KR20120108587A - Laser therapy apparatus and control method of laser therapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a laser treatment apparatus and a control method thereof, in which an incident region into which a treatment laser is incident is prevented from being overheated, and the incident region is cooled smoothly.
The therapeutic laser treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a laser oscillator for oscillating a therapeutic laser, a cooling unit for supplying a coolant to the incident region to control the temperature of the incident region where the laser is incident, and an infrared ray into the incident region. An infrared temperature sensor which detects the infrared rays reflected from the incident region and measures the temperature of the incident region, and adjusts the supply amount of the refrigerant according to the temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor. It includes a control unit.

Description

Laser Therapy Apparatus And Control Method Of Laser Therapy Apparatus}

The present invention relates to a laser treatment apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a laser treatment apparatus for treatment and a control method thereof for performing the treatment, such as incision, removal, suture of body tissue using a laser.

Treatment using a laser has the advantage of being able to heal in a short time with little treatment cost because it is possible to incision, removal, and suture of body tissues without surgical surgery. Therefore, in recent years, the scope of treatment using laser has been extended not only to surgery but also to dermatology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and the like.

Treatment using such a laser injects a laser (eg, Nd: YAG laser) toward body tissue, and the laser is absorbed into the body tissue to cause the body tissue to generate heat so that the tissue is incised, removed, and sutured. Makes this possible.

At this time, if the amount of energy of the laser is not properly adjusted, or the body tissue to which the laser is incident is not cooled down smoothly, heat is not dissipated in the body tissue and the body tissues around the body tissue, and thus, the body tissue and the neighboring body. The tissue may be burned, damaged or destroyed.

Therefore, in the treatment using a laser, there is a technical problem that the cooling of the incident region where the laser is incident to be made smoothly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment apparatus and a control method thereof in which an incident region into which a treatment laser is incident is prevented from being overheated and the incident region is cooled smoothly.

The therapeutic laser treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a laser oscillator for oscillating a therapeutic laser, a cooling unit for supplying a coolant to the incident region to control the temperature of the incident region into which the therapeutic laser is incident, and the incident region. An infrared temperature sensor that detects the infrared rays reflected from the incident region and measures the temperature of the incident region, and a supply amount of the refrigerant according to the temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor It includes a control unit for adjusting.

The laser treatment apparatus may further include an optical fiber disposed in an optical path of the treatment laser to guide the treatment laser to the incident region.

The laser treatment apparatus may further include an infrared reflecting mirror disposed in an optical path where the therapeutic laser and the infrared light cross each other to transmit the therapeutic laser and reflect the infrared light to guide the infrared light to the optical fiber.

The cooling unit includes a refrigerant supply pipe forming a path through which the refrigerant is supplied to the incident region, a refrigerant discharge pipe forming a path through which the refrigerant is discharged from the incident region, and connected to the supply pipe and the discharge tube to supply the refrigerant. It may further include a pump.

The controller may be connected to the pump to generate a pump operation signal and a pump speed control signal.

The laser treatment apparatus is disposed in an optical path of the therapeutic laser oscillated from the laser oscillator to intercept the therapeutic laser, and is disposed in an optical path of the infrared rays oscillated from the infrared temperature sensor. It may further include a second shutter to control the.

The controller may be connected to the first shutter to generate an opening / closing signal of the first shutter.

On the other hand, the control method of the laser treatment apparatus according to the present invention is a light incidence step in which the treatment laser and the infrared ray is incident to the incident region, the temperature measurement is detected by detecting the infrared rays reflected from the incident region is measured And a coolant control step of controlling a supply amount of the coolant supplied to the incident region according to a comparison result between the preset reference temperature of the incident region and the measurement temperature of the incident region measured in the temperature measuring step.

In the refrigerant control step, when the measurement temperature is higher than the reference temperature as a result of the comparison between the reference temperature and the measurement temperature, the refrigerant may be supplied.

In the coolant control step, the rotation speed of the pump for supplying the coolant may be adjusted according to a comparison range between the reference temperature and the measured temperature, and the supply amount of the coolant may be adjusted.

The refrigerant control step may forcibly block the treatment laser when the reference temperature reaches the maximum excess temperature of the measurement temperature relative to the reference temperature as a result of the comparison.

The laser treatment apparatus and control method thereof according to the present invention automatically control the supply amount of the refrigerant supplied to the incident region where the laser is incident, and if necessary, the laser is forcibly cut off, thereby preventing the body tissue from being damaged or destroyed. It can work.

1 is a block diagram showing a laser treatment apparatus for treatment according to the present embodiment.
2 is a flowchart showing a control method of the laser treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.
3 and 4 are views showing the progress of the treatment laser and infrared radiation of the treatment laser treatment apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a laser treatment apparatus for treatment according to the present embodiment and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a laser treatment apparatus for treatment according to the present embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, the treatment laser treatment device (hereinafter referred to as "therapeutic laser treatment device") 100 according to the embodiment 100 is a laser oscillator 110, infrared temperature sensor 120, infrared reflecting mirror 130, a cooling unit 140, and a control unit 150.

The laser oscillator 110 oscillates the therapeutic laser L1 used to treat vascular diseases, tumors, varicose veins, hair removal, skin, and the like. The therapeutic laser L1 oscillated from the laser oscillator 110 is Nd: It can be implemented with various kinds of laser sources such as YAG laser, KTP laser, Tm: YAG laser, Ho: YAG laser, etc.

Although not shown, a power supply, a flash lamp, an optical rod, a plurality of optical mirrors, a Pockels cell, and the like are configured in the laser oscillator 110. Since the internal configuration of the laser oscillator 110 is a known technique well known to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The infrared temperature sensor 120 oscillates the infrared rays L2 toward the incident region where the treatment laser L1 is incident, and receives the infrared rays L2 reflected from the incident region to measure the temperature of the incident region. .

The first shutter 111 is disposed in the optical path of the therapeutic laser L1 oscillated from the laser oscillator 110, and the second shutter (in the optical path of the infrared ray L2 oscillated from the infrared temperature sensor 120). 121 is disposed. The first shutter 111 and the second shutter 121 may be configured of a light blocking plate for blocking light and an actuator for driving the light blocking plate. That is, the actuator is positioned to the light shielding plate in the optical path of the treatment laser (L1) or infrared (L2) to block the treatment laser (L1) or infrared (L2), the treatment laser (L1) or infrared (L2). The light shielding plate is separated from the light path of the treatment laser L1 or the infrared ray L2 to be incident to the incident region.

On the other hand, the optical fiber 160 may be disposed in the optical path of the treatment laser (L1). When the straightness of the therapeutic laser L1 cannot be secured, for example, in the case of endoscopic treatment, the optical fiber 160 allows the therapeutic laser L1 to be smoothly incident into the body.

In addition, an infrared reflecting mirror 130 is disposed in the optical path between the laser oscillator 110 and the optical fiber 160. The infrared reflecting mirror 130 transmits the therapeutic laser L1 and reflects the infrared ray L2. For example, assuming that Nd; YAG laser having a wavelength of 1064 nm is used as the therapeutic laser L1 and infrared ray L2 having a wavelength other than 1064 nm is used as the infrared ray L2, the infrared reflecting mirror 130 is 1064 nm. Light having a wavelength may be transmitted, and light having a wavelength other than 1064 nm may be coated with a reflective material.

Accordingly, the infrared ray L2 may be incident to the optical fiber 160 and may be incident together with the treatment laser L1 to a position where straightness cannot be secured. As such, the infrared ray L2 incident to the incident region together with the treatment laser L1 is reflected on the corresponding body tissue. The reflected infrared ray L2 may be transmitted to the optical fiber 160 and may be received by the infrared temperature sensor 120 by the infrared reflecting mirror 130.

Meanwhile, as the treatment laser L1 enters the incident region, heat may be generated in the body tissue. The cooling unit 140 is for cooling the heat generated in the body tissue, the supply pipe 141 for forming a supply path of the refrigerant such as saline to the incident region, the discharge pipe for forming a discharge path of the refrigerant supplied to the incident region 142 and a pump 143 connected to the supply pipe 141 and the discharge pipe 142 to circulate the refrigerant.

The controller 150 is connected to the infrared temperature sensor 120, the cooling unit 140, and the first shutter 111. The controller 150 controls the supply amount of the coolant and the operation of the first shutter 111 according to the temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor 120.

The reference temperature of the incident region may be preset in the controller 150. That is, according to the comparison result between the reference temperature and the measurement temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor 120, the controller 150 generates a pump operation signal to allow the pump 143 to supply or stop the refrigerant. .

In addition, the controller 150 may be preset the rotation speed of the pump 143 according to the exceeding range of the measured temperature relative to the reference temperature. That is, the controller 150 generates a pump speed control signal for controlling the rotation speed of the pump 143 according to the exceeding range of the measured temperature with respect to the reference temperature to adjust the supply amount of the refrigerant according to the pump rotation speed.

In addition, the controller 150 may be set to the maximum excess temperature of the measured temperature relative to the reference temperature. That is, the controller 150 transmits a laser opening / closing signal to the first shutter 111 according to whether the maximum temperature exceeding the measured temperature with respect to the reference temperature reaches the first shutter 111 to transmit or transmit the treatment laser L1. Allow to block.

Hereinafter, a control method of the laser treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a control method of the laser treatment apparatus according to the embodiment, Figures 3 and 4 are views showing the progress of the treatment laser and infrared radiation of the treatment laser treatment apparatus according to the embodiment.

2 to 4, the treatment laser L1 is oscillated from the laser oscillator 110. The first shutter 111 separates the light blocking plate from the optical path of the treatment laser L1 so that the treatment laser L1 proceeds to the infrared reflecting mirror 130. The therapeutic laser L1 penetrates the infrared reflecting mirror 130 and enters the optical fiber 160. The optical fiber 160 guides the treatment laser L1 to enter the incident region.

As such, as the therapeutic laser L1 reaches the incident region, it is possible to treat the incision and suture of the tissue into which the therapeutic laser L1 is incident.

At the same time, the infrared ray L2 is oscillated from the infrared temperature sensor 120. The second shutter 121 is separated from the light path of the infrared ray L2 so that the infrared ray L2 proceeds to the infrared reflecting mirror 130. The infrared ray L2 is reflected by the infrared reflecting mirror 130 and is incident on the optical fiber 160. The optical fiber 160 guides the infrared ray L2 to enter the incident region (step S11).

The infrared ray L2 incident on the incident region is reflected by the body tissue and then incident on the optical fiber 160. The optical fiber 160 guides infrared rays to the infrared reflecting mirror 130. The infrared ray L2 is reflected by the infrared reflecting mirror 130 and is incident to the infrared temperature sensor 120. The infrared temperature sensor 120 receives the infrared ray L2 and measures the temperature of the incident region according to the wavelength of the infrared ray L2 received (step S12).

The controller 150 compares the measured temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor 120 with a preset reference temperature.

As a result of the comparison between the measured temperature and the reference temperature, when the measured temperature is detected to be higher than the reference temperature (step S13), the controller 150 generates a pump operation signal. The pump 143 supplies the refrigerant to the supply pipe according to the pump operation signal of the controller 150 (step S14).

Accordingly, the coolant is supplied to the incident region to cool the incident region below the reference temperature.

More precisely, the controller 150 may control the rotation speed of the pump 143 according to the result of comparing the measured temperature with the reference temperature, according to the excess range of the measured temperature relative to the reference temperature. For example, the controller 150 may rotate the pump 143 at 2000 RPM when the measured temperature exceeds 10% of the reference temperature. When the measured temperature exceeds 20% of the reference temperature, the controller 150 may rotate the pump 143. Can rotate at 3000 RPM.

In addition, as a result of comparing the measured temperature with the reference temperature, the controller 150 may close the first shutter 111 as illustrated in FIG. 4 when the measured temperature reaches the maximum excess temperature. For example, when the measured temperature exceeds 30% of the reference temperature, the controller controls the first shutter 111 so that the first shutter 111 blocks the therapeutic laser L1 so that the therapeutic laser L1 is controlled. It can be prevented from entering the incident region any more.

In the above description, the numerical values indicating the range of the measurement temperature according to the reference temperature, the number of revolutions of the pump accordingly are for convenience of explanation and understanding, and the numerical values can be modified and implemented as much as possible. It should not be understood to limit the scope of rights.

As such, the controller 150 compares the preset reference temperature with the measured temperature, controls the pump 143 to adjust the supply amount of the refrigerant according to the comparison result, and controls the first shutter 111 to treat the laser for treatment. Whether or not (L1) is incident can be controlled.

Meanwhile, as the coolant is supplied to the incident region, the incident region may be cooled below the reference temperature. Accordingly, the controller 150 stops the operation of the pump 143 or reduces the rotation speed of the pump 143 so that the supply amount of the refrigerant is controlled, and the treatment laser L1 is controlled by the first shutter 111. When the process is blocked, the first shutter 111 may be opened to allow the treatment laser L1 to be incident again into the incident region.

As described above, the laser treatment apparatus and control method thereof according to the present embodiment perform treatment using a treatment laser and simultaneously measure the temperature of the incident region to adjust the supply amount of the refrigerant, and to enter the treatment laser. Since it can control, overheating of an incident area can be prevented.

100: laser treatment device 110: laser oscillator
120: infrared temperature sensor 130: infrared reflecting mirror
140: cooling unit 143: pump
150 control part L1: treatment laser
L2: Infrared

Claims (11)

A laser oscillator for oscillating the therapeutic laser,
A cooling unit for supplying a coolant to the incident region to control the temperature of the incident region into which the therapeutic laser is incident;
An infrared temperature sensor which injects infrared rays into the incident region, detects the infrared rays reflected from the incident region, and measures a temperature of the incident region;
And a control unit for adjusting the supply amount of the refrigerant according to the temperature of the incident region measured by the infrared temperature sensor. The laser treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber disposed in an optical path of the treatment laser to guide the treatment laser to the incident region. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising an infrared reflecting mirror disposed in an optical path where the therapeutic laser and the infrared light cross each other to transmit the therapeutic laser and reflect the infrared light to guide the infrared light to the optical fiber. Laser treatment apparatus. The method of claim 1,
The cooling unit and a refrigerant supply pipe forming a path for supplying the refrigerant to the incident region;
A refrigerant discharge pipe forming a path through which the refrigerant is discharged from the incident region;
And a pump connected to the supply pipe and the discharge pipe to supply the refrigerant. The laser treatment apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is connected to the pump to generate a pump operation signal and a pump speed control signal. The method of claim 1,
A first shutter disposed in an optical path of the therapeutic laser oscillated from the laser oscillator to control the therapeutic laser;
And a second shutter disposed in the optical path of the infrared rays oscillated from the infrared temperature sensor to control the infrared rays. The laser treatment apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is connected to the first shutter to generate an open / close signal of the first shutter. A light incidence step in which the therapeutic laser and infrared rays are incident into the incident region;
A temperature measuring step of detecting the infrared rays reflected from the incident region and measuring a temperature of the incident region;
And a coolant control step of controlling a supply amount of the coolant supplied to the incident region according to a comparison result between the preset reference temperature of the incident region and the measured temperature of the incident region measured in the temperature measuring step. Control method of laser treatment apparatus. The method of claim 8, wherein the refrigerant control step is a result of comparing the reference temperature and the measured temperature,
And the refrigerant is supplied when the measured temperature is higher than the reference temperature. The method of claim 8, wherein the refrigerant control step is a result of comparing the reference temperature and the measured temperature,
The rotation speed of the pump for supplying the refrigerant is adjusted according to the exceeding range of the measured temperature relative to the reference temperature, the control method of the laser treatment apparatus, characterized in that the supply amount of the refrigerant is adjusted. The method of claim 8, wherein the refrigerant control step is a result of comparing the reference temperature and the measured temperature,
The control method of the laser treatment apparatus, characterized in that forcibly cut off the therapeutic laser when the maximum temperature exceeded the measured temperature relative to the reference temperature.

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