JP7462285B2 - Optical probe and tip unit for optical probe - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical probe and a tip unit for an optical probe.

An optical probe is an instrument that can guide input light a certain distance to the tip, but can also receive light from the tip and guide this light to the rear end, and is a device that can be used in laparoscopic surgery, for example. When used in a laparoscope, for example, the tip of the optical probe is inserted into the body to check the condition inside the body. Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, unlike open surgery, which uses a scalpel to open the abdomen, and its importance and need have increased significantly in recent years.

As an example of technology related to the optical probe, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a laparoscopic diagnostic device.

JP 2015-173917 A

On the other hand, surgical instruments and equipment that come into contact with the patient's blood, etc. during surgery must be cleaned, disinfected, sterilized, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "sterilization, etc.") before each operation, and optical probes are no exception.

However, laparoscopes such as those described in Patent Document 1 have the problem that sterilization and other processes are very time-consuming. To be more specific, conventional laparoscopes are formed as a single unit from the connection part of the control device to the tip, and the entire device is very long, so it cannot be stored in a general device (such as an autoclave), and sterilization and other processes are very time-consuming.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an optical probe and a tip unit used therein that are easier to sterilize and perform other processes.

The optical probe according to one aspect of the present invention, which solves the above problem, is an optical probe equipped with a tip unit that is heat-resistant and waterproof, and a cord unit, and the tip unit and the cord unit are detachable.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a tip unit for an optical probe includes a first fiber, a second fiber, a heat-resistant fiber fixing member for fixing the respective ends of the first fiber and the second fiber, a heat-resistant tubular member for housing the fiber fixing member, the first fiber, and the second fiber, and a tip unit side connector formed at one end of the heat-resistant tubular member, and is heat-resistant and waterproof.

As described above, the present invention can provide an optical probe and a tip unit used therein that are easier to sterilize and process.

1 is a schematic diagram of an optical probe according to an embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control device in the laparoscopic device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a code unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. 1 is a schematic front view of the rear end side (control device connection side) of a cord unit of an optical probe according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the tip side (tip unit connection side) of a cord unit of an optical probe according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of another example of the rear end side (control device connection side) of the code unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of another example of the tip side (tip unit connection side) of the cord unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of the code unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. 2 is a schematic front view of the tip side of the tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the rear end side of the tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a tip side portion of a tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a cap to be combined with a tip unit of an optical probe according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of the tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of another example of the tip side of the tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of another example of the rear end side of the tip unit of the optical probe according to the embodiment. FIG.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, and is not limited to the examples specifically described in the embodiments and examples shown below.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a laparoscopic device (hereinafter referred to as "this device") S that uses an optical probe 1 according to this embodiment. This device S includes an optical probe 1 having a heat-resistant and waterproof tip unit 2 and a cord unit 3, and a control device C connected to this. In the example shown in this figure, the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3, and the cord unit 3 and the control device C are each detachable.

The optical probe 1 guides light from a light source included in the control device C to the tip unit 2 via the cord unit 3 and emits it toward the target of light irradiation (e.g., internal body tissue). Conversely, it sends light reflected from the internal body tissue or light (fluorescence, etc.) emitted from the target of light irradiation (internal body tissue) to the control device C via the tip unit 2 and cord unit 3, and performs a specified process to obtain information on the internal state as light intensity.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the device S. The control device C in the optical probe 1 includes a light source C1 and an information processing unit C2 for performing a predetermined process based on the received light. The specific structure of the information processing unit C2 is not particularly limited, but for example, a so-called computer can be used. In addition to the light source C1, the control device C preferably includes a light guide member C3 for guiding light from the light source C1 to the cord unit 3, a light receiving element C4 for receiving light from the cord unit 3 and converting it into an electrical signal, and a light guide member C5 for guiding light to the light receiving element C4. As described later, the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3 house a current conducting wire 4, which is controlled by the information processing device C2 via a current checking unit C6 in the control device C.

In addition, the light source C1 used in the control device C is not particularly limited as long as it can emit the desired wavelength, but LD, LED, halogen lamp, etc. can be used.

In addition, the wavelength of the light used in the control device C is not limited, but preferably includes light in the visible range to the near infrared range, specifically, preferably includes light in the wavelength range of 700 nm to 900 nm, more preferably, 750 nm to 850 nm, and even more preferably, 780 nm to 820 nm. On the other hand, in addition to the above, the wavelength of the light used preferably includes light in the visible range, specifically, preferably includes light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 800 nm, more preferably, 420 nm to 700 nm. By including light in the visible range, when the light is irradiated inside the body, the surgeon can recognize the part where the light hits. Also, by including light in the wavelength range of the near infrared range, it is possible to identify the desired internal tissue in combination with a fluorescent substance. Specifically, a drug containing a fluorescent substance is administered to the body of the patient in advance, and this is accumulated in the desired internal tissue (e.g., lymph nodes), while the above light is applied to the internal tissue to emit fluorescence, and the emission intensity is confirmed, so that the position with the strongest emission intensity can be recognized as the desired internal tissue.

As described above, the cord unit 3 in the optical probe 1 is for guiding light from the light source C1 of the control device C to the tip unit 2. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tip unit 2, and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cord unit 3.

As shown in these figures, the cord unit 3 includes an optical fiber 31 for irradiation, an optical fiber 32 for receiving light, a conductor 33 for passing electrical signals, an outer armor 34 for covering these, a cord unit rear end connector 35 for reliably connecting the cord unit 3 to the control device C, a cord unit front end connector 36 for reliably connecting the tip unit 2, and an operation unit 37 equipped with an operation switch 371 for the operator to perform operations such as light irradiation. In addition, it is preferable that both ends of the outer armor 34 of the cord unit 3 are fixed by a fiber fixing member 38 for fixing the input optical fiber 31, the optical fiber 32 for receiving light, and the conductor 33. By providing the fiber fixing member 38, it is possible to reliably connect the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3, and the cord unit 3 and the control device C, and to reliably transmit and receive light. Note that FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view of the rear end side (the side to which the control device C is connected) of the cord unit 3, and FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of the tip side (the side to which the tip unit 2 is connected) of the cord unit 3. Note that Figures 5 and 6 show a structure in which a so-called MT ferrule is used and this is further fixed by a metal or other member, but it is also possible to have holes for fixing optical fibers directly formed at a specified interval in a metal member or other member, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. It is also possible to have a standard ferrule fixed into a metal hole.

The illumination optical fiber 31 is for guiding the light incident from the control device C side to the tip unit 2 side, and the light receiving optical fiber 32 is for guiding the light incident from the tip unit 2 side to the control device C side. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the illumination optical fiber 31 and the light receiving optical fiber 32 (collectively referred to simply as "optical fiber"), and general optical fibers can be used. More specifically, it is possible to use one that has a core, a cladding that covers this core, and a coating layer that further covers these.

The number of irradiation optical fibers 31 and receiving optical fibers 32 is not limited. By increasing the number of irradiation optical fibers 31, stronger light can be supplied to the target of light irradiation, and by increasing the number of receiving optical fibers 32, more light can be received and supplied to the control device C. The above diagram shows an example in which there is one irradiation optical fiber 31 and seven receiving optical fibers 32, for a total of eight optical fibers.

The conductor 33 is conductive and can be used to transmit an electrical signal between the control device C. More specifically, the conductor 33 is used to check whether the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3 are firmly connected by the presence or absence of an electrical signal, and more specifically, to enable connection/disconnection inspection, and to supply light to the tip unit 2 only when the switch 371 is pressed while the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3 are connected. The configuration of the conductor 33 is not limited as long as it can transmit an electrical signal, but it is preferable that the conductor 33 has an even number of conductors, preferably at least four conductors, for a round trip as a part that forms an electrical circuit (loop) for checking electrical continuity. In the case of four conductors, two conductors are used for the on/off operation by the operation switch 31 in the cord unit 3, and two conductors are used for the presence or absence of the connection of the tip unit, and these connections can be checked. In the case of two conductors 33, the conductor 33 for the electrical signal returning from the tip unit 2 side can be connected to the switch 371 as shown in FIG. 9.

The outer armor 34 houses the optical fiber and the conductor wire, and is flexible so that the tip can be oriented in a desired direction, while protecting the optical fiber and the conductor wire from breakage even if an external force is applied. The configuration of the outer armor 34 is not limited to this, but is preferably, for example, a so-called metal corrugated tube.

As described above, the cord unit rear end connector 35 is for reliably connecting the cord unit 3 and the control device C, and the control device C is also provided with a connector of a corresponding shape, and by fitting these together, the connectors can be detached and stably connected. The cord unit rear end connector 35 is provided with a fixing member 38 for fixing the irradiation optical fiber 31, the light receiving optical fiber 32, and the conductor 33, and the irradiation optical fiber 31, etc. are fixed to this fixing member. Fixing these components makes it possible to more reliably transmit and receive light and give and receive electrical signals. The shape of the cord unit rear end connector 35 is not limited as long as it can be fitted into the connector on the control device C side, and it goes without saying that various shapes and structures (for example, a structure in which the inserting side and the inserted side are reversed) can be adopted.

The cord unit tip connector 36 is for ensuring a reliable connection with the tip unit 2, and as described in detail below, is connected to the tip unit connector to enable the transmission and reception of light and electrical signals. Specifically, the illumination optical fiber 31, the light receiving fiber 32, and the conductor 33 are fixed to it, and by connecting to a counterpart that is similarly fixed, the transmission and reception of light and electrical signals is enabled.

The operation unit 37 also includes an operation switch 371 that allows the operator to perform operations such as light irradiation. The operator can hold the operation unit 37 and, if necessary, press the operation switch 371 to supply light from the irradiation optical fiber 31 to the tip unit side. More specifically, two of the above-mentioned conductors 33 are connected to the operation switch 371, and when the operation switch 371 is pressed, these two conductors are made conductive to send an instruction (electrical signal) to the light source on the control device C side to emit light. In the example of FIG. 9, if the tip unit 2 is not firmly connected, there is a break between the tip unit 2 and the cord unit 3, so that pressing the switch 371 will not operate the device, whereas if it is firmly connected, a circuit is formed, and pressing the switch 371 will enable light to be supplied from the irradiation optical fiber 31.

As described above, the tip unit 2 and cord unit 3 of the present probe 1 are detachable by their respective connectors (the tip connector 36 of the cord unit 3 and the rear connector of the tip unit 2). This allows the cord unit 3 and the tip unit 2 to be handled separately, and allows them to be made in a size that can be handled by commercially available cleaning devices and sterilization devices, etc., enabling sufficient sterilization and other processing. While the present optical probe 1 is detachable, various measures have been taken to prevent connection problems that can occur when the units are separated and reconnected. These will be described in detail below.

Here, the tip unit 2 in the optical probe 1 will be described once again. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the tip unit 2 in the optical probe 1, and its schematic cross-sectional view is as shown in Figure 3 above. Figure 11 shows a schematic front view of the tip side (the side to be irradiated with light), Figure 12 shows a schematic front view of the rear end side (the side that connects to the cord unit 3), and Figure 13 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the tip portion in Figure 3.

As shown in these figures, the tip unit 2 includes a first fiber 21, a second fiber 22, a heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23 that fixes the ends of the first fiber 21 and the second fiber 22, a heat-resistant tubular member 24 that houses the heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23, the first fiber 21, and the second fiber 22, and a tip unit side connector 25 formed at one end of the heat-resistant tubular member 24.

In the tip unit 2, one of the first fiber 21 and the second fiber 22 is for emitting light, and the other is for receiving light. When the tip unit 2 is separated from the cord unit 3, it may be difficult to distinguish which is for emitting light and which is for receiving light, so the terms "first" and "second" are used, but they have no other technical meaning. In this embodiment, the first fiber 21 will be described as the optical fiber for emitting light, and the second optical fiber 22 as the optical fiber for receiving light.

In the tip unit 2, the first optical fiber 21 is a fiber used for light irradiation as described above. The configuration of the first optical fiber 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is heat-resistant. As described above, a preferred example is one in which a heat-resistant core containing quartz or the like is formed with a heat-resistant clad having a different refractive index, and further coated with a heat-resistant coating material such as a fluororesin such as polyimide or perfluoropolyether. It is also preferable that a heat-resistant ferrule is attached to the tip side and the end on the cord unit side of the first optical fiber 21. By using a heat-resistant ferrule, the optical fiber is protected, and a reliable connection can be made during connection, and further fixing with a fiber fixing member is made easy. Here, the heat-resistant ferrule is preferably made of zirconia, SUS, glass, etc., although it is not limited thereto.

The second optical fiber 22 may also have the same configuration as the first optical fiber 21. However, the second optical fiber 22 is for receiving light, and when it is for receiving light, it is preferable that it is composed of multiple optical fibers, specifically, four or more, and preferably six or more. The incident light is converted into fluorescence by being irradiated to a fluorescent substance administered in advance to the body, but the light spreads in various directions. Therefore, by combining multiple optical fibers, it is possible to receive light more reliably.

The diameter of the first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "optical fiber") is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 125 μm to 700 μm, more preferably 300 μm or less. By keeping it within this range, the diameter of the entire insertion unit can be made sufficiently small.

While the first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22 are heat resistant, they are preferably kept slightly bent relative to their length at room temperature (approximately room temperature) so as not to be damaged by thermal contraction; specifically, if the linear distance between the end faces of the optical fibers in the tip unit is 1, it is preferable that the actual length of the optical fibers (the distance between the end faces) is longer by 0.01% to 1% (see FIG. 14, for example). By doing so, the risk of the optical fibers breaking is reduced even if there is thermal expansion and the linear distance between the end faces of the optical fibers changes.

The heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23 in the tip unit 2 is capable of fixing the first and second optical fibers. Specifically, holes are formed for inserting the first and second optical fibers. The cross section is preferably circular, with a diameter of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23 is heat-resistant, and specific examples include alloys such as SUS, metal oxides such as zirconia, and heat-resistant plastics such as fluororesin and PEEK. This allows it to withstand high-temperature treatment during sterilization.

As described above, the heat-resistant tube member 24 in the tip unit 2 houses the first fiber 21, the second fiber 22, and the heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23. The heat-resistant tube member 24 is preferably made of a heat-resistant material, specifically, alloys such as SUS, alloys such as zirconia, heat-resistant plastics such as PEEK and fluororesin, etc. This allows it to withstand high-temperature treatment during sterilization. The heat-resistant tube member 24 is a member that determines the length of the tip unit 2, and the length of the tip unit 2 is preferably 50 mm or more and 400 mm or less overall. By setting it in this range, it can be housed in a commercially available device such as an autoclave. In addition, the surface of the heat-resistant tube member 24 is preferably smooth. This has the advantage of making it easier to perform cleaning, sterilization, etc. by preventing body tissue from remaining on the tube surface.

As described above, the tip unit side connector 25 of the tip unit 2 is formed at one end of the heat-resistant tubular member 24, has heat resistance, and is connected to the connector on the cord unit 3 side.

In addition, a current-carrying conductor 26 is fixed to the tip unit side connector 25. By providing this current-carrying conductor, it becomes possible to check for continuity and to confirm that the positional relationship of the connection between the tip unit 2 side and the cord unit 3 side is normal. Specifically, the conductor connecting the two terminals of the tip unit side connector 25 is connected as is. This connects to the conductor 33 of the cord unit 3 to form a loop, and the control circuit recognizes that the tip unit is connected when a loop is formed, and that it is not connected when a loop is not formed because the electrical signal cannot be recognized.

It is also preferable that the tip unit side connector 25 of the tip unit 2 is provided with a cap 4 that is separated from the cord unit and protects the inside of the connector during a cleaning process using an autoclave or the like. Providing this cap 4 has the advantage of preventing moisture and the like from getting into the connector. An image of this cap is shown in Figure 15. In this case, it is also preferable to place an O-ring made of rubber or the like between the cap and the tip unit side connector 25. In this way, it is possible to ensure a tight seal. Of course, the O-ring may be placed on either the connector side or the cap side.

In addition, the examples in Figures 11 and 12 show examples using so-called MT ferrules, similar to the cord unit 3, but are not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, a hole for fixing the optical fiber directly to the heat-resistant fiber fixing member 23 may be formed, and the optical fiber may be fixed to this,

As described above, this embodiment can provide an optical probe that can be sterilized. Specifically, the optical probe can be separated into the tip unit and the rest (the cord unit and the control device) after being used as a whole in surgery. The cord unit side is not inserted into the body, so the procedure can be easily completed by a simple process such as wiping and cleaning. On the other hand, the tip unit 1 is in contact with body tissue such as blood, so it requires thorough cleaning and heat sterilization by autoclave. However, since the tip unit 1 is separated from the cord unit and the like, it is relatively small in size and can be stored and processed in an autoclave of a commercially available size. In particular, since the tip unit is entirely made of heat resistance, it will not be damaged even if it is subjected to heat treatment. Then, after sufficient sterilization and other processes, it can be used as an integrated optical probe by connecting it to the cord unit again. Furthermore, the tip unit has an advantage that it is possible to check whether the cord unit and the cord unit are securely connected by providing a conductive wire, and it is also possible to prevent poor connection.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has industrial applicability as an optical probe and a tip unit used therein.

Claims (3)

An optical probe including a heat-resistant tip unit and a code unit,
The tip unit includes:
a first heat-resistant optical fiber ;
a second optical fiber that is heat resistant ;
a heat-resistant fiber fixing member for fixing an end portion of each of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber ;
a heat-resistant cylindrical member that accommodates the heat-resistant fiber fixing member, the first optical fiber , and the second optical fiber ;
a tip unit side connector formed at one end of the heat-resistant tubular member,
The code unit is
An optical fiber for illumination;
A receiving optical fiber;
A conductor for transmitting electrical signals;
an outer armor covering the irradiation optical fiber, the receiving optical fiber, and the conductor;
a cord unit tip side connector for connecting to the tip unit side connector of the tip unit,
The optical probe in which the tip unit and the cord unit are detachable. The optical probe according to claim 1, wherein a conductive wire is fixed to one side of the heat-resistant fiber fixing member in the tip unit. a first heat-resistant optical fiber ;
a second optical fiber that is heat resistant ;
a heat-resistant fiber fixing member for fixing an end portion of each of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber ;
a heat-resistant cylindrical member that accommodates the heat-resistant fiber fixing member, the first optical fiber , and the second optical fiber ;
A heat-resistant optical probe tip unit including a tip unit side connector formed at one end of the heat -resistant cylindrical member.