WO2016063406A1

WO2016063406A1 - Optical imaging probe

Info

Publication number: WO2016063406A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/078274
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大志山崎; 絵理福島; 貴之越川; 隆文淺田
Original assignee: 並木精密宝石株式会社
Priority date: 2014-10-23
Filing date: 2014-10-23
Publication date: 2016-04-28
Also published as: JPWO2016063406A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an optical imaging probe which reduces an occurrence of such as rotation transmission delay or torque loss, and is capable of obtaining a three-dimensional observational image by radiating a light ray across all 360 degrees of circumference direction and allowing changing the radiation angle with respect to an axis. [Solution] Provided is an optical imaging probe, wherein: an optical fiber which transmits light between a leading end side and an aft side of a probe comprises a condenser lens on the leading end side thereof; the probe is provided with piezoelectric elements or electrostrictive elements which impart, to the optical fiber in proximity to the condenser lens, an angle relative to the axis of the optical fiber; an optical path conversion means is positioned at the leading end of the condenser lens upon the same axis; and a light ray is radiated from the condenser lens with the radiation angle thereof being changed with the optical path conversion means. Thus, it is possible to stereoscopically radiate the light ray and carry out three-dimensional scanning.

Description

Optical imaging probe

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional scanning optical imaging probe necessary for stereoscopically capturing and observing light reflected and reflected from a subject in a medical device or the like.

Diagnostic imaging technology (optical imaging technology) is a technology that is widely used in the field of inspections of various machine parts, devices, equipment, etc., and medical care. For example, X-ray CT that can take tomographic images and three-dimensional tomographic images in addition to general camera observation and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment as a diagnostic technique in medical and precision equipment manufacturing sites. Further, methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance and OCT images (optical coherence tomography) using light coherence have been studied and utilized. In recent years, attention has been paid to the development of an OCT image diagnostic technique that can obtain the finest captured image among these methods for the tomographic image and the three-dimensional tomographic image capturing.

OCT images often use near-infrared light with a wavelength of about 1300 nanometers as a light source, but near-infrared light is transmissive and non-invasive to living organisms, and has superior spatial resolution because it has a shorter wavelength than ultrasound. ing. In addition, since it is possible to identify approximately 10 micrometers (less than 1/50 of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus), this tomographic imaging method is incorporated into an endoscope, and especially in the medical field, the trachea and gallbladder of the human body An endoscope is inserted into a blood vessel such as an arterial flow, and is expected to be used for finding, diagnosing, and treating an affected area. A typical structure of an OCT endoscope to which this OCT image technology is applied is as shown in Patent Document 1, for example.

By the way, in the OCT endoscope shown in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8 in the document, the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to a rotating shaft through a belt, and further from an optical fiber or the like passing through a tubular optical sheath. This is transmitted to the lens unit via a flexible shaft. For this reason, abrasion powder may be generated due to rubbing between the inner peripheral surface of the optical sheath and the flexible shaft. In addition, the analysis image obtained due to the rotation transmission delay, the torque loss fluctuation, etc. due to the flexible shaft rubbing, bending, twisting, elastic deformation of the belt, etc. is disturbed, and the space required according to the purpose In some cases, resolution could not be obtained.

Further, in the OCT endoscope shown in Patent Document 2, an elongated tube-like catheter is inserted into the annular guide catheter shown in FIG. 1 in the document, and the inside of the catheter is rotatable and slidable. OCT which has an optically connected drive shaft and an optical fiber or a core, and rotates the optical fiber and moves it in the length direction as shown in FIG. This is a 3D image system. However, this configuration has a problem that abrasion powder is generated due to rubbing between the inner peripheral surface of the catheter and the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft. In addition, when the drive shaft is rubbed, bent, or twisted, rotation transmission delay, torque loss fluctuation, etc. occur, resulting in disturbed analysis images and the required spatial resolution depending on the purpose cannot be obtained. was there.

Further, in the endoscope probe disclosed in Patent Document 3, a reflecting mirror is directly connected to the tip of the rotating shaft of the motor illustrated in FIG. However, in the present invention, since the motor body is located on the front side of the reflector, it is necessary to draw the power supply wiring for the motor toward the optical fiber side, and this power supply wiring is located on the side of the reflector. Since it must be positioned, the power supply wiring blocks light reflected by the reflecting mirror. Therefore, when the reflecting mirror rotates all around and performs all around scanning, a part of it becomes a shadow, and 360 degrees all around cannot be observed. Further, since the motor protrudes in front of the reflecting mirror, when the affected part is scanned, the motor part comes into contact with the subject to be observed, and the light beam of the reflecting mirror located behind the motor is applied to the subject. There was a case in which near infrared rays did not reach and the imaging range in the endoscope probe axial direction was limited, causing problems such as inability to observe.

Japanese Patent No. 3885114 Japanese Patent No. 4520993 Japanese Patent No. 4461216

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the occurrence of cosmetic, torque loss, and wear of the rotating portion of the optical fiber, to prevent rotation transmission delay, and to prevent the optical transmission with respect to the axis. This is a probe for optical imaging that realizes three-dimensional scanning by emitting a light beam 360 degrees around the circumference and in a three-dimensional manner by providing a combination of an actuator for changing the radiation angle and an optical path changing means at the tip of the lens.

One means for solving the above problems is an optical fiber having a condensing lens on the tip side, a vibrator that generates a displacement when a voltage is applied, and an optical path changing means that changes the radiation angle of the light beam emitted from the condensing lens. And the optical imaging probe is configured to change the angle of the light beam irradiated from the condenser lens to the optical path changing means by giving the bending angle to the distal end side of the optical fiber.
This configuration eliminates the need for the optical fiber to rotate in a long tube, thus eliminating the occurrence of rotational transmission delays, torque loss, etc., and radiating light rays 360 degrees around the circumference, and changing the radiation angle and radiation direction. And a three-dimensional observation image can be obtained.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to rotate the optical fiber in a tube of an endoscope apparatus or the like, and the radiation angle and the radiation direction with respect to the axis of the light beam are changed. Therefore, occurrence of rotation transmission delay, torque loss, and the like can be eradicated. Furthermore, by raising and lowering the voltage applied to the vibrator and arranging the optical path changing means in front of the light beam, the light beam is radiated 360 degrees in the entire circumferential direction, and the radiation angle is changed to radiate three-dimensionally, A compact optical imaging probe for obtaining a three-dimensional observation image can be obtained.

The perspective view of the probe for optical imaging concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention Applied voltage timing chart of the same optical imaging probe Rotation explanatory diagram of the same optical imaging probe Explanatory diagram of voltage and angle of probe for optical imaging Explanation of change in applied voltage of probe for optical imaging Explanatory drawing of scanning angle of probe for optical imaging Explanation of scanning range of probe for optical imaging Endoscopic imaging device configuration diagram using the same optical imaging probe The perspective view of the rocking | swiveling body part concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the rocking | swiveling body part concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the rocking | swiveling body part concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the rocking | swiveling body part concerning the 5th Embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the rocking | swiveling body part concerning the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

The first feature of the optical imaging probe of the present embodiment is that an optical fiber having a condensing lens on the tip side, a vibrator that generates displacement when a voltage is applied, and a radiation angle of a light beam emitted from the condensing lens. Optical path changing means for changing. The displacement generated by the vibrator gives a bending angle to the distal end side of the optical fiber, thereby changing the angle of the light beam irradiated from the condenser lens to the optical path changing means.
According to this configuration, it is not necessary to rotate the optical fiber in a tube of an endoscope apparatus or the like, and the vibrator changes the radiation direction of the light beam, so that it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of rotation transmission delay, torque loss, and the like. Furthermore, a compact optical imaging probe that can obtain a three-dimensional observation image by raising and lowering the voltage applied to the transducer and arranging the optical path changing means in front of the light beam to change the circumferential direction and radiation angle of the light beam. Obtainable.

As a second feature, the optical path changing means is configured as a substantially conical or shell-shaped three-dimensional mirror that emits light rays emitted from the condenser lens in the entire circumferential direction with respect to the axis.
According to this configuration, the light beam emitted from the condenser lens is reflected by the stereoscopic mirror, and the optical imaging probe can three-dimensionally observe the region in the cylindrical direction with respect to the optical axis.

As a third feature, a concave lens is provided between the condenser lens and the optical path changing means, and the light beam emitted from the condenser lens is irradiated to the optical path changing means through the concave lens.
With this configuration, the axial angle at which the light beam changes can be widened, and three-dimensional observation in a longer range in the axial direction can be performed.

As a fourth feature, at least two vibrators are arranged so as to expand and contract in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, and the expansion and contraction of the oscillators radiates the optical fiber and the condenser lens at different angles with respect to the axis. Configured to do.
Also with this configuration, the angle of the condenser lens can be changed in the axial direction and the direction of the light beam can be changed, and three-dimensional observation can be performed with a compact configuration.

As a fifth feature, the optical path changing means is configured to be slidable on the same line, and is configured to vary the distance from the axis to the in-focus observation point by sliding.
With this configuration, the light beam can be focused in a wide range in the radial direction, and three-dimensional observation can be performed in a wide range in the radial direction.

A sixth feature is that the vibrator is a plurality of plate-like piezoelectric elements or electrostrictive elements, and is disposed on at least a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces of the substantially polygonal column structure. The optical fiber penetrates the center of the structure, and the displacement generated by the vibrator changes the angle in the axial direction to the structure, the optical fiber, and the condenser lens, and emits light.
With this configuration, the direction of the light beam can be changed over a wide range, and three-dimensional observation can be performed with a compact configuration.

The seventh feature is that the voltage waveform applied to the vibrator that applies displacement in the X direction and the vibrator that applies displacement in the Y direction is sequentially applied by shifting the voltage phase by a substantially sine wave in the adjacent order of the vibrator. The optical fiber and the condensing lens were swung, and the angle of the optical fiber was changed with respect to the axis by gradually increasing or decreasing the voltage of the sine wave.
According to this configuration, the light emitted from the condenser lens is emitted in a circle, and the light gradually changes its angle in the axial direction. Therefore, when the reflected light is analyzed by the computer, a computer is created. This makes it easy to calculate and smooth image display.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 8 show Embodiment 1 of an optical imaging probe according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical imaging probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 3 passes through the substantial center of the substantially prismatic oscillating body 1, and the most distal portion of the optical fiber 3 is provided so as to protrude from the oscillating body 1. Thin plate-like piezoelectric elements (or electrostrictive elements) 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d having a pattern-like electrode 22 as a vibrator are attached to a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces of the substantially prismatic oscillator 1. Are wired by electric wires 21.

In front of the tip 3a of the optical fiber 3, a three-dimensional mirror 4 as an optical path changing means is arranged substantially on the axis (on a virtual line when the tip side of the optical fiber 3 is linearly extended), and the reflecting surface of this three-dimensional mirror 4 is It has a cannonball shape or a substantially conical shape. Further, the oscillating body 1 and the three-dimensional mirror 4 are housed in a soft or hard tube 13 having a translucent portion 13a near the tip. The oscillating body 1 is a free end that oscillates on the side facing the three-dimensional mirror on its substantially axis, the opposite side (rear side) is a fixed end, and this fixed end is integrated with the tube 13. It is fixed.

The operation of the optical imaging probe shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 will be described below.

In FIG. 1, a near-infrared ray or the like emitted from the rear of the optical fiber 3 is emitted from the distal end portion 3a of the optical fiber 3 toward the three-dimensional mirror 4, and the light ray has an angular direction of about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees from the central axis. From the subject (a diseased part around a blood vessel or bile duct in a medical endoscope, a cylindrical measurement surface in an industrial endoscope, etc.) The reflected light beam is again reflected by the three-dimensional mirror 4 through the translucent part 13a, and returns to the analyzer 16 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a timing chart of voltages applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of the optical imaging probe of the present invention. In FIG. 2, Pa to Pd in FIG. 2 indicate substantially sinusoidal voltages applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d in FIG. In addition, since the voltage waveforms of Pa to Pd are shifted in phase angle by a certain angle, the oscillating body 1 performs a rotating motion as indicated by an arrow in FIG. When this rotational movement occurs, in FIG. 1, the light beam is emitted 360 degrees in the outer circumferential direction of the three-dimensional mirror-4. For example, when the tube 13 is inserted into the blood vessel of the human body, the light beam is transmitted through the blood vessel. The light beam is focused in the range of about 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter on the outer periphery, and the cross-sectional tomography in those states can be observed by capturing the reflected light from the lesion or fat.

The symbol S in FIG. 2 is a pulse generated once per rotation from the apparatus main body 16, and this is used as a trigger signal to generate a tomographic image of a general rotary radar as shown in the monitor 20 in FIG. Can be drawn to.

The

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d shown in FIG. 1 are substantially proportional to the voltage applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, as shown in FIG. The turning diameter increases. As a result, the radiation angle changes in the range of the symbols θ1 to θ2 shown in FIG. 1, so that the radiation angle of the light beam changes as indicated by the symbol α.

Further, when the voltage waveform applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c and 2d is a continuous sine wave whose voltage gradually changes as shown in FIG. 5, the light beam is three-dimensional as shown in FIG. Radiated to range.

For example, near-infrared rays emitted from the apparatus main body 16 of FIG. 8 are guided to the optical fiber 3 and radiated forward from the tip portion 3a shown in FIG. 1, and the radiation angle is converted by the optical path conversion means 4, Since the light beam is rotated by the piezoelectric actuator 2, the light beam is radiated in the entire 360 direction of the outer periphery in the drawing. This light beam passes through the translucent part 13a and is irradiated to a subject such as an affected part of the human body, and the reflected light from the subject is in a direction opposite to the direction in which the light beam is guided, in the optical path changing means 4 and the optical fiber 3. And return to the apparatus main body 16. As a result, the apparatus body 16 can capture a three-dimensional tomographic image of the entire 360 ° circumference.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an endoscopic image apparatus using an optical imaging probe. A tube 13 is attached to an apparatus main body 16 together with a guide catheter 15, and a CCD camera 23 is attached to the distal end of the guide catheter. The device main body 16 includes a driver circuit 17 for the piezoelectric element 2, an optical interference analysis unit 18, and an image analysis computer 19. The monitor 20 includes an image of the CCD camera 23 and optical interference generated by analysis by the computer 19. Both three-dimensional tomographic images are displayed.

The optical fiber 3 that penetrates the inside of the tube 13 is a glass fiber that can be bent freely and has a diameter of about 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

The translucent part 13a is made of transparent plastics or glass or the like, but has a coating on the surface in order to increase the light transmittance and prevent reflection.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a ball lens 5 is used as the condensing lens 5, but a conical condensing lens or prism may be used.

Since the oscillating body 1 has a spring property and is desired to be easily deformed, it is processed into a prismatic shape or a thin box shape with stainless steel, zirconia ceramics, or the like.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the optical fiber 3 does not rub inside the long tube 13 because it does not need to be rotated inside the tube 13 from the rear to the tip, and rotation transmission delay, torque loss, etc. occur. Will be reduced.

According to the present invention, the piezoelectric element 2 which is a vibrator gives a rotational motion to the tip of the optical fiber 3, and the light beam is irradiated and reflected on the optical path changing means such as the three-dimensional mirror 4 to irradiate the light beam of 360 degrees all around. However, since the signal line and the electric wire are not provided within the scanning range of 360 degrees, it is possible to obtain an image that is not missing all around 360 degrees. Further, by changing the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 2, it is possible to emit a light beam in a three-dimensional range. In addition, since only one piezoelectric element 2 is used in the three-dimensional direction, the optical imaging probe can be configured compactly.

The most important required performance in 3D operation image diagnostic equipment is to increase the spatial resolution of 3D images, but the factors that hinder the spatial resolution include uneven rotation speed, shake accuracy and vibration of the mechanism, and condenser lens. There are surface accuracy of parts such as 5. Among these, the influence of the rotation speed is large, but the present invention is a method in which the optical fiber is not rotated by incorporating the oscillating body 1 at the distal end portion of the tube 13, so that the sliding resistance of the fiber is reduced. Change and torsional vibration do not occur at all, and as a result, the rotation accuracy is high, so that the apparatus main body 16 can display a precise observation image capable of obtaining a high three-dimensional spatial resolution of, for example, 10 micrometers or less.

Next, a second embodiment of the optical imaging probe according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rocking body 7 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the configuration of the piezoelectric element 12 and the rocking body 7. It is.

The oscillating body 7 includes a fixed portion 7a, a spring portion 7b, and a rotating portion 7c. One end of each of the

piezoelectric elements

12b and 12d is fixed to the spring portion 7b, and the free end of the other end is fixed to the rotating portion 7c. The portion 7a is attached and fixed inside the tube 13. On the other hand, the

piezoelectric elements

12a and 12c are fixed to the fixed portion 7a, and their free ends are in contact with the rotating portion 7c but not fixed. The optical fiber 3 passes through substantially the center of the oscillating body 7, and a condensing lens 5 is attached to the tip side as necessary.

The operation of the optical imaging probe of FIG. 9 will be described below.

When the voltages are sequentially applied to the

piezoelectric elements

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the

piezoelectric elements

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are bent in order, and turn as shown in FIG. Produce. Thereafter, the same movement as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is performed, and the light beam is emitted to the three-dimensional range as shown in FIG. 7, and the apparatus main body 16 can display a three-dimensional image.

The force in the bending direction generated from the piezoelectric element 12 is substantially proportional to the area, voltage, and number of the piezoelectric elements 12 that are pasted. Therefore, considering this principle, the shape, size, and number of the piezoelectric elements 12 are considered. If necessary, design measures such as stacking two piezoelectric elements are made.

According to the present invention, the force generated in the piezoelectric element 12 can be increased, the displacement of the oscillating body and the rotation diameter of the optical fiber 3 can be increased, and a three-dimensional stereoscopic image can be obtained over the inner and outer ranges in the axial direction.

Next, a third embodiment of the three-dimensional scanning optical imaging probe according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an oscillating body according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a concave lens 18 is provided between the optical fiber 3 and the three-dimensional mirror 4 which is an optical path changing means. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The operation of the optical imaging probe in FIG. 10 will be described below.

In FIG. 10, when voltages are sequentially applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are bent in order, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the light beam is emitted in a three-dimensional range by the same movement as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, since the concave lens 18 is disposed between the optical fiber 3 and the three-dimensional mirror 4, the light beam is bent at a larger angle and radiated in a long range in the axial direction. An image can be displayed.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the optical imaging probe according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an oscillating body according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 11, the X-direction multilayer piezoelectric element 10 and the Y-direction multilayer piezoelectric element 11 are fixed to the case 9a, and the optical fiber 3 is fixed to the case fixing portion 9b and the multilayer

piezoelectric elements

10 and 11. 5 is attached.

The operation of the oscillator of the optical imaging probe in FIG. 11 will be described below.

When voltages are sequentially applied to the X-direction multilayer piezoelectric element 10 and the Y-direction multilayer piezoelectric element 11 in FIG. 11, the multilayer

piezoelectric elements

10 and 11 expand and contract in order, and the condenser lens 5 rotates as shown in FIG. Causes dynamic movement. Thereafter, the same movement as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is performed, and the light beam is emitted to the three-dimensional range as shown in FIG. 7, and the apparatus main body 16 can display a three-dimensional image.

According to the present embodiment, since the

piezoelectric elements

10 and 11 are multi-layer piezoelectric elements, a large force is generated even at a low voltage. Therefore, even when the optical fiber 3 is thick and difficult to bend, a sufficiently large rotational motion is given to the condenser lens 5. be able to.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the optical imaging probe according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an oscillating body according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

12, the three-dimensional mirror 4 which is an optical path changing means is configured to be slidable between 4a and 4b on a substantially axial line in the figure. At the position where the stereoscopic mirror is 4a, the light beam is focused, for example, in the vicinity of a radius of 3 millimeters from the axis, so that a tomographic image of an object having a radius of about 2 to 4 millimeters is being worked on. On the other hand, when the stereoscopic mirror slides to the position 4b, the light beam is focused around a radius of 5 millimeters, and the light beam reflected from the object having a radius of about 4 to 6 millimeters can be captured and a tomographic image of the object can be taken. The three-dimensional mirror 4 is slid manually or electrically with a screw or the like to focus the light beam.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the range of the focus of the light beam can be changed widely, it is possible to tackle a three-dimensional image in a wide range in the radial direction with respect to the light beam.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the imaging probe according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rocking body according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, the optical path changing device is configured to correspond to the concave lens 8, and the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 3 is radiated forward by the concave lens 8 while further expanding the radiation angle.

The operation of the optical imaging probe of FIG. 13 will be described below.

In FIG. 13, when voltages are sequentially applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially bent, as shown in FIG. 1 is rotated, and moves in the same manner as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, and the light beam is emitted in a three-dimensional range so as to draw a round spiral in front. In FIG. 13, the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 3 is emitted forward while the radiation angle is further widened by the concave lens 8, irradiates the subject in front, and the reflected light passes through the concave lens 8 in the direction opposite to the radiation. Is taken into the optical fiber.

For example, near-infrared rays emitted from the apparatus main body 16 in FIG. 8 are irradiated to a subject such as an affected part of a human body, and reflected light from the subject is a concave lens in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rays are guided. 8. Return to the apparatus main body 16 through the optical fiber 3. As a result, the apparatus main body 16 can capture a three-dimensional tomographic image in the forward direction.

In FIG. 13, the voltage waveforms applied to the

piezoelectric elements

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are not necessarily shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, for example, the

piezoelectric elements

2b and 2d vibrate about 525 times in the Y direction. In the meantime, by applying the

piezoelectric elements

2a and 2c so as to vibrate slowly in one reciprocating motion, a rectangular screen scan similar to a general television screen is performed instead of the round spiral operation described above. Also good.

According to this embodiment, since a three-dimensional tomographic image in front of the optical fiber is obtained, for example, in the operation of the internal organs of the human body, a CCD camera and a scalpel are put in the affected area while opening a fat mass covered in the body, When cutting and suturing the affected area, avoiding blood vessels that are hidden in the fat mass and avoiding the blood vessels that are difficult to see, the blood vessels hidden only by experienced veteran doctors can be found. The risk of damaging and bleeding blood vessels that are difficult to see has been an important issue, but surgery should be performed while viewing the image of the optical imaging probe of this embodiment in parallel with the image of the CCD camera 23. Thus, the reflected light transmitted through the fat mass neatly displays the blood vessels in the fat mass on the screen, and the doctor can safely operate.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to rotate an optical fiber in a tube of an endoscope apparatus or the like, and light beams are radiated and rotated by a turning movement of a piezoelectric actuator. Can be eradicated. Furthermore, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element or the electrostrictive element is raised and lowered, and the optical path changing means is arranged in front of the light beam to radiate the light beam three-dimensionally by changing the whole circumference direction and the radiation angle, and the reflected light is tertiary. A compact optical imaging probe for obtaining an original observation image can be obtained.

The three-dimensional scanning optical imaging probe of the present invention is provided by rotating and scanning a light emitting means and an optical path changing means that are rotated by an actuator near the tip of the tube without rotating the optical fiber in the long tube. In order to prevent partial rotation transmission delay of rotating and radiating light rays by reducing the occurrence of cosmetics, torque loss, and wear of the rotating part, and to radiate light rays in 360 degrees all around and to change the radiation angle, Three-dimensional scanning can be realized by combining the actuator that gives the turning motion to the tip of the optical fiber with respect to the axis and the optical path changing means to radiate light rays in three dimensions.
Three-dimensional scanning and observation allow observation and diagnosis of the affected area inside the human body without incision surgery, and high resolution and precision that were impossible with conventional diagnostic devices such as X-ray CT and nuclear magnetic resonance. Diagnosis is possible. In addition, because it can be configured compactly with a small diameter, it is expected to be applied to medical sites, observation of small and precise mechanical parts, and application to precision measuring instruments.

1, 6 Oscillator
2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Piezoelectric element (electrostrictive element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Optical fiber 3a Front-end | tip

part

4a, 4b Stereoscopic mirror 5 Condensing lens 7 Oscillator

7a Fixing part

7b Spring part 7c Rotating part 8, 18 Lens 9a Case 9b Case fixing part 10 X direction multilayer piezoelectric element 11 Y direction multilayer

piezoelectric element

12a , 12b, 12c, 12d Piezoelectric element 13 Tube 13a Translucent part 14 MEMS scanner 15 Guide catheter 16 Device main body 17 Actuator driver circuit 18 Optical interference analysis part 19 Computer 20 Monitor 21 Electric wire 22 Pattern electrode 23 CCD camera

Claims

An optical fiber having a condensing lens on the tip side;
A vibrator that produces a displacement when a voltage is applied;
An optical path changing means for changing a radiation angle of a light beam emitted from the condenser lens,
The displacement generated by the vibrator gives a bending angle to the tip side of the optical fiber,
An optical imaging probe, wherein an angle of a light beam applied to the optical path changing means from the condenser lens is changed.
2. The optical imaging probe according to claim 1, wherein the optical path changing means is a substantially conical or shell-shaped stereoscopic mirror, and the light beam emitted from the condensing lens is emitted from the axis line in the entire circumferential direction. .
The concave lens is provided between the said condensing lens and the said optical path conversion means, The light ray radiated | emitted from the said condensing lens is irradiated to the said optical path conversion means through the said concave lens, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Probe for optical imaging.
At least two of the vibrators are arranged to expand and contract in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, and the expansion and contraction of the vibrator radiates the optical fiber and the condenser lens at different angles with respect to the axis. The optical imaging probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the probe is for optical imaging.
5. The optical imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical path changing means is configured to be slidable on the same line, and the distance from the axis to the observation point in focus is varied by sliding. probe.
The vibrator is a plurality of plate-like piezoelectric elements or electrostrictive elements, and is disposed on at least a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces of a substantially polygonal column structure,
The optical fiber passes through the center of the structure,
6. The optical imaging according to claim 1, wherein the displacement generated by the vibrator changes the angle in the axial direction to the structure, the optical fiber, and the condenser lens to emit a light beam. 6. probe.
The voltage waveform applied to the vibrator that applies displacement in the X direction and the vibrator that applies displacement in the Y direction is sequentially applied by shifting the voltage phase by a substantially sine wave in the adjacent order of the vibrator, The optical imaging probe according to claim 6, wherein a turning motion is given to the condensing lens and an angle of the optical fiber with respect to an axis is changed by gradually increasing or decreasing a voltage of a substantially sine wave.