JPS59164053A - Laser knife apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a laser scalpel device, and more particularly to a means for controlling the operation of a mechanism that forms an air curtain for protecting an optical system from smoke generated during a surgical procedure.

Since medical laser scalpel devices such as carbon dioxide laser scalpel devices and YAG laser coagulators burn the affected area by the thermal action of high-power laser light, smoke generation cannot be avoided during use. If the fine particles contained in the smoke due to this smoke adhere to the optical system at the laser beam emitting end of the device, such as lenses, mirrors, fibers, etc., it will not only cause a decrease in output, but also cause the optical system to absorb the laser beam and generate heat. bring about the destruction of

For this reason, generally, air is sent to the laser light output end using an air congressor or the like, and the air is injected from the vicinity of the output to form a so-called air curtain to protect the optical system from smoke. In this case, there are the following three methods for controlling the J1+ operation of the mechanism that forms the air curtain.

One is a system in which the air curtain formation mechanism is operated by operating an independent switch independently of the shutter for controlling laser beam irradiation, and the other is a system in which the air curtain formation mechanism is operated in conjunction with the opening and closing of the shutter for controlling laser beam irradiation. This type operates an air curtain forming mechanism.

The former allows you to form an air curtain for any period of time by manual operation, but the operation period does not correspond to the treatment situation, so
Although the latter method, in which the optical system is insufficiently protected, basically has the advantage of not having the disadvantages of the former, there are cases where an air curtain is not effectively formed during pulse mode laser beam irradiation. In other words, in a normal laser scalpel device, the blower mechanism is installed on the device body side, and the air from this blower mechanism is guided by a small diameter hose to the laser beam emitting end, which is several meters away from the device body. Therefore, even after the air blowing mechanism on the apparatus main body side is turned on, there is a considerable time delay before the air curtain is actually formed. As a result, if the pulse width is particularly short during pulse mode laser beam irradiation, an air curtain may not be formed.

The present invention was made based on these circumstances,
The purpose of this is a laser scalpel device equipped with an air curtain forming mechanism operation control means that can effectively form an air curtain even when irradiating the laser beam and properly protect the optical system from smoke generation, depending on the treatment situation of the affected area. Our goal is to provide the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by the following configuration. That is, air from a blowing mechanism provided in the main body of the laser scalpel device is sent to the laser beam emitting end as air curtain forming air by a valve mechanism that operates when a control signal is applied. Then, a shutter open signal is given to the pulp mechanism as a control signal, and the control signal is continuously given for a certain period of time after the shutter open signal is cut off.

(Then, the air supply is started at the same time as the laser light irradiation starts, and the air supply is continued for a certain period of time even after the laser light irradiation is stopped. When the laser light is irradiated in a pulse mode consisting of a short width pulse train, the air supply is continued. It is characterized by a structure that allows air to be supplied.

Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be clarified by examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of this device.

In the figure, l is an air compressor as a blowing mechanism provided in the main body of the device (not shown), and bifurcated pipes 2a and 2b whose common ends are connected to the outlet of this air compressor I
are provided with a pair of electromagnetic valves 3a, 9b, respectively. One of the electromagnetic valves 3a is normally closed and opens when a control signal is applied, and the other electromagnetic valve 3b is normally open and becomes closed when a control signal is applied. 4 is a small diameter hose, and electromagnetic pulp 3a
The laser beam passes through the air and is guided to a hand piece 5 having an emitting end.

6 is a terminal for introducing a shutter open signal for opening a laser beam irradiation control shutter (not shown). The shutter opening signal applied to this terminal 6 is transmitted to the electromagnetic pulp 3a, 3b via an OR circuit 7.
is given as a control signal. And the above shutter open signal is used on the other hand as a monostable multi-by-break (hereinafter referred to as M
(abbreviated as M) is given to 8. This MM8 sends out an output signal for a certain period of time after the shutter open signal is cut off, and sends this output signal through the OR circuit 7 to the electromagnetic valve a.
a, s'o as a control signal.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a main part of the handpiece 5. As shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 2, the emitting end of the hand piece 5 is open, and the laser beam converged by the laser beam I2 is emitted from the opening 11. The air guided to the output end of the hand piece 5 by the hose 4 is passed through an annular air guide hole 13 in the peripheral wall of the output end at a position closer to the opening 11 than the installation position of the cylinder I2. introduced into the
Air is ejected from a plurality of air injection holes 14 communicating with the air guide hole 13 in the direction of the opening 22 as shown by the arrows.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be explained. When the laser beam irradiation control shutter S is closed, the shutter open signal bi is not applied to the terminal 6, so no control signal is applied to the electromagnetic/clup sa and 3bK. Therefore, in this state, the solenoid valve 3a is closed, the solenoid knob 3b is open, and the air compressor 1)
The air sent out is discharged to the outside through the electromagnetic knob 3b.

Therefore, when a shutter open signal with a width of period TI as shown in FIG.
Also given.

Then, this shutter open signal is given to the electromagnetic valves 3a and sb via the OR circuit 7 as a control signal.

Therefore, the solenoid valve 3, a is opened, and the solenoid valve 3
b is closed. Therefore, the air from the near compressor 1 passes through the electromagnetic valve 3a, further passes through the hose 4), is guided to the bead 5, passes through the air guide hole 13, and is injected from the air injection hole 14 into the exit end. This air is then passed through the opening 11 at the exit end to the end piece 5.
sprayed to the outside. (Thus, there is no risk that the smoke generated when the affected area is burnt by the laser beam that is focused by the lens 12 and emitted from the opening 11 also enters the emission end of the opening 11. Therefore, the fine particles contained in the smoke are There is no risk that the lens 12 etc. will be contaminated by the shutter open signal.From this point on, as shown in FIG. through the electromagnetic valve 3a.

3b as a control signal. As a result, of the electromagnetic valves 3a and 3b, 3a remains open and 3b remains closed. In this way, the air curtain is formed over a period of TI+T2=T3, as shown in FIG. 3CK. Therefore, even after the shutter closes and the laser beam irradiation stops, the air curtain continues to be formed for the period T2, which prevents the intrusion of smoke remaining near the emission end after the laser irradiation stops. . When the output signal of MMg is cut off, the electromagnetic (lubes 3a and 3b) return to their original states and the air curtain disappears.

The operation during laser beam irradiation in iK pulse mode will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3N, when laser light irradiation is performed in a pulsed manner by a shutter opening signal consisting of short continuous pulses with a width of <T4, the electromagnetic valves 3a and 3b are activated by the first spiral shutter opening signal. 3a is open and 3b is closed. Then, when the first pulsed shutter open signal becomes 1z, the MMg also changes to the third pulse as in the above case.
As shown in FIG. i, an output signal with a width of T2 is sent out and is applied as a control signal to the electromagnetic loops 3B and 3b.Therefore, an air curtain is continuously formed as in the previous case. If the next (7) pulsed shutter open signal arrives before this MMg output signal is cut off, the air curtain will continue to be formed roughly due to this signal. When the shutter open signal becomes 7"L, the MMg again sends out an output signal for a period of T2. In this way, when the shutter open signal consisting of short continuous pulses is given, the magnet/ Lures 3a and 3b are opened as if they had received consecutive shutter open signals, 32 is open, and 3b is open.
remains closed, and an air curtain is continuously formed for a period <T5 as shown in FIG. 3C.

In this way, an air curtain can be effectively formed even during pulse mode laser beam irradiation.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, in the embodiment described above, MMg was used as a means for giving a control signal to the electromagnetic valve for a certain period of time after the shutter open signal was cut off, but this is not limited to a monostable multi-pipe rake, and a timer having the same function can be used. There may be. Further, in the embodiment described above, a pair of electromagnetic valves are used as the valve mechanism, but a single three-way switching valve may be used. Of course, other modifications can be made within the scope of the invention without changing the spirit of the invention.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the air supply is started at the same time as the laser beam irradiation starts, and the air supply is continued for a certain period of time even after the laser beam irradiation is stopped, and the pulse mode consists of continuous short pulses. Since the structure is configured so that air is continuously supplied during laser light irradiation, an air curtain is automatically formed according to the treatment situation, preventing overcooling and drying of the affected area. Also, it is possible to provide a laser scalpel device equipped with an air curtain forming mechanism operation control means that can effectively form an air curtain and properly protect the optical system from smoke generation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a block diagram showing the overall configuration, Figure 2 being a sectional view of the vicinity of the output end of the handpiece, and Figure 3 being the operation. It is a waveform diagram for explanation. I... Air compressor, 3 a 13 b... Solenoid valve, 4... Hose, 5... Hand piece, 6
...Shutter open signal introduction terminal, 7...OR circuit, 8
... Monostable multi-bi break (MM), 1z...
- Opening, 12... Lens, 13... Air guide hole, 14... Air injection hole. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 1J 14 Figure 3 Procedural amendments dated 858/858 Patent clerk Kazuo Kosugi Tono 1, Indication of case Patent application 1988-36899 J& 3. Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant (037) Orin/? Sugaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. 11, Agent 5, Copy of voluntary amended statement (no change in content) 345-

Claims (1)

[Claims] A laser scalpel device main body, a blower mechanism provided on the main body, a valve mechanism that sends air from the blower mechanism as air curtain forming air to a laser beam emitting end when a control signal is given, and accessories attached to the valve mechanism. means for providing a shutter open signal as a control signal to open the shutter for controlling laser beam irradiation; and means for providing a control signal to the pulp mechanism 0+1 for a certain period of time from when the shutter open signal is cut off. Features: 1.
- laser scalpel device.