Optical coherence tomography imaging probe and diagnosis and treatment system

Abstract

The invention discloses an optical coherence tomography imaging probe and a diagnosis and treatment system.The optical coherence tomography imaging probe comprises an intervention tube used for wrapping an optical fiber, and the intervention tube comprises at least two elastic tube sections which are sequentially connected from near to far; each elastic tube section comprises a first elastic tube section positioned on the near side and a second elastic tube section positioned on the far side; the elastic modulus of the first elastic pipe section is larger than that of the second elastic pipe section. The first elastic pipe section is closer to the driving source, and the elastic modulus of the first elastic pipe section is designed to be greater than that of the second elastic pipe section, so that the rigidity of the first elastic pipe section is relatively higher, and power transmission of the driving source at the first elastic pipe section is almost free of loss; therefore, the power transmission of the whole interventional tube is shortened into the power transmission of the second elastic tube section, so that the excessive loss of the power in the transmission process is reduced, and the torsion ratio of the interventional tube from the near end to the far end reaches 1: 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical coherence tomography diagnosis and treatment systems, and in particular to an optical coherence tomography imaging probe and a diagnosis and treatment system. Background Art

[0002] OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is a non-invasive imaging technology that uses the interference principle of light to obtain high-resolution cross-sectional images of biological tissues. OCT can provide microstructural information similar to a biopsy, but without the need to physically remove tissue samples, so it is also called "optical biopsy." This technology was originally designed for ophthalmology, especially for the diagnosis and research of retinal diseases because it can clearly display the structure of each layer of the retina. However, with the development of technology, OCT has been applied to multiple medical fields and other industrial applications, such as cardiovascular disease, dermatology, dentistry, etc.

[0003] The transmission structure of the traditional OCT imaging probe includes a fiber optic connector, a fiber optic lens, a push tube and an interventional tube. Among them, the push tube is connected to the distal end of the fiber optic connector, and is generally specifically manifested as a torque tube, and the interventional tube is connected to the distal end of the push tube, and is generally specifically manifested as a torque control coil. The fiber optic lens is connected to the fiber optic connector and is successively inserted into the push tube and the interventional tube. In actual application, the interventional tube of the OCT imaging probe is used to insert into the patient's body to perform corresponding diagnostic and treatment operations. The torque control coil is usually composed of a multi-strand spring coil with a certain elasticity, which protects the fiber optic lens and drives the fiber optic lens to rotate together to achieve a 360° scanning of the tube wall by the fiber optic lens.

[0004] Therefore, in order to achieve the ideal diagnosis and treatment effect, the OCT imaging probe has extremely high requirements for the torsion performance of the torsion control coil, and it is necessary to ensure that the torsion control coil maintains a torsion ratio close to 1:1 at a high speed. When the torsion control coil is long, this torsion ratio is usually difficult to achieve in a tortuous pipeline structure, which causes the collected image to be distorted or even jump. Summary of the invention

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to propose an optical coherence tomography imaging probe and a diagnosis and treatment system, which aims to solve the problem that it is difficult to ensure a 1:1 torsion ratio of the torsion-controlled coil in the traditional OCT imaging probe.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an optical coherence tomography imaging probe, comprising an intervention tube for coating an optical fiber, the intervention tube comprising at least two elastic tube segments connected in sequence from proximal to distal, each of the elastic tube segments comprising a first elastic tube segment located at the proximal side and a second elastic tube segment located at the distal side;

[0007] Wherein, the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section.

[0008] Optionally, in the direction from near to far, the elastic modulus of each elastic tube segment is arranged to decrease segment by segment.

[0009] Optionally, the first elastic tube section is made of a rigid material, and the first elastic tube section is in a thin-walled tube shape with a dense structure.

[0010] Optionally, in the direction from proximal to distal, the outer diameter of the first elastic tube section is gradually reduced.

[0011] Optionally, the outer diameter of the proximal end of the first elastic tube segment is not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 0.7 mm; and / or,

[0012] The difference between the maximum outer diameter and the minimum outer diameter of the first elastic tube section does not exceed 35%.

[0013] Optionally, the second elastic tube section is made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of wire strands of each layer of the spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16.

[0014] Optionally, the first elastic tube section and the second elastic tube section are each made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of wire strands of each layer of the spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16;

[0015] The sag of the first elastic tube section is smaller than the sag of the second elastic tube section, and the tensile modulus of the first elastic tube section is larger than the tensile modulus of the second elastic tube section.

[0016] Optionally, the intervention tube further comprises a connector, and the connector is connected and fixed between every two adjacent elastic tube segments.

[0017] Optionally, the connecting member comprises a first connecting section, a transition section, and a second connecting section which are sequentially connected from proximal to distal;

[0018] One of the first connecting section and the first elastic tube section is provided with a first plugging protrusion, and the other is provided with a first plugging groove, and the first plugging protrusion is plugged and fixed in the first plugging groove; and / or,

[0019] The outer diameter of the transition section is suitable for transition setting between the outer diameter of the first elastic tube section and the outer diameter of the second elastic tube section connected thereto; and / or,

[0020] One of the second connecting section and the second elastic tube section is provided with a second plugging protrusion, and the other one is provided with a second plugging groove, and the second plugging protrusion is plugged and matched with the second plugging groove.

[0021] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention further provides an optical coherence tomography diagnosis and treatment system, including an optical coherence tomography imaging probe, the optical coherence tomography imaging probe including an intervention tube for coating an optical fiber, the intervention tube including at least two elastic tube segments connected in sequence from proximal to distal, each of the elastic tube segments including a first elastic tube segment located at the proximal side, and a second elastic tube segment located at the distal side;

[0022] Wherein, the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section.

[0023] In the technical solution provided by the present invention, by dividing the intervention tube into at least two elastic tube sections, the performance of each elastic tube section can be differentiated and designed according to actual needs, so that the torsion ratio of the intervention tube from near to far can be effectively adjusted. In the present invention, since the first elastic tube section is closer to the driving source, the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section is designed to be greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section, so that the stiffness at the first elastic tube section is relatively larger, and the power transmission of the driving source at the first elastic tube section has almost no loss, which is equivalent to shortening the power transmission of the entire intervention tube to the power transmission of the second elastic tube section, thereby helping to reduce excessive power loss during the transmission process and ensuring that the torsion ratio of the intervention tube from its proximal end to its distal end reaches 1:1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an optical coherence tomography imaging probe provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an optical coherence tomography imaging probe provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at A in the middle;

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first elastic tube section, the connecting piece and the second elastic tube section when not assembled;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an optical coherence tomography imaging probe provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at B in the middle;

[0031] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the first elastic tube section, the connecting piece and the second elastic tube section when not assembled.

[0032] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0033] 100 Fiber optic connector; 200 Push tube; 300 Intervention tube; 310 First elastic tube section; 320 Second elastic tube section; 330 Connector; 331 First connecting section; 332 Transition section; 333 Second connecting section; 341 First plug-in protrusion; 342 First plug-in groove; 343 Second plug-in protrusion; 344 Second plug-in groove; 400 Fiber optic lens.

[0034] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0037] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing in the full text includes three parallel schemes. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme that satisfies both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in the field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 7 The present invention provides an optical coherence tomography imaging probe and an optical coherence tomography diagnosis and treatment system used therein. The optical coherence tomography diagnosis and treatment system can be, but is not limited to, a diagnosis and treatment device used in the medical fields of ophthalmology, cardiovascular medicine, dermatology, dentistry, etc.

[0039] In actual application, the optical coherence tomography imaging probe is generally in a longitudinal shape, and has a proximal end for connecting to a driving device in an optical coherence tomography diagnosis and treatment system, and a distal end away from the driving device. In the direction from proximal to distal, the optical coherence tomography imaging probe generally includes an optical fiber connector 100, a push tube 200, and an intervention tube 300 in sequence; the optical coherence tomography imaging probe also includes an optical fiber, the proximal end of the optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber connector 100, and the distal end of the optical fiber constitutes an optical fiber lens 400. After the optical fiber lens 400 passes through the push tube 200 and the intervention tube 300 in sequence, it is exposed at a side wall of the distal section of the intervention tube 300, so that when the driving device drives the push tube 200 and the intervention tube 300 to rotate, the optical fiber lens 400 is driven to rotate circumferentially.

[0040] In actual application, the push tube 200 is generally placed outside the patient's body, and the interventional tube 300 is used to be inserted into the patient's body. The rigidity of the push tube 200 is generally greater than that of the interventional tube 300. In this way, under the drive of the driving device, the push tube 200 can push the interventional tube 300 to be inserted into the patient's body in a relatively straight posture; and when withdrawing, the push tube 200 facilitates the fiber optic lens 400 to be withdrawn more smoothly into place.

[0041] In view of the above, specifically, the optical coherence tomography imaging probe provided by the present invention includes the above-mentioned interventional tube 300, and the interventional tube 300 includes at least two elastic tube segments connected in sequence from near to far, each elastic tube segment includes a first elastic tube segment 310 located on the proximal side, and a second elastic tube segment 320 located on the distal side; wherein the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube segment 310 is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube segment 320.

[0042] In the technical solution provided by the present invention, by dividing the intervention tube 300 into at least two elastic tube sections, the performance of each elastic tube section can be differentiated and designed according to actual needs, so that the torsion ratio of the intervention tube 300 from near to far can be effectively adjusted. In the present invention, since the first elastic tube section 310 is closer to the driving source, the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section 310 is designed to be greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section 320, so that the stiffness at the first elastic tube section 310 is relatively larger, and the power transmission of the driving source at the first elastic tube section 310 has almost no loss, which is equivalent to shortening the power transmission of the entire intervention tube 300 to the power transmission of the second elastic tube section 320, thereby helping to reduce excessive power loss during the transmission process and ensuring that the torsion ratio of the intervention tube 300 from its proximal end to its distal end reaches 1:1.

[0043] In this design, the elastic tube sections are arranged in sequence from near to far and are arranged coaxially as much as possible. That is, in the naturally extended state, the central axes of the elastic tube sections are as collinear as possible.

[0044] The channels provided inside each elastic tube segment can be used for the optical fiber to pass through. According to actual needs, the radial cross-sectional areas of the channel segments defined by each elastic tube segment can be set to be the same. Or, among each elastic tube segment, the radial cross-sectional areas of the channel segments defined by at least two elastic tube segments are different. Among them, a step will be formed between the channel segment with a smaller radial cross-sectional area and the adjacent channel segment with a larger radial cross-sectional area. At this time, the step surface can be further inclined to form a flared or narrowed mouth, which helps to obtain good guidance through the flared or narrowed mouth when the optical fiber is passed through and withdrawn.

[0045] The lengths of the elastic tube sections can be the same, or at least two of the elastic tube sections can have different lengths according to actual needs.

[0046] There is no restriction on the specific number of elastic tube segments, but it is understandable that the more elastic tube segments are set, the more flexible the adjustment of the torsion ratio is, but the higher the molding complexity of the entire intervention tube 300 is, the easier it is to reduce the molding efficiency; conversely, the fewer the elastic tube segments are set, the lower the molding complexity of the entire intervention tube 300 is, the easier it is to improve the molding efficiency, but the flexibility of adjusting the torsion ratio is reduced. Therefore, in actual application, the number of elastic tube segments should not be too many or too few, and can be set to between two and four.

[0047] It should be noted that, when the number of elastic tube segments is specifically set to two, the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320 can be uniquely and accurately defined. However, when the number of elastic tube segments is specifically set to three or more, the first elastic tube segment 310 can be any elastic tube segment located proximal to the second elastic tube segment 320; conversely, the second elastic tube segment 320 can be any elastic tube segment located distal to the first elastic tube segment 310. That is, for example, when the number of elastic tube segments is set to four, and the second elastic tube segment 320 is the fourth elastic tube segment from proximal to distal, then the first, second, and third elastic tube segments can selectively constitute the first elastic tube segment 310.

[0048] It can be understood that when the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section 310 is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section 320, the rotational stiffness of the first elastic tube section 310 is greater than the rotational stiffness of the second elastic tube section 320, so that in the rotating state, the ability of the first elastic tube section 310 to resist rotational deformation is greater than that of the second elastic tube section 320. In this way, the transmission loss of power at the first elastic tube section 310 can be basically made smaller than the transmission loss at the second elastic tube section 320, that is, the purpose of adjusting the torsion ratio can be achieved.

[0049] But generally, in order to achieve a better effect of adjusting the torsion ratio, in a further scheme, the elastic modulus of each elastic tube segment is set to decrease step by step in the direction from near to far. That is, in every two adjacent elastic tube segments, the elastic modulus of the elastic tube segment located on the proximal side is greater than the elastic modulus of the elastic tube segment located on the distal side. It should be noted that in the direction from near to far, the reduction amount of the elastic modulus of each elastic tube segment can be the same; or the reduction amount of the elastic modulus of each elastic tube segment can also be different. When the reduction amounts are different, it can be presented as a regular decrease, increase or jump in the direction from near to far, without limitation, and can be specifically adjusted according to the actual functional requirements of the optical coherence tomography imaging probe in actual application.

[0050] In view of the above, for ease of understanding, in the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, the description is made by taking the case where two elastic tube segments are specifically provided.

[0051] Specifically, the structure of the second elastic tube section 320 can be specifically configured using the existing technology. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the second elastic tube section 320 is made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of silk threads in each layer of spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16. The spring coils in the second elastic tube section 320 can be specifically configured to be two or three layers, and should not be too many, as this will easily increase the molding burden.

[0052] Further, when the second elastic tube section 320 is specifically made of two layers of spring wire coils, the two layers of spring wire coils are respectively an inner layer spring wire coil and an outer layer spring wire coil. Optionally, the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil and the outer layer spring wire coil is set to be the same, for example, both are set to 8 strands, or both are set to 9 strands.

[0053] When the second elastic tube section 320 is specifically made of three layers of spring wire coils, the three layers of spring wire coils are respectively an inner layer spring wire coil, a middle layer spring wire coil and an outer layer spring wire coil. Optionally, the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil and the middle layer spring wire coil is set to be the same, and the number of wire strands of the outer layer spring wire coil is set to be greater than the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil and the middle layer spring wire coil. For example, the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil, the middle layer spring wire coil and the outer layer spring wire coil are set to be 8 strands, 8 strands and 12 strands respectively. Or the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil, the middle layer spring wire coil and the outer layer spring wire coil are set to be 9 strands, 9 strands and 12 strands respectively.

[0054] In this way, while ensuring an efficient torsion ratio, the flexible structure of the second elastic tube segment 320 can facilitate the optical coherence tomography imaging probe to pass through tortuous blood vessels and reduce stimulation to the blood vessels.

[0055] As for the structural design of the first elastic tube section 310:

[0056] In one application, the first elastic tube section 310 is made of a rigid material, and the first elastic tube section 310 is in a thin-walled tubular shape with a dense structure. Among them, the rigid material refers to a material whose rigidity is at least greater than the rigidity of the material made of the second elastic tube section 320. Specifically, it can be made of, for example, 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, or nickel-titanium alloy materials, which help to provide a higher torsion ratio and thrust. The structure of the tube wall of the first elastic tube section 310 is dense, that is, the components of the tube wall are arranged very closely, with almost no gaps or very small gaps, which helps to improve its structural strength, and then improve its elastic modulus and rotational rigidity. The purpose of setting the tube wall of the first elastic tube section 310 to be thinner is to ensure that the first elastic tube section 310 has elasticity and its elasticity meets the use requirements by further thinning the thickness of the tube wall on the basis of the above-mentioned structural design.

[0057] The outer diameter of the first elastic tube segment 310 can be set to be the same from near to far. Or in a further solution, the outer diameter of the first elastic tube segment 310 is set to be gradually smaller in the direction from near to far. The outer diameter of the near section of the first elastic tube segment 310 is set to be larger, which helps to improve the torsion ratio and thrust of the near section of the first elastic tube segment 310; while the outer diameter of the far section of the first elastic tube segment 310 is set to be smaller, which helps to make a smooth transition between the far section of the first elastic tube segment 310 and the near section of the second elastic tube segment 320.

[0058] Specifically, the outer diameter of the proximal end of the first elastic tube segment 310 is not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 0.7 mm, and / or the difference between the maximum outer diameter and the minimum outer diameter of the first elastic tube segment 310 is not more than 35%. This helps to ensure that the overall strength and elasticity of the first elastic tube segment 310 meet the requirements of actual diagnosis and treatment operations.

[0059] In another application, the first elastic tube section 310 can also be made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of wire strands in each layer of spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16.

[0060] Similarly to the above, the spring coils in the first elastic tube section 310 can be specifically set to two or three layers, and should not be too many, which will easily increase the molding burden. When the first elastic tube section 310 is specifically made of two layers of spring wire coils, the two layers of spring wire coils are respectively the inner spring wire coil and the outer spring wire coil. Optionally, the number of wire strands of the inner spring wire coil and the outer spring wire coil is set to be the same, for example, both are set to 8 strands, or both are set to 9 strands. When the first elastic tube section 310 is specifically made of three layers of spring wire coils, the three layers of spring wire coils are respectively the inner spring wire coil, the middle spring wire coil and the outer spring wire coil. Optionally, the number of wire strands of the inner spring wire coil and the middle spring wire coil is set to be the same, and the number of wire strands of the outer spring wire coil is set to be greater than the number of wire strands of the inner spring wire coil and the middle spring wire coil. For example, the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil, the middle layer spring wire coil and the outer layer spring wire coil is 8 wire strands, 8 wire strands and 12 wire strands respectively. Alternatively, the number of wire strands of the inner layer spring wire coil, the middle layer spring wire coil and the outer layer spring wire coil is 9 wire strands, 9 wire strands and 12 wire strands respectively. In this way, while ensuring an efficient torsion ratio, the flexible structure of the first elastic tube section 310 facilitates the optical coherence tomography imaging probe to pass through a tortuous blood vessel and reduce stimulation to the blood vessel.

[0061] When the first elastic tube section 310 and the second elastic tube section 320 are both made by winding the spring coils of at least two layers as described above, in order to achieve that the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section 310 is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section 320, in a further solution, the sag of the first elastic tube section 310 is less than the sag of the second elastic tube section 320, and the tensile modulus of the first elastic tube section 310 is greater than the tensile modulus of the second elastic tube section 320. In actual operation, the first elastic tube section 310 and the second elastic tube section 320 with different sags and different tensile moduli can be formed by adjusting the wire winding preload and heat treatment parameters during the processing.

[0062] Based on one or more of the above embodiments, it can be understood that each two adjacent elastic tube segments can be directly connected and fixed. Similarly, taking the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320 as an example, the direct connection method between the two can be but is not limited to: in one embodiment, the shape of the distal surface of the first elastic tube segment 310 and the front end surface of the second elastic tube segment 320 are adapted, and they are directly welded and / or bonded. Or in one embodiment, one of the distal surface of the first elastic tube segment 310 and the front end surface of the second elastic tube segment 320 is provided with a plug-in protrusion, and the other is provided with a plug-in groove, and the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320 are connected by plugging the plug-in protrusion and the plug-in groove. And further, after the plug-in protrusion and the plug-in groove are plugged, the connection between the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320 can be further welded and / or bonded.

[0063] Of course, each two adjacent elastic tube sections can also be indirectly connected and fixed via a connecting piece 330:

[0064] It can be understood that the performance and other characteristics of the connecting member 330 can be set to be the same as the first elastic tube segment 310, or the same as the second elastic tube segment 320, or different from both the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320. When the performance and other characteristics of the connecting member 330 are set to be different from both the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320, any state value between the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320 can be used.

[0065] Furthermore, the rigidity of the connecting member 330 is at least set to be greater than the rigidity of the second elastic tube segment 320. In this way, the connecting member 330 can not only strengthen the connection strength between the first elastic tube segment 310 and the second elastic tube segment 320, but also reduce the loss when the power of the first elastic tube segment 310 is transmitted to the second elastic tube segment 320 via the connecting member 330, which is helpful to maintain the stability of the torsion ratio of the intervention tube 300 from near to far, especially when the intervention tube 300 is long, thereby helping to improve the molding quality of the intervention tube 300 as a whole.

[0066] Specifically, the connecting member 330 may be made of a metal material with a certain strength, such as 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, or nickel-titanium alloy material.

[0067] In order to better realize the connection between the connecting member 330 and the two adjacent elastic tube segments, specifically, the connecting member 330 includes two connecting segments, and the two connecting segments are respectively connected to the two elastic tube segments on both sides in a one-to-one correspondence. Similarly to the above, the connecting segment and the elastic tube segment can be directly fixed by welding and / or bonding through the end surfaces of the two. Or further, in one embodiment, one of the connecting segment and the corresponding elastic tube segment is provided with a plug-in protrusion, and the other is provided with a plug-in groove, and the plug-in protrusion is plugged and fixed with the plug-in groove.

[0068] Specifically, taking the first elastic tube section 310 and the second elastic tube section 320 as an example, the two connecting sections are respectively a first connecting section 331 connected to the first elastic tube section 310 and a second connecting section 333 connected to the second elastic tube section 320. Wherein:

[0069] In one embodiment, one of the first connection section 331 and the first elastic tube section 310 is provided with a first plugging protrusion 341, and the other is provided with a first plugging groove 342, and the first plugging protrusion 341 is plugged and fixed with the first plugging groove 342. And / or in one embodiment, one of the second connection section 333 and the second elastic tube section 320 is provided with a second plugging protrusion 343, and the other is provided with a second plugging groove 344, and the second plugging protrusion 343 is plugged and matched with the second plugging groove 344.

[0070] For example Figure 4 As shown, when the first elastic tube section 310 is made of a rigid material and has a thin-walled tube wall with a dense structure, a first plug-in groove 342 can be recessed at the first elastic tube section 310, and a first plug-in protrusion 341 can be convexly provided at the first connecting section 331. The first plug-in protrusion 341 can be specifically a step formed by grinding, for example. The plug-in fixation of the first plug-in protrusion 341 and the first plug-in groove 342 helps to achieve a stable connection between the first elastic tube section 310 and the first connecting section 331, and helps to coaxially install the first elastic tube section 310 and the first connecting section 331. Similarly, a second plug-in protrusion 343 can be convexly provided at the second elastic tube section 320, and a second plug-in groove 344 can be recessed at the second connecting section 333. The second plug-in protrusion 343 can be specifically a step formed by grinding, for example. The plugging and fixing of the second plugging protrusion 343 and the second plugging groove 344 helps to achieve a stable connection between the second elastic tube section 320 and the second connecting section 333, and helps to coaxially install the second elastic tube section 320 and the second connecting section 333.

[0071] Specific as Figure 7As shown, when the first elastic tube section 310 is made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, a first plugging protrusion 341 may be convexly provided on the first elastic tube section 310, and a first plugging groove 342 may be concavely provided on the first connecting section 331. The plugging and fixing of the first plugging protrusion 341 and the first plugging groove 342 helps to achieve a stable connection between the first elastic tube section 310 and the first connecting section 331, and helps to coaxially install the first elastic tube section 310 and the first connecting section 331. Similarly, a second plugging protrusion 343 may be convexly provided on the second elastic tube section 320, and a second plugging groove 344 may be concavely provided on the second connecting section 333. The plugging and fixing of the second plugging protrusion 343 and the second plugging groove 344 helps to achieve a stable connection between the second elastic tube section 320 and the second connecting section 333, and helps to coaxially install the second elastic tube section 320 and the second connecting section 333.

[0072] It should be noted that when the outer diameter of the connection between the connecting segment and the corresponding elastic tube segment is D1, and the outer diameter of the adjacent elastic tube segment is D2, D1 is equivalent to D2. Equivalent means that D1 is completely equal to D2 or the deviation between D1 and D2 is within the preset deviation threshold range. For example, when the first connecting segment 331 and the first elastic tube segment 310 are connected, the outer diameter of the connection between the two is D1, and the outer diameter of the tube segment of the first elastic tube segment 310 adjacent to the above connection is D2. In this way, a larger outer diameter will not be formed at the connection between the connecting segment and the elastic tube segment, thereby avoiding structural interference and preventing the overall size of the interventional tube 300 from being too large.

[0073] In addition, after the insertion protrusion and the insertion groove are provided as described above, optionally, welding and / or bonding can be further performed at the connection between the connection section and the corresponding elastic tube section. When welding is performed, laser welding can be selected. When bonding is performed, cyanoacrylate or epoxy resin curing glue can be selected as the glue.

[0074] The first connecting section 331 and the second connecting section 333 mentioned above can be directly connected and fixed. The connection and fixing method of the two can be integrally formed, or they can be separated and then connected in a detachable or non-detachable manner. Of course, further, the connecting member 330 can also include a transition section 332 arranged between the first connecting section 331 and the second connecting section 333. Among them, the first connecting section 331, the transition section 332 and the second connecting section 333 can be integrally formed between each other, or they can be separated and then connected in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

[0075] Specifically, the outer diameter of the transition section 332 is adapted to be set to transition between the outer diameter of the first elastic tube section 310 and the outer diameter of the second elastic tube section 320 connected thereto. That is, when the outer diameters of the tube sections adjacent to the first elastic tube section 310 and the second elastic tube section 320 are substantially the same, the outer diameter of the transition section 332 is set to be the same as the above two, so that the connection between the three is substantially straight. When the outer diameters of the tube sections adjacent to the first elastic tube section 310 and the second elastic tube section 320 are different, the outer diameter of the transition section 332 is set to be an inclined surface or an arc surface adapted to the difference in outer diameters between the two.

[0076] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical coherence tomography imaging probe, characterized in that: The invention comprises an intervention tube for coating an optical fiber, wherein the intervention tube comprises at least two elastic tube segments connected in sequence from proximal to distal, each of the elastic tube segments comprising a first elastic tube segment located at the proximal side and a second elastic tube segment located at the distal side; Wherein, the elastic modulus of the first elastic tube section is greater than the elastic modulus of the second elastic tube section.

2. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 1, wherein: In the direction from near to far, the elastic modulus of each elastic tube segment is arranged to decrease segment by segment.

3. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 1, wherein: The first elastic tube section is made of a rigid material and is in the shape of a thin-walled tube with a dense structure.

4. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the direction from proximal to distal, the outer diameter of the first elastic tube section is gradually reduced.

5. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the proximal end of the first elastic tube section is not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 0.7 mm; and / or, The difference between the maximum outer diameter and the minimum outer diameter of the first elastic tube section does not exceed 35%.

6. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 1, wherein: The second elastic tube section is made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of silk thread strands of each layer of the spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16.

7. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first elastic tube section and the second elastic tube section are each made by winding at least two layers of spring coils, and the number of silk threads of each layer of the spring coils is not less than 6 and not more than 16; The sag of the first elastic tube section is smaller than the sag of the second elastic tube section, and the tensile modulus of the first elastic tube section is larger than the tensile modulus of the second elastic tube section.

8. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 1, wherein: The intervention tube further comprises a connecting piece, and the connecting piece is connected and fixed between every two adjacent elastic tube sections.

9. The optical coherence tomography imaging probe according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connecting member comprises a first connecting section, a transition section and a second connecting section which are sequentially connected from near to far; One of the first connecting section and the first elastic tube section is provided with a first plugging protrusion, and the other is provided with a first plugging groove, and the first plugging protrusion is plugged and fixed in the first plugging groove; and / or, The outer diameter of the transition section is suitable for transition setting between the outer diameter of the first elastic tube section and the outer diameter of the second elastic tube section connected thereto; and / or, One of the second connecting section and the second elastic tube section is provided with a second plugging protrusion, and the other one is provided with a second plugging groove, and the second plugging protrusion is plugged and matched with the second plugging groove.

10. An optical coherence tomography diagnostic and therapeutic system, characterized in that: The optical coherence tomography imaging probe comprises the optical coherence tomography imaging probe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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