JP2006018114A - Branch fiber bundle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a branch fiber bundle that can reduce difference in the light quantity outputted from a plurality of branch ends and that can suppress, within a allowable range, the difference in the light quantity exiting from the plurality of branch ends even in the presence of some deviations between the optical axis of the light entering from a light source and the center of the bundled ends which is the light incident end face. <P>SOLUTION: The branch fiber bundle is composed of one center fiber 1A whose end face is situated in the center of the bundled ends, six outward peripheral fibers 3A whose end face is situated nearer to the outer peripheral of the bundled ends, six inward peripheral fibers 4B, 4C whose end face is situated nearer to the inner peripheral of the bundled ends while being arranged alternately with the six outward peripheral fibers 3A, and six intermediate fibers 2B, 2C whose end face is situated in the middle held between the center fiber 1A and the 12 peripheral fibers 3A, 4B, 4C, in the bundled ends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a branched fiber bundle in which one end of a fiber bundle in which optical fibers are bundled is branched into a plurality.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a treatment light guide that diverges light incident from the focusing side of a fiber bundle (light from a halogen lamp) into a plurality of light beams and emits the light. In this light guide, a plurality of optical fibers bundled into one on the converging side are randomly distributed and divided into a plurality of bundles, thereby forming a plurality of branch ends. As a result, when light is incident from the end on the converging side (the converging end), a uniform amount of light is emitted from the light guide member (usually one cylindrical fiber) attached to the end on the branching side (the branching end). The light is emitted and simultaneously irradiated to a plurality of affected parts, and can be used for treatment or the like.

Further, the light guide member attached to the branch end is covered with the light-transmitting tube disclosed in Patent Document 2, the outer coating disclosed in Patent Document 3, or the outer tube of the indwelling needle disclosed in Patent Document 4. It is also possible to do this, so that it can be inserted into the affected area and irradiated with light.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-228853 (page 3-4, FIG. 4) Japanese Patent No. 2869020 (page 4-5, FIG. 4) JP-T-2002-518147 (page 15, Fig. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3082123 (2nd page, FIG. 5)

  When the above-described conventional technique is applied using a semiconductor laser device as a light source, the diameter of the fiber (light guide for light source) used for the laser beam emitting portion is about 1/10 that of a halogen lamp, specifically 400 μm to 600 μm. Therefore, if an attempt is made to fabricate a therapeutic light guide that matches the above-mentioned diameter using a fiber bundle, the number of optical fibers constituting the fiber bundle is limited to about 18 to 19. When this 18 to 19 fibers are divided into a plurality of bundles to form a branch fiber bundle, it is difficult to make the amount of light emitted from the plurality of branch ends substantially uniform. Also, if there is a slight deviation between the optical axis of the light incident on the converging end of the branching fiber bundle and the central axis of this converging end, the light is branched into a plurality of light with a substantially uniform amount of light. Is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and can reduce the difference in the amount of light output from a plurality of branch ends, and the light of light incident from the light source side. A branch fiber bundle that can suppress the difference in the amount of light emitted from a plurality of branch ends within an allowable range even if there is a slight deviation between the axis and the central portion of the focusing end that is the light incident end surface. The purpose is to provide.

  The branch fiber bundle according to the first aspect of the present invention is a branch fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into three fiber bundles and the other end is a converging end bundled in one fiber bundle, A central fiber having an end face located at the center of the focusing end, a plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end, and an intermediate portion of the focusing end sandwiched between the central fiber and the peripheral fiber. A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located on the first end, the first branch end is composed of a center fiber and a plurality of peripheral fibers, and the second and third branch ends are respectively A plurality of peripheral fibers, each composed of a plurality of intermediate fibers and a plurality of peripheral fibers, and constituting the first, second, and third branch ends, respectively, and the second and third branches Each end The middle part fiber a plurality of the formed, respectively, characterized in that are arranged alternately so as not adjacent the fibers to each other of the same branch ends with a focused end.

  According to the above configuration, the fiber constituting each branch end is centered according to the amount of loss due to optical coupling between the light emitting end surface of the light guide of the light source device and the light incident end surface of the converging end. It is selected from three types: part, middle part and peripheral part fiber. For example, the first branch end including the center fiber having a small loss of incident light due to optical coupling includes the peripheral fiber having a large loss of incident light, so that the light is emitted from the second and third branch ends. Uniformity with strength is achieved. On the other hand, the peripheral fiber and the intermediate fiber constituting each branch end are dispersedly arranged on the end face of the focusing end. Therefore, even when the mounting position of the focusing end with respect to the light source device deviates from the center position, The intensity of light emitted from the end can be maintained substantially constant.

  For the branching fiber bundle of the first aspect, the converging ends include one central fiber, six that constitute the first branching end, and three that each constitute the second and third branching ends. A total of 12 peripheral fibers and a total of 6 intermediate fibers each of which constitutes the second and third branch ends. The second and third fibers are bundled together. Each of the three peripheral fibers constituting each of the branch ends is arranged at a position closer to the central fiber than the six peripheral fibers constituting the first branch end at the converging end. Also good.

  If a three-branch fiber bundle is configured with 19 fibers in this way, each fiber can be densely focused at both the converging end and the three branching ends, so that the branch fiber bundle itself has a small diameter, and from each branch end. The emitted light can be emitted with high density and little fluctuation, and with a substantially uniform light amount.

  The branch fiber bundle according to the second aspect of the present invention is a branch fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into three fiber bundles, and the other end is a converging end bundled in one fiber bundle, A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the converging end; and a plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the middle part of the converging end sandwiched between the central part of the converging end and the peripheral fiber; Each of the first, second, and third branch ends is composed of a plurality of intermediate fibers and a plurality of peripheral fibers, and the first, second, and third branch ends are provided. The plurality of intermediate fibers constituting each and the plurality of peripheral fibers constituting each of the first, second, and third branch ends are adjacent to each other at the focusing end. Arrange in order not to Characterized in that it is.

  According to the above configuration, since there is no fiber that contributes to optical transmission in the central part of the focusing end, each branching end is composed of both an intermediate part and a peripheral part fiber with different amounts of light loss at the focusing end. Thus, uniform emission intensity from each branch end is achieved. On the other hand, since the peripheral fiber and the intermediate fiber constituting each branch end are dispersedly arranged on the end face of the focusing end, even if the mounting position of the focusing end with respect to the light source device fluctuates, The emitted light intensity can be maintained substantially constant.

  For the branch fiber bundle of the second aspect, the converging ends are composed of a total of 12 peripheral edge fibers each consisting of four fibers constituting the first, second and third branch ends, respectively, and the first, second and second 3 intermediate fibers each consisting of 2 each constituting 3 branch ends, and 4 peripheral edges each constituting 1st, 2nd and 3rd branch ends The partial fibers may be arranged such that the fibers at the same branch end at the converging end face each other with the central portion interposed therebetween.

  If a three-branch fiber bundle is configured with 18 fibers in this manner, each fiber can be densely focused at both the converging end and the three branching ends. The emitted light can be made high density. Further, since the peripheral fibers at the same branching end are opposed to each other with the central portion sandwiched at the focusing end, there is little variation in the amount of light caused by the axial deviation in the mounting of the light source device and the focusing end, and the light can be emitted with a substantially uniform amount of light. .

  The branch fiber bundle according to the third aspect of the present invention is a branch fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into two fiber bundles, and the other end is a converging end bundled into one fiber bundle, A central fiber having an end face located at the center of the focusing end, a plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end, and an intermediate portion of the focusing end sandwiched between the central fiber and the peripheral fiber. A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located on the first end, and the first branch end includes a center fiber, a plurality of intermediate fibers, and a plurality of peripheral fibers, and a second branch end. Is composed of a plurality of intermediate fibers and a plurality of peripheral fibers more than the first branch ends, and the plurality of intermediate fibers constituting the first and second branch ends respectively. Same at focusing end Arranged so that three or more branch end fibers do not adjoin each other, and the plurality of peripheral fibers constituting the first and second branch ends are adjacent to each other at the converging end. It is characterized by being alternately arranged.

  According to the above configuration, the fiber constituting each branch end is a center portion, intermediate portion, and peripheral portion fiber depending on the amount of loss of light incident on the converging end via the light guide of the light source device. It is selected from three kinds. For example, the first branch end including the central fiber that minimizes the loss amount includes the peripheral fiber having a large loss of incident light, so that the output intensity from the second branch end can be made uniform. The On the other hand, the peripheral fiber and the intermediate fiber constituting each branch end are dispersedly arranged on the end face of the focusing end. Therefore, even when the mounting position of the focusing end with respect to the light source device deviates from the center position, The intensity of light emitted from the end can be maintained substantially constant.

  For the branch fiber bundle of the third aspect, the converging end is composed of one central fiber, 12 peripheral fibers consisting of 6 fibers each constituting the first and second branch ends, and the first The two branch ends are bundled with a total of six intermediate fibers consisting of two that constitute the second branch end and four that constitute the second branch end, and the first and second branch ends are respectively The six intermediate fibers to be configured may be characterized in that the fibers at the same branch end at the focusing end are arranged so as to face each other with the center fiber interposed therebetween.

  If a 19-fiber bifurcated fiber bundle is configured in this way, each fiber can be densely focused at both the focusing end and the two branch ends, so that the branch fiber bundle itself has a small diameter, and from each branch end. The emitted light can be made high density. Further, since the peripheral fibers at the same branching end are opposed to each other with the central portion sandwiched at the focusing end, there is little variation in the amount of light caused by the axial deviation in the mounting of the light source device and the focusing end, and the light can be emitted with a substantially uniform amount of light. .

  A branch fiber bundle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a branch fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into two fiber bundles, and the other end is a focusing end bundled into one fiber bundle, A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the converging end; and a plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the middle part of the converging end sandwiched between the central part of the converging end and the peripheral fiber; The first and second branch ends are each composed of a plurality of intermediate fibers and a plurality of peripheral fibers, and a plurality of first and second branch ends respectively. The intermediate fibers are alternately arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end, and the plurality of peripheral fibers constituting the first and second branch ends are the same at the focusing end. Branch end Wherein the fibers to each other is arranged so as to be adjacent to at least two.

  According to the above configuration, since there is no fiber that contributes to optical transmission in the central part of the focusing end, each branching end has an intermediate part and a peripheral part that have different amounts of loss due to an axial misalignment of light incident on the focusing end. Since both fibers are formed, the output intensity from each branch end is made uniform. On the other hand, since the peripheral fiber and the intermediate fiber constituting each branch end are dispersedly arranged on the end face of the converging end, even if the attaching position of the converging end with respect to the light source device is shifted in any direction, The intensity of light emitted from each branch end can be maintained substantially constant.

  For the branching fiber bundle of the fourth aspect, the converging end is composed of a total of 12 peripheral fibers composed of 6 each constituting the first and second branch ends, and the first and second branch ends, respectively. A total of 6 intermediate fibers each consisting of 3 fibers are bundled together, and the 12 peripheral fibers constituting the first and second branch ends respectively have the same branch at the focusing end. It is good also as arrange | positioning so that two end fibers may adjoin each other.

  If a two-branch fiber bundle is configured with 18 fibers in this way, each fiber can be densely focused at both the converging end and the two branching ends. The emitted light can be made high density. Further, since two peripheral fibers at the same branching end are arranged adjacent to each other at the converging end, there is little deviation in the amount of light caused by the axial deviation in the mounting of the light source device and the converging end, and the light amount is substantially uniform. Can be maintained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to divide the light incident on the focusing end of the branch fiber bundle from the light source side through a light guide or the like into a plurality of light with a substantially uniform light amount and emit the light. Moreover, even if an axial deviation occurs between the optical axis of light incident on the converging end from the light source side and the central portion of the incident end face at the converging end, the light is emitted from each branch end. The amount of light can be maintained substantially uniform.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a branch fiber bundle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described.

  FIG. 1 shows a usage state of a three-branch fiber bundle according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 1A is an overall configuration diagram and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a connector used here. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), one end side of an optical fiber (not shown individually) constituting the three-branch fiber bundle 1 for phototherapy is bundled into one to become a converging end, and the other end side. Is branched into three to form three branch ends. The converging end of the fiber bundle 1 is optically connected to one end of a light source side light guide 72 via a connector 61 provided in the casing of the light source device 7, and the other end of the light source side light guide 72 is the housing of the light source device 7. It is optically connected to a semiconductor laser device 71 provided inside the body. Three cylindrical fibers 8 are connected to the three branch ends of the fiber bundle 1 via connectors 62, respectively.

  The light source side light guide 72 that guides the laser light from the semiconductor laser device 71 to the outside of the housing of the light source device 7 is composed of an optical fiber having a diameter of 400 μm to 600 μm. The three-branch fiber bundle 1 is configured by bundling optical fibers having a diameter of about 110 μm. There are 18 or 19 optical fibers at the converging end, and 6 or 7 optical fibers at each branching end. . The cylindrical fiber 8 has a light scattering portion on the distal end side, and when light is incident from the focusing end side, the cylindrical fiber 8 emits and scatters light at a portion of several millimeters from the distal end. The light scattering part that emits and scatters this light can be adjusted at intervals of 5 mm from 5 mm to 60 mm in length.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the connector 61 includes a pair of ferrules 611 and 612, and one ferrule 611 includes a large-diameter optical fiber constituting the light source side light guide 72 and the other ferrule 612. Are held so that 18 or 19 optical fibers of a small diameter constituting the 3-branch fiber bundle 1 are bundled and inserted. When a SMA 905 connector that performs alignment and connection between optical fiber axes is used as a connector using such a ferrule, the maximum misalignment in fiber axis alignment is 30 μm. Even if it occurs, it is necessary to consider so that the light can be branched into a plurality of light with a substantially uniform light amount.

  The three connectors 62 that connect the three branch end sides of the branch fiber bundle 1 and the base end sides of the three cylindrical fibers 8 have the same basic configuration as that of the connector 61 although their sizes are different. In the present invention, misalignment in the connector 62 is not particularly problematic, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  2 and 3 show a first embodiment in which a three-branch fiber bundle 1 is constituted by 19 optical fibers, and FIG. 2 shows a connecting portion between the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle 1 and the light source side light guide 72. FIG. 3A is an end view of the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle 1 taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. is there. 2 is an end view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 3 (a). In FIG. 2, only five of the 19 fibers are the fibers 1A, 2B, 2C, 3A, and 3A. Is drawn.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the end surface 1S of the converging end of the branch fiber bundle 1 and the emission surface 7S of the light source side light guide 72 are opposed to each other, and preferably do not contact with each other via matching oil (refractive index matching liquid). It is in close contact. Of the five fibers 1A, 2B, 2C, 3A, and 3A shown in the figure, three fibers 1A, 3A, and 3A constitute a part of the first branch end A (three of the seven), One fiber 2B constitutes a part (one of six) of the second branch end B, and one fiber 2C constitutes a part of the third branch end C (one of six). Are covered with a plastic protective cover 1Z and branched into three fiber bundles. The diameters of the 19 optical fibers included in the three-branch fiber bundle 1 of the present embodiment are each 114 μm, the diameter S1 of the converging end of the branch fiber bundle 1 is 630 μm, and the diameter of the light emitting end face of the light source side light guide 72 S2 is 400 μm to 600 μm.

  FIG. 3A is an end view of the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle 1 taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 1 is an end view showing end faces of a branch end A, a second branch end B, and a third branch end C).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the branch fiber bundle of the first embodiment is configured by three branches of 19 optical fibers. That is, one central fiber 1A whose end face is located at the center of the converging end, six outer peripheral fibers 3A whose end face is located on the outer side of the peripheral edge of the converging end, and these six outer fibers Six inner peripheral edge fibers 4B and 4C, whose end faces are located closer to the inner side of the peripheral edge of the focusing end while being alternately arranged with the peripheral edge fibers 3A, the center fiber 1A and the twelve peripheral edge fibers 3A, 6 intermediate fibers 2B and 2C having end faces located in the intermediate portion between the converging ends sandwiched between 4B and 4C.

  Of the three branch ends, the first branch end A is composed of a total of seven optical fibers, one central fiber 1A and six outer peripheral fibers 3A. The second branch end B is composed of a total of six optical fibers, that is, three intermediate fibers 2B and three inner peripheral fibers 4B. The third branch end C is composed of a total of six optical fibers, that is, three intermediate fibers 2C and three inner peripheral fibers 4C.

  Each of the six intermediate fibers 2B and 2C has 6-fold rotational symmetry (symmetry with respect to 60-degree rotation) with respect to the central fiber 1A, and fibers having the same branch ends B and C are adjacent to each other at the focusing end. It is arranged alternately so as not to fit. A total of twelve peripheral fibers 3A, 4B, and 4C including six outer peripheral fibers 3A, three inner peripheral fibers 4B, and three inner peripheral fibers 4C are also centered. 6-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the partial fiber 1A (symmetry with respect to 60-degree rotation). A total of twelve peripheral edge fibers 3A, 4B, and 4C are alternately arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end, and the first branch end A including the center fiber 1A is provided. The six peripheral fibers 3A constituting the optical fiber are located "outside", that is, on the side far from the center fiber 1A.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the end faces of 7, 6, and 6 fibers are located on the end faces of the three branch ends A to C, respectively. The order of arrangement can be made in any way, but in order to make the branch end as thin as possible, an arrangement with 6-fold rotational symmetry as shown in the figure is preferable. In addition, the center part of the branch ends B and C is not hollow, and a dummy fiber that does not contribute to optical transmission may be interposed.

  The 19 fibers included in the three-branch fiber bundle 1 of the first embodiment are arranged as shown in FIG. 3A on the end surface 1S of the converging end, but are emitted from the emission surface 7S of the light source side light guide 72. When the relationship between the light emission area and the incident area of light incident on the end surface 1S of the focusing end and branched to the three branch ends A, B, and C is calculated, the branch ends A, B, and C are configured. The areas occupied by the optical fiber on the end surface 1S of the focusing end (hereinafter referred to as “effective branching area”) are 22.3%, 26.7%, and 26.7%, respectively. Even though there are some differences, since they are distributed almost uniformly (the maximum difference is 4.4%, which is within an allowable value of 5%), from the semiconductor laser device 71 via the light source side light guide 72 It can be confirmed that when the light is incident on the end surface 1S of the focusing end, the light can be emitted by being branched into three with a substantially uniform light amount.

  Further, in the arrangement of FIG. 3A, there is a slight shift between the optical axis of the light incident on the end surface 1S of the focusing end and the center portion of the end surface 1S of the focusing end (hereinafter, this “shift amount” is referred to as “ Even when the incident axis deviation amount is generated, the area occupied by the fibers constituting the three branch ends A to C on the end face 1S of the focusing end is distributed substantially uniformly. For example, when the incident axis deviation is 30 μm, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A, B, and C are 22.3%, 25.4%, and 25.4%, respectively. Although there is a slight shift, the light from the semiconductor laser device 71 is branched into three with a substantially uniform light amount because the light is dispersed substantially uniformly (the maximum difference is 3.1% and within 5%). It can be seen that light can be emitted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a trial calculation example for confirming the usefulness of the first embodiment. The focusing end in the case where the three-branch fiber bundle 1 is composed of three large-diameter fibers 20A, 20B, and 20C. The end surface of is shown.

  In the case of FIG. 3A according to the first embodiment, the three-branch fiber bundle 1 is configured by 19 small-diameter fibers. In this case, the effective incident cross-sectional area (three branch ends A, B, The total effective branch area for C) is 75.7% (about 25% per branch end). On the other hand, when the converging end is constituted by three large diameter fibers 20A, 20B, and 20C as shown in FIG. 4, the total effective branch area for the three branch ends A, B, and C is 37.times. It is 1% (12.3% per one branch end), and it can be seen that the utilization efficiency of incident light is very high in the case of the first embodiment.

  The three-branch fiber bundle 1 can also be configured with a total of seven fibers including one at the center and six at the periphery, but is not useful because there are many optical defects. Further, in addition to the 19 configurations of FIG. 3A, a configuration in which 18 fibers are further arranged on the outside and the branch side is 37 branches can be made, but the fiber bundle itself becomes thicker. Usefulness decreases because of too much.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining Comparative Example 1 for confirming the usefulness of the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is an end view of the focusing end, and FIG. It is each C end view.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, at the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle 1, one central fiber 1B, two intermediate fibers 2B, and two outer peripheral fibers constituting the branch end B 3B is arranged in a line in the horizontal direction in the drawing, and six branch ends B are formed by adding the inner peripheral fiber 4B adjacent to the outer peripheral fiber 3B. The branch end A is composed of seven fibers 2A, 3A, 4A on one side (upper side in the drawing) of the six fibers 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B constituting the branch end B, and the branch end C Is composed of six fibers 2C, 3C, 4C on the other side (lower side in the drawing) of the six fibers 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B constituting the branch end B.

  In the case of the branched fiber bundle 1 shown in FIG. 5 (a), the effective branch areas for the three branch ends A, B, and C are approximately uniform, 27.6%, 23.1%, and 23.1%, respectively ( The maximum difference is 4.5% and is distributed within 5%). However, when the incident axis deviation in the vertical direction of the drawing is 30 μm, the effective branch areas branched to the branch ends A, B, and C are 30.3%, 22.3%, and 17.8, respectively. %. Compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that a large imbalance is produced (the maximum difference is 12.5%, which exceeds 5%).

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a comparative example 2 for confirming the usefulness of the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is an end view of the focusing end, and FIG. It is each C end view.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), at the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle 1, the branch end A is composed of seven fibers including one central fiber 1A and six intermediate fibers 2A. The branch end B is composed of six outer peripheral fibers 3B, and the branch end C is composed of six inner peripheral fibers 4C. In the case of this comparative example 2, the effective branch areas for the three branch ends A, B, and C are 31.2%, 17.8%, and 26.7%, respectively. Compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that a large imbalance occurs (the maximum difference is 13.4%, exceeding 5%).

  Further, when an incident axis deviation of 30 μm occurs in the vertical direction of the drawing, the effective branch areas at the branch ends A, B, and C are 31.2%, 17.8%, and 23.1%, respectively. Compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that a large imbalance occurs (the maximum difference is 13.4%, exceeding 5%).

  FIG. 7 shows a three-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is an end view of a converging end on which 18 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 7B shows three branches. It is an end elevation of each of ends A to C.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the branch fiber bundle includes six outer peripheral edge fibers 3A, 3B, 3C having end faces positioned on the outer side of the peripheral edge of the focusing end, and inner ends of the peripheral edges of the focusing end. Six inward peripheral edge fibers 4A, 4B, 4C with end faces located closer to each other, and six intermediate parts with end faces located in the intermediate part sandwiched between the central part of the focusing end and the peripheral edge fibers 3, 4 Fibers 2A, 2B, 2C are provided.

  The first branch end A includes two intermediate fibers 2A, two outer peripheral fibers 3A, and two inner peripheral fibers 4A. The two intermediate fibers 2A, the two outer peripheral fibers 3A, and the two inner peripheral fibers 4A are in a positional relationship facing each other with respect to the central portion of the focusing end. is there. Similarly, the second branch end B is composed of two intermediate fibers 2B, two outer peripheral fibers 3B, and two inner peripheral fibers 4B. Then, like the branch end A, the two intermediate fibers 2B, the two outer peripheral fibers 3B, and the two inner peripheral fibers 4B are located with respect to the central portion of the focusing end. Are in a positional relationship facing each other. Similarly to the branch ends A and B, the third branch end C is also composed of two intermediate fibers 2C, two outer peripheral fibers 3C, and two inner peripheral fibers 4C. Yes. Then, like the branch ends A and B, the two intermediate fibers 2C, the two outer peripheral fibers 3C, and the two inner peripheral fibers 4C are the central portion of the focusing end. Are in a positional relationship facing each other.

  With the configuration described above, the six intermediate fibers and the 12 peripheral fibers constituting the branch ends A, B, and C, respectively, have six-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the central portion of the focusing end. Will have. Also, the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the peripheral edge, and the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the intermediate portion. Are arranged adjacent to each other between the peripheral edges. Note that a dummy fiber that does not contribute to optical transmission may be arranged at the center of the converging end to facilitate fiber arrangement and assembly. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the arrangement order of each of the six fibers on the end faces of the three branch ends A to C can be made in any way, but in order to make the branch ends as narrow as possible, A 6-fold rotational symmetry arrangement is preferred.

  In the three-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the second embodiment, the effective branch areas for the three branch ends A, B, and C are all uniform at 23.4%. When the fiber is provided in the hollow central portion, the area occupied on the end surface 1S of the converging end is 4.5%, so that the light use efficiency is reduced, but the three are obtained with a uniform light amount. It is particularly excellent in that it can be branched.

  Further, in the arrangement of FIG. 7A, when the incident axis deviation is 30 μm, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A, B, and C are 22.5%, 20.3%, and 23.0, respectively. %. Although there are some fluctuations, the light is dispersed almost uniformly (the maximum difference is 3.0% and within 5%), so the light from the semiconductor laser device 71 is branched into three with a substantially uniform light quantity. It can be seen that light can be emitted.

  FIG. 8 shows a two-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 (a) is an end view of a focusing end where 19 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 8 (b) shows two branch ends. It is an end view of each of A and B.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the two-branch fiber bundle includes one central fiber 1A in which the end face of the central portion of the converging end is located, and six end faces that are located outside the peripheral edge of the converging end. Between the outer peripheral edge fiber 3B, the six inner peripheral edge fibers 4A whose end faces are located inwardly of the peripheral edge of the converging end, and the middle between the center fiber 1A and the peripheral fibers 3B, 4A And six intermediate fibers 2A and 2B whose end surfaces are located in the section.

  The first branch end A is composed of a center fiber 1A, two intermediate fibers 2A located on both sides of the center fiber 1A at the focusing end, and six inner peripheral fibers 4A. . The two intermediate fibers 2A and the two inner peripheral fibers 4A are adjacent to each other at the focusing end. The second branch end B includes two intermediate fibers 2B adjacent to each other and six outer peripheral fibers 3B. The four intermediate fibers 2B and the four outer peripheral fibers 3B are adjacent to each other at the focusing end.

  With the configuration as described above, one central fiber 1A and two intermediate fibers constituting the branch end A are arranged in a line in the drawing. Further, the twelve peripheral fibers constituting the branch end A have 6-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the central portion, and are alternately arranged so that fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end. As shown in FIG. 8B, the end faces of 9 and 10 fibers are located on the end faces of the branch ends A and B, respectively.

  In the two-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the third embodiment, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B are 40.1% and 37.8%, respectively. Although there is a slight difference, the light can be split into two with a substantially uniform light quantity (maximum difference is 2.3% and within 5%) and can be emitted. Even when the incident axis deviation is 30 μm, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B are uniform at 36.5% and 36.5%, respectively.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example 3 for confirming the usefulness of the third embodiment. FIG. 9A is an end view of the focusing end, and FIG. 9B is a branching end A and B, respectively. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the fibers constituting the branch ends A and B are clearly separated on both sides at the converging end. That is, the branching end B includes one central fiber 1B, two intermediate fibers 2B adjacent to each other, three inboard peripheral edge fibers 4B adjacent to the two intermediate fibers 2B, and It consists of four outer peripheral edge fibers 3B adjacent to the three inner peripheral edge fibers 4B. The branch end A is composed of the remaining nine fibers 2A, 3A, 4A.

  In the case of this comparative example 3, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B are 36.5% and 37.8%, respectively, and are distributed substantially uniformly (the maximum difference is 1.3% and within 5%). Has been. However, when the incident axis misalignment amount is 30 μm, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B greatly fluctuate to 31.2% and 40.9%, respectively, and the maximum difference is 9.7%. It will exceed 5%.

  FIG. 10 shows a two-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 (a) is an end view of a focusing end where 18 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 10 (b) shows two branch ends. It is an end view of each of A and B.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the bifurcated fiber bundle includes six outer peripheral edge fibers 3A and 3B whose end faces are located on the outer side of the peripheral edge of the focusing end, and the inner side of the peripheral edge of the focusing end. 6 inward peripheral edge fibers 4A and 4B whose end faces are positioned at the center, and six intermediate section fibers 2A and 2B whose end faces are positioned in the intermediate part sandwiched between the center part and the peripheral edge fibers 3 and 4. Prepare.

  The first branch end A includes three intermediate fibers 2A that are not adjacent to each other in the intermediate portion of the converging end, and three inward peripheral edge fibers that are adjacent to the three intermediate fibers 2A, respectively. 4A and the three inner peripheral edge fibers 4A and the three outer peripheral edge fibers 3A adjacent to each other. Then, one intermediate fiber 2A, one inner peripheral fiber 4A, and one outer peripheral fiber 3A are adjacent to each other, and a set of three fibers 2A, 3A, 4A is formed. Three sets of fibers are dispersed in three directions. The second branch end B is composed of a total of nine fibers 2B, 3B, and 4B in a positional relationship of the target rotated 60 degrees with respect to the central portion.

  In the two-branch fiber bundle 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B are all uniform at 33.7%. When the fiber is provided in the hollow central portion, the area occupied on the end surface 1S of the focusing end is 4.5%, so that the light use efficiency is lowered, but the two are obtained with a uniform light amount. It is particularly excellent in that it can be branched. When the incident axis deviation is 30 μm, the effective branch areas for the branch ends A and B are both 34.3%, and the light is uniformly dispersed.

  In order to confirm the usefulness of the branched fiber bundle according to the present invention, an animal experiment was conducted, which will be described. Using the branched fiber bundle 1 connected to the light source device 7 and the cylindrical fiber 8 as shown in FIG. 1, cancer treatment was performed on a dog, which is a specimen animal suffering from cancer. The treated dog is a 13-year-old Yorkshire terrier who is treated and has a size of 3.3 cm × 2.4 cm × 1.7 cm as shown in the photograph of the affected area in FIG. 11A (before cancer treatment). Suffered from ear wax adenocarcinoma. FIG. 11B is a photograph of the affected area during cancer treatment using a branched fiber bundle having one end branched into three, and FIG. 11C is a photograph of the affected area after 2 months of cancer treatment.

  First, as shown in the photograph of FIG. 11 (b), the outer tube of a translucent indwelling needle is perforated and inserted into the affected area of cancer at intervals of about 10 mm. By inserting the outer tube of the indwelling needle, it is possible to prevent damage to the cylindrical fiber due to denaturation caused by contact between the cylindrical fiber inserted into the outer tube of the indwelling needle and the cancer tissue. Further, by using a translucent indwelling needle, a light transmittance of about 98% can be obtained.

  Next, a treatment (photodynamic treatment) in which light from the light source device 7 is incident on the cylindrical fiber via the three-branch fiber bundle 1 and the affected area is irradiated with light to cause necrosis of the cancer by an antitumor effect (necrosis effect). Act).

  As a result, after 2 months of cancer treatment, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the size of the cancer after the cancer treatment is 2.9 cm × 2.1 cm × 1.5 cm, which is smaller than before the cancer treatment. It was. Moreover, the treatment time could be shortened to one-third time compared to the case where the light was not branched (no branching fiber bundle was used). Further, unlike the case of removing cancer by surgical operation, it was not necessary to remove the ear with cancer, and treatment was possible without leaving a trace of surgery. This also leads to an improvement in the QOL (quality of life) of the specimen.

  In addition, even if a cancer with a diameter of 1 cm or more, such as mouse colon cancer, is treated by irradiating a laser beam that does not diverge the light, a cancer surviving part remains, but a laser that is divided into a plurality of branches as described above By performing treatment using light, it is possible to cause necrosis without leaving a surviving part of a cancer having a diameter of 1 cm or more. Furthermore, when treatment is performed by irradiating a laser beam that does not split the light, the fiber is inserted into the affected area a plurality of times, and the problem of PDT drug photobleaching (photobleaching) occurs. By performing treatment using the laser beams branched into a plurality of parts as described above, cancer can be necrotized without causing the photobleaching problem of the PDT drug.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a heat radiating member (not shown) made of a heat conductive material is attached to the ferrule 612 (see FIG. 1) of the connector 61 that extracts laser light from the light source device 7 to the outside, and is provided inside the housing of the light source device 7. You may cool with a fan (not shown). Further, the number of optical fibers constituting the branching bundle fiber is not limited to 18 or 19, but, for example, one of the outer peripheral fibers is lost and branched into three, or two of the outer peripheral fibers are lost. Even in the configuration in which the light is branched into two, the light use efficiency is reduced, but it is not impossible.

Fig.1 (a) is a whole block diagram of the 3 branch fiber bundle which concerns on this embodiment, FIG.1 (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of a connector. It is a figure which shows typically the cross-section of the connection part of the condensing end of a 3 branch fiber bundle, and the light source side light guide. FIG. 3A is an end view of the converging end of the three-branch fiber bundle as viewed along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an end view of each of the three branch ends. FIG. 4 is an end view of the converging end when the three-branch fiber bundle is composed of three large diameter fibers 20A, 20B, and 20C. 5A is an end view of the focusing end of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 5B is an end view of each of the three branch ends. 6A is an end view of the focusing end of Comparative Example 2, and FIG. 6B is an end view of each of the three branch ends. FIG. 7A is an end view of a focusing end where 18 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 7B is an end view of each of three branch ends. FIG. 8A is an end view of the focusing end where 19 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 8B is an end view of each of the three branch ends. FIG. 9A is an end view of the focusing end of Comparative Example 3, and FIG. 9B is an end view of each of the two branch ends. FIG. 10A is an end view of the focusing end where 18 fibers are arranged, and FIG. 10B is an end view of each of the two branch ends. 11 (a), 11 (b) and 11 (c) are photographs of the affected area before cancer treatment, during cancer treatment and after cancer treatment, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Branch fiber bundle, 1A, 1B ... Center part fiber, 1S ... End face, 1Z ... Protective cover, 2A, 2B, 2C ... Intermediate part fiber, 20A, 20B, 20C ... Fiber, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B , 4C ... peripheral edge fiber, 61, 62 ... connector, 611, 612 ... ferrule, 7 ... light source device, 71 ... semiconductor laser device, 72 ... light source side light guide, 73 ... heat dissipation member, 74 ... air blower, 75 ... air blow Direction, 7S ... outgoing surface, 8 ... cylindrical fiber, A ... first branch end, B ... second branch end, C ... third branch end, P ... central portion, S1, S2 ... diameter.

Claims (8)

A branched fiber bundle in which one end is a branching end branched into three fiber bundles and the other end is a converging end bundled in one fiber bundle;
A center fiber having an end face located at the center of the focusing end;
A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end;
A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the intermediate part of the converging end sandwiched between the central fiber and the peripheral fiber,
The first branch end is composed of the center fiber and a plurality of the peripheral fibers,
The second and third branch ends are each composed of a plurality of the intermediate fibers and a plurality of the peripheral fibers, and
The plurality of peripheral fibers constituting the first, second and third branch ends, respectively, and the plurality of intermediate fibers constituting the second and third branch ends, respectively. The fibers at the branching end are alternately arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other.
A branched fiber bundle characterized by that. The focusing end is
One central fiber;
A total of twelve peripheral edge fibers comprising six constituting the first branch end and three each constituting the second and third branch ends;
A total of six intermediate fibers each comprising three each constituting the second and third branch ends;
Is made up of
Each of the three peripheral fibers constituting the second and third branch ends is more central to the central fiber than the six peripheral fibers constituting the first branch end at the converging end. Placed in a close position,
The branched fiber bundle according to claim 1. A branched fiber bundle in which one end is a branching end branched into three fiber bundles and the other end is a converging end bundled in one fiber bundle;
A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end;
A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the intermediate part of the converging end sandwiched between the central part of the converging end and the peripheral fiber,
The first, second, and third branch ends are each composed of a plurality of the intermediate fibers and a plurality of the peripheral fibers, and
The plurality of intermediate fibers that respectively constitute the first, second, and third branch ends, and the plurality of peripheral fibers that respectively constitute the first, second, and third branch ends. , Respectively, are arranged in order so that the fibers at the same branch end at the focusing end are not adjacent to each other,
A branched fiber bundle characterized by that. The focusing end is
A total of twelve peripheral fibers, each consisting of four each constituting the first, second and third branch ends;
A total of six intermediate fibers, each consisting of two each constituting the first, second and third branch ends;
Is made up of
Each of the four peripheral edge fibers constituting the first, second and third branch ends is arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end at the converging end face each other across the central portion. Being
The branch fiber bundle according to claim 3. A branched fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into two fiber bundles and the other end is a focusing end bundled in one fiber bundle;
A center fiber having an end face located at the center of the focusing end;
A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end;
A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the intermediate part of the converging end sandwiched between the central fiber and the peripheral fiber,
The first branch end is composed of the center fiber, the plurality of intermediate fibers, and the plurality of peripheral fibers,
The second branch end is composed of a plurality of the intermediate fibers and a plurality of the peripheral fibers more than the first branch ends, and
The plurality of intermediate fibers constituting each of the first and second branch ends are arranged so that three or more fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end,
The plurality of peripheral edge fibers respectively constituting the first and second branch ends are alternately arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end.
A branched fiber bundle characterized by that. The focusing end is
One central fiber;
A total of twelve peripheral fibers, each consisting of six that respectively constitute the first and second branch ends;
A total of six intermediate fibers consisting of two constituting the first branch end and four constituting the second branch end;
Is made up of
The six intermediate fibers that respectively constitute the first and second branch ends are arranged so that the fibers at the same branch end at the focusing end face each other with the center fiber interposed therebetween. ,
The branched fiber bundle according to claim 5. A branched fiber bundle in which one end is a branch end branched into two fiber bundles and the other end is a focusing end bundled in one fiber bundle;
A plurality of peripheral fibers whose end faces are located at the peripheral edge of the focusing end;
A plurality of intermediate fibers whose end faces are located in the intermediate part of the converging end sandwiched between the central part of the converging end and the peripheral fiber,
Each of the first and second branch ends is composed of a plurality of the intermediate fibers and a plurality of the peripheral fibers, and
The plurality of intermediate fibers constituting each of the first and second branch ends are alternately arranged so that fibers at the same branch end are not adjacent to each other at the focusing end,
The plurality of peripheral edge fibers that respectively constitute the first and second branch ends are arranged so that at least two fibers at the same branch end are adjacent to each other at the focusing end.
A branched fiber bundle characterized by that. The focusing end is
A total of twelve peripheral fibers, each consisting of six that respectively constitute the first and second branch ends;
A total of six intermediate fibers comprising three each constituting the first and second branch ends,
Is made up of
The twelve peripheral fibers constituting each of the first and second branch ends are arranged so that two fibers at the same branch end are adjacent to each other at the focusing end.
The branch fiber bundle according to claim 7.

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