JPH04224742A - Eye protection filter for optical coagulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a highly reliable filter operable without mutual interference between two types of filters with a simple construction by mounting the two types of filters on a single blade. CONSTITUTION:When an operation irradiation command is issued during an aiming irradiation, an opposite voltage is applied to one desired drive motor 4a to rotate a drive arm 5a clock-wise. Here, a filter blade 3 is rotated with the drive arm 5a counterclockwise through a guide groove 15a. In this case, a tip bending part of the other drive arm 5b gets outside the outer circumference of the filter blade 3 to abut a waiting position stopper 8b and hence, the filter blade 3 stops at a position where the tip bending part of the drive arm 5a abuts an operating position stopper 9. A first filter zone 11 covers an opening 7 at the stoppage position while a light reflecting part 14a of the filter blade 3 overlaps a photoelectric sensor 6 thereby accomplishing an operation irradiation.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an eye protection filter for a photocoagulator. More specifically, the present invention relates to an eye protection filter (hereinafter simply referred to as a filter device) that protects the eyes of a practitioner using a microscope from high-intensity light in a medical photocoagulator (laser device).

0002

[Prior Art] When medical treatments such as thermal coagulation and cutting using a laser beam are performed using a microscope, the irradiation point is usually determined by aiming irradiation using a weak laser beam, and the treatment height is set at that position. Performs treatment irradiation with output light. This aiming irradiation has a low light brightness, so the practitioner will not feel dazzled when directly observing it, but since the aiming irradiation is of high brightness during treatment irradiation, it cannot be observed without passing through a light attenuation filter.

[0003] Laser light irradiation for treatment has an irradiation time of 0.
．． 02 to 0.5 seconds, with intervals of about 1 to 2 seconds. The laser device is equipped with a mechanism that automatically applies a filter during irradiation, and is configured to perform treatment irradiation upon detecting that the filter device attached to the microscope has been filtered.

[0004] This filter device generally includes a plurality of filters because a single filter cannot protect the eyes when a plurality of types of laser beams having significantly different optical wavelengths are used.

An example of a conventional filter device equipped with two types of filters is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, (51) is a filter device, (52) is a frame block of the filter device (51), which has an opening (53) for observing an image, and a microscope (not shown). (not installed). Two filter blades (55a) and (55b) each having filters (54a) and (54b) are supported on the central axis of the frame block (52) so that they overlap each other and can rotate independently. There is. Both filter blades (55a) and (55b) are driven by a drive motor (
Drive arm (57) connected to (56a), (56b)
a) and (57b), the respective guide grooves (58a
), (58b) and the filters (54a), (54b) are individually rotated through the openings (53
) and a standby position where it is out of the opening (53). Note that each filter blade (55a), (55b) is equipped with a light reflecting part (59a), (59b), and in the use position, a pair of photoelectric sensors (60a), (60b) provided on the frame block (52) are provided. ) and correspond to each other.

FIG. 7 shows a state during aiming irradiation, that is, a state in which both filters (54a) and (54b) are in the standby position. For example, when a command for treatment irradiation is issued to one of the drive motors (56a), a reverse voltage is applied to the drive motor (56a) and it rotates counterclockwise, causing the drive arm (57a) to move into the guide groove (58a). along the blade (55a) to the use position (see Figure 8). If the reverse voltage is continued to be applied to the motor (56a), the opening (53) is maintained in a filtered state (54a), that is, a state in which the practitioner's eyes are protected. At this time, the photoelectric sensor (60a) detects that the filter (54a) has come to the use position by means of the light reflection section (59a), and a signal to perform actual treatment irradiation is issued. After the treatment irradiation is completed, a positive voltage is applied to the drive motor (56a) by a release command, and the blade (56a)
5a) is rotated in the opposite direction and returned to the standby position where it is fixed (see Figure 7).

Rotating the other filter blade (55b) is carried out in exactly the same manner. and drive motor (56b), drive arm (57b)
The direction of rotation of the filter blade (55b) is also the same as the operation described above.

[0009]

The conventional filter device (51) has two individually driven blades (55a).
) and (55b), the structure is complicated, and mechanical interference occurs between them, resulting in frequent malfunctions. Increasing processing accuracy and assembly accuracy in order to reduce malfunctions as much as possible will result in a significant increase in costs.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and by mounting two types of filters on a single blade, the structure is simple and the two types of filters can be used without interfering with each other. The purpose is to provide a filter device that is operable and reliable.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The eye protection filter of the present invention is an eye protection filter for protecting the eyes from two types of laser beams of different wavelengths, and has an opening for observing an image. a frame block, one filter blade rotatably supported by the frame block, a first filter, a second filter, and a transparent portion arranged in sections on the filter blade, and the first filter is connected to the opening. a first drive unit for switching the position of the filter blade between a first use position in which the transparent part covers the opening and a standby position in which the transparent part covers the opening; and a second use position in which the second filter covers the opening and the standby position. a second drive section for switching the position of the filter blade between the two positions; a pair of standby position stoppers for stopping the operation of both drive sections in the standby position; and a first use position or a second use position. and a use position stopper for individually stopping the operation of both the driving parts, and the filter blade has a pair of guide parts to which both the driving parts individually correspond, and a pair of guide parts of the pair of guide parts. A pair of guide parts are formed, each continuously protruding outward from the periphery of the filter blade, and when one of the drive parts rotates the filter blade through the guide parts, the other drive part The portion is characterized by protruding outward from the periphery of the filter blade so as not to interfere with the filter blade or the one drive portion.

[0012] Both of the driving parts each include a driving motor and a driving arm, and the tip of the driving arm slidably engages with the groove-shaped guide part to stop the filter blade in the standby position. In order to determine the position and hold the filter blade at a stop, both of the drive arms abut against the guide part in opposite directions so as not to rotate the filter blade, and the sliding contact side of the guide part with the drive arm is driven. Preferably, it has an arc shape that is substantially the same as the rotation circle of the drive arm so that it is always in contact with the arm.

[0013]

[Operation] When the first drive section is driven when the filter blade is in the standby position, the first drive section rotates the filter blade to the first use position via the guide section and is stopped by the use position stopper. Once this condition is achieved, the treatment is irradiated. Note that while the filter blade is being rotated, the second driving portion is located outside the periphery of the filter blade and does not interfere with the rotation.

When the treatment irradiation is completed, the first drive section returns the filter blade to the standby position, and the first drive section is stopped by one standby position stopper. In this case as well, the second drive section is located at a position where it does not interfere with the filter blade.

[0015] When rotating the second drive section, the same method is used, although the direction of rotation is reversed.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the filter device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the filter device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the filter device of FIG.
3 is a plan view of the filter device of FIG. 1 in the standby position, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the filter device of FIG. 1 in the first use position.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing operating signals of the filter device of FIG.

In FIG. 1, (1) is a filter device, which includes a frame block (2) having a substantially cylindrical shape, a filter blade (3) having a substantially disc shape, and drive motors (4a) and (4b). ) and drive motors (4a), (4b)
drive arms (5
a), (5b) and a photoelectric sensor (6).

The frame block (2) is attached to a microscope (not shown). And the frame block (2
) is formed with openings (7) for observing the image on both sides of the center of the end face of the drive arm (5a),
A pair of standby position stoppers (8a), (8b) and one use position stopper (9) are formed on the end face for stopping the (5b) at respective predetermined positions.

[0020] The filter blade (3) is made of a transparent plate such as acrylic resin, and the frame block (2)
It is rotatably supported by a support shaft (10) protruding from the center. The filter blade (3) is divided into six sections with a radius of 60 degrees, and the sections on both sides of the center are a pair of first filter section (11) and second filter section (12).
, transparent areas (13) are formed respectively. The three zones (11), (12), and (13) are separated by the opening (7) depending on the rotational position of the filter blade (3).
can be covered. Also filter blade (3)
There are two light reflecting parts (14a) and (14b) on the outer periphery of the
is provided, and when the first filter area (11) is in a position covering the opening (7) (hereinafter referred to as the first use position), the photoelectric sensor (6) is located at one of the light reflecting portions (14a).
The second filter area (12) corresponds to the opening (7).
When covering the opening (hereinafter referred to as the second use position), the optical sensor (6) corresponds to the other light reflecting part (14b) and detects that either filter covers the opening (7). When the transparent area (13) covers the opening (7) (hereinafter referred to as the standby position), which light reflecting part (14)
a) and (14b) are also arranged not to correspond to the photoelectric sensor (6), allowing the practitioner to observe the image during aiming irradiation. The filter blade (3) also has a drive arm (5a) extending radially from two locations on its outer circumference.
Two guide grooves (15a) and (15b) are formed to guide the bent end portion of the drive arm (5b), and the two drive arms (5a) and (15b) correspond to each other.
5b) is engaged. By forming the guide grooves (15a) and (15b) in the radial direction of the filter blade (3), the rotation of the filter blade (3) starts gently and gradually decelerates until it stops. Therefore, the noise is extremely low and does not cause anxiety to the patient. Both guide grooves (15a
) and (15b), and guide pieces (16a) and (16b) for stop positioning are provided protruding outward from the outer peripheral edge of the filter blade (3) on the respective extensions thereof. In the standby position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the drive motor (4a) is moved such that the bent end portions of the drive arms (5a), (5b) are pressed against the standby position stoppers (8a), (8b), respectively. A positive voltage is applied to (4b). At that position, the bent ends of the drive arms (5a) and (5b) protrude outside the outer periphery of the filter blade (3), but this increases the accuracy of the standby position of the filter blade (3) and prevents the next operation. Figures 3 and 4
As shown in (B), the guide piece (16a),
(16b) is finished in an arc shape, and the drive arm (5a
) and (5b) so that no gap is created between them.

In this way, in the standby position, both drive arms (5a) and (5b) prevent the filter blade (3) from rotating relative to the corresponding guide pieces (16a) and (16b), respectively. Since they abut against each other in opposite directions, the filter blades (3) are kept fixed in the correct position.

Next, when a treatment irradiation command is issued during aiming irradiation (when the filter blade (3) is in the standby position),
A reverse voltage is applied to one of the desired drive motors (eg (4a)), causing the drive arm (5a) to rotate clockwise. The arrow (C) in FIG. 4 indicates the rotation locus of the bent portion at the tip of the drive arm (5a). Here, filter blade (
3) The guide groove (15a) is driven by the drive arm (5a).
is rotated counterclockwise through.

In this case, the bent end of the other drive arm (5b) protrudes outside the outer periphery of the filter blade (3) and comes into contact with the standby position stopper (8b), so the filter blade (3) ) does not interfere with the rotation of the The bent end of the drive arm (5a) of the filter blade (3) is the use position stopper (9).
It will stop at the position where it touches. In this rest position (said first use position) the first filter area (11) is located at the opening (7).
At the same time as covering the light reflecting part of the filter blade (3) (
14a) overlaps with the photoelectric sensor (6), an actual treatment irradiation signal is transmitted and treatment irradiation is performed. In addition, in the use position, the drive arm (5a) remains engaged with the guide groove (15a) when the use position stopper (9)
Since the filter blade (3) is in contact with the filter blade (3), the filter blade (3) is kept fixed.

[0024] When the treatment irradiation is completed, the drive motor (4a)
is switched to a positive voltage, rotates the drive arm (5a) counterclockwise, returns the filter blade (3) to its initial standby position (aiming irradiation state), and waits for the next command.

A similar operation as described above is performed in the second filter section (1
When using 2), it is done in exactly the same way. However, the rotational directions of the drive motor (4b), drive arm (5b), and filter blade (3) are opposite to those described above.

[0026] The laser device is configured so that when a laser wavelength to be used is determined, a filter area corresponding to that wavelength is automatically selected.

FIG. 5 is an operation timing chart of the filter device (1) in the above-mentioned embodiment, where the vertical axis shows voltage such as a signal, and the horizontal axis shows time.

Chart 1 is a treatment irradiation command signal, and the command is continued during the time indicated by the shaded area.

Chart 2 shows the drive motor (4a) or (
4b) shows the voltage applied to. During the period of the command signal, a reverse voltage (-) is applied and the filter is applied, and during the other periods, the filter is removed due to the positive voltage (+).

Chart 3 shows the filtered signal. Drive motor (4a) or (4b)
After activation, this signal is generated with an operational delay time (ti), but at the end of the signal, the filter is opened after a deliberately provided delay time (te) to protect the practitioner's eyes.

Chart 4 is a signal that detects that the filter has been applied and then issues a command, causing the start of irradiation of the treatment irradiation light shown in chart 5.

The irradiation light returns to aiming irradiation at the same time as the end of the command signal shown in chart 1.

[0033]

Effects of the Invention The filter device of the present invention has two types of filters on a single filter blade, so the structure is simple with few moving parts, and there is no interference between the two filter blades like in conventional products. There is no problem, and the two drive mechanisms that drive the filter blades individually function without any problems.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a filter device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the filter device shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of arrow (A).

3 is a plan view of the filter device of FIG. 1 in a standby position; FIG.

4 is a plan view of the filter device of FIG. 1 in a first use position; FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing operating signals of the filter device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of a conventional filter device.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view of the conventional filter device of FIG. 6 in a standby position, viewed from the direction of arrow (D).

8 is a plan view of the filter device of FIG. 6 in one use position as seen from the direction of arrow (D); FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Filter device 2 Frame block 3 Filter blade 4a Drive motor 4b Drive motor 5a Drive arm 5b Drive arm 7 Opening 8a Standby position stopper 8b Standby position stopper 9 Usage position stopper 11 First filter area 12 Second filter area 13 Transparent area 15a Guide groove 15b Guide groove 16a Guide piece 16b Guide piece

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: An eye protection filter for protecting eyes from two types of laser beams with different wavelengths, the filter comprising: a frame block having an opening for observing an image; one supported filter blade; a first filter, a second filter, and a transparent portion arranged in sections on the filter blade; a first use position where the first filter covers the opening; and the transparent portion. a first drive unit for switching the position of the filter blade between a standby position in which the filter blade covers the opening; and a first drive unit for switching the position of the filter blade between the standby position and a second use position in which the second filter covers the opening; a second drive section;
A pair of standby position stoppers for stopping the operation of both of the drive units in the standby position, and one use position stopper for individually stopping the operation of both of the drive units in the first use position or the second use position. The filter blade has a pair of guide portions that correspond to both drive portions individually, and a pair of guide portions that protrude outward from the periphery of the filter blade in a continuous manner with the pair of guide portions. is formed, and when one of the driving parts rotationally drives the filter blade through its guide part, the other driving part is moved from the periphery of the filter blade so as not to interfere with the filter blade or the one driving part. Eye protection filter that extends outward. 2. Both of the driving parts each include a driving motor and a driving arm, and the tip of the driving arm is slidably engaged with the groove-shaped guide part, and the filter blade is moved in the standby position. In order to locate the stop position and hold the filter blade at the stop position, the drive arms contact the guide part in opposite directions so as not to rotate the filter blade, and the sliding contact side of the guide part with the drive arm is 2. The eye protection filter according to claim 1, wherein the eye protection filter has an arcuate shape substantially identical to the rotation locus of the tip of the drive arm so as to be in constant contact with the drive arm.