JPS60198140A - Handpiece for laser knife - 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 [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a hand piece for a laser scalpel in which an optical fiber is used as a light guide for the laser scalpel.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In recent years, a laser scalpel (device) that uses laser light as a scalpel has been widely used instead of a normal mechanical scalpel with a sharpened cutting edge. The laser scalpel is suitable for surgeries such as incisions because it has a hemostasis effect in most cases, unlike conventional scalpels that cause bleeding when making incisions. Furthermore, since it can be converged extremely narrowly, more detailed surgery can be performed.

By the way, when using the above laser beam as a laser scalpel, the laser beam is guided to the affected area (irradiated area) using a multi-joint light guide (so-called manipulator) or a flexible optical fiber, and the laser beam is irradiated to incise the biological tissue. , which solidifies.

In this case, the operator must hold and operate an operating section (grip section) called a handpiece to reliably irradiate the affected area with laser light focused by a lens inside the handpiece.

Figure 1 shows the appearance of an actual laser scalpel.

In the laser knife 1, the laser beam transmission optical fiber 2 has an inner coating 3. A connector 6 protected by an exterior sheath 4 and attachable to a laser (oscillator) 5 formed on its base side, and a hand piece 7 formed on its tip side constitute a so-called Ray <female> probe 8. ing.

The hand piece 7 provided at the tip of the laser probe 8 is a part that is held and operated by the operator. This laser probe 8
A gap is provided inside the optical fiber 2 and the interior coating 3 so that a cooling gas G for cooling the optical fiber 2 can flow therethrough. Cooling gas G is normally supplied from a gas source (such as a gas cylinder) in the laser power source 9 to the air pipe 10.
The light then flows through the gap between the optical fiber 2 and the interior coating 3 in the laser probe 8. However, the hand piece 7 at the tip
Cooling gas G is discharged from an anaerobic pipe 11 provided just before the front end of the air conditioner. The operator grasps and operates the handpiece 7 and directs the laser beam emitted from the output end of the optical fiber 2 through the condensing lens inside the handpiece 7 to the affected area (
It is possible to perform ablation, etc. by focusing the light onto the irradiated area) using a laser beam.

By the way, a conventional example of the handpiece 7 has a structure as shown in FIG.

That is, the optical fiber 2 has an inner coating 3. It is protected by an exterior covering 4. The optical fiber 2 is inserted into a fiber holding hole 13a of a fiber holding portion (fiber holder) 13 formed by protruding radially inward from the inner wall of the hand piece 7, and is held and fixed therein. The cooling gas G flows through the gap between the optical fiber 2 and the interior coating 3 in the laser probe 8, and is passed through the exhaust port 1.
5, or is blown out in front of the condensing lens 17 through a cooling gas inlet 16 connected to the cooling gas inlet 15 with a tube (not shown), and is sprayed onto the surface of the part to be irradiated with the laser beam.

By the way, in general, in a carbon dioxide gas laser scalpel, the required laser power on the irradiated surface is 20 W or more for incision, excision, etc. Therefore, the laser light power transmitted through the optical fiber must naturally be 20 W or more.

At present, fiber materials for transmitting such high-output laser power are limited to fibers made from infrared crystal materials. For example, KR8-5,A(I C
1, AgBr, O38r, and other crystal fibers.

The optical fiber made of the above-mentioned materials transmits high-power carbon dioxide laser light, and its output end face 2o -hs C
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As shown in FIG. 3, the rear side of the optical fiber 2 is fixed slightly from the output end surface 2a of the optical fiber 2, so that the output end surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 is fixed as shown in FIG.
A phenomenon occurs in which the object moves in a circular motion. This phenomenon is
Since the intensity distribution of the light propagating inside the optical fiber 2 is not uniform, even if the absorption coefficient of the material forming the optical fiber 2 is uniform (constant) inside the optical fiber 2, it is not uniform inside the optical fiber buff. The distribution of the heat generated is -l! It is thought that this causes a temperature distribution within the cross section of the optical fiber, resulting in thermal strain and movement of the output end of the optical fiber.

When the output end of the optical fiber that transmits the Alpine Calais 11 light moves in an arc in this way, the following problems occur.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the optical fiber 2 does not emit Raded light, the axis of the optical fiber 2 and the lens 17
Even if the axes of the optical fiber 2 are set to match the axes of the optical fiber 2 and the light emitted from the optical fiber 2 is set to efficiently enter the lens 17, the optical fiber 2 transmits high-power laser light and the optical fiber 2 (starting from the output end face 2a), end, optical fiber 2
For example, the output end surface 2a of FIG.
Move in the direction of 9. In this way, when the output end face 2a of the optical fiber 2 moves in the directions 18 and 19 during laser beam transmission, the axis of the lens 17 shifts from the axis of the optical fiber 2, and as shown in FIG. The disadvantage is that the spot position of the laser beam 17 changes, and the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber 2 does not effectively enter the lens 17, making it impossible to perform laser irradiation safely. was occurring.

Furthermore, the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber 2 illuminates the inner wall (cylindrical portion) of the handpiece, and the handpiece 7 is heated by the laser beam, creating an extremely dangerous situation for the operator.

In this way, the conventional laser scalpel handpiece 7 does not hold the output end of the optical fiber 2 as shown in FIG. 2, so the output end of the optical fiber 2 moves when the laser beam is emitted. , the axes of the optical fiber 2 and the lens 17 are misaligned, resulting in a decrease in the focusing efficiency of the laser beam.Also, there is a drawback that the emitted light of the moved optical fiber 2 irradiates the inner wall of the hand piece 7. was.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and provides a laser scalpel that can accurately and safely irradiate the irradiated area with laser light without the optical fiber output end moving during laser irradiation. The purpose is to provide handpieces.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention achieves the above object by providing a fiber end holder for holding an output end of an optical fiber inside a handpiece.

[Embodiments of the invention] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

5 and 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hand piece 21 of the first embodiment includes a flexible outer covering 23 as a covering member forming a laser probe 22, and a flexible outer covering 23 formed inside the outer covering 23. Screw the rear end to the front end of the interior sheathing 24 (
It can also be fitted. ) Hand piece body 2 formed by
5, and a handpiece cylindrical body portion 27 whose rear end is connected to a connecting portion 26 at the front end of the handpiece body 25.

A flexible optical fiber 28 for transmitting laser light is inserted inside the interior coating 24, and the rear end of the optical fiber 28 is fixed with a connector formed at the rear end (not shown) that goes into the laser probe 22. has been done.

Further, the front end side of the optical fiber 28 is formed by protruding the front end side of the thick handpiece body 25 inward in the radial direction.
The fiber holding portion 29 has a fiber holding hole 29a having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber. Output end (surface) 2 of this optical fiber 28 further on the front end side
8a is held through a fiber holding hole 31 formed at the center of a fiber end holder 30 having an outer diameter that fits into the inner wall of the handpiece resting part 27. In other words, optical fiber 2
The output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 is held through a fiber holding hole 31 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 28, and the fiber end boulder 30 is not shown in FIG.
The fiber end holder 30 is fitted into the hand piece cylindrical body 27 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter, and is removably fixed by screws 32, 32, 32 on the outer periphery, for example, at three locations.

In front of the fiber end boulder 30, a condenser lens 3 is provided.
3 is fixed to the inner wall of the handpiece cylindrical body part 27 via a lens frame 34, and directs the laser beam emitted from the output ra 28a of the optical fiber 28 held by the fiber end holder 30. The center of the optical fiber 28 is located in front of the central axis of the optical fiber 28, and the light is focused by the condenser lens 33, which is aligned with the axis, and passes through the opening at the front end of the handpiece cylinder body 27, and then is transmitted to the cover in front of the opening. It is now possible to irradiate the irradiation area. That is, the optical fiber 28 is inserted on the central axis of the hand piece 21, and its output end 28a (the side portion thereof) is fixed on the central axis so as not to move even during laser beam transmission. Therefore, its output rJJ end 28
The laser beam emitted from a passes along the central axis of the hand piece 27 and is emitted from B10 at the front end.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the fiber end holder 30 is provided inside the hand piece 27 at a position between the fiber holder 29 and the lens 33, and the fiber end By the section boulder 30, the optical fiber 28
Since the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 is held, the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 can be prevented from moving even when the laser beam is irradiated, and safe and accurate laser light irradiation can be performed. In addition, the fiber end holder 3・O
There is also an advantage that the axes of the optical fiber 28 and the lens 33 can be easily aligned by aligning the axes of the fiber holding hole 31 and the lens 33 by setting the numbers.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In the handpiece 41 of this embodiment, a gas inlet 42 is provided in the handpiece cylindrical portion 27 between the fiber end holder 30 and the condensing lens 33. The tube is divided into equal parts so that gas can be introduced into the handpiece cylindrical body 27 as shown by arrows in FIG. Further, as in the first embodiment, the optical fiber 28 is held by a fiber holding portion 44 having an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 28, which is the number set on the handpiece body 43. Ori,
Further, the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 has a side portion inside the handpiece cylindrical body portion 27, and the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28
is held by a fiber end holder 44 having an inner fiber holding hole 31 slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber end holder 44;
Movement of the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 can be suppressed during laser beam irradiation. Similarly, the axis of this fiber end holder 44 is set to coincide with the axis of the condenser lens 33 inside the handpiece 41;
It is extremely easy to align the axes of the optical fiber 28 and the lens 33, and the lens 33 and the optical fiber output end 2
The position of 8a can also be set extremely easily and accurately.

By the way, the fiber end holder 44 that fixes the output end 28a of the optical fiber 28 has a shape as shown in FIG. It is formed of support rods 47, 47, 47 extending from, for example, three locations on the outer periphery to the radially outer annular portion 46, and the cooling gas passes through the gaps between adjacent support rods 47, 47, It is possible to cool the output end 28a and the fiber end boulder 44 that supports the output end 28a. Incidentally, the annular portion 46 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the handpiece cylindrical body portion 27 at the outer peripheral position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the fiber holding portion 43 also has gas flow holes 4 at three locations around the fiber holding hole 29a.
8,48,48 are provided, the cooling gas can freely pass through, and the optical fiber output end 28a1 fiber holding portion 43 can be efficiently cooled.

The fiber end holder 44 can be attached in the same manner as in the first embodiment, by removing the handpiece cylindrical part 27 at the handpiece connecting part 26 and attaching the fiber end holder 44 to a predetermined position on the handpiece cylindrical part 27. The handpiece can be easily removed by installing it at the set position, then attaching the handpiece cylindrical body 27, and further fixing the annular part 46 of the fiber end holder 44 to the handpiece cylindrical body 27 with the fixing screw 32. 21 (the number of fixing hole screws 32 may be one or more).

The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to this second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, movement of the emission end 28a during laser beam irradiation can be prevented,
In addition to enabling accurate and safe laser beam irradiation, in particular, the output end 2Qa of the optical fiber 28, the fiber end holder 44. Since the fiber holding portion 29 and the like can be cooled with the cooling gas, thermal damage to the optical fiber 28 and the like can be effectively prevented.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the fiber end holder 44
The shape is not limited to that shown in FIG. M8 above, and may be formed into a shape in which gas flow holes 48 are formed in a substantially disk-shaped portion, as in the case of the fiber holding portion shown in FIG. 9, for example. Furthermore, the fiber holding section 29 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
Each gas distribution hole 48 may be shaped so that a portion of the fiber holding hole 29 etc. communicates with each other, or the gas distribution hole 48 may have a gas distribution path with a different shape, number, etc. .

Note that the gas introduction port 42 can be used not only for gas introduction but also as an exhaust port. Further, in order to prevent the tube connected to the gas inlet (or exhaust port) 42 from interfering with operation, the tube can be turned so as to extend along the axial direction around the outer periphery of the hand piece 41. In this case, a groove for arranging one coil may be formed as necessary.

Note that the present invention also includes an optical fiber 28 in which only (a side portion of) its output end 28a is held within the handpiece.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the fiber end holder that holds the output end of the optical fiber behind the lens in the handpiece is provided, so that the output end of the optical fiber does not change during laser irradiation. Movement can be prevented and laser beam irradiation can be performed accurately and safely.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the laser scalpel device, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional handpiece, Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing the laser beam output optical system part in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4
The drawing is an explanatory perspective view showing that the output end side of the optical fiber shown in Fig. 3 moves in a circular trajectory during laser beam irradiation, and Figs. 5 and 6 show the first embodiment of the present invention. Regarding the example, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a handpiece of one embodiment,
6 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 5, FIGS. 7 to 9 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the handpiece of the second embodiment, Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 7.
It is a line enlarged sectional view. 21.41...Handpiece 22...Laser probe 25.43...Handpiece body 26...Connection part 27...Handpiece cylinder body part 28...Optical fiber 28a...Emission D 29...Fiber holding part 29a...Fiber holding hole 30.44...Fiber end holder 31...Fiber holding hole 33...Lens 42...
・Gas inlet 47...Support frame 48...Gas distribution hole Fig. 2 1/ /Z Sf→

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Store the tip side of the optical fiber for laser beam transmission,
In the handpiece, the laser beam emitted from the output end face of the optical fiber is focused by a lens and can be irradiated onto the irradiated area in front of the lens, the inner diameter being slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber. 1. A handpiece for a laser scalpel, characterized in that a fiber end boulder is provided with a fiber holding hole formed therein, and the output end of an optical fiber is held by the fiber end holder. (2) The handpiece for a laser scalpel according to claim 1, wherein the fiber end holder is provided with a gas flow path for gas flow capability. (3) The fiber end holder has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hand piece on the outer circumferential side of the output end of the optical fiber, and has a mounting number that can be attached and detached with a screw or the like. The handpiece for laser scalpel according to item 1. (4) The laser scalpel according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical fiber is held by a fiber holding part inside the rear handpiece whose output end is held by a fiber end holder. hand piece.