JPH06319767A - Laser light therapeutic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To embody higher safety and reliability in treatment by forbidding the oscillation of a laser light when it is detected that the position of an end face of an optical fiber is not at a specified normal position with the failure in accurate link to a laser light source of the optical fiber. CONSTITUTION:In a laser therapeutic apparatus to be used for photocoagulation treatment of the eyeground, for example, retinodialysis in combination with a slit-lamp microscope containing an objective lens 22, a laser light of a laser light source is focused and led to a part to be treated via an optical fiber cable 50 and a condenser lens system 61. The optical fiber cable 50 and the condenser lens system 61 are linked by tightening with a plug 51 and a socket 62. In this case, a cylindrical detection member 63 for detect the position of the end face 53a of a ferrule 53 is fitted into a part below a step part 62d of the socket 62 free to slide vertically. A switch 66 is operated through a pin 65 when the detection member 63 is at a normal position and the oscillation of the laser light source is stopped when it is not at the normal position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser light treatment apparatus, and more particularly to a laser light treatment apparatus in which an optical fiber is connected between a laser light source and an optical system for irradiating a treatment site with the laser light from the laser light source. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a laser light treatment apparatus, a laser light source is generally connected to an optical fiber between a laser light source and a probe or a condenser lens system for irradiating the laser light from the laser light source to a treatment area. The configuration is adopted. For example, in ophthalmology, the former device connected to a probe by an optical fiber is used for intraocular photocoagulation treatment such as retinal detachment in the field of view of a surgical microscope, and the device connected to a condenser lens system is a slit lamp microscope. It is used for photocoagulation treatment of fundus such as diabetic retinopathy. In dermatology, a condensing lens system is connected to be used for treatment such as removal of bruise. In these devices, the optical fiber is detachably connectable to the laser light source and the condenser lens system via a connecting member for transportation or for exchanging the optical fiber as a consumable item.

[0003]

In the above laser light treatment apparatus, when the optical fiber is not yet connected to the laser light source or the condenser lens system when the optical fiber is replaced, the user mistakenly makes a mistake. If you step on the trigger switch for laser light oscillation, the laser beam will fly in an unexpected direction, and there is a risk that not only the surgeon but also those around you will suffer an accident such as damage to the cornea or retina.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to eliminate the danger of such a laser light treatment apparatus and to ensure the safety.

On the other hand, in the above laser light treatment apparatus, for example, laser light is emitted from a laser light source with a core diameter of 50 μm.
In order to make the laser beam incident on the m optical fiber, the laser light is condensed to about 10 μm by a condenser lens. Due to this convergence angle, if the end face of the incident end of the optical fiber is deviated from the position of the focal plane of the condenser lens or within a predetermined range in the vicinity of that position, the laser light beam spreads and the total amount of light enters the optical fiber. As a result, the required energy cannot be obtained at the treatment site.

Further, when the exit end of the optical fiber is connected to the condenser lens system, if the end surface of the exit end is not within the predetermined range of the focal plane of the condenser lens system or its vicinity, the laser beam at the treatment site is changed. Since the image forming position deviates from the focal plane of the slit lamp microscope and there is a cone angle for condensing the laser light, the energy per unit area inversely proportional to the area ratio is insufficient due to the enlargement of the spot size due to focus deviation, There was a problem of insufficient treatment.

Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of preventing the problem due to the incorrect connection of the optical fibers in such a laser light treatment apparatus.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an optical fiber is provided between a laser light source and an optical system for irradiating a treatment site with laser light from the laser light source. A laser light treatment apparatus connected, wherein the optical fiber is detachably connected to at least the laser light source of the laser light source and the optical system by a connection member, wherein the laser is provided by the connection member. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the position of the end face of the optical fiber connected to the light source or the optical system is within a predetermined regular position or within a predetermined range in the vicinity of the position, and the detecting means detects the end face of the optical fiber. When it is detected that the position is not within the regular position or a predetermined range near the position, The oscillation of the Za light was configured so as to prohibit.

[0009]

According to this structure, even if the optical fiber is connected to the laser light source or the above optical system by the connecting member, the optical fiber is not accurately connected and the position of the end face of the optical fiber is a predetermined regular position or the predetermined position. When it is not within the predetermined range near the position, the oscillation of the laser beam is prohibited. Also,
Even when the optical fibers are not connected, it goes without saying that the position of the end face of the optical fibers is not within a predetermined regular position or within a predetermined range in the vicinity of this position, and similarly, oscillation of laser light is prohibited.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire laser light treatment apparatus of the embodiment, which is constructed in combination with a general slit lamp microscope.

The slit lamp microscope 10 includes an illumination system 11 having an illumination head 12 for illuminating a treatment area, an objective lens 22 and an eyepiece 2 for magnifying and observing the treatment area.
4 and a microscope main body 21 having Illumination system 11
And the microscope body 21 is supported on the arm 25,
The arm 25 and the illumination system 11 are pivotally supported so that the arm 15 and the illumination system 11 can be pivoted to the left and right with the shaft 15 planted in the vertical movement base 34 as a fulcrum. The vertical movement base 34 is provided on the moving table 32. The movable table 32 is provided on the base plate 31 so as to be movable in the front-rear, left-right, and horizontal directions, and fine movement adjustment can be performed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction by tilting a joystick 33 provided on the movable table 32. Further, the vertical movement base 34 can be finely adjusted in the vertical direction by rotating the joystick 33.

A strut 35 is provided on the front end of the base plate 31.
The forehead rest 37 and the jaw stand 3 that support the head of the patient to fix the eyeball 14 of the patient by the column 35.
6 are supported.

On the other hand, above the front end of the microscope main body 21,
A condenser lens system 61 for irradiating the treatment site with the treatment laser light is provided, and a filter 23 for protecting an operator's eye (not shown) from the treatment laser light is provided in an intermediate portion of the microscope main body 21. It is arranged.

The contact lens 13 serves as a front lens for neutralizing the refractive power of the eyeball 14 in order to observe or treat the fundus of the patient's eyeball 14 which is the treatment site.
Is used.

Reference numeral 41 is a laser light source for oscillating laser light for aiming or treatment. The laser beam 42 of the laser light source 41 is condensed by the condenser lens 43 arranged in the lens barrel 41a of the laser light source 41,
The light is guided from the incident end to the exit end of the optical fiber of the optical fiber cable 50 arranged on the focal plane of the condenser lens 43 to the treatment site by the condenser lens system 61.

Plugs 51 and 51 ′ having the same structure are coupled to both ends of the optical fiber cable 50, and a socket 62 provided at the upper end of the condenser lens system 61, respectively.
(See FIG. 2) and a socket 62 ′ (see FIG. 3) provided at the tip of the lens barrel 41a of the laser light source 41 so as to be detachably connected.

Next, the structure of the connecting portion between the plug 51 and the condenser lens system 61 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, an optical fiber cable 50 is an optical fiber 52 covered with a protective tube 56, and a plug 51 connected to the end of the optical fiber 52 is composed of a ferrule 53, a tightening knob 54 and a rubber hood 55. .

The ferrule 53 is a holding member that holds the end of the optical fiber 52. Fiber optic cable 50
The protective tube 56 is peeled off at the end of the optical fiber 52, and the end of the optical fiber 52 protruding there is inserted into the ferrule 53 and fixed with an adhesive. After fixing,
The end face of the optical fiber 52 is the end face 53a of the ferrule 53.
Along with this, it is polished and finished so as to be completely flush with the end face 53a.

Further, the tightening knob 54 is cylindrical and has a female screw 5.
4a is formed and is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the lower portion of the ferrule 53.

Further, the rubber hood 55 is a protective tube 5.
6 from the lower end to the upper end of the ferrule 53, whereby the protective tube 56 and the ferrule 53 are fitted.
Are connected.

On the other hand, in the condenser lens system 61, a condenser lens 67 for forming an image of the spot at the emission end of the aiming / treatment laser light guided by the optical fiber 52 on the focal plane of the objective lens 22 which is the treatment region, and A scan mirror 68 is provided.

A cylindrical socket 62 for detachably connecting the plug 51 is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the lens barrel 61a of the condenser lens system 61. A male screw 62c is formed on the upper end of the socket 62, and a female screw 54a of the tightening knob 54 of the plug 51 is screwed into the male screw 62c so that the plug 51 can be detachably connected to the socket 62. Has become.

A step portion 62d is formed inside the intermediate portion of the socket 62, and a hole 62a is formed inside the step portion 62d. The front end of the ferrule 53 of the plug 51 is inserted into the hole 62a, and the contact surface 53b formed to project near the front end contacts the contact surface 62b on the upper surface of the stepped portion 62d. The position of the end face 53a of the optical fiber, that is, the position of the end face of the optical fiber 52 is positioned at a predetermined regular position.

A cylindrical detection member 63 for detecting the position of the end face 53a of the ferrule 53, that is, the position of the end face of the optical fiber 52 is slid up and down on the portion of the socket 62 below the step 62d. It is fitted as much as possible, and is urged upward by a spring 64 provided below the contact surface 63a of the upper surface of the ferrule 53.
It comes in contact with 3a. And the detection member 6
A pin 65 is planted on the left side of the outer circumference of the drawing in the figure, and a hole 62 formed in each of the socket 62 and the lens barrel 61a.
It is exposed to the outside via e and 61b.

A switch 66 is provided near the outside of the pin 65.
Is provided and is operated by the pin 65.
It turns on or off depending on the position.
In this switch 66, the position of the end face 53a of the ferrule 53, that is, the position of the end face of the optical fiber 52 is within the normal position where the contact surfaces 53b and 62b are brought into contact with each other or within a predetermined range near this position. It is a switch for detecting whether or not the laser light source 41 does not oscillate the aiming / treatment laser light 42 in the case of no detection. Therefore, the positional relationship between the switch 66 and the pin 65 is such that the switch 66 is pressed by the pin 65 to be turned on only when the position of the end face 53a of the ferrule 53 is within the above-mentioned regular position or a predetermined range in the vicinity thereof. The position is set to turn off. Then, in a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the laser light source 41, the laser light oscillation of the laser light source 41 is prohibited when the switch 66 is off, and the oscillation is permitted only when the switch 66 is on.

On the other hand, the structure of the connecting portion between the other plug 51 'and the laser light source 41 is shown in FIG. 3. This structure is exactly the same as the structure of the connecting portion between the plug 51 and the condenser lens system 61 described above. Yes, the same reference numerals are indicated with a dash for each corresponding member. That is, the plug 51 'is composed of exactly the same ferrule 53', tightening knob 54 ', and rubber hood 55'. Further, a socket 62 'which is exactly the same is fitted and fixed to the tip of the lens barrel 41a of the laser light source 41, a detection member 63' is similarly provided inside the socket 62 ', and the ferrule 5 is urged by a spring 64'.
It comes into contact with the end face 53a 'of 3'. And ferrule 5
When the position of the end surface 53a 'of 3'is within a predetermined regular position determined by the contact between the ferrule 53' and the contact surface of the socket 62 'or within a predetermined range in the vicinity thereof, the detection member 63' is planted. Switch 66 'by the pin 65'
Turns on, and turns off when it is in any other position. The laser light oscillation of the laser light source 41 is prohibited in the off state, and allowed in the off state.
The regular position is the position of the focal plane of the condenser lens 43.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, when connecting or replacing the optical fiber cable 50, the plugs 51, 5 are used.
When both or one of 1'is not connected to the socket 62, 62 ', both or one of the switches 66, 66' are off, and the laser light oscillation of the laser light source 41 is prohibited. Therefore, even if the operator mistakenly steps on the trigger switch for laser light oscillation, the laser light is not oscillated and an accident due to the oscillation of the laser light can be prevented.

Next, the plugs 51 and 51 'are inserted into the socket 6
Although it is connected to 2, 62 'for the time being, insufficient tightening of the tightening knobs 54, 54' or the ferrule 5
A case will be described in which both or one of the plugs 51 and 51 'is not completely and accurately connected to the sockets 62 and 62' due to a problem such as a fitting failure between the sockets 53 and 53 '.

When performing photocoagulation treatment with the apparatus of the present embodiment, the operator first confirms the treatment site with a microscope and operates the joystick 33 to adjust the focus so that the treatment site can be seen most clearly. In this state, the scan mirror 68 is finely operated to move the spot image of the aiming light to the treatment site, and a fire button (not shown) is pressed to enhance the treatment laser light to perform photocoagulation treatment.

Here, the plugs 51 and 51 'are the sockets 6
The ferrules 53, 5 are correctly connected to 2, 62 '.
Positions of the end faces 53a, 53a 'of 3' (optical fiber 52
If the end face position of the) is in the proper position, the optical fiber 5
The spot of the laser light at the exit end of 2 is imaged on the focal plane of the objective lens 22, and thus is imaged on the treatment site by the adjustment with the pin.

However, the plug 51 is not completely and accurately connected to the socket 62, and the ferrule 5 is used, for example.
When the position of the end face 53a of the laser beam 3 is displaced upward by a dimension indicated by the symbol H in FIG. 2, if laser light is emitted from the laser light source 41, the spot of the laser light at the exit end of the optical fiber 52 is the objective lens 22. The image is formed in front of the focal plane by the size K.

Here, the therapeutic laser light is focused by the condenser lens 6
Since it is focused by 7 and has a cone angle θ, the size of the spot image is the smallest at the focused position (usually this is a predetermined regular spot size) and it expands before and after it. If the focus is deviated by the dimension K, the spot size becomes larger than the regular size. The energy required for photocoagulation treatment is applied to a predetermined regular spot size, and as the spot size increases, the energy per unit area decreases in inverse proportion to the area ratio. There will be a problem of shortage.

However, in this case, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the position of the end face 53a of the ferrule 53 is not in a proper position, so that the switch 66 is turned off, whereby the oscillation of the laser beam is prohibited. Therefore, the above problems can be prevented.

On the other hand, the plug 51 'is accurately connected to the socket 62', and the end face 53 of the ferrule 53 'is formed.
If the position of a ′ is a normal position, that is, the position of the focal plane of the condenser lens 43, the laser light 42 is focused by the condenser lens 43 at the focusing angle α when the laser light 42 is oscillated, and the focal plane Then, the light is condensed to a diameter of about 10 μm, and the total amount of light is incident on the optical fiber 52 having a core diameter of 50 μm.

On the other hand, the plug 51 'has the socket 6
2'is not properly connected, eg ferrule 5
When the position of the end face 53a 'of 3'is located in front of the regular position (position of the focal plane) by the dimension L in FIG. 3 (left side in the drawing), if the laser beam 42 is oscillated, the laser beam 42 is There is a problem in that the laser beam 42 spreads from the position of the focal plane due to the focusing angle α and exceeds the core diameter of 50 μm, the total amount of the laser light 42 does not enter the optical fiber 52, and a predetermined treatment energy cannot be obtained at the treatment site.

However, in this case, the switch 66 'is turned off because the position of the end face 53a' of the ferrule 53 'is not in the normal position in the apparatus of this embodiment.
As a result, the oscillation of the laser light is prohibited, so that the above problems can be prevented.

The structure for prohibiting or permitting the oscillation of the laser light depending on the connection state of the optical fibers as described above can be applied to other laser light treatment devices. For example,
It can also be applied to the configuration shown in FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a probe 73 coupled to the tip of the optical fiber cable 50 using a surgical microscope is used without using a condenser lens system, and the probe 73 is directly inserted into the eyeball 14 of the patient. , The tip of the probe 73 is the fundus 1
Photocoagulation treatment such as retinal detachment is performed at a position 2 to 3 mm away from the treatment site of 4a. In this case, the above-mentioned plug 51 is connected to the other end of the optical fiber cable 50, and this plug 51 is used by being connected to the socket 62 'on the laser light source side shown in FIG. ) Is detected, and the laser light oscillation is also prohibited or permitted depending on the result. This has the same effect.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a laser in which a laser light source and an optical system for irradiating a laser beam from the laser light source to a treatment site are connected by an optical fiber. A phototherapy device,
In the laser phototherapy device in which the optical fiber is detachably connected to at least the laser light source of the laser light source and the optical system by a connecting member, the optical fiber is not connected to the laser light source or the optical system. And, if not properly connected, laser light oscillation from the laser light source is prohibited.Therefore, an accident due to erroneous laser light oscillation when the optical fiber is not connected and a laser due to incorrect optical fiber connection It is possible to prevent problems such as insufficient energy at the light treatment site and inadequate treatment due to the energy, and it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the safety and reliability of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the overall configuration of a laser light treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion B of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Slit Lamp Microscope 11 Illumination System 21 Microscope Main Body 33 Joystick 41 Laser Light Source 50 Optical Fiber Cable 51, 51 'Plug 52 Optical Fiber 53, 53' Ferrule 54, 54 'Tightening Knob 55, 55' Rubber Hood 56 Protective Tube 61 Condensing Lens System 62, 62 'socket 63, 63' detection member 64, 64 'spring 65, 65' pin 66, 66 'switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A laser light treatment apparatus in which a laser light source and an optical system for irradiating a laser beam from the laser light source to a treatment site are connected by an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is the laser light source and the laser light source. In a laser phototherapy device detachably connected to at least the laser light source of an optical system by a connecting member, the position of an end face of an optical fiber connected to the laser light source or the optical system by the connecting member has a predetermined regular position. Is provided or a predetermined range near the position is provided, and the detecting means detects that the position of the end face of the optical fiber is not within the normal position or the predetermined range near the position. When it is detected, the laser light source is configured to inhibit the oscillation of the laser light. Za light therapy device.