with respect to the probe fiber 60. It is processed by caulking and held concentrically. The concentric holding portion 104 is formed such that the inscribed diameter is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the probe fiber 60 by such processing. Thereby, the first flow path 74 is secured between the four corners of the concentric holding part 104 and the probe fiber 60 with almost no deviation. The circumscribed diameter (diameter of the circumscribed circle) of the concentric holding portion 104 is set substantially equal to or somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe member 72. Therefore, when the four corners of the concentric holding portion 104 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second pipe member 72, the second pipe member 72, particularly, its tip and its vicinity are the first pipe member 70 and the probe fiber. The second flow path 76 is held concentrically with respect to the second pipe member 72 at a position between the four corners of the concentric holding portion 104 and the second pipe member 72.

By providing the concentric holding portion 104 in this manner, the first and second tube members 70 and 72, particularly, their tip portions are held concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60. In such a case, as can be easily understood from FIG. 9, the ejection ports 79, 81 of the first and second flow paths 74, 76 are formed with the ejection ports forming concentric end faces with respect to the probe fiber 60. However, the injection ports 79 and 81 of the first and second flow paths 74 and 76 are alternately located in the circumferential direction, and these injection ports 79 and 81 are arranged so as to form concentric end faces. It becomes a liquid and gas spray like the above. Therefore, the liquid from the first flow path 74 and the gas from the second flow path 76
Is sprayed substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe fiber 60, and the spray state of the mixture of the liquid (for example, water) and the gas (for example, air) is also substantially uniform over the entire circumference of the probe fiber 60.
The mixture in a uniform spray state can be uniformly sprayed toward a laser beam irradiation site. Note that such a swaged portion may be formed only slightly on the probe holder 58 side from the injection port of the first pipe member 70 having a circular cross section, and the vicinity of the injection port may be concentric with the probe fiber 60. When this is done, a completely concentric injection port can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 10, such concentric holding portions 104 can be provided at a plurality of locations intermittently over substantially the entire length of the first pipe member 70. In this case, as understood from FIG. 9, the first and second pipe members 70 and 72 can be held substantially concentrically over their entire length.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of the laser probe. In this embodiment, the concentric holding means comprises first and second holding members separate from the first and second tube members.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the illustrated concentric holding means 112 comprises first and second holding members 114 and 116 which are short and tubular. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first and second holding members 114 and 116 is formed in a square shape. Such first
The second holding members 114 and 116 can be formed by performing plastic working using, for example, a square working tool. The first holding member 114 is formed to be somewhat smaller in the radial direction than the second holding member 116.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first holding member 114 is interposed between the first tube member 70 and the probe fiber 60 at the distal end of the first tube member 70.
The inscribed diameter of the first holding member 114 is set substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the probe fiber 60, and the circumscribed circle is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first tube member 70, Or it is set somewhat smaller than this.
By interposing such a first holding member 114, the distal end of the first tube member 114 is disposed concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60, and the injection port 79 of the first flow path 74 is connected to the probe The fiber 60 is arranged over the entire circumference. In addition, the second holding member 116 is interposed between the first and second tube members 70 and 72 at the distal ends thereof. The inscribed diameter of the second holding member 116 is set substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first tube member 70, and the outer diameter of the second tube member 72 is
Is set substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inside diameter of By interposing such a second holding member 116, the distal end of the second pipe member 72 is disposed concentrically with the first pipe member 114, and the second flow path 76
Of the first pipe member 72 is arranged over the entire circumference of the first pipe member 72.

When the concentric holding means 112 is composed of the first and second holding members 114 and 116 as described above, the first and second tube members 70 and 72, especially those The tip can be provided concentrically. Therefore, as described above, the fluid from the first flow path 74 and the gas from the second flow path 76 are mixed to form a jet, and are jetted substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe fiber 60. can do.

In this embodiment, the first and second
Of the first and second pipe members 7
Although they are provided at the leading ends of 0, 72, they can be provided over substantially the entire length thereof.

In the above embodiment, the concentric holding means 10
Although the cross-sectional shape of the concentric holding portion 104 of the first tube member 70 as the second and the first and second holding members 114 and 116 as the concentric holding means 112 is formed in a square shape, It can be formed in a regular polygonal shape such as a regular triangular shape, a regular pentagonal shape, or the like.

The concentric holding portion 104 of the first tube member 70
Instead of a regular polygon, for example, a wavy shape shown in FIG. 13 can be used. In FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the concentric holding portion 122 of the first tube member 70 has a shape that is uneven in a radial direction over the entire circumference.
The inscribed diameter (diameter of a circle inscribed at the bottom of the concave portion) of the concentric holding portion 122 is set to be substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the probe fiber 60. The circumscribed circle (the diameter of the circle circumscribed at the top of the convex portion) is set to be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe member 72.

Even in the case of such a configuration, the first and second tube members 70 and 72 can be held concentrically with respect to the probe fiber 60, so that the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Achieved.

The corrugated uneven shape shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the first and second concentric holding means 112 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
The first and second holding members 114 and 116 can be formed as described above, and the same effects as described above can be achieved.

Although various embodiments of the laser probe according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first flow path 7 between the probe fiber 60 and the first pipe member 70 is provided.
4, the first tube member 74 and the second tube member 76
Gas flows through the second flow path 76 between
Conversely, a configuration may be adopted in which gas flows through the first flow path 74 and liquid flows through the second flow path 76.

Although the illustrated embodiment has been described using the probe fiber 60 composed of a core and a clad as the probe, a probe composed of a single material such as sapphire or quartz glass may be used as the probe.

[0058]

According to the laser probe of the first aspect of the present invention, since the concentric holding means is provided, the ejection ports of the first and second pipe members are arranged concentrically with respect to the probe. You. Therefore, each injection port is arranged over the entire circumference of the probe, and the liquid and gas injected from those injection ports are injected substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe,
The spray is sprayed substantially uniformly toward the laser beam irradiation site (the affected part to be treated).

According to the laser probe of the second aspect of the present invention, since the tip of the probe protrudes forward from the injection ports of the first and second pipe members, the injection is performed from these injection ports. The liquid and the gas are mixed and sprayed to be ejected toward the tip of the probe. Therefore, the mixture of the liquid and the gas is ejected toward the laser beam emitting portion while cooling the tip of the probe.

According to the laser probe of the third aspect of the present invention, the first holding member is interposed between the probe and the first tube member, and the first tube member and the second tube member are connected to each other. Since the second holding member is interposed therebetween, the first and second holding members can reliably hold the first and second tube members concentrically with respect to the probe.

According to the laser probe of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the first and second holding members are formed in a regular polygonal shape, the first and second holding members have a relatively simple configuration. The tube member can be reliably held concentrically with respect to the probe.

According to the laser probe of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the first tube member is provided with the concentric holding portion integrally, the first and second tube members are surely provided with a simple structure. Can be held concentric with the probe.

According to the laser probe of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the concentric holding portion of the first tube member is formed in a regular polygonal shape, the first and second tubes have a simple configuration and shape. The tube member can be held concentric with the probe.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing a part of a laser handpiece provided with a laser probe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a laser medical device provided with an embodiment of the laser handpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a handpiece of the laser medical device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tip end of the handpiece of FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the distal end of the handpiece as viewed from the arrow A in FIG.

6 is an enlarged half sectional view of the laser probe of the handpiece of FIG. 3, showing a section below the center line.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first tube member in the laser probe of FIG. 6;

8 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of another embodiment of the laser probe.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a part of still another embodiment of the laser probe.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 and illustrating still another modified example of the laser probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 laser medical device main body 4 handpiece 8 laser probe 58 probe holder 60 probe fiber 70 first pipe member 72 second pipe member 74 first flow path 76 second flow path 79, 81 injection ports 102, 112 concentric Holding means 104, 122 Concentric holding part 114 First concentric holding member 116 Second concentric holding member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A probe holder mounted on a handpiece body, a probe mounted on the probe holder,
A first pipe member mounted on the probe holder so as to cover a part of the probe and forming a first flow path with the probe, and the probe holder so as to cover the first pipe member And a second pipe member between the first pipe member and the first pipe member.
A second pipe member forming a flow path of the first and second flow paths, wherein a liquid is supplied through one of the first and second flow paths, and a gas is supplied through the other of the first and second flow paths. Concentric holding means for holding the injection ports of the first and second pipe members concentrically is provided, and the liquid supplied through the first flow path is supplied to the first flow path by the first flow path.
The gas ejected from the ejection port of the pipe member, the gas supplied through the second flow path is ejected from the ejection port of the second pipe member, and the liquid and the gas ejected from these ejection ports are
A laser probe, wherein the laser probe is mixed and injected substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the probe. 2. The probe and at least a part of the first and second pipe members are curved and extend, and a tip portion of the probe is located forward of an injection port of the first and second pipe members. And the liquid and gas ejected from the ejection ports of the first and second pipe members are mixed to form a spray, and are substantially directed over the entire circumference toward the distal end of the probe. 2. The laser probe according to claim 1, wherein the laser probe is ejected uniformly. 3. A concentric holding member, comprising: a first holding member interposed between the probe and the first tube member;
A second holding member interposed between the first tube member and the second tube member, wherein the first holding member concentrically positions the first tube member with the probe; 3. The laser probe according to claim 1, wherein the second holding member holds the second tube member concentrically with respect to the first tube member. 4. 4. The first and second holding members are formed in a regular polygonal shape, and the inscribed diameter of the first holding member is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the probe. The circumscribed diameter is set substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube member, and the inscribed diameter of the second holding member is set to be larger than the first tube member.
Is set substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe member, and the circumscribed diameter is set substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe member. The laser probe according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The concentric holding means comprises a concentric holding portion provided integrally with the first tube member, wherein the concentric holding portion concentrically positions the first tube member with respect to the probe. The laser probe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second tube member is held concentrically with the first tube member while being held in a shape. 6. The concentric holding portion of the first tube member is formed in a regular polygonal shape, and the inscribed diameter of the concentric holding portion is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the probe. 6. The laser probe according to claim 5, wherein the circumscribed diameter is set to be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second tube member.