JP2003319947A - Laser therapeutic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser therapeutic apparatus in which a laser beam is easily radiated in accordance with a form, a size and the like of a portion to be treated. <P>SOLUTION: In the laser therapeutic apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating the portion to be treated with the laser beam, the laser therapeutic apparatus is provided with a scan means for performing scanning with the laser beam formed into a small spot, a scanning form setting means for setting the form to be scanned by the scanning means into prescribed hollow form pattern, a size setting means for respectively setting an outer size and an inner size of the hollow form pattern, and a control means for controlling the scan means based upon the set hollow form pattern, its outer size and its inner size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment site with laser light to perform laser treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a skin disease, a blood vessel, or the like with laser light is known in which a handpiece is provided with a scanning mechanism for scanning the laser light.
During laser irradiation, a predetermined scanning pattern (quadrangle, circle, triangle, parallelogram) and several sizes prepared for each pattern are selected according to the shape of the treatment site.

[0003]

However, since the scanning pattern of the conventional apparatus irradiates the laser beam within the pattern area, it may be troublesome depending on the shape of the treatment site. For example, when laser irradiation is not performed on the central portion that is recessed like acne scars but laser irradiation is performed on the peripheral portion, triangular scanning patterns are arranged side by side on the circumference. At this time, it is necessary to irradiate the triangular pattern once for each affected area while rotating the handpiece and moving the laser irradiation position, and it takes a considerable amount of time and labor to treat one acne scar. Also, it was not easy to match several triangular shapes to one acne scar. In addition, when there is no pattern size that matches the size of the treatment site, it is necessary to select a smaller pattern size and change the pattern shape or change the size selection for irradiation on the remaining part.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional apparatus, it is a technical object of the present invention to provide a laser treatment apparatus capable of easily performing laser irradiation according to the shape and size of a treatment site.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. (1) In a laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment site with laser light for treatment, a scanning means for scanning the laser light formed into a small spot and a shape to be scanned by the scanning means are formed into a predetermined hollow shape pattern. Scanning shape setting means for setting, size setting means for setting the outer size and inner size of the hollow shape pattern, respectively, and the scanning means based on the set hollow shape pattern and its outer size and inner size And a control means for controlling. (2) In the laser treatment apparatus according to (1), based on the relationship between the irradiation area and the spot size of the laser beam determined by the outer size and the inner size of the hollow shape pattern set by the size setting means, It is characterized in that it comprises an arithmetic means for calculating the arrangement of the laser spots, and the control means controls the scanning of the laser light by the scanning means based on the arithmetic result. (3) In the laser treatment apparatus according to (2), the calculating means arranges the hollow spot pattern set by the size setting means in a regular array of laser spots determined by the spot size of the laser light and the degree of spot overlap. Irradiation areas determined by the outer shape size and the inner shape size are overlapped with each other, and whether or not each spot is irradiated is determined by the area ratio of the individual spots overlapping the irradiation area. (4) In the laser treatment apparatus according to (1), the scanning means also serves as means for forming and scanning the aiming light from the aiming light source in the form of a small spot, and the control means when scanning the aiming light. The scanning means is controlled so that the aiming light is scanned at a speed at which the outer contour and the inner contour are connected to each other.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a laser treatment apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of essential parts showing the configurations of a control system and an optical system. Reference numeral 1 denotes a laser device main body, and a control unit 20, a treatment laser light source 21, an aiming light source 22, a scanner controller 23, a light guide optical system and the like are housed in the laser device main body 1. In this embodiment, a CO2 laser light source that emits an infrared laser beam is used as the therapeutic laser light source 21, and a semiconductor laser that emits visible red light is used as the aiming light source 22. 27 is a power sensor that measures the output of the laser beam, and is a beam splitter 26
In this way, part of the laser light emitted from the laser light source is extracted and measured.

Reference numeral 2 is an articulated arm portion, 3 is a scanning handpiece unit, 4 is a control cable, 5 is a connector portion for connection, 7 is a control panel for inputting various setting conditions such as laser irradiation conditions, and 8 Is a foot switch for transmitting a trigger signal of laser light. The articulated arm part 2 is connected by joint parts so that several rigid tubes can be freely rotated, and the operator can freely move the handpiece unit 3. Mirrors are arranged at the joints of the multi-joint arm unit 2, and the treatment laser light and the aiming light coaxially set by the mirrors 24 and 25 in the laser device body 1 are used for the multi-joint arm unit 2.
The light is passed through the inside and guided to the handpiece unit 3.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the handpiece unit 3. The handpiece unit 3 is composed of a scanner unit 10 and a handpiece head unit 11, both of which are removable. As shown in FIG. 2, in the scanner unit 10, galvanometer mirrors 12a and 12b for scanning the treatment laser beam and the aiming light having passed through the multi-joint arm unit 2 in the XY directions at the treatment site, and respective galvanometers. 17a, 17b, condenser lens 13, switch section 16
Equipped with. The galvanometers 17a and 17b are controlled by the scanner controller 23 provided in the laser apparatus main body 1, and after the control signal exits the scanner controller 23, the control signal is transmitted to the scanner unit 10 via the connector unit 5 and the cable 4, and the galvanometer mirror is provided. Swinging control is performed on each of 12a and 12b. The condenser lens 13 condenses the laser light so as to focus on the affected area. Further, the length of the tip 11a of the handpiece head portion 11 is such that the laser light focused by the focusing lens 13 is φ0.5 on the affected area.
The mm spot is set to focus. In other words, the chip 11a serves to keep the distance from the skin constant so that the spot of φ0.5 mm is correctly focused on the skin.

The switch section 16 sets a scanning shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the shape switch 16a, the outer shape size switch 16b, and the inner shape size switch 16 are provided.
c, a rotary switch 16d. Shape switch 16a
Is a switch for selecting the irradiation area shape of the laser beam. The shape of the irradiation area can be selected by sliding the switch 16a to the left or right. In this embodiment, a circle, a triangle,
It is possible to select from several kinds of shapes represented by a quadrangle, a hexagon, etc., and hollow shapes (for example, a donut shape if it is circular). The shape of the selected irradiation area is displayed on the control panel 7. Outer shape size switch 16b
Is a switch for changing the outer shape size of the laser light irradiation area, and the size of the outer shape of the irradiation area can be changed by sliding the switch to the left or right. For example, in the case of a donut shape, the size of the outer diameter φA of FIG. 4 can be changed, and in the case of a hollow triangle, the size of the height H1 of FIG. 5A can be changed. The changed size of the irradiation area is displayed on the control panel 7. The inner shape size switch 16c is a switch for changing the inner shape size of the irradiation area of the laser beam, and the size of the inner shape of the irradiation area can be changed by sliding it left and right. For example, if it is a donut shape,
The size of the inner diameter φB can be changed, and the size of the height H2 in FIG. 5A can be changed in the case of a hollow triangle. The changed size of the irradiation area is displayed on the control panel 7. The hollow shape pattern is also available for quadrangular and hexagonal shapes.

The rotary switch 16d is used to rotate a directional scanning shape. Sliding the rotary switch 16d to the left can rotate the scanning shape to the left, and sliding the rotary switch 16d to the right can rotate the scanning shape to the right. For example, in the case of a hollow triangle, the rotation angle C can be changed by the amount of sliding as shown in FIG. The changed rotation angle of the irradiation shape is displayed on the control panel 7.

In an apparatus having the above structure,
The operation will be described. The operator uses the switch on the control panel 7 shown in FIG.
DENSITY (The ratio of overlapping laser spots,
Laser irradiation conditions such as 20% to + 30% can be set) are set. In addition, by the switch portion 16 of the handpiece 3, a scanning shape (circular shape,
Triangles, quadrangles, hexagons and hollow shapes, etc.),
Set the irradiation size and the rotation angle of the irradiation shape.

The scanner controller 23 has a memory 28.
The galvanometers 17a and 17b are driven and controlled on the basis of the shape information of the scanning area stored in. When the hollow shape pattern is set, the aiming light source 22
The aiming light from is scanned at a scanning speed at which the outer diameter contour and the inner diameter contour of the scanning region appear to be connected to each other. This allows the operator to confirm the scanning area and the shape of the laser irradiation on the affected area. For example, for treating acne scars, a donut shape as shown in FIG. 4 is selected by the shape switch 16a. Then, according to the size of the acne scar, the outer diameter φA is changed to the outer shape size switch 16
Adjust by b, and adjust by adjusting the inner diameter φB by the inner shape size switch 16c.

When it is desired to treat the acne scar with a hollow triangle as shown in FIG. 5 (a) depending on the shape around the acne scar, the hollow triangle is selected by the shape switch 16a. And the height H1 according to the size of the acne scar
By adjusting the external shape size switch 16b
The height H2 is adjusted and adjusted by the inner shape size switch 16c. In addition, the rotation angle C of the triangle
Match by 6d. In the case of a scanning shape pattern having directionality, the shape pattern can be rotated, so that the operator can hold the handpiece unit 3 in a state in which it is easy to grasp and match the scanning shape pattern with the treatment region.

If the irradiation shape is determined by the switch unit 16 and the switch unit 16 is not operated for 1 second or more,
The control unit 20 calculates and obtains the scanning pattern of the treatment laser light. After that, if the switch unit 16 further changes, the calculation is repeated each time. The scanning pattern of the treatment laser light according to each shape is
Get as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, a regular array of spot patterns determined in advance by the laser spot size and DENSITY (overlapping of laser spots) is overlapped with the area surrounded by the outer contour of the aiming light and the inner contour. Among the spots overlapping the area surrounded by the aiming light, if the area within 50% or more of the area of one spot enters the area surrounded by the aiming light, it is set as the irradiation spot, and if it is less than 50%, it is set as the non-irradiation spot. The pattern in which the irradiation spots are matched is used as the scanning pattern of the therapeutic laser. Then, the determined scanning pattern is stored in the memory 28.

When the preparation for laser irradiation is completed, a READY switch (not shown) on the control panel 7 is pressed to make it ready for laser irradiation, and the foot switch 8 is depressed to transmit a trigger signal. Upon receiving the trigger signal, the control unit 20 causes the laser light source 21 to emit therapeutic laser light. The treatment laser light emitted from the laser light source 21 passes through the beam splitter 26, has its optical axis bent by the mirror 24 and the dichroic mirror 25, and is incident on the multi-joint arm section 2 and each joint section of the multi-joint arm section 2. The light is reflected by the mirror provided in the handpiece and guided to the handpiece unit 3. The scanner controller 23 uses the galvanometers 17 a, 1 a and 1 b based on the scanning pattern of the treatment laser light stored in the memory 28.
7b is drive-controlled. The galvanometers 17a and 17b change the angles of the scanning mirrors 12a and 12b, and the laser light is scanned. The laser light is a pulse laser, and the laser irradiation is stopped while the angles of the mirrors 12a and 12b are being changed. Laser light is emitted while the mirrors 12a and 12b are stopped, and the focusing lens 13 causes a diameter of 0.5 m.
The m spots are irradiated to the affected area based on the scanning pattern.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Laser irradiation can be easily performed according to the shape and size of the treatment site.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a laser treatment apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a control system and an optical system of the laser treatment apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a handpiece unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a donut-shaped irradiation pattern.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a triangular illumination pattern.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how to obtain a scanning pattern of a treatment laser beam.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Laser device body 3 Handpiece unit 12a, 12b Galvano mirror 16 Switch part 16a shape switch 16b outer shape size switch 16c Internal shape size switch 17a, 17b Galvanometer 20 Control unit 21 therapeutic laser light source 22 Aiming light source 23 Scanner Controller

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a treatment site with laser light for treatment, wherein a scanning means for scanning the laser light formed into a small spot and a shape to be scanned by the scanning means have a predetermined hollow shape. Scanning shape setting means for setting the pattern, size setting means for setting the outer size and the inner size of the hollow shape pattern, respectively, based on the set hollow shape pattern and its outer size and inner size A laser treatment apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the scanning unit. 2. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, based on the relationship between the irradiation area determined by the outer size and the inner size of the hollow shape pattern set by the size setting means, and the spot size of the laser light. The laser treatment apparatus further comprises a calculating means for calculating the arrangement of the laser spots, and the control means controls the scanning of the laser light by the scanning means based on the calculation result. 3. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the arithmetic means is a regular arrangement of laser spots determined by the spot size of laser light and the degree of spot overlap, and the hollow shape set by the size setting means. A laser treatment apparatus, characterized in that irradiation areas determined by the outer size and the inner size of a pattern are overlapped with each other, and whether irradiation of each spot is possible or not is determined by an area ratio of each spot overlapping with the irradiation area. 4. The laser treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning means also serves as means for forming and scanning aiming light from an aiming light source in the form of small spots, and the control means when the aiming light is scanned. A laser treatment apparatus, characterized in that the scanning means is controlled so as to scan the aiming light at a speed at which the outer contour and the inner contour of the shape pattern are connected to each other.