JPH10127789A - Light beam processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light beam processing device to apply light to reach a zone to which light cannot be directly applied because of complicated structure. SOLUTION: A light beam processing device is provided with a means 2 to inject fluid mixed with a light diffusion substance into a processing space 40. The light diffusion substance is injected to a subject zone in the processing space 40, so the subject zone is set in the condition where the light diffusion substance is floating. In the meanwhile, light radiated from a light source device 34 into the processing space 40 is diffused by the light diffusion substance to change its directions into all the directions to reach the zone where it cannot conventionally been applied to reach.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light beam processing apparatus for irradiating a processing object with light to perform processing such as sterilization, disinfection, and treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photodynamic Therapy (Photodynamic Therapy)
rapy, PDT). In this method, first, HpD (hematoporphyrin derivative), which is a photosensitizer having tumor affinity, is administered to a living body. Next, an optical fiber is inserted into the body cavity, and light (laser light or the like) of a predetermined wavelength is irradiated to the tumor affected part that has taken up (absorbed) the photosensitizer. The light causes a photochemical reaction on the photosensitizer to generate active oxygen, and the tumor is affected by the cell killing effect of the active oxygen.

[0003] As a prior art of the light beam processing apparatus used in the above-mentioned method, "Light source apparatus for cancer diagnosis or treatment apparatus" disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-6384, Medical Journal Vol. , No. 6, 1995 / p. 1611 and the like.

[0004]

However, there are many structurally complicated parts in the body cavity. For this reason, even if an optical fiber is inserted into a body cavity and irradiated with light, the light may not reach the affected part of the tumor due to the presence of a shield or the like. In addition, when there is a tumor affected part in the lung field (the end part of the lung) or the like, the optical fiber itself cannot be inserted because the lung tissue is physically damaged and broken. In such a case, there is a problem that the device of the above-mentioned conventional technology cannot irradiate light to a tumor affected part and cannot obtain a therapeutic effect.

[0005] Such a situation is not limited to the case of the PDT, but the case where the affected part between the toes is sterilized by ultraviolet rays or the like, or a surgical tool having a complicated shape or a hanger is placed close to the hanger. The same applies to sterilization and disinfection of clothing and the like. For this reason, when performing treatments such as treatment, sterilization, and disinfection with light beams, it is desired to provide a light beam processing device that can effectively make light beams reach an area where light cannot be directly irradiated from an irradiation unit. Was.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a light beam processing device capable of making light reach an area where light cannot directly reach.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an irradiating means for irradiating light into a processing space where an object to be processed exists; The space between the irradiation area by the irradiation means in the processing space and the object to be processed,
And a fluid injecting means for injecting into a space in the vicinity thereof.

According to the present invention, since the fluid mixed with the light diffuser is injected into the processing space, the light diffuser is in a floating state in the vicinity of the space where the processing object exists.
For this reason, the irradiated light is diffused by the light diffuser and travels in all directions, so that the light reaches a processing target in an area where light cannot directly reach, such as a shadow of a shield.

Further, the light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an irradiating means for irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength which reacts with a drug absorbed in a specific part of a living body into a body cavity where a specific part of the living body exists; And a fluid injecting means for injecting a fluid mixed with a light diffuser for diffusing the light to be injected into a space between an irradiation area in the body cavity from an irradiation area by the irradiation means to a specific site and its vicinity.

According to the present invention, the fluid mixed with the light diffuser is injected into the space between the irradiation area by the irradiation means in the body cavity and the specific site and the vicinity thereof. It will be in a floating state. For this reason, the irradiated light is diffused by the light diffuser and travels in all directions, so that the light reaches a specific part of the body cavity that is structurally intricate and cannot be directly reached by light, and is absorbed there. May react with the given drug.

In the light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention, gas may be used as the fluid, and solid particles or liquid droplets may be used as the light diffuser. This is suitable when the object to be treated exists in a gas.

Further, in the light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention, a liquid may be used as a fluid, and a liquid droplet or a bubble which is not compatible with the liquid may be used as a light diffuser. This is suitable when the object to be processed exists in the liquid.

In the light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention, water, a fat emulsion, or a chemical having a bactericidal and disinfecting effect may be used as the light diffuser. When using water or fat emulsion,
The moisture prevents the normal cells in the vicinity of the specific site from drying out, and when a drug is used, a bactericidal effect or a disinfecting effect is also obtained.

[0014]

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

1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a light beam processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a perspective configuration diagram of an apparatus corresponding to FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light beam processing apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises a controller 1 for controlling the entire system, and a light diffuser mixing apparatus 2 for mixing a light diffuser into a fluid and sending it out.
And a light source device 3 for generating light for light beam processing, and a processing space 40 surrounded by the housing 4.
Desired light processing such as sterilization and disinfection is performed on the processing objects 51, 52, and 53 existing therein.

The controller 1 includes a power control unit 11 connected to a commercial power supply via a plug 10, an operation unit 12 including switches, keys, and the like, to which start, stop, and other operation commands are given by an operator. A processing control unit 13 that controls the power supply control unit 11 accordingly and controls the operations of the light diffuser mixing device 2 and the light source device 3. The controller 1 is connected to the light diffuser mixing device 2 and the light source device 3 via the power cord 14, and is connected to the light diffuser mixing device 2 and the light source device 3 via the signal code 15.

The light diffuser mixing device 2 includes a light diffuser mixing section 21 for mixing a light diffuser into a fluid to generate a processing fluid,
A fluid storage unit 22 for temporarily storing the fluid and a light diffuser storage unit 23 for temporarily storing the light diffuser are provided. Here, the fluid stored in the fluid storage unit 22 is a gas such as air or an inert gas or a liquid such as water or alcohol, and is usually stored in a container such as a cylinder or a tank. On the other hand, the light diffuser stored in the light diffuser storage unit 23 is mixed with the fluid to diffuse light (refraction, reflection,
These are fine particles that can be diffused by scattering or the like, or raw materials thereof, and have various modes in combination with a fluid.

For example, when the fluid is a gas, the light diffuser is solid fine particles or fine liquid droplets. Therefore, the solid fine particles are stored in the light diffuser storage unit 23 in a powder state or a fluid (gas). It is stored as a less volatile liquid that can become droplets in it. When the fluid is a liquid, the light diffuser becomes solid fine particles that are hardly soluble in the fluid, droplets that are not compatible with the fluid (for example, oil droplets for water), or air bubbles that are hardly soluble in the fluid. The diffuser storage unit 23 stores the solid powder that is hardly soluble in the fluid, the liquid that is incompatible with the fluid, or the gas that is hardly soluble in the fluid.

The light diffuser mixing section 21 receives a command from the processing control section 13 of the controller 1 and mixes the light diffuser supplied from the light diffuser storage section 23 into the fluid supplied from the fluid storage section 22. . For example, the solid powder supplied from the light diffuser storage unit 23 is mixed into the gas supplied from the fluid storage unit 22, or the liquid supplied from the light diffuser storage unit 23 is sprayed into the gas to produce fine particles. Mixed as fine droplets. The light diffuser mixing section 21 has a function of sending the specified amount of processing fluid (the light diffuser mixed into the fluid) to the fluid guide 24 at a timing according to a command from the controller 1. The inlet 25 at the tip of the fluid guide 24 faces the processing space 40 from the inner wall surface of the housing 4. Therefore, for example, a processing fluid in a state where a liquid is sprayed in a gas can be injected into the processing space 40 from the injection port 25.

The light source device 3 includes a light source power supply unit 31 including a transformer for changing a voltage of a power supply supplied from the controller 1 and the like, and a halogen lamp, a semiconductor light emitting element, and the like that emit light by power from the light source power supply unit 31. The light source 32 includes a mirror or the like for condensing light from a lamp or the like at one end of a light guide 33 made of an optical fiber or the like, and a shutter (not shown) for turning on or off the incidence of light on the light guide. Zu) etc. The other end of the light guide 33 is connected to a light irradiator 34 for emitting light in multiple directions.
Reference numeral 4 is provided to protrude inside the housing 4 constituting the processing space 40.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of the above embodiment will be described. Here, the fluid stored in the fluid storage unit 22 is air, and the light diffuser mixed therein is mist-like water droplets. Therefore, it is assumed that the light diffuser storage unit 23 is a tank for storing pure water, and the light diffuser mixing unit 21 is an ultrasonic atomizer. In addition, the fluid storage unit 22 has a filter (not shown) for purifying the outside air at the inlet, and has a space for temporarily holding the purified air therein.

First, the plug 10 is connected to a power line, and FIG.
The power switch 16 shown in FIG. Then, the operator operates the operation unit 12 to set the preparation mode. As a result, electric power is supplied to the light diffuser mixing section 21 and the light source power supply section 31 to prepare for operation. That is, the light source 32
Is turned on with the shutter closed, and the lamp is started up at a constant light emission amount. On the other hand, the light diffuser mixing section 2
Numeral 1 receives supply of clean air from the fluid storage unit 22 and pure water from the light diffuser storage unit 23, and generates a processing fluid in which air is filled with mist-like water droplets by ultrasonic spraying.

Next, when the operation mode is manually set or automatically switched from the preparation mode to the operation mode, the processing fluid passes through the fluid guide 24 and is injected into the processing space 40 from the injection port 25. 1 are diffused in multiple directions, as indicated by the double arrow. And
A shutter (not shown) between the light source 32 and the light guide 33 is opened, and light from a lamp in the light source 32 passes through the light guide 33, is guided to the light irradiator 34, and is emitted into the processing space 40 (FIG. 1). The direction of the radiation is indicated by an arrow inside).

At this time, three processing objects 51, 52 and 53 are placed in the processing space 40, and the processing objects 5
It is assumed that 1 and 52 are located at positions where light can directly reach from the light irradiator 34. However, it is assumed that the processing target 53 is positioned behind the processing target 52, so that the light from the light irradiator 34 does not directly reach.

When the processing fluid mixed with the light diffuser is not injected into the processing space 40, the light from the light irradiator 34 is directly applied to the front sides of the processing objects 51 and 52. However, the light from the light irradiator 34 does not reach the back side of the processing objects 51 and 52, and the light from the light irradiator 34 does not reach the processing object 53 behind the processing object 52. Therefore, the desired light treatment (sterilization, disinfection, etc.) is performed on the processing target 51.
５３53 cannot be applied equally.

However, in the present embodiment, since the light is emitted from the light irradiator 34 in a state where the processing fluid mixed with the light diffuser is injected into the processing space 40, the mist-like water droplet as the light diffuser is used. Thus, the light from the light irradiator 34 is diffused by reflection, refraction, scattering, or the like, so that the processing space 40 can be irradiated with light widely. Therefore, the light from the light irradiator 34 can also indirectly reach the back side of the processing objects 51 and 52 and the processing object 53.

In the above embodiment, if the inner surface of the housing 4 forming the processing space 40 is coated with a light-reflective material or subjected to a light-diffusing surface treatment, the light diffuser will not be injected. Even in this case, the light from the light irradiator 34 can be applied to the back sides of the processing objects 51 and 52 and the processing object 53. However, if the housing 4 forming the processing space 40 is not made to have a special specification suitable for the light beam processing apparatus, the inner wall surface of the housing 4 often has high light absorption. Is particularly effective. For example, when sterilizing or disinfecting an operating room in a hospital by light irradiation, the operating room itself becomes the housing 4, and therefore, diffusion due to reflection, refraction, and scattering of light on the inner wall surface of the housing 4 is expected. Can not.
According to the present embodiment, the diffused light reaches the gaps in the complicated operating room, so that effective sterilization and disinfection can be performed.

When the light beam processing in the processing space 40 is completed in the above operation mode, the supply of the processing fluid by the light diffuser mixing device 2 is stopped, and the light generation by the light source device 3 is also stopped. This stop control is performed by an operator's manual operation on the operation unit 12, or is automatically performed by a timer or the like.

In the first embodiment, the processing space is artificially formed by the housing. In this case, the number of light irradiators is not limited to one, but may be plural and distributed in the housing. Although the light source and the light irradiator are connected by a light guide, the light irradiator itself may be a light source such as a laser diode. Further, the inlet of the processing fluid is not limited to one, and may be dispersed at a plurality of locations in the housing.

Regarding the positional relationship between the light irradiator and the injection port,
Consider the following: That is, in this embodiment, since the direct irradiation light from the light irradiator is diffused once or plural times by the light diffuser and irradiates the light to the object to be processed, the space where the light from the light irradiator directly reaches is provided. Then, the light diffuser mixed in the fluid is caused to float. That is, the light diffuser is disposed so as to float appropriately in the space between the region directly irradiated with light and the object to be processed and the space in the vicinity thereof.

As the fluid and the light diffuser, those having a low absorptance are selected depending on the wavelength of the irradiation light used.
For example, when the irradiation light is ultraviolet light, a gas having a low ultraviolet absorptivity is used. Further, when the light diffuser is a chemical having a disinfecting and disinfecting action, a synergistic effect exceeding the disinfecting and disinfecting action by light can be realized.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same elements as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a light beam processing apparatus (second embodiment) for performing athlete's foot treatment on human feet. The basic configuration of the device is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, in particular, a rest member 45 for placing the “heel” of the foot 60 to be treated is provided in the processing space 40, and The wall surface is subjected to a surface treatment for improving light diffusion.
The light diffuser storage unit 23 stores a drug solution effective for treating athlete's foot, and the light source device 3 has a built-in lamp that emits light having a wavelength effective for treating athlete's foot.

Next, a method for treating athlete's foot and the operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

First, the cover of the housing 4 is opened, the foot 60 to be treated is put in, and the foot 60 is placed on the rest member 45. Then, the cover is closed to make the processing space 40 a closed space. Next, when the controller 1 is started, a chemical solution is sprayed into gas (air) in the light diffuser mixing section 21 formed of a nebulizer, and this is injected into the processing space 40 from the injection port 25. Then, the fine droplets of the drug solution adhere to the surface of the foot 60 to be treated, and the athlete's foot is treated.

On the other hand, the light from the light source device 3 is
Is transmitted from the light irradiator 34 and directly irradiates the foot 60. Further, a part of the light is diffused by refraction, reflection, scattering and the like by the fine droplets of the medicine, and is also applied to an area where direct irradiation light is hard to reach, such as between the toes of the foot 60. In this way, treatment with the medicine and treatment with the light beam are uniformly applied to the foot 60.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a light beam processing apparatus for treating cancer that has developed in the hilum of the lungs of a human body using so-called PDT, and the application state thereof.

The light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention differs from the light beam processing apparatus according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the optical fiber 33 is used as a light guide of the irradiation means, and the optical fiber 33 and the fluid guide 24 are made of a flexible material so as to bend according to the shape of the body cavity. The processing space is a body cavity 40 surrounded by the tracheal wall 4. The optical fiber 33 is inserted into the body cavity 40 from the mouth, and the tip of the optical fiber 33 reaches just before the trachea near the hilum is split into two branches. The hilum is an entrance portion of the lung continuing from the trachea and refers to a portion surrounded by a dashed line 6 in FIG. On the other hand, the fluid guide 24 is inserted into the nose from the nasal cavity.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The living body of a cancer patient shown in FIG. 4 has been previously administered with HpD which is a highly sensitive substance having cancer affinity. For this reason, HpD is absorbed in a specific site of a living body, that is, a cancerous site.

First, in the light beam processing apparatus, the preparation mode is set by the controller 1 by the same operation as in the first embodiment, and preparation before operation is performed. On the other hand, the light diffuser mixing unit 21 receives the supply of the clean air from the fluid storage unit 22 and the pure water from the light diffusion unit storage unit 23, and the processing in which the air is filled with atomized water droplets by ultrasonic spraying. Generate fluid. Next, when the mode is switched from the preparation mode to the operation mode, the mist-like water drops pass through the fluid guide 24 and are injected into the nasal cavity from the injection port 25. Then, the atomized water droplets are diffused into the body cavity 40 and reach the hilum. Then, the light source 32 and the optical fiber 33
Is opened, and the light from the lamp in the light source 32 passes through the optical fiber 33, is guided to the light irradiator 34, and is emitted to the hilum.

At this time, it is assumed that there are cancer affected parts 54 and 55 in which HpD has been absorbed at two places of the hilum. In addition, cancer affected part 5
Regarding No. 4, the light directly reaches the side 54a facing the light irradiator 34, but the side 54b not facing the light irradiator 34 is located in a position where the light cannot reach directly because of the shadow.
Is assumed to be inside a convoluted trachea where direct light from the light irradiator 34 does not reach.

When the atomized water droplet is not floating in the body cavity 40, the light from the light irradiator 34 is directly radiated to the side 54a of the cancerous part 54 facing the light irradiator 34. But,
The light from the light irradiator 34 does not reach the side 54b not facing the light irradiator 34 and the cancer affected part 55, and the desired light therapy cannot be performed.

However, in the present embodiment, light is emitted from the light irradiator 34 in a state where the mist-like water droplet is injected into the hilar portion, so that the light from the light irradiator 34 is reflected by the mist-like water droplet. The light can be diffused by refraction, scattering, and the like, and light can be widely applied to the hilum. Therefore, the light irradiator 34 of the cancer affected part 54
The light from the light irradiator 34 can also indirectly reach the side 54b not facing the side and the cancer affected part 55.

Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where there is a cancerous part in the lung field (peripheral part of the lung). When there is a cancerous area in the lung field, in the related art, even if light is irradiated at the entrance of the lung, the light cannot reach the lung field because it is blocked by the alveoli. Also, inserting an optical fiber into the lung field to irradiate the affected area with light will destroy the alveolar tissue,
Optical fiber cannot be inserted into the lung field. However, in the present embodiment of the present invention, since mist-like water droplets can float inside the alveoli, the light collides with the water droplets even in the alveoli, repeats diffusion, changes the direction of light, and It can reach the affected area of the field.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a light beam processing apparatus that treats cancer that has developed in the human intestine using so-called PDT.

The light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention differs from the light beam processing apparatus according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the point that the pressurizing device 26 for pressurizing the gas containing the mist-like water droplet sprayed from the sprayer 21 is connected in the middle of the fluid guide 24, and the irradiation unit 34 and the injection port 25 are made of a flexible material. And it is adhered to each other, so that it can be easily inserted into the intestine and can be inserted at the same time. However, since other configurations are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The living body of a cancer patient contains HpD, a highly sensitive substance having cancer affinity.
Is administered in advance, and HpD is absorbed in the affected part of the cancer.

First, in the light beam processing apparatus, the preparation mode is set by the controller 1 by the same operation as in the first embodiment, and preparation before operation is performed. On the other hand, the light diffuser mixing unit 21 receives the supply of the clean air from the fluid storage unit 22 and the pure water from the light diffusion unit storage unit 23, and the processing in which the air is filled with atomized water droplets by ultrasonic spraying. Generate fluid. Further, a pressurizing device 26 is prepared. Next, when the mode is switched from the preparation mode to the operation mode, the gas containing the atomized water drops passes through the fluid guide 24 and is pressurized by the pressurizing device 26 before being injected into the intestine from the inlet 25. Since the gas is ejected into the intestine in a pressurized state, the intestine expands due to the pressure, and water droplets are diffused into the inflated intestine. And light source 3
A shutter (not shown) between the optical fiber 2 and the optical fiber 33 is opened, and light from a lamp in the light source 32 passes through the optical fiber 33, is guided to a light irradiator 34, and is emitted into the intestine.

The intestine is very long, has many soft protrusions, and is in a state of withering without food, and it is difficult to uniformly irradiate light to the whole in the prior art.
In the light beam processing apparatus according to the present invention, since the intestine is expanded by the pressurizing device 26, the distance that light can travel straight by expansion is increased, and the light reaching the affected area is further increased. It is assumed that all the food in the intestine has been removed by intestinal washing during the light treatment.

[0051]

As described above, according to the light beam processing apparatus of the present invention, light is irradiated while the light diffuser is floating in the processing space. To reach the processing target in a region where light cannot directly reach, such as the shadow of a shield. For this reason, for example, light reaches a specific site in a region where the light is not directly reachable structurally in a body cavity of a living body, and it is possible to exhibit a therapeutic effect by reacting with a drug.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a light beam processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective configuration diagram of the light beam processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a light beam processing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and an adaptive state of a light beam processing device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a light beam processing device according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Controller, 2 ... Light diffuser mixing device, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... Housing, 11 ... Power supply control part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Processing control part, 21 ... Light diffuser mixing part, 22 ...
Fluid storage unit, 23: Light diffuser storage unit, 24: Fluid guide, 25: Injection port, 26: Pressurizing device, 31: Light source power supply unit, 32: Light source, 33: Light guide, 34: Light irradiator, 4
0 ... processing space, 51, 52, 53 ... processing object, 54,
55: cancerous area, 60: foot.

Claims (5)

[Claims] An irradiation unit for irradiating light into a processing space where a processing object is present and a fluid mixed with a light diffuser for diffusing the irradiated light are irradiated by the irradiation unit in the processing space by the irradiation unit. And a fluid injection means for injecting a space between the object and the object to be processed and a vicinity thereof. 2. Irradiation means for irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength that reacts with a drug absorbed in a specific part of a living body into a body cavity of the living body where the specific part exists, and light for diffusing the irradiated light. The fluid mixed with the diffuser
A light beam processing apparatus, comprising: a fluid injection unit that injects a space between the irradiation area of the irradiation unit and the specific site in the body cavity and the vicinity thereof. 3. The light beam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a gas, and the light diffuser is a solid particle or a droplet. 4. The light beam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid, and the light diffuser is a solid particle, a droplet or a bubble that does not have an affinity for the liquid. 5. The light beam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffuser is water, a fat emulsion, or a chemical having a bactericidal or disinfecting effect.