WO2013002050A1

WO2013002050A1 - Laser light irradiation device

Info

Publication number: WO2013002050A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/065461
Authority: WO
Inventors: 靖章桑田
Original assignee: 大研医器株式会社
Priority date: 2011-06-29
Filing date: 2012-06-18
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: JPWO2013002050A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a laser light irradiation device for irradiating in a pattern (pattern-irradiating) a region to be irradiated with laser light, the laser light irradiation device being designed to provide a technique which is usable in a surgical operation and the like and by which to pattern-irradiate the region to be irradiated with the laser light without mechanically controlling the position and direction of the exit end of the laser light. This device is provided with: an emission unit (4) which emits laser light to a region to be irradiated; a bundle fiber (3) which has a plurality of cores serving as optical paths of the laser light to the emission unit; and a selective incidence unit (2) which selects the respective cores of the bundle fiber so as to correspond to pattern irradiation and causes the laser light to be incident thereon.

Description

Laser light irradiation device

The present invention relates to a laser beam irradiation apparatus that can pattern-irradiate a laser beam to an irradiation target.

In a surgical operation, in order to cauterize, excise, or incise a tissue, laser light is introduced into a body cavity using an optical fiber or the like, and the tissue is irradiated. Such a surgical operation by laser light irradiation is useful for a tissue having a small diameter, such as an endoscope, a digestive tract, a deep brain, a blood vessel, and a bronchus. At this time, it is extremely important to cauterize or excise only the abnormal tissue without damaging the normal tissue. For this reason, precise control of the irradiation direction and irradiation range of the laser beam is required.
In order to meet such demands, conventionally, it has been necessary to mechanically control the position and orientation of the laser beam emitting end of the laser beam irradiation apparatus with a human hand while looking at the endoscope monitor.

For example, when the part to be irradiated with laser light is seen in the oblique direction of the endoscope monitor, the neck of the endoscope cannot be shaken with a tissue having a small diameter, and laser irradiation cannot be performed in the oblique direction. In this case, it is necessary for the doctor to reinsert or rotate the laser beam irradiation device while checking with an endoscopic monitor so that the laser beam irradiation direction is appropriate. Was a problem.

In addition, when it is necessary to irradiate a tissue surrounded by nerves and blood vessels with a laser beam with an accuracy of several hundreds of micrometers, the mechanical control of a human hand is sufficient to achieve that accuracy. There was also a problem that it was not possible.

In such a background, a technique for changing the emitting direction of the laser beam without moving the position and orientation of the emitting end of the laser beam irradiation apparatus has been developed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, in a laser probe having a laser light guide means in an insertion portion, a laser beam reflecting mirror provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and a swing motion means for swinging the reflection mirror, A laser probe comprising a control means for controlling the swing movement means in an arbitrary pattern is described (Patent Document 1).

The beam scanning probe for scanning the predetermined beam emitted from the wave source section in the body cavity to obtain an observation image includes a scanning mirror for scanning the predetermined beam in the body cavity, and the scanning mirror is an elastic member. And at least one cantilever whose one end is supported by the base, and a rotating mirror whose peripheral part is supported by the free end of the cantilever, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric member Is applied, the free end is displaced in a predetermined direction to displace the peripheral portion while holding the central portion of the rotating mirror at a substantially constant position, thereby tilting the rotating mirror. A beam scanning probe is described (Patent Document 2).

On the other hand, as an optical scanning device capable of scanning with a large angle of view and having a wide scanning range, a scanning unit that deflects incident light and emits it toward the target region so as to scan the target region, and the scanning unit There is known an optical scanning device including a selective incident portion that sequentially selects the optical path of the light and makes the light incident on the scanning portion (Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-314971 JP 2004-361889 A JP 2010-243874 A

Since the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a structure in which a reflection mirror that is electrically driven is attached to the output end side of an optical fiber, the light irradiation range is limited to a certain range, and a laser is applied to an arbitrary region. It was impossible to irradiate light with a pattern, and it was still impossible to ensure irradiation accuracy without mechanically controlling the position and direction of the laser beam emission end.

Note that the technique described in Patent Document 3 is a technique that pays attention to scanning at a large angle of view, and there is no viewpoint of irradiating a laser beam with a pattern in the scanning range.

The present invention is a technique that can be used in, for example, a surgical operation or the like, and irradiates a laser beam in a pattern in a pattern without mechanically controlling the position and direction of a laser beam emission end (pattern irradiation). It is an issue to provide technology.

The present invention that solves the above-described problems is a laser light irradiation device that pattern-irradiates a laser beam onto an irradiation target region, an emission unit that emits laser light toward the irradiation target region, and a laser beam applied to the emission unit. A bundle fiber having a plurality of cores serving as an optical path, and a selection incident unit that selects each core of the bundle fiber and makes a laser beam incident so as to correspond to the pattern irradiation.
A bundle fiber having a plurality of cores is used as the optical path of the laser light of the laser light irradiation device, and each core is selected so as to correspond to pattern irradiation, and the laser light is incident. Without mechanically controlling the direction, it becomes possible to irradiate the irradiation target region with an arbitrary pattern (pattern irradiation).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the emitting unit includes a deflecting unit that deflects laser light in different directions with respect to the optical axis of the bundle fiber according to the position of each core of the bundle fiber.
Thereby, the emission direction of the laser light can be set according to the size and shape of the object (for example, tissue) to be irradiated, and the irradiation possible range of the irradiation apparatus can be optimized.
Further, since the laser beam can be shaped so that the irradiation power density does not exceed a certain level, the safety of the operation can be ensured.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the emission unit includes an emission optical system that forms an image of the laser beam emitted from the deflection unit in the irradiation target region.
By configuring the exit portion of the incident optical path variable portion in this way, it becomes easy to set the necessary projection magnification, and both simplification of design and microstructuring can be achieved.

In one aspect of the present invention, the selective incident portion changes the incident light path over time so that the laser light source and the laser light from the laser light source can sequentially enter all the cores of the bundle fiber. The laser light source includes a laser light output controller that turns on the output of the laser light when an incident light path corresponding to the pattern irradiation is formed. .
In this mode, by periodically changing the incident optical path, it is possible to eliminate the mechanical control that forms the incident optical path each time according to the pattern to be irradiated, and to turn on / off the output of the laser light from the laser light source. Arbitrary pattern irradiation can be realized by electrical control.

In the above embodiment, the incident optical path variable unit includes, for example, an angle variable mirror, and the inclination angle of the angle variable mirror is associated with the incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the incident optical path variable unit includes an imaging optical system that forms an image of the laser light reflected by the angle variable mirror between the angle variable mirror and the deflection unit. It is characterized by that.
Since the incident light path variable unit according to this embodiment includes an imaging optical system that forms an image of the laser beam reflected by the variable angle mirror on the way and then enters the core, the incident optical path to each core. Can be easily set and controlled. That is, by providing an optical system that forms an image in the middle, it is possible to easily set the lens arrangement particularly in relation to the focus distance and the like. Thereby, control processing for each laser beam incident on each core becomes possible, and control can be performed with higher accuracy.

In one form of this invention, the said selection incident part forms an incident optical path so that the laser beam from the laser light source and the said laser light source can inject only with respect to each selected core of the said bundle fiber. And an incident optical path forming part.

With the said form, the said laser light source is a laser array provided with a several laser element, for example. In this case, the incident optical path forming unit includes a laser element output control unit that controls an output for each laser element. Here, each laser element and the incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber are associated with each other.
In such a form, it is possible to eliminate the mechanical control that forms the incident optical path each time according to the pattern to be irradiated, and to irradiate any pattern by electrical control of on / off of the output of each laser light element from the laser light source. Can be realized.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the laser light output control unit and the laser element output control unit include a function of controlling an output value of laser light.
As described above, the laser light output control unit and the laser element output control unit include a function of controlling the output value of the laser light, for example, adjusting the output value (strongness) of the laser light to be irradiated with the pattern temporally, The irradiation intensity can be partially changed. As a result, it is possible to bake only the necessary parts strongly or weakly.

Moreover, in the said form, the said incident optical path formation part is provided with the projection control part which controls a projection for every digital mirror device and the micro mirror of the said digital mirror device, for example. In this case, the minute mirror and the incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber are associated with each other.
In such a form, it is possible to eliminate mechanical control that forms an incident optical path each time depending on the pattern to be irradiated, and it is possible to realize arbitrary pattern irradiation by electrical control of on / off driving of the micromirrors. It becomes.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selective incident portion and the bundle fiber are detachably connected via an optical coupler.
As a result, the bundle fiber and the emitting part can be separated from the selective incident part and disposed of. In particular, when the laser beam irradiation apparatus of the present invention is used for a surgical operation, the bundle fiber and the emitting part are preferably inserted because they are inserted into the body cavity, but the selective incident part can be used repeatedly. Economically favorable.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selective incident unit acquires an image data of an irradiation target region and displays an image of the irradiation target region on an image display unit, and specifies an irradiation pattern in the irradiation target region. A coordinate data acquisition unit that acquires coordinate data for performing, and an image synthesis unit that synthesizes the coordinate data with the image data and displays an irradiation pattern on an image of the irradiation target region. And
Thereby, it becomes easy to specify the position of an irradiation pattern correctly, and it becomes possible to raise the precision of pattern irradiation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the emitting portion is detachably fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope, the irradiation target region of the laser light is in the observation field of the endoscope, and is emitted from each core of the emitting portion. Each laser beam to be associated with each irradiation position of the irradiation target region is characterized by being associated with each other.
Thereby, pattern irradiation can be accurately performed under observation with an endoscope.

Further, the present invention is a laser light irradiation method for pattern irradiation of a laser beam to an irradiation target region, wherein a bundle fiber having a plurality of cores serving as an optical path of the laser beam is used, and the bundle fiber is selectively used as an arbitrary core And a second step of irradiating the irradiation target area with the laser light guided to each core of the bundle fiber, and the first step corresponds to the pattern irradiation. The respective cores are selected as described above.
A bundle fiber is used as the optical path of the laser beam of the laser beam irradiation device, each core is selected so as to correspond to the pattern to be irradiated, the laser beam is incident, and the laser beam guided to each core is irradiated By irradiating the laser beam, it becomes possible to irradiate the irradiation target region with any desired pattern (pattern irradiation).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the first step, the step of acquiring image data of the irradiation target region and displaying the image on the image display unit, and coordinates for specifying the irradiation pattern of the laser light in the irradiation target region A step of acquiring data and a step of combining the coordinate data with the image data and displaying an irradiation pattern on the image of the irradiation target region are performed.
Thus, by using an input means with good operability such as a mouse, it becomes easy to accurately specify the position of the irradiation pattern, and the accuracy of pattern irradiation can be increased.

According to the present invention, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation target region with an arbitrary pattern (pattern irradiation) without mechanically controlling the position and direction of the emission end of the laser light.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the example which applied the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention to the endoscope. It is a schematic block diagram of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the incident optical path variable part of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the emission part of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the laser light source of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the example of a front-end | tip structure of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of irradiation of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the irradiation pattern of the irradiation object area | region which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the incident optical path formation part of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the laser array of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the laser array of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the incident optical path variable part of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the emission part of the laser beam irradiation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the laser beam irradiation apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This laser beam irradiation apparatus 1 is used by inserting into a body cavity under an endoscope for the purpose of cauterization or incision of a tissue in a surgical operation, and irradiates a laser beam in a pattern on an irradiation target region. In the present invention, “irradiation target region” refers to a target region that can be irradiated with laser light, and “pattern irradiation” refers to laser light with a specific pattern (shape or pattern) in a specific part of the region. Refers to irradiation.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the laser beam irradiation apparatus 1 is applied to an existing direct-view type endoscope system is shown. The endoscope system includes a video scope 100 and a video system main body 110. The video system main body 110 includes a light source device 111 that supplies light for shooting, air, and the like, a video processor 112, a color monitor 113, and the like. The video scope 100 includes a connection unit 101 to the light source device 111, an operation unit 102, an insertion unit 103, a distal end unit 104, a forceps insertion port 105, and the like. The laser beam irradiation device 1 can insert the insertion portion 6 (see FIG. 2) from the insertion port 105 of the forceps of the video scope 100 and attach the emission portion 4 to the distal end portion 104 portion (forceps opening portion). It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the laser beam irradiation apparatus 1 includes an emission unit 4 that emits laser light toward an irradiation target region, and a bundle fiber 3 that has a plurality of cores that serve as optical paths of the laser beam to the emission unit 4. In order to correspond to pattern irradiation, a selection incident section 2 for selecting each core of the bundle fiber 3 and making a laser beam incident thereon and an optical coupler 5 are provided. The laser light is guided from the selective incident portion 2 to the emitting portion 4 through the optical coupler 5 and the bundle fiber 3. Here, the bundle fiber 3 constitutes, together with the emitting portion 4, an insertion portion 6 that is used by being inserted into a body cavity under an endoscope.

The selective incident part 2 selects each core 31 of the bundle fiber 3 so that the laser light is incident so as to correspond to the pattern to be irradiated with the laser light. In the present embodiment, the selective incident unit 2 changes the incident light path over time so that the laser light source 21 and the laser light from the laser light source 21 can be sequentially incident on all the cores 31 of the bundle fiber 3. And an incident light path variable unit 22. The laser light source 21 includes a laser light output control unit, which will be described later, that turns on the output of the laser light when an incident optical path corresponding to pattern irradiation is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the laser light source 21 includes a camera image receiving unit (image data acquiring unit) 23 that receives a camera image signal of an endoscope, a mouse operation recognizing unit (coordinate data acquiring unit) 24, and an image composition. A unit 25, an irradiation region determination unit 26, a laser light output control unit 27, a laser element 210, a mirror driving unit 28, a mirror element 220, and an optical coupler 29 are provided. Next, these details will be described.

The camera image receiving unit 23 receives the camera image signal of the endoscope that reflects the irradiation target of the laser light and converts it into a signal that can be output to the monitor 113.
The mouse operation recognizing unit 24 recognizes the operation of the mouse M and converts it into a signal designating a laser light irradiation area in the monitor image.
The image synthesizing unit 25 synthesizes the camera image and the mouse operation signal, and converts them on the monitor 113 into an image signal obtained by synthesizing the camera image and the laser light irradiation designated area (irradiation pattern).
The irradiation area determination unit 26 outputs the laser light output control unit 27 and the mirror drive unit 28 in respective signals so as to irradiate the laser light irradiation designated area combined with the camera image.
The laser light output control unit 27 determines the output value of the laser element 210 based on the control signal from the irradiation region determination unit 26 and drives the laser element 210.
The mirror driving unit 28 determines the operation of the mirror element 220 based on the control signal from the irradiation area determination unit 26 and drives the mirror element 220.

The laser light source 21 can output laser light having various wavelengths.
The incident light path variable unit 22 changes the incident light path over time so that the laser light L emitted from the laser element 210 of the laser light source 21 can sequentially enter all the cores of the bundle fiber 3. For example, the incident optical path variable unit 22 includes an angle variable mirror 221 and a reflection mirror 222 as shown in FIG. The inclination angle of the variable angle mirror 221 and the incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber 3 are associated with each other. When the inclination angle of the variable angle mirror 221 is α, the bundle fiber is passed through the reflection mirror 222. When the incident optical path A is formed in the third core a and the tilt angle is β, the incident optical path B is formed in the core b through the reflection mirror 222, and the different cores are changed as the tilt angle changes thereafter. On the other hand, incident light paths are sequentially formed. For example, when the inclination angle is γ, the incident optical path C is formed through the reflection mirror 222 to the core c. This incident optical path is formed periodically. Note that one core does not necessarily have to be selected for one inclination angle. For example, a plurality of cores in a certain region may be selected for one inclination angle.

In the present embodiment, the variable angle mirror 221 is composed of a galvanometer mirror, and is controlled to perform a constant drive via a drive system (actuator) (not shown).
The reflection mirror 222 reflects the laser light patterned by the variable angle mirror 221 and guides it in a specific direction in a collimated state.

In the example of FIG. 3, a condensing lens 61 for increasing the power of laser light and a collimating lens 62 for collimating the condensed laser light are provided between the laser element 210 and the angle variable mirror 221. ing. Between the collimating lens 62 and the variable angle mirror 221, a slot 63 for forming a cross-sectional shape of the collimated laser beam is provided.

In the present embodiment, the selective incident unit 2 further includes a deflection lens group 7 for causing the direction of the laser light patterned by the incident optical path variable unit 22 to correspond to each core 31 of the bundle fiber 3 to be described later. It has. The deflection lens group 7 includes a pattern reduction lens 71 that deflects the range of the laser beam of the pattern reflected by the reflection mirror 222 in a direction to reduce the range, and the deflected laser light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the incident position of the core. It comprises a pattern light incident lens 72 that deflects the laser light so as to be incident.

The laser light output control unit 27 turns on the output of the laser light L from the laser element 210 when the incident optical path corresponding to the pattern irradiation is formed. That is, the laser element 210 only during the time when the incident light path corresponding to the pattern is formed so that the laser light is incident only on the incident light path corresponding to the pattern to be irradiated among the incident light paths formed sequentially. Control is performed so that the output of the laser light L from is turned on.

With this configuration, it is not necessary to control the driving of the variable angle mirror 221 each time depending on the pattern to be irradiated, and by electrically controlling on / off of the output of the laser light from the laser element 210, Arbitrary patterns can be drawn.

In addition, it is highly desirable that the laser light output control unit includes a function for controlling the output value of the laser light. In this way, the laser light output control includes a function to control the output value of the laser light. For example, the output value (strength) of the laser light for pattern irradiation is adjusted temporally to partially change the irradiation intensity. Can be made. As a result, it is possible to bake only the necessary parts strongly or weakly.

The bundle fiber 3 is a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers 31. Each optical fiber 31 has a core (not shown) that carries light at the center thereof. The optical fiber 31 transmits laser light incident on the core at the tip thereof from the laser light source 21 of the selective incident portion 2 and emits it from the other end. The number of optical fibers 31 constituting the bundle fiber 3 is, for example, about several hundred to several thousand.

The selective incident part 2 and the bundle fiber 3 are detachably connected by an optical coupler 5. The optical coupler 5 couples the laser beam patterned by the selective incident portion 2 to the core of the bundle fiber 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the emitting unit 4 emits the laser light guided to the bundle fiber 3 toward the irradiation target region. Each core of the bundle fiber 3 is associated with an irradiation point of the irradiation target region. For example, the laser light emitted from the core a of the bundle fiber 3 is emitted toward the irradiation point A2, and is emitted from the core b. The emitted laser light is emitted toward the irradiation point B2, and the laser light emitted from the core c is emitted toward the irradiation point C2. Accordingly, which irradiation point is irradiated with the laser light is determined according to the output of the laser light from the laser light output control unit 27 described above.

The emitting unit 4 includes a deflection lens (deflection unit) 41. The deflecting unit 41 deflects the laser light in different directions with respect to the optical axis of the bundle fiber 3 according to the position of each core of the bundle fiber 3. That is, the direction in which the laser light is guided for each core is determined such that the laser light emitted from the core a is directed to the irradiation point A2 and the laser light emitted from the core b is directed to the irradiation point B2. Yes.

In the present embodiment, the laser light from the core of the bundle fiber 3 is deflected by the deflecting unit 41 and emitted radially at a preset angle, and irradiation to an appropriate range is possible. In addition, the laser light emitted from each core is overlapped to prevent the power from increasing, avoiding dangers such as unintended tissue damage, and ensuring the safety of surgery. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 6, the emitting portion 4 is detachably fixed (positioned) to the distal end portion 104 of the insertion portion 103 of the endoscope. Furthermore, the irradiation target area of the laser beam L is set within the observation field of view of the endoscope. And each laser beam radiate | emitted from each core of the emission part 4 and each irradiation position of the irradiation object area | region are matched, respectively. Thus, consideration is given so that pattern irradiation can be performed with high accuracy under observation with an endoscope.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, a key groove 106 is provided in the distal end portion 104 of the video scope (endoscope) 100, and a convex shape provided in the boundary portion between the bundle fiber 3 and the emitting portion 4 in the key groove 106. The key 4a is detachably fixed (positioned) with the key 4a fitted. In addition, as a fixing means with respect to the front-end | tip part 104 of an endoscope of this output part 104, not only the example of illustration but various methods are employable if it functions as a relative fixing means. For example, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion (near the forceps opening) of the distal end portion 104 where the emitting portion 4 is inserted is formed in a shape other than a true circle such as a polygonal cross section or an ellipse, and the portion of the emitting portion 4 is formed in the hole The outer peripheral surface shape of the emitting portion 4 can be formed so that the fitting portion is closely fitted and detachably fixed. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 107 denotes an objective lens of a micro camera, and reference numeral 108 denotes a light guide that illuminates the inside of the body with light from a light source.

According to the laser beam irradiation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it can be used together with a direct-viewing endoscope as shown in FIG. 1, and the insertion portion 6 can be inserted from the insertion port 105 of the forceps.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, since the laser beam irradiation apparatus 1 is equipped with the deflection | deviation lens 41 in the output part 4, it irradiates freely in the diagonal direction (up and down, right and left) which becomes radial with respect to the axis | shaft of the bundle fiber 3 It becomes possible. As a result, as shown in the figure, a portion 92 to be irradiated with the laser light L in a narrow lumen 91 in which the diameter of the lumen 9 in the body is tapered and the endoscope cannot be swung, Even in the case where 93 and 94 are seen in the oblique direction of the endoscope monitor 113, the irradiation can be reliably performed.

In addition, the image data of the irradiation target area and the coordinate data for specifying the irradiation pattern with the mouse are synthesized so that the irradiation pattern can be displayed on the image of the irradiation target area by operating the mouse. However, it is possible to specify the laser light irradiation direction and irradiation position by operating the mouse, and to irradiate only the specified area. For example, irradiation (pattern irradiation) can be performed with designated patterns P1, P2, and P3 as shown in FIGS. 8 (a), 8 (b), and 8 (c). Thereby, it becomes easy to specify the position of pattern irradiation correctly, and it becomes possible to raise the precision of pattern irradiation markedly. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the irradiation target region for pattern irradiation is the esophageal inner wall.

<Embodiment 2>
In the above-described embodiment, the laser element 210 is not limited to one that emits a single laser beam, and a laser array that emits a plurality of laser beams (laser beams) may be used. In this way, the number of operations of the angle variable mirror 221 in the incident light path variable unit 22 can be reduced.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the system which irradiates a pattern combining the scanning using the angle variable mirror 221 and the output control of the laser element 210 regarding the selective incident part 2, other systems may be employ | adopted. it can.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the selective incident unit 2 allows the laser light from the laser light source 21 and the laser array 212 of the laser light source 21 to be incident only on each selected core of the bundle fiber 3. And an incident optical path forming unit 270 that forms the incident optical path. In FIG. 9, P4 and P5 indicate irradiation patterns.

In this configuration, the laser light source 21 includes, for example, a laser array 213 including a plurality of laser elements 211 such as a surface emitting semiconductor laser array as shown in FIG. 10 or an edge emitting semiconductor as shown in FIG. Such as a laser array 214. In this case, it is preferable that the incident optical path forming unit 270 includes a laser element output control unit that controls output for each laser element 211. Note that this laser element output control unit also preferably includes a function of controlling the output value of the laser beam.
Also in such an embodiment, the mechanical control for forming the incident optical path each time according to the pattern to be irradiated can be eliminated, and it can be arbitrarily controlled by the on / off electrical control of the output of each laser element 211 from the laser light source 21. The pattern irradiation can be realized.

Note that, as another embodiment, for example, the incident optical path forming unit may include a digital mirror device and a projection control unit that controls projection for each micro mirror of the digital mirror device, although not particularly illustrated. In this case, the minute mirror and the incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber are associated with each other.
Even in such an embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the mechanical control that forms the incident optical path each time depending on the pattern to be irradiated, and to realize arbitrary pattern irradiation by electrical control of on / off driving of the micromirrors. Is possible.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the incident light path variable unit 22, and FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of its emission unit. In FIG. 12, for convenience of explanation, the optical paths of laser light incident on different fibers are shown as separate diagrams for the purpose of easy understanding so as not to partially overlap a plurality of optical paths.

The incident light path variable unit 22 according to this embodiment also includes a condensing lens 61, a collimating lens 62, a laser light shaping slot 63, and a variable angle mirror 221 for the laser light L emitted from the laser element 210 shown in FIG. It prepares in this order. However, in this embodiment, instead of the reduction optical system of the entire optical path including the reflection mirror 222 and the deflection lens group 7 of FIG. 3, the reflection is performed by the variable angle mirror 221 shown at the center of the scan mirror as shown in FIG. An imaging optical system 8 is provided for causing the laser beam L thus formed to form an image on the way and then entering the core of the bundle fiber 3.

The imaging optical system 8 is disposed on an optical path that is sequentially enlarged through an imaging lens 81 that forms an image of the laser beam L having a pattern reflected by the variable angle mirror 221 and an imaging region 82 indicated by an arrow S. A pattern reduction lens 83 that deflects the laser light range of the pattern in a direction to reduce the pattern light incidence, and pattern light incidence that deflects the laser light so that the deflected laser light is incident in a direction substantially perpendicular to the incident position of the core. And a lens group 84. The imaging lens 81, the pattern reduction lens 83, and the pattern light incident lens group 84 of the imaging optical system 8 are disposed in the lens barrel 85.

In the incident optical path variable unit 22 of this embodiment, when the incident beam diameter Φ1 of the laser light at the imaging lens 81 is, for example, 8 mm, the spot diameter Φ2 at the stop position in the imaging region 82 is about 0.4 mm. The spot diameter Φ3 at the fiber end face is set to be reduced and projected to about 0.04 mm. Therefore, the reduction projection is set to about 10 times from the aperture position to the fiber end face.

As shown in FIG. 12, the incident optical path variable unit 22 according to this embodiment forms an image of the laser light L reflected by the variable angle mirror 221 on the way and then enters the core of the bundle fiber 3. Since the image optical system 8 is provided, the setting and control of the incident optical path to each core can be facilitated. That is, by providing an optical system that forms an image in the middle, it is possible to easily set the lens arrangement particularly in relation to the focus distance and the like. Thereby, individual control processing for each laser beam incident on each core is possible, and control can be performed with higher accuracy.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the emission part 4 at the tip of the bundle fiber 3, partially shown in cross section. A front end exposed portion (fiber mount portion) of the fiber bundle 34 covered with an outer skin 33 such as silicon rubber is inserted into the lens barrel 43 from the base end side and is positioned and fixed. A deflection lens 41 is provided near the tip in the lens barrel 43.

In the emission section 4 of this embodiment, for example, the length of the lens barrel 43 is set to 10 mm, and the inner diameter thereof is set to about 1 mm. The tip of the fiber bundle 34 is located near the middle of the length of the lens barrel 43. The thickness of the deflection lens 41 is formed within 1 mm, and an interval that becomes an optical path in the lens barrel 43 is provided between the deflection lens 41 and the fiber end surface 34a.

Therefore, in the emission part 4 of this embodiment, when the spot diameter Φ4 at the fiber end face is 0.04 mm, for example, the spot diameter Φ5 at the imaging position in the laser light irradiation target is about 0.16 to 0.20. It is set to become. The projection magnification is about 4 to 4.7 times.

By configuring the exit section 4 of the incident optical path variable section 22 in this manner, it becomes easy to set a necessary projection magnification, and both simplification of design and microstructuring can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the laser beam irradiation apparatus is applied for medical use has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to other applications such as projectors and microscopes.

The laser light irradiation technique of the present invention can be used for irradiation objects that are subjected to pattern irradiation with laser light. In particular, this is effective when irradiating a laser beam in a pattern to an irradiation target region in an endoscopic surgical operation or the like.

Claims

A laser light irradiation device that pattern irradiates a laser beam to an irradiation target area,
An emission part that emits laser light toward the irradiation target area;
A bundle fiber having a plurality of cores serving as an optical path of laser light to the emitting portion;
A laser beam irradiation apparatus, comprising: a selection incident unit that selects each core of the bundle fiber and makes a laser beam incident so as to correspond to the pattern irradiation.
The said emission part is provided with the deflection | deviation part which deflects a laser beam to a different direction with respect to the optical axis of this bundle fiber according to the position of each core of the said bundle fiber, The said 1st aspect is characterized by the above-mentioned. Laser light irradiation device.
The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the emission unit includes an emission optical system that forms an image of the laser beam emitted from the deflection unit in the irradiation target region.
The selective incident part is:
A laser light source;
An incident light path variable unit that changes the incident light path over time so that the laser light from the laser light source can sequentially enter all the cores of the bundle fiber,
4. The laser light output control unit according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source has a laser light output control unit that turns on the output of the laser light when an incident optical path corresponding to the pattern irradiation is formed. The laser beam irradiation apparatus described in 1.
The incident optical path variable unit includes an angle variable mirror,
5. The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an inclination angle of the angle variable mirror is associated with an incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber.
The incident light path variable unit includes an imaging optical system that forms an image of the laser light reflected by the angle variable mirror between the angle variable mirror and the deflection unit. Item 6. The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to Item 5.
The selective incident part is:
A laser light source;
An incident optical path forming unit that forms an incident optical path so that the laser light output from the laser light source can be incident only on each of the selected cores of the bundle fiber. Item 3. The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to Item 1 or 2.
The laser light source is a laser array including a plurality of laser elements,
The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the incident optical path forming unit includes a laser element output control unit that controls an output for each laser element.
The laser light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the laser light output control unit and the laser element output control unit include a function of controlling an output value of laser light.
The incident optical path forming unit is
A digital mirror device,
A projection control unit that controls projection for each micromirror of the digital mirror device,
8. The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the minute mirror is associated with an incident optical path to each core of the bundle fiber.
The laser beam irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the selective incident portion and the bundle fiber are detachably connected via an optical coupler.
The selective incident part is:
An image data acquisition unit that acquires image data of the irradiation target region and displays an image of the irradiation target region on the image display unit;
A coordinate data acquisition unit for acquiring coordinate data for specifying an irradiation pattern in the irradiation target region;
12. The image synthesizing unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an image synthesizing unit that synthesizes the coordinate data with the image data and displays an irradiation pattern on the image of the irradiation target region. Laser light irradiation device.
The emitting portion is detachably fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope,
The irradiation target area of the laser light is in the observation field of the endoscope,
The laser beam irradiation according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each laser beam emitted from each core of the emitting unit is associated with each irradiation position of the irradiation target region. apparatus.
A laser light irradiation method for pattern irradiation of laser light to an irradiation target area,
Using a bundle fiber having a plurality of cores that become the optical path of laser light,
A first step of selectively injecting laser light into an arbitrary core of the bundle fiber; and a second step of irradiating the irradiation target area with the laser light guided through each core of the bundle fiber. ,
In the first step, each of the cores is selected so as to correspond to the pattern irradiation.
In the first step, acquiring image data of an irradiation target region and displaying the image on the image display unit; acquiring coordinate data for specifying an irradiation pattern of laser light in the irradiation target region; The method of irradiating laser light according to claim 14, comprising: combining coordinate data with image data and displaying an irradiation pattern on an image of an irradiation target region.