JPH07171223A - Laser apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a laser apparatus wherein laser beams are not focused by a simple composite lens system and a hand piece with no generation of air break down is attached. CONSTITUTION:This laser apparatus is provided with a laser light generating means for outputting laser beams, a light guiding means for guiding the laser beams outputted by this laser light generating means and a hand piece fixed on the end part of this light guiding means and irradiating the laser beams on an irradiated face S, and this hand piece is provided with a light guiding lens 10 focusing the laser beams LB guided by the light guiding means and a composite lens system contg. at least one concave lens and it guides the laser beams LB to the irradiated face S.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser device used to treat nevus and the like, and more particularly to a laser device effective for treating deep nevus using a technique such as Q-switch oscillation method. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, laser light can be used to treat skin diseases such as nevus. A conventional example of a handpiece of a laser device used for this treatment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The handpiece 100 shown in FIG. 6 is a uniform light irradiation member having a hollow portion with a predetermined diameter in the axial direction after the laser beam LB guided from a laser oscillator via, for example, a mirror joint is focused by a light guide lens 101. (Hereinafter, referred to as a product name, Kaleidoscope). The kaleidoscope 102 converts the circular Gaussian distribution laser light into a rectangular uniform output distribution. This uniform output beam is further reflected by the projection lens 103.
The irradiation surface S is irradiated with the light. The handpiece 100 ′ shown in FIG. 7 changes the irradiation area S by simply focusing the laser beam LB using the light guide lens 101 and adjusting the distance from the light guide lens 101. All of these handpieces utilize the divergence of the beam behind the focus position (focus point) F of the laser light guide lens,
The structure is such that the irradiation surface S is adjusted by disposing a kaleidoscope or adjusting the distance.

However, when the above-mentioned conventional handpiece is applied to a laser device that outputs a giant pulse by using a method such as a Q-switch oscillation method, the peak power of the laser is a very high value such as several tens of MW or more. From the point where the laser light is guided by the light guide lens (focus point)
There is a problem that an air breakdown occurs in F and its vicinity, and the energy of the laser is not transmitted thereafter, and the energy on the irradiation surface S is significantly reduced.

The applicant of the present invention has proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 5-068701 as means for solving this problem. As for this, the portion of the laser beam focusing position (focus) F is evacuated or a specific gas is filled. Alternatively, fresh air is circulated in this portion to eliminate the accumulation of air in this portion. As a result, the threshold value of laser discharge in this portion is raised so that air breakdown does not occur.

[0005]

However, in the conventional laser device of this type, the focusing position (focus point) of the laser light is used.
In order to evacuate the portion F, to enclose gas, and to circulate fresh air, there is a problem that the number of special process steps in manufacturing increases. In addition, a vacuum pump, a hose, etc. must be provided, which has the drawback of impairing operability. Further, in the lens type handpiece shown in FIG. 7, there is a method of using a long focus light guide lens and providing an irradiation surface S on the lens side from the focal position. Since the laser beam is focused and the energy density increases as the distance from S increases,
There is a safety problem even when wearing protective glasses, which cannot be taken.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a handpiece having a structure in which a laser beam is not condensed by a simple compound lens system and which does not cause air breakdown. It is to provide a laser device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following structure of the laser device.
That is, a laser beam generator that outputs a laser beam, a light guide unit that guides the laser beam output by the laser beam generator, and an irradiation surface that is attached to the end of the light guide unit and is irradiated with the laser beam. And a synthetic lens system including a light guiding lens that narrows down the laser beam guided by the light guiding means and at least one concave lens. is there.

Further, a laser beam generating means for outputting a laser beam, a light guiding means for guiding the laser beam outputted by the laser beam generating means, and the laser beam on the irradiation surface attached to the tip of the light guiding means. And a light guide lens that narrows down the laser beam guided by the light guide means, and a light guide lens side from the light collection position (focus point) of the light guide lens. And a kaleidoscope in which a concave-faced incident end face is disposed, and the laser beam is guided to the irradiation face.

[0009]

According to the above construction, the light guide lens and at least one
By combining with two concave lenses, it is possible to guide the laser beam to the irradiation surface without condensing the laser beam narrowed down by the light guiding lens and thus preventing the occurrence of air breakdown.

Further, the incident end face of the kaleidoscope is processed into a concave surface, and this incident end face is converged at the focusing position (focus) of the light guide lens.
Since the laser beam is arranged closer to the light guide lens and the laser beam is guided to the irradiation surface, the laser beam irradiated on the irradiation surface can be made uniform.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a laser device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the laser device includes a device body 2 in which a ruby laser 1 as a laser light generating means is incorporated, a mirror joint 3 as a light guiding means optically connected to the ruby laser 1, and a mirror joint 3 thereof.
And a handpiece 5 connected to the tip of the via a joint 4. It should be noted that a part of the rising portion of the mirror joint 3 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 2.

Ruby laser 1 as means for generating laser light
Uses solid ruby as the laser medium,
The energy excited by a power supply device (not shown) can be converted into a laser output having a narrow pulse time width and a large peak power, that is, a giant pulse by a Q switch, and can be output. This giant pulse laser beam can penetrate deeply from the skin surface, and is therefore effective in treating deep-seated nevus and the like. The laser beam output from the output part of the ruby laser 1 is transmitted to the input surface of the next mirror joint 3.

The mirror joint 3 has a plurality of joints, for example, a seven-joint type tubular body 6 in which a plurality of elongated tubular bodies 6 for arms are connected by a plurality of joints 7 as shown in the figure.
Each of the joints 7 is formed in an L-shape as shown in the drawing, and the cylindrical body 6 is rotatably connected to both ends of each joint 7 with respect to the joint 7 (see the arrow in the drawing). Further, inside the joint 7, mirrors 8 are individually arranged to bend the beam optical path at a right angle. A light transmitting member 9 is arranged on the input surface of the mirror joint 3. Further, the inside of the mirror joint 3 is formed airtight by using an O-ring or the like at each connecting portion.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention. This example is a handpiece using a kaleidoscope, and has a cylindrical body 10 held by an operator. Inside the cylindrical body 10, the light guide lens 1 is sequentially arranged from the mirror joint 3 side through the joint 4.
1, the first concave lens 12, the second concave lens 13, the kaleidoscope 14 and the projection lens 15 are provided, and the laser beam LB is guided to the irradiation surface S. The light guide lens 11 narrows down the laser beam LB guided by the light flux D1 from the mirror joint 3. First
The concave lens 12 is a light collecting position (focus) of the light guiding lens 11.
It is installed closer to the light guide lens than F (see FIG. 6), and is arranged so as not to collect the laser beam LB and to obtain the parallel light D2. Callide Scope 14
If one side is 5 mm and the length is 100 mm, and the incident angle θ is 16.7 °, uniform light can be obtained at the time of emission. Therefore, the second concave lens 13 is provided so that the parallel light D2 is incident on the kaleidoscope 14 at an incident angle θ of 16.7 °. The condition settings for the handpiece 5 of this example are as follows. <Initial Conditions> Incident Diameter of Laser Beam LB φ = 10 mm ... D1 =
10 mm Incident diameter of the first concave lens 12 φ = 3 mm ... D2 =
Incident diameter of 3 mm kaleidoscope 14 = 4 mm ... D3 =
4mm Focal length of light guide lens 11 f1 =
Dimensions of 50mm kaleidoscope 14 5mm (= D4) x 5
mm × 100 mm From this initial condition, the focal length f2 of the first concave lens 12 is
The distance d1 between the light guide lens 11 and the first concave lens 12, the second
The focal length f3 of the concave lens 13 and the distance d2 between the second concave lens 13 and the incident surface of the kaleidoscope 14 are obtained. (1) The distance d1 can be obtained from the following equation from the proportional relation when it is desired to make parallel light with D2 = 3 mm.

[Equation 1] Therefore, substituting the initial conditions, d1 = 35 mm. (2) The focal length f2 of the first concave lens 12 is f1 + f2 because the light emitted from this concave lens 12 is the parallel light of D2.
Since -d1 = 0 and therefore f2 = d1 -f1, substituting the initial condition and the obtained value, f2 = -15 mm. (3) Next, the distance d2 is obtained from the following equation from the proportional relationship.

[Equation 2] Therefore, substituting the initial conditions, d2 = about 1.67 mm. (4) Further, the focal length f3 of the second concave lens 13 is obtained from the following equation.

[Equation 3] Therefore, substituting the initial conditions and the obtained values, f3 =-
It is 5 mm. The first concave lens 12 and the second concave lens 13 having the focal lengths f2 and f3 thus obtained are d1
And the distance d2, the desired handpiece 5 is obtained.

The operation using the laser device and the handpiece 5 thus obtained will be described. The giant pulsed laser beam LB output from the ruby laser 1 is guided to the mirror joint 3 and reaches the handpiece 5 held by the operator. The handpiece 5 is appropriately extended to the treatment position by utilizing the rotation of each joint of the mirror joint 3, and the beam output surface at the tip thereof is pressed against the irradiation surface S. With this handpiece 5,
The input laser beam LB is narrowed down by the light guide lens 11, but the first concave lens 12 is arranged closer to the light guide lens than the light collection position (focus point) F of the light guide lens 11, and the laser beam LB is not collected. And parallel light D2
Trying to get. Then, the parallel light D2 is made incident on the kaleidoscope 14 by the second concave lens 13 so that the incident angle becomes 16.7 °. The laser beam LB incident on the kaleidoscope 14 is converted from a circular Gaussian beam into a square and uniform output distribution beam by repeating total reflection several times. Since the kaleidoscope 14 performs the beam homogenization in the hollow portion,
Even a giant pulse has a function of uniformizing the output without causing damage by the laser. The output beam of the kaleidoscope 14 passes through the projection lens 15 to become a beam having a rectangular cross section of a predetermined size and is guided to the irradiation surface S. Thereby, laser treatment of deep-seated nevus and the like is performed.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention. This example is also a handpiece using a kaleidoscope. This handpiece 5 is installed inside a cylindrical body 10 (not shown), and a light guide lens 11 that narrows down the laser beam LB, and a light guide lens side from a focus position (focus) F of the light guide lens 11. The laser beam LB is prevented from converging and the laser beam LB is
Is arranged in front of the kaleidoscope 14 so that the incident angle of the light on the kaleidoscope 14 becomes 16.7 °. As a result, uniform light is emitted from the kaleidoscope 14 and the laser beam L is emitted through the projection lens 15.
B is guided to the irradiation surface S.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention. This example is a lens type handpiece. Handpiece 5 shown in FIG.
Inside the cylindrical body 10 (not shown), a light guide lens 11 that narrows the laser beam LB and a concave lens 17 that prevents the laser beam LB from converging and makes the laser beam LB parallel light are provided. Irradiation surface S of laser beam LB
It is supposed to lead to. Further, the handpiece 5 shown in FIG. 4B has a light guide lens 11 for narrowing the laser beam LB and a laser beam LB inside the cylindrical body 10 (not shown) so as not to condense the laser beam LB. The concave lens 18 is provided so that the area of the irradiation surface S can be changed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention. An example of this is a handpiece that uses a kaleidoscope. Further, unlike the above-mentioned respective embodiments, the incident end face of the kaleidoscope 14 is processed into a concave surface and used without using a concave lens.
As such a kaleidoscope 14, the present applicant has applied for Japanese Patent Application No. 56-147204 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-58485). In the handpiece 5 of this example, the incident end surface is closer to the light guide lens side than the condensing position (focus) F of the light guide lens 11 that narrows the laser beam guided through the kaleidoscope 14 having the concave end surface. Is arranged to guide the laser beam LB to the irradiation surface S via the projection lens 15.

The laser oscillating device as the laser generating means in each of the above embodiments is not limited to the ruby laser, but may be another laser having a wavelength matching the characteristics of the treatment site. Further, the light guide means is not limited to the above-mentioned mirror joint as long as it can guide the laser beam of the giant pulse and may be, for example, a glass hollow fiber or a hollow metal light guide path.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example of treating skin diseases such as nevus was mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is used for metal annealing processing and the like. It is also available for industrial use.

[0022]

As described above, according to the laser device of the present invention, the focus position (focus point) F of the laser beam is different from the conventional one.
There is no need to carry out special manufacturing process steps such as vacuuming, gas sealing, or circulating fresh air in the part of the product, and since accessories such as hoses are not required, operability is improved. It does not interfere with. Moreover, since it is possible to prevent air breakdown from occurring, it is possible to obtain stable treatment energy when treating nevus or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a laser device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a handpiece 5 of a laser device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the handpiece 5 of the laser device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a handpiece of a laser device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a handpiece of a laser device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ruby Laser 2 Device Main Body 3 Mirror Joint 4 Joint 5 Handpiece 6 Cylindrical Body 7 Joint 8 Mirror 9 Light Transmission Member 10 Cylindrical Body 11 Light Guide Lens 12 First Concave Lens 13 Second Concave Lens 14 Kaleidoscope 15 Projection Lens 16 Concave lens 17 Concave lens 18 Concave lens 100 Handpiece 101 Light guide lens 102 Callidescope 103 Projection lens

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A laser beam generator that outputs a laser beam, a light guide unit that guides the laser beam output by the laser beam generator, and a laser beam that is attached to an end of the light guide unit and is irradiated to an irradiation surface. And a synthetic lens system including at least one concave lens for guiding the laser beam guided by the light guiding means and at least one concave lens. Laser device. 2. The laser device according to claim 1, wherein the concave lens is arranged closer to the light guide lens than a light collecting position (focus) of the light guide lens. 3. The handpiece is provided with a kaleidoscope, and the laser beam guided by the light guide lens and the concave lens is made uniform light by the kaleidoscope to irradiate the irradiation surface. Item 2. A laser device according to item 1 or 2. 4. The laser device according to claim 3, wherein the handpiece has two concave lenses arranged between the light guide lens and the kaleidoscope to guide the laser beam to the irradiation surface. 5. A laser beam generator that outputs a laser beam, a light guide unit that guides the laser beam output by the laser beam generator, and a laser beam that is attached to the tip of the light guide unit and is irradiated to the irradiation surface. And a light guide lens that narrows down the laser beam guided by the light guide means, and a light guide lens side from the light collection position (focus point) of the light guide lens. And a kaleidoscope in which an incident end face having a concave surface is arranged, and the laser beam is guided to an irradiation surface.