JP2000271236A - Probe holder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold a probe axially at a slidable position and a not slidable position by loading or unloading the probe quickly and easily. SOLUTION: When a probe P is force from above corresponding to a gap between a pair of probe holders 13 and 14, the probe P is held at a first position sandwiched between first recessed surfaces 13a and 14a. At the first position, the probe P can be slid axially relatively easily by applying a force exceeding a specified load axially. Furthermore, when the probe P is forced in from above, the probe P is held at a second position between second recessed surfaces 13b and 14b. At the second position, the probe P can not slide further by the friction between probe lock rubbers 18 and 19, even when the force exceeding the specified load is applied axially.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a probe holding device, and more particularly to a probe holding device for holding a probe of an optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment for irradiating an affected part with light including infrared rays to perform treatment by a thermal effect or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical fiber device for physical medical treatment has a built-in flexible optical fiber light guide, and guides light including infrared rays emitted from a light source through the optical fiber light guide to irradiate a diseased part. (See, for example, JP-A-10-165522).

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a probe holding device 51 of this type of optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment includes a holder fixing bracket 52, a stopper screw 53 for fixing the holder fixing bracket 52 to a support, and A pair of probe holders 54 and 55 mounted on the holder fixing bracket 52, a probe holder guide shaft 56 disposed so as to penetrate the pair of probe holders 54 and 55, and a nut for stopping one end of the probe holder guide shaft 56. 57 and the probe holder guide shaft 5
6 and a spring 59 for urging the probe holder guide shaft 56.

In such a conventional probe holding device 51, first, the probe P is moved between the pair of probe holders 54 and 55 in a state where the space between the probe holders 54 and 55 is widened by operating the knob 58 by the elastic force of the spring 59. By inserting and then operating the knob 58 again, the distance between the pair of probe holders 54 and 55 is narrowed to hold the probe P.

[0005] Stellate ganglion irradiation is one of the phototherapy using a physical medical fiber device. In this therapy, a relatively thin probe P is pressed from above the skin into the stellate ganglion at the back near the base of the neck to search for the stellate ganglion and irradiate a light beam.
Because it is painless, non-invasive, and easy to perform, it has been widely adopted as an alternative to stellate ganglion block therapy.

In performing the stellate ganglion irradiation, it is necessary to gradually push the probe P from above the skin to search for the stellate ganglion. After the search, the probe P is moved to the stellate ganglion. Need to be fixed.

[0007]

In the above-described conventional probe holding device 51, the knob 58 has to be operated each time the probe P is attached and detached, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

When stellate ganglion irradiation is performed, at the stage where the probe P is gradually pushed in from the skin,
It is necessary to operate the knob 58 to slide the probe P in the axial direction in a state where the pair of probe holders 54 and 55 is widened. In the stage of fixing the probe P to the stellate ganglion, the knob 58 is By re-operating, a pair of probe holders 54,
It is necessary to fix the probe P by narrowing the gap between the distances 55, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to quickly and easily attach and detach a probe, and to provide a first position where the probe can slide in the axial direction and a second position where the probe cannot slide. An object of the present invention is to provide a probe holding device capable of holding.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A probe holding apparatus according to the present invention provides a medical treatment by guiding light including infrared rays emitted from a light source through a flexible optical fiber light guide and irradiating the affected part with light. The probe of the optical fiber device for use can be held at a first position where the probe can slide in the axial direction of the probe and a second position where the probe cannot slide in the axial direction of the probe.

In the probe holding apparatus of the present invention, a holder fixing bracket, and a first concave surface and a second concave surface for attaching a base end to the holder fixing bracket and holding a probe at a free end are provided. A pair of probe holders formed, a probe holder guide shaft arranged to penetrate near the base end of the pair of probe holders, and the pair of probe holders attached to the probe holder guide shafts close to each other. And a probe slip rubber provided on the second concave surface of the probe holder.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which an optical fiber device (hereinafter simply referred to as an optical fiber device) 1 for physical examination is attached to an optical fiber supporting device.

The optical fiber device 1 includes a flexible guide tube G that is inserted into the optical fiber light guide and protects the optical fiber light guide from the surroundings so that the optical fiber light guide is not bent more than a limit. The main part is constituted by the probe P which is operated by hand. In addition,
The outer periphery of the probe P is covered with a metal cylinder such as aluminum.

The optical fiber supporting device is an optical fiber device 1
A base portion 101 which is inserted into and fixed to a light source device main body (not shown), a first joint portion 102 provided to be swingable with respect to the base end portion 101, and a first joint portion 102. A first telescopic arm 103 provided to be extendable and retractable, and a second joint 10 provided to be swingable with respect to the first telescopic arm 103.
4, a second telescopic arm 105 provided to be able to expand and contract with respect to the second joint 104, a third joint 106 provided to be swingable with respect to the second telescopic arm 105, Joint 1
The main part of the probe holding device 11 according to the present embodiment, which is provided so as to be swingable with respect to the probe 06, is constituted.

Further, on the side surface of the second joint 104, there is provided a guide portion 108 for holding the flexible guide tube G of the optical fiber device 1 so as to be freely inserted.

The probe holding device 11 according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a holder fixture 12 attached to the third joint 106, and a probe P with a base end fitted to the holder fixture 12 and a free end.
And a pair of probe holders 13 and 14 formed with first concave surfaces 13a and 14a and second concave surfaces 13b and 14b for holding a pair of probe holders 13 and 14, respectively. A pair of probe tightening springs 16 and 17 which are inserted into the probe holder guide shaft 15 and bias the pair of probe holders 13 and 14 toward each other.
A second concave surface 13b of the pair of probe holders 13 and 14,
A pair of probe slip rubbers 18, 19 embedded in 14b
It is composed of

The holder fixture 12 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum, and has an upper portion formed in a flange shape having a step, a lower portion formed in a shaft shape, and a lower shaft portion formed in a third joint portion 106. Is mounted so as to be swingable within a certain solid angle range by a universal joint (not shown).

The pair of probe holders 13 and 14 are made of a synthetic resin such as nylon resin containing fibers so as to have elasticity, and are formed into a substantially semi-cylindrical shape so that when they are combined, they become substantially cylindrical. On the inner surface near the free end, first concave surfaces 13a and 14a are formed to hold the probe P so that the probe P can be slid with a certain load or more, and the probe P is slid on the inner surface in the middle of the free end. Second concave surfaces 13b and 14b that are immovably held are formed. Further, the pair of probe holders 13 and 14 are notched so that the inner upper edges of the free ends are easy to attach and detach the probe P.

The probe holder guide shaft 15 is disposed so as to pass through through holes 13c and 14c formed near the base ends of the pair of probe holders 13 and 14.
The probe holder guide shaft 15 is formed by screwing screws on both end surfaces of a metal cylindrical body via washers.

A pair of probe tightening springs 16 and 17
Are fitted near both ends of the probe holder guide shaft 15 so as to be between the washer and the probe holders 13 and 14, and apply a biasing force to the pair of probe holders 13 and 14 in directions approaching each other. I have. The abutment of the pair of probe holders 13, 14 by the urging force of the pair of probe tightening springs 16, 17 is determined by the abutment of the abutment fittings 21, 22 embedded in the pair of probe holders 13, 14. Regulated by location.

The pair of probe non-slip rubbers 18 and 19 are formed of a synthetic rubber having a high friction coefficient such as nitrobutyl rubber, and are formed in a cylindrical body having a flange at the tip.
It is buried so as to face the second concave surfaces 13b, 14b of the third and the fourth concave surfaces. The probe non-slip rubbers 18 and 19 contact the peripheral surface of the probe P and serve to hold the probe P non-slidably due to friction.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views showing a state where the probe P is held at the first and second positions of the probe holding device 11 according to the present embodiment, respectively.

Next, the operation of the probe holding device 11 according to the present embodiment, which is configured as described above, will be described taking the case of stellate ganglion irradiation as an example.

First, the operator of the optical fiber device 1 pushes the probe P from above, with the probe P corresponding to the gap between the pair of probe holders 13 and 14 of the probe holding device 11. Then, a pair of probe holders 1
3, 14 are a pair of probe tightening springs 16, 17;
The probe P is once pushed and spread in a direction away from each other against the stretching elasticity of the probe P, but the probe P is moved to the first concave surface 13 shown in FIG.
When the pair of probe tightening springs 16 and 17 are lowered to the height positions a and a, they are held between the first concave surfaces 13a and 14a and held at the first position.
At the first position sandwiched between the first concave surfaces 13a and 14a, the probe P is temporarily held in the axial direction by relatively weak friction with the first concave surfaces 13a and 14a. By applying a force equal to or more than a predetermined load in the axial direction to the probe P, the probe P can be slid relatively easily in the axial direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

Next, the operator of the optical fiber device 1 moves the probe P held at the first position of the probe holding device 11.
Is pushed further from above, a pair of probe holders 1
3, 14 are a pair of probe tightening springs 16, 17;
The probe P is once pushed apart in a direction away from each other against the extension elasticity of the probe P, but the probe P is moved to the second concave surface 13 shown in FIG.
When the probe is lowered to the height position of b, 14b, it is held between the second concave surfaces 13b, 14b by the extension elasticity of the pair of probe tightening springs 16, 17, and is held at the second position.
At the second position sandwiched between the second concave surfaces 13b and 14b, the probe P moves in the axial direction due to relatively strong friction with the probe slip rubbers 18 and 19 embedded in the second concave surfaces 13b and 14b. Even if a force equal to or more than a predetermined load is applied to the motor, the vehicle cannot slide.

In the case of stellate ganglion irradiation, the optical fiber device 1
Of the probe holding device 11
The probe P is slid while applying a force of a predetermined load or more in the axial direction from the state held at the position, and the tip light irradiation part of the probe P is pushed from above the skin to find the stellate ganglion. it can.

After the stellate ganglion has been located, a force is applied to the probe P from above to move the probe P to the second position and hold the probe P in the probe holding device 11 at the same position. Thus, it is possible to stably irradiate the found stellate ganglion with a light beam.

In order to return the probe P from the second position to the first position, a force for lifting the probe P upward may be applied. Then, contrary to the already described, the probe P is the second probe sandwiched between the second concave surfaces 13b and 14b.
From the first concave surface 13a, 14a
Is moved to the position.

The probe P is connected to the probe holding device 11.
In order to remove the probe P from the first position, a force for further lifting the probe P at the first position may be applied. Then, the probe P is taken out from the first position sandwiched between the first concave surfaces 13a and 14a.

In the probe holding apparatus 11 according to the above embodiment, the case where the optical fiber device 1 for physical and medical care is attached has been described as an example. However, the optical fiber device attached to the probe holding device 11 is not necessarily used for physical and medical care. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other optical fiber devices such as an industrial endoscope and a medical endoscope can be attached and used.

[0032]

As described above, according to the probe holding device of the present invention, the probe of the optical fiber device is attached and detached only by pushing or pulling the probe in correspondence with the gap between the pair of probe holders. Therefore, there is no need to operate the knob to loosen or narrow the interval between the pair of probe holders to attach and detach the probe, which has the effect of facilitating the operation.

Further, the probe of the optical fiber device can be held at the first position slidable in the axial direction and the second position not slidable in the axial direction. There is no need to slide the probe after loosening the interval, and then operate the knob again to narrow the interval between the pair of probe holders and fix the probe, which has the effect of facilitating the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a probe holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a first position and (b) is a second position.
Is a state in which the probe is held at the position.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the probe is held at a first position of the probe holding device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where the probe is held at a second position of the probe holding device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the optical fiber device is attached to an optical fiber supporting device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional probe holding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 optical fiber device 11 probe holding device 12 holder fixing bracket 13, 14 probe holder 13 a, 14 a first concave surface 13 b, 14 b second concave surface 13 c, 14 c through hole 15 probe holder guide shaft 16, 17 probe tightening spring 18, 19 Probe non-slip rubber 21,22 Butt fitting 110 Base end part 102 First joint part 103 First telescopic arm part 104 Second joint part 105 Second telescopic arm part 106 Third joint part 108 Guide part G Flexible guide Tube P probe

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A probe of an optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment for performing medical treatment by guiding light including infrared rays emitted from a light source through a flexible optical fiber light guide and irradiating the affected part with the probe in the axial direction of the probe. A probe holding device capable of holding a probe at a first position slidable in an axial direction and a second position not slidable in an axial direction of the probe. 2. A holder fixture, a pair of probe holders having a base end attached to the holder fixture and a first concave surface and a second concave surface for holding a probe at a free end. A probe holder guide shaft disposed to penetrate near a base end of the pair of probe holders, and an elastic means attached to the probe holder guide shaft for urging the pair of probe holders toward each other. And a probe non-slip rubber provided on a second concave surface of the probe holder. 3. The pair of probe holders are formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape so that when they are combined with a synthetic resin containing a fiber, the pair of probe holders are formed into a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. 3. The probe holding device according to claim 2, wherein a first concave surface for slidably holding the probe is formed, and a second concave surface for slidably holding the probe is formed on an inner surface in the middle of the free end. . 4. The probe holding device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of probe holders has a notch on an inner upper edge of a free end for facilitating attachment and detachment of the probe. 5. A pair of probe clamps, wherein said elastic means is fitted to said probe holder guide shaft, and is inserted between said washer attached to both ends of said probe holder guide shaft and said pair of probe holders. 3. The probe holding device according to claim 2, wherein the probe holding device comprises a spring.