JP3084029B2 - Medical laser interconnect device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to medical laser devices and, more particularly, to a device for coupling a fiber optic laser catheter to a laser light source or laser beam generator.

Lasers are gaining importance in medical applications, especially in laser surgery. Typically, light from a laser is transmitted to the treatment site by an optical fiber. The wavelength of the laser light is selected for a particular medical application, for example, evaporation or adhesion of tissue.

In the prior art, plug-type adapters have been used to connect a fiber optic laser catheter to the housing of the laser source. A blocking shutter may be used to prevent light from being transmitted from the laser housing unless the plug adapter is properly positioned within the laser housing. An example of a conventional interconnect device is Ch
Affe et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,633,872 and Kaczensky et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,415,231.

The present invention includes a first interconnect assembly and a second interconnect assembly removably connected to the first interconnect assembly. One of the interconnect assemblies has a shutter for blocking the light path. First and second
Each have a surface that cooperates mechanically to remove the shutter from the optical path. An optical fiber is coupled to one of the assemblies.

In a preferred embodiment, the first assembly forms a plug and the second assembly forms an adapter, such as a socket. The socket assembly includes a shutter that is spring biased to a normally closed position. In this normally closed position, the shutter blocks the passage of the laser light to the optical fiber. The plug assembly includes an accessory having a cam surface that cooperates with a cam surface on the socket assembly to guide the shutter to an open position where laser light can be transmitted to the optical fiber. The socket assembly includes a mechanically activated sensor so that the laser does not fire until the plug assembly is fully inserted into the socket assembly and properly positioned. One of these sensors is responsive to a plunger activated by an accessory on the plug assembly. Other sensors are activated by movement of the shutter.

The above and other features of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the invention.

Illustrative Embodiments FIGS. 1 and 2 show a laser catheter plug interconnect assembly 13 and a plug assembly 13 connected to a radiation beam generator (not shown) such as a high performance medical laser known in the art. A laser catheter device 11 is shown that includes a socket interconnect assembly 15 for mounting. This device 11 provides a means by which the radiation beam is not emitted through the intermediate plane unless the catheter plug assembly 13 is properly aligned with the socket assembly 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plug assembly 13 includes a rounded, generally triangular base 17 defining a pair of vertical major surfaces 19, and outwardly from each corner of one of the vertical surfaces 19. A housing 16 having three arms extending horizontally toward the housing. In particular (clockwise from the lower left) the arm comprises a substantially cylindrical fluid inlet 21, a substantially cylindrical optical fiber housing extension 23 and an interlock attachment 25.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the catheter plug assembly 13 will be described in detail. Fluid inlet 21 may be formed by an elongated cylindrical tube having a large diameter segment 29 proximal to base 17 of the housing and a small diameter segment 31 distal to base 17. Suction port 21
Is a fluid passage defined by the base 17 (not shown)
A cylindrical fluid passage 33 communicating with the fluid passage. Sealing nut 37
Is secured by an annular ridge surrounding the inlet 21 and surrounding a small diameter segment 31 of the inlet 21. The shape of the sealing nut 37 is substantially cylindrical with an inner threaded bore 39. The nut 37 has at one end an overhanging suspended annular flange 41 slightly larger than the small diameter segment 31 of the inlet 21 and a series of axially extending to facilitate gripping of the nut in use. A rib 43 is provided.

The fiber housing extension 23 is connected to the housing base 17
An elongated main cylindrical shaft 45 proximal to the shaft
45 formed by a smaller diameter cylindrical optical fiber guideway 47 at the distal end. At the distal end of the shaft 45 between the shaft 45 and the guideway 47, a short transition stage 49 with an intermediate diameter is provided. A female fastener, such as an inner threaded nut, surrounds the transition stage 49 near the guideway 47, where it is secured by an annular ridge (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the interlock attachment 25 is formed of a cylindrical spacer 53 proximal to the base 17 and a narrow, elongated, generally rectangular key 55. Key
The height of 55 is equal to the diameter of the spacer 53. The key 55 has an elongated upper surface 57 and an elongated lower surface 59 which is shorter than the upper surface 57 and both of which are curved so as to be coplanar with the periphery of the spacer 53. The side of the key is a pair of guide planes 61
Stipulated by The proximal end of key 55 is integrally joined to spacer 53 forming a straight inner edge 63. The key 55 has a distal flat surface 65 having a T-shaped cross section and includes blade-shaped thin teeth 67 formed by a pair of generally triangular notches joined along the lower edge. The notch starts at a position slightly displaced from the upper surface 57 of the key 55, and is approximately 20
Extend downward toward the spacer 53 at an angle of
It is sharply curved approximately at the midpoint between the distal surface 65 of 55 and the outer surface of the spacer 53 and extends vertically downward to the lower surface 59 of the key 55. The teeth 67 are substantially triangular with a straight lower surface 69 parallel to and slightly displaced from the lower edge of the key 55. The teeth 67 have a distal end 71 formed by and integral with the stem of the T-shaped distal face 65 of the key 55. The upper end of the tooth 67 is integrally joined to the key 55 so that a pair of narrow horizontal shoulders extending between the guide surface 61 and the upper end of the tooth 67 by the length of the notch. Form 73. Desirably, teeth 67 are significantly narrower than a standard paper clip diameter of about 0.038 inches (0.97 mm). This significance is described below.

The arms extend vertically outward from the base 17 of the housing 16 to form an equilateral triangle. The inlet 21 defines a fluid passage 33 having an axis A. Fiber housing extension 23 defines an axis B spaced and parallel from axis A of fluid passage 33. Interlock accessory 25 spacer
53 is the axis A of the fluid passage 33 and the fiber housing extension.
Defines an axis C spaced and parallel from 23 axes B.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is the fiber housing extension of the housing base 17
Extend horizontally outward from the side immediately opposite to 23. Outlet
75 defines a cylindrical fluid passage (not shown) coaxial with the axis of the fiber housing extension 23. Elongated optical fiber 79
Is the optical fiber guide path 47 to the fiber housing extension 23
, And extends significantly beyond the outlet 75. Optical fiber
79 has a receiving end 81 secured within the distal end of the optical fiber guideway 47 and a delivery end 83 opposite the receiving end 81. When the radiation beam emitted by the beam generator is properly aligned with the receiving end 81 of the fiber, the beam is guided through the fiber to the delivery end 83 of the fiber, where it is focused by a lens (not shown) at the surgical site. Is done.

The sheath 87 extends from the delivery port 75 to the vicinity of the delivery end 83 of the fiber. The sheath 87 is coaxial with the optical fiber 79 and has an inner diameter that is significantly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 79, thereby providing an annular fluid path 89 around the optical fiber 79.
Is formed. The fluid is used as a coolant and as a means of minimizing backsplatter during operation. The delivery end 83 of the fiber is fixed near the lens by a rigid tip 91. Tip 91 maintains fiber 79 in proper alignment with the lens and provides stiffness to the working end of plug assembly 13 so that the working end of plug assembly 13 can be inserted into an opening in a vein or other body.

The socket assembly 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As described above, the socket assembly 15
Includes a body 92 provided with three receptacles for mating with and holding the arms of the plug assembly 13. In particular, the socket assembly 15 includes (in a clockwise direction from the lower right) a fluid-tight fitting 93 for mating with the inlet 21 and a movable mount 95 for mating with the interlock accessory 25. And an external threaded male fastener 97 that mates with the fiber housing extension 23 and defines a light entrance 99 that forms an intermediate plane between the beam generator and the plug assembly 13. The male fastener 97 extends through a mating opening in the body 92 of the socket assembly 15 and is secured thereto.

As shown in FIG. 5, the male fastener 97 has a flat rectangular head 101 with a diameter larger than the mating opening in the body 92 of the socket assembly 15. Male fastener 97
Is a hex nut with an inner thread such that the outer threads of the male fastener 97 leave exposed enough to receive and retain the inner threads of the female fastener 97 'surrounding the fiber housing extension 23. Preferably, it is fixed in the opening by 103. The male fastener 97 defines an intermediate plane or through bore through which the beam generated by the beam generator is transmitted by an optical fiber 79 from its receiving end to the delivery end 83.

According to FIG. 2 and FIG.
Extending through a mating opening and secured to the opening. The mounting 93 is a substantially cylindrical trunk 10
5, beveled end 107 and cylindrical cup-shaped spring-loaded core 10
9 is a standard fluid tight SMA connector. A cylindrical extension 111 that includes an outwardly extending sealing ring 113 fits securely within the core. Fittings on the trunk
A pair of elongated detents 115 are provided to facilitate fastening the 93 to the body 92. Extending beyond the body 92 through an opening in the fitting 93 is a set of mating threaded lock nuts 119 for securing the fitting 93 to the body 92 of the socket assembly 15. An outer thread 117 is provided. Cylindrical connecting tube 121 extends through a set of outer threads of fitting 93 and is press-fit into a mating lumen in spring-loaded core 109. The connection tube 121 allows fluid to flow between a pressurized fluid source (not shown) and the core. A cylindrical stop 123 is fixed to the connecting tube 121 to limit the relative movement of the core relative to the cylindrical trunk.

According to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7, the mount 95 is a slide which engages with the interlock attachment 25.
125, and a back plate 127 on the opposite side of the slide 125 of the body 92. Slide 125
Is formed by an elongated substantially rectangular fork 129 and an elliptical flat panel 131. Fork 129 has a proximal end 130, a distal end 132, a top surface 134, a bottom surface 136, and a pair of generally rectangular sides 138. The proximal end 130 of the fork 129 is fixed to the center of the elliptical panel 131.
The fork 129 is centered between the sides 138 of the fork 129 and is divided into a pair of rakes 133 by a narrow vertical groove 135 having a closed end 137 and an opening 139. A generally triangular notch having a width about five times the width of the groove 135 extends downwardly from the upper surface 134 of the fork 129 toward the distal end 132 of the fork 129 at an angle of about 20 degrees. The notch was slightly displaced upward from the bottom surface 136 of the fork 129 from a position slightly displaced from the closed end 137 of the groove 135 on the upper surface 134 of the fork 129 toward the proximal end 130 of the fork 129. It has been stretched to the point. The notch forms a pair of vertical triangular inner surfaces 141 and a pair of horizontal ridges 142 extending between the upper edge of groove 135 and the lower edge of inner surface 141. Beyond the mouth 139 of the groove 135, the rake is chamfered outward to form a pair of vertical guide surfaces 143. In addition, a pair of slightly downwardly chamfered corners 145 are provided at the upper edge of the distal end of fork 129.

As shown in FIG. 8, an aligning member 147 protruding in an elliptical shape is provided at a central portion of the panel 131 opposite to the fork 129. 9 and 10, a lumen 149 extends from the alignment member 147 to the closed end of the groove 135.
The lumen 149 has a large diameter section 151 extending substantially the length of the lumen from the alignment member 147, and a closed end of the groove 135.
And a small diameter section 153 proximate 137. The back plate 127 has a plunger lumen 1 corresponding in size and position to the large diameter section 151 of the lumen 149 of the slide 125.
55 are provided. An annular stop 157 is formed by the connection of the two sections of the lumen 149.

As will be described in greater detail below, the alignment member 147 cooperates with a slightly longer and wider mating slot 159 in the body 92 of the socket assembly 15. The slot 159 extends parallel to the axis of the light entrance and the inlet. According to FIG. 9, the back plate 127 and the slide 125 are provided with a pair of corresponding lumens 161 and 163 extending through the ends of the back plate 127 and the alignment member 147, respectively. Slide 12 with a pair of bolts or other suitable fasteners
The fifth alignment member 147 is slidably fitted and fixed to the body 92. Desirably, the bore of slide 125 is countersunk.

A substantially cylindrical plunger 171 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the small diameter section 153 of the lumen 149
It is secured within the lumen by an annular collar 173 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the 49 large diameter section 151. The color 173 of the plunger 171 is
The collar 173 is biased by a helical spring 175 compressed between it and the annular stop 157 of the lumen 149. In this position, one end of the plunger 171 extends approximately one-eighth inch through the small diameter section 153 of the bore 149 and into the groove 135 of the fork 129, and the opposite end of the plunger 171 is It extends about one-eighth inch beyond back plate 127 through large diameter section 151 of lumen 149. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG.
In its relaxed state (before the distal end 71 of the body biases the spring bias and moves the plunger 171), one end is secured to a clasp 179 near the upper end of the body 92 and the other end is a back plate 127. A biasing element 177, such as a helical tension spring, secured to a hook 181 near the top of the slot biases the alignment member 147 into engagement with the top of the slot 159. A substantially rectangular shutter 183 extends vertically from the back plate 127, and when the device 11 is in the relaxed state, the shutter 183 blocks the intermediate plane, thereby preventing the laser beam from passing through the intermediate plane and causing damage. Is done.

9 and 10, when the distal end 71 of the tooth 67 is further inserted into the groove 135, the horizontal shoulder 7 of the accessory 25
3 cooperates with the horizontal ledge 142 of the mount 95 to suppress the bias of the biasing element 177, and consequently the mount 9
Move 5 downward. As shown in FIG. 10, its active position (ie, the distal end 71 of the tooth 67 is
37), the alignment member
147 contacts the lower end of slot 159 and plunger 171
One end is flush with the closed end of the groove 135,
The opposite end of the plunger 171 extends through the large diameter section 151 of the bore 149 about one-quarter inch beyond the backplate 127. As described in FIG. 6, in this operating condition, the shutter 183 exposes the intermediate surface, which allows the laser beam to pass through the intermediate surface and into the optical fiber.

As a further feature of minimizing the risk of the laser beam being emitted through the intermediate surface before the plug assembly 13 is fully mated, the socket assembly 15 is provided with a first microswitch 185. Microswitch 185 is known in the art in nature and to ensure that optical fiber 79 is properly aligned with the radiation beam,
It senses whether the distal end 71 of the tooth 67 has moved sufficiently toward the end of the groove 135. The microswitch 185 preferably has a normally open contact 187, which is fixed on the back plate 127 near the opening 139 of the lumen 149 of the plunger 171. Microswitch 185 operates a control line to a microprocessor (not shown) that disables the beam generator until the contacts are closed by the force of plunger 171.

As another means of preventing the laser beam from being emitted through the intermediate surface before the plug assembly 13 is fully mated, the socket assembly 15 includes a second microswitch similar to the first microswitch 185. A switch 191 is provided. The second microswitch 191 disables the beam generator until the microswitch 191 senses that the mount 95 has moved sufficiently downward to ensure that the optical fiber 79 is aligned with the beam generator. Operate the control line to the microprocessor. The microswitch 191 preferably has a normally open contact 193, and is fixed to the body 92 near the lower end of the movement range of the back plate 127. The second micro switch 191 is connected to the back plate 1
Preferably, it is activated by movement of a pin 197 which is fixed to 27 and extends horizontally outwardly therefrom. When the teeth 67 are fully inserted into the grooves 135 to ensure that the optical fiber 79 is properly aligned with the radiation beam, the mount 95 moves and forces the pin 197 to push the normally open contact 193, thereby Activation of the beam generator is performed.

Operation The operation of the laser catheter adapter is briefly described below.

2, 5 and 9, in its relaxed state, the mount 95 of the socket assembly 15
The intermediate surface of the assembly is biased to contact the upper end of the slot 159 of the assembly body 92 such that the intermediate surface of the assembly is shielded by the shutter 183. As best seen in FIG. 9, one end of the plunger 171 extends beyond the closed end 137 of the groove 135 and the opposite end extends approximately 1/8 inch from the back plate 127. However, it is installed at a small distance from the normally open contact of the first microswitch 185. Similarly, a pin 197 extending from the lower end of the back plate 127 is provided at a slight interval near the normally open contact 193 of the second microswitch 191.

Then, the plug interconnect assembly into the socket interconnect assembly, the optical fiber guide 47 into the light entrance 99 of the male fastener 97, the small diameter segment 31 of the inlet 21 through the lumen of the extension 111 of the adapter, The key 55 of the interlock attachment member 25 is inserted by aligning the key 55 with the notch of the mount 95. The fiber housing extension 23 is longer than the interlock attachment 25 or the suction port 21, but the mount 95 is substantially larger than the male fastener 97 so that the optical fiber guide path 47 is inserted into the light entrance 99 of the male fastener 97. Long. Groove 13
The guide surface 143 at the mouth 139 of the fifth is the interlock accessory member 25
The teeth 67 toward the center of the groove 135. When the horizontal shoulder 73 of the interlock attachment 25 cooperates with the horizontal ledge 142 of the mount 95, the small diameter segment 3 of the inlet 21
1 is inserted into the extension 111 of the fixture 93.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plug assembly 13
Can be inserted into the socket assembly 15 without generating a laser beam from the beam generator. In order to generate a laser beam, the fiber housing extension 23
Female fastener 97 'is the male fastener of socket assembly 15.
Fully tightened to the hex nut surrounding the 97 and key 55
Must be moved into the groove 135 and the inlet 21 must be hermetically connected to the extension 111 of the fixture 93, thereby (1) until the optical fiber 79 is correctly aligned with the beam generator. It is assured that no beam is emitted from the device and (2) that no radiation is produced until the inlet 21 is hermetically secured to the fitting 93, thus ensuring that the laser catheter tip 91 is properly cooled. Guaranteed. Desirably, the sealing nut is tightened onto the sealing ring of the extension of the fixture so that the maintenance of the integrity of the fluid seal is further ensured.

In its operating position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10,
The distal end 71 of the tooth 67 contacts the closed end 137 of the groove 135 and pushes the plunger 171 about 1/4 inch outward from the backplate 127, so that the switch no longer disables the beam generator Thus, the first microswitch 185 is activated. Furthermore, the horizontal shoulder 73 of the key 55 and the mounting
The camming of the horizontal ledge 142 of the 95 guides the mount 95 to the bottom of the slot 159, so that the laser is not disabled by the second microswitch 191 and thus the pin 197 extending from the back plate 127 to the second Guide to the normally open contact of the microswitch 191. Finally, movement of the mount 95 unblocks the intermediate plane by the shutter 183 and emits a beam from the beam generator through the receiving end 81 of the optical fiber 79 and the beam is transmitted to the output end 83 of the optical fiber 79. Transmitted, where it is focused by the lens to the surgical site.

The triangular arrangement of the laser catheter adapter device 11 of the present invention provides excellent strength and resistant connections. Further, the movement of the mount 95 in the slot 159 is parallel to the line connecting the axes of the male fastener 97 and the mounting fixture 93, so that, for example, the mount 95, the fiber housing and the suction port
It is difficult to overwhelm the safety features of the present invention by permanently biasing mount 95 downward using a rubber band extending around 21.

Further, as a precautionary measure for an operator to continuously bias the mound 95 to activate the second microswitch 191 and open the shutter 183, the mounting groove 135 is substantially narrower than a standard paper clip. This prevents the operator from activating the first microswitch 185 simply by inserting the paper clip into the groove 135.

Thus, a simple and reliable laser catheter adapter device that effectively and conveniently satisfies the needs of the prior art is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a front perspective view of the laser catheter adapter device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the socket interconnect assembly of the laser adapter device of FIG. 1 showing the plug interconnect assembly in broken lines; FIG. 4 is an exploded partial perspective view showing a mating element of the plug assembly and the socket assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the plug assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing a relaxed state of the mount of the apparatus, FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing an operation state of the mount and the sensor of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an interlock attachment member and a fitting part of a mount of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a mount of the socket interconnecting assembly and a fitting portion of the body of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing a relaxed state of the mount and sensor of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing an operation state of a mount and a sensor of a figure. 11 ... laser catheter device, 13 ... plug interconnect assembly, 15 ... socket interconnect assembly, 16 ... housing, 17 ... base, 21 ... fluid inlet, 23 ... optical fiber housing extension , 25… interlock accessory, 79… optical fiber, 93… mounting fixture, 95… mount, 97… male fastener, 127… back plate, 147…
... Alignment member, 185 First micro switch, 191
First microswitch.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Wendell V. Ebling United States, State of California, El Toro, Canada Road 21141, Suite 24 Be (72) Inventor Wayne E・ Manska United States, State of California, Anaheim, Kellogg Drive 1921 (56) References JP-A-59-50982 (JP, A) Real-life Sho-63-85212 (JP, U) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 18/20 A61N 5/06

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medical laser for generating light traveling along an optical path, a first interconnect assembly, and a second interconnect removably connected to the first interconnect assembly. A coupling assembly coupled to one of the interconnect assemblies for receiving light from the optical path, and an input on the other of the interconnect assemblies for engaging the light guide means. One of the interconnect assemblies includes a shutter for closing the optical path, and the first and second interconnect assemblies move the shutter relative to the optical path. The light guide means and the light entrance are independent of the mechanical cooperation of the drive surface. Medical device. 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said light guiding means comprises an optical fiber coupled to one of said interconnect assemblies and having an end in communication with said optical path. 3. One of said interconnect assemblies comprises a switch and a switch actuating member, and the other of said interconnect assemblies comprises an accessory member, said switch actuating member being responsive to said accessory member. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the state of the switch is changed. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies comprises a second switch, said second switch changing a state of said switch in response to movement of said shutter.
A medical device according to claim 1. 5. One of the interconnect assemblies includes a housing and an accessory extending from the housing, and the other of the interconnect assemblies is capable of passing a radiation beam along the optical path. A body having a light entrance, and a mount having a groove to be fitted with the accessory member,
The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the mount is movable in response to insertion of a portion of the accessory into the groove to move the shutter. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies further comprises a mechanical actuation sensor actuated by movement of said mount in response to insertion of a portion of said accessory into said groove. The medical device as described. 7. The medical device of claim 5, wherein one of said interconnect assemblies further comprises a biasing member that resists movement of said mount in response to insertion of a portion of said accessory member into said groove. apparatus. 8. The medical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light entrance does not move in accordance with the movement of the mount. 9. The medical device according to claim 5, wherein the shutter is attached to the mount. 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first interconnect assembly is a plug-type interconnect assembly, said second interconnect assembly is a socket-type interconnect assembly, and said plug-type interconnect assembly is A socket having a key portion and one of the drive surfaces, the socket-type interconnect assembly having a groove sized to receive the key portion, and a plug-type interconnect assembly of the plug-type interconnect assembly. One of the drive surfaces cooperating with the other one of the drive surfaces, wherein the socket-type interconnect assembly selects the light path in response to the relative movement of the light entrance and the drive surface. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising the shutter that is closed or opened in a closed manner, and the groove cannot be accessed from inside the light entrance. 11. One of the interconnecting assemblies coupled to the light guide means includes an accessory having a thickness of less than about 0.038 inches (0.97 mm), the accessory mechanically coupling the shutter. 2. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical apparatus is configured to be driven in a controlled manner to control transmission of the laser beam to the light guide unit.