JP2002360714A - Arm device for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correspond to the operation environment of an optical fiber device on a case-by-case base and to hold a constant posture even when arm parts are stretched horizontally. SOLUTION: A first joint part 102 is made freely rotatable centering around a base end part 101 and attached so as to be freely swingable in one direction through a unidirectional clutch within a plane vertical to a rotary surface. A first stretchable arm part 103 is attached to the first joint part 102 in a freely stretchable manner and a second joint part 104 is made freely rotatable centering around the first stretchable arm part 103 and attached so as to be freely swingable in one direction within a plane vertical to the rotary surface through the unidirectional clutch. A second stretchable arm part 105 is attached to the second joint part 104 in a freely stretchable manner and a third joint part 106 is attached to the second stretchable part 105 in a freely rotatable and swingable manner and a probe holding part 107 is attached to the third joint part 106 to hold the probe 4 of the optical fiber device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an arm device for an optical fiber, and more particularly to an arm device for an optical fiber for easily holding the optical fiber device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of an optical fiber arm device has a structure in which two arms are connected by two or three joints. Following this, it is bent or rotated to improve the operability of the optical fiber device.

[0003]

In the conventional optical fiber arm device described above, since the two arm portions have a fixed length, they have poor elasticity, so that they can be flexibly adapted to the operating environment of the optical fiber device. In addition, there is a problem that when the arm is extended in the horizontal direction, a large load is applied to the joint due to gravity, and a constant posture cannot be maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a telescopic arm and a joint that is locked in one direction to flexibly respond to the operating environment of an optical fiber device. It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber arm device which can maintain a constant posture even when the arm portion is extended in a horizontal direction.

[0005]

An optical fiber arm device according to the present invention comprises a base end portion fixed to a light source device main body, a rotatable shaft around the base end portion, and a rotating surface with respect to the rotating surface. A first joint portion swingably mounted in one direction via a one-way clutch in a vertical plane, a first telescopic arm portion telescopically attached to the first joint portion, A second joint portion rotatably mounted on a shaft of the telescopic arm portion and pivotally movable in one direction via a one-way clutch in a plane perpendicular to the rotation surface;
A second telescopic arm attached to the joint so as to be extendable, a third joint rotatably and swingably attached to the second telescopic arm, and an optical fiber attached to the third joint A probe holding unit for holding a probe of the apparatus.

[0006]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an upper sectional side view showing an example of an optical fiber device attached to an optical fiber arm device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This optical fiber device is an optical fiber device for physical and medical care, and includes an optical fiber light guide 1, a protection pipe 2, a flexible guide tube 3, a probe 4, a taper-condet portion 5, a tip cap 6
Thus, the main part is constituted.

The optical fiber light guide 1 has a length of 50 μm.
Approximately 19000 optical fibers comprising a core and a clad having a silica-based multi-component structure having a refractive index of about m and having different refractive indices are bundled. In addition, the optical fiber light guide 1
It does not transmit infrared rays in a long wavelength band of 1.6 μm or more.

The protection pipe 2 is a pipe made of aluminum or the like which protects the base end of the optical fiber light guide 1.

The flexible guide tube 3 is provided to protect the optical fiber light guide 1 from the surroundings so that the optical fiber light guide 1 does not bend more than the limit by being inserted therethrough.

The probe 4 is an optical fiber light guide 1
This is a part that is fixed to the tip of the device and is operated by grasping with a hand or an optical fiber arm device. The distal end of the probe 4 is gradually narrowed in accordance with the tapered con- jection portion 5, and a male screw for screwing the distal end cap 6 is threaded around the outer periphery of the distal end.

The tapered conical portion 5 is a hard portion formed by heating and extending the distal end portion of the optical fiber light guide 1 so as to gradually become smaller in diameter. It functions to condense the emitted light into a light beam having a circular cross section close to a parallel light beam.

The tip cap 6 is detachably screwed to the tip of the probe 4, and a female screw for screwing to the tip of the probe 4 is threaded inside the tip cap 6. And a spring 7 and a linear polarizer 8
, A sleeve 9 and a cover glass 10 are sequentially arranged.

The linear polarizing plate 8 is formed by dyeing a film-like polyvinyl alcohol with an iodine solution and sandwiching the front and back surfaces with an optical glass plate.
It serves to linearize the plane of polarization of light in a wavelength band of about m.
It is known that linearly polarized infrared rays have a remarkable effect on activation of biological macromolecules, improvement of microcirculation, and the like, and enhance therapeutic effects.

Next, the operation of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment configured as described above will be described.

Light including infrared rays generated from a light source (not shown) is incident on the base end face of the optical fiber light guide 1.

The optical fiber light guide 1 is 1.6 μm
The infrared rays in the above long wavelength band are cut, and light in other wavelength bands is allowed to pass therethrough. The passed light reaches the distal end side while being reflected by the cladding in the core in each optical fiber, and the tapered conduit portion 5 And the light is gradually collected and emitted from the front end surface.

Light containing infrared light emitted from the distal end surface of the optical fiber light guide 1 is linearly polarized by the linear polarizing plate 8 and is irradiated on the affected part through the cover glass 10.

At this time, since the optical fiber light guide 1 is flexible and can be bent, by operating the probe 4, the infrared rays can be concentrated on the affected part of any part. Irradiation in the form of spots with high energy density is possible.

The light emitted from the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment to the affected part is about 5% of visible light which looks red,
There is an intensity peak near 1.0 μm at a rate of about 95% of invisible near-infrared rays that penetrate deeply into the body and give a thermal effect. Light having a wavelength band of about 0.6 to 1.6 μm has a large power to reach a living body and promotes heating and activation of a deep part of the living body.

Therefore, the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment is effective for the following indications. (1) Pain relief Subacute, chronic muscle and joint pain, neuralgia Neck ... Pain in the cervical vertebra, whiplash, bedside shoulder, back, fifty shoulder, back pain, shoulder joint sprain lumbar ...・ Pain due to low back, sciatica, herniated disc, arm ・ ・ ・ ・ Elbow joint pain, tennis elbow, thumb ball pain ・ Foot knee pain (2) Inflammatory pain, trauma (after acute phase) Thing) sprains, fractures, tendonitis, tendonitis, sedation of pain and muscle spasm due to injuries to the lower back, deep muscles and ligaments (3) Arthritis, rheumatic rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis (excluding acute and subacute) (4) Skin diseases chronic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, pressure sores

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the optical fiber device for physical and medical care shown in FIG. 1 is attached to an optical fiber arm device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber arm device according to the present embodiment includes a base end portion 101.
, A first joint 102, a first telescopic arm 103, and a second
Joint 104, second telescopic arm 105, and third joint 1
06 and the probe holding unit 107 constitute a main part thereof.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4, the base end portion 101 has a shaft 111 inserted into and fixed to a light source device main body (not shown) of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment, and the shaft 111 inside the shaft 111. And a cylindrical body 112 to be inserted. The lower end surface of the cylindrical body 112 is notched obliquely, and is fixed to the outer slope of the light source device main body so as not to rotate.

As shown in a cross-section in FIG. 5, the first joint portion 102 includes a shaft fixing member 121 fitted to a shaft 111 of the base end portion 101 and rotatably prevented from coming off by screws 120 via a cushioning material. The brake shoe 122, the intermediate shaft member 123, and the one-way clutch 124 are attached to the shaft fixing member 121.
Bearing member 125 rotatably mounted via the
And a shaft 128 inserted through the bearing member 125 and screwed to the shaft fixing member 121 with a screw 129 via a leaf spring 126 and a washer 127, and screwed into the shaft fixing member 121 so as to regulate the rotation of the shaft 128. Screw 130. With such a configuration, the shaft fixing member 12
1 can rotate 360 degrees in a horizontal plane about the shaft 111, and the bearing member 125 can rotate about 100 degrees in a vertical plane with respect to the shaft fixing member 121. The one-way clutch 124 locks the first telescopic arm 103 in the direction in which the first telescopic arm 103 falls down, so that no load is applied in the direction in which the first telescopic arm 103 is returned vertically.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first telescopic arm 103 is formed of a lower cover 131 fixed to a bearing member 125 of the first joint 102, and an outer pipe having a lower end inserted and fixed to the lower cover 131. 132, an inner pipe 133 inserted into the outer pipe 132, a lock member 134 provided at an upper end of the outer pipe 132, and fixed to the second joint 104 and inserted and fixed at an upper end of the inner pipe 133. And an upper cover 135. By operating the lock member 134, the outer pipe 132 is fixed to the inner pipe 133 and the first telescopic arm 103 can be set to a desired length.

The second joint 104 is also substantially the same as the first joint 102, as shown in FIG. That is, the shaft fixing member 141 fitted to the shaft of the first telescopic arm portion 103 and rotatably prevented from coming off by the screw 140 via the cushioning material, and the shaft fixing member 141 being rotatable via the one-way clutch 144. The mounted bearing member 145, and the leaf spring 1 inserted through the bearing member 145
A shaft 148 is screwed to the shaft fixing member 141 via the screw 46 and the washer 147 with a screw 149, and a screw 150 screwed into the shaft fixing member 141 so as to restrict the rotation of the shaft 148. . With such a configuration, the shaft fixing member 141 can rotate 360 degrees around the shaft of the first telescopic arm 103, and the bearing member 145 can rotate about 100 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the rotation plane. I have. The one-way clutch 144 locks the second telescopic arm 105 in a direction in which the second telescopic arm 105 falls down, so that no load is applied when the second telescopic arm 105 is moved in the horizontal direction.

Further, on the side surface of the second joint 104, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, there is provided a guide portion 108 for holding the flexible guide tube 3 of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment so as to be inserted therethrough. ing. The guide portion 108 is connected to the second joint 10
And a pair of rollers 182 and 183 attached to the fan-shaped plate 181 fixed to the shaft 148
(See FIG. 2).

The second telescopic arm 105 is also used as the first telescopic arm 10.
The configuration is almost the same as that of No. 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the second telescopic arm 105 includes an upper cover 151 fixed to the bearing member 145 of the second joint 104, an outer pipe 152 having an upper end attached to the upper cover 151, An inner pipe 153 inserted into the pipe 152, a lock member 154 provided at a lower end of the outer pipe 152, and a lower cover 155 fixed to the third joint 106 and having the lower end of the inner pipe 153 inserted and fixed. It is composed of By rotating the lock member 154, the outer pipe 1
52 is fixed to the inner pipe 153 so that the second telescopic arm 105 can be set to a desired length.

As shown in FIG. 7 in an enlarged manner, the third joint 106 is mounted on the pan head 16 attached to the second telescopic arm 105.
1. As shown in cross section in FIG. 8, the camera platform 161 includes a base 162 in which a screw hole for fixing the second telescopic arm 105 to the lower cover 155 is screwed, and a base 162.
A first cylindrical body 163 surrounding the first cylindrical body 163, a second cylindrical body 164 slidably fitted to the first cylindrical body 163 and prevented from falling off, and a tapered member 165 provided in the first cylindrical body 163. A sliding member 166 that slides by moving the taper member 165;
A coil spring 167 inserted between the tapered member 165 and the sliding member 166; a ball shaft 168 pressed by the sliding member 166 to fix the position in the second cylindrical body 164; A fixing screw 169 which is screwed into the body 163 to push the taper member 165, and a knob 1 attached to the fixing screw 169
70. With this configuration, when the ball screw 168 is operated in a desired direction and then the knob 170 is operated to screw the fixing screw 169 into the tapered member 165.
Is moved, the sliding member 166 slides against the elasticity of the coil spring 167, and the ball shaft 168 is pressed and fixed in the second cylindrical body 164.

As shown in FIG. 7 in an enlarged manner, the probe holding portion 107 is provided with a holding portion 171 attached to the camera platform 161.
It is composed of As shown in a cross-section in FIG. 9, the grip 171 includes: A pair of gripping members 174, 175 mounted on the base 172, a slide shaft 176 provided to penetrate the pair of grip members 174, 175, a nut 177 for stopping one end of the slide shaft 176, and a slide shaft 176 And a coil spring 179 for urging the slide shaft 176. With such a configuration, when the knob 178 is operated and the grip members 174 and 175 are loosened, the probe 4 of the optical fiber device for physical and medical care is inserted between the grip members 174 and 175, and then the knob 178 is operated. Then, the slide shaft 176 moves against the coil spring 179, and the gap between the holding members 174 and 175 becomes narrow. As a result, the grip 17
1 holds the probe 4. The probe holding unit 1
07 is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the center of the camera platform 161 and is tiltable about 120 degrees.

Next, a method of using the thus configured optical fiber arm device according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the user of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment inserts the shaft 111 of the base end portion 101 into a fixing hole (not shown) formed in the light source device main body, thereby obtaining the optical fiber arm device. Is mounted on the light source device body. Next, the flexible guide tube 3 of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment, which is derived from the light source device main body, is connected to the two roller pairs 182 and 183 of the guide portion 108 attached to the second joint portion 104.
Through. Further, the probe 4 of the optical fiber device for physical and medical care is connected to the holding members 174, 17
5 and the knob 178 is operated so that the probe 4 of the optical fiber device for physical and medical care is held by the holding members 174, 1
Hold between 75. Thus, as shown in FIG.
The optical fiber device for physical treatment is mounted on the optical fiber arm device.

From this state, the user of the optical fiber device for physical and medical treatment once loosens the lock member 134 of the first telescopic arm 103, pulls out the inner pipe 133 with respect to the outer pipe 132, and then removes the lock member 134. By fixing
The first telescopic arm 103 can be set to any length. Also, the second telescopic arm 105 can be similarly set to any length. In the state where the probe 4 is held by the probe holding unit 107, the first telescopic arm 1
03 and the second telescopic arm 105, the flexible guide tube 3 keeps the two roller pairs 182,
183, so that it moves following the expansion and contraction of the first telescopic arm 103 and the second telescopic arm 105.

Next, when the user of the optical fiber device for physical medical treatment holds the probe 4 and moves the probe 4 in the horizontal direction, the second joint 104 moves in the opposite direction to the locking direction of the one-way clutch. By rotating in the direction, the second telescopic arm 105 rises in the horizontal direction with a relatively weak force and is moved to an arbitrary position. When the hand is released at the moved position, the one-way clutch 144 locks the second joint 104, so that the second telescopic arm 105 remains at the position where it stops against gravity, and the probe 4 remains unchanged. Hold the position of.

When the user of the optical fiber device for physical and medical care moves the first telescopic arm 103 so as to tilt it in the horizontal direction, the one-way clutch 124 is locked to the first joint 102, so that the comparison is made. It is necessary to push and move the first telescopic arm 103 with a strong force, but the posture can be maintained as it is at the position where the first telescopic arm 103 is pushed and moved.

Further, when a force in the rotational direction is applied to the first telescopic arm 103 in an arbitrary posture of the first telescopic arm 103,
The telescopic arm 103 is connected to the proximal end 10 together with the first joint 102.
It can rotate 360 degrees around one shaft 111. Similarly, when a rotational force is applied to the second telescopic arm 105 in an arbitrary position of the second telescopic arm 105, the second telescopic arm 105 becomes the shaft of the first telescopic arm 103 together with the second joint 103. Can be rotated 360 degrees.

Therefore, since the optical fiber device for physical and medical care can be easily operated by following the optical fiber arm device, the user can relatively easily bring the probe 4 closer to the affected part.

On the other hand, when the optical fiber device for medical treatment and the arm device for optical fiber are returned to the initial position shown in FIG. 2 after the use of the optical fiber device for physical treatment and medical treatment, first, the optical fiber device for physical treatment and medical treatment is used. The user holds the probe 4 in his / her hand and moves the probe 4 so as to approach the base end 101. Then, the second joint 104 rotates against the lock by the one-way clutch 144, and the second telescopic arm 1
05 and the first telescopic arm 103 become narrower,
The telescopic arm 105 can be returned to a state close to the first telescopic arm 103.

Next, when a force is applied to the first telescopic arm 103 in a direction in which the first telescopic arm 103 stands, the first telescopic arm 103 returns to a position where the first telescopic arm 103 stands up with a relatively small force, and the optical fiber device for physical and medical care and the The fiber arm device returns to the initial position shown in FIG.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a first joint 10 which is a modification of the first joint 102 shown in FIGS.
It is the side view and sectional drawing which show the structure of 2 '. The first joint portion 102 ′ of this example includes a shaft fixing member 191 rotatably attached to the shaft 111 of the base end portion 101, and a notch 193 a for a one-way clutch attached to the shaft fixing member 191 via a screw 192. Hollow shaft 1 provided on side peripheral surface
93, a bearing member 195 rotatably fitted to the hollow shaft 193 via a sintered ring 194, and a bearing member 19
5 and an angle regulating pin 196 inserted into the arc-shaped groove 191 a of the shaft fixing member 191, and a rotary plate body rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft 193 by screws 197 and mounted via a sintering ring 198. 199 and notch 193a
A roller 200 for a one-way clutch loosely fitted therein, an unlocking pin 201 which is fixed to the rotating plate 199 and engages with the roller 200 to unlock the one-way clutch, and is fixed to the rotating plate 199. Arm 202 and arm 202
And a return spring 204 for returning the rotary plate 199 to the initial position.

The thus configured first joint 1 of this embodiment
02 ′ is provided with a ball knob 203 so that the lock by the one-way clutch including the notch 193a of the hollow shaft 193 and the roller 200 can be manually released. That is, when the bearing member 195 is rotated in the direction of arrow a, the bearing member 195 can be rotated with no load.
If the roller 95 is rotated in the direction of arrow b, the roller 200 bites into the notch 193a and is locked. When the ball knob 203 is pressed down from this locked state, the unlocking pin 201 engages with the roller 200 via the arm 202 and the rotating plate 199, and the bite between the notch 193a of the hollow shaft 193 and the roller 200 is released. , The lock comes off. As a result, the space between the shaft fixing member 191 and the bearing member 195 becomes free, so that the first telescopic arm 103 can be relatively easily formed.
Can be tilted to an arbitrary tilt position. And the first
When the user releases the ball knob 203 at the position where the telescopic arm 103 is tilted, the rotating plate 199 is restored by the restoring elasticity of the return spring 104.
Moves back, the roller 200 bites into the notch 193a again, and the one-way clutch is locked again. When the first telescopic arm 103 is returned to the initial standing position, the one-way clutch is not locked, so that the first telescopic arm 103 can be returned to the standing position with a relatively small force. .

Although the optical fiber arm device according to the above-described embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which the optical fiber device for physical and medical care shown in FIG. 1 is attached, the optical fiber device attached to the optical fiber arm device is explained. The device is not necessarily limited to one for physical medical treatment, and various optical fiber devices for industrial use, medical diagnosis, etc. can be attached and used.

[0043]

As described above, according to the optical fiber arm device of the present invention, two telescopic arms, two joints having a one-way clutch, and a ball shaft (universal joint) are provided. Since the probe is provided with one joint, the probe can be moved in a flexible manner according to the operating environment of the optical fiber device, and a constant posture can be maintained even when the arm is extended in the horizontal direction. Therefore, there is an effect that the operability of the optical fiber device can be remarkably improved.

Also, the provision of the operating member for releasing the lock of the one-way clutch at the first joint has an effect that the movement of the first telescopic arm to an arbitrary inclined position becomes easier.

Further, since the second joint is provided with a guide portion for holding the flexible guide tube of the optical fiber device so as to be inserted therein, the followability of the optical fiber arm device to the optical fiber device is further improved. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top sectional side view showing an example of an optical fiber device attached to an optical fiber arm device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an optical fiber arm device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the optical fiber arm device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a proximal end and a first joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a first joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a second joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a third joint and a probe holding unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a third joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a probe holding unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view showing a modification of the first joint in FIG. 2;

11 is a sectional view of a modification of the first joint of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber light guide 2 Protective pipe 3 Flexible guide tube 4 Probe 5 Taper condet part 6 Tip cap 7 Spring 8 Linear polarizing plate 9 Sleeve 10 Cover glass 110 Base end part 102, 102 '1st joint part 103 1st Telescopic arm part 104 Second joint part 105 Second telescopic arm part 106 Third joint part 107 Probe holding part 108 Guide part 111 Shaft 112 Cylindrical body 120 Screw 121 Shaft fixing member 122 Brake shoe 123 Intermediate shaft member 124 One-way clutch 125 Bearing Member 126 Leaf spring 127 Washer 129 Screw 130 Screw 131 Lower cover 132 Outer pipe 133 Inner pipe 134 Lock member 135 Upper cover 140 Screw 141 Shaft fixing member 144 One-way clutch 145 Bearing member 146 Leaf spring 147 Washer 148 149 Screw 150 Screw 151 Upper cover 152 Outer pipe 153 Inner pipe 154 Lock member 155 Lower cover 161 Pan head 162 Base 163 First cylinder 164 Second cylinder 165 Taper member 166 Sliding member 167 Coil spring 168 Ball shaft 169 Fixing screw 170 Knob 171 Holding portion 172 Base 173 Stop screw 174, 175 Holding member 176 Slide shaft 177 Nut 178 Knob 179 Coil spring 181 Fan plate 182, 183 Roller pair 191 Shaft fixing member 191a Arc-shaped groove 192 Screw 193 a hollow shaft 193 Notch 194 Sintered ring 195 Bearing member 196 Angle regulating pin 197 Screw 198 Sintered ring 199 Rotating plate 200 Roller 201 Lock release pin 202 Arm 203 Ball knob 204 Return spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H046 AA03 AA42 AA48 AA62 AB12 AD18 AZ09 AZ13 4C082 PA02 PC01 PC04 PC08 PC10 PG13 PJ04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A one-way clutch via a one-way clutch rotatable around a shaft at a base end portion fixed to a light source device body and about a shaft at the base end portion. A first joint portion swingably attached to the first joint portion; a first telescopic arm portion attached to the first joint portion so as to be extendable and retractable; and a rotatable and rotatable centering on a shaft of the first telescopic arm portion. A second joint part swingably mounted in one direction via a one-way clutch in a plane perpendicular to the rotation surface, and a second telescopic arm part telescopically attached to the second joint part. ,
A third joint portion rotatably and swingably attached to the second telescopic arm portion; and a probe holding portion attached to the third joint portion for holding a probe of the optical fiber device. Optical fiber arm device. 2. The optical fiber arm device according to claim 1, wherein the first joint has an operation member for unlocking the one-way clutch. 3. The optical fiber arm device according to claim 1, wherein the second joint portion includes a guide portion for pinching a flexible guide tube of the optical fiber device so as to be inserted therethrough.