JPWO2018193701A1 - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus that adjusts and controls a jet output with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts. A cylindrical liquid chamber (140), a nozzle (141) for opening the end of the liquid chamber (142) and ejecting the liquid (132) in the liquid chamber to the outside, and supplying the liquid into the liquid chamber A liquid supply path (130); and a laser beam irradiation unit (120) for irradiating the liquid chamber with pulsed laser light to vaporize the liquid in the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber or the nozzle includes: A hole (151) communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed in a peripheral edge between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  In surgical treatment of cancer, it is difficult to achieve both resection of the tumor and preservation without damaging nerves and small blood vessels (function preservation) with a single treatment method or treatment device. A pulse jet scalpel has been developed as a therapeutic device to solve this problem. The pulse jet scalpel is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a small amount of liquid to a treatment site at high speed and intermittently (pulse type).

  A pulse jet scalpel (hereinafter also referred to as a “liquid ejector”) crushes only the tumor by adjusting the speed and volume of the jet liquid to be ejected, and at the same time preserves the normal tissues, nerves, and small blood vessels. Both effects can be achieved. That is, the pulse jet scalpel is a technique capable of preserving thinner blood vessels and nerves as compared with conventional devices such as an ultrasonic crusher and aspirator. Until now, the development of pulse jet scalpel for the treatment of pituitary benign tumors has started, and clinical research has been conducted at a high-volume pituitary treatment center in Japan, and more than 100 patients have been treated. Sex is shown.

  Currently, there are two main types of pulse jet scalpel technologies. That is, a laser drive type (see Patent Literature 1), which irradiates a pulsed laser into a liquid to vaporize the liquid and ejects the liquid by using a pressure increase due to expansion, and a piezoelectric element having high responsiveness are used. It is a pump drive type (see Patent Document 2) in which a liquid is injected in a pulsed manner by a syringe pump or a tube pump.

WO 2015/125394 JP-A-2015-171547

  In the pulse jet scalpel, it is necessary to finely adjust the speed and amount of the jet liquid to be ejected depending on the required treatment conditions. However, in the pump-driven pulse jet scalpel described in Patent Literature 2, the output of the jet flow is required to eject the liquid in a pulsed manner due to the accuracy of the output adjustment of the pump and the limit of the responsiveness of the liquid. It was difficult to fine-tune. For this reason, it was difficult to resect the tumor and to preserve it without damaging nerves and small blood vessels (function preservation), which would require delicate control of jet output.

  On the other hand, the laser-driven pulse jet scalpel described in Patent Literature 1 includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a distance between a nozzle serving as a liquid ejection port and a laser light irradiation unit, and a pulse generated by the laser light irradiation unit. Before or during the irradiation of the laser beam, the jet output is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiating section by the adjusting means. However, since this technical configuration has a movable portion as an adjusting unit, the configuration and its control are complicated, and the apparatus may be enlarged.

  The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances in the above background, and has as its object to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that adjusts and controls a jet output with a simple configuration without increasing the number of components.

  The present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that generates a liquid jet, comprising: a cylindrical liquid chamber; a nozzle that opens an end of the liquid chamber to eject liquid in the liquid chamber to the outside; A liquid supply path for supplying liquid to the liquid chamber, and a laser light irradiation unit for irradiating the liquid chamber with pulsed laser light to vaporize the liquid in the liquid chamber, and wherein the liquid chamber or the nozzle includes the nozzle A hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed in a peripheral edge between the liquid chamber and the laser beam irradiation unit.

  The present invention employs a configuration in which, similarly to a general laser-driven pulse jet scalpel, a laser is emitted from an optical fiber, whereby heat is rapidly transmitted to the liquid in the liquid chamber to vaporize the liquid present at the irradiation location. It has. Further, as an additional configuration, a hole that communicates with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed at a peripheral edge between the nozzle of the liquid chamber or the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation unit.

  Bubbles developed by evaporating the liquid by laser irradiation increase the pressure in the liquid chamber and cause the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle. As the liquid flow approaches the nozzle, it develops well into a jet. Even if the liquid ejected from the nozzle is not provided with the holes according to the present invention, the liquid is ejected first, and then a water droplet smaller in size than the water is ejected so as to follow the water.

  The body of water collides with the target tissue and reaches deep into the tissue, depending on the momentum of the body of water and the elasticity of the tissue. Thereafter, many water droplets act to press the water mass collision portion. However, since the momentum of the water droplet is small, the liquid does not reach a further deep portion, and the liquid spreads around the target portion, for example, in the case of a multi-layered tissue, between layers at the reached depth.

  In this way, the liquid ejecting device adjusts the speed and volume of the jet liquid to be ejected, thereby crushing only the tumor and at the same time preserving the normal tissues, nerves and small blood vessels. ing.

  One embodiment of the present invention is different from the related art in that a hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is provided at a peripheral edge between the nozzle of the liquid chamber or the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation unit. Since the liquid flow is sufficiently developed in the liquid chamber tube, the pressure near the hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber becomes relatively negative compared to the pressure state of the external environment. Therefore, the liquid does not leak from the hole, but draws air from the surroundings to the liquid chamber through the hole by the ejector effect, and a jet containing bubbles is formed.

  This embodiment has a feature that the size of the water mass can be arbitrarily changed depending on the position of the hole. That is, as the position of the hole approaches the nozzle and the opening for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle, the water mass ejected after laser irradiation becomes smaller due to the bubbles drawn from the hole. Further, the distance until the reduced water mass passes through the liquid chamber or the nozzle and is ejected at the opening of the nozzle is shortened, and the pipe resistance (shear resistance) applied to the water mass is also reduced. As a result, the jetting speed of the water mass increases, the force at the moment of colliding with the target tissue increases, and the liquid reaches a deeper position.

  On the other hand, as the position of the hole moves away from the nozzle, the water mass increases, and the pipe resistance also increases. As a result, the jetting speed of the water mass is reduced, and the reaching depth to the target tissue is reduced.

  However, since the total ejection power of the liquid is a reaction force according to the product of the pressure in the liquid chamber and the cross-sectional area of the nozzle orifice or throat portion (the portion with the smallest cross-sectional area in the flow path), Irrespective of the size, there is no significant change even if there is a slight difference depending on the shear resistance or the like.

  That is, in this embodiment, depending on the position of the hole, a small body of water allows the liquid to reach the deep part of the tissue and enables local treatment with a small effect on the surroundings, while a large body of water This makes it possible to treat shallow and wide areas. Further, as described above, in this configuration, the total jet power to the target tissue does not greatly change depending on the position of the hole, so that safe operation can be achieved without causing unexpected damage to the tissue. Let me.

  In the aspect, a plurality of the holes may be formed in a longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber or the nozzle, and each of the holes may include an opening / closing mechanism.

  According to this aspect, one of the holes can be selected according to the crushing force required for the surgical treatment of cancer. Unnecessary holes can be closed by the opening / closing mechanism. The hole opening / closing mechanism does not require a complicated mechanism. For example, a mechanism that closes the hole with a tape or the like may be used. In order to perform fine adjustment, a plurality of selected holes may be opened so as to communicate with the outside. Therefore, this aspect can realize a detailed treatment request.

  In the aspect, a plurality of the holes may be formed in the peripheral direction of the liquid chamber or the nozzle, and each of the holes may include an opening / closing mechanism.

  According to this aspect, fine adjustment and control of the jet flow output can be performed. Further, according to the attitude of the liquid chamber in the up-down direction, for example, by opening the upper hole, by closing the lower hole, in a state where the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber before laser irradiation, Liquid leakage can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to always maintain a state in which the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber before the laser irradiation.

  In the above aspect, a configuration in which the shape of the hole is set such that the liquid is held in the liquid chamber by surface tension determined according to the viscosity and wettability of the liquid until the liquid is vaporized. It can be.

  According to this aspect, when pressure is not applied to the liquid chamber, liquid leakage due to surface tension is set by setting the size and direction of the hole based on the wettability of the filled liquid, physical properties such as viscosity, etc. It is possible to adopt a configuration that does not cause the rise. Therefore, it is possible to always maintain a state in which the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber before the laser irradiation.

  The present invention can provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that adjusts and controls a jet output with a simple configuration without increasing the number of components.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and an operation of a comparative example. It is a figure explaining the comparative example of a plurality of examples concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and a comparative example. It is a side sectional view and a side view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a liquid ejecting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a liquid ejecting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a liquid ejecting device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, configurations denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings are the same, and description thereof may be omitted.

  One aspect according to the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that generates a liquid jet, comprising: a tubular liquid chamber; and a nozzle that opens an end of the liquid chamber and ejects the liquid in the liquid chamber to the outside. A liquid supply path for supplying liquid into the liquid chamber, and a laser light irradiation unit that irradiates the liquid chamber with pulsed laser light to vaporize the liquid in the liquid chamber. Any specific mode may be adopted as long as a hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed in a peripheral edge between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation unit. Absent.

(1st Embodiment)
First, a main configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Next, an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 9, a comparison result between the example and the comparative example with respect to an operation when a hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed in a peripheral edge between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation part in the liquid chamber. Will be described.

(Description of overall configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a comparative example. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a comparison result between a plurality of examples according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a comparative example.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid ejecting apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid chamber 140, a liquid feeding device 130 that supplies liquid to the liquid chamber 140, and a laser that performs laser irradiation in the liquid chamber 100. It comprises a device 120 and a control device 110 for controlling the liquid sending device 130 and the laser device 120.

  As the liquid chamber 140, for example, a thin tube using a material such as stainless steel, titanium, gold, and silver having a cylindrical shape, or a material such as ceramics and having an inner diameter of about 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm can be used. It is not limited to this.

  In FIG. 1, the liquid chamber 140 has a linear cylindrical shape. However, for example, the liquid chamber 140 may be provided with a bent portion 145 as shown in FIG. The provision of the bent portion 145 can prevent the user from visually recognizing the target portion when using the liquid ejecting apparatus 100. However, since the allowable amount of bending of the optical fiber 121 of the laser device 120 inserted into the liquid chamber 140 is limited, the range in which the optical fiber 121 is inserted is limited to a linear cylindrical liquid chamber. It is preferably 140.

  At one end of the liquid chamber 140, an opening 142 for ejecting a liquid jet and a nozzle 141 connecting the cylindrical liquid chamber 140 to the opening 142 are formed. In FIG. 1, the nozzle 141 and the opening 142 are formed so as to narrow the inner diameter of the liquid chamber 140. However, the nozzle 141 and the opening 142 may be a straight nozzle maintaining the inner diameter of the liquid chamber 140. The material of the nozzle 141 can be a metal such as stainless steel, titanium, gold, or silver, or a ceramic, as in the liquid chamber 140, but is not limited thereto.

  The liquid chamber 140 is filled with a liquid 132 to be supplied, which is supplied from the liquid supply device 130 via a supply pipe 131. The liquid 132 can be selected from water, an electrolyte infusion, a drug solution, a physiological saline, and the like, and it is preferable to use a liquid having a pulse laser beam energy absorbing property such as a holmium / yag laser.

  As the laser device 120, for example, a laser oscillator such as a holmium-Yag laser device (Ho: YAG laser: wavelength 2.06 μm) in an infrared region generally used for medical use can be applied. Ho: YAG laser is a pulse oscillation laser having a high peak power and is suitable for medical use. However, the laser is not limited to the Ho: YAG laser, and another laser device such as a CO2 laser or a neodymium-Yag laser may be applied.

  The laser device 120 outputs pulsed laser light in response to a signal 111 from the control device 110 that changes the pulse energy, pulse width, and pulse repetition frequency of the pulsed laser light. The pulsed laser light is emitted from the tip 122 of the optical fiber 121 inserted into the liquid chamber 140 to the liquid chamber 140 filled with the liquid 132.

  The liquid sending device 130 supplies the liquid 132 to the liquid chamber 140 via the supply pipe 131 and the connection part 143 according to a command from the control device 110. The control device 110 performs control so that the laser device 120 does not output laser light when the liquid chamber 140 is not filled with the liquid 132.

  In the liquid chamber 140, an intake hole 151 communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed at a peripheral edge between the nozzle 141 and a tip 122 of the optical fiber 121 serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. The function of the intake hole 151 will be described later.

(Explanation of the function of pulse jet knife)
Next, an operation of the laser-driven pulse jet knife of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, the laser device 120 outputs a pulsed laser beam in response to a command from the control device 110, and the laser is emitted from the tip 122 of the optical fiber 121 (shown by EX). For example, in a laser beam having a wavelength of 2100 nm, the absorption coefficient in water is about 50 cm-1, so that 99.3% of the energy of the laser beam is absorbed in water while the laser beam travels 1 mm in water. Absorbed.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the energy is absorbed by the liquid 132, the liquid 132 is heated, a phase transition is performed from a liquid phase to a gas phase, and bubbles EG are generated. The rapid increase in volume due to the phase transition increases the pressure in the liquid chamber 140 and acts as a force to push the liquid 132 to the nozzle 141 and the opening 142.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the liquid 132 is ejected from the opening 142. That is, since a large amount of energy is transmitted from the pulse laser beam to the liquid 132 in a very short time, the liquid 132 is ejected from the opening 142 as a jet (jet stream) due to rapid phase transition. The ejection power of the liquid corresponds to a reaction force corresponding to the product of the pressure in the liquid chamber and the cross-sectional area of the ejection port of the nozzle or the portion of the liquid chamber 140 having the smallest inner diameter (throat portion). The jet is controlled by the pulse energy and pulse width of the pulse laser beam from the control device 110.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the present inventors swell out the water chunk WB first from the opening 142 by the expanding bubble EG, and thereafter, many water droplets DW follow the water chunk WB. The eruption was confirmed by observation. The jet having such a configuration is ejected toward the target living tissue 180.

  The living tissue 180 is composed of several layers, and is shown as a first layer 181 and a second layer 182 in FIG. For example, the first layer 181 corresponds to the stratum corneum, and the second layer 182 corresponds to the granular layer. The stratum corneum and granular layer are in a state where small cells are arranged side by side via intercellular lipid (ceramide).

  Referring to FIG. 3B, the water body WB collides with the first layer 181 and crushes the first layer 181. Further, the water body WB performs the excavation CR to a deep part in the living tissue 180. That is, the water mass WB enters the inside of the living tissue 180 until the resistance of the living tissue 180 exceeds the crushing force of the water mass WB. FIG. 3B illustrates an example in which the first layer 181 reaches an intermediate portion.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), the water mass WB that has become unable to enter in the depth direction spreads to, for example, a portion of the living tissue 180 where the resistance of the first layer 181 is weak, and is in a state of permeation PE. A subsequent water droplet DW collides with the liquid layer (penetration PE) deformed into a shape in which the water mass WB spreads so as to push the liquid layer.

  That is, the water body WB reaches the deep portion of the living tissue 180 according to the momentum of the water body WB and the resistance / elasticity of the living tissue 180 after colliding with the target living tissue 180. Thereafter, the water droplet DW acts to press the portion of the water body WB that has collided with the living tissue 180, but the liquid 132 does not reach a deeper portion of the living tissue 180. That is, in the case of the living tissue 180 in a multi-layered state around the target portion, for example, the first layer 181 and the second layer 182, the liquid 132 is formed of cells or gelatinous cells forming an interlayer or a layer at the reached depth. It spreads between ceramides.

  As described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention crushes only the tumor by adjusting the speed and amount of the jet liquid to be ejected, and at the same time preserves normal tissues, nerves, and small blood vessels. The two functions are compatible.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, an aspect according to the first embodiment of the present invention is that an outer periphery of the liquid chamber 140 is provided on a periphery between a nozzle 141 of the liquid chamber 140 and a tip 122 of an optical fiber 121 serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. And an intake hole 151 communicating with the intake port 151. With the expansion of the bubble EG, the flow of the liquid in the liquid chamber 140 in the pipe develops sufficiently. Therefore, in the vicinity of the intake hole 151 in the pipe communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber 140, the pressure state of the external environment is changed. The pressure becomes relatively negative. Therefore, air is drawn into the liquid chamber 140 from the surroundings of the external environment through the intake hole 151 by the ejector effect, and a jet including bubbles BL is formed.

  This embodiment has a feature that the size of the water body WB can be arbitrarily changed depending on the position of the intake hole 151. That is, when the position of the suction hole 151 is formed at a distance L1 close to the nozzle 141 as shown in FIG. 4A, the jet flow is divided by the bubbles drawn from the suction hole 151, and after the laser irradiation, The injected water mass WB1 becomes smaller.

  Furthermore, since the distance until the reduced water body WB1 passes through the liquid chamber 140 and is ejected by the nozzle 141 becomes shorter, the pipe resistance (shear resistance) applied to the water body WB1 also becomes smaller. As a result, the jetting speed of the water mass WB1 increases, the force at the moment of collision with the target living tissue 180 increases, and the water mass WB1 of the liquid 132 reaches a deeper position in the living tissue 180.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, when the position of the intake hole 151 moves away from the nozzle 141 as the distances L2 and L3, the water bodies WB2 and WB3 increase, and the pipe resistance also increases. As a result, the jetting speed of the water mass is reduced, and the reaching depth to the target tissue is reduced.

  However, since the total force from which the liquid 132 is ejected is a reaction force corresponding to the product of the pressure in the liquid chamber 140 and the cross-sectional area of the inner diameter D of the opening 142 of the nozzle 141, the size of the water masses WB1 to WB3 Irrespective of this, there is no significant change even though there is some difference depending on the shear resistance. That is, in the state where the water masses WB1 to WB3 of FIGS. 4A to 4C collide with the living tissue 180 and the water masses WB1 to WB3 penetrate into the living tissue 180, the water droplets DW form the water mass WB1. To WB3 are substantially equal.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a small water body WB1 is formed according to the position of the intake hole 151 to allow the liquid to reach a deep part of the living tissue 180 and to perform a local treatment with a small influence on the surroundings. On the other hand, a large water body WB3 makes it possible to treat a shallow and wide portion of the living tissue 180. Furthermore, in this configuration, since the total jet power to the target living tissue 180 does not greatly change depending on the position of the hole as described above, safe operation can be performed without causing unexpected damage to the tissue. Has been realized.

  The shape and size of the intake hole 151 are such that the liquid 132 is held in the liquid chamber 140 by surface tension determined according to the viscosity and wettability of the liquid 132 until the liquid 132 is vaporized and ejected from the opening 142. May be set as follows.

  With this setting, when the pressure is not applied to the liquid chamber 140, the size and direction of the suction hole 151 are set based on the wettability, viscosity, and other physical properties of the filled liquid 132. In addition, liquid leakage due to surface tension can be prevented. Therefore, the state where the liquid 132 is always filled in the liquid chamber 140 before the laser irradiation can be maintained.

  Next, an example according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 has been subjected to a test, and includes a liquid chamber 140 having a bent portion 145 and a suction device 170. The bent portion 145 does not prevent the user from visually recognizing the target portion when using the liquid ejecting apparatus 100. The suction device 170 suctions the liquid 132 in the liquid chamber 140 as needed according to a command from the control device 110. Neither does not prevent addition to the first embodiment of the present invention. The other configuration is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1. However, since the optical fiber 121 has a low bending tolerance, it is arranged on the near side of the bent portion 145 (closer to the laser device 120).

  FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a suction hole 151 communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber 140 is provided on a peripheral edge between a nozzle 141 of the liquid chamber 140 and a tip 122 of an optical fiber 121 serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. In the embodiment, the specimens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 were used, and the distances from the opening 142 of the intake hole 151 shown in FIG. 4 were set to L1 = 3 mm, L2 = 6 mm, and L3 = 12 mm. And a comparative test with a conventional comparative example having no air inlet 151.

  In the comparative test, as shown in FIG. 7, the liquid chamber 140 is inserted into the liquid filled in the container, and pulse laser light is irradiated as described in FIGS. Then, the size of the jet having the bubble BS ejected from the opening 142 is visually measured as the reaching depth of the bubble BS. If the jet having the bubble BS is large, the bubble BS reaches a deeper position, so that the crushing force of the water mass WB can be confirmed from the reaching depth of the bubble BS.

  FIG. 8A shows the results of a comparative test of the comparative example, and FIG. 8B shows the results of a comparative test of Example 1 (L1 = 3 mm). Comparison of the bubble flow BSR of the comparative example with the bubble flow BSE of Example 1 clearly shows that the bubble flow BSE of Example 1 has a larger reaching depth.

  FIG. 9 shows a summary of test results of Examples 1 to 3 and a comparative example. Example 1 (L1 = 3 mm) has a larger reaching depth than the comparative example and Examples 2 and 3. In addition, in Example 3 (L1 = 12 mm), it was confirmed that the reaching depth can be made smaller than in the comparative example. Thus, it was confirmed that the aspect according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a feature that the size of the water mass can be arbitrarily changed depending on the position of the intake hole 151.

  In this embodiment, depending on the position of the air inlet, a small body of water allows the liquid to reach the deep part of the tissue and enables local treatment with a small effect on the surroundings. This makes it possible to treat shallow and wide areas. Furthermore, in this configuration, the total jet output to the target tissue does not greatly change depending on the position of the hole, thereby achieving safe operation without causing unexpected damage to the tissue. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that adjusts and controls the jet output with a simple configuration without increasing the number of components.

(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view and a side view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment relating to the arrangement of the intake holes, and the other configuration is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment will be described. The description is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 10A, a liquid ejecting apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting apparatus at a periphery between a nozzle 141 of a liquid chamber 240 and a tip 122 of an optical fiber 121 serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. A plurality of intake holes 251, 252, 253, 254 communicating with the outside of the chamber 240 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the four intake holes 251, 252, 253, and 254 are arranged in series along the direction in which the liquid 132 is ejected, and each intake hole has the same size. The quantity is not limited to this form.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10B, a patch 260 is attached to the intake holes 251, 252, and 254 except for the intake holes 253, and the holes are closed. That is, only the intake hole 253 functions as an intake portion.

  According to this aspect, any one of the suction holes can be selected according to the crushing force required for the surgical treatment of cancer or the like. Unnecessary intake holes can be closed by the patch 260 (opening / closing mechanism).

  The opening and closing mechanism of the intake hole does not require a complicated mechanism, and may be, for example, one that closes the hole with a tape or the like. In order to perform fine adjustment, a plurality of selected holes may be opened so as to communicate with the outside. As described above, this embodiment can realize a detailed treatment request.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment relating to the arrangement of the intake holes, and the other configuration is the same as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, in the following description, the third embodiment overlaps with the first and second embodiments. The description of the configuration is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 11, a liquid ejecting apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting apparatus on a periphery between a nozzle 141 of a liquid chamber 340 and a tip of an optical fiber (not shown) serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. A plurality of intake holes 351, 352, 353, 354 communicating with the outside of the chamber 340 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the three suction holes 351, 352, and 353 are arranged in a peripheral shape of the liquid chamber 340, and only the suction hole 354 receives the liquid 132 with respect to the other three suction holes 351, 352, and 353. It is arranged at a position close to the tip of the optical fiber along the jetting direction. In addition, although each intake hole has the same size, the size and quantity of the intake holes are not limited to this mode.

  Except for the intake hole 352, a patch 360 is attached to the intake holes 351, 353, and 354 to close the holes. That is, only the intake hole 352 functions as an intake portion.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to finely adjust and control the jet output by appropriately selecting the intake port. Also, according to the attitude of the liquid chamber 340 in the vertical direction, for example, the upper hole is opened and the lower hole is closed, so that the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber 340 before laser irradiation. In, liquid leakage can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to always maintain a state in which the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber before the laser irradiation.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment relating to the arrangement of the intake holes, and the other configuration is the same as the first to third embodiments. Therefore, in the following description, the fourth embodiment overlaps with the first to third embodiments. The description of the configuration is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 12, a liquid ejecting apparatus 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a liquid is ejected between a nozzle 141 of a liquid chamber 440 and a tip 122 of an optical fiber (not shown) serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. And a slit 460 serving as an opening that allows the liquid chamber 440 to communicate with the external environment along the ejection direction of the liquid chamber 440 (the long direction of the liquid chamber 440).

  The slit 460 is closed by the flat plate 461. An intake hole 451 is formed in the flat plate 461, and only the intake hole 451 communicates the liquid chamber 440 with the external environment.

  The flat plate 461 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber 440, and the position of the intake hole 451 in the longitudinal direction can be freely selected. According to this aspect, the suction hole is set at an appropriate position in the longitudinal direction according to the crushing force required for surgical treatment of cancer and the like, and fine adjustment is enabled.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment relating to the arrangement of the intake holes, and the other configuration is the same as the first to fourth embodiments. Therefore, in the following description, the fifth embodiment overlaps with the first to fourth embodiments. The description of the configuration is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 13, a liquid ejecting apparatus 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a liquid is ejected between a nozzle 141 of a liquid chamber 540 and a tip 122 of an optical fiber (not shown) serving as a laser beam irradiation unit. And a slit 560 serving as an opening for communicating the liquid chamber 540 with the external environment along the ejection direction of the liquid chamber 540 (the long direction of the liquid chamber 540).

  The slit 560 is closed by two flat plates 561 and 562 arranged in the longitudinal direction. The flat plates 561 and 562 are movable in the longitudinal direction, and the intake holes 551 are formed by appropriately setting the positions of the flat plates 561 and 562.

  According to this aspect, since the position of the intake hole 451 with respect to the longitudinal direction can be freely selected, the intake hole is located at an appropriate position in the longitudinal direction according to the crushing force required for surgical treatment of cancer or the like. And allows for fine adjustments.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a side view of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment relating to the arrangement of the intake holes, and other configurations are the same as those of the first to fifth embodiments. Therefore, in the following description, the sixth embodiment is the same as the first to fifth embodiments. The description of the configuration is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 14, a liquid ejecting apparatus 600 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a vent hole 651 serving as an opening communicating a nozzle 141 of a liquid chamber 640 with an external environment.

  According to this aspect, by bringing the position of the hole closer to the opening for ejecting the liquid of the nozzle, the water mass ejected after the laser irradiation can be reduced by the bubbles drawn from the hole. Further, the distance until the reduced water mass passes through the liquid chamber or the nozzle and is ejected at the opening of the nozzle is shortened, and the pipe resistance (shear resistance) applied to the water mass is also reduced. As a result, the jetting speed of the body of water increases, and the force at the moment of colliding with the target tissue increases, so that the liquid can even reach a deeper position.

  Although the description has been completed above, aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as described in the examples, a bent portion may be provided in the liquid chamber, or a suction device may be added. it can.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 ... liquid ejecting device 110 ... control device 111 ... signal 120 ... laser device 121 ... optical fiber 122 ... tip 130 ... sending Liquid device 131 ... supply pipes 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640 ... liquid chamber 141 ... nozzle 142 ... opening 143 ... connecting part 145 ... bending part 151, 251, 252, 253, 254, 351, 352, 353, 354, 451, 551, 651 ... Inhalation hole 170 ... Suction device 180 ... Living tissue 181 ... First layer 182 ... Second layer 260, 360 ... patch (opening and closing device)
460, 560: slit 461, 561, 562: flat plate D: inner diameter EG, BL: air bubble WB: water mass DW: water droplet CR: drilling PE: penetration

Claims (4)

A liquid ejecting apparatus for generating a liquid jet, comprising:
A cylindrical liquid chamber;
A nozzle that opens the end of the liquid chamber and ejects the liquid in the liquid chamber to the outside,
A liquid supply path for supplying a liquid into the liquid chamber,
Irradiating the liquid chamber with pulsed laser light, a laser light irradiating unit for vaporizing the liquid in the liquid chamber,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a hole communicating with the outside of the liquid chamber is formed in a periphery of the liquid chamber or the nozzle between the nozzle and the laser beam irradiation unit.   2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the holes are formed in a longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber or the nozzle, and each of the holes has an opening / closing mechanism. 3.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the holes are formed in the peripheral direction of the liquid chamber or the nozzle, and each of the holes has an opening / closing mechanism. The shape of the hole is set so as to hold the liquid in the liquid chamber by surface tension determined according to the viscosity and wettability of the liquid until the liquid is vaporized. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.