JPH0394776A - Light guiding device for storage in body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need of placing one by one a light guiding applicator member into a living body, whenever a medical treatment and an inspection are executed by providing a light guide which is stored in the living body, connects optically an emitting tip and a connector, and guides a light beam between them. CONSTITUTION:When a laser oscillator 12 being a light source unit is brought to oscillating operation, a warming laser light passing through a laser probe 10 for the outside of the body is fed into a light guide 4 in a living body through the part of a connector 3 in the body. This laser light is radiated to the affected part 6 of the liver 5 from the tip chip 7 and warms its affected part 6 to a prescribed temperature. Such a warming medical treatment is executed repeatedly at times extending over a long period. Also, when the warming medical treatment is not executed, the laser probe 10 for the outside of the body is removed from the connector 3 in the body. Accordingly, it does not stand in the way for daily life. Moreover, at the time of executing the warming medical treatment, the medical treatment is executed by a simple operation executed by only connecting a connector 11 of the laser probe 10 for the outside of the body to the connector 3 in the body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a light guide device for indwelling in a living body, which is used by indwelling a light guide in a living body.

[Conventional technology] Hyperthermia, which treats a lesion in a living body by heating it, has been known in the past. Various heating methods have been proposed, including those using high frequency, microwave, and ultrasonic waves (see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,700,716).

These devices heat a predetermined area by placing a heating approcator, antenna, etc. outside the body or inside a body cavity each time a treatment is performed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, especially when repeatedly heating the body from within the body over a long period of time, it is necessary to insert an approcator or antenna into the body each time the treatment is performed, and each time this technique is performed, , it is a huge burden on both the surgeon and the patient, and
This made it impossible to provide efficient treatment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to eliminate the troublesome technique of arranging a light-guiding abrocator member in the living body each time an in-vivo treatment or examination is performed. A light guide for indwelling in the body that can immediately and efficiently perform heating treatments and tests with simple operations, and can significantly reduce the burden on the surgeon and patient when repeating treatments, etc. The goal is to provide equipment.

[Means and effects for achieving the object] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a connector that is placed near the body surface of a living body and optically connects an external light source in a detachable manner, and a connector that is placed near the affected area in the living body. A light guide device for indwelling in the body is composed of an emitting tip that is indwelled and irradiates light to the affected area, and a light guide that is indwelled in the living body and optically connects the emitting tip and the connector to guide light therebetween. It is something.

By configuring the light guide device for indwelling in the body in this manner, there is no need for the technical trouble of placing the components of the replenishment abrocator in the body every time an in-vivo treatment or examination is performed.
The indwelling ablator can be used to optically connect an external light source to it. Therefore, treatment, examination, etc. can be performed efficiently and immediately with simple operations. In particular, the burden on the operator and patient when repeating heating treatments etc. over a long period of time can be significantly reduced.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. 1st
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a lead device for indwelling in the body for heating treatment, which is indwelled in a living body 2. Epidermis 2a of living body 2
An intracorporeal connector 3 as a percutaneous terminal is installed nearby. This intracorporeal connector 3 is implanted and placed near the epidermis 2a, and a portion thereof is exposed to the body surface.

One end of a light guide 4 that is implanted and placed inside the living body 2 is connected to the intracorporeal connector 3 .

The other end of the light guide 4 is guided to an affected area 6 such as cancer of the liver 5, and is connected to a distal tip 7 as an irradiation output tip placed in the affected area 6.

The light guide 4 is formed from an optical fiber or the like, and this optical fiber may be a single fiber or a multi-fiber. However, in this embodiment, a material that can efficiently transmit the heating laser beam is used. The irradiation tip 7 is made of sapphire or the like and has a bell-shaped peripheral surface on the tip side.

On the other hand, the part of the internal connector 3 that is exposed to the body surface is connected to the connector 11 of the external laser probe 10.
It is configured so that it can be attached and detached freely. When the connector 11 is connected to the internal connector 3,
The extracorporeal laser probe 10 is optically connected to the light guide 4 placed inside the body. In other words, the intracorporeal connector 3 is configured such that when the extracorporeal laser probe 10 is connected, its protruding end is set at the α position optically correctly opposing the input end of the light guide 4.

Further, the other end of the extracorporeal laser probe 10 is optically connected to a laser oscillator 12 as a light source device. As the laser oscillator 12, various types of lasers capable of heating a living body can be used, and for example, an excimer laser is used.

Therefore, when using this indwelling guide device 1,
As shown in the ML diagram, the in-vivo connector 3, the light guide 4, and the distal tip 7 are placed in advance inside the living body 2, and are used as follows when performing thermotherapy.

First, the external laser probe 1 is connected to the internal connector 3.
Connect connector 11 of 0. As a result, the extracorporeal laser probe 10 becomes in a state of being optically connected to the light guide 4 placed in the living body 2.

Therefore, when the laser oscillator 12 as a light source device is operated to oscillate, the heating laser beam is sent through the extracorporeal laser probe 10 to the in-vivo light guide 4 through the in-vivo connector 3 portion. This laser light is irradiated from the distal tip 7 toward the affected area 6 of the liver 5 and warms the affected area 6 to a predetermined temperature.

This irradiation tip 7 has a conical peripheral surface on its tip side, so it emits light in a manner that spreads out more than this.
The affected area 6 is irradiated over a wide range and the affected area 6 is heated over a wide range.

Such heat treatments are sometimes performed repeatedly over long periods of time. When not performing thermal treatment, the extracorporeal laser probe 10 is removed from the internal connector 3. Therefore, it does not interfere with your daily life. Also,
When performing heat treatment, as mentioned above, the internal connector 3
Treatment can be performed by simply connecting the connector 11 of the extracorporeal laser probe 10 to the patient.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is an example of a guide device 20 for indwelling in the body for testing.

That is, the internal connector 21 is located near the epidermis 2a of the living body 2.
, a part of it is embedded and installed, and this internal connector 2
The upper surface side part of 1 is exposed to the body surface.

One end of an emitting light guide 22 and one end of a light receiving light guide 23, which are implanted and retained inside the living body 2, are connected to the in-body connector 21, respectively.

The output tip consisting of the other end of each light guide 22, 23 is
For example, it is guided to an affected area 6 such as cancer of the liver 5 and is placed toward the affected area 6. Then, the inspection laser beam is emitted from the emission light guide 22 toward the affected area 6, and the reflected light is installed so as to be incident on the light reception light guide 23.

Note that each of the light guides 22, 23 is formed of, for example, an optical fiber, and the optical fiber may be a single fiber or a multi-fiber.

On the other hand, the portion of the internal connector 21 exposed to the body surface is configured such that both the connector 25 of the external laser probe 24 for incidence and the connector 27 of the external cable 26 for transmission can be detachably attached thereto. There is.

Then, each connector 25 for the internal connector 21
．． 27, the extracorporeal laser probe 24 is optically connected to the emission light guide 22 placed inside the body, and the transmission extracorporeal cable 26 is optically connected to the light reception light guide 23. connected.

The other end of the extracorporeal laser probe 24 is optically connected to a laser oscillator 28 serving as an inspection light source device. Further, the extracorporeal transmission cable 26 is connected to an analytical measuring instrument 29 such as a spectroscopic analyzer. The results analyzed by this analyzer 29 are displayed on a monitor 30.

When using this indwelling guide device 20 for testing, as shown in FIG. When examining the condition of the affected area 6, the results of heat treatment, etc., it is used as follows.

First, the connector 25 of the extracorporeal laser probe 24 and the connector 27 of the extracorporeal transmission cable 26 are connected to the intracorporeal connector 21 .

Then, inspection light is sent from the laser oscillator 28 to the output light guide 22 placed in the living body 2 through the extracorporeal laser probe 24 and the intracorporeal connector 21. Testing light is irradiated toward the affected area 6, and its reflected light is received by a light receiving light guide 23 and transmitted to two analytical and measuring instruments through an intracorporeal connector 21 and an extracorporeal transmission cable 26.

The analyzer 29 analyzes the reflected light and examines the characteristics of the affected area 6. The analyzed results are displayed on the monitor 30.

Such tests are performed from time to time over an extended period of time. Then, the progress of various treatments, such as the heat treatment in the first embodiment, can be inspected and utilized for the treatment.

In addition, when an examination is not performed, the external laser probe 24 and the external transmission cable 26 are connected to the internal connector 21.
Remove it from the Therefore, it does not interfere with your daily life. Furthermore, when testing, treatment can be performed by simply connecting the extracorporeal laser probe 24 and the transmission extracorporeal cable 26 to the intracorporeal connector 21 as described above.

Note that in this embodiment, two light guides, the emission light guide 22 and the light reception light guide 23, are placed in the living body 2, but one
If a book light guide is used for both purposes, and the light is separated into incoming light and reflected light outside the body using, for example, a half mirror, only one light guide is required to be placed inside the living body 2. Therefore, in this case, the invasion of the living body can be minimized.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the lead device 1 for indwelling in the body for heating treatment in the first embodiment, a liquid drug injection device 31 is indwelled in the body.

This liquid drug injection device 31 is inserted into a liquid drug injection tube 3 into a living body 2.
One end of this liquid drug injection tube 32 is connected to the above-mentioned intracorporeal connector 3 which is placed near the epidermis 2a of the living body 2. The other end of the drug solution injection tube 32 is connected to the liver 5
It is connected to an artery 33 leading to.

On the other hand, the intracorporeal connector 3 has an extracorporeal drug supply device 34.
The connector 36 of the supply tube 35 is detachably connected. A supply pump 37 and a reservoir tank 38 are incorporated in the chemical supply device 34 .

Although the lead device 1 for indwelling in the body is used as described above, the liquid drug injection device 31, which has been previously placed inside the living body 2, is used as follows depending on the need for injection of drug liquid.

First, the external drug supply device 34 is connected to the internal connector 3.
Connect the connector 36 of the supply tube 35. Thereby, the supply tube 35 is connected to the drug solution injection tube 32 which is indwelled in the body.

Therefore, by operating the drug solution supply device 34, a drug solution, for example, an anticancer drug, can be administered to the liver 5. Therefore, medical treatment and thermal treatment can be performed simultaneously.

Such heat treatment and drug administration are sometimes repeated over a long period of time. And when no treatment is given,
The extracorporeal laser probe 10 and the supply tube 35 of the chemical solution supply device 34 are removed from the internal connector 3.

Therefore, it does not interfere with your daily life. Further, when performing treatment, the treatment can be performed by simply connecting the extracorporeal laser probe 10 and the supply tube 35 to the intracorporeal connector 3 as described above.

In the structure of the third embodiment, a blood vessel occlusion device may be installed at the upstream side of the artery 33 to which the certain liquid injection tube 32 is connected. According to this, the therapeutic effects of heating and medical solutions can be enhanced.

In addition, instead of the therapeutic light guide 4, an emitting light guide 22 and a light receiving light guide 23 for testing as shown in the second embodiment may be incorporated for diagnosis.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example of an apparatus that performs heating treatment similar to that of the first embodiment in combination with microwave treatment.

In-body indwelling guide device 1 for heating treatment in this embodiment
is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but
In particular, the light guide 4 to be placed in the body is provided with a distributor 51,
This distributor 51 distributes light to a plurality of light guides 4a. The distal tips 52 of the plurality of light guides 4a are installed at a plurality of locations in the affected area 6, such as cancer of the liver 5, and each distal tip 52 emits laser light toward the affected area 6. Then, the affected area 6 is heated over a wide range.

In addition, there is a coaxial cable 53 inside the body that transmits microwaves.
The negative end of this coaxial cable 53 is connected to the intracorporeal connector 3, and the antenna section 54 at the other end is placed with its center facing the diseased part 6 of the liver 5, such as cancer.

An extracorporeal transmission coaxial cable 55 is detachably connected to the intracorporeal connector 3.

The extracorporeal transmission coaxial cable 55 is connected to a microwave oscillator 56.

Therefore, when heating the affected area 6 with microwaves, the extracorporeal transmission coaxial cable 55 is connected to the internal connector 3 and the microwave oscillator 56 is operated to oscillate, thereby transmitting the microwaves to the affected area 6 and heating it. be able to.

Further, heating is performed by irradiating laser light through the light guide 4 and the plurality of light guides 4a.

In this way, heating treatment using microwaves, light guide 4,
Treatment can be performed in combination with laser beam heating treatment according to 4a. Therefore, heating treatment can be performed using each heating characteristic. That is, the center of the affected area 6 is treated with powerful microwaves, and the border area (periphery) with normal tissue is treated.
can be treated with laser light.

When treatment is not performed, the coaxial cable 55 for external transmission is connected from the internal connector 3 as in the other embodiments described above.
and remove the external laser probe 1o.

In each of the above embodiments, an intracorporeal connector as a percutaneous terminal is used, but an intracorporeal connector 3 as a subcutaneous terminal as shown in FIG. 5 may also be used, for example. This intracorporeal connector 3 is completely embedded and placed near the epidermis 2a, and is connected to a light guide 60 inside the body. Then, the connector 62 of the external light guide 61 is aligned and installed so as to be joined to the outer surface of the skin 2a. Light from the external light guide 61 is transmitted through the epidermis 2a and enters the incident end of the light guide 60 inside the body. In addition, magnets 63 and 64 are respectively provided in the internal connector 3 and the connector 62, and the magnets 63 and 64 are connected by their magnetic attraction force and are positioned at the above-mentioned corresponding positions. In this case, the outer connector 62
A condensing lens 65 is provided at the
Make it incident on 0.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome technique of arranging components such as a light-guiding ab-port cover in a living body each time an in-vivo treatment or examination is performed. Instead, an external light source can be optically connected to the indwelling ab port using the indwelling ab port. Therefore, heating treatment, testing, etc. can be performed efficiently and immediately with simple operations. especially,
The burden on the operator and patient when repeating heating treatments etc. over a long period of time can be greatly reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the usage state showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the usage state of the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. A schematic explanatory diagram of the usage state showing the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the connector. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Light guide device, 2... Living body, 3... In-body connector, 4... Light guide, 6... Affected area, 12... Laser oscillator.

Claims (1)

[Claims] a connector placed near the body surface of the living body to removably optically connect an external light source; an output tip placed near the affected area in the living body to irradiate the affected area; 1. A light guide device for indwelling in the body, comprising a light guide that optically connects the emission tip and the connector and guides light therebetween.