JP4537630B2 - Laser treatment equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser treatment apparatus that performs treatments such as skin beautification, hair removal, and hair growth by irradiating a skin with laser light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When laser light is applied to the skin after the hair has been removed with the hair removal cream, the laser light is absorbed by the epidermal melanin to generate heat, and protein denaturation occurs in the skin tissue. As a result, the sebaceous gland and the dermal papilla are damaged, and the hair follicle tissue becomes hard and exhibits a hair removal effect that suppresses hair growth.
[0003]
Alternatively, when the abnormal pigment cells scattered in the epidermis and dermis of skin such as spots and freckles are irradiated with laser light, the abnormal pigment cells generate heat and disperse into fine particles. Dispersed abnormal pigment cells float on the surface, become waste products, are absorbed into blood vessels and lymph vessels and disappear, and the skin effect of normal color is restored.
[0004]
When these treatments such as hair removal and skin beautification are performed, it is necessary to irradiate the laser light evenly over a wide area of the skin in order to remove waste hair, spots and freckles.
[0005]
However, the semiconductor laser used for these treatments has a very small cross-sectional area of the light emitting part of several μm to several tens of μm, so it does not become a parallel thin linear beam with high directivity like a He-Ne laser. Widely spread at an angle of 30 ° to 45 °. Then, in order to concentrate a power density, it collects with a lens, but the beam diameter in the vicinity of a focus becomes quite thin with 1-2 mm. For this reason, if it is attempted to irradiate the laser beam evenly over a wide area of the skin with one beam, the beam diameter is small, so it takes time and effort, and is a troublesome work requiring patience. In addition, hair removal and skin beautification are further troublesome because it is necessary to repeat the treatment for a long period of time so that the change finally appears about three months after the laser beam is applied.
[0006]
Conventionally, as a method of irradiating laser light evenly on the skin surface, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-959310, semiconductor lasers are arranged in a line shape, and these semiconductor lasers are arranged in a laser arrangement direction by the power of a motor. Some reciprocate linearly in a direction orthogonal to the above.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional laser treatment apparatus, since the movement of the semiconductor laser is limited in the linear direction, it is necessary to increase the width by increasing the number of semiconductor lasers in order to ensure a certain scanning width. The overall increase in size is inevitable, and is unsuitable for application to a portable laser treatment apparatus.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment apparatus that can irradiate a laser beam in a wide range of length and width with a single laser light source and can be reduced in size and weight. To do.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, at the time of scanning irradiation, a single laser light source can irradiate laser light in a wide range of length and breadth, and the lead-out wiring of the optical unit is twisted and disconnected by the movement of the optical unit or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment apparatus that can prevent this.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention of claim 1 includes a laser light source, an optical unit including an optical system for condensing laser light emitted from the laser light source, and the optical unit. A first guide frame that is slidably supported in one of the two axial directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical unit; and the other axis in the two axial directions. A second guide frame that is slidably supported in a direction, a rotation member having a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis of the optical unit supported by the first guide frame, and the rotation axis of the rotation member An optical unit moving mechanism for moving the optical unit so that the laser beam emitted from the optical unit scans the irradiation target in the biaxial direction. And one in which the optical unit is configured is rotatably supported to the rotating shaft around the eccentric position of the rotary member.
[0011]
That is, the present invention moves a laser unit mounted with a laser light source so as to scan an irradiation target in two axial directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical unit, thereby allowing a single laser light source to laser a wide range of length and width. It can scan and irradiate laser light evenly on the skin surface. In addition, since the laser light source can be unified, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. Further, according to the present invention, the scanning unit can be moved without changing the direction of the optical unit, and the lead-out wiring of the optical unit can be prevented from being twisted and entangled or disconnected.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the laser treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, the drive mechanism drives the rotation shaft of the rotating member to repeat normal rotation and reverse rotation based on a predetermined rotation position. that is also the in.
[0013]
According to this invention, at the time of scanning irradiation, it is possible to prevent entanglement or disconnection due to twisting in the lead- out wiring of the optical unit by preventing the rotation member from rotating more than once .
[0014]
Furthermore, the invention of claim 3 is the laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fulcrum for the optical unit moving mechanism to tiltably support the optical unit in two axial directions orthogonal to the optical axis. the drive mechanism is than also you driven to tilt the optical unit about a fulcrum.
[0015]
With this invention, it is possible to provide in the same manner as the invention of claim 2, when the scanning irradiation, the laser treatment apparatus entanglement and disconnection due twisted lead wiring of the optical science unit does not occur.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a laser treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a part cut away.
[0022]
In this laser treatment apparatus 1, a handy type outer case 2 is provided with a header portion 3, and an opening 17 for emitting laser light is provided at the tip of the header portion 3.
[0023]
The exterior case 2 includes a control circuit that controls the irradiation time of the laser beam with a timer and a power source (not shown). An LED lamp 4 and a push button 5 are juxtaposed below the head portion 3 of the outer case 2. In this laser treatment apparatus 1, the power can be turned on / off and the irradiation time can be set by operating the push button 5. That is, when the push button 5 is first pressed, the power is turned on and the irradiation time is set to 1 second. At this time, the LED lamp 4 is lit in green. Next, when the push button 5 is pressed, an irradiation time of 2 seconds is set, and the LED lamp 4 blinks in green. When the push button 5 is further pressed, the irradiation time of 3 to 6 seconds is sequentially set, and the LED lamp 4 is switched to orange lighting, orange flashing, red lighting, and red flashing according to the set number of seconds. Finally, when the push button 5 is pressed, the power is turned off. In setting the irradiation time, a very short count value of 1 to 6 seconds is set in the timer in this way so as not to cause temporary damage to the skin.
[0024]
A scanning mechanism 6 is incorporated in the head portion 3 of the outer case 2 to swing the optical axis of the laser beam with the beam diameter reduced to, for example, about 2 mm or less to increase the energy density. Details of the scanning mechanism 6 will be described below.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the scanning mechanism 6 as viewed from the head unit 3 side.
[0026]
The scanning mechanism 6 includes an optical unit 11 and an X guide frame 13, a Y guide frame 14, and a mechanism that conveys the optical unit 11 in two directions (XY axes) orthogonal to the optical axis 12. The rotary plate 15 and the actuator 16 are included.
[0027]
The optical unit 11 includes a semiconductor laser 9, a spherical lens 7 that condenses the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 9, and a heat sink 8 that cools the optical unit 11.
[0028]
Since the focal length of the spherical lens 7 is shorter than that of a normal lens, the optical power can be narrowed down to a narrow range with a small depth of focus. On the contrary, it spreads at the same angle from the position past the focal point, and the optical power is dispersed over a wide range. For this reason, since the energy density becomes low and the optical power decreases at a position past the focal point, the risk of damaging the living body is reduced even if it is accidentally irradiated.
[0029]
The heat sink 8 diffuses heat generated during the operation of the semiconductor laser 9 by heat conduction and suppresses deterioration in performance. For this reason, it casts with aluminum or its alloy with good heat-conduction efficiency, and provides several dummy through-holes to improve heat dissipation efficiency.
[0030]
The semiconductor laser 9 is excited by flowing a current directly through a PN junction diode using a compound semiconductor such as GaAs (gallium arsenide), and outputs laser light having a peak wavelength of 600 to 1600 nm and an optical output of 5 mW to 3 W, for example. Causes sufficient photothermal reaction to the skin. In addition to thermal reactions, photoreactions, photomagnetic reactions, photodynamic reactions, photochemical reactions, photoimmune reactions, photoenzyme reactions, etc. occur, and photobiological activation promotes the metabolism of living tissues to promote skin blood circulation. There is no effect of damaging living tissue at an appropriate power density, and there is no risk of damage to the skin.
[0031]
The rotating plate 15 has a drive shaft 16 a that is driven by an actuator 16. A lens holder 7a of the optical unit 11 is rotatably supported on the rotating plate 15 via a bearing 15a. The optical axis 12 of the optical unit 11 is in an eccentric position with respect to the rotation center of the rotating plate 15. The lens holder 7 a is a component that holds the spherical lens 7 and is fixed to the heat sink 8 of the optical unit 11.
[0032]
The optical unit 11 is supported by the Y guide frame 14 so as to be transportable in the Y-axis direction. Both ends of the Y guide frame 14 are engaged with guide grooves 18 provided along the X-axis direction in a pair of X guide frames 13 fixed to the exterior case 2 respectively. That is, the Y guide frame 14 is supported by the pair of X guide frames 13 so as to be movable in the X axis direction.
[0033]
With such a configuration, when the rotary plate 15 is rotationally driven by the actuator 16, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical unit 11 is transported in the Y-axis direction along the Y guide frame 14, and Y The guide frame 14 is conveyed along the pair of X guide frames 13 in the X axis direction. By the conveyance of the optical unit 11, the optical axis 12 of the optical unit 11 moves so as to draw a circle.
[0034]
Therefore, the laser treatment apparatus 1 having this configuration can irradiate the skin surface with a laser beam having a sufficient energy density and a small beam diameter for scanning in a wide range in the XY axis direction. That is, it is possible to perform scanning irradiation over a wide range with a single semiconductor laser 9 and to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus. Further, since the optical unit 11 itself does not rotate around the optical axis 12 during the scanning irradiation, it is possible to eliminate the danger that the lead-out wiring 19 from the optical unit 11 is entangled and disconnected.
[0035]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 4, the scanning mechanism 6 a of the laser treatment apparatus 1 a according to the second embodiment uses the rod lens 21 to convert the laser light emitted from the optical unit 11 to the light of the laser light emitted from the optical unit 11. It is configured to swing in the XY axis direction orthogonal to the axis 12.
[0037]
The laser beam scanning mode includes, for example, a method of moving the laser beam 22 so as to draw a circle as shown in FIG. 5, a method of moving the laser beam 22 in a zigzag manner line by row, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, there is a method of moving the laser beam 22 in a spiral shape.
[0038]
In the second embodiment, an optical fiber can be used in place of the rod lens 21.
[0039]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 8, the scanning mechanism 6b of the laser treatment apparatus 1b of the third embodiment uses the laser light emitted from the optical unit 11 by the mirror sets 23 and 24, and the laser light emitted from the optical unit 11. This is configured to swing in the XY axis direction orthogonal to the optical axis 12. That is, the second mirror 24 is tilted about the fulcrum 25 in the XY axis direction while the first mirror 23 is fixed. Also with this configuration, it is possible to irradiate a laser beam having a small beam diameter over a wide range in the XY axis direction.
[0041]
Next explained is the fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 9, the scanning mechanism 6 c of the laser treatment apparatus 1 c according to the fourth embodiment includes a second optical unit that can move in the XY axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis 12 of the optical unit 11. 27 and the optical unit 11 are connected by an optical fiber 29, the laser light emitted from the optical unit 11 is guided to the second optical unit 27 through the optical fiber 29, and a collection of a ball lens or the like attached to the second optical unit 27. The laser light is condensed again by the optical lens 28 and the scanning irradiation is performed.
[0043]
As a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical unit 11a itself is swung by an actuator 16 about a fulcrum 30 in the XY axis direction orthogonal to the optical axis 12 of the optical unit 11a. You may comprise.
[0044]
As another embodiment using the rotating plate 15 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the X guide frame 13, the Y guide frame 14, and the bearing 15a of the rotating plate 15 are excluded from the configuration of FIG. The optical unit 11 may be moved according to the rotation locus of the rotary plate 15. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation direction is reversed every time the rotating plate 15 is rotated, whereby the entanglement of the lead wiring 19 from the optical unit 11 can be prevented.
[0045]
As a modification, an illumination device that irradiates visible light along the outline of the irradiation region may be attached to the header portion 3 so that the irradiation region of the laser light on the skin surface is visible.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a single laser light source can scan and irradiate laser light in a wide range of length and breadth, and can irradiate the skin surface evenly.
In addition, since the laser light source can be unified, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. Further, it is possible to eliminate the risk that the lead wiring of the optical unit is twisted and disconnected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a laser treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, partly cut away.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the scanning mechanism in FIG. 1 as viewed from the head portion side.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation of the scanning mechanism of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view in which a part of a laser treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is cut away.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanning form of laser light.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another scanning form of laser light.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing still another scanning form of laser light.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a laser treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with a part thereof cut away.
FIG. 9 is a side view in which a part of a laser treatment apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is cut away.
FIG. 10 is a side view in which a part of a laser treatment apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is cut away.
FIG. 11 is a side view in which a part of a laser treatment apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is cut away.
12 is a plan view of the scanning mechanism in FIG. 10 as viewed from the head portion side.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser treatment apparatus 2 ... Exterior case 3 ... Head part 6 ... Scanning mechanism 7 ... Ball lens 7a ... Lens holder 8 ... Heat sink 9 ... Semiconductor laser 11 .... Optical unit 12 ... Optical axis 13 ... X guide frame 14 ... Y guide frame 15 ... Rotating plate 15a ... Bearing 16 ... Actuator 17 ... Opening 19 ... Wiring 21 ... Rod lens 22 ... Laser beam 23, 24 ... Mirror 25 ... Support point 27 ... Second optical unit 29 ... Optical fiber

Claims (3)

An optical unit having a laser light source and mounted with an optical system for condensing laser light emitted from the laser light source;
A first guide frame that slidably supports the optical unit in one of the two axial directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical unit, and the first guide frame in the biaxial direction A second guide frame that is slidably supported in the other axial direction, a rotating member having a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis of the optical unit supported by the first guide frame, and An optical unit moving mechanism that moves the optical unit so that the laser beam emitted from the optical unit scans the irradiation target in the biaxial direction. Equipped,
The laser treatment apparatus, wherein the optical unit is supported at an eccentric position of the rotating member so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis . The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The laser treatment apparatus, wherein the drive mechanism drives the rotation shaft of the rotating member to repeat normal rotation and reverse rotation based on a predetermined rotation position. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The optical unit moving mechanism is
A fulcrum that tiltably supports the optical unit in two axial directions perpendicular to the optical axis;
The laser treatment apparatus, wherein the drive mechanism drives the optical unit to tilt around the fulcrum.

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