JP2001149380A - Laser therapeutic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser therapeutic device for preventing wasteful use of a laser beam, capable of detecting an output state of the laser beam with the simple constitution and capable of coping with abnormality of the device in its early stages. SOLUTION: In a laser therapeutic device for irradiating a treating laser beam from a laser beam source to a treating part, the device is provided with a laser irradiating unit for irradiating the treating laser beam toward the treating part, an optical fiber for introducing the therapeutic laser beam from the laser beam source to the laser irradiating unit, a temperature detecting means being installed in the laser irradiating unit and detecting an ambient temperature on the laser emitting end surface side of the optical fiber, a judging means for judging the existence of abnormality of laser emission on the basis of temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means and an announcing means for announcing a judging result by the judging means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser treatment apparatus which guides and irradiates a treatment laser beam from a laser light source to a treatment site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A laser device that irradiates a treatment site with laser light to perform treatment is known that uses an optical fiber for transmission (light guide) of laser light to an irradiation unit that irradiates the treatment site with laser light. ing.

[0003]

By the way, the optical fiber is different from the optical element fixed in the apparatus, when the optical fiber is attached to the apparatus main body or the irradiation unit when the apparatus is installed, or when the optical fiber is damaged. Or replace this. In this case, there is a high possibility that dirt and dust adhere to the end face of the optical fiber exposed to the outside, the inside of the apparatus and the optical element of the irradiation end unit, and the like. If the laser beam continues to be emitted in this state, the end face of the fiber or the optical element may be burned.

[0004] Since the dirt on the end face of the fiber appears as a decrease in the output of the laser light, the state of the laser output can be detected by spectroscopically monitoring the laser light emitted from the fiber with a beam splitter or the like. However, this method wastes laser light and is inefficient. If the irradiation unit connected to the output end face side of the optical fiber is a hand-held handpiece or the like, the configuration of the laser output monitoring mechanism using a beam splitter or the like becomes complicated, and the irradiation unit becomes larger and more handy. Is disadvantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention can detect the output state of laser light with a simple configuration without wasteful use of laser light, and can quickly cope with an abnormality in the apparatus. It is a technical object to provide a treatment device.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.

(1) In a laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment part with a treatment laser beam from a laser light source, a laser irradiation unit for irradiating the treatment part with the treatment laser light, and the laser irradiation unit An optical fiber for guiding the treatment laser light from the optical fiber; a temperature detecting means attached to the laser irradiation unit for detecting a temperature around the laser emitting end face of the optical fiber; and a temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means. And a notifying means for notifying the result of the judgment by the judging means.

(2) The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable means for detachably attaching the optical fiber to the laser irradiation unit.

(3) In the laser treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, the laser irradiation unit is of a hand-held type that allows an operator to carry out treatment while holding it in his hand.

(4) In the laser treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, the temperature detecting means detects a temperature in the laser irradiation unit without contacting an optical element of the laser irradiation unit and the optical fiber.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a laser treatment apparatus for skin according to an embodiment.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a laser device main body, in which a control unit 50, a laser light source 104 for skin, an aiming light source 105, and the like, which will be described later, are housed (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the laser light source 104 is a continuous wave (C
The semiconductor laser (wavelength 800 nm) that emits W) is used. The aiming light source 105 uses a semiconductor laser (wavelength: 635 nm).

Reference numeral 140 denotes a control panel for inputting laser irradiation conditions such as on / off of aiming light, output of laser light, irradiation time, and various setting conditions. 101
Is an optical fiber cable for guiding a laser beam emitted from the apparatus main body 100, and 30 is a hand-held type handpiece unit as a laser irradiation unit for irradiating a laser beam guided from the optical fiber cable 101 toward a treatment site. It is. This handpiece unit 3
Guide member 3 for adjusting the focusing distance of the laser beam to 0
0a is provided, and the tip of the guide member 30a is used in contact with the skin.

The handpiece unit 30 and the optical fiber cable 101 are detachable by a connector section 110. For example, by replacing the optical fiber cable 101 with a handpiece 40 having a laser beam scanning function, desired irradiation according to the treatment can be performed. Units can be used. 120 is the handpiece unit 3
0, an electric element (temperature sensor 35, L
ED 36) and a cable connecting the device main body 100. The cable 120 is also detachable from the apparatus main body 100 and the handpiece unit 30 by a connector unit (not shown), and can be connected to the handpiece unit 40. Reference numeral 123 denotes a foot switch for transmitting a trigger signal for irradiating a laser beam.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration around the connector 110 of the handpiece unit 30 and the optical fiber cable 101.

The optical fiber cable 101 has a fiber portion 101a for guiding a laser beam, and a covering portion 101 for covering the periphery to protect the fiber portion 101a.
b. A connector portion 110 is attached to a tip portion of the optical fiber cable 101 (a laser light emitting end surface side). The connector part 110 is a plug member 112
And a rotatable cylindrical female screw member 113 for fixing the insertion member 112 to the handpiece 30 side, and the fiber portion 101a from which the covering portion 101b is removed is inserted into the inside of the insertion member 112. , Fiber part 101a
Is exposed from its tip.

At the rear of the housing 31 of the handpiece unit 30, a male screw part 33 having an insertion hole for inserting the insertion member 112 of the connector part 110 and having a male screw screwed with the female screw member 113 is formed. Is provided. A small hole 33a is formed below the insertion opening of the male screw portion 33 for guiding the laser light emitted from the end face of the fiber portion 101a to the inside.

When connecting the optical fiber cable 101 and the handpiece unit 30, the insertion member 112
Into the hole of the male screw part 33 and tighten the female screw member 113 while fitting them together. Thus, the handpiece unit 30 and the optical fiber cable 101 are firmly connected, and the laser light emitted from the optical fiber cable 101 is guided on the optical axis L of the condenser lens 34 in the handpiece unit 30. The condenser lens 34 has the pore 3
The laser light passing through 3a is focused on a predetermined focal position.

The handpiece unit 30 is provided with a temperature sensor 35 for detecting the internal temperature. The temperature sensor 35 is installed near the exit end face of the fiber section 101a and the condenser lens 34, and
The temperature rise in the handpiece unit 30 is detected without contact with the optical element 01a and the optical element of the condenser lens 34.

When the optical fiber cable 101 is detached and replaced with another handpiece unit as in the handpiece unit 30 used in this embodiment, when the optical fiber cable 101 is detached, the light emitting end face of the optical fiber cable 101 is erroneously touched. May be stained. In addition, when the optical fiber cable 101 is frequently inserted and removed from the handpiece unit 30, dust and the like may be attached to the exit end face of the optical fiber cable 101, the fine holes 33a, and the periphery of the condenser lens.

If the laser beam continues to be emitted in such a state, the laser beam hitting dirt, dust and the like is converted into heat energy at the place, so that the temperature at the place rises sharply and the optical fiber cable 101 And condenser lens 3
4 and the like will be thermally damaged. Furthermore, if the laser beam is radiated without noticing the thermal damage caused by dirt, dust, and the like, the thermal damage spreads further to the surroundings and affects the entire handpiece unit 30. In addition, due to such damage, the irradiation port 30
The output of the laser beam emitted from b is also attenuated.

The temperature sensor 35 detects a temperature rise in such a case, and sends a signal of the temperature rise via the cable 120 to the main body 1.
By sending the information to the control unit 50 (see FIG. 3) on the 00 side, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an abnormality at an initial stage. Three
Reference numeral 6 denotes an LED for notifying a user of an abnormality due to a temperature rise of the handpiece unit 30. The LED 36 is turned on when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 35, and notifies an operator or the like of occurrence of an abnormality.

The handpiece unit 40 is also provided with the same structure as the male screw part 33 for connecting the connector part 110, and the temperature sensor 35 and the LED 36 are arranged similarly to the handpiece unit 30. . The connection between the apparatus main body 100 and the optical fiber cable 101 also has a similar connector structure, and these are detachable.

The operation of the laser treatment apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG.

The surgeon sets the lighting of the aiming light on the control panel 140 and sets the laser light irradiation conditions. When the lighting of the aiming light is set, the control unit 50 causes the aiming light source 105 to emit the aiming light. Aiming light is dichroic mirror 107
After being condensed and incident on the incident end face of the optical fiber cable 101 by the condenser lens 108, the light is emitted from the handpiece unit 30.

The illuminating aiming light is applied to the treatment site, and the guide shaft 30a is brought into contact with the affected area.
Adjust the focal length of the laser light.

When the operator has specified the irradiation site by observing the aiming light, the operator depresses the foot switch 123 to transmit a trigger signal. The control unit 50 receives the trigger signal and causes the laser light source 104 to emit a therapeutic laser beam. The treatment laser light emitted from the laser light source 104 is reflected by the mirror 106 and the dichroic mirror 107, and is then made coaxial with the aiming light. After being made coaxial with the aiming light, the light is condensed and incident on the optical fiber 101 by the condenser lens 108. Optical fiber 1
01 therapeutic laser light (and aiming light)
Is guided to the handpiece unit 30.

The therapeutic laser light guided by the optical fiber cable 101 is applied to the optical fiber cable 101.
The light exits from the emission end face, passes through the fine holes 33a, passes through the condenser lens 34, and is irradiated from the irradiation port 30b.

At this time, if dirt, dust, or the like is attached to the exit end face of the optical fiber cable 101 or the condenser lens 34, the energy of the treatment laser beam is converted into heat energy at the attachment location. The output of the therapeutic laser beam emitted from the irradiation port 33b is attenuated below the set output, and the laser beam is emitted to the treatment site. In particular, since the output of laser light for skin may reach several tens of watts, the converted thermal energy is high, and cauterization occurs in places where dirt or dust adheres, and the temperature in the handpiece unit 30 rises considerably. Will be done.

The temperature in the handpiece unit 30 is sequentially detected by the temperature sensor 35, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 50 by the cable 120, and it is determined whether or not the temperature state is abnormal. When the temperature sensor 35 detects a temperature rise equal to or more than a predetermined value (temperature rise outside a pre-stored allowable range), the control unit 50 determines that there is an abnormality and turns on the LED 36 through the cable 120.
By turning on the LED 36, the surgeon can detect an abnormal state such as cauterization of the optical fiber cable 101 at an initial stage, and can recognize the attenuation of the output of the therapeutic laser light emitted from the irradiation port 30b. . When the LED 36 is turned on, the operator performs necessary measures such as cleaning the end face of the optical fiber cable 101 and replacing the handpiece itself. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent secondary damage to the peripheral portion, and to appropriately perform treatment on the treatment site without lowering the laser output.

In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 35 measures the ambient temperature in the handpiece unit 30. However, the installation position and the type of sensor are not limited to these. For example, a contact type temperature sensor may be used. Using the optical fiber cable 101 near the exit end face or the condenser lens 34
May be brought into direct contact with the end of the device to measure the temperature. In this case, the non-contact handpiece unit 3
It is possible to detect an abnormal temperature rise more quickly than detecting an atmosphere temperature within zero.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber cable 1
01, the temperature sensor 35 is arranged on the emission end face side.
The incident end face side of the optical fiber cable 101 (the device body 1
A similar temperature detecting mechanism may be provided at the connection portion between the optical fiber cable 101 and the optical fiber cable 101).

Further, the LED 36 is used as a notifying means for notifying the operator of the abnormality, but it is also conceivable to make a sound. In addition to notifying the surgeon,
When an abnormality is detected, control may be performed such that the control unit 50 interlocks and forcibly stops emission of laser light.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The output state of the laser light can be easily detected without splitting the laser light. Further, since thermal damage to the apparatus due to the laser beam can be known at an early stage, it is possible to deal with it early, and secondary damage can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a laser treatment apparatus used in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a handpiece unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 handpiece unit 35 temperature sensor 36 LED 40 handpiece unit 50 control unit 100 device main body 101 optical fiber cable 110 connector unit 120 cable 123 foot switch 140 control panel

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment part with treatment laser light from a laser light source, comprising: a laser irradiation unit for irradiating the treatment part with the treatment laser light; An optical fiber that guides the treatment laser light, a temperature detection unit attached to the laser irradiation unit and configured to detect a temperature around the laser emission end face of the optical fiber, and temperature information detected by the temperature detection unit. A laser treatment apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether laser emission is abnormal; and a notification unit that notifies a determination result by the determination unit. 2. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable means for detachably attaching said optical fiber to said laser irradiation unit. 3. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser irradiation unit is of a hand-held type that allows an operator to carry out treatment while holding it in his hand. 4. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature detecting means detects a temperature in the laser irradiation unit without contacting an optical element of the laser irradiation unit and the optical fiber. apparatus.