JP2013118892A - Optical probe, tube for optical probe, and method for manufacturing tube for optical probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical probe of a two-layer structure having a tube body in an inner layer and a coil member in an outer layer, wherein the bondability between the tube body and the coil-like member is improved and at the same time the diameter of the optical probe is reduced and kink resistance thereof is improved.SOLUTION: A tube 110 for a probe for encapsulating an optical fiber includes a tubular member 111 as a tube body, and a coil-like member 112 which is made of a spirally wound rectangular copper wire and is externally fitted on the tubular member 111. The coil-like member 112 has a predetermined inner diameter. The tubular member 111 is made larger in diameter after inserted into the coil-like member 112 in a state where its diameter is made smaller than the inner diameter of the coil-like member 112, and thus the coil-like member 112 is externally fitted to the tubular member 111.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical optical probe used for measuring optical characteristics inside a body cavity. The present invention also relates to an optical probe tube for enclosing an optical fiber, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  A long optical probe (hereinafter simply referred to as “probe”) having flexibility is introduced into a body cavity (eg, esophagus and stomach in the case of a digestive system) by inserting it into a channel of an endoscope, for example. It is conventionally known to measure a state inside a body cavity with this probe. Further, near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the like are known as measurement methods.

  In the measurement of the inside of a body cavity by near infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared light is irradiated to a site to be observed in the body cavity, for example, a lesion, and the spectrum of reflected light from the lesion is analyzed, so that the living body of the lesion is analyzed. Analyze tissue components.

  Moreover, in the body cavity internal measurement by Raman spectroscopy performed in recent years, the lesioned part is irradiated with excitation light such as laser light and the generated Raman scattered light is detected by a spectroscope. Analyzes the molecular structure or state of the body tissue.

  The probe has a tube containing an optical fiber or the like. This tube has the flexibility to bend following the curvature of the body cavity or the curvature of the endoscope introduced into the body cavity.

  The probe is also required to have kink resistance. For example, the probe described in Patent Document 1 employs a two-layer structure in which a metal coil-shaped member is externally fitted to a resin tube main body, thereby ensuring rigidity for realizing kink resistance. ing.

JP 2010-75545 A

  In the probe described in Patent Document 1, the wire used as the coil-shaped member is a round wire. Therefore, since the contact area between the coil-shaped member and the tube main body is small, there is a certain limit in improving the adhesion between the coil-shaped member and the tube main body.

  Further, if the diameter of the round wire is reduced, the probe can be reduced in diameter, but the probe rigidity is lowered and the probe is easily bent. Therefore, if the round wire is made too thin, the probe can be bent until the bending radius of the probe is smaller than the minimum bending radius of the optical fiber, and as a result, the optical fiber may be buckled and broken. . That is, when the round wire is thin, there is a possibility that sufficient rigidity for realizing kink resistance cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the diameter of the round wire is increased in order to obtain sufficient rigidity, there is a problem that the probe is increased in diameter.

  The object of the present invention is to improve the adhesion between the tube main body and the coiled member in the two-layer structure having the tube main body in the inner layer and the coiled member in the outer layer, as well as reducing the diameter of the optical probe and improving the kink resistance. It is to provide an optical probe and an optical probe tube that can be compatible with the above.

The optical probe according to the present invention is:
Having a tube containing an optical fiber,
The tube
A tubular member as a tube body;
A coil-shaped member consisting of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape and externally fitted to the tubular member;
Have

The tube for an optical probe according to the present invention is
An optical probe tube for containing an optical fiber,
A tubular member as a tube body;
A coil-shaped member consisting of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape and externally fitted to the tubular member;
Have

The method of manufacturing an optical probe tube according to the present invention includes:
A method of manufacturing a tube for an optical probe for containing an optical fiber,
A first preparing step of preparing a coiled member having a predetermined inner diameter, which is composed of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape;
A second preparing step of preparing a tubular member as a tube main body having a first outer diameter smaller than the predetermined inner diameter;
An insertion step of inserting the tubular member through the coiled member;
A fitting step of fitting the coiled member to the tubular member by increasing the diameter of the tubular member inserted through the coiled member;
Have

  According to the present invention, in a two-layer structure having a tube body on the inner layer and a coil-shaped member on the outer layer, the adhesion between the tube body and the coil-shaped member is improved, and the optical probe is reduced in diameter and kink resistance is improved. Can be achieved.

Diagram showing a configuration example of a diagnostic system The perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope used for the diagnostic system of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the main body of the probe which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the coil-shaped member prepared in the tube manufacturing method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the tube main body prepared in the tube manufacturing method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the process of inserting a tube main body into a coil-shaped member in the tube manufacturing method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the process of externally fitting a coil-shaped member to a tube main body in the tube manufacturing method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. Partial sectional view showing a modified example of the configuration of the probe shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a diagnostic system. A diagnostic system 1 in FIG. 1 includes an endoscope 2, an endoscope processor 3, a base unit 4, an input device 5, monitors 6 and 7, and a probe 10.

  The endoscope 2 includes a flexible long endoscope body 21 formed so as to be introduced into a body cavity, an operation unit 22 provided at a proximal end portion 21a of the endoscope body 21, and an operation. And a cable 23 that connects the endoscope main body 21 and the endoscope processor 3 through the unit 22 so as to communicate with each other.

  The endoscope main body 21 has flexibility that can be easily bent following the curvature of the body cavity when entering the inside of the body cavity over substantially the entire length thereof. In addition, the endoscope body 21 has a mechanism (not shown) that can bend a certain range (operable portion 21c) on the distal end portion 21b side at an arbitrary angle in accordance with the operation of the knob 22a of the operation portion 22.

  The endoscope body 21 includes a camera CA, a light guide LG, and a channel CH, as shown in a perspective view (FIG. 2) of the distal end portion 21b. The light guide LG guides light (visible light) emitted from the illumination light source 31 of the endoscope processor 3 to the distal end portion 21b and emits the light from the distal end portion 21b. The camera CA is an electronic camera equipped with a solid-state imaging device, images an area illuminated by light emitted from the light guide LG, and sends the signal (imaging signal) to the image processing unit 32 of the endoscope processor 3. To transmit. An image (endoscopic image) based on the transmitted imaging signal is displayed on the monitor 6. The channel CH is a lumen having a diameter of, for example, 2.6 mm formed in the endoscope main body 21 so as to communicate with the introduction port 22 b formed in the operation unit 22.

  A main body (probe main body) 11 of the probe 10 has an outer diameter (for example, 2.4 mm) that can be inserted into the channel CH of the endoscope 2. The probe body 11 is a long flexible linear member extending from the probe base end portion 11a to the probe distal end portion 11b, and is introduced into the body cavity by being inserted into the channel CH. The probe body 11 is connected to the base unit 4 via a connector provided at the probe base end portion 11a. The probe body 11 guides the laser light emitted from the laser 41 (for example, a semiconductor laser or a solid laser) of the base unit 4 by the irradiation optical fiber 114 (see FIG. 3), and the light is an observation target in the body cavity. It is emitted as the excitation light of the part. The light source of the excitation light may not be the laser 41, but may be a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like.

  In addition, the probe body 11 receives reflected light from the site to be observed by the light receiving optical fiber 115 (see FIG. 3) and guides the light to the spectroscope 42 of the base unit 4. The Raman scattered light contained in the light guided to the spectroscope 42 is subjected to spectrum analysis by the spectroscope 42. The spectrum analysis result is subjected to image processing and the like by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 43a of the computer 43 and displayed on the monitor 7 as a graph. The CPU 43a may determine a medical condition and the like, and the determination result may be stored in the memory 43b and displayed on the monitor 7. The execution and setting of various analyzes and determinations in the computer 43 can be performed by operating the input device 5 (for example, a keyboard or a mouse). The detector that detects the reflected light may not be the spectroscope 42 but may be a power meter (illuminance sensor) or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the probe main body 11.

  A probe main body 11 shown in FIG. 3 has a long tube 110 that is an optical probe tube. The tube 110 includes a tubular member 111 serving as a tube main body, and a coil-shaped member 112 disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 111. The configuration of the tube 110 and the manufacturing method thereof will be described later. The probe body 11 further includes a lens barrel 113 having a length of about 10 to 15 mm made of metal frames 113A and 113B.

  The irradiation optical fiber 114 and the light receiving optical fiber 115 are both long linear members having an outer diameter of about 100 to 300 μm and are accommodated in the probe main body 11. The irradiation optical fiber 114 is optically connected to the laser 41 of the base unit 4 through the connector of the probe base end portion 11a. The light receiving optical fiber 115 is optically connected to the spectroscope 42 of the base unit 4 through a connector of the probe base end portion 11a.

  The distal end portion of the irradiation optical fiber 114 and the distal end portion of the light receiving optical fiber 115 are held by a ferrule 116 that is a member made of, for example, metal, quartz glass, zirconia, or the like, and is fitted into the lens barrel 113. As a result, the emission end face of the irradiation optical fiber 114 (that is, the excitation light emission face) and the incident end face of the light receiving optical fiber 115 (that is, the reflected light reception face) are positioned. A lens 117 made of, for example, quartz glass or sapphire is disposed in the vicinity of the probe tip 11b and in front of the exit end face and the entrance end face. The lens 117 is equipped for the purpose of improving the air tightness of the optical path, the external light reception, the external light reception, and the optical path. The lens 117 may be a plurality of lens groups.

  An optical filter may be disposed between the lens 117 and the exit end face of the irradiation optical fiber 114 and the entrance end face of the light receiving optical fiber 115. More specifically, an optical filter that transmits only the wavelength of the excitation light is disposed between the lens 117 and the emission end face of the irradiation optical fiber 114, and between the lens 117 and the incident end face of the light receiving optical fiber 115. It is preferable to arrange an optical filter that does not transmit only the wavelength of the excitation light.

  Further, the irradiation optical fiber 114 and the light receiving optical fiber 115 may be shared by a single fiber. In this case, it is preferable to provide the optical filter as an optical path switching member on the probe base end portion 11a without providing the optical filter near the probe tip end portion 11b as described above.

  The configuration of the tube 110 is a two-layer structure having a tubular member 111 in the inner layer and a coiled member 112 in the outer layer.

  The coil-shaped member 112 is composed of a rectangular wire that is spirally wound so as to have an inner diameter Dc [mm] (FIG. 4A). The material of the flat wire is a metal such as stainless steel or tungsten steel. From the viewpoint of cost, stainless steel such as SUS304 is preferable.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, a rectangular wire coil is used as the coiled member 112. Thereby, the inner diameter Dc can be made constant over the entire length of the coiled member 112. Therefore, when the coiled member 112 is externally fitted to the tubular member 111, the coiled member 112 can be brought into close contact with the tubular member 111. That is, the adhesion between the inner layer and the outer layer of the tube 110 can be improved as compared with the case where a round wire coil is used. Since the inner layer and outer layer are in close contact with each other in a so-called interference fit, the relative position between the inner layer and outer layer is less likely to change, and the inner layer is less likely to be damaged by rubbing, resulting in high durability. can do.

  Further, by using the rectangular wire coil, the side surfaces of the adjacent rectangular wires 112a and 112b are in contact with each other. This surface contact can generate a force that resists the bending of the tube 110 and maintains the straight state of the tube 110. Therefore, the rigidity of the tube 110 and the probe 10 and thus the kink resistance of the probe 10 can be improved. If a flat wire is used, even if the thickness thereof is thin, the above-described surface contact can be caused. Therefore, the thin diameter of the probe 10 can be maintained by making the flat wire thin. That is, it is possible to achieve both reduction in the diameter of the probe 10 and improvement in kink resistance.

  The tubular member 111 constitutes a tube body, and has flexibility for realizing the flexibility of the probe 10. The material of the tubular member 111 is a fluorine resin such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), or a thermoplastic resin such as nylon. PTFE is preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

  In this embodiment, in order to arrange the tubular member 111 in the inner layer with respect to the coil-shaped member 112 in the tube 110, an outer diameter Dt1 [mm] (for example, (Dc-0) smaller than the inner diameter Dc of the coil-shaped member 112. .2) A tubular member 111 of ≦ Dt1 ≦ (Dc−0.05)) is prepared.

  The tubular member 111 having an outer diameter Dt1 is, for example, a tubular member 111 having an outer diameter Dt2 [mm] (for example, Dc ≦ Dt2 ≦ (Dc + 0.3)) equal to or greater than the inner diameter Dc of the coiled member 112 in the longitudinal direction. It can be produced by stretching and reducing the diameter from the outer diameter Dt2 to the outer diameter Dt1 by plastic deformation of the tubular member 111 (FIG. 4B).

  The prepared tubular member 111 may be formed in advance with the outer diameter Dt1 in a state where an internal stress in the contraction direction is applied.

  The tubular member 111 after the diameter reduction can be inserted through the coiled member 112 (FIG. 4C).

  When the tubular member 111 inserted through the coiled member 112 is heated, the tubular member 111 can be increased in diameter from the outer diameter Dt1 to the outer diameter Dt3 (for example, Dc ≦ Dt3 ≦ (Dc + 0.5)) by the thermal expansion of the tubular member 111. (FIG. 4D). Thereby, the coil-shaped member 112 can be externally fitted to the tubular member 111. The heating temperature is preferably in the range of 60 to 100 ° C. although it depends on the material of the tubular member 111.

  By such a manufacturing method, it is possible to obtain the tube 110 in which the inner tubular member 111 and the outer coil-shaped member 112 are in close contact with each other in a so-called interference fit state. Further, since the tubular member 111 is a thermoplastic material, the inner layer tubular member 111 and the outer layer coiled member 112 are integrated by a process utilizing the characteristics (that is, fitting by thermal expansion). Can do.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, chamfers 112 c may be formed at both ends of the rectangular wire on the outer peripheral side of the rectangular wire. By adjusting the size of the chamfer, the rigidity of the tube 110 and the probe 10 can be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Diagnostic system 2 Endoscope 3 Endoscope processor 4 Base unit 5 Input device 6, 7 Monitor 10 Probe 11 Probe main body 11a Probe base end part 11b Probe tip part 110 Tube 111 Tubular member 112 Coiled member 112a, 112b Rectangular wire 113 Lens tube 113A, 113B Metal frame 114 Optical fiber for irradiation 115 Optical fiber for light reception 116 Ferrule 117 Lens

Claims (4)

Having a tube containing an optical fiber,
The tube
A tubular member as a tube body;
A coil-shaped member consisting of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape and externally fitted to the tubular member;
Having
Optical probe. An optical probe tube for containing an optical fiber,
A tubular member as a tube body;
A coil-shaped member consisting of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape and externally fitted to the tubular member;
A tube for an optical probe. A method of manufacturing a tube for an optical probe for containing an optical fiber,
A first preparing step of preparing a coiled member having a predetermined inner diameter, which is composed of a rectangular wire wound in a spiral shape;
A second preparing step of preparing a tubular member as a tube main body having a first outer diameter smaller than the predetermined inner diameter;
An insertion step of inserting the tubular member through the coiled member;
A fitting step of fitting the coiled member to the tubular member by increasing the diameter of the tubular member inserted through the coiled member;
The manufacturing method of the tube for optical probes which has these. In the second preparation step, the tubular member is reduced in diameter to the first outer diameter by plastic deformation,
The fitting step is to increase the diameter of the tubular member from the first outer diameter by thermal expansion;
The manufacturing method of the tube for optical probes of Claim 3.

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