JPS60200202A - Cooling device of hand piece for laser scalpel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cool the periphery of the projection end of an optical fiber directly and to prevent a thermal damage to a hand piece structure by forming a cooling means which uses Peltier effect at the fiber holding part of the hand piece for the laser scalpel. CONSTITUTION:The fiber holding part 48 of the hand piece 42 of a laser probe 41 for the optical fiber 43 is composed of a cooling element which uses Peltier effect. Namely, electrodes 55a and 55b are fitted to outer peripheral surfaces of a couple of P and N type semiconductors (p) and (n) and so connected that a current I flows from a constant current source 56 to the electrode 55b. When laser light with high power is projected in this constitution, a large quantity of heat is generated near the projection end surface, but absorbed directly by a joint member 54 to cool the heated part without using any cooling gas by flowing the current I. Consequently, a thermal damage to the probe structure is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a cooling device for a hand piece for a laser scalpel, in which the hand piece portion can be cooled by a cooling means using a cooling element.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In recent years, laser scalpels (devices) that use laser light as a scalpel have been widely used in place of ordinary mechanical scalpels with sharpened cutting edges. The laser scalpel described above is suitable for surgeries such as incisions because it has a sealing effect in most cases, unlike conventional scalpels that cause bleeding when incisions are made. Furthermore, since it can be converged extremely narrowly, more detailed surgery can be performed.

When used, laser light is guided to the affected area (irradiated area) using an articulated light guide (so-called manipulator) or a flexible optical fiber, and the laser light is irradiated to incise and coagulate biological tissue.

In this case, the operator must hold and operate an operating section (grip section) called a handpiece (device) 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 above laser scalpel 1, for laser beam transmission (light guide)
The optical fiber 2 has an inner coating 3. as shown enlarged in the circle in FIG. A connector 6 that is protected by an exterior coating 4 and that can be inserted into a laser (oscillator) 5 formed on the base side thereof.
and a hand piece 7 formed on the distal end side constitute a so-called laser (female) probe 8.

' The handpiece 7 provided at the tip of the laser probe 8 is a part that is held and operated by the operator. Inside the laser probe 8, a gap is provided between the optical fiber 2 and the interior coating 3 so that the cooling gas G/[F for cooling the optical fiber 2 is present. The cooling gas G normally flows from a gas source (for example, a gas cylinder) in the laser power source 9 through the air pipe 1o and through the gap between the optical fiber 2 and the interior coating 3 in the laser probe 8. Therefore, the cooling gas G
is now being discharged. Operator uses handpiece 7
The laser beam emitted from the output end of the optical fiber 2 is focused on the affected area (irradiated area) through the condensing lens inside the hand piece 7, so that ablation etc. can be performed using the laser beam. It has become.

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

That is, the optical fiber 2 (indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1) 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 18, and is exhausted directly from the exhaust port 15, or via the cooling gas inlet 16 connected to the exhaust port 15 with a tube or the like (not shown). It is blown out in front of the condensing lens 17 and sprayed onto the surface of the part to be irradiated with the laser beam.

In the conventional example shown in FIG. 2 above, the optical transmission part of the optical fiber 2 can be cooled, but the space near the output end face 2a of the optical fiber 2 is cut off from the cooling gas G, so the structure is such that it can hardly be cooled. It is ゛.

Therefore, in the optical fiber 2 during high power transmission, the output end of the optical fiber 2, which generates the most heat, cannot be effectively cooled, resulting in thermal damage to the optical fiber 2, leading to an extremely dangerous situation. had.

Furthermore, since the fiber holding part 13 does not have a cooling structure, the fiber holding part 13 becomes extremely hot, and there is a risk of thermal damage when the operator grasps it, resulting in a lack of safety. .

By the way, in order to suppress heat generation in an optical fiber that transmits laser light, there is a conventional example disclosed in Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-105605.

In this conventional example, as shown in FIG. 3, a cooling gas passage 22 is formed on the outer periphery of a core part 31 of an optical fiber that guides (transmits) laser light, and the cooling gas passage 22 is passed through a cladding part 23 formed on the outer periphery of the optical fiber. Covered by wave N24. The light entrance and exit ends 21 + and 21o of the core section 21 are fixed with metal chips 25 and 25, respectively, and gaps 26 communicating with the cooling gas passage 22 are formed on the outer periphery of each metal chip 25. In addition, a thermoelectric cooling element group 27 is provided respectively. Thus, the cooling gas is fed to the end 21i on the inlet side as shown by the arrow, and is released from the air outlet 28 inside the outer coating 24 whose diameter has been enlarged on the outlet side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal lightning cooling element group 27 on the exit side consists of a plurality of curved pieces of a P-type semiconductor p and an N-type semiconductor n with an insulator 29 interposed therebetween. By applying a DC voltage from each of the outer electrode pieces 30° 30 arranged in an annular shape and passing a current through the bonding plate 31 bonded to the inner surface of each set of semiconductor devices n, the inner bonding is performed. The plate 31 side was cooled, and the heat generated on the outer electrode pieces 30 and 30 side was cooled with cooling gas. In this case, the joint plate 31 side is cooled by the thermal lightning cooling element group 27, but due to this cooling, the outlet side of the core part 21 is not directly cooled, but is indirectly cooled through the cooling gas in the inner gap 26. Because of this, air is used as a cooling gas,
N2. Since Ar and the like have low thermal conductivity, they have the disadvantage of low cooling efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to flow a large amount of gas, the outer diameter becomes large, and it is difficult to operate, and the cooling efficiency is lower than in the case of direct cooling. Further, there is a problem in that moisture contained in the cooling gas is condensed by the cooling element and has an adverse effect on the optical fiber.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and provides a cooling device for a hand piece for a laser scalpel that can effectively cool the vicinity of the output end of an optical fiber and prevent heat damage. The purpose is to

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention cools the vicinity of the output end of the optical fiber by forming a cooling means using the Beltier effect in the fiber holding portion of the handpiece for a laser scalpel, thereby cooling the optical fiber and the components of the handpiece. Prevents heat damage.

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

5 to 8 relate to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5 shows a handpiece with one embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a handpiece with one embodiment.
The basic configuration of the cooling element used in the example is shown, FIG. 7 shows the fiber holding part with the function of the first example, and FIG. shows.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the laser probe 41 has a first
A hand piece 42 to which the embodiment is applied is formed.

Optical fiber 43 serving as a light transmission member within the probe 41
A cooling gas flow path 24 is formed by a gap formed along the outer periphery of the optical fiber 43, and the optical fiber 43 is protected by an inner coating 45 covering this gap, and the outer side of the inner coating 45 is an outer coating. It is covered with a coating 46.

The optical fiber 43 is held in the vicinity of its tip by a fiber holding section 48 that is constructed using a cooling element in the hand piece 42 on its outer periphery.

The inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 48a of this fiber holding part 48 is set to a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the optical fiber holding hole 43, and the optical fiber 43 is held in the state where this fiber holding hole 48a is fitted. It has become so. On the inner periphery of the hand piece 42 between this fiber holding part 48a and a condensing lens 50 fixed by a lens support part 49 formed on the inner wall surface of the hand piece 42 in front of the output end surface 43a of the optical fiber 43, A reflecting mirror 51 having a conical reflecting surface 51a whose diameter gradually increases from the output end surface 43a to the lens 50 side is attached by gluing the outer peripheral surface of the reflecting mirror 1151 or the like. This reflective surface 51a is made of AI, Au,
Metals such as Aa and Cu are deposited on the output end surface 43.
The reflected surface 51 expands the laser beam emitted from a.
The laser beam is efficiently reflected at point a and guided to the lens 50 side as a parallel beam of light, and the laser beam emitted from the aperture end via the lens 50 can be sufficiently focused and irradiated onto the irradiated area.

Incidentally, the fiber holding section 48 uses a cooling element of the Beltier effect shown in FIG. 6 in its basic configuration.

That is, a P-type semiconductor p and an N-type semiconductor n are bonded via a metal bonding member S, and a metal electrode D on the other end side of the P-type semiconductor p
By applying a DC power supply V to the metal 1 electrode D211 on the other end side of the N-type semiconductor n so that the p-side of the P-type semiconductor becomes negative, a current I is caused to flow as shown by the arrow, and this current An endothermic phenomenon occurs in the member S, and its temperature decreases (for example, its I! mark is Tc), while a heat dissipation phenomenon occurs in the metal electrodes D and D, and its temperature increases (for example, each temperature becomes Th Th 2 In this case, TC1 <Th Th 2), and the amount of heat absorption or heat generation 1°Q becomes Q-πl, where π is the Bertier coefficient.

FIG.
Alternatively, it is as shown in FIG. 7, which is a perspective view, or FIG. 8, which is a cross section taken along the line B--B in FIG. 5.

That is, semicircular or semicylindrical (described as semicircular).
The P-type semiconductor p and the N-type semiconductor n, which are further divided into two halves in the longitudinal direction (denoted as 1/4 ring), are arranged alternately with thin insulating plates 53 interposed between them. The pair of P-type semiconductors p and N-type semiconductors n are formed into an annular shape, and each of the pair of P-type semiconductors p and N-type semiconductor n is bonded to a common semicircular bonding member 54 of gold II (or other conductive material) on its inner surface. The two semicircular joining members 54 are fixed to each other so as to form a circular ring that forms a fiber holding hole 48a of a predetermined inner diameter surrounding the optical fiber 43 via an insulating plate 53 at both ends of the semicircular ring in the circumferential direction. An optical fiber 43 is inserted into the inside thereof, so that the optical fiber 43 can be held.

Further, the P-type semiconductor p and the N-type semiconductor n each have a 1/4 annular metal (or other conductive material) electrode 5 on their outer surfaces.
5a and 55b are the inner semiconductor p, as shown in FIG.
n is fixed so as to cover all but both ends in the length direction. Note that the insulating plate 5 at the boundary between the P-type semiconductor p and the N-type semiconductor n
3 is also interposed in the adjacent electrodes 55a and 55bl11 to prevent dirt from entering and causing insulation failure. Note that, for example, B1-Cu material is suitable as the material for the joining member 54 and the electrodes 55a, 55b.

As shown in FIG. 8, a constant current source 56 is connected between the electrodes 55a and 55b attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of each pair of P-type semiconductor p and N-type semiconductor n, with the current I flowing in the direction of the electrode 55b. Each bonding member 54 is cooled by the current l flowing from the constant current source 56 to the electrode 55b, the N-type semiconductor n, the bonding member 54, the P-type semiconductor p, and the electrode 55a. The vicinity of the output end face 43a of the adjacent optical fiber 43 can be effectively cooled.

The fiber holding part 48 shown in FIG.
A, 55b, 55b (and each insulating plate 53) are attached so that the outer peripheral surfaces thereof are exposed on the outer periphery of the pigeon piece 42 body with the same outer diameter. In other words, the approximately cylindrical or tubular body of the hand piece 42 is divided into two parts at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction in a shape that fits into the outer shape of both ends of the fiber holding part 48, and each part is separated from the outer periphery of the divided part. By fixing the semiconductor (for example, a P-type semiconductor p) inside the optical fiber 43 with the screw 57, an integrated hand is formed in which a fiber holding part 48 using a cooling element is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber 43 near the output end face 43a. A piece 42 is formed. Furthermore, by removing each of the screws 57, it is possible to easily remove and assemble not only the fiber holding portion 48 but also the reflection section 1151.

Furthermore, for optical fibers 43 with different outer diameters,
It is also possible to replace and use fiber holding parts 48 with different fiber holding holes 48a.

The insulating plate 53 interposed between the P-type semiconductor p and the N-type semiconductor n has its inner end fixed to the outer periphery of the bonding member 54 between the semiconductors p and n in a pair, and its inner end between the pair The joint member 5C54 is attached so as to insulate the joint member 5C54.

The vertical cross-sectional view in FIG. 5 is taken through the opposing P-type semiconductors p and p in FIG. 8.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention configured in this way, when transmitting high-power laser light through the optical fiber 43 and emitting it toward the irradiated part, the output end face 43 of the optical fiber 43
The temperature of the optical fiber 43 due to a large amount of heat generated near a can be reduced by flowing current from the constant current source 56 to the cooling element utilizing the Bertier effect in the fiber holding part 48 without using a cooling gas, to lower the outer periphery of the optical fiber 43. Since the joining members 54 and 54 are provided with means for directly absorbing heat and cooling, the optical fiber 43 can be effectively cooled, and the constituent materials of the optical fiber and the hand piece 42 can be effectively prevented from being thermally damaged. Can be stopped. Furthermore, by adjusting the current (2) supplied from the constant current source 56, the cooling capacity can be set in proportion to the current (I), so thermal damage can be effectively prevented by adjusting the current in accordance with the amount of laser light to be transmitted. can.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the conical reflecting mirror 51 is provided, the expanding part of the light emitted from the output end face 43a is reflected without absorbing much of it. It can be made into a parallel light beam, and the efficiency of light collection by the lens 50 can be increased. In this case, since absorption can be reduced, the temperature rise in the handpiece 42 can be reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a fiber holding part in a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the fiber holding part.

In the fiber holding part 61 in this second embodiment, the joining member 54 of the fiber holding part 48 in the first embodiment is not formed into a semicircular shape, but is placed on the boundary between the adjacent P-type semiconductor p and N-type semiconductor n. A joined plate-shaped joining member 62, each plate-shaped joining member 62, each plate-shaped joining member 62
is made to protrude inward in the radial direction, and the distance between the opposing ends is made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 43, so that the outer periphery of the optical fiber 43 near the output end surface 43a can be held with a small contact area. be.

An insulating member 63 is interposed between the electrodes 55a and 55b on the outer periphery of the radially outer end of each joining member 62, and the insulating member 63 prevents conduction between the electrodes 55a and 55b. It's Nishide.

As shown in FIG. 9, a current flows from the constant current sources 64, 64 through the eight pairs of P-type semiconductors p and N-type semiconductors n in such a direction that the N-type semiconductor n side has a positive potential. 62
The optical fiber 43 in contact with the joining member 62 can be cooled by causing a heat absorption phenomenon.

In addition, in FIG. 9, for example, at least one of the electrodes 55a and 55a or between the electrodes 55b and 55b is electrically connected by a conductive wire, etc. (-2 constant 1i1 sources may also be used), and both the left and right joining members 62 .62 as well as both upper and lower joining members 62.62 function to cool the optical fiber 43.

According to this second embodiment, the output end face 4 of the optical fiber 43
3, the outer periphery is held with a small contact area, so light absorption in the holding part can be reduced and heat generation can be suppressed, and almost only the heat generated due to light absorption by the optical fiber 43 is generated. It is only necessary to cool down the temperature, and the generation of heat can be reduced compared to the case of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a handpiece according to a third embodiment of the invention.

In the handpiece 71 of this embodiment, the fiber holding part 61 of the second embodiment is used, and FIG. 11 shows a cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. 9.

The hand piece 71 is the hand piece 22 shown in FIG.
It has approximately the same shape as , but it also has a fiber holding part 61
A radial through hole 72 is formed in the inner wall surface of the hand piece 71 behind the part where the electrodes 55a and 55b are attached.
The outer peripheral surface is covered with a cover portion 4173 so as to form a gap. Further, a gas exhaust lower 4 is formed on the outer periphery of the cover member 73 in front of the fiber holding portion 61, and a coating 45 is formed inside the probe 41.
A flow path 44 in the gap between the inner circumference and the outer circumference of the optical fiber 43
As shown by the arrow, the cooling gas is guided to the outer periphery of the electrodes 55a, 55b through the through holes 72, and is exhausted through the gas exhaust lower 4, thereby removing the heated electrodes 55a, 55b and their surroundings. handpiece 17
This allows the outer periphery to be cooled. In addition, the cover member 73
can be detachably screwed and attached from the front side of the handpiece 71.

The rest is the same as the first embodiment. According to the hand piece 71 according to the third embodiment, in addition to being able to effectively cool the vicinity of the output end surface 43a of the optical fiber 43 with the cooling element, substantially in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment, the probe 41
The optical fiber 43 in the middle can be cooled with cooling gas, and the cooling gas can be passed through the through hole 72 to generate heat through the electrodes 55a, 55.
A is designed to be cooled, so when performing gripping operations,
The hand piece 71 can be operated without the need for a hot agitation.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the hand piece 81 according to this embodiment, the reflecting mirror 51 in the hand piece 71 of the third embodiment has a conical reflecting surface 51a.
Instead, it is formed on a parabolic reflecting surface 51b. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the same members are given the same reference numerals.

It is clear that in the third or fourth embodiment, the fiber holding section is not limited to that of the second embodiment, but may also be that of the first embodiment.

Further, the fiber holding part is not limited to the one shown in the figure, but is not limited to one in which a cooling element having a Bertier effect is formed using two sets of a P-type semiconductor p and an N-type semiconductor, and one
It may be formed of a set or three or more sets.

Note that the reflection 1151 may be formed integrally with the hand piece 42, 71, etc. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a device that does not have the reflecting mirror 51.

Further, in the third or fourth embodiment, the cooling gas is guided from the rear side near the output end face 43a of the optical fiber 43 through the through hole 72 to the outer peripheral side of the electrodes 55a, 55b. After passing through the gap (between the joining members 62 and 62) that forms the outer periphery of the optical fiber 43, the electrode 55a is connected to the electrode 55a using a through hole or the like.

In addition to cooling the light by guiding it to the outer periphery of 55b, the vicinity of the emission end may also be cooled with the cooling gas.

Incidentally, by connecting a tube to the mouthpiece of the gas discharge lower 4 and sucking the gas, the cooling of the gas to be supplied can be further enhanced.

Incidentally, the present invention also includes a partial combination of the above-mentioned elements.

Further, the present invention can also be used when a manipulator is used as the laser beam transmission member.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the vicinity of the output end of the optical fiber is directly cooled by a cooling element that utilizes the Beltier effect, so that a current corresponding to the amount of laser light to be transmitted can be passed. Therefore, the vicinity of the output end face can be sufficiently cooled. Therefore, thermal damage to the optical fiber and handpiece components can be effectively prevented, the durability of the optical fiber, etc. can be increased, and high-power laser light can be safely irradiated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a diagonal R view showing a general laser scalpel device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a conventional hand piece, and Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional cooling device when an optical fiber is used as a transmission member. Top view, Figure 4 is A-All in Figure 3.
The i-side view and FIGS. 5 to 8 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a handpiece equipped with the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the fiber holding part of the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5; FIG. 9 and FIG. FIG. 10 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a fiber holding part in the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an enlarged fiber holding part, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a hand piece according to a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a hand piece according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 41... Probe 42.71.81... Hand piece 43... Optical fiber 43a... Output end surface 45...
・Interior coating 48.61...Fiber holding part 50...Lens 51...Reflecting mirror 51a, 5'lb-...Reflecting surface 53...Insulating plate 54.62...Joining member 55a, 55b -'l pole 56.64... Constant current source 63... Insulating member 72.
...Through hole 73...Cover member 74...Gas outlet agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito Figure 2 Figure 5 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a handpiece formed at the tip of a laser probe using an optical fiber as a light guiding member for a laser scalpel,
The outer periphery of the optical fiber is surrounded by a conductor to which an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor are bonded, and the optical fiber is held in advance by a fiber holding part having an electrode provided on the outer periphery of each of the N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductor. Cooling device for handpiece for laser scalpel. (2) The cooling device for a hand piece for a laser scalpel according to claim 1, wherein the fiber holding portion is detachable using a fixing screw provided on the outer periphery of the hand piece. (3) The cooling device for a hand piece for a laser scalpel according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the electrode can be cooled by a cooling gas fed through the probe. Claim 1, characterized in that a reflecting mirror is provided between the surface and a condensing lens disposed in front of the output end surface to reflect the expanding laser beam and guide it to the condensing lens. Cooling device for the 64 female handpiece described