JP2011135973A - Light irradiation chip, light irradiation head and light irradiator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light irradiation chip insertable into a narrow part of a target for medical examination without a risk of irregular irradiation or attenuation of light volume, a light irradiation head including the same, and a medical light irradiator including the assembly of the same. <P>SOLUTION: The light irradiation chip 5 is composed of a slender member 7 insertable into the narrow part 1 of the target T for medical examination; a light source 6 attached to the distal end of the slender member 7; and a light source conductive wire 61 connected to the light source 6 and attached to the slender member 7 to reach the distal end of the slender member. The light irradiation head 3 is composed of a head base 4 with a built-in power supply relay part 43, and the light irradiation chip 5 attached to the distal end of the head base 4 with the power supply relay part 43 and the light source conductive wire 61 electrically connected. The light irradiator 1 is composed of a grip-shaped light irradiator body 2 with a built-in electric control part 20 including a power supply part 26 and the light irradiation head 3 attached to the distal side of the light irradiator body 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation chip, a light irradiation head, and a medical light irradiator provided with these as constituent members, and more specifically, a narrow place to be examined such as a tooth root canal or a periodontal pocket. The present invention relates to a medical light irradiator that can be inserted into a narrow space and can irradiate light in the narrow portion, a light irradiation chip and a light irradiation head as its constituent members.

  Irradiating a narrow part such as a tooth root canal or a periodontal pocket is extremely effective for medical treatment of such a part. As described above, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 can be cited as prior arts that can irradiate light even to a narrow part of a tooth. In Patent Document 1, an optical fiber whose proximal end is connected to a means (light emission source) for generating laser light is inserted into the root canal, and the laser light guided by the optical fiber is filled into the root canal. A technique for occluding a root canal by irradiating a photosensitive substance and activating it is disclosed. In Patent Document 2, a light irradiation auxiliary tip attached to the tip of a light guide (light irradiation device) is inserted into a photocurable resin filled in a tooth cavity (root canal), and the resin is transferred from the auxiliary tip to the resin. A technique for photopolymerization by light irradiation is disclosed. Patent Document 3 discloses a dental light irradiator having a head portion on which a light source member and a light guide member (attachment) can be detachably attached. And this patent document 3 has described that the attachments for wide range illumination, narrow range illumination, and root canal illumination are prepared as the attachment, and these can be selectively used. . Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a dental instrument in which a light guide is mounted through an attachment that incorporates a light source in a base handle, and the front side portion of the light guide is a periodontal probe (FIG. .3B, FIG. 4D and the description in columns 0085).

Special table 2003-525072 gazette Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-310641 JP 2004-321422 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0017416

  As described above, Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose a technical idea of irradiating light on a narrow part such as a tooth root canal or a periodontal pocket. However, these are commonly configured to guide the light from the light source through a light guide or equivalent (including a light collecting member) and irradiate the target site. It is not intended to irradiate directly at the close position of the part. As described above, when light is guided through a light guide or the like, it is inevitable that light irradiation unevenness or attenuation of the light amount occurs. Especially when a light guide is interposed, the limit of the amount of light entering the light guide or Due to the transmission efficiency of the light guide, the attenuation of the amount of light reaches 40 to 50%. Therefore, in order to obtain a sufficient amount of light at the irradiation end, it is necessary to use a light source with a large capacity. As a result, the light source and associated equipment are increased in size or power consumption is increased. Especially in light irradiators for dentistry and otolaryngology, the light source and related equipment are built in the handpiece type grip part, etc., so the grip part etc. is naturally enlarged and its handling suitability is lowered. It was a factor. In addition, since light guides are usually made of resin, fiber, or glass, small-diameter light guides are not practical because they have low strength.

  FIG. 2A, 2B, and 2C show dental photopolymerization irradiators in which a blue LED is provided at the tip of a pipe-like member (ENCLOSURE) mounted on the opposite side of the base handle (in the columns 0064 to 0070). See also description). However, this pipe-shaped member is not of a small diameter that can be inserted into a narrow part such as a tooth root canal or periodontal pocket, but a photopolymerization resin with a light source close to the tooth surface. It is understood that it is used to cure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a light irradiation chip that can be inserted into a narrow location of a medical subject and has no fear of irradiation unevenness and attenuation of light amount, a light irradiation head including the same, and these It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical light irradiator that is assembled. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for irradiating light to an irradiation target area without using a light guide such as an optical fiber built in a therapeutic laser irradiation chip.

  A light irradiation chip according to a first aspect of the present invention is an elongated member that can be inserted into a narrow part of a medical treatment object, a light source attached to a distal end portion of the elongated member, a light source connected to the light source and then attached to the elongated member It is characterized by comprising a light source conductor attached so as to extend to the end.

  In the light irradiation chip of the present invention, the elongated member has a circular cross-sectional shape with an outer diameter of 0.6 mm to 2 mm, or a rectangular shape with a side length of 0.6 mm to 2 mm is desirable. Here, if the outer diameter or the length of one side is about 2 mm, it can be applied to the root canal opening, which is the entrance of the root canal, without being obstructed by adjacent teeth, and is closer than the conventional light irradiator. It is possible to irradiate light directly into the root canal from the position. If the diameter is further reduced, the light source itself can be inserted from the root canal opening into the root canal, which is more desirable.

  In the light irradiation chip of the present invention, the light source is mounted inside a position slightly retracted from the distal end of the elongated member, and translucent in a space portion at the distal end portion of the elongated member formed by the receding. A member may be attached. Furthermore, the elongate member may have a non-linear shape that curves at least at one location along its longitudinal direction. The term “bend” as used herein refers to not only when the elongated member is bent over the whole, but also a combination of a line segment, a line segment, and an angle between them, which are locally bent. Includes shape.

  A light irradiation head according to a second aspect of the present invention is a head base portion including a power feeding relay portion, and the power feeding relay portion and the light source conductor are mounted in an electrically connected state at a tip of the head base portion. It comprises any one of the chips for light irradiation.

  In the light irradiation head of the present invention, the light irradiation chip may be detachably attached to the tip of the head base. In addition, the head base portion includes a front side portion to which the light irradiation chip is mounted and a head base main body portion in which the power feeding relay portion is built, and the front side portion is in relation to the head base main body portion. It is good also as what is connected removably. Further, the head base portion may have a shape whose axis is curved in the middle.

  A light irradiator according to a third aspect of the present invention is a grip-shaped light irradiator main body incorporating an electric control unit including a power feeding unit, and any one of the light irradiators mounted on the front side of the light irradiator main body. It is characterized by comprising a head.

  In the light irradiator of the present invention, the light irradiating head is detachably attached to the light irradiator main body, and in this attached state, the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body and the head base The power supply relay unit may be electrically connected. In this case, the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body has a capability to correspond to a light source having a higher output than the light source, and the high output light including the high output light source on the front side of the light irradiator main body The irradiation head may be detachable, and the power supply relay unit built in the head base may be configured to include a light source drive circuit that exhibits a current variable function.

  According to the light irradiation chip according to the first invention, since the elongated member having the light source attached to the distal end portion can be inserted into a narrow part to be treated, the root canal of the tooth, the periodontal pocket, etc. In addition, it is possible to insert the light source from the distal end portion thereof, so that the light source can be brought close to the site to be treated in these narrow places. In addition, since the elongated member is connected to the light source and has a light source lead wire extending to the rear end thereof, the light irradiation head according to the second invention described later, and further the light irradiation according to the third invention When assembled as a component of the light source, the electrical control unit of the light irradiator is electrically connected via the power supply relay unit of the light irradiation head, thereby controlling the light emission of the light source. As the light source, the LED is desirably employed in view of its small size, a large amount of light while being small, and a long life. In particular, an LED having a size of 0.9 × 0.9 mm square or less has been put into practical use, and such a minute LED is most desirably employed in the present invention.

  The cross-sectional shape of the elongate member is preferably a circle or a rectangle, and when it is a circle, it has excellent bending resistance, and when it is a rectangle, there is an advantage that it can be easily bent. The outer diameter in the case of an elongated member having a circular cross section is set to 0.6 to 2 mm. If it is less than 0.6 mm, it is difficult to attach even the minute LED as described above to the tip of the elongated member, and if it exceeds 2 mm, the root apex of the root canal when the medical object is a root canal It is difficult to bring the light source close to the point, and the effect of the degree of irradiation from the root canal can be expected. In addition, the length of one side in the case of an elongated member having a square cross section is set to 0.6 to 2 mm. In this case as well, if it is less than 0.6 mm, it becomes difficult to attach even the minute LED as described above to the tip of the elongated member, and if it exceeds 2 mm, it is inserted into the root canal and root apex. It becomes difficult to bring the light source close to the part.

  When the elongated member has a non-linear shape that curves at least at one location along its longitudinal direction, particularly in dental practice, it can be easily inserted into a tooth root canal, periodontal pocket, etc. Combined with being slender, it does not interfere with the field of view. As described above, the term “bend” refers to a combination of a line segment and a line segment that are locally bent as well as an angle between the elongated member as well as a case where the elongated member is curved over the entire length. Includes curved shapes. This includes forming the elongate member of the present invention to include a linear shape at key points, such as a plugger or spreader for a root canal, or a pocket probe. For example, in the case of a laser irradiation chip, it is inevitable that the entire surface is curved because an optical fiber is incorporated. However, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide an optical fiber up to the tip of the small diameter member, there is a degree of freedom in its shape, and the curved shape over the whole as well as in a bent shape including a linear shape at the important points. Can also be configured.

  A light irradiation head according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured by mounting the light irradiation chip on the tip of a head base portion having a built-in feeding relay section. In this mounted state, the power supply relay portion in the head base and the light source conductor attached to the elongated member of the light irradiation chip are in an electrically connected state. Therefore, the light irradiation head will be described later. When assembled as a component of the light irradiator according to the invention, the electrical control unit of the light irradiator is electrically connected via the power supply relay unit of the light irradiation head, and thereby the light source emits light. Control is made.

  In the light irradiation head, if the light irradiation chip is detachably attached to the tip of the head base, when the light irradiation chip is damaged, light having a wavelength suitable for medical purposes can be obtained. When it is desired to selectively use a light source that emits light, or when sterilization is performed, only the light irradiation tip can be removed and the operation can be performed. In particular, the running cost in the case of damage or the like can be suppressed, and the actual benefit for the user is great. In addition, since a light source that emits light having a wavelength suitable for medical purposes can be selected and used, for example, a light source that emits light having a wavelength (470 ± 20 nm) suitable for curing a photopolymerization resin is provided. A light source that emits excitation light (405 ± 10 nm) that excites an irradiation target and emits fluorescence, or light that itself has a bactericidal effect or light that is suitable for activation of a bactericide Prepared a light source that emits light with a wavelength suitable for sterilization (405 ± 10 nm or 630 ± 30 nm), etc. is there.

  Further, in the light irradiation head, the head base portion includes a front side portion where the light irradiation chip is mounted and a head base main body portion in which the power feeding relay portion is built, and the front side portion is the head. When it is assumed that it is detachably connected to the base main body, it is the same as the case where only the light irradiation chip is replaced / removed by appropriately replacing / removing the front side portion of the head base with respect to the head base main body. The effect is obtained. And when the said head base is made into the shape where the axis line curved on the way, the further improvement of the operativity can be aimed at by suitably combining with the said curved shape of a light irradiation chip | tip.

  According to the light irradiator according to the third aspect of the present invention, a grip-shaped light irradiator main body including an electric control unit including a power supply unit, and any one of the light irradiations mounted on the front side of the light irradiator main body. A light source provided at the tip of the light irradiation chip by gripping the grip-shaped light irradiator body and inserting the light irradiation chip of the light irradiation head into a narrow area of the medical object. It is possible to directly irradiate the medical treatment site with light. In this case, the light from the light source does not pass through the light guide or optical member (such as a light condensing member), but is irradiated from the nearest position to the medical site, so that irradiation unevenness does not occur and extremely accurate light irradiation is performed. Medical treatment is possible. In addition, the amount of light is not attenuated, and even with a low-capacity light source, efficient light irradiation is possible, the light source and related equipment are downsized, and the elongated member is moved to a narrow part such as a tooth root canal. In addition to being able to be configured to be inserted, the entire device can be made compact, and handling can be improved.

  Further, in the light irradiator, a light irradiation head is detachably attached to the light irradiator main body, and in this attached state, the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body and the head base If the power supply relay unit is configured to be electrically connected, the power supply system to the light source provided at the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body and the tip of the light irradiation chip is lighted to the light irradiator main body. It is established only by mounting the irradiation head. Further, since the light irradiation head is detachable from the light irradiator body, it is convenient for maintenance as described above, and can be appropriately used according to the medical treatment mode.

  In this case, the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body has a capability to correspond to a light source having a higher output than the light source, and the high output light including the high output light source on the front side of the light irradiator main body. If the irradiation head is detachable, and the power supply relay unit built in the head base has a light source drive circuit that performs a current variable function, if you want to irradiate a wide area of the medical treatment, By mounting a high-output light irradiation head equipped with an output light source, it is possible to irradiate light on a wide portion of a medical object and use it for confirmation of the state of the peripheral portion, treatment, and the like. If the light irradiation head having the light irradiation chip is replaced with light irradiation to a target narrow portion, light irradiation to the target portion can be performed accurately. In addition, since the power supply relay unit built in the chip base includes a light source driving circuit having a variable current function, if a means for identifying the type of the mounted light irradiation head is added, a power supply system corresponding to each is provided. Is established.

It is a whole perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the light irradiation device of this invention. It is a partially broken partial vertical exploded plan view of the same light irradiator. It is an enlarged view of the X-ray part in FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the YY arrow line part in FIG. It is a control block diagram of the same light irradiator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the usage example of the same light irradiation device. It is a partial fracture decomposition | disassembly longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows other embodiment of the light irradiation head in the light irradiation device. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification of the portion corresponding to FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another modification of the portion corresponding to FIG. (A)-(f) is a figure similar to FIG. 4 which shows the various modifications of the part corresponding to FIG. (A) (b) (c) is a figure similar to FIG. 4 which shows the various examples of other embodiment of the part corresponding to FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a light irradiation chip, a light irradiation head, and a light irradiator constructed by assembling these will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a light irradiator as one embodiment of the present invention. The light irradiator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured in a cordless handpiece type that can mainly irradiate the root canal or periodontal pocket of a tooth. The light irradiator 1 includes a grip-shaped light irradiator main body 2 that is a part held by a surgeon during dental treatment, and a light irradiator that is detachably attached to a front side portion of the light irradiator main body 2. And the head 3. Further, the light irradiation head 3 includes a head base 4 and a light irradiation chip 5 attached to the tip of the head base. On the surface of the light irradiator 2, setting operation units 21 and 22 for setting the irradiation time, a display unit 23 for displaying the set irradiation time, the remaining irradiation time, or the remaining amount of the battery 26 to be described later, An irradiation operation unit 24 that performs start and stop operations is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the light irradiator body 2 includes an irradiation control unit 25 and a battery (power supply unit) 26 as a power feeding unit. The battery 26 is rechargeable, and is charged from the non-contact power receiving unit 26a when installed in a charger (not shown). The electric control part 20 is comprised by these.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light irradiation head 3 is detachably attached to the front side portion of the light irradiator body 2 by mutual insertion along the direction of the axis L <b> 0 of the light irradiator body 2. Friction means (not shown) is interposed in the detachable mounting portion so that it cannot be attached or detached unless a predetermined force is applied. The head base 4 of the light irradiation head 3 is integrally fixedly connected to a head base main body 40 that is detachably attached to the front side of the light irradiator main body 2 and the front side of the head base main body 40. The front side portion 41 is integrally provided with a light irradiation chip 5 described later. A female power supply connector terminal 27 electrically connected to the irradiation control unit 25 is provided on the front side portion of the light irradiator main body 2 along the axis L0 direction. On the other hand, the head base 4 of the light irradiation head 3 is provided with a male power receiving connector terminal 42 along the axis L1 of the light irradiation head 3, and the light irradiation head 3 is connected to the tip of the light irradiator body 2. When mounted on the side, both terminals 27 and 42 are electrically connected. The axis L1 of the light irradiating head 3 is curved upward on the paper surface of FIG. 2 on the way to the front side, but is aligned with the axis L0 of the light irradiator body 2 at the mounting portion with respect to the light irradiator body 2. is doing. In the head base main body 40, a power feeding relay unit 43 is installed, and the power feeding relay unit 43 is electrically connected to the power receiving connector terminal 42. The power supply relay portion 43 is connected to a light source conductor 61 which will be described later.

  The light irradiator body 2 in the figure is detachable from a high output light irradiation head (not shown) having a high output light source, and the electric control unit 20 has such a high output (for example, 500 mA). It is assumed that a power supply unit having a capacity capable of supplying power to the light source is provided. However, the light source 6 which will be described later is composed of a low-output (for example, 30 mA) LED, and therefore, the power supply relay unit 43 includes a light source drive circuit having a variable current function (hereinafter, the power supply relay unit is referred to as a light source drive circuit). That is, the current is adjusted by the light source driving circuit 43 so that the low-power light source 6 is properly fed. The detachable mounting portion between the light irradiation head 3 and the light irradiator 2 is provided with identification means (not shown) (for example, a connection terminal specified for each light irradiation head). When it is determined by the identification means that the mounted light irradiation head is the light irradiation head 3 including the low output light source 6, the electric control unit 20 causes the light source drive circuit 43 to perform a low output. The current is adjusted and controlled so that proper power supply to the light source 6 is performed.

  The light irradiation chip 5 includes an elongated member 7 formed of a metal thin tube having a circular cross section, a light source 6 formed of an LED attached to a distal end portion of the elongated member 7, and connected to the light source 6 and the elongated member 7. The light source lead 61 is attached so as to reach the rear end of the elongated member 7 in a state of being inserted into the elongated member 7. The light irradiation chip 5 has the elongated member 7 in a through hole 41a formed concentrically with the axis L1 at the center of the front portion 41 with respect to the front portion 41 of the head base 4. The insertion is fixed. As a result, the axis L2 of the elongated member 7 is brought into alignment with the axis L1 of the light irradiation head 3. In a state where the elongated member 7 is inserted and fixed integrally with the front portion 41, the insertion end (rear end portion) extends into the head base main body portion 40, and the light source wire 61 is led out from the rear end portion of the elongated member 7. Thus, the light source drive circuit 43 is electrically connected. As described above, the light source 6 is a small square LED of about 0.9 × 0.9 mm square, and is fixed and integrated with the adhesive 71 in the distal end portion of the elongated member 7 as shown in FIG. The optical axis is positioned along the direction of the axis L <b> 2 of the elongated member 7 and toward the front of the elongated member 7. A substrate 60 is fixed to the back surface of the LED (light source) 6, and the light source lead 61 is electrically connected to the LED 6 through the substrate 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the elongated member 7 is a hollow cylindrical tubule having the same diameter over the entire length, and is one place along the longitudinal direction (the direction of the axis L2). It has a bent shape. The outer diameter D of the elongate member 7 is clinically usable at 0.6 to 2 mm, and is set so that the medical object can be inserted into a narrow portion having a hollow shape having an inner diameter of about 2 mm. When the outer diameter D of the elongated member 7 is less than 0.6 mm, it becomes difficult to attach even the minute LED 6 as described above to the distal end portion of the elongated member 7. In this case, it becomes difficult to bring the light source close to the root apex of the root canal. In order to bring the light source 6 close to the root apex of the tooth without any trouble and to irradiate the apex more accurately, it is desirable that the D is 1.6 mm or less and is as thin as possible. If the outer diameter D of the elongated member 7 is so small that the LED (light source) 6 cannot be accommodated, the LED (light source) 6 is exposed and bonded to the outside of the end face of the elongated member 7 in the axis L2 direction without accommodating. The LED (light source) 6 may be mounted.

  The case where the light irradiator 1 having the above-described configuration is used for dental irradiation medical care will be briefly described. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the light irradiation tip 5 is inserted into the root canal (narrow spot) T1 of the tooth (medical object) T and the light source 6 reaches the vicinity of the apex T2. Yes. The root canal T1 has a hollow shape, and the inner diameter of the upper root canal after the enlargement of cutting is usually about 2 to 3 mm, the apex T2 is opened to the gingival side at the lower end, and the opening diameter is about 0.3 mm. is there. Therefore, when the outer diameter D of the elongated member 7 of the light irradiation tip 5 is set to 1.6 mm or less, the light source 6 can reach the vicinity of the apex T2 as shown in the figure. As described above, the axis L1 of the light irradiation head 3 is curved in the middle, and the light irradiation chip 5 is bent at one place along the longitudinal direction (one straight line is formed). Therefore, it is easy to insert the light irradiation tip 5 into the narrow root canal T1 of the tooth T, and the visual field may be hindered. Absent. If the light irradiation tip 5 is not limited to one place, but has a shape curved at two or more places, the operability of insertion is further improved, and an appropriate number of curved places can be set according to the purpose of use.

  The irradiation treatment of the root canal T1 of the tooth T as shown in FIG. 6 includes curing treatment of the photocurable resin filled in the root canal T1, fluorescence diagnosis (irradiation determination of caries, etc.) by irradiation of excitation light, photosterilization treatment Etc. are implemented. In these medical treatments, LEDs that emit light having a wavelength suitable for each medical purpose are employed. For example, an LED that emits light with a wavelength of 470 ± 20 nm is used for photopolymerization treatment, an LED that emits light with a wavelength of 405 ± 10 nm is used for fluorescence diagnosis, and a light with a wavelength of 405 ± 10 nm is used for photosterilization treatment. LED which emits is adopted. A plurality of light irradiation heads 3 to which LEDs having different wavelength characteristics and output characteristics are respectively attached are prepared, and are appropriately selected and mounted on the light irradiation main body 2 according to the medical purpose. Accordingly, the detachable mounting portion between the light irradiation head 3 and the light irradiation main body 2 is provided with identification means (not shown) for identifying them, as described above, and type determination information by this identification means. Based on the above, the electrical control unit 20 adjusts and controls the current so that the LED 6 is properly fed in accordance with the wavelength characteristics of the LED 6 included in the mounted light irradiation head 3.

  At the time of irradiation medical treatment, the operator holds the light irradiation main body 2 and inserts the light irradiation tip 5 into the root canal T1 from the tip. The setting operation units 21 and 22 set the irradiation time while viewing the display unit 23, then operate the irradiation operation unit 24 to start the light emission of the LED 6, and confirm the remaining irradiation time on the display unit 23 Irradiate the medical site. After confirming that the remaining irradiation time has expired, the irradiation operation unit 24 is operated to stop the light emission of the LED 6. In this case, an appropriate irradiation time corresponding to each irradiation medical treatment mode is registered in advance, and after the operator operates the irradiation operation unit 24 and starts the light emission of the LED 6, the irradiation control unit 25 stores the registration information. In particular, the light emission may be automatically stopped based on the irradiation time selected by the operator. When not in use, or when it is confirmed that the remaining battery level displayed on the display unit 23 has decreased, it is installed in a charger (not shown) with the base side of the light illuminator body 2 facing down, During this time, the battery 26 is charged from the non-contact power receiving unit 26a. It should be noted that a contactless power receiving unit can be used instead of the non-contact power receiving unit 26a. Further, a setting operation unit and a display unit may be provided in a separate control box (not shown), and data communication may be performed wirelessly or by wire with this box.

In the irradiation medical treatment as shown in FIG. 6, the light from the LED 6 is directly irradiated to the target medical treatment site at a close position. The example of this figure is merely an example, and there is a use example in which a polymerization agent is filled up to the middle part of the root canal and light is irradiated at the vicinity thereof, but here, in particular, in order to clarify the characteristics of the present invention, For the sake of convenience, a diagram in which light from the LED 6 is irradiated to the apex position in the vicinity of the apex is shown. In this case, it is possible to irradiate evenly, and the photopolymerization resin is not insufficiently polymerized and insufficiently sterilized, so that it is possible to perform highly accurate light irradiation medical treatment, and there is almost no attenuation of the light amount. Even if it exists, efficient light irradiation is attained.
FIG. 6 shows an example in which the light irradiation chip 5 is inserted from the upper end opening of the root canal T1, and the LED 6 is disposed so as to face the root apex T2, but is formed on the side of the tooth T. You may make it irradiate, moving the light irradiation chip | tip 5 along a broken line (not shown). When used for the curing treatment of the photopolymerization resin, this allows for more uniform photocuring. Moreover, it is also possible to insert the light irradiation tip 5 into the periodontal pocket T3 shown in FIG. 6 from its tip and use it for irradiation medical care in the periodontal pocket T3.

  In the case of fluorescence diagnosis by irradiation with excitation light, it is very difficult to directly visually recognize a fluorescent image in a narrow part such as the root canal T1 of the tooth T. Therefore, for such medical purposes, an imaging means (not shown) such as a CCD is arranged in the vicinity of the LED 6 and imaging information (electrical signal) by the imaging means is transmitted through the light irradiation head 3. The electronic control unit 20 may be configured to transmit a wireless image or a wire to an external monitor display (not shown) or the like and observe a fluorescent image by the monitor display or the like. In this case, a light receiving portion (not shown) is disposed in the vicinity of the LED 6, a light guide (not shown) is provided in the light irradiation head 3, and a fluorescent image received by the light receiving portion is received by the light guide. The light may be guided to form an image on an imaging unit installed in the light irradiator body 2 and transmitted to an external monitor display or the like in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 7 is a partially broken exploded longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the light irradiation head 3. In the light irradiation head 3 of this embodiment, the front side portion 41 of the head base 4 is detachably connected to the head base main body 40, and the light irradiation chip 5 is detachable from the front side portion 41. It is attached to. In the example shown in the figure, both of the coupling relationship between the front side portion 41 and the head base body portion 40 and the coupling relationship between the front side portion 41 and the light irradiation chip 5 are detachable. However, the other may be detachable in an integral fixed relationship. As shown in the drawing, the front side portion 41 can be attached to and detached from the tip of the head base main body portion 40 along the axis L1 direction by an enamel fitting structure through friction means (not shown). In addition, the light irradiation chip 5 can be inserted into and removed from the front side portion 41 by inserting the elongated member 7 into the through hole 41a. A male power receiving connector terminal 61 a electrically connected to the light source conductor 61 is provided at the rear end of the elongated member 7, while the light source driving circuit 43 is provided at the front end of the light source driving circuit 43. A female power supply connector terminal 43 a electrically connected to the output terminal 43 is mounted.

Accordingly, when the light irradiation tip 5 is inserted into the through-hole 41a and attached to the front side portion 41, the front side portion 41 is attached to the head base main body portion 40 by the soldering fitting, thereby receiving the power receiving connector terminal 61a. And the power supply connector terminal 43a is electrically joined, and the head 3 for light irradiation is comprised. In this case, it is possible to mount the light irradiation chip 5 on the front side portion 41 after mounting the front side portion 41 on the head base main body 40 first. Thus, by making the light irradiation chip 5 and the front side portion 41 detachable individually, a plurality of light irradiation chips 5 having LEDs 6 with different wavelength characteristics and the like are prepared, and appropriately according to the medical treatment mode. Various medical treatments by selective use are possible. Further, it is also suitable for maintenance such as replacement when the light irradiation chip 5 is damaged and sterilization and the like of the light irradiation chip 5 and the front side portion 41.
In addition, the detachable connection structure between the front side portion 41 and the head base main body 40 may be, for example, a screw-type connection structure in addition to the one having a wax fitting structure as shown in the figure. However, in the case where the light irradiation tip 5 and the front portion 41 are integrally fixed, the connection structure that involves twisting around the axis L1 cannot connect the power receiving connector terminal 61a and the power feeding connector terminal 43a. Because it is not suitable.

  FIG. 8 shows a modification of the portion corresponding to FIG. In this example, a light source (LED) 6 is mounted inside a position slightly retracted from the tip of the elongated member 7 made of the metal thin tube, and is formed in the space portion at the tip of the elongated member 7 formed by the retraction. A translucent member 62 is attached. The translucent member 62 is made of resin or glass, and the degree of the allowable retreat (retreat depth) is set so as to substantially match the thickness of the translucent member 62. In the illustrated example, the LED 6, the substrate 60, and the permeable member 62 are all fixed and integrated in the distal end portion of the elongated member 7 with an adhesive 71. Thus, since the surface (light-emitting surface) of the LED 6 is covered and protected by the permeable member 62, for example, the light irradiation chip 5 is inserted while being pressed into the periodontal pocket T3 (see FIG. 6). Even when used in this manner, the LED 6 is not worn out.

  FIG. 9 shows another modification of the portion corresponding to FIG. In this example, a cylindrical outer member 63 is interposed between the inner surface of the distal end of the elongated member 7 made of a metal thin tube and the LED 6 and the substrate 60, and the elongated member 7 is caulked to the outer member 63. The LED 6 and the substrate 60 are attached and fixed to the tip of the elongated member 7. The outer cover member 63 holds the LED 6 and the substrate 60 integrally with each other. The light emitting surface side of the LED 6 is externally fitted so as to be flush with the light emitting surface, and the opposite light emitting surface side protrudes from the substrate 60. It has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the protrusion 63a is smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 60, and a circumferential groove 63b is formed on the outer periphery of the protrusion. The LED 6 and the substrate 60 that are externally fitted to the outer cover member 63 are inserted into the elongated member 7 so that the light exit surface of the LED 6 is slightly retracted from the distal end of the elongated member 7 from the distal end of the elongated member 7. The elongated member 7 is fixed in the distal end portion of the elongated member 7 by caulking the elongated member 7 into the circumferential groove 63b from the outside at the position of the circumferential groove 63b. At the position corresponding to the circumferential groove 63b of the elongated member 7, a caulking recess 72 is formed following the circumferential groove 63b. By adopting such a caulking attachment structure, the attachment of the LED 6 can be simplified, and damage to the LED 6 due to caulking can be prevented. A translucent member 62 is attached and fixed to the inner surface of the elongate member 7 by an adhesive 71 in the space at the distal end of the elongate member 7 formed by the small allowance retreat. The light transmissive member 62 protects the LED 6 in the same manner as described above.

  10A to 10F show various modifications of the portion corresponding to FIG. In the example shown to (a), the elongate member 7 is a hollow cylinder shape, and is provided with the slit 73 over the whole longitudinal direction. The width of the slit 73 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the light source conductor 61, and the light source conductor 61 is disposed in the inner cylindrical portion of the elongated member 7 from the slit 73. In the examples shown in (b) to (e), the elongated member 7 is formed of a solid resin cylindrical member. In the example of (b), the light source lead wire 61 is embedded in the elongated member 7, and in the examples shown in (c) and (d), the peripheral surface of the elongated member 7 has a rectangular cross section and a V-shaped recess extending over the entire longitudinal direction thereof. Grooves 74 and 74 ′ are formed, respectively, and two light source conductors 61 are disposed in the concave grooves 74 and 74 ′, respectively. In the example shown in (e), two small concave grooves 75 and 75 having a square cross section (may be semicircular) extending over the entire longitudinal direction are formed on the circumferential surface of the elongated member 7 in the diametrically opposed position. Each of the small concave grooves 75, 75 is provided with one light source wire 61. In the example shown in (f), the hollow cylindrical elongated member 7 is provided with a notch 76 that opens the inner cylinder part on the base side (rear end side), and the light source conductor 61 is formed from the notch 76. It is inserted through the inner cylinder portion of the elongated member 7. Each of these examples is appropriately selected and adopted in consideration of the assemblability of the light irradiation tip 5 and the cost for rolling and cutting.

  11 (a), 11 (b), and 11 (c) show various examples of other embodiments corresponding to FIG. Each of these examples is different from the above example in that each of the examples is an elongated member 8 made of a hollow body having a square cross-section instead of the cylindrical elongated member 7. Although the example shown in the figure is a rectangle, it may be a square. The length d of one side of the square is preferably 0.6 to 2 mm, and the critical significance thereof is the same as the significance in the outer diameter D when the cross section is circular. In the example shown to (a), it is set as the concave shape in which one side of a cross-sectional square does not exist. The light source conductor 61 is disposed in the elongated member 8 through the concave opening 81. In the example shown in (b), a slit 82 extending in the entire longitudinal direction is formed on one surface of the elongated member 8, and the width of the slit 82 is made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the light source conductor 61. The light source wire 61 is disposed in the elongated member 8 through the slit 82. In the example shown in (c), the light source wire 61 is disposed in the elongated member 8 and then closed with a lid 83 from the opening 81 having a concave cross section in the example shown in (a). Each of these examples is appropriately selected and adopted in consideration of the assembling property and cost of the light irradiation chip 5. Moreover, it is good also considering the shape of LED6 only as the front-end | tip part of an elongate member with a circular cross section as a square cross section. If it does in this way, the dead space of the front-end | tip part to which LED6 is attached can be decreased, and the bending strength which resists external force can be maintained because other parts are circular in cross section.

  In the case of the elongated member 7 having a circular cross section, the bending strength can be obtained as described above. On the other hand, in the case of the elongated member 8 having a rectangular cross section, it is easy to bend, thereby improving the handleability. There are merits, and these are selected and adopted as appropriate in consideration of product specifications, processing costs, suitability for medical purposes, and the like.

  In the embodiment, an example in which an LED is used as the light source 6 has been described. However, other minute light sources can also be used. In addition, as an example of use of the light irradiator 1 of the present invention, an example in which the subject to be treated is a tooth T has been described. It can also be used to irradiate the interior. Furthermore, although the example which attached the conducting wire 61 for light sources along the elongate members 7 and 8 was described, you may attach along the outer surface. In addition, the example in which the light source is mounted in the distal end portion of the elongated member 7 has been described. However, the light source may be mounted in the distal end portion so that a part thereof protrudes from the distal end of the elongated member 7, or on the distal end surface or the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion. You may attach so that it may stick. Moreover, although the light irradiator 1 illustrated the cordless type thing which uses the battery 26 as the electric power feeding part, it may be a wired type thing which uses a commercial power supply, and also the base part side of the light irradiator main body 1 may be used. It is also possible to provide other functional parts (for example, a scaler etc.) and to configure as a curette-type dental instrument.

1 Light Irradiator 2 Light Irradiator Main Body 20 Electric Control Unit 26 Battery (Power Supply Unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Head for light irradiation 4 Head base 40 Head base main-body part 41 Front side part 43 Feeding relay part 5 Light irradiation chip 6 LED (light source)
61 Light Source Lead Wire 62 Through-hole Member 7 Elongated Member (Cross Section)
8 Elongated member (cross section square)
D Outer diameter of elongated member (circular cross section) d Length of one side of elongated member (square cross section) L1 Head base axis T Tooth (medical target)
T1 Root canal (narrow area)

Claims (12)

An elongated member that can be inserted into a narrow area to be treated;
A light source attached to the tip of the elongated member;
A light irradiation chip comprising: a light source lead wire connected to the light source and attached to the elongated member so as to extend to a rear end portion thereof. The light irradiation chip according to claim 1,
A light irradiation chip, wherein the elongated member has a circular cross-sectional shape and an outer diameter of 0.6 mm to 2 mm. The light irradiation chip according to claim 1,
A light irradiation chip, wherein the elongated member has a square cross-sectional shape and a length of one side thereof is 0.6 mm to 2 mm. The light irradiation chip according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The light source is mounted inside a position slightly retracted from the distal end of the elongated member, and a translucent member is mounted in a space portion of the distal end portion of the elongated member formed by the backward movement. Chip for light irradiation. The light irradiation chip according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The light irradiation chip, wherein the elongated member has a non-linear shape that curves at least at one location along the longitudinal direction thereof. A head base with a built-in feeding relay,
The light irradiation chip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power supply relay portion and the light source conductor are mounted in an electrically connected state at a tip of the head base portion. Head for light irradiation. The light irradiation head according to claim 6,
The light irradiation head, wherein the light irradiation chip is detachably attached to a tip of the head base. In the light irradiation head according to claim 6 or 7,
The head base portion includes a front-end side portion on which the light irradiation chip is mounted and a head base main body portion in which the power feeding relay portion is built, and the front side portion is attached to and detached from the head base main body portion. A light irradiation head characterized by being connected freely. The light irradiation head according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The head irradiating head is characterized in that an axis of the head base is curved in the middle. A grip-shaped light irradiator body containing an electric control unit including a power supply unit;
A light irradiator comprising the light irradiating head according to claim 6, which is attached to a front side of the light irradiator main body. The light irradiator according to claim 10.
The light irradiation head is detachably attached to the light irradiator main body. In this attached state, the electric control unit of the light irradiator main body and the power feeding relay unit in the head base are electrically connected. A light irradiator, characterized in that it is connected to. The light irradiator according to claim 11.
The electric control unit of the light irradiator main body has a capability of corresponding to a light source having a higher output than the light source, and the high output light irradiation head includes the high output light source on the front side of the light irradiator main body. The light irradiator is characterized in that the power supply relay section built in the chip base includes a light source driving circuit having a variable current function.

Images