JPH0572426A - Laser probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of an optical fiber and to allow the easy exchange of the contaminated windows of the laser probe for a CO2 laser by relieving the influence of the generation of heat by the splashes to the window at the time of actual irradiation. CONSTITUTION:The optical fiber 1 made of a silver chloride and silver bromide is fixed by a caulking part 8 of a metallic chip 2 to hold the window 3 made of diamond to protect the exit end of the optical fiber 1. A window holder 4 press-fitted and fixed to the metallic chip 2 and the window 9 made of diamond disposed on the outer side as well as the window 10 made of alumina which is a heat insulating material are fixed by means of screws. The window holder 10 consisting of the heat insulating material is heat insulated by such constitution even if the splashes stuck to the window 9 on the outside at the time of the actual irradiation are heated to generate the heat by a laser beam. The transfer of the heat over the entire part of the metallic part 7 at the end is thus prevented and the easy exchange of the windows is possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser probe which does not cause thermal damage to an optical fiber incorporating an optical fiber for carbon dioxide laser.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional laser probe for a carbon dioxide gas laser will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, a silver halide optical fiber 1 made of silver chloride / silver bromide is fixed by a caulking portion 8 of a metal chip 2 made of gold-plated phosphor bronze. A diamond window 3 for protecting the emitting end of the optical fiber 1 is held by a window holder 4 and press-fitted and fixed to the metal chip 2. Reference numeral 5 in the figure denotes a joint for fixing the metal tip 2 by press fitting and fixing the outer tube 6 as well, and determining the positional relationship between the optical fiber 1 and the outer tube 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a tip metal portion which is fixed to the joint 5 by press fitting and serves as a tip of the laser probe.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, scattered matter adheres to the surface of the window 3 at the time of actual irradiation, heat is generated by the laser beam, the temperature of the entire tip metal part 7 rises, and the optical fiber 1 had a problem of causing thermal damage.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laser probe which does not cause thermal damage to an optical fiber and whose outer window can be easily replaced.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, the laser probe of the present invention has two windows arranged at the tip of the laser probe, and the windows arranged outside are held by a heat insulating material. It has a removable structure.

[0007]

With this configuration, even if the scattered matter on the outside window attached during actual irradiation is heated by the laser beam and generates heat, it is insulated by the heat insulating material, and the heat is not transmitted to the entire tip metal portion. It will facilitate replacement of dirty windows.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention, the same parts as those in the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a diamond window disposed on the outside, which is attached to a window holder 10 made of alumina which is a heat insulating material.
It is fixed with a screw 11. The tip metal part 7 is fixed by the joint 5 and the screw 12.

With the above construction, even if scattered matter adheres to the outer window 9 during actual irradiation and the window 9 is heated by the laser light and generates heat, the window holder 10 holds it.
Since it is a heat insulating material, heat is not transmitted to the entire tip metal portion 7, and the optical fiber 1 is not thermally damaged. Further, when the outer window 9 is contaminated with scattered material, it can be easily removed and replaced with a new one.

In the present embodiment, as the windows 3 and 9 for protecting the optical fiber 1, diamond windows have been described as an example, but SrF ₂ , BaF ₂ and NaC are used.
A non-toxic infrared window such as 1 or KBr may be used. Moreover, since the inner window 3 does not contact the outside,
A diamond window with an antireflection film made of ZnSe having toxicity may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, as the optical fiber 1, the silver halide-based optical fiber of silver chloride / silver bromide for carbon dioxide laser has been described. .

Although the metal chip 2 has been described as being made of gold-plated phosphor bronze, it may be made of gold or a titanium alloy.

[0015]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiments, the present invention provides two windows at the tip of the laser probe, and holds the outside window with a heat insulating material.
Due to the detachable structure, it is possible to realize an excellent laser probe that does not cause thermal damage to the optical fiber and can easily exchange the outer window.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an emission end of a laser probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the emitting end of a conventional laser probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Optical fiber 3,9 Wind 4,10 Wind holder 7 Tip metal part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A laser probe in which an optical fiber for passing a carbon dioxide laser is incorporated, wherein the laser emitting portion has two windows, and the windows arranged outside can be removed. 2. The laser probe according to claim 1, wherein the window arranged outside is held by a heat insulating material. 3. A laser probe in which a window disposed outside is held by a heat insulating material and is removable.