JPH05253240A - Laser probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an endoscope laser probe having silver halide optical fibers incorporated therein and a release portion capable of reducing the rate at which splashed matters attach to the window member of the probe. CONSTITUTION:An end chip 6 is provided through which an opening 11 forming a gas passage 8 between it and a window member 4 and allowing lasers output through the window member 4 to pass therethrough is formed, and since the bore of the end chip 6 is at its minimum near the window member 4, the rate of flow of assist gas beta is increased near the window member 4, so as to reduce the possibility of splashed materials attaching to the window member 4 when the laser probe is in use, so as to increase reliability as a probe.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a laser emitting portion of a medical laser probe incorporating an optical fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a carbon dioxide laser laser probe (endoscope probe) is constructed as shown in FIGS.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a silver halide optical fiber 1 composed of silver chloride / silver bromide is attached to a stainless joint 2 and a shaft 3 made of phosphor bronze fixed by press-fitting with gold plating. The optical fiber 1 is fixed by inserting and caulking the base end side (A part) of the shaft 3. Then, the window shaft 5 to which the window material 4 made of diamond is attached is press-fitted into the tip side (B portion) of the shaft 3. A tip tip 6 made of stainless steel is press-fitted on the tip side (C section) of the joint portion 2. An outer tube Teflon tube 7 is press-fitted into the base end of the joint section 2. A gas flow path 8 is formed in the joint 2 and the shaft 3 as shown in FIG. 4, and in order to prevent the tip metal part from cooling and to prevent scattered materials from adhering to the window member 4,
Assist gas (air) is flowing through the gas passage 8 as indicated by an arrow α.

[0004]

In the probe for an endoscope having such a structure, scattered matter is generated when the window member 4 is used.
Adhere to. Even if the window material 4 is cleaned, the adhered scattered matter cannot be completely removed, and the laser absorbs the heat to generate heat, which may cause the optical fiber 1 to melt.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laser probe capable of reducing the adherence of scattered matter to the window member 4.

[0006]

A laser probe of the present invention incorporates a silver halide optical fiber made of silver chloride / silver bromide which allows a carbon dioxide laser to pass therethrough, and allows the laser emitted from the optical fiber to pass through a window material. In a laser probe for outputting, a tip chip is provided which forms a gas flow path with the window material and has an opening through which a laser outputted through the window material passes, and an inner diameter of the tip chip. To increase the gas flow velocity in the vicinity of the window material.

[0007]

According to this structure, the flow velocity of the assist gas in the vicinity of the window member can be increased, and scattered particles are less likely to adhere to the window member during actual use, and the reliability of the probe is improved.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted that components having the same operations as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS.

The laser probe of the present invention is constructed as shown in FIG. 1, and comprises a silver halide optical fiber 1 made of silver chloride / silver bromide, a joint 2 made of stainless steel, a shaft 3 and a window made of gold-plated phosphor bronze. Regarding the material 4, the window shaft 5, the stainless steel tip 6, and the outer tube Teflon tube 7, the mutual relationship and the order of assembly are the same as in the conventional case, and the gas supply path 8 is also as shown in FIG. Has been formed. However, the mounting structure of the tip 6 on the joint 2 and the shape of the tip 6 are significantly different from the conventional ones as shown below.

That is, a male screw 9 is formed at the tip of the joint 2, and a female screw threaded to the male screw 9 at the tip of the joint 2 is formed at the inner peripheral portion of the base end of the tip 6.
10 is formed, and the tip 6 is screwed onto the joint 2 and is detachably attached.

The inner diameter of the tip 6 is changed so as to increase the gas flow velocity near the window member. Specifically, the rear end D of the opening 11 approaches the window member 4,
Further, the opening 11 is shaped so as to widen toward the tip side, and the inner diameter of the tip 6 is minimized in the vicinity of the window member 4.

Due to this structure, the flow of the assist gas (air) flowing through the gas flow path 8 is as shown by the arrow β, and the inner diameter of the tip 6 is made small near the window member 4. The flow velocity of the assist gas in the vicinity can be increased.

When the flow velocity of the assist gas near the window member 4 is increased, the scattered material during the actual use becomes the window member 4.
Is less likely to adhere to, and the reliability as a probe is improved. Although the window member 4 is made of diamond in the above embodiment, it may be made of SrF ₂ , FCl, or NaCl.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, a silver halide optical fiber made of silver chloride / silver bromide for passing a carbon dioxide gas laser is incorporated, and the laser emitted from the optical fiber is passed through a window material and output. In the laser probe, a gas flow path is formed between the window material and a tip chip provided with an opening through which a laser output through the window material passes, and the inner diameter of the tip chip changes. Since the gas flow velocity in the vicinity of the window material is increased by providing the above, it is difficult for scattered matter to adhere to the window material during actual use, and the reliability as a probe can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an emission end of an embodiment of a laser probe of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line aa in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an emission end of a conventional laser probe for carbon dioxide gas laser.

4 is a sectional view taken along line aa in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Optical Fiber 2 Joint 4 Window Material 6 Tip Tip 8 Gas Channel 9 Male Thread 10 Female Thread 11 Opening β Assist Gas Flow

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A laser probe that incorporates a silver halide optical fiber made of silver chloride / silver bromide that allows a carbon dioxide laser to pass through and outputs the laser emitted from the optical fiber through a window material. Providing a tip chip having a gas flow path formed therebetween and an opening through which a laser output through the window material passes is provided, and the inner diameter of the tip chip is changed to be near the window material. Laser probe with faster gas flow rate in 2. A laser probe that incorporates a silver halide optical fiber made of silver chloride / silver bromide that passes a carbon dioxide gas laser and outputs a laser emitted from the optical fiber through a window member, and outputs the laser beam. A laser in which a gas flow path is formed between them and a tip chip is provided in which an opening through which a laser output through a window material passes is provided, and the inner diameter of the tip chip is minimized in the vicinity of the window material. probe.