JPH07185021A - Laser beam irradiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a laser beam emitting device capable of precisely and surely irradiating a body to be irradiated with a laser beam. CONSTITUTION:A laser beam irradiation device for guiding a laser beam to a prescribed position to irradiate a body to be irradiated with the laser beam, has a laser oscillator 7, a manipulator 1 for guiding the laser beam outputted from the laser oscillator to a body 15 to be irradiated, a guide light source 9 for outputting a guide light having a wavelength different from the laser beam to irradiate the body to be irradiated therewith, and a kaleidoscope 11 formed in such a manner that the laser beam and the guide beam are incident prior to the irradiation of the body to be irradiated and form the patterns of these lights into the same form.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser light irradiation device used for treating bruise and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various wavelengths of laser light,
By selecting the wavelength, it can be used, for example, for treating bruise. That is, the laser light wavelength is 650 nm ~
When the wavelength is 800 nm, the laser light is easily absorbed by melanin, which is the main component of the bruise, so that the treatment can be performed.

In the treatment of such a bruise, in order to surely and safely carry out the treatment, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation site of the object to be irradiated with the laser light with the guide light which is visible light. The irradiation site is confirmed prior to the irradiation of the laser light.

However, even if the area irradiated by the laser light can be simply confirmed by the guide light, if it is not possible to confirm what pattern shape the laser light irradiates the irradiated area, it is safe. Moreover, there is a case where reliable treatment cannot be performed.

The therapeutic laser light has a uniform intensity distribution within the pattern so that the portion irradiated by the pattern is treated uniformly. When the intensity distribution is made uniform, the laser intensity at the contour portion of the pattern changes sharply higher than at the outside of the contour portion. Irradiating the irradiation site with the laser light of such a pattern, that is, irradiating the affected area, the appearance difference in the course of treatment between the treated affected area and the normal area adjacent to the affected area becomes large. If the part is an exposed part such as the face, the mental distress given to the patient may increase.

During treatment, the physician must focus the nerve on the patient's treatment site for an extended period of time.
Without focusing on the treatment site, the treatment may not be performed accurately and reliably. However, by concentrating the nerve only on the treatment site, the display panel for displaying the operation information of the laser oscillator cannot be confirmed, and the abnormal state of the laser oscillator that generates laser light, for example, the laser is generated. It may happen that the treatment is continued without noticing the fluctuation of the output and the fluctuation of the emitting direction of the laser light.

[0007]

As described above, in the laser light irradiating device, firstly, it is necessary to confirm what kind of pattern shape is irradiated on the irradiated portion by the laser light. However, safety and certainty may decrease.

Secondly, when the intensity distribution of the pattern at the laser light irradiation site is made uniform, the laser intensity at the contour portion of the pattern is higher than that at the outside of the contour portion. When it is used for treatment of a bruise, since it rapidly rises, there is a case in which the treatment state becomes a visually noticeable treatment state during the treatment due to the difference in intensity.

Third, the doctor concentrates on the treatment and continues the treatment without noticing the abnormal state of the laser oscillator such as the variation of the laser output and the variation of the emitting direction of the laser light. There was that.

The first object of the present invention is to record the irradiation site.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser light irradiating device capable of irradiating with guide light having the same pattern as the laser light but different wavelengths.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a laser light irradiating device capable of gently changing the laser intensity in the peripheral portion of the laser light pattern.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a laser light irradiation device which makes it easy to notice an abnormal state of the laser oscillator.

[0013]

The first means of the present invention described in claim 1 is a laser light irradiation apparatus for guiding laser light to a predetermined portion to irradiate an object to be irradiated, Ray
Laser oscillator and the laser output from this laser oscillator
The light guide means for guiding the laser light to the object to be irradiated, the guide light source for outputting the guide light having a wavelength different from that of the laser light to irradiate the object to be irradiated, and the laser light and the guide light are described above. It is characterized in that it is provided with a molding means for molding the pattern of these lights into the same shape so as to be incident before irradiating the irradiated body.

A second means of the present invention described in claim 2 is a laser light irradiation apparatus for guiding laser light to a predetermined portion to irradiate an object to be irradiated, with a laser oscillator, Light guide means for guiding the laser light output from the laser oscillator to the object to be irradiated, and laser light provided so that the laser light is incident before the object to be irradiated is irradiated. Molding means for molding the pattern into a predetermined shape, and the intensity distribution of the peripheral portion of the pattern of the laser light emitted from the molding means provided on the exit side of the molding means toward the outside. And a control means for controlling to gradually weaken.

A third means of the present invention described in claim 4 is a laser light irradiation device for guiding laser light to a predetermined portion to irradiate an object to be irradiated with a laser oscillator. A light guide means for guiding the laser light output from the laser oscillator to the object to be irradiated, and a guide light source for outputting guide light having a wavelength different from that of the laser light to irradiate the object to be irradiated. A detecting means for detecting an operating state of the laser oscillator, and a modulating means for modulating the guide light when the detecting means detects an abnormal operation of the laser oscillator. .

[0016]

According to the first means, since the guide light irradiates the object to be irradiated in the same pattern shape as the laser light, it is necessary to confirm the irradiation area and the irradiation pattern by the laser light. You can

According to the second means, since the intensity of the peripheral portion of the pattern of the laser light changes gently, the boundary portion between the irradiated portion and the non-irradiated portion by the laser light is inconspicuous. can do.

According to the third means, when an abnormality occurs in the laser oscillator, the guide light for irradiating the irradiation portion is modulated, so that the abnormality of the laser oscillator can be known from the irradiation portion.

[0019]

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

The laser light irradiation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with a manipulator 1 of the articulated reflecting mirror type. This manipulator 1 has a plurality of arms 3 which are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting portion 2, and each arm except for the arm 3 at the tip.
Reflecting mirrors 4 are respectively arranged inside the frames 3 at an angle of 45 degrees.

The base end of the base arm 3 has a radial bearing 5
It is rotatably supported by and is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown). Thereby, the manipulator 1 can be positioned within the range of 360 degrees. The manipulator 1 is shown in FIG.
The state of being rotated once is shown by a chain line.

An entrance hole 6 is formed in the base end surface (lower end surface) of the arm 3 at the base end. The entrance hole 6 has a ruby ray.
A laser oscillator 7 for outputting a laser beam L having a wavelength that is easily absorbed by melanin, which is a component of a bruise such as a laser, is arranged so as to face each other, and the laser output from the laser oscillator 7 is arranged. The light L is introduced into the manipulator 1 through the incident hole 6.

A laser introduced inside the manipulator 1.
The light L is reflected by each reflecting mirror 4 and reaches the arm 3 at the tip. A dichroic mirror 8 is provided at an angle of 45 degrees in the middle of the arm 3 at the tip. The dichroic mirror 8 reflects the laser light L and transmits light of a predetermined wavelength.

On the back side of the dichroic mirror-8, in the visible range that transmits the dichroic mirror-8,
The guide light G having a wavelength different from that of the laser light L is output,
For example, a guide light source 9 such as a white halogen lamp is provided. The guide light G output from the guide light source 9 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 8 has its optical axis aligned with that of the laser light L reflected by the dichroic mirror 8, and the kaleidoscope 11 arranged on the reflection side thereof. Incident on.

The kaleidoscope 11 is formed into a rectangular tube shape having an inner surface formed as a reflection surface, and the laser light L and the guide light G are incident on the inside thereof, whereby these beams are emitted. The shape is formed in the same rectangular shape as the cross-sectional shape of the end surface of the kaleidoscope 11 on the exit side, and the intensity distribution is made uniform.

A mask 12 is bonded to the end face of the kaleidoscope 11 on the emission side. The mask 12 is made of a transparent rectangular plate such as glass and controls the intensity distribution of the laser light L emitted from the emission end face of the kaleidoscope 11.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the mask 12 is formed with a rectangular light-transmitting portion 13 having a size smaller than the inner diameter of the kaleidoscope 11, and the light-transmitting portion 13 has a light-transmitting portion on the outer periphery thereof. The first to third scattering portions 13a to 13c are sequentially formed so that the degree of scattering of 1 to 3 is gradually increased.

As a result, the intensity of the laser light L transmitted through the mask 12 is increased in the peripheral portion of the inner diameter portion of the kaleidoscope 11 as it goes outward and the first to third scattering portions 13a to 13c. Becomes weaker depending on the degree of scattering.

The transparent portion 13 of the mask 12 is a layer.
Instead of a transparent portion that transmits the light L, a through hole may be used, and the scattering portion may be continuously changed instead of stepwise.

FIG. 4 (a) shows the intensity distribution of the laser light L whose intensity distribution is made uniform by the kaleidoscope 11, and FIG. 4 (b) shows that after the intensity distribution is made uniform by the kaleidoscope 11. , Shows the intensity distribution of the laser light L that has passed through the mask 12. When the laser light L does not pass through the mask 12, the intensity of the peripheral portion changes abruptly, but when it passes through the mask 12, the laser light L gradually and gradually decreases.

An exit window 14 composed of an imaging lens is formed on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the arm 3 at the tip. From the exit window 14, a laser beam is formed in which the beam shape is formed by the kaleidoscope 11 and the intensity distribution is made uniform, and then the intensity of the peripheral portion is continuously reduced by the mask 12. The L and the guide light G illuminate the irradiated body 15 such as the bruise of the human body.

The laser oscillator 7 is provided with a detector 16. The detector 16 detects the operation information of the laser oscillator 7. The detection signal is displayed on the display unit 17 and also input to the control device 18. Thereby, the control device 18 controls the guide light source 9 and modulates the guide light G output from the guide light source 9.

The operation information of the laser oscillator 7 detected by the detection unit 16 includes oscillation non-permission, oscillation stop,
Failures, various abnormal conditions, maintenance time, charging voltage, etc. Factors that modulate the guide light G include time, space, wavelength, and light quantity. By modulating the guide light G, the irradiation state of the irradiated body 14 by the guide light G changes, so that the abnormal state of the laser oscillator 7 can be confirmed from the change.

Next, a description will be given of a case where, for example, a bruise of a patient is treated by using the laser irradiation apparatus having the above structure. First, the guide light source 9 is actuated to allow the guide light G to pass through the dichroic mirror 8 and to be emitted from the emission window 14, and the guide light G irradiates the irradiation target 14, that is, the bruise of the patient. Is rotated to position the tip surface of the arm 3 at the tip.

When the positioning is completed, the laser oscillator 7
Is operated to output laser light L. This laser light L is repeatedly reflected by the reflecting mirror 4 in each arm 3 and the laser light L
The light enters the dichroic mirror 8 of the camera 3 and is reflected there. The laser light L reflected by the dichroic mirror 8 has its optical axis aligned with that of the guide light G, and the callide scope 11
And it passes through the mask 12 and is emitted from the emission window 14 to irradiate the irradiation target 15. Then, the arm 3 at the tip is moved to scan the laser light L with respect to the bruise of the irradiation subject 15, and the laser light L is absorbed at the bruise, whereby the treatment is performed. .

In the kaleidoscope 11, the laser light L and the guide light G are formed into the same pattern. Therefore, since it is possible to confirm by the guide light G which part of the irradiation target object 14 is irradiated by what kind of pattern the laser light L is, it is necessary to treat the bruise part. In addition, the laser light L can be radiated over the entire area reliably and with good workability.

When the laser light L emitted from the kaleidoscope 11 passes through the mask 12, the first to third scattering portions 13a to 13c formed on the mask 12 cause the laser light L to enter the kaleidoscope 11. The intensity of the peripheral portion of the pattern of the laser light L formed into a rectangular shape gradually decreases toward the outside. Therefore, when the laser light L irradiates the bruise, the energy difference between the irradiation area and the non-irradiation area at the boundary of the pattern decreases, and the treatment state becomes visually inconspicuous. The pain given to the person is reduced.

If an abnormality occurs in the laser oscillator 7 while the doctor concentrates nerves on the affected area to perform the treatment, the fact that the abnormality occurs in the laser oscillator 7 is detected by the detection unit 16 and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 18. Is entered. As a result, the control device 18 controls the guide light source 9 and modulates the guide light G output from the guide light source 9.

When the guide light G is modulated, the irradiation state of the irradiated portion of the object to be irradiated 15 by the guide light G, for example, the color or brightness changes. Therefore, even if the doctor concentrates on the treatment, he / she notices that the laser oscillator 7 is abnormal due to the change of the irradiation state of the irradiation object 15 by the guide light G. That is, the doctor can concentrate on the treatment without worrying about the state of the laser oscillator 7 displayed on the display unit 17.

The wavelengths of the laser light L for treatment and the guide light G are different. Therefore, even if the doctor uses the protective glasses for the laser light L for the treatment, the guide light G
Can be surely recognized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, as a means for making the intensity distribution of the laser light uniform, a combined lens in which a plurality of lenses are integrated may be used instead of the kaleidoscope. In that case, the pattern of the laser light is changed. It may be formed into a predetermined pattern with a slit plate or the like. That is, the homogenization of the laser light intensity distribution and the pattern shaping may be carried out either simultaneously or separately.

The means for transmitting the laser light may be an optical fiber instead of the articulated reflector type manipulator.

The application of the irradiation apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the treatment of bruises, but can be applied to other applications such as surface heat treatment of metal.

Further, the laser oscillator may be another laser such as a YAG laser instead of the ruby laser, and the guide light is output from, for example, a He-Ne laser. It may be laser light, and the point is that it has a wavelength different from that of therapeutic laser light, and light in the visible range is suitable as guide light.

[0045]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the patterns of the laser light and the guide light are formed in the same shape so as to irradiate the object to be irradiated. I chose

Therefore, the portion and the shape irradiated by the laser light can be surely confirmed by the guide light formed in the same pattern as the laser light, so that the laser light is irradiated. Work can be performed accurately and reliably.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the intensity distribution of the peripheral portion of the laser light on which the pattern is formed is controlled so that it gradually weakens as it goes outward. .

Therefore, the boundary between the irradiated area and the non-irradiated area by the laser light can be made inconspicuous.

The third invention described in claim 4 is
The abnormal operation state of the oscillator is detected, and the guide light source that outputs the guide light is controlled by the detection signal to modulate the guide light.

Therefore, even if the worker concentrates only on the laser light irradiation site, the operator can know the abnormal state of the laser oscillator by the modulation of the guide light for irradiating the laser light irradiation site, and the workability is improved. Can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a callide scoop portion.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same mask.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views of the intensity distribution of laser light with and without a mask on the exit side of the kaleidoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Manipulator (light guiding means), 3 ... Arm (light guiding means), 4 ... Reflecting mirror (light guiding means), 7 ... Laser oscillator, 9
... guide light source, 11 ... kaleidoscope (molding means),
12 ... Mask, 13a-13c ... Scattering part, 15 ... Irradiation object, 16 ... Detection part, 18 ... Control device (modulation part), L ... Laser light, G ... Guide light.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A laser light irradiating apparatus for guiding laser light to a predetermined part to irradiate an object to be irradiated, comprising: a laser oscillator; and the laser light output from the laser oscillator. Light guide means for guiding the laser beam to the object to be irradiated, a guide light source for emitting guide light having a wavelength different from the laser light to irradiate the object to be irradiated, and the laser light and the guide light to the object to be irradiated. A laser light irradiating device, comprising: a molding unit that is formed so as to be incident before irradiating the body and shapes the patterns of these lights into the same shape. 2. A laser light irradiating device for guiding laser light to a predetermined part to irradiate an object to be irradiated, comprising: a laser oscillator; and the laser light output from the laser oscillator. Light guiding means for guiding the laser light to the object to be irradiated, and molding means for forming the pattern of the laser light into a predetermined shape so that the laser light is incident before the irradiation of the object to be irradiated. And a control means provided on the exit side of the shaping means for controlling the intensity distribution of the peripheral portion of the pattern of the laser light emitted from the shaping means so as to gradually weaken as it goes outward. A laser light irradiation device characterized by: 3. The laser light pattern of the laser light is controlled by the control means.
3. The laser light irradiating device according to claim 2, wherein the laser light irradiating device is a translucent member that controls the degree of light scattering in the peripheral portion of the window. 4. A laser light irradiating device for guiding laser light to a predetermined portion to irradiate an object to be irradiated, comprising: a laser oscillator; and the laser light output from the laser oscillator. For guiding the laser beam to the object to be irradiated, a guide light source for outputting guide light having a wavelength different from the laser light to irradiate the object to be irradiated, and a detecting means for detecting the operating state of the laser oscillator. And a modulating means for modulating the guide light when the detecting means detects an abnormal operation of the laser oscillator.