JP2006215007A - Probe unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To connect a probe and a probe driving unit precisely at a low cost for the probe unit for the OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). <P>SOLUTION: In the probe unit 1 composed of the probe 10 for OCT and the driving unit 50, the rotary connector 51 of the driving unit 50 is fitted with connection members 41-43 provided in the probe 10 for connecting the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51, the cover member 45 for covering the connection members 41-43 outside of the sleeve 30 is provided in such a manner that it is freely attachable to the housing 53 of the driving unit 50 independent from attaching to the rotary connector 51, and the connection members 41-43 are made to expose by making at least a part of the cover member 45 freely slidable. The probe 10 and the driving unit 50 are connected in two steps by separating the rotating optical fiber 11 and non rotary sleeve 30. Therefore, connection can be done precisely at a low cost. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is used for tomographic image measurement of an object to be measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), irradiates the object to be measured with measurement light, and receives return light from the object to be measured. The present invention relates to a probe unit including a probe and a drive unit that drives the probe, and more particularly to a connection structure between the probe and the drive unit.

  Optical coherence tomography (hereinafter referred to as OCT) that measures the light intensity of low-coherence interference light by heterodyne detection has been proposed as a technique for capturing a tomographic image by causing a probe to enter the body or the like.

  The OCT probe that irradiates the measurement target with measurement light and receives return light from the measurement target is attached to the optical fiber that transmits the measurement light and return light, and the tip of the optical fiber, and is emitted from the optical fiber. Reflection optical element that reflects the measured light to the measurement target side and receives return light and reflects it to the optical fiber side, a sleeve in which the proximal end of the optical fiber is inserted, and at least the sleeve of the optical fiber. There has been proposed a device provided with a cladding tube that covers a portion that is not formed and a reflective optical element and is fixed to a sleeve (Patent Document 1).

A rotary connector rotated by a drive motor is connected to the optical fiber of the OCT probe, and the optical fiber and the reflective optical element attached to the optical fiber are rotated in a sleeve and a cladding tube, thereby 360 °. A tomographic image in the direction can be acquired.
JP 11-56752 A

  In order to easily connect the rotary connector connected to the drive motor to the OCT probe, the drive motor and the rotary connector are accommodated in one housing and unitized, and the drive unit and the OCT probe are combined. A configuration for connection is preferable. In this specification, the entire unit including the probe and the drive unit is referred to as a “probe unit”.

  The optical connection between the OCT probe and the drive unit requires much higher accuracy than the ultrasonic echo probe. For this reason, the connection between the optical fiber incorporated in the probe and the rotary connector of the drive unit that rotates the optical fiber needs to match the rotation axes with high accuracy.

  However, it is extremely difficult to connect the optical fiber and the sleeve away from the rotary axis of the rotary connector and the housing of the drive unit so that the rotary axis of the optical fiber and the rotary connector matches with high precision. No connection structure has been proposed for connecting the drive unit and the drive unit at low cost and with high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to connect a probe and a drive unit at low cost with high accuracy in an OCT probe unit.

The probe unit of the present invention is used for measuring a tomographic image of an object to be measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), irradiates the object to be measured with measurement light, and returns light from the object to be measured. A probe unit comprising a probe that receives light and a drive unit that drives the probe and is detachable from the probe,
The probe is attached to the optical fiber that transmits the measurement light and the return light, and the tip of the optical fiber. The probe reflects the measurement light emitted from the optical fiber to the measurement target side and receives the return light to the optical fiber side. A reflecting optical element to be reflected; a sleeve in which a base end portion of the optical fiber is inserted; and a cladding tube that covers at least a portion of the optical fiber that is not inserted in the sleeve and the reflecting optical element and is fixed to the sleeve. The optical fiber is rotatable within the sleeve and the cladding tube,
The drive unit is disposed coaxially with the optical fiber, and includes a rotary connector that rotates the optical fiber and the reflective optical element, a drive motor that drives the rotary connector, and a housing that houses the rotary connector and the drive motor. Is,
The probe is provided with a connection member that is fitted to the rotary connector and connects the optical fiber and the rotary connector, and a cover member that covers the connection member is provided outside the sleeve.
The cover member is detachable from the housing of the drive unit independently of the connection member and the rotary connector, and at least a part of the cover member is slidable with respect to the sleeve so that the connection member is exposed. The sleeve is fixed to the housing via a cover member.

  In this specification, in the probe, the side from which the measurement light is emitted is defined as a “tip side”, and the opposite side is defined as a “base end side”. The probe is roughly composed of a cable-like portion that flexibly enters the body to be measured and the like, and a non-flexible main body portion that supports the cable-like portion and is detachable from the drive unit and is made of a sleeve or the like. (Refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 (the cable-like portion is indicated by reference numeral 10A, and the main body portion is indicated by reference numeral 10B)). It is defined as

  In the probe unit of the present invention, the entire cover member is slidable in the direction away from the housing with respect to the sleeve, and is formed of a substantially cylindrical member having a slit-like opening extending in the direction away from the housing. It is preferable that a rotation restricting member that is fixed to the sleeve and restricts the rotation of the sleeve with respect to the cover member is provided in the opening.

  In the probe unit of the present invention, the sleeve is provided with a connecting member that is fitted to the rotary connector of the drive unit and connects the optical fiber incorporated in the probe and the rotary connector, and the proximal end portion of the optical fiber is inserted A cover member that covers the connection member is provided on the outer side of the drive unit, the cover member is detachable from the housing of the drive unit independently of the attachment and detachment of the connection member and the rotary connector, and the sleeve is attached to the drive unit via the cover member. It is configured to be fixed to the housing.

  That is, in the present invention, the connection between the probe and the drive unit is made by connecting the optical fiber incorporated in the probe and the rotary connector of the drive unit, the sleeve into which the base end portion of the optical fiber is inserted, and the housing of the drive unit. The probe is connected to the drive unit in two stages.

  The connection between the optical fiber and the rotary connector requires that the rotation shafts be matched with high accuracy, while the connection between the sleeve that does not rotate and the housing of the drive unit does not require such high accuracy. Since these connections are separated in the present invention, it is not necessary to consider the connection between the optical fiber and the rotary connector when connecting the sleeve and the housing of the drive unit. Therefore, only the connection between the optical fiber and the rotary connector needs to be made highly accurate, and the connection between the sleeve and the housing of the drive unit can be simplified. As described above, if only the optical fiber and the rotary connector are connected with high accuracy, it is possible to connect with high accuracy at low cost using a general-purpose member relatively easily. Therefore, according to the probe unit of the present invention, the probe and the drive unit can be connected with low cost and high accuracy.

  In the present invention, at least a part of the cover member is slidable with respect to the sleeve so that the connection member can be exposed. In such a configuration, while the connection between the optical fiber and the rotary connector is realized independently of the connection between the sleeve and the housing of the drive unit, the rotating connection member and its vicinity are covered during tomographic image measurement. Since it is covered with the member, the rotating portion can be well protected without exposing the rotating portion, and the handleability is excellent.

  Hereinafter, the structure of a probe unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The probe unit of the present embodiment is used for measuring a tomographic image of an object to be measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and is composed of a probe and a drive unit that drives the probe.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a tomogram measuring apparatus provided with a probe unit of the present embodiment. 2A and 2B are top views of the single probe, in which FIG. 2A shows an open state of the cover member, and FIG. 2B shows a closed state of the cover member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the probe unit, showing a state where the probe and the drive unit are connected. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal end side of the probe. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a single drive unit. 3 to 5 are views corresponding to the A-A ′ cross section (cross section passing through the slit-shaped opening 45 </ b> A) of FIG. 2.

  In tomogram measurement by OCT, low-coherence light (for example, a coherence length of 20 μm or less) emitted from a light source such as an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode) is divided into measurement light and reference light, and the reference light or measurement light by a piezo element or the like. Is slightly shifted, the measurement light is irradiated onto the measurement object, the return light from the measurement object is interfered with the reference light, the light intensity of the interference light is measured by heterodyne detection, and optical tomographic information is obtained. To get. In the tomographic image measurement by OCT, the optical path length of the reference light and the optical path length of the measurement light are matched by slightly moving a movable mirror or the like arranged on the optical path of the reference light and slightly changing the optical path length of the reference light. Information at a predetermined depth of the irradiated site can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the probe unit 1 according to the present embodiment irradiates the measurement target L1 with the measurement light L1, and receives the return light L2 from the measurement target, and the probe 10 that drives the probe 10 is attached to and detached from the probe 10. The drive unit 50 is configured to be freely movable. The probe unit 1 is connected to an apparatus main body 60 that performs measurement operations, tomographic image display, and the like, and the tomographic image measuring apparatus 2 is configured.

  The apparatus main body 60 actually includes all the components other than the probe unit 1 necessary for the tomographic image measurement, but is simplified in the drawing and includes a light source 61 that emits low-coherence light, return light, Only an interferometer 62 that measures interference light generated by interference with reference light, a probe drive control circuit 63 that drives the probe unit 1, and a signal processing unit 64 that includes a measurement operation panel, a monitor that displays a tomographic image, and the like. It is shown.

  The probe 10 is roughly composed of a cable-like portion 10A that flexibly enters the body to be measured and the like, and a non-flexible main body portion 10B that supports the cable-like portion 10A and is detachable from the drive unit 50. Yes.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the probe 10 includes an optical fiber 11 that transmits the measurement light L <b> 1 and the return light L <b> 2, and a measurement light L <b> 1 that is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 11 and emitted from the optical fiber 11. Is reflected to the measurement target side and receives the return light L2 and reflected to the optical fiber 11 side, a sleeve 30 in which the proximal end portion 11Y of the optical fiber 11 is inserted, and light The optical fiber 11 is roughly constituted by a covering tube (so-called sheath) 13 that covers at least a portion of the fiber 11 that is not inserted into the sleeve 30 and the reflective optical element 12 and is fixed to the sleeve 30. The cladding tube 13 is made of a translucent material that transmits the measurement light L1 and the return light L2 at least on the tip side where the reflective optical element 12 is provided. The optical fiber 11 and the reflective optical element 12 are rotatable around the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11 within the sleeve 30 and the cladding tube 13.

  The cable-like portion 10 </ b> A is a portion protruding from the sleeve 30 in a form in which the optical fiber 11 and the reflective optical element 12 are incorporated in the cladding tube 13. The main body portion 10B is a portion other than the cable-like portion 10A of the probe 10, and is fitted into the sleeve 30, the proximal end portion 11Y of the optical fiber 11 inserted in the sleeve 30, and the rotary connector 51, which will be described later, constituting the drive unit 50. The optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51 are connected to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the drive unit 50 is disposed coaxially with the optical fiber 11, rotates a rotary connector 51 that rotates the optical fiber 11 and the reflective optical element 12, and a drive motor that drives the rotary connector 51. 52, a rotary encoder (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the rotary connector 51 and detects the measurement position of the measurement target, and the rotary connector 51, the drive motor 52, and the housing 53 that houses the rotary encoder. It is roughly structured.

  The housing 53 is provided with a probe mounting port 53A in which the probe 10 is mounted. A ring-shaped connector portion 51A that is provided at the tip of the rotary connector 51 and connects the optical fiber 11 of the probe 10 and the rotary connector 51 is exposed from the probe mounting port 53A.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rotary connector 51 is connected to an interferometer 62 and a light source 61 of the apparatus main body 60 via an optical fiber cable 65. The drive motor 52 is connected to a probe drive control circuit 63 of the apparatus main body 60 via an electric signal cable 66 so as to be controlled. Further, the rotation angle signal detected by the rotary encoder is also fed back to the control circuit 63 via the same electric signal cable 66.

  The housing 53 is provided with a loose restricting rotation restricting member 54 that restricts the rotation of the rotary connector 51 when the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 are connected. By tightening the rotation restricting member 54, the rotation of the rotary connector 51 is restricted, and by loosening the rotation restricting member 54, the rotation restriction of the rotary connector 51 is released.

  In this embodiment, the connection structure between the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 is characteristic. Hereinafter, the detailed internal structure of the probe 10 and the connection structure with the drive unit 50 will be described in detail.

  First, the configuration of the cable-shaped portion 10A of the probe 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the optical fiber 11 is incorporated in the form of an optical fiber cable in which an optical fiber core wire 11A made of a core / cladding or the like is covered with a protective material 11B that protects the optical fiber core wire 11A. .

  The tip portion 11X of the optical fiber 11 has no protective material 11B and the optical fiber core wire 11A is exposed. The tip portion 11X where the optical fiber core wire 11A is exposed is inserted and held in the ferrule 19. A gradient refractive index lens (GRIN lens or the like) 15 is coaxially disposed with a gap 14 with respect to the light exit surface of the optical fiber 11 (which is also the light incident surface for return light). A reflective optical element (such as a prism) 12 is joined to the light exit surface (also the light incident surface for return light) of the index lens 15. The reflective optical element 12 emits the measurement light L1 emitted from the optical fiber 11 in a direction intersecting the optical axis CL of the optical fiber 11, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 11, and return light. The angle of the reflecting surface 12S is set so that L2 is received and reflected to the optical fiber 11 side. A cap 18 is attached to the tip of the cladding tube 13.

  The portion excluding the distal end portion 11X of the optical fiber 11 (the portion where the protective material 11B is provided) is incorporated in a bendable coil spring 17, and is supported by the coil spring 17 without being restricted in the body or the like. Has been.

  In the cladding tube 13, the optical fiber 11, the gradient refractive index lens 15, the reflective optical element 12, and the coil spring 17 are fixed to each other by cylindrical fixing members 20 and 21. These members (the optical fiber 11, the gradient refractive index lens 15, the reflective optical element 12, and the coil spring 17) are integrally interlocked in the cladding tube 13, and are rotatable around the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11. ing. In such a configuration, the reflecting surface 12S of the reflecting optical element 12 rotates 360 ° around the optical axis CL of the optical fiber 11, so that a tomographic image in the 360 ° direction can be acquired.

  Next, the configuration of the main body portion 10B of the probe 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the positions of the base ends 11E, 17E, and 13E of the optical fiber 11, the coil spring 17, and the cladding tube 13 are different, and the optical fiber 11 and the coil spring 17 are shifted from the base end 13E of the cladding tube 13. The optical fiber 11 protrudes from the base end 17E of the coil spring 17. Here, the base end 11E of the optical fiber 11 is shown with the base end of the protective material 11B. Proximal end 11Y of the optical fiber 11 accommodated in the main body portion 10B includes a portion 11Y ₁ interposed in the cladding tube 13, coating tube 13 although not a part 11Y ₂ interposed in the coil spring 17 , it consists portion 11Y ₃ Metropolitan protruding from cladding 13 and the coil spring 17.

  The sleeve 30 includes a first sleeve 31 and a second sleeve 32 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11 and are connected to each other. The first sleeve 31 is provided to prevent the cladding tube 13 and the like from being bent, and is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber.

Of the proximal end portion 11 </ b> Y of the optical fiber 11, a portion 11 </ b> Y <b> ₁ inserted into the cladding tube 13 is inserted into the first sleeve 31 together with the cladding tube 13. The first sleeve 31 is a cylindrical member having a larger inner diameter on the proximal end side than the distal end side, the distal end portion 31X of the first sleeve 31 grips the cladding tube 13, and the distal end portion of the second sleeve 32 on the proximal end portion 31Y. 32X is fitted. The base end portion 13 </ b> Y of the cladding tube 13 is fixed to the second sleeve 32 via a fixing member 33. The fixing member 33 is a member having an arrowhead shape at the distal end, and this arrowhead shaped portion is locked inside the proximal end portion 13 </ b> Y of the cladding tube 13. With this configuration, the cladding tube 13 is non-rotatably fixed to the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 32.

Of the proximal end 11Y of the optical fiber 11, the portion 11Y ₃ projecting from the cladding 13 and the coil spring 17, the ferrule sleeve 41 is mounted an optical connector. The ferrule sleeve 41 includes a tubular female member 41A which portion 11Y ₃ projecting from the cladding 13 and the coil spring 17 of the optical fiber 11 is inserted, is fitted into the female member 41A, a male that is connected to the rotary connector 51 It is comprised from the member 41B. In the present embodiment, a part of the coil spring 17 is also inserted into the female member 41 </ b> A of the ferrule sleeve 41. A spring 44 that urges the ferrule sleeve 41 toward the drive unit 50 is attached around the female member 41 </ b> A of the ferrule sleeve 41. Only the optical fiber core wire 11A is inserted into the male member 41B of the ferrule sleeve 41, and the base end 11E of the protective material 11B protecting the optical fiber core wire 11A is in contact with the male member 41B.

  In the present embodiment, a connector sleeve 42 and a connecting ring member 43, both of which are optical connectors, are sequentially attached concentrically outside the ferrule sleeve 41. These ferrule sleeve 41, connector sleeve 42, and connection ring member 43 are connection members that are fitted into the rotary connector 51 of the drive unit 50 and connect the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51. The three connection members (the ferrule sleeve 41, the connector sleeve 42, and the connection ring member 43) constitute a connection portion 40 that connects the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51.

  When the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 are connected, a part of the connector sleeve 42 is fitted into a ring-shaped connector part 51A provided at the tip of the rotary connector 51, and the male member 41B forming the ferrule sleeve 41 is In the rotary connector 51, it is inserted deeper than the connector portion 51A. Then, the outer surface of the connector portion 51 </ b> A of the rotary connector 51 is screwed into the inner surface of the connection ring member 43. In the present embodiment, the connection ring member 43 can be turned to loosen the connection between the connection portion 40 and the rotary connector 51. The connection ring member 43 approaches the drive unit 50 when tightened, and leaves the drive unit 50 when loosened. In FIG. 3, a state in which the connection ring member 43 is most strongly tightened is indicated by a solid line, and a state in which the connection ring member 43 is most loosened is indicated by a dashed line.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, a cover member 45 that covers the connection portion 40 (ferrule sleeve 41, connector sleeve 42, and connection ring member 43) is provided outside the second sleeve 32. . The cover member 45 has a base end portion 45 </ b> Y that is screwed into a probe mounting port 53 </ b> A provided in the housing 53 of the drive unit 50. The cover member 45 can be attached to and detached from the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 independently of the attachment and detachment of the connecting portion 40 and the rotary connector 51.

  By fitting the cover member 45 into the housing 53 of the drive unit 50, the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 32 are fixed to the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 via the cover member 45.

  The entire cover member 45 is formed of a substantially cylindrical member that is slidable in the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11 with respect to the second sleeve 32 (sleeve 30). By sliding the cover member 45, The connection part 40 can be exposed.

  The cover member 45 is provided with a slit-like opening 45A that extends horizontally in the axial direction CL (sliding direction) of the optical fiber 11, and is fixed to the second sleeve 32 in the slit-like opening 45A. A rotation restricting member 46 such as a screw member for restricting the rotation of the sleeve 32 relative to the cover member 45 is provided. The rotation restricting member 46 can move relative to the cover member 45 in the extending direction of the slit-shaped opening 45A, but cannot move relative to the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, when the rotation restricting member 46 is positioned at the base end of the slit-like opening 45 </ b> A, the cover member 45 is farthest from the drive unit 50, and the connecting portion 40 and its vicinity are located. Fully exposed and fully open. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, when the rotation restricting member 46 is positioned at the tip of the slit-like opening 45 </ b> A, the cover member 45 comes closest to the drive unit 50, and the connecting portion 40 and The vicinity thereof is completely closed with the cover member 45 completely covering it. In FIG. 3, the position of the cover member 45 shown in FIG. 2B is indicated by a solid line, and the position of the cover member 45 shown in FIG. 2A is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  At the tip of the cover member 45, when the cover member 45 is fitted to the drive unit 50, there is a wall portion 45B that contacts the tip surface 32S of the second sleeve 32 and presses the second sleeve 32 toward the drive unit 50. Is provided. The wall 45B is provided so as to leave a sleeve insertion opening 45C through which the first sleeve 31 is inserted.

  The probe unit 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  In the probe unit 1 of the present embodiment, three connection members (ferrule sleeves) that are fitted to the probe 10 to the rotary connector 51 of the drive unit 50 and connect the optical fiber 11 incorporated in the probe 10 and the rotary connector 51. 41, a connector sleeve 42, and a connecting ring member 43) are provided, and a cover member 45 covering the connecting portion 40 is provided outside the sleeve 30 in which the proximal end portion 11Y of the optical fiber 11 is inserted. It is configured. Further, the cover member 45 is configured to be detachable from the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 independently of the attachment / detachment of the connecting portion 40 and the rotary connector 51. The sleeve 30 is fixed to the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 via the cover member 45.

  In the probe unit 1, the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 can be connected as follows.

  First, the cover member 45 is slid in the direction away from the drive unit 50 with respect to the second sleeve 32 (sleeve 30) to be in the open state. For example, the cover member 45 is in a fully open state shown in FIG. As long as the connection portion 40 of the probe 10 is sufficiently exposed, the cover member 45 may be in an intermediate half-open state shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). In this state, the male member 41B of the ferrule sleeve 41 and the connector sleeve 42 are inserted into the connector portion 51A of the rotary connector 51 of the drive unit 50, and the connecting ring member 43 is turned from above to connect the connector of the rotary connector 51. The connecting ring member 43 is tightened by screwing onto the outer surface of the portion 51A. By the above operation, the optical fiber 11 of the probe 10 and the rotary connector 51 are connected.

  In the present embodiment, the drive unit 50 is provided with a rotation restricting member 54 that restricts the rotation of the rotary connector 51. Therefore, before the connection, the rotation restricting member 54 of the drive unit 50 can be tightened in advance to restrict the rotation of the rotary connector 51. In such a configuration, the connection portion 40 of the probe 10 may be fitted to the fixed rotary connector 51, and the connection operation is simple.

  Next, the cover member 45 is slid with respect to the second sleeve 32 (sleeve 30) in the direction opposite to the above, and is brought close to the drive unit 50 as shown in FIG. The base end portion 45 </ b> Y is fitted into the probe mounting port 53 </ b> A of the housing 53. By this operation, the cover member 45 of the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 are connected, and at the same time, the sleeve 30 is fixed to the drive unit 50 via the cover member 45.

  The connection between the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 is completed by the above two-stage connection operation. The removal of the probe 10 from the drive unit 50 may be performed in the reverse manner to the above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber 11 incorporated in the probe 10 and the connection of the rotary connector 51 of the drive unit 50 and the connection of the sleeve 30 and the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 are divided. The probe 10 and the drive unit 50 are connected in two stages.

  The connection between the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51 requires that these rotation axes be matched with high accuracy, whereas the connection between the sleeve 30 that does not rotate and the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 is so high. Precision is not required.

  In the present embodiment, since these connections are divided, it is not necessary to consider the connection between the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51 when connecting the sleeve 30 and the housing 53 of the drive unit 50. Therefore, only the connection between the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51 needs to be made highly accurate, and the connection between the sleeve 30 and the housing 53 of the drive unit 50 can be simplified. If only the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 53 are to be connected with high accuracy, it is relatively easy to use a general-purpose member (in this embodiment, the ferrule sleeve 41, the connector sleeve 42, and the connection ring member 43). A highly accurate connection is possible at a low cost. Therefore, according to the probe unit 1 of the present embodiment, the probe 10 and the drive unit 50 can be connected with low cost and high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the entire cover member 45 is slidable with respect to the sleeve 30 so that the connection portion 40 can be exposed. With such a configuration, the connection portion 40 that rotates during the tomographic image measurement is realized while realizing the connection between the optical fiber 11 and the rotary connector 51 independently of the connection between the sleeve 30 and the housing 53 of the drive unit 50. And since the vicinity part is covered with the cover member 45, a rotation part can be protected favorably, without exposing a rotation part, and it is excellent also in handleability.

  In the present embodiment, the cover member 45 is also slidable horizontally in the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11 with respect to the sleeve 30, and is formed from a substantially cylindrical member having a slit-like opening 45A extending in the sliding direction. Thus, a rotation restricting member 46 that is fixed to the sleeve 30 (second sleeve 32) and restricts the rotation of the sleeve 30 relative to the cover member 45 is provided in the slit-shaped opening 45A. In such a configuration, the cover member 45 can be slid horizontally in the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11 so that the cover member 45 can be easily opened and closed. In addition, the cover member 45 and the sleeve 30 can be used during tomographic image measurement. Without rotating, only necessary portions such as the optical fiber 11 and the reflective optical element 12 are rotated, and the measurement can be performed satisfactorily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, the type and number of connection members that form the connection portion 40 that connects the optical fiber 11 incorporated in the probe 10 and the rotary connector 51 and the manner of connection with the rotary connector 51 can be appropriately changed in design.

  Even if the cover member 45 is not entirely slidable with respect to the sleeve 30, at least a part of the cover member 45 is slidable with respect to the sleeve 30 and the connection portion 40 can be exposed. Similar effects can be obtained. Even if the cover member 45 is not slidable horizontally in the axial direction CL of the optical fiber 11, the cover member 45 is slidable in the direction away from the housing 53 with respect to the sleeve 30 and extends in the direction away from the housing 53. As long as it has the slit-shaped opening 45A, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  The probe unit of the present invention can be preferably used for tomographic image measurement of an object to be measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

The figure which shows the example of whole structure of the tomogram measuring apparatus provided with the probe unit of embodiment which concerns on this invention FIG. 2 is a top view of a single probe constituting the probe unit shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) shows an open state of a cover member, and (b) shows a closed state of the cover member. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the probe unit shown in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the probe and the drive unit are connected. Fig. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tip side of the probe constituting the probe unit shown in Fig. 1. Sectional view of a single drive unit forming the probe unit shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Probe unit 10 Probe 11 Optical fiber 11X Optical fiber tip part 11Y Optical fiber base end part 12 Reflective optical element 13 Cladding tube 30 Sleeve 31 1st sleeve 32 2nd sleeve 40 Connection part 41 Ferrule sleeve (connection member)
42 Connector sleeve (connecting member)
43 Ring member for connection (connection member)
45 Cover member 45A Slit-shaped opening 46 Rotation restricting member 50 Drive unit 51 Rotary connector 51A Connector part 52 Drive motor 53 Housing L1 Measurement light L2 Return light

Claims (2)

A probe that is used for tomographic image measurement of an object to be measured by optical coherence tomography, irradiates the measurement object with measurement light, and receives return light of the measurement light from the object to be measured; A probe unit comprising a drive unit that drives the probe and is detachable from the probe,
The probe is attached to an optical fiber that transmits the measurement light and the return light, and a tip of the optical fiber, reflects the measurement light emitted from the optical fiber to the measurement target side, and returns the return light. A reflective optical element that receives light and reflects it toward the optical fiber, a sleeve in which the proximal end portion of the optical fiber is inserted, and at least a portion of the optical fiber that is not inserted in the sleeve and the reflective optical element are covered. And a cladding tube fixed to the sleeve, wherein the optical fiber is rotatable within the sleeve and the cladding tube,
The drive unit is disposed coaxially with the optical fiber, and rotates a rotary connector that rotates the optical fiber and the reflective optical element, a drive motor that drives the rotary connector, the rotary connector, and the drive motor. A housing for housing,
The probe is provided with a connection member that is fitted to the rotary connector and connects the optical fiber and the rotary connector, and a cover member that covers the connection member is provided outside the sleeve,
The cover member is detachable from the housing of the drive unit independently of attachment / detachment of the connection member and the rotary connector, and at least a part of the cover member is slidable with respect to the sleeve. The probe unit is characterized in that the connection member can be exposed, and the sleeve is fixed to the housing via the cover member. The cover member as a whole consists of a substantially cylindrical member having a slit-like opening that is slidable in a direction away from the housing with respect to the sleeve and extends in a direction away from the housing;
2. The probe unit according to claim 1, wherein a rotation restricting member that is fixed to the sleeve and restricts the rotation of the sleeve relative to the cover member is provided in the slit-shaped opening.

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