JP2002301017A - Optical diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To observe a specimen part (tissue) by fixing the position of the part without damaging it. SOLUTION: The tip 6 of a probe 7 is made up of an optical frame 11, an optical unit 12 and an tip cover 13. The optical frame 11 is bonded to the tip of the tube 9, and the optical unit 12 and the end cover 13 which constitutes a transparent window member are bonded to the optical frame 11. A fiber 3b extending from a four-terminal coupler is fixed in place between the base 15 of the optical unit 12 and a spacer 16 and the tip cover 13 is made from transparent polycarbonate. The space between the tip cover 13 and the optical unit 12 is filled with a transparent medium 25 which resembles polycarbonate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to an optical diagnostic apparatus having a characteristic structure at the tip of a probe inserted into a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical scanning confocal microscope has been known as a means for observing living tissues and cells with high resolution in the optical axis direction. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-87804 discloses a tissue sample. There is disclosed a confocal microscope that cuts out small pieces and performs magnified observation.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-87804 also discloses an endoscope for reducing the size of a confocal microscope and guiding it to the digestive tract of an organism for observation. In this endoscope, an observation tissue is drawn and fixed to a cup provided near an objective lens to perform tissue observation.

[0004]

However, in the endoscope disclosed in JP-A-3-87804, as described above, the observation tissue is damaged by pulling the observation tissue into the cup. Problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical diagnostic apparatus capable of fixing and observing tissue without damaging the tissue.

[0006]

The optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention comprises:
A probe inserted into a body cavity, a light source for irradiating light to a test portion in the body cavity, a light fiber for guiding light from the light source to a tip of the probe, and the light Focusing means for focusing on a portion, light scanning means for scanning the focal point of the light focused by the focusing means, and separation of return light from the test portion from an optical path of the light from the light source And a light detecting means for detecting the light separated by the separating means, and secures an optical path at a predetermined distance at the tip of the probe to prevent contact between the focusing means and the portion to be detected. The optical path securing means is provided.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an optical diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a tip portion of the probe of FIG. , FIG.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the optical unit of FIG. 2, and FIG.
And FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating focus scanning by the optical unit of FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an optical diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a light source 2 comprising a laser oscillator,
Four optical transmission fibers 3a, 3b, 3c each composed of a single mode fiber for transmitting the laser light from the light source 2;
The light transmission unit 5 includes a 3d and a four-terminal coupler 4 that bidirectionally branches the 3d, a probe 7 having a tip 6 that is an optical scanning unit, and a control unit 8 that controls the entire apparatus.

The fiber 3a is connected to the light source 2, the fiber 3b is connected to the probe 7,
c is connected to the control unit 8, and the fiber 3d is closed. The fiber 3b is long and is guided to the tip 6 through the inside of the tube 9 of the probe 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip 6 of the probe 7
Is composed of an optical frame 11, an optical unit 12, and a tip cover 13. The optical frame 11 is adhered to the tip of the tube 9, and the optical unit 12 and a tip cover 13 constituting a transparent window member are adhered to the optical frame 11. ing.

The optical unit 12, as shown in FIG.
A substrate 15, a spacer 16, and an upper plate 17 are provided.
Is provided with two variable mirrors 18 and 19 whose directions are variable in order to scan the focal point of the laser beam with respect to the object.

The two variable mirrors 18 and 19 are supported by two hinge portions 18a and 19a. The variable mirrors 18 and 19 are rotatable about the hinge portions 18a and 19a by an electrostatic force by electrodes (not shown). It is configured. Here, the rotation axes of the two movable mirrors 18 and 19 are configured to be orthogonal. A ground electrode (not shown) facing these electrodes is connected to the control unit 8 via a cable 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
reference).

Returning to FIG. 2, the mirror 16 is provided on the spacer 16.
However, the upper plate 17 is provided with a mirror 22 and a diffraction grating lens 24 for focusing the laser beam on the focal point 23.

The fiber 3b from the four-terminal coupler 4
Is fixed between the substrate 15 and the spacer 16 of the optical unit 12, the tip cover 13 is made of a transparent polycarbonate material, and the space between the tip cover 13 and the optical unit 12 is filled with a transparent medium 25 close to the polycarbonate. I have.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 8 includes a laser driving circuit 30 for driving and controlling the light source 2, an X driving circuit 31 for driving the variable mirror 18 to perform X scanning, and a variable mirror 19
Drive circuit 32 for driving the Y and Y scanning, and the fiber 3c
A photodetector 33 having a built-in amplifier for detecting light from the image sensor, an image processing circuit 34 for receiving a drive signal from the X drive circuit 31 and the Y drive circuit 32 and generating a scanned image based on the detection signal amplified by the photodetector 33; Monitor 35 for displaying the scanned image generated by processing circuit 34
And a recording device 36 that records the scanned image generated by the image processing circuit 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser drive circuit 30 is connected to the light source 2 by a cable 37, and the X drive circuit 31 and the Y drive circuit 32 face the electrodes of the variable mirrors 18 and 19 and face them. Each is connected to a ground electrode via a cable 20.

(Operation) In the optical diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the probe 7 is used, as shown in FIG.
The distal end portion 6 of the probe 7 is pressed against the portion 40 to be inspected. At this time, the test portion 40 is fixed to the distal end portion 6 of the probe 7, and image blurring is reduced.

In this state, a laser beam is generated from the light source 2 driven by the laser driving circuit 30, and this laser beam is incident on the optical fiber 3a. The laser light transmitted through the optical fiber 3a is divided into two parts by a four-terminal coupler 4, one of which is guided to a closed end by an optical fiber 3d, and the other is transmitted to a probe 7 through an optical fiber 6b.
To the distal end portion 6.

The laser beam guided to the tip 6 of the probe 7 is, as shown in FIG.
After exiting the fiber 3b, the light is reflected by the mirror 21 of the spacer 16, reflected by the rotating mirror 18, subsequently reflected by the mirror 22 of the upper plate 17, and reflected by the rotating mirror 19. Subsequently, the light passes through the diffraction grating lens 24, passes through the front cover 13, and forms a focal point 23.

At this time, the transparent medium 25 is filled between the front cover 13 and the diffraction grating lens 24, and the difference in the refractive index between the transparent medium 25 and the front cover 13 is small. Is reduced.

The backscattered light from the focal point 23 passes through the same optical path as the incident light, and is incident on the fiber 3b again. The backscattered light from other than the focal point cannot pass through the same optical path as the incident light, and therefore cannot be focused on the pinhole and almost cannot pass through the pinhole. And a confocal microscope is constructed.

In this state, the X drive circuit 3 of the control unit 8
When the rotating mirror 18 is rotated by 1, the position of the focal point 23 of the laser beam is scanned in the X direction 43 of the scanning surface 42 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2). Also, Y
When the rotating mirror 19 is rotated by the drive circuit 32,
Accordingly, the position of the focal point 23 of the laser beam is
2 is scanned in the Y direction 44 perpendicular to the X direction 43.

Here, by setting the frequency of the vibration in the Y direction 44 sufficiently lower than the frequency of the scanning in the X direction 43, the focal point 23 sequentially scans the scanning surface 42 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the backscattered light at each point on the scanning surface 42 is incident on the optical fiber 3b.

The backscattered light incident on the fiber 3b is split into two parts by the four-terminal coupler 4, guided to the photodetector 33 of the control unit 8 through the fiber 3c, and detected by the photodetector 33. Here, the photodetector 33 outputs an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the incident light, and further amplifies it by a built-in amplifier (not shown).

The detection signal from the photodetector 33 is sent to an image processing circuit 34,
Then, with reference to the drive waveforms of the X drive circuit 31 and the Y drive circuit 32, it is calculated whether the position of the focal point 23 is the signal output at this time, and further, the intensity of the backscattering at this point is calculated. Is repeated, the backscattered light on the scanning surface 42 is imaged and displayed on the monitor 35. Also, the image data is recorded in the recording device 36 as needed.

(Effects) As described above, in the optical diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the optical scanning confocal microscope is formed at the tip of the thin probe 7, the inside of the body cavity can be observed with a microscope. 7 is configured to be observable in the axial direction, so that the probe 7 is more easily pressed against the test portion 40, and the distal end portion 6 of the probe 7 is provided with a front cover 13 that constitutes a transparent window member that presses against the test portion 40. Therefore, the test part 40
It is possible to observe the test portion 40 in a state where the test portion 40 does not move with respect to the distal end portion 6 of the probe 7 without damaging the probe 7.

Further, the tip cover 1 constituting the transparent window member
Since the space between the optical unit 3 and the optical unit 12 is filled with the transparent medium 25, reflection of light at the window of the front cover 13 can be reduced.

FIGS. 6 to 8 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an optical diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the probe of FIG. , FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the optical diagnostic device of FIG. 6.

(Configuration) As shown in FIG. 6, the optical diagnostic apparatus 51 of the present embodiment comprises a control unit 52, a monitor 53, and a probe 54.

The controller 52 includes a white light source 55 that emits white light, a lens 56 that converts light from the white light source 55 into parallel light, a half mirror 57 into which the parallel light is incident, and a half mirror 57. A Nipkow disk 59 having a plurality of pinholes 58 for transmitting light, a motor 60 for rotating the Nipkow disk 59, and a condensing lens 61 for condensing light passing through the pinholes 58 of the Nipkow disk 59, The pinhole 58 from the optical lens 61 side
Which collects the light passing through and reflected by the half mirror 57
A CD condenser lens 62 and a CCD 63 that captures light collected by the CCD condenser lens 62 are provided.

The control device 52 is provided with a polarizing plate 64 and a quarter-wave plate 65 between the half mirror 57 and the pinhole 58 to reflect light from a Nipkow disk 59 or an end of a fiber described later. Light is not allowed to pass through. Further, the CCD 63, the motor 60, the white light source 55
And a recording device 67 connected to the controller 66. The monitor 53 is connected to the controller 66.

The probe 54 is detachable from the control device 52 by a connector 68. When the probe 54 is attached to the connector 68, light is collected by the condenser lens 61. The end 71a of the bundle fiber 71 is located at the position.

As the bundle fiber 71,
For example, an optical fiber for image transmission having a diameter of about 2 mm is used. This is equivalent to one pixel, and tens of thousands of these are bundled.

As shown in FIG. 7, the distal end portion 72 of the probe 54 has a coating 80 of the bundle fiber 71 slightly peeled off, and a distal end main body 82 is adhesively fixed to this portion. A 1/4 wavelength plate 8 is provided at the tip of the bundle fiber 71.
3 is fixed. Also, the objective lens 8
4, a transparent convex objective cover 85 is further fixed. The objective cover 85 is made of a material having a refractive index close to the mucus in the body.

(Operation) In the optical diagnostic apparatus 51 according to the present embodiment, when the probe 54 is used, as shown in FIG.
Press 2. At this time, the test section 40 is fixed to the distal end main body 82 of the probe 54, and image blurring is reduced.

The light emitted from the white light source 55 is
As a result, the light becomes parallel light, passes through the half mirror 57, and then passes through the polarizing plate 64 and the 波長 wavelength plate 65. At this time, the light passes through the polarizing plate 64 and only the linearly polarized light component passes therethrough, and is further converted into circularly polarized light by the quarter-wave plate 65.

The circularly polarized light, as shown in FIG.
The upper surface of the Nipkow disk 59 is irradiated. Of the irradiation light, only the light passing through the pinhole 58 is condensed on the end 71 a of the bundle fiber 71 by the condenser lens 61.
The collected light propagates through the bundle fiber 71 and is emitted from the other end 71b.

The illumination light becomes linearly polarized light having a polarization direction different from that of the linearly polarized light after passing through the polarizing plate 64 by the quarter-wave plate 83 by 90 degrees, and is condensed by the objective lens 84. The focal point 88 is focused slightly before the objective cover 85. Since the probe 54 is used by being pressed against the portion to be inspected 40 during observation, a focus 88 is formed in the portion to be inspected 40. At this time, the reflected light from the inside of the test section 40 returns along the same path and passes through the quarter-wave plate 83 to become circularly polarized light again.
b (see FIG. 7).

At this time, a small amount of mucus is interposed between the objective cover 85 and the tissue. However, since the objective cover 85 is made of a material having a refractive index close to that of the mucus, the objective cover 85 and the mucus are separated. There is little reflection at the interface.

The light incident on the end 71 b propagates again through the bundle fiber 71, returns to the same optical path in the opposite direction, and is condensed on the pinhole 58 of the Nipkow disk 59 by the condenser lens 61. At this time, the tissue 89
Only the light reflected on the upper focal plane passes through the pinhole 58, and the reflected light and scattered light from other than the focal point are removed because they are not focused on the pinhole 58.

The light that has passed through the pinhole 58 is converted into linearly polarized light by the 波長 wavelength plate 65. The direction of the linearly polarized light is further increased by 90 by the quarter wavelength plate 65.
It changes every time. Since this light passes through the quarter-wave plate a total of four times, it has the same polarization direction as when it first entered, and transmits through the polarizing plate 64.

The light reflected at the ends 71a and 71b of the bundle fiber 71 on the Nipkow disk 59 is
Since the light passes through the quarter-wave plate only twice in total, the direction of the linearly polarized light differs by 90 degrees, and the light cannot pass through the polarizing plate 64.

The light passing through the polarizing plate 64 is reflected by the half mirror 5.
7 and reflected by the CCD condenser lens 62
An image is formed on CD63.

Further, the polarizing plates 64 and 1/4 of the present embodiment
Even if the wavelength plate 65 is removed and a polarization beam splitter is used instead of the half mirror 57, only the light from the tip can be similarly guided to the CCD 63.

Next, the operation when the Nipkow disk 59 is rotated will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the Nipkow disk 59 rotates, the pinhole 5 formed at the first radial position is rotated.
The position of 8 moves. Along with this, pinhole 5
A spot 90 formed by the light passing through 8 also moves along a locus 91 as shown in FIG.

When the Nipkow disk 59 further rotates and the spot 90 goes out of the area, the spot formed by the light passing through the pinhole 58a formed at the next second radial position moves along a similar trajectory 92. . At this time,
Since the pinhole 58 a is located on a smaller radius than the pinhole 58, the locus of the spot also changes from the locus 91 to the locus 92.
It shifts like

By repeating this, spot 90
Scans on the end 71a of the bundle fiber 71.
Further, the optical fibers on which light is incident at the end portion 71a of the bundle fiber 71 are sequentially scanned by this scanning. Along with this, a fiber scan at which light is emitted is performed at the distal end portion, so that the focal point 88 also scans the inside of the test portion 40.

The light that has passed through the pinhole 58 propagates through the bundle fiber 71 to the distal end, and
The light returned from the inside and condensed on the pinhole 58 again through the same optical path forms a focal point 93 on the CCD 63, and this focal point is also moved along with the rotation of the Nipkow disk 59.
Scan over 63. As described above, the focus 8 within the test portion 40 is obtained.
8 scans and the information is imaged on the CCD 63.

The controller 66 has a Nipkow disk 59
, And sends an image captured by the CCD 63 to the monitor 53. Further, the data is stored in the recording device 67 as needed.

(Effect) As described above, in the optical diagnostic apparatus 51 of the present embodiment, the confocal microscope is formed at the tip of the thin probe 54, so that the inside of the body cavity can be observed with a microscope.
Since the configuration is such that the axial direction of the probe 54 can be observed, the objective cover 85 made of a transparent window member is
Easy to press against 0, without damaging the test part 40,
It is possible to observe the test section 40 in a state where it does not move with respect to the distal end section 72 of the probe 54. Also, the objective cover 85
Is convex, it is easier to fix the object than in the first embodiment.

Further, since the objective cover 85 is made of a material having a refractive index close to that of mucus, reflection at the interface between the objective cover 85 and mucus is reduced, and a clear image can be obtained.

Since the Nipkow disk 59 is used for scanning, high-speed scanning can be realized. Further, since the bundle fiber 71 is used for light transmission, scanning can be performed at the hand side, and the configuration of the probe tip can be simplified.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distal end of the probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in the configuration of the probe. Therefore, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a probe 100 is a multi-lumen tube 10 having three peripheral lumens 102 in addition to a central lumen 101.
3.

The bundle fiber 71 is passed through the central lumen 101. Further, the multi-lumen tube 103 and the bundle fiber 71 are adhered to the distal end main body 104, and the objective lens 84 and the transparent cap 106 are fixed to the distal end main body 104.

At this time, the distal end portion 104 and the transparent cap 1 are connected so that the hole of the multi-lumen 103 is connected to the distal end.
06 also has a hole 106a. The transparent cap 106 is provided with three projections 107.
A 1/4 wavelength plate 8 is provided at the tip of the bundle fiber 71.
3 is fixed.

The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

(Operation) Also in the present embodiment, at the time of observation, the tip of the probe 100 is pressed against the tissue to be observed. Then, suction is applied to the peripheral lumen 102 at the hand side. Accordingly, the tissue is drawn to the peripheral lumen 102, and the tissue can be reliably fixed.

The other operations are the same as in the second embodiment.

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the second embodiment, the peripheral lumen 102 is provided as a suction means at the distal end of the probe 100, so that the tissue can be surely suction-fixed. Thus, the object can be fixed more reliably.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the probe according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Since the fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in the configuration of the probe as in the third embodiment, only the differences will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The probe 200 has a needle portion 202 at the tip of a tube 201.
Is provided. The bundle fiber 71 is housed inside the tube 201,
The needle portion 202 is fixed to the bundle fiber 1 and the bundle fiber 71. The needle part 202 has an objective lens 84 and a prism 20.
5. The transparent window 206 is fixed. A 波長 wavelength plate 83 is fixed to the tip of the bundle fiber 71.

In the control device 52 of this embodiment,
The polarizing plate 64 and the quarter-wave plate 65 are not provided. Further, a polarization dependent beam splitter is used as the half mirror 57.

The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

(Operation) The method of using the probe 200 is as follows.
The needle part 202 is pierced and fixed to the observation target, and the inside is observed.

In the polarization-dependent beam splitter as the half mirror 57, only the light of a specific polarization direction among the light from the white light source 55 passes. At this time, all the light reflected without reaching the tip has the same polarization plane,
CCD passes through the polarization dependent beam splitter again
No image is formed on 63. On the other hand, the light reaching the tip passes through the quarter-wave plate 83 twice, so that the polarization direction thereof is changed by 90 degrees. Thereby, the light is reflected by the polarization dependent beam splitter and forms an image on the CCD 63.

The other operations are the same as in the second embodiment.

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the second embodiment, a needle for piercing the object is provided, so that the object can be stably fixed and observed. And the inside of the object can be observed.

Further, since the polarization dependent beam splitter is used as the light separating means, the configuration of the control device can be simplified.

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) A spotlight irradiating unit provided at the distal end of the subject is irradiated with spotlight from a spotlight irradiating unit provided at the distal end of the subject. An optical diagnostic apparatus having a probe for receiving return light from a detection unit and diagnosing the target portion based on the return light received by the probe. An optical diagnostic apparatus, further comprising: an optical path securing unit that secures an optical path at a predetermined distance in a direction to prevent contact between the spot light irradiating unit and the subject.

(Appendix 2) The light according to Appendix 1, wherein the optical path securing means is a flat or convex transparent window that is in contact with the test section and fixes the test section. Diagnostic device.

(Appendix 3) A probe to be inserted into a body cavity, a light source for irradiating a test portion in the body cavity with light, and an optical fiber for guiding light from the light source to the tip of the probe Focusing means for focusing the light on the portion to be detected, light scanning means for scanning a focal point of the light focused by the focusing means, and a light source for returning light from the portion to be detected. A separating unit that separates from the optical path of the light from the light source, and a light detecting unit configured to detect the light separated by the separating unit. An optical diagnostic apparatus comprising: a flat or convex transparent window for fixing the test portion in contact therewith.

(Additional Item 4) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 3, wherein the light source is a laser light source.

(Appendix 5) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the optical scanning means is a scanning mirror provided at a probe tip.

(Appendix 6) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the optical fiber is a bundle fiber, and the optical scanning means scans light incident on the bundle fiber.

(Appendix 7) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to Appendix 3, wherein the optical scanning means is a Nipkow disc.

(Additional Item 8) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 3, wherein the focusing means forms a confocal optical system.

(Additional Item 9) The optical diagnosis according to additional item 3, wherein the return light from the test portion is guided outside the body through the same optical fiber as the light from the light source. apparatus.

(Additional Item 10) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 3, wherein the separating means separates the return light guided outside the body through the optical fiber.

(Additional Item 11) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 3, wherein the light detecting means has a spectroscopic means.

(Additional Item 12) An additional item 3 characterized in that extraction means for extracting only fluorescence from the return light is provided.
The optical diagnostic device according to item 1.

(Additional Item 13) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to Additional Item 3, wherein a space between the transparent window that is in contact with the test portion and the focusing unit is filled with a transparent medium.

(Additional Item 14) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional items 2 or 3, wherein a tip portion of the probe has a projection for fixing a test portion.

(Additional Item 15) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 2 or 3, wherein the transparent window is provided in an axial direction of a tip portion of the probe.

(Additional Item 16) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 2 or 3, wherein a suction means for suction-fixing the test portion is provided near the transparent window.

(Additional Item 17) A fixed portion formed at the distal end portion of the probe and having a sharpened distal end, and fixing the distal end portion of the probe to the target portion by piercing the target portion. Item 4. The optical diagnostic apparatus according to item 2 or 3, further comprising:

(Additional Item 18) The optical diagnostic apparatus according to additional item 17, wherein the inside of the tissue is observed by the probe.

[0092]

As described above, according to the optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the tip of the probe is provided with the optical path securing means for securing an optical path of a predetermined distance for preventing the focusing means from contacting the test portion. Therefore, there is an effect that the subject can be fixed and observed without damaging the subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an optical diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the optical unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating focus scanning by the optical unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an optical diagnostic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a tip portion of the probe of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the optical diagnostic device in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of a probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of a probe according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical diagnostic apparatus 2 ... Light source 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ... Optical transmission fiber 4 ... 4 terminal coupler 5 ... Light transmission part 6 ... Tip part 7 ... Probe 8 ... Control part 9 ... Tube 11 ... Optical frame 12 ... Optical unit 13 ... Front cover 15 ... Substrate 16 ... Spacer 17 ... Upper plate 18, 19 ... Variable mirror 18a, 19a ... Hinge 20, 37 ... Cable 21, 22 ... Mirror 23 ... Focus 24 ... Diffraction grating lens 25 ... Transparent medium REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 laser driving circuit 31 X driving circuit 32 Y driving circuit 33 photodetector 34 image processing circuit 35 monitor 36 recording device

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 CA01 CA09 CA11 CA21 DA12 DA18 GA10 2H052 AA08 AB00 AC04 AC15 AC26 4C061 FF40 RR18

Claims (3)

[Claims] A probe inserted into a body cavity, a light source for irradiating a test portion in the body cavity with light, an optical fiber for guiding light from the light source to a tip of the probe, Focusing means for focusing light on the test portion;
An optical scanning unit that scans a focal point of the light focused by the focusing unit; a separating unit that separates return light from the test portion from an optical path of the light from the light source; Light detection means for detecting the light that has been provided,
An optical diagnostic apparatus, wherein an optical path securing means for securing an optical path of a predetermined distance for preventing contact between the focusing means and the object to be detected is provided at a tip of the probe. 2. The optical diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical path securing means has a transparent window that is in contact with the test section and fixes the test section. 3. The optical diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said focusing means forms a confocal optical system.