JP2001161709A - Laser therapy apparatus and laser hand piece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser therapy apparatus and a laser hand piece capable of changing the kind of laser beam and the mixing rate of laser beams to be irradiated to a part to be treated according to the purpose of treatment. SOLUTION: The light-guiding hand piece 6 to be held by an operator's hand for irradiation light on a target part comprises a main body 7 with light guide passages 22, 25, 29, 30, 34 and 35 for passing which light and a filter support member 27. The filter support member 27 holds filters 36 and 37 which cut light with a specific wavelength. The filters are supported by the main body so that the filters can move between a first position crossing the light guide passages and a second position apart from the light guide passages based on the operation by the operator. By using the laser hand piece, it is not necessary to operate a laser generator when the wavelength of light to be irradiated is changed. Therefore, the wavelength of light to be irradiated to a target part can be changed quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser handpiece for irradiating a laser beam to a target place, and a laser treatment device provided with such a laser handpiece. In particular, the present invention relates to a laser handpiece for selectively irradiating light of a specific wavelength to a target position, and a laser treatment apparatus provided with such a laser handpiece.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a laser irradiation system for irradiating a light and a laser beam to a target place, only a laser beam corresponding to the purpose can be selectively emitted from two types of laser beams having different wavelengths. There is something. As such a laser irradiation system, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-103444
Is proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No.

This system has a laser generator 101 as shown in FIG.
In addition, a first laser oscillator 102 for generating a first laser beam of a first wavelength λ1 and a second laser oscillator 103 for generating a second laser beam of a second wavelength λ2 are incorporated. The laser generator 101 includes the laser generator 1
An incident end portion 105 of a light guiding optical fiber 104 for guiding the laser light emitted from the optical fiber 01 is connected. Further, a handpiece 107 for irradiating a laser beam to a target place while being held by an operator is connected to the emission end portion 106 of the light guiding optical fiber 104. The laser generator 101 also connects the first laser oscillator 102 to the input end 105 of the optical fiber 104 to guide the first laser light emitted from the first laser oscillator 102 to the optical fiber 104. On the first optical axis 108, the first laser oscillator 102
, And a condenser lens system 110. Further, the second laser light emitted from the second laser oscillator 103 is transmitted along the first optical axis 108 to the optical fiber 1.
The second optical axis 1 of the second laser beam emitted from the second laser
A second shutter 112 and a reflection mirror 113 are disposed on the optical axis 11, and a half mirror 114 is disposed on the first optical axis 108. The laser light enters the reflection mirror 113 and the half mirror 114 along the second optical axis 111, and the second laser light reflected by the half mirror 114 becomes the first laser light.
Of the optical fiber 104 along the optical axis 108 of the
5.

The first shutter 109 and the second shutter 1
Numeral 12 is adapted to be movable between a light-shielded position indicated by a solid line and a non-light-shielded position indicated by a dotted line. For example, the first shutter 109 is set to a non-light-shielded position (dotted line position), and the second shutter In a state where 112 is set to the light blocking position (solid line position), only the first laser light emitted from the first laser oscillator 102 enters the optical fiber 104 and the second laser light emitted from the second laser oscillator 103 is emitted. Is blocked by the second shutter 112, while the first
In the state where the shutter 109 is set to the light blocking position (solid line position) and the second shutter 112 is set to the non-light blocking position (dotted line position), the first laser light emitted from the first laser Only the first laser light emitted from the second laser oscillator 103 and cut off by the first shutter 109 enters the optical fiber 104.

As a modification (second system) of this system (first system), a manual on / off switch is provided for each of the laser oscillators 102 and 103 without a shutter, and these on / off switches are provided. , A system that sends only one of the first wavelength laser light and the second wavelength laser light to the optical fiber 104 is also conceivable.

Further, a modification of the above-described system (third
15), instead of using the first and second shutters as shown in FIG.
Immediately before the first laser oscillator 102, first and second wavelength selection filters 115 and 116 for selectively blocking (reflecting or absorbing) light of the first and second wavelengths λ1 and λ2, respectively, are provided. Laser light (wavelength λ)
When only 1) is sent to the optical fiber 104, the first wavelength selection filter 115 is retracted from the optical axis 108, the second wavelength selection filter 116 is positioned in the optical axis 108, and conversely, the second laser When only the second laser light (wavelength λ2) emitted from the oscillator 103 is sent to the optical fiber 104, the first wavelength selection filter 115 is positioned on the optical axis 108 and the second wavelength selection filter 116 is turned on. A system for withdrawing from the shaft 108 is conceivable.

[0007]

However, the above-described first method
In the second system, the laser generator 101 is provided with the first and second shutters 109 and 112 or the on / off switches of the laser oscillators 102 and 103. Therefore, the laser irradiation is performed by holding the laser handpiece 107 in a hand. Switching of the shutter cannot be performed in a state of facing the portion. In other words, every time the wavelength of the laser light to be irradiated is changed, the laser light irradiation operation must be interrupted.

Further, in the third system, as shown in FIG. 16, in order to prevent the laser beam reflected by the wavelength selection filters 115 and 116 from returning to the laser oscillators 102 and 103, the wavelength selection filters 115 and 116 are used. The optical axis 10
8 must be arranged diagonally. However, when the wavelength selection filters 115 and 116 are disposed obliquely to the optical axis 108, the actual light path shifts in parallel from the original position of the optical axis 108 as shown by a solid line in FIG. I do. Then, shift the shifted optical path to the correct optical axis 1.
In order to return the value to 08, the correction filter 117 having the same refractive index and thickness must be disposed obliquely on the optical axis 108. Therefore, compared with the case where only one filter is arranged on the optical axis 108, the light transmission efficiency is reduced, and
The size of the device is increased by using two filters,
There was a problem that the cost was high. Further, since the laser light immediately after being emitted from the laser oscillators 102 and 103 has high energy, the shutter and the filter exposed to the laser need to be made of a highly durable and expensive material.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a laser handpiece and a laser treatment apparatus which can selectively emit only light of a specific wavelength even when holding the laser handpiece. Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser handpiece and a laser treatment apparatus that allow an operator to switch laser light to be irradiated while observing a laser irradiation part. A further object of the present invention is to provide a durable, expensive shutter and a handpiece that does not require a filter, and a compact and compact laser treatment apparatus. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laser handpiece and a laser treatment apparatus in which a shift of an optical axis caused by disposing a filter obliquely to an optical axis does not cause a problem.

[0010]

In order to achieve these objects, a laser treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises: (a) a laser light generating device having laser light generating means for generating laser light of a plurality of wavelengths; (B) a laser light guiding means having one end connected to the laser light generation device and the other end connected to a laser handpiece; and (c) a type or mixture of the laser light to be irradiated among the plurality of wavelengths of laser light. (D) a laser handpiece connected to the other end of the laser light guiding means.

In the above laser treatment apparatus, the filter switching means may be provided inside the laser handpiece.

In the above laser treatment apparatus, the filter switching means may be provided inside the laser light generator.

Further, in the above-mentioned laser treatment apparatus, the filter switching means changes the position of the filter to a first position crossing the light guide path of the laser light and a second position retracted from the light guide path by an operation of the operator. Can be moved between.

Further, in the above laser treatment apparatus, the laser generator can be constituted by a multi-wavelength simultaneous oscillation optical fiber type laser capable of oscillating two or more laser beams in the same manner.

In the above laser treatment apparatus, the laser light generator may simultaneously oscillate the first laser light having a wavelength of 3 μm and the second laser light having a wavelength of 2 μm.

Further, in the laser treatment apparatus, the laser light generated by the laser light generator is continuously oscillated or pulsed.

Further, in the above laser treatment apparatus, the laser light generated by the laser light generator includes a green visible light component, and the filter is a filter that transmits the green visible light component. Light can be used as guide light.

Further, in the above-mentioned laser treatment apparatus, the laser beam generating device is provided with a laser beam irradiation condition setting device, and the filter switching means is adapted to a laser beam irradiation condition stored in advance in the laser beam irradiation condition setting device. In addition, the filters can be automatically switched.

Next, the laser handpiece according to the present invention comprises a light guide path provided with a filter for one or a plurality of laser lights selected from a plurality of laser lights having a plurality of wavelengths. And a switching means for switching the type or mixing ratio of the wavelength of the laser light irradiated on the affected part by moving the laser beam with respect to the affected part.

Subsequently, the laser handpiece of the present invention
A laser handpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention for irradiating light to a target portion while being held by an operator,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes; and (b) a filter support member. The filter support member holds a filter that blocks light of a specific wavelength, and based on an operation of an operator, the filter is moved from the first position where the filter crosses the light guide path and the filter is retracted from the light guide path. And is supported by the main body so as to be movable between the first position and the second position. According to this laser handpiece, by moving the filter support member between the first position and the second position based on the operation of the operator, light of a specific wavelength is blocked, and irradiation of the light is performed. Can be banned.

Further, in the laser handpiece, the filter supporting member holds a first wavelength selection filter for blocking light of the first wavelength and a second wavelength selection filter for blocking light of the second wavelength. The first wavelength selection filter traverses the light guide path and the second wavelength selection filter retreats from the light guide path based on the operation of the operator.
And the second wavelength selection filter is supported by the main body so as to be movable between the second position traversing the light guide path and the first wavelength selection filter being retracted from the light guide path. preferable. According to this laser handpiece, the first wavelength selection filter that blocks the first wavelength and the second wavelength selection filter that blocks the second wavelength are selectively positioned in the light guide path, and the first wavelength or the first wavelength is selected. The second wavelength can be selectively blocked.

Further, in the above laser handpiece, the filter supporting member is constituted by a rotating member rotatably supported by the main body about an axis parallel to the light guide path, and the rotating member is provided with a part of the rotating member by an operator. May be provided on the main body in such a state that they can contact each other.

Further, the filter supporting member is composed of a linear moving member supported by the main body so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the light guide path, and the linear moving member is moved between the first position and the second position. You may provide in the state which an operator can contact.

Preferably, the laser handpiece is provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the filter support member at the first position and the second position, respectively.

Next, another laser handpiece of the present invention comprises: (a) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes;
The body has first and second passages through which light can pass, and the operator can selectively position one of the first passage and the second passage in the light guide path. A moving member provided, and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, wherein the filter is disposed in the first passage, and the light guide is arranged in a state where the first passage is located in the light guide path. It is preferable to have a first filter that blocks light of the first wavelength included in light passing through the optical path. According to this laser handpiece, the light of the first wavelength can be selectively blocked from the light supplied to the laser handpiece.

Further, another laser handpiece according to the present invention comprises: (a) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes;
The body has first and second passages through which light can pass, and the operator can selectively position one of the first passage and the second passage in the light guide path. A moving member provided, and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, wherein the filter is disposed in the first passage, and the light guide is arranged in a state where the first passage is located in the light guide path. A first filter for blocking light of the first wavelength included in light passing through the optical path; and (d) a filter for blocking light of a second wavelength, the filter being disposed in the second path. And a first filter for blocking light of the second wavelength contained in light passing through the light guide path with the second path positioned in the light guide path. According to this laser handpiece, the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength can be selectively blocked from the light supplied to the laser handpiece.

Further, another laser handpiece of the present invention comprises: (a) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes;
The main body includes first, second, and third passages through which light can pass, and an operator can selectively position any one of the first, second, and third passages in the light guide path. A moving member provided, and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, wherein the filter is disposed in the first passage, and the light guide is arranged in a state where the first passage is located in the light guide path. A first filter for blocking light of the first wavelength included in light passing through the optical path; and (d) a filter for blocking light of a second wavelength, the filter being disposed in the second path. And a second filter for blocking light of the second wavelength included in light passing through the light guide path with the second path positioned in the light guide path. According to this laser handpiece, the first light is selected from the light supplied to the laser handpiece.
In addition to selectively blocking the light of the wavelength of the second wavelength and the light of the second wavelength, the light including the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength can be emitted.

Further, another laser handpiece of the present invention comprises: (a) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and a passage crossing the light guide path; and (b) a support member detachable from the passage. , (C) a filter that blocks light having a specific wavelength, the filter being supported by the support member, and disposed at a position crossing the light guide path with the support member attached to the main body. According to this laser handpiece, by exchanging the support member, specific light can be blocked by the filter supported by the support member.

Further, another laser handpiece of the present invention comprises: (a) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and a passage crossing the light guide path; and (b) a support member detachable from the passage. (C) a lens supported by the support member and disposed at a position crossing the light guide path with the support member attached to the main body; and (d) provided on one surface of the lens and having a specific wavelength. And a filter for blocking light. According to this laser handpiece, by preparing and replacing a lens provided with a filter for blocking different wavelengths and a supporting member thereof, specific light can be blocked by the filter provided on this lens.

[0030]

According to the laser treatment apparatus configured as described above, the type of the laser beam to be irradiated on the treatment site can be changed according to the purpose of the treatment (the type of treatment, the target to be treated), for example.
Switching to 3 μm wavelength laser light, 2 μm wavelength laser light, or both, or changing the mixing ratio of a plurality of oscillating laser lights, for example, 30% to 2 μm wavelength laser light with a high hemostatic effect, cutting effect The laser beam having a wavelength in the 3 μm band, which is high, can be set to 70%. Further, according to the laser treatment apparatus in which the filter switching means is provided inside the laser handpiece, the operator switches the type and the mixing ratio of the laser light emitted from the laser handpiece at hand while performing the treatment, so that the most suitable for the treatment. Appropriate laser light can be applied to the treatment site. Further, according to the mode using the laser light containing the visible light component, there is an advantage that the visible light can be used as the guide light. According to the laser treatment apparatus that automatically switches the filter in accordance with the laser light irradiation condition stored in the laser light irradiation condition setting device, the filter can be switched very easily.

Next, according to the laser handpiece of the present invention, since the filter support member is provided on the laser handpiece, it is not necessary to operate the laser generator when switching the wavelength of the light to be irradiated. You can switch wavelengths quickly. In addition, depending on the arrangement of the filter support member, the operator can move the filter support member only with the fingertip, so that the wavelength of the light to be irradiated can be switched while keeping the line of sight at the irradiated portion. Further, since the light reaching the laser handpiece consumes a certain amount of energy before reaching the laser handpiece, the light applied to the filter is smaller than when a filter is provided in a laser generator as in a conventional system. The load can be reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive highly durable filter.

Further, according to the laser handpiece of the present invention, the first wavelength selection filter for blocking the first wavelength and the second wavelength selection filter for blocking the second wavelength are selectively positioned in the light guide path. As a result, the first wavelength or the second wavelength can be selectively cut off. And, even if the wavelength selection filter is arranged obliquely with respect to the optical axis, the offset of the optical axis caused by the wavelength selection filter arranged obliquely offsets the light guide member earlier than the wavelength selection filter. By doing so, the offset can be canceled without using a correction filter, so that the structure of the laser handpiece does not become particularly complicated.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings showing a plurality of embodiments, the same reference numerals indicate the same members and portions.

I. 1. First Embodiment (1) Dental Treatment Laser System FIG. 1 shows the entirety of a dental treatment laser irradiation system 1. This laser irradiation system 1 has a laser generator 2. The laser generator 2 includes: a laser beam having a first wavelength;
It has a laser oscillator 3 that generates a laser beam of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

In the 2 μm band (from 2.0 μm to 2.1 μm)
The laser light having the wavelength of m) has an advantage that it has a high coagulation ability to effectively coagulate blood and can be used effectively for hemostasis. On the other hand, a 3 μm band (from 2.8 μm to 3.0 μm)
The laser light having the wavelength of m) has a high cutting ability, and has an advantage that a hard tissue such as a tooth or a bone can be efficiently drilled or incised and a soft tissue such as the skin can be incised. Therefore, when the tissue is irradiated with both the 2 μm band and the 3 μm band at the same time, the tissue can be efficiently incised with a high hemostatic effect, and the wavelengths of the 2 μm band and the 3 μm band are defined as the first and second wavelengths. May be used.

The first wavelength and the second wavelength are not limited to specific wavelengths. However, in the field of dental treatment, hard tissue (eg, enamel) is evaporated with an erbium-yag laser having a wavelength of 2.94 μm. Since it is known that a CO ₂ laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm exerts an excellent effect on hemostasis of soft tissue (for example, gingiva),
It is preferable to use devices that generate laser light of these wavelengths as laser oscillators.

Further, the laser oscillator may be an oscillator which continuously oscillates a laser or an oscillator which intermittently oscillates a pulse.

Furthermore, at least one of the laser light of the first wavelength and the laser light of the second wavelength may use a laser light containing a visible light component (for example, green or red). In this case, a laser beam containing a visible light component can be used as a guide beam for specifying an irradiation destination of the laser beam.

As the laser oscillator 3, any form can be used as long as it can oscillate laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths at the same time, but the fiber laser oscillator shown in FIG. 2 can be preferably used. This fiber laser oscillator 3 has a single-clad optical fiber 91 of a predetermined length. The optical fiber 91 includes a core 92 doped with laser ions suitable for generating laser light of the first wavelength and the second wavelength,
And a cladding 93 covering the periphery of the core 92. A laser diode 94 is connected to one end of the optical fiber 91.
A mirror 95 that transmits the excitation light emitted from the light source and reflects the light of the first wavelength and the second wavelength described above is attached. On the other hand, the other end of the optical fiber 91 has a partial reflection mirror 96 that partially reflects the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength.
Is attached. The two mirrors 95 and 96 constitute a fiber laser resonator.

According to the laser oscillator 3 configured as described above, of the light that has entered the core 92 from the laser diode 94 via the mirror 95, the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength, in particular, Is repeatedly reflected between the mirror 95 and the partial reflection mirror 96, and passes through the partial reflection mirror 96 in a state of laser light (first laser light and second laser light) having predetermined energy. Out.

It should be noted that the fiber laser oscillator is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various embodiments described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-335534 can be used.

The laser irradiation system 1 also includes a transmission line 5 including a laser transmission tube for guiding the laser beams of the first and second wavelengths emitted from the laser generator 2, a laser handpiece 6 described in detail later, One end (incident end) of the transmission path 5 is connected to a laser emission port of the laser generator 2, and the other end (emission end) of the transmission path 5 is connected to a rear end of the handpiece 6. In actual dental treatment, it is necessary to inject water and air from the laser handpiece 6. Therefore, a water supply device and an air supply device are incorporated in the laser generator 2, and a laser transmission tube is provided in the transmission line 5. In addition, a water supply tube and an air supply tube are included. However,
Since the configuration related to water supply / air supply is outside the scope of the present invention, the description is omitted. In addition, the laser transmission tube 16
Is generally composed of an optical fiber, but a flexible hollow waveguide may be used.

(2) Laser Handpiece FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross section of the laser handpiece 6. As shown in this figure, the main body 7 of the laser handpiece 6 has a connection portion 8, which is arranged in order from the connection side (left side in the drawing) to the transmission line 5 toward the laser emitting end (right side in the drawing). It comprises a unit 9, a filter unit 10, and a chip unit 11.

Connecting Portion The connecting portion 8 is a portion connecting the transmission line 5 and the laser handpiece 6, and the cover nut 1 provided at the end of the transmission line 5.
2 and a joint 13 fixed inside the cover nut 12, and the end of the transmission line 5 is externally held by the joint 13 and held.

The grip portion 9 is a portion where the operator grips and operates the laser handpiece 6, and includes a rear tube portion 14 connected to a front portion (right end in the drawing) of the cover nut 12, and a rear tube portion 14. Has a front tubular portion 15 connected to a front portion of the front portion. The rear tube portion 14 and the front tube portion 15 have a size and a shape that can be easily grasped by an operator. In order to fix the emission end 17 of the laser transmission tube 16 protruding from the end of the transmission path 5, a cylindrical outer holding part 18 adjacent to the front cylinder 15 is provided on the inner rear part of the front cylinder 15. And an inner holding portion 19 arranged adjacent to the inside of the outer holding portion 18.
The laser transmission tube 16 is fixed on the central axis of the laser handpiece 6 using a suitable means such as a fixing screw 20. On the other hand, a cylindrical lens holder 21 is arranged inside the front part of the front cylindrical part 15, and a lens 23 is arranged and held in an inner space (first light guide path 22) of the lens holder 21. It should be noted that the center axis of the laser transmission tube 16 coincides with the optical axis 24 of the lens 23 as a matter of course. A space (second light guide path 25) is formed at the front of the lens holder 21 adjacent to the lens holder 21.

The filter section 10 includes a holder rear section 26 connected to the front cylinder section 15, a holder front section 27 disposed in front of the holder rear section 26, a holder rear section 26 and a holder front section 27.
And a filter holder (moving member or filter supporting member) 28 held between the two. And the holder rear part 2
At the center of 6 is a space of a predetermined size (third light guide path 29)
Are formed. Further, a space (fifth light guide path 30) is also formed in the holder front part 27 so as to extend from the third light guide path 28.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the filter holder 28 is formed of a disk member, and shafts 31 provided at the center protrude from both end surfaces of the disk member by a predetermined length. This filter holder 28 is, as shown in FIG.
Holder rear part 26 adjacent to both end faces of filter holder 28
Both ends of the shaft 31 are fitted into bearing holes 32 and 33 formed in end faces of the holder front portion 27 and are rotatably supported.

As shown in FIG. 5, in particular, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the outer peripheral portion of the disk member projects from the outer peripheral surface of the laser handpiece 6 when mounted on the laser handpiece 6. While holding the handpiece 6, the filter holder 28 can be rotated by, for example, a forefinger or thumb.

The filter holder 28 is provided with a first and second through-holes (90 ° in this embodiment) on a circle having a diameter of a predetermined size about the axis 31. Fourth light guide paths) 34 and 35 are formed, and a first wavelength selection filter 36 for blocking (reflecting or absorbing) a laser beam of a first wavelength is disposed in the first through hole 34. 2
A second wavelength selection filter 37 that blocks (reflects or absorbs) laser light of the second wavelength is disposed in the through hole 35. The distance from the center of the shaft 31 to the center of the through holes 34 and 35 is equal to the distance from the bearing holes 32 and 33 to the centers of the third and fifth light guide paths 28 and 29, respectively.
The inside diameters of the through holes 34 and 35 are the third and fifth light guide paths 2
8 and 29 are substantially equal. Therefore, in a state where the first through hole 34 is aligned with the optical axis 24 (first position), the first wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser transmission tube 16 is cut off by the first wavelength selection filter 36. , Only the laser light of the second wavelength passes through the first wavelength selection filter 36. On the other hand, when the second through-hole 35 is aligned with the optical axis 24 (second position), the second wavelength selection filter 37 blocks the second wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser transmission tube 16. , Only the laser light of the first wavelength passes through the second wavelength selection filter 37.

In order to fix the first and second wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 disposed in the first and second through holes 34 and 35, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide a step 38 in the through holes 34 and 35 (one step is omitted to avoid complicating the drawing).

To further stably fix the first and second wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 in the first and second through holes 34 and 35, as shown in FIG. Fixing ring 39 opposite to step 38 across 37
Is preferably fitted.

When a reflection filter is used as the wavelength selection filters 36 and 37, the wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 are used to prevent the laser beam incident on the wavelength selection filters from returning in the direction opposite to the traveling direction. It is preferable that 37 is disposed so as to cross the optical axis 24 obliquely. However, even if the wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 are arranged perpendicular to the optical axis 24 when a reflection filter is used, the distance from the wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 to the laser oscillators 3 and 4 is about 2-3 meters. Therefore, it is considered that the reflected laser light is considerably attenuated before reaching the laser oscillators 3 and 4, and has almost no adverse effect on the laser oscillators 3 and 4.

Further, in order to position the filter holder 28 at the first and second positions, it is preferable to provide a positioning mechanism 40 shown in FIG. Positioning mechanism 40
Forms a hole 41 extending in the front-rear direction at a position facing the rear surface of the filter holder 28, and a ball 42 in contact with the rear surface of the filter holder 28 in the hole 41, and biases the ball 42 against the filter holder 28. While a spring 43 and a screw 44 for supporting the spring 43 on the opposite side of the ball 42 are provided, a recess 44 is provided on the rear surface of the filter holder 28 at a position symmetrical to the through holes 34 and 35 with respect to the shaft 31 as shown in FIG. , 45 are formed, and the ball 42 is depressed 44, 4 with the through holes 34, 35 corresponding to the optical axis 24, respectively.
5 respectively, whereby the filter holder 28
Is positioned.

When at least one of the first and second laser beams is used as guide light, the corresponding wavelength selection filter 36 and / or 37 is a filter that transmits a visible light component serving as guide light. Select

Returning to FIG. 3, the tip portion 11 includes an outermost peripheral front cover 46, a front tip holder 47 fixed to the front of the front cover 46, and a rear portion of the front tip holder 47. And a rear tip holder 48 fixed to the rear end. At the center of the front and rear tip holders 47, 48, the optical axis 2
The chip holding holes 49 and 50 are formed on the extension of 4, and the laser light guide chip 51 is inserted and held in these chip holding holes 49 and 50. The laser light guide chip 51 may be an optical fiber or a hollow waveguide.

In the present embodiment, the tip 51 is used in which the portion protruding from the tip portion 11 is bent in a curved shape. However, the shape of the tip 51 is not limited to this, and the tip 51 may be replaced with a straight tip. Good.

(3) Operation The operation of the laser handpiece 6 having the above configuration will be described. The first and second laser beams generated by the laser oscillators 3 and 4 of the laser generator 2 are transmitted through a laser transmission tube 16 and transmitted to the laser transmission tube 16 held inside the laser handpiece 6. The light is emitted from the emission end 17. The emitted laser light passes from the first light guide path 22 to the fifth light guide path 30 and is located at the rear end (incident end) of the chip 51.
The light is incident on the target 52, is emitted from the tip (emission end) of the chip 51, and is irradiated to a target place.

When the laser light is transmitted in this manner, the laser light incident on the lens 23 is accurately focused on the incident end 52 of the chip 51 by the lens 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first through hole 34 and the first
Wavelength selective filter 36 disposed in through hole 34 of
Is set to a position (first position) where the filter holder 28 coincides with the optical axis 24, or the second through hole 35 and the second
Second wavelength selection filter 37 disposed in through hole 35 of FIG.
The filter holder 28 is set at a position (second position) where coincides with the optical axis 24. The setting of the filter holder 28 is performed by holding the laser handpiece 6 while holding the filter holder 2 as shown in FIG.
The filter holder 28 can be rotated by touching a part of the filter holder 8 with a thumb or forefinger. When the filter holder 28 is set at the first position, the laser light of the first wavelength included in the laser light is cut off by the first wavelength selection filter 36, and only the laser light of the second wavelength is The light passes through the first wavelength selection filter 36 and is incident on the chip 51, and is then irradiated to a target place. Next, the filter holder 28 is rotated from this state, and the second through hole 3
When the filter holder 28 is set at a position (second position) where the second wavelength selection filter 37 disposed in the second through hole 35 and the second wavelength selection filter 37 coincides with the optical axis 24, the second light included in the laser light The laser light of the wavelength is cut off by the second wavelength selection filter 37, and only the laser light of the first wavelength is
The light passes through the wavelength selection filter 37, enters the chip 51, and is then irradiated to a target location.

Since the wavelength selection filters 36 and 37 are arranged obliquely on the optical axis 24, the wavelength selection filters 3
Although the optical axis of the light transmitted through 6, 37 is slightly offset from the original optical axis 24, it is not necessary to provide a correction filter by offsetting the incident end of the chip 51 from the original optical axis 24 in advance. Disappears. Therefore, the structure of the laser handpiece 6 does not become particularly complicated.

The lens 23 on which the laser beam is incident
Are heated by the thermal energy of the laser light. Therefore, in order to cool the lens 23, for example, FIG.
As shown in (5), the inside 53 of the transmission path 5 is used as an air supply path, and the air supplied from this air supply path is used to separate the internal space (air path 54) of the rear cylinder 14 in the grip 9 from the front cylinder. The first light guide 22 is blown into the first light guide 22 through an air passage 55 formed in the outer holding portion 18 of the portion 15 to cool the incident surface of the lens 23, and this air is further passed through an air passage 56 formed in the lens holder 21. The light is blown into the second light guide path 25 to cool the exit surface of the lens 23, and the cooled air is discharged to the third light guide 25.
Through the light guide path 29, the light is emitted to the outside through a gap between the rear surface of the filter holder 28 and the front surface of the filter rear portion 26 adjacent thereto.

(4) Modification In the above embodiment, first and second through holes 34 and 35 are formed in the filter holder 28, and first and second wavelength selection filters for blocking different wavelengths from each other. 6 and 37, three through holes 51, 52, and 53 are formed in the filter holder 28, and the first and second through holes are formed except for the third through hole 53, as shown in FIG. The first and second wavelength selection filters 54 and 55 may be disposed in the holes 51 and 52, respectively. In this case, three modes (first mode: laser light of the first wavelength is cut off, and laser light of the second wavelength is transmitted to the chip), and second mode: laser light of the second wavelength is cut off A mode in which a laser beam of a first wavelength is transmitted to a chip; a third mode: a mode in which a laser beam of a first wavelength and a second mode are transmitted.
Mode in which both laser beams having the wavelengths of (1) and (2) are transmitted to the chip.

Although not shown, the filter holder 28
May be provided with first and second through-holes, one of the through-holes (eg, the second through-hole) is not provided with a wavelength selection filter, and the first through-hole is provided with a wavelength selection filter only. Good. In this case, two modes (a first mode: a mode in which the laser beam of the first wavelength is cut off and only the laser beam of the second wavelength is transmitted to the chip), and a second mode: a laser beam of the first wavelength And a mode of transmitting both the laser light of the second wavelength to the chip.

Furthermore, the wavelength selection filter may be a partial transmission filter that partially blocks or transmits the laser light of the first wavelength and the laser light of the second wavelength. Specifically, when a laser beam of the 2 μm band is used as the laser beam of the first wavelength and a laser beam of the 3 μm band is used as the laser beam of the second wavelength, 30% of the laser beam of the 2 μm band is transmitted (70% cut off). ) And transmit 70% of 3 μm laser light (3
If a wavelength selection filter that blocks 0% is used, 2 μm
There is an advantage that the tissue can be irradiated with both the band and the 3 μm band at the same time, and the tissue can be efficiently incised with a high hemostatic effect.

II. Second Embodiment A laser handpiece 6A according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. In the laser handpiece 6A, a third light guide path 62 and a fifth light guide path 63 are formed on the center axis of the holder 61 of the filter unit 10. Further, a filter holder insertion hole 64 orthogonal to the optical axis 24 is formed between the third light guide path 62 and the fifth light guide path 63, and these third holders are inserted through the filter holder insertion hole 64. Light guide path 62
And the fifth light guide path 63 communicate with each other.

The filter holder 65 is formed of a rod-like member having a cross section substantially the same as the cross section of the filter holder insertion hole 64. The filter holder 65 has first and second through holes extending in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis 24.
(Fourth light guide path) 66 and 67 are formed, and first and second wavelength selection filters 68 and 69 are disposed in the first and second through holes 66 and 67, respectively. Then, the filter holder 65 includes the first through hole 66 and the first wavelength selection filter 68 in which the optical axis 24 and the third and fifth light guide paths 6 are provided.
A first position (not shown) corresponding to the second and third light guide paths (not shown) corresponding to the optical axis 24 and the third and fifth light guide paths 62 and 63. It is designed to reciprocate linearly between the two positions. Further, the holder 61 is provided with a positioning mechanism 70 similar to the positioning mechanism of the first embodiment, so that the filter holder 28 can be positioned at the first position and the second position. In the drawings, reference numerals 71, 7
The portion indicated by 2 is a depression with which the ball of the positioning mechanism 70 engages at the first and second positions, respectively.

According to the laser handpiece 6A of the second embodiment configured as described above, the projection of the filter holder 65 projecting upward or downward (or left or right) from the laser handpiece main body 7 is touched by a finger. By pressing down, the filter holder 65 can be moved between the first position and the second position, and the laser light of the first wavelength or the laser light of the second wavelength can be selectively cut off.

In this embodiment, the filter holder 65 is also used.
The wavelength selection filters 68 and 69 are respectively disposed in the two through holes 66 and 67 formed in the above. However, a wavelength selection filter is provided only in one of the through holes, and this wavelength selection filter blocks only laser light of a specific wavelength. The mode may be switched between a mode in which laser light of two wavelengths is transmitted to the chip 51 and a mode in which laser light of two wavelengths is transmitted together.

III. Third Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a laser handpiece 6B according to a third embodiment. In the laser handpiece 6B, a cartridge insertion hole 76 orthogonal to the optical axis 24 is formed in the holder 75 of the filter unit 10, and the filter holder 77 can be removably inserted into the cartridge insertion hole 76. . The filter holder 77 is formed with a through hole (third light guide) 78 located on the optical axis 24 in a state where the filter holder 77 is inserted into the cartridge insertion hole 76. A wavelength selection filter 79 for blocking laser light is provided.

In the laser handpiece 6B of this embodiment,
For example, in order to selectively block laser beams of two types of wavelengths, two filter holders 77 having different wavelength selection filters are prepared, and a filter holder 77 having a wavelength selection filter 79 corresponding to the wavelength to be blocked is provided. Insert the cartridge into the cartridge insertion hole 76.

IV. Fourth Embodiment FIG. 10 shows a laser handpiece 6C according to a fourth embodiment. In this laser handpiece 6C, the lens 80 is detachable from the laser handpiece 6C. Specifically, the optical axis 2 is attached to the holder 81 of the laser handpiece 6C.
A cartridge insertion hole 82 orthogonal to 4 is formed. The lens cartridge 8 holding the lens 80
Reference numeral 3 is formed in a size and a shape that can be inserted into the cartridge insertion hole 82, and a through hole (light guide path) 84 is formed in a portion located on the optical axis 24 when the lens cartridge 83 is inserted into the cartridge insertion hole 82. The lens 80 is fixed to the through hole 84. In the lens 80, a filter 85 for blocking (reflecting or absorbing) light (laser light) having a specific wavelength is formed on the incident surface.

In order to selectively block, for example, laser beams of two wavelengths using the laser handpiece 6C having the above-described structure, two lens cartridges 83 having different wavelength selection filters are prepared. Then, the lens cartridge 83 having the wavelength selection filter corresponding to the wavelength to be cut off is inserted into the cartridge insertion hole 82.

V. Fifth Embodiment In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a configuration is adopted in which the filter holder 28 provided on the laser handpiece 6 is operated with a finger to position the target wavelength selection filter in the laser optical path. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the laser handpiece 6 has a small motor 120, a speed reduction mechanism 86 for drivingly connecting the motor 120 to the shaft 31 or 32 of the filter holder 28, and a switch 87 for controlling the driving of the motor 120.
The target wavelength selection filter may be switched by operating this switch. In this case, the through holes (laser transmission holes) provided in the wavelength selection filter and the filter holder 28 are arranged at regular intervals at predetermined angles along a circumference around the axis 31 of the filter holder 28, and the switch is turned on. Then, it is preferable to control the filter holder 28 to rotate by the predetermined angle.
With such a design, there is an advantage that the wavelength selection filter and the through hole can be surely matched with the laser light guide path.

VI. Sixth Embodiment In the first to fourth embodiments, one laser oscillator 3 simultaneously generates two different wavelengths of laser light.
As shown in FIG. 2, a first laser oscillating a laser beam of a first wavelength
Laser oscillator 3A and a second laser oscillator 3B that oscillates a laser beam of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength are provided, and the laser oscillators 3A and 3B simultaneously oscillate two types of laser beams. May be.

VII. Seventh Embodiment In the first to fourth embodiments, the mechanism for switching the laser light emitted from the laser handpiece is provided in the laser handpiece. However, this laser light switching mechanism is different from the laser handpiece in that It may be provided in the generator. One example of such a laser irradiation system is shown in FIG.

The laser irradiation system 1 ′ has a laser oscillator 3 ′ having two different wavelengths inside the laser generator 2. This laser oscillator 3 'simultaneously
A fiber laser oscillator that generates different types of laser light may be used, or a combination of two laser oscillators that separately generate two different types of laser light may be used. The laser generator 2 also has a mode in which one of the two types of first and second laser beams oscillated from the laser oscillator 3 'is cut off, a mode in which the other is cut off, a mode in which both are cut off, and a mode in which both are emitted. A mode in which one is partially blocked, a mode in which the other is partially blocked, and a mode in which both are partially blocked (for example, one is blocked by 30% and the other is 70%).
% Cutoff) mode can be selected. For this purpose, the laser generator 2 includes a mode switch (wavelength selector) 4.

The mode switcher 4 includes, for example, one or a plurality of wavelength selection filters and a member for holding the plurality of wavelength selection filters, as described in the above-described embodiment. A filter corresponding to the selected mode is arranged in the light guide path of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator 3 '. As a means for selecting a mode, for example, a switch 98 provided on an operation panel of the laser generator 2 can be suitably used. Further, in order to drive the motor according to the mode selected by the switch 98 and set the corresponding wavelength selection filter,
A control device 99 is provided.

According to the laser irradiation system 1 ′, when the mode is selected by the switch 98, the control device 99 drives the motor according to a program stored in advance, and drives the corresponding wavelength selection filter to guide the laser light. The target laser light is supplied to the laser handpiece 6 while being positioned in the optical path. However, when the mode in which the two laser beams are emitted without being partially blocked is selected, all the wavelength selection filters are retracted from the light guide path.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the wavelength selection filter and its driving device are housed inside the laser generator 2 instead of the laser handpiece 6.
The handpiece 6 does not increase in size. Further, a target wavelength selection filter is automatically set according to the selected mode, and a target laser beam is emitted.

Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to a laser handpiece of a dental laser system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to dental use, and the present invention is applicable to general medical care and other processing techniques. is there. In addition, there are two types of laser handpieces: a contact type in which the tip of the tip is used in contact with a target irradiation site, and a non-contact type in which the tip of the tip is used away from the target irradiation site.
The invention is applicable to any type of laser handpiece.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire dental treatment laser irradiation system including a laser handpiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a fiber laser oscillator used in the laser irradiation system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a laser handpiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a filter holder provided on the laser handpiece of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the laser handpiece of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the filter holder.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of the laser handpiece according to the present invention.

8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the laser handpiece shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the laser handpiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the laser handpiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the laser handpiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the laser irradiation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the laser irradiation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional laser irradiation system.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of another conventional laser irradiation system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an offset of an optical axis.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Laser irradiation system 2. Laser generator 3, 4
... Laser oscillator, 6 ... Laser handpiece, 22, 2
5, 29, 30, 34, 35 ... light guide path, 23 ... lens,
36, 37 ... wavelength selection filters.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C026 AA01 BB02 FF17 FF43 HH01 HH12 HH30 4C082 RA07 RC04 RE17 RE22 RE43 RL01 RL12 RL30

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A laser light generating device having a laser light generating means for generating laser light of a plurality of wavelengths, and (b)
A laser light guiding means having one end connected to the laser light generating device and the other end connected to a laser handpiece; and (c) selecting a type or a mixing ratio of the laser light to be irradiated from among the plurality of wavelengths of laser light. (D) a laser handpiece connected to the other end of the laser light guiding means. 2. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said filter switching means is provided inside said laser handpiece. 3. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter switching means is provided inside the laser light generator. 4. The filter switching means changes a position of the filter between a first position crossing the laser light guide path and a second position retracted from the light guide path by an operation of an operator. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is movable. 5. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said laser generator is constituted by a multi-wavelength simultaneous oscillation optical fiber laser capable of simultaneously oscillating two or more laser beams. 6. The laser light generator according to claim 5, wherein said laser light generating device simultaneously oscillates a first laser light having a wavelength of 3 μm and a second laser light having a wavelength of 2 μm. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser light generated by the laser light generator is continuously oscillated or pulsed. 8. The laser light generated by the laser light generator includes a green visible light component, and the filter is a filter that transmits the green visible light component. The laser treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the laser treatment device is used as a laser treatment device. 9. The laser light generating device is provided with a laser light irradiation condition setting device, and the filter switching means automatically sets the filter in accordance with the laser light irradiation condition stored in the laser light irradiation condition setting device in advance. The laser treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the laser treatment apparatus can be selectively switched. 10. A light guide path having one or more laser lights selected from a plurality of wavelengths of laser light provided inside a filter, and the filter moves with respect to the light guide path to irradiate an affected part. A laser handpiece having a switching means for switching the type or mixing ratio of the wavelength of the laser light to be emitted. 11. A laser handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light, which is held by an operator in a hand,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and (b) a filter for blocking light of a specific wavelength, wherein the first filter traverses the light guide path based on an operation of an operator. A laser handpiece, comprising: a filter support member supported by the main body so as to be movable between a position and a second position where the filter is retracted from the light guide path. 12. A light guide handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light while being held by an operator,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes;
Holding a first wavelength selection filter for blocking light of the wavelength and a second wavelength selection filter for blocking light of the second wavelength. A first position traversing the light guide path and the second wavelength selection filter retreating from the light guide path and a first position where the second wavelength selection filter crosses the light guide path and the first wavelength selection filter retreats from the light guide path. A filter supporting member supported by the main body so as to be movable between the two positions. 13. The filter supporting member comprises a rotating member rotatably supported by the main body about an axis parallel to the light guide path, the rotating member being in a state where an operator can contact a part of the rotating member. The laser handpiece according to claim 11, wherein the laser handpiece is provided on the main body. 14. The filter supporting member comprises a linear moving member supported by the main body so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction perpendicular to the light guide path, and the linear moving member is provided at a first position and a second position by an operator. The laser handpiece according to claim 11, wherein the laser handpiece is provided in such a manner that it can contact. 15. The laser handpiece according to claim 11, further comprising a positioning mechanism for positioning the filter support member at a first position and a second position. 16. A laser handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light while being held by an operator,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and (b) first and second passages through which light can pass, wherein an operator selects one of the first and second passages. A moving member provided on the main body so as to be selectively positioned in the light guide path; and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, which is disposed in the first passage. A first filter for blocking light of the first wavelength contained in light passing through the light guide path in a state where the first path is located in the light guide path. piece. 17. A laser handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light, which is held by an operator in a hand,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and (b) first and second passages through which light can pass, wherein an operator selects one of the first and second passages. A moving member provided on the main body so as to be selectively positioned in the light guide path; and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, which is disposed in the first passage. A first filter for blocking light of the first wavelength contained in light passing through the light guide path in a state where the first path is located in the light guide path; and (d) light of a second wavelength. A filter that is disposed in the second passage, and that has the second wavelength included in the light that passes through the light guide while the second passage is located in the light guide. And a first filter that cuts off laser light. 18. A laser handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light while being held by an operator in a hand,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and (b) first, second, and third passages through which light can pass, and an operator selects one of the first, second, and third passages. A moving member provided on the main body so as to be selectively positioned in the light guide path; and (c) a filter for blocking light of a first wavelength, which is disposed in the first passage. , The first
A first filter for blocking light of the first wavelength included in light passing through the light guide path in a state where the path is located in the light guide path; and (d) a filter for blocking light of the second wavelength. And is disposed in the second passage, and is disposed in the second passage.
A second filter that blocks light of the second wavelength included in light passing through the light guide path with the path of the second light guide located in the light guide path. 19. A laser handpiece for holding an operator's hand to irradiate a target portion with light,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes, and a passage traversing the light guide path; (b) a support member detachable from the passage; and (c) a filter for blocking light of a specific wavelength. And a filter supported by the support member and disposed at a position crossing the light guide path with the support member attached to the main body. 20. A laser handpiece for irradiating a target portion with light, which is held by an operator in a hand,
(A) a main body having a light guide path through which light passes and a passage traversing the light guide path; (b) a support member detachable from the passage; and (c) a support member supported by the support member. (D) provided on one surface of the lens,
A laser handpiece comprising: a filter for blocking light of a specific wavelength.