JP2022138015A - Medical optical fiber probe - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medical optical fiber probe that can minimize a region that does not contribute to treatment at a tip side, in order to facilitate treatment.SOLUTION: A medical optical fiber probe has: an optical fiber 11 having a core 11a, and cladding 11b that covers the core 11a and is lower in refractive index than the core 11a; and a cylindrical glass cap 14 that hermetically covers the outer surface of the optical fiber 11 with a space provided therebetween. A tip of the optical fiber 11 is processed into a cone. The glass cap 14 has an outer diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 2.8 mm or less. The optical fiber 11 has an outer diameter of 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. For a tip angle of a conical face 11c at the tip, a full angle of a conical apex is 59° or less. The distance L1 between the tip position of the glass cap 14 and the position where the conical face 11c of the tip starts is 2.5 mm or less when seen from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a medical optical fiber probe used for various laser treatments.

Conventionally, medical optical fiber probes used for various laser treatments such as prostatic hyperplasia treatment, prostate cancer treatment, brain tumor treatment, and intravascular laser treatment are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

WO2009/108956 JP 2019-76247 A

However, in conventional medical optical fiber probes, there is a region at the tip of the glass cap that is not irradiated with laser light during various laser treatments, that is, a region that cannot contribute to treatment. This can be said to be a disadvantageous structure when a medical optical fiber probe is inserted into the body and irradiation is desired to the very end of the tip.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and its object is to eliminate as much as possible the region that does not contribute to treatment on the distal end side by bringing the irradiation position of the light as close to the distal end of the glass cap as possible. To facilitate treatment.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention provides a medical optical fiber probe connected to a laser treatment device, comprising:
an optical fiber having a core and a clad covering the core and having a lower refractive index than the core;
a cylindrical glass cap that hermetically covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber while maintaining a gap;
The tip of the optical fiber is processed into a conical shape,
The outer diameter of the optical fiber is 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less,
The angle of the tip on the conical surface of the tip is 59° or less in full angle at the apex of the cone,
The distance between the tip position of the glass cap and the position where the conical surface of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

According to the above configuration, the outer diameter of the glass cap and the outer diameter of the optical fiber are optimal for use as an annular light irradiation probe or the like in which the tip of the optical fiber is conically processed. Since the full angle of the cone apex is 59° or less, the irradiation position of the annular irradiation light can be made as far forward as possible, and the light near the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap can be emitted as compared to the case where the full angle of the cone apex is larger than 59°. The irradiation area of is widened, so that a wider affected tissue can be treated. In addition, since the distance between the tip position of the glass cap and the position where the conical surface of the tip starts is set to 2.5 mm or less when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the glass cap is as close as possible without being obstructed by the glass cap. It is possible to irradiate the affected area of Although the glass cap hermetically covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber while maintaining a gap, an adhesive or the like may be poured into a part of the gap.

In a second invention, a medical optical fiber probe connected to a laser treatment device,
an optical fiber having a core and a clad covering the core and having a lower refractive index than the core;
a cylindrical glass cap that hermetically covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber while maintaining a gap;
The tip portion of the optical fiber is processed so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to be tapered,
The outer diameter of the optical fiber is 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less,
The angle of the inclined surface of the tip portion with respect to the axial direction is 37° or less with respect to the axial direction,
The distance between the tip position of the glass cap and the position where the inclined surface of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

According to the above configuration, the outer diameter of the glass cap and the outer diameter of the optical fiber are optimal for use as a side light irradiation probe or the like in which the tip of the optical fiber is inclined, and the axis of the inclined surface of the tip is Since the inclination angle with respect to the direction is set to 37° or less with respect to the axial direction, the irradiation position of the side irradiation light can be made as forward as possible, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap is compared to the case where the inclination angle is larger than 37°. As the irradiation area of the light becomes wider, it becomes possible to treat a wider affected tissue. Since it is 2.5 mm or less, it is possible to irradiate the affected area as close as possible without being obstructed by the glass cap.

As described above, according to the present invention, by bringing the light irradiation position closer to the tip of the glass cap as much as possible, the region that does not contribute to treatment on the tip side can be eliminated as much as possible to facilitate treatment.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a laser treatment device to which a medical optical fiber probe according to Embodiment 1 is connected; FIG. It is a front view which expands and shows a medical optical fiber probe and its periphery. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3; FIG. 2 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to Embodiment 2;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 to 4 show a medical optical fiber probe 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and the optical fiber probe 10 according to this embodiment treats veins with varicose veins by irradiating them with laser light, for example. It is used for the equipment M for laser treatment.

The medical optical fiber probe 10 according to this embodiment is connected to a laser treatment device M, and has a core 11a and a clad 11b having a lower refractive index than the core 11a provided to cover the core 11a. 11. The outer diameter of the optical fiber 11 is, for example, 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and its length is arbitrary. In this embodiment, the tip portion of the optical fiber 11 is formed with a conical surface 11c processed into a conical shape. The conical surface 11c is processed, for example, by polishing.

As also shown in FIG. 4 , the core 11 a of the optical fiber 11 is provided at the center of the optical fiber 11 . The core 11a is preferably made of quartz. The core 11a may be made of pure silica, or may be made of silica doped with a dopant such as germanium that increases the refractive index.

The cross-sectional shape of the core 11a is generally circular, and its diameter is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less. The refractive index of the core 11a is higher than that of the clad 11b, which will be described later, and is, for example, 1.458 or more and 1.502 or less. Here, the refractive index is measured at a temperature of 25° C. using light with a wavelength of 589 nm (d-line).

The clad 11b of the optical fiber 11 is integrally provided in layers directly above the core 11a so as to cover the core 11a. If the core 11a is made of pure silica, the clad 11b is preferably made of silica doped with a dopant such as fluorine that lowers the refractive index. The clad 11b may be made of pure silica if the core 11a has a higher refractive index than pure silica.

The thickness of the clad 11b is, for example, 5.0 μm or more and 50 μm or less, but is not limited to this. The refractive index of the clad 11b is lower than that of the core 11a, and is, for example, 1.430 or more and 1.458 or less. A relative refractive index difference between the core 11a and the clad 11b is, for example, 0.70% or more and 4.0% or less. Here, the relative refractive index difference is obtained by dividing the difference obtained by subtracting the refractive index of the clad 11b from the refractive index of the core 11a by the refractive index of the core 11a and multiplying the result by 100.

The outer periphery of the optical fiber 11 is hermetically covered with a cylindrical glass cap 14 having a rounded tip while maintaining a gap S (shown only in FIG. 4). The glass cap 14 is made of quartz, for example, and has an outer diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 2.8 mm or less. At the tip of the glass cap 14, there is a hemispherical tip portion 14a with an increased thickness L0. The thickness L0 is, for example, about 0.6 mm and the side surface is about 0.25 mm, but is not limited to this.

A portion of the optical fiber 11 other than the glass cap 14 is covered with, for example, a buffer layer such as UV curable resin and a jacket 16 made of nylon, ETFE, or the like, but is not limited to this. The buffer layer/jacket 16 and the glass cap 14 are bonded with an adhesive 15 . Although not shown, a transparent adhesive may be poured into the gap S between the outer circumference of the optical fiber 11 and the inner circumference of the glass cap 14 .

As described above, the proximal end side of the optical fiber 11 is connected to the laser treatment device M, for example. This laser treatment device M can output laser light with wavelengths of 980 nm, 1470 nm, and 2000 nm, and an output of 15 W, for example.

In this embodiment, the angle α of the conical surface 11c at the tip is such that the full angle α of the apex of the cone is (α≦59°). Also, the distance L1 between the tip position of the glass cap 14 and the position where the conical surface 11c of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less (L1≤2.5 mm) when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Next, the operation of the medical optical fiber probe 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

For example, in the case of laser treatment of lower extremity varicose veins, if the cause is a vein in the inner thigh, an optical fiber probe 10 covered with a glass cap 14 is inserted from around the knee, and a laser is irradiated from the inside of the blood vessel. Occlude blood vessels.

In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the glass cap 14 and the outer diameter of the optical fiber 11 are optimal for use as an annular light irradiation probe or the like having a conical surface 11 c at the tip of the optical fiber 11 .

As shown in FIG. 2, since the full angle α of the apex of the conical surface 11c is set to 59° or less, the irradiation position A1 of the annular irradiation light can be set as far forward as possible. Then, the irradiation area of the light near the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap 14 becomes wider than when the angle α is larger than 59°, so that a wider affected tissue can be treated. At this time, since the power density is also reduced, local damage to living tissue can be reduced. If the angle α is larger than 59°, the light irradiation area in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap 14 becomes narrower, which may increase the power density.

In addition, since the distance L1 between the tip position of the glass cap 14 and the position where the conical surface 11c of the tip portion starts is set to 2.5 mm or less when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the glass cap 14 does not hinder the movement. It is possible to irradiate the affected area as close as possible without If it is larger than 2.5 mm, the region that cannot contribute to the treatment increases, and the glass cap 14 becomes an obstacle, which may deteriorate workability.

Therefore, according to the medical optical fiber probe 10 according to the present embodiment, by bringing the light irradiation position as close to the tip of the glass cap 14 as possible, the region that does not contribute to the treatment on the tip side is eliminated as much as possible to facilitate treatment. be able to.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a medical optical fiber probe 10' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, which differs from Embodiment 1 particularly in that the shape of the tip portion of the optical fiber 11' is different. In the following embodiments, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, although not shown in detail, for example, it is a medical optical fiber probe 10' that is connected to a laser treatment device for prostatic hyperplasia or brain tumor. The proximal end side of the optical fiber 11 passes through, for example, a cystoscope. This laser treatment device can output laser light of 100 W or more at wavelengths of 532 nm, 980 nm and 2140 nm, for example.

In this embodiment, the tip of the optical fiber 11' is processed so as to be tapered with respect to the axial direction. The slant processing is performed, for example, by polishing. Portions other than the distal end portion of the optical fiber 11' are the same as those of the medical optical fiber probe 10 of the first embodiment.

The angle β of the inclined surface 11c' of the tip with respect to the axial direction is 37° or less (β≦37°) with respect to the axial direction. A distance L2 between the tip position of the glass cap 14 and the position where the inclined surface of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less (L2≦2.5 mm) when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Next, the operation of the medical optical fiber probe 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

For example, in the case of laser treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, the optical fiber probe 10 covered with a glass cap 14 is inserted into the body, and the enlarged affected tissue is ablated with laser to widen the urethra.

Also in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the glass cap 14 and the outer diameter of the optical fiber 11' are optimal for use as a lateral light irradiation probe or the like in which the tip of the optical fiber 11' is inclined.

In addition, since the inclination angle of the inclined surface 11c' of the distal end portion with respect to the axial direction is set to 37° or less, the irradiation position of the side irradiation light can be as forward as possible. Therefore, the irradiation area of the light near the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap 14 becomes wider than when the angle β is larger than 37°, so that a wider affected tissue can be treated. At this time, since the power density is reduced, local damage to living tissue can be reduced. If the angle β is larger than 37°, the light irradiation area in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the glass cap 14 becomes narrower, which may increase the power density.

Since the distance L2 between the tip position of the glass cap 14 and the position where the inclined surface 11c' of the tip portion starts is set to 2.5 mm or less when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the glass cap 14 does not interfere. It is possible to irradiate the affected area as close as possible to the target. If it is larger than 2.5 mm, the portion that cannot contribute to the treatment increases, and the glass cap 14 becomes an obstacle, which may deteriorate workability.

Therefore, even with the medical optical fiber probe 10' according to the present embodiment, by bringing the light irradiation position as close as possible to the tip portion of the glass cap 14, the region that does not contribute to the treatment on the tip side is eliminated as much as possible to facilitate treatment. can do.

The above embodiments are essentially preferable examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses.

10,10' medical optical fiber probe
11 Medical optical fiber
11,11' optical fiber
11a Core
11b Cladding
11c conical surface
14 glass cap
15 Adhesive
16 buffer layer and jacket

Claims (2)

A medical fiber optic probe connected to a laser therapy device, comprising:
an optical fiber having a core and a clad covering the core and having a lower refractive index than the core;
a cylindrical glass cap that hermetically covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber while maintaining a gap;
The tip of the optical fiber is processed into a conical shape,
The outer diameter of the optical fiber is 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less,
The angle of the tip on the conical surface of the tip is 59° or less in full angle at the apex of the cone,
A medical optical fiber probe, wherein the distance between the tip position of the glass cap and the position where the conical surface of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. A medical fiber optic probe connected to a laser therapy device, comprising:
an optical fiber having a core and a clad covering the core and having a lower refractive index than the core;
a cylindrical glass cap that hermetically covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber while maintaining a gap;
The tip portion of the optical fiber is processed so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to be tapered,
The outer diameter of the optical fiber is 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less,
The angle of the inclined surface of the tip portion with respect to the axial direction is 37° or less with respect to the axial direction,
A medical optical fiber probe, wherein the distance between the tip position of the glass cap and the position where the inclined surface of the tip portion starts is 2.5 mm or less when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Images