A locking mechanism for an optical tomography device

Abstract

A locking mechanism for an optical tomography device includes a male locking portion and a female locking portion. A protrusion of the male locking portion contacts a wall of a circumferential recess provided on a base end side cylindrical member of the female locking portion. In this state, the base end side cylindrical member is moved toward a base end side fixing member against the force of a spring. Then, the male locking portion is rotated, thereby moving the protrusion of the male locking portion into a locking space of the circumferential recess of the female locking portion, and locking the male locking portion and the female locking portion. The locking mechanism reliably locks the male locking portion of an optical probe and the female locking portion of a driving portion, and does not arbitrarily release the connection of the optical probe and the driving portion.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application No. 202080105919.0, filed on December 9, 2020, entitled "Connection mechanism and locking mechanism for optical tomography device". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a connection mechanism and a locking mechanism for an optical tomography device. BACKGROUND

[0003] A tomography system for photographing a tomographic image of a biological tissue such as various biological tubular elements including a digestive tract, a pancreaticobiliary duct, a fallopian tube, a urethra, a trachea, a blood vessel, and a lymphatic vessel generally has a tomography system main body having an optical probe inserted into the biological tubular element and a driving section that rotates the optical probe in order to obtain a tomographic image of the entire circumference of the biological tubular element.

[0004] The optical probe described above is a replacement part that is attached to the tomography system main body each time tomography is performed. After tomography, the optical probe needs to be detached from the tomography system main body and discarded. Therefore, a connection mechanism that enables replacement of the optical probe is proposed in, for example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5139298

[0008] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5150725

[0009] The connection mechanisms described above are provided in the optical probe and the driving section, respectively. The connection mechanism of the optical probe and the connection mechanism of the driving section are each configured to have a connector through which an optical fiber passes and can be separated. By fitting the connectors to each other, the optical fibers are connected, and the optical probe and the driving section are connected.

[0010] On the other hand, if the connectors cannot be fitted correctly, the optical probe and the driving section cannot be connected correctly. Therefore, the connection mechanism of the optical probe and the connection mechanism of the driving section are preferably configured to guide the connectors of each other to the correct position. In addition, it is preferable to lock the connection of the optical probe and the driving section so that the connection of the optical probe and the driving section is not unintentionally released due to rotation of the driving section. SUMMARY

[0011] To this end, the present application proposes a connection mechanism and a locking mechanism that reliably connect an optical probe and a driving section.

[0012] In view of the above technical problems, the present application provides the following technical solutions.

[0013] A locking mechanism that maintains the connection between an optical probe for an optical tomography device and a driving section that rotates the optical probe,

[0014] (a) the locking mechanism includes a male locking section and a female locking section that cooperate with each other, the female locking section is provided on the tip end side of the driving section, and the male locking section is provided on the base end side of the optical probe;

[0015] (b) the male locking section has at least one first protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof;

[0016] (c) the female locking section includes:

[0017] a tip end side cylindrical member provided on the tip end side of the female locking section, the tip end side cylindrical member is provided with a passage through which the male locking section passes, and a guide structure that cooperates with the first protrusion of the male locking section is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the passage;

[0018] a base end side fixing member provided on the base end side of the female locking section so as to be fixed to the driving section in opposition to the tip end side cylindrical member;

[0019] a movable base end side cylindrical member that is located between the tip end side cylindrical member and the base end side fixing member, and that is movable in the axial direction of the female locking section;

[0020] a spring that applies a force to the base end side cylindrical member so as to cause the base end side cylindrical member to approach the tip end side cylindrical member;

[0021] the inner peripheral surface of the base end side cylindrical member is provided with a circumferential recess that cooperates with the guide structure, and the circumferential recess forms a locking space into which the first protrusion of the male locking section can enter when the base end side cylindrical member is forced by the spring;

[0022] (d) by inserting the male locking section into the passage of the tip end side cylindrical member of the female locking section so that the first protrusion of the male locking section comes into contact with the wall of the circumferential recess and the base end side cylindrical member is moved toward the base end side fixing member against the force of the spring, and then rotating the male locking section so that the first protrusion of the male locking section enters the locking space, the locking connection between the optical probe and the driving section is achieved.

[0023] According to the locking mechanism for locking the connection between the male connection section of the optical probe and the female connection section of the driving section, the male locking section of the optical probe and the female locking section of the driving section do not unintentionally release the connection between the optical probe and the driving section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, which are as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical tomography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a male connecting portion and a male locking portion;

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the male connecting portion and the male locking portion shown in Figure 2

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing connection of a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing connection of a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing connection of a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion;

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a female locking portion;

[0032] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing fitting of a male locking portion and a female locking portion;

[0033] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing fitting of a male locking portion and a female locking portion;

[0034] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing fitting of a male locking portion and a female locking portion;

[0035] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing fitting of a male locking portion and a female locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the attached drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of, but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present application.

[0037] ​In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate an orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely used for convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection" should be broadly understood, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as there is no conflict between them.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of a connecting mechanism and a locking mechanism for an optical tomography device according to the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] [Optical tomography device]

[0042] Figure 1 The outline of a wavelength-swept type optical tomography device (SS-OCT: Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography) 100 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0043] The SS-OCT 100 has an optical unit 200 and a signal processing unit 400.

[0044] [Optical unit]

[0045] The optical unit 200 includes a plurality of optical elements. The plurality of optical elements have a wavelength-swept light source 210, a first optical coupler 212, a first optical circulator 214, a second optical circulator 216, a second optical coupler 218, a living body tubular element photographing unit 220, an optical distance adjusting unit 222, and a detection unit 224. These optical elements are optically coupled by relevant elements through optical transmission elements such as optical fibers as described below.

[0046] [Wavelength-swept light source]

[0047] The wavelength-swept light source 210 outputs light required for photographing a cross section of a tubular element of a living body. The wavelength-swept light source 210 is configured to be able to periodically change the wavelength of the output light, for example, to sweep the wavelength from 1260 nm to 1360 nm at a frequency of 100 kHz.

[0048] [First optical coupler]

[0049] The first optical coupler (splitter) 212 is a portion in which a portion of two optical fibers arranged side by side is heated and fused to be optically coupled. One of the two optical fibers optically couples the first optical coupler 212 and the first optical circulator 214, and the other optical fiber optically couples the wavelength-swept light source 210 and the second optical circulator 216 via the first optical coupler 212. Thus, the light output from the wavelength-swept light source 210 is branched into two by the first optical coupler 212, and one of the branched lights is sent to the first optical circulator 214, and the other of the branched lights is sent to the second optical circulator 216.

[0050] [First optical circulator]

[0051] The first optical circulator 214 is a 3-port optical circulator, the first port of which is connected to the first optical coupler 212, the second port of which is connected to the second optical coupler 218, and the third port of which is connected to the living body tubular element photographing section 220, and the light sent from the wavelength-swept light source 210 to the first optical circulator 214 via the first optical coupler 212 is sent to the living body tubular element photographing section 220, and the light returned from the living body tubular element photographing section 220 is sent to the second optical coupler 218.

[0052] [Second optical circulator]

[0053] The second optical circulator 216 is a 3-port optical circulator, the first port of which is connected to the first optical coupler 212, the second port of which is connected to the second optical coupler 218, and the third port of which is connected to the optical distance adjustment section 222, and the light sent from the wavelength-swept light source 210 to the second optical circulator 216 via the first optical coupler 212 is sent to the optical distance adjustment section 222, and the light returned from the optical distance adjustment section 222 is sent to the second optical coupler 218.

[0054] [Second optical coupler]

[0055] The second optical coupler 218 (interference section) is a portion in which an optical fiber having one end (base end) connected to the first optical circulator 214 and an optical fiber having one end (base end) connected to the second optical circulator 216 are optically coupled by being heated and fused at a middle portion, and causes light (reflected light) transmitted from the biological tubular element photographing section 220 to the second optical coupler 218 via the first optical circulator 214 and light (reference light) transmitted from the optical distance adjusting section 222 to the second optical coupler 218 via the second optical circulator 216 to be superimposed to obtain interference light.

[0056] [biological tubular element photographing section]

[0057] The biological tubular element photographing section 220 has a base 226 and a linear moving section 228 that linearly moves in a prescribed direction (left-right direction) with respect to the base 226. The linear moving section 228 is coupled to a linear moving motor 230 provided on the base 226, and is configured to advance or retreat in the prescribed direction based on driving of the linear moving motor 230. A base end portion of a hollow cylindrical flexible tube (hereinafter referred to as "sheath") 232 composed of a light-transmissive resin is detachably fixed to the base 226 by a retainer 233. As shown in the drawing, the base end of the sheath 232 is open, and the tip end is closed. Figure 1

[0058] The base end side collimator lens 234 and the tip end side collimator lens 236 are provided on the linear moving section 228. The base end side collimator lens 234 and the tip end side collimator lens 236 are arranged at a certain interval on one optical axis, and light that has passed through the base end side collimator lens 234 passes through the optical axis of the tip end side collimator lens 236.

[0059] The base end side collimator lens 234 is fixed to the linear moving section 228, and is optically coupled to the first optical circulator 214 via an optical fiber.

[0060] The tip end side collimator lens 236 is supported by a rotating section (driving section) 238 provided on the linear moving section 228. The rotating section 238 rotatably supports the linear moving section 228 with the optical axis of the base end side collimator lens 234 and the tip end side collimator lens 236 as a center, in a state in which the distance between the base end side collimator lens 234 and the tip end side collimator lens 236 is maintained constant.

[0061] The rotating section 238 is drivingly coupled to a rotating motor 240 fixed to the linear moving section 228 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown) including a gear and a toothed belt, for example.

[0062] ​An optical probe 300 is detachably attached to the rotary section 238. The optical probe 300 has an optical fiber 310 and an optical member 312. The optical member 312 is attached to the tip end of the optical fiber 310. The base end of the optical fiber 310 is detachably attached to the rotary section 238 via a connection mechanism 242 and a locking mechanism 243, and is configured to rotate with the rotary section 238, and light collected by the tip end side collimator lens 236 is incident on the core of the optical fiber 310 from the base end thereof.

[0063] Light incident from the base end of the optical fiber 310 enters the optical member 312 via the tip end of the optical fiber 310. The optical member 312 has a slanted surface 314 at the tip end side. Light incident to the optical member 312 is reflected by the slanted surface 314 and travels in a direction orthogonal to the optical fiber 310, and is emitted from the side surface of the optical member 312 at the tip end side in a radial direction. Conversely, light incident to the optical member 312 from the side surface of the optical member 312 at the tip end side enters the optical fiber 310 via the slanted surface 314.

[0064] The sheath 232 and the optical probe 300 described above are provided in a state in which the optical probe 300 is inserted into the sheath 232. In use, the optical fiber 310 of the optical probe 300 is attached to the rotary section 238 via the connection mechanism 242 and the locking mechanism 243, and the base end of the sheath 232 is fixed to the base 226 by the holder 233.

[0065] Accordingly, the linear moving section 228 and the optical probe 300 advance and retreat with respect to the base 226 based on the driving of the linear moving motor 230. On the other hand, the sheath 232 is held on the base 226. Accordingly, the optical probe 300 advances and retreats in the sheath 232 based on the driving of the linear moving motor 230. In addition, the rotary section 238 rotates about the optical axis based on the driving of the rotary motor 240. At this time, since the optical probe 300 is attached to the rotary section 238 via the connection mechanism 242 and the locking mechanism 243, it rotates together with the rotary section 238. Thus, light transmitted from the first optical circulator 214 to the photographing section 220 is incident on the optical fiber 310 via the base end side collimator lens 234 and the tip end side collimator lens 236, and is emitted from the optical fiber 310 via the optical member 312 in a radial direction, and the emitted light scans at a certain speed in a circumferential direction about the optical axis.

[0066] The size of the sheath 232 and the optical probe 300 housed in the sheath 232 is appropriately determined in accordance with the size of the biological tubular element to be photographed. In order to stably rotate the optical probe 300 within the sheath 232, the inner diameter of the sheath 232 and the outer diameter of the optical probe 300 housed therein are determined to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the optical member 312 by, for example, about 50 μm. For example, in the case where the maximum outer diameter of the optical member 312 is about 200 to 500 μm, the inner diameter of the sheath 232 is about 250 to 550 μm.

[0067] [Optical distance adjustment section]

[0068] The optical distance adjustment section 222 has a collimator lens 242 and a reference mirror 244. The collimator lens 242 is fixed immovably. The reference mirror 244 has a reflecting surface (mirror surface) perpendicular to the optical axis of the collimator lens 242 on the optical axis. The reference mirror 244 is supported on a linear movement section 246. The linear movement section 246 is movable along the optical axis of the collimator lens 242. The linear movement section 246 is also coupled to a linear movement motor 248, and is configured to advance and retreat toward the collimator lens 242 based on the driving of the linear movement motor 248, whereby the optical distance of the reference light is adjusted.

[0069] [Detection section]

[0070] The detection section 224 is an optical member that receives the light transmitted from the second optical coupler 218 and performs photoelectric conversion, and is particularly a double balanced detector having two light input sections. The double balanced detector has two photodiodes that detect the light (interference light) transmitted from the second optical coupler 218, and the two photodiodes are respectively connected to the tips of the two optical fibers that constitute the second optical coupler 218. The detection section 224 is also configured to, after converting the light input from the two optical fibers into electric signals respectively, extract only the electric signal based on the interference light by canceling the direct current components contained in the electric signals from each other.

[0071] [Signal processing section]

[0072] The signal processing section 400 has a control section 410, an analog / digital (A / D) conversion section 414, a Fourier transform section 416, an image processing section 418, and an image display section (monitor) 420. In the drawing, the A / D conversion section 414, the Fourier transform section 416, and the image processing section 418 represent functional blocks, and do not need to be physical structures, but can be a part of a program mounted in a storage unit of the control section 410 described later.

[0073] [Control section]

[0074] The control section 410 has a control unit, an arithmetic unit, and a storage unit, not shown. The storage unit can temporarily store programs required for performing the processes described later, and various data (e.g., image data) generated in the processes described later. The arithmetic unit performs the arithmetic operations that should be performed in the processes described later, according to the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0075] Although not shown, the control section 410 is communicably connected to various devices (the wavelength-swept light source 210, the rotary motor 240, the linear motor 230, the linear motor 248 with reference to the mirror 244) included in the optical section 200, and drives and controls these devices according to the programs of the storage unit.

[0076] Although not shown, the control section 410 is connected to an input section, and performs the processes described later based on signals input from the input section. The input section can be any one of a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, a mouse, a joystick, a trackball, a scanner, an OCR, an OMR, a voice input device, a graphics tablet, and the like.

[0077] [A / D conversion section]

[0078] The A / D conversion section 414 converts an analog signal (an electric signal based on the interference light) output from the detection section 224 into a digital signal.

[0079] [Fourier transform section]

[0080] The Fourier transform section 416 performs Fourier transform (e.g., fast Fourier transform, discrete Fourier transform) on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion section 414, and obtains the intensity (power spectrum) of the interference light with respect to the difference between the optical distance of the reflected light and the optical distance of the reference light (optical distance difference).

[0081] [image processing section]

[0082] The image processing section 418 receives the power spectrum including the spectral components of the biological tubular element and the sheath 232 from the Fourier transform section 416, and outputs image information according to the intensity distribution of the biological tubular element and the sheath 232 in the power spectrum, for each rotation angle of the optical probe 300.

[0083] [image display section]

[0084] The image display section 420 is a general monitor, and outputs the image output from the image processing section 418.

[0085] [connection mechanism]

[0086] The connecting mechanism 242 that connects the optical probe 300 and the rotating section 238 has: a male connecting section 500 (refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 ,) provided on the optical probe 300; and a female connecting section 600 (refer to Figure 4 ) provided on the rotating section 238.

[0087] [Male connecting section on the optical probe side]

[0088] Figure 2 , Figure 3 The male connecting section 500 is shown. The male connecting section 500 has a main shaft section 510. The main shaft section 510 has a hollow cylindrical fiber holding section 514 that extends along a central axis 512. The fiber holding section 514 has a waveguide (fiber insertion hole) 515 that is constituted by an elongated hole that extends along the central axis 512. The distal end (left end portion) of the waveguide 515 is optically coupled to the proximal end portion of the optical fiber 310. Figure 3

[0089] In the waveguide 515, an optical fiber 516 is housed in a manner that it is rotatable about the axis 512 and movable along the axis 512. The inner diameter of the waveguide 515 is designed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the optical fiber 516. Thus, light that is emitted from the optical fiber 516 to the waveguide 515 is incident on the optical fiber 310 via the waveguide 515, and light that is emitted from the optical fiber 310 to the waveguide 515 is incident on the optical fiber 516. In this way, the waveguide 515 has a function of optically coupling the optical fiber 310 on the distal end side and the optical fiber 516 on the proximal end side.

[0090] The main shaft section 510 has two cylindrical sections, i.e., an inner cylindrical section 518 that is arranged concentrically with the central axis 512 in a manner that it surrounds the proximal end side of the fiber holding section 514, and an outer cylindrical section (distal end side cylindrical cover) 520 that is arranged concentrically with the central axis 512 and the inner cylindrical section 518 in a manner that it surrounds the inner cylindrical section 518, protruding toward the proximal end side (right side of Figure 2 , Figure 3 The outer cylindrical section 520 has a proximal end portion that extends more toward the proximal end side than the proximal end portion of the inner cylindrical section 518, and a proximal end side cylindrical cover 521 is concentrically joined to the elongated portion thereof. A small diameter cylindrical section 522 is formed on the distal end side of the proximal end side cylindrical cover 521, and the small diameter cylindrical section 522 is inserted into the proximal end of the outer cylindrical section 520, and the cylindrical covers 520 and 521 on the distal end side and the proximal end side are joined.

[0091] ​The male connector 500 on the optical probe 300 side has a generally cylindrical end-side rotating cylinder 523 on the base end side. This end-side rotating cylinder 523 extends along a central axis 512, is coaxial with the central axis 512, and is rotatably configured about the axis 512. The end-side rotating cylinder 523 has an opening on the base end side. An annular inner wall 524 extending radially inward and an annular outer wall (flange) 528 extending radially outward are integrally formed on the end side of the end-side rotating cylinder 523. A through hole 526 centered on the axis 512 is formed in the center of the annular inner wall 524. The through hole 526 is sized to allow the optical fiber 516 to pass through. The outer diameter of the annular outer wall 528 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 520 and larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 522. Therefore, the end-side rotating cylinder 523 can move between a retracted position where the end face of the annular inner wall 524 abuts against the base end of the inner cylinder 518 and a forward position where the base end face of the annular outer wall 528 abuts against the small-diameter cylinder 522.

[0092] On the inner side of the rotating cylindrical part 523 at the end, a hollow cylindrical elastic member 530 fixed to the annular inner wall 524 and an optical fiber connector 532 fixed to the base end of the elastic member 530 are arranged concentrically with the central axis 512.

[0093] The elastic component 530 is preferably made of synthetic rubber such as natural rubber or nitrile rubber.

[0094] The fiber optic connector 532 is, for example, an SC connector for connecting optical fibers, with the base end of the optical fiber 516 optically connected. The base end of the fiber optic connector 532 has a shape and size that allows it to connect to the adapter (drive-side adapter) 610 of the female connector 600, which will be described later.

[0095] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the end-side rotating cylinder portion 523 has a guide portion 534 extending a predetermined length from the base end of the end-side rotating cylinder portion 523 toward the end parallel to the shaft 512. In an embodiment, the guide portion 534 is a slot that passes through the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the end-side rotating cylinder portion 523, but it may also be a bottomed groove formed along the inner peripheral surface of the end-side rotating cylinder portion 523.

[0096] The base end of the end-side rotating cylinder portion 523 is formed with an inclined end face 536 that intersects the plane inclined with the shaft 512. The portion (deepest part) of the inclined end face 536 located at the far end side coincides with the guide portion 534, and the inclined end face 536 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the plane containing the guide portion 534 and the shaft 512.

[0097] [Female connector on the rotating side]

[0098] Figures 4-6The female connector 600 is indicated. The female connector 600 has a base-side rotating cylinder 612. The base-side rotating cylinder 612 forms part of the connecting mechanism 242 and is coaxially configured with the optical axis of the end-side collimating lens 236 provided on the rotating part 238, connecting to the rotating part 238 in a manner that allows it to rotate together with the rotating part 238. The base-side and end-side openings of the base-side rotating cylinder 612 have an adapter 610 of a shape and size that can be connected to the connector 532 fixed at the end side of an annular wall 614 located between the base-side and end-side openings. The central axis of the adapter 610 coincides with the central axis 616 of the base-side rotating cylinder 612, and a light guide path (not shown) formed inside the adapter 610 is optically connected to the end-side collimating lens 236 provided on the rotating part 238.

[0099] The base-side rotating cylinder 612 is configured such that its inner diameter is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the end-side rotating cylinder 523 of the male connector 500 on the optical probe 300 side, and can be externally mounted on the end-side rotating cylinder 523 while the male connector 500 is connected to the female connector 600. On the inner circumferential surface of the base-side rotating cylinder 612, a thin, elongated protrusion 618 extending straight along the direction of the central axis 616 or a protrusion composed of a cylindrical protrusion is formed corresponding to the guide portion 534 of the end-side rotating cylinder 523. By inserting the protrusion 618 of the base-side rotating cylinder 612 into the guide portion 534 of the end-side rotating cylinder 523, the base-side rotating cylinder 612 is positioned circumferentially relative to the end-side rotating cylinder 523, so that the connector 532 and the adapter 610 can be connected.

[0100] [Lockdown Agency]

[0101] In the embodiment, the locking mechanism 243 that maintains the connection between the male connector 500 of the optical probe 300 and the female connector 600 of the rotating part 238 respectively includes a male locking part 700 on the optical probe 300 side and a female locking part 800 on the rotating part 238 side (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figures 8-11 ).

[0102] [Public Lock Part]

[0103] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the male locking portion 700 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 701 on the base end side of the outer cylindrical portion (end-side cylindrical cover) 520, which constitutes part of the male connection portion 500, and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 702 on the base-side cylindrical cover 521. The outer peripheral surfaces 701 and 702 have the same outer diameter and are coaxially arranged relative to the shaft 512, forming a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 703 that is continuous in the axial direction.

[0104] A pair of cylindrical first protrusions 704 (only one protrusion is shown) are formed on the outer peripheral surface 701 so as to project radially outward at positions symmetrical with respect to the center axis 512 (180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction) at a distance from the base end of the outer peripheral surface 701. At the base end of the outer peripheral surface 701, a slot 705 that penetrates the cylindrical portion 520 is formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center axis 512 (180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction) along a surface that includes the center axis 512 and the center of the first protrusion 704. On the other hand, a short protrusion 707 that extends in the direction of the center axis 512 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 706 of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 522 (refer to Figure 3 ), and a second protrusion 708 in the form of an elongated protrusion that extends in the direction of the center axis 512 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 702. The protrusion 707 and the second protrusion 708 are arranged on the same straight line. The height of the protrusion 707 is determined so that the tip end (the end on the radially outer side) thereof coincides with the outer peripheral surface 702 of the cover 710.

[0105] With this structure, the outer cylindrical portion (tip-side cylindrical cover) 520 and the tip-side cylindrical cover 521 are joined in a state in which they are positioned in the circumferential direction by fitting the protrusion 707 of the tip-side cylindrical cover 521 into the slot 705. As described above, since the height of the protrusion 707 is determined so that the tip end thereof coincides with the outer peripheral surface 702, the protrusion 707 does not protrude from the outer peripheral surface 701 in the state in which the covers 520 and 521 are joined. In addition, a prescribed gap 709 (refer to Figure 2 ) is provided in the direction of the axis 512 between the first protrusion 704 and the protrusion 708.

[0106] [Female locking portion]

[0107] Figure 7 An appearance of a female locking portion 800 is shown. The female locking portion 800 generally has a tip-side cylindrical member 802, a base-end-side fixed member 804, a base-end-side cylindrical member 806, a joining mechanism 808, and a force applying mechanism 810.

[0108] The tip-side cylindrical member 802 integrally has a tip-side cylindrical portion 812 and a base-end-side cylindrical portion 814. The tip-side cylindrical portion 812 integrally has an annular flange 816 that protrudes outward at the tip end of the tip-side cylindrical portion 812. The tip-side cylindrical portion 812 has a large-diameter cylindrical inner surface 820 that is centered on a center axis 818. The base-end-side cylindrical portion 814 has a small-diameter cylindrical inner surface (not shown) that is centered on the center axis 818. An annular protrusion 824 that protrudes inward is formed at the tip end of the small-diameter cylindrical inner surface. The inner diameter of the annular protrusion 824 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 703 (refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 , ) of the tip-side cylindrical cover 520 and the base-end-side cylindrical cover 521.

[0109] The annular protrusion 824 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center axis 818 with a pair of first longitudinal grooves 826 (only one groove is shown in the drawing) extending in the direction of the center axis 818. The depth (corresponding to the height of the annular protrusion 824) and the width of the first longitudinal grooves 826 are substantially equal to the height and the width of the first protrusions 704 of the male locking portion 700. The annular protrusion 824 has a guide structure 828 protruding toward the base end side at a portion adjacent to one side of each of the first longitudinal grooves 826 (the downstream side in the clockwise direction of the groove 826 when viewed from the tip end side to the base end side). The guide structure 828 is shaped as a substantially trapezoidal protrusion, and as shown in the drawing, the corners on both sides in the circumferential direction of the trapezoidal protrusion 828 are inclined along an inclined straight line or curve.

[0110] The tip end side cylindrical member 802 is formed with three protrusions 830 arranged at a certain interval in the circumferential direction on the base end side of the flange 816. A coupling hole (not shown) extending in the direction of the axis 818 from the base end surface toward the tip end side is formed on each of the protrusions 830.

[0111] The base end side fixing member 804 is composed of an annular ring 832. The ring 832 has a through hole 834 with an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the base end side cylindrical member 806 described later. Three coupling pins 836 arranged at a certain interval in the circumferential direction are fixed to the tip end surface of the ring 832. The size and arrangement of the coupling pins 836 correspond to the coupling holes (not shown) formed on the protrusions 830 of the tip end side cylindrical member 802. Therefore, the tip end side cylindrical member 802 and the base end side fixing member 804 are coupled in a state where the three coupling pins 836 are inserted into the protrusions 830 of the tip end side cylindrical member 802 at a certain interval between the protrusions 830 of the tip end side cylindrical member 802.

[0112] The base end side cylindrical member 806 is composed of a hollow cylindrical body 840. The outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical body 840 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the small diameter cylindrical inner surface of the tip end side cylindrical member 802 and the inner diameter of the through hole 834 of the ring 832 of the tip end side fixing member 804. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the base end side cylindrical member 806 can be inserted into the small diameter cylindrical inner surface of the tip end side cylindrical member 802 through the ring 832.

[0113] The inner circumferential surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 824 formed on the base end side cylindrical portion 814 of the tip end side cylindrical member 802. Therefore, in a state where the tip end side of the base end side cylindrical member 806 is inserted into the tip end side cylindrical member 802 from the base end side of the tip end side cylindrical member 802 (the state shown in the drawing), the inner circumferential surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 is located on the same cylindrical surface as the inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion 824. Figure 7 As shown in the drawing, the inner circumferential surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 is located on the same cylindrical surface as the inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion 824.

[0114] A portion of the inner peripheral surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 on the tip end side is shaved over a prescribed length in the circumferential direction, thereby forming a circumferential recess 842. The circumferential length of the circumferential recess 842 is greater than the circumferential length of the trapezoidal-shaped protrusion 828 of the tip end side cylindrical member 802. The depth (radial dimension) of the circumferential recess 842 is substantially the same as the depth (radial dimension) of the first longitudinal groove 826, and is the same as or greater than the height (radial dimension) of the trapezoidal-shaped protrusion 828. The axial length of the circumferential recess 842 is substantially the same as the axial length of the trapezoidal-shaped protrusion 828.

[0115] On the inner peripheral surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806, in a region that expands toward the base end side from a position that is separated from the circumferential recess 842 by a prescribed distance toward the base end side, a recess or concave surface 844 is formed that has the same width in the circumferential direction as the circumferential recess 842, and has a length in the axial direction that is substantially the same as the axial length of the second protrusion 708 of the male lock portion 700. The depth (radial dimension) of the concave surface 844 is less than the depth (radial dimension) of the first longitudinal groove 826.

[0116] The circumferential recess 842 and the concave surface 844 are connected by the second longitudinal groove 826 that connects their circumferential end portions (upstream side end portions in the clockwise direction of the circumferential recess 842 and the concave surface 844 when viewed from the tip end side toward the base end side). A semicircular-shaped circumferential wall 848 is formed in a region surrounded by the circumferential recess 842, the concave surface 844, and the second longitudinal groove 826. The axial length or width of the circumferential wall 848 is equal to the axial length of the gap 709 between the protrusion and the ridge of the male lock portion 700. The depth of the concave surface 844 and the second longitudinal groove 826 is the same, and is less than the height of the protrusion 708 and the depth (both radial dimensions) of the first longitudinal groove 826.

[0117] On the outer peripheral surface of the base end side cylindrical member 806, three protrusions 850 are fixed that are arranged at a prescribed interval in the circumferential direction. Through holes 852 are formed in each protrusion 850 in the direction of the central axis 818. In a state in which the tip end side cylindrical member 802, the base end side fixing member 804, and the base end side cylindrical member 806 are combined, the connecting pins 836 of the base end side fixing member 804 are inserted through each through hole 852. The tip end portions of the connecting pins 836 are inserted into the connecting holes (not shown) of the protrusions 830. In addition, springs 854 are arranged on each connecting pin 836, and as shown in FIG. 8, the base end side cylindrical member 806 is urged toward a position in which the base end side fixing member 804 is moved to the most tip end side with respect to the base end side fixing member 804. Figure 7

[0118] ​The positions of the linking hole of the protrusion 830 and the through hole 852 of the protrusion 850 are determined so that, in a state in which the tip-side cylindrical member 802, the base-end-side fixing member 804, and the base-end-side cylindrical member 806 are combined, the tip face of the base-end-side cylindrical member 806 abuts against the base-end face of the annular protrusion 824 by the force of the spring 854, the first longitudinal groove 826 of the tip-side cylindrical member 802 and the second longitudinal groove 826 of the base-end-side cylindrical member 806 are aligned with the central axis direction, and the trapezoidal protrusion 828 is received in the circumferential recess 842. As described above, since the circumferential length of the circumferential recess 842 is longer than the circumferential length of the trapezoidal protrusion 828 of the tip-side cylindrical member 802, a space (protrusion receiving chamber) 856 of a prescribed length is formed in the circumferential direction on the opposite side of the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846 from the trapezoidal protrusion 828 in the combined state.

[0119] A rib 857 that protrudes to the radially outer side is provided on the outer peripheral face of the base-end-side cylindrical member 806 at a position that is more toward the base end than the protrusion 850. This rib 857 extends in the direction of the shaft 818, and is spaced apart by a certain interval with respect to the base-end-side fixing member 804 in a manner in which the distance between the base end of the rib 857 and the base-end-side fixing member 804 is greater than the diameter of the first protrusion 704.

[0120] The female locking portion 800 configured in this way is fixed to the linear moving portion 228 using a proper linking member such as a bolt in a state in which the base-end-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600 is received inside the base-end-side cylindrical member 806. In this state, the base-end-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600 is linked to the rotating portion 238 of the linear moving portion 228, and can rotate together with the rotation of the rotating portion 238.

[0121] In the above structure, in the case in which the optical probe 300 is connected to the imaging portion 220, the base end of the male connecting portion 500 is made to oppose the female connecting portion 600. In this state, the male locking portion 700 on the optical probe 300 side opposes the female locking portion 800 of the linear moving portion 228, and the tip-side rotating cylinder portion 523 of the male connecting portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side opposes the base-end-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600.

[0122] From this state, the male connecting portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side is moved toward the female connecting portion 600. Thereby, in the locking mechanism 243, the base end of the second protrusion 708 of the male locking portion 700 comes into abutment with the end surface of the annular protruding portion 824 of the female locking portion 800. From this state, the male connecting portion 500 is rotated so that the second protrusion 708 coincides with the first longitudinal groove 826, and then the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 703 of the male locking portion 700 is pushed into the inner peripheral surface of the base end side cylindrical member 806 of the female locking portion 800. Thereby, in the locking mechanism 243, the second protrusion 708 enters the base end side concave surface 844 via the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846.

[0123] During the pushing-in of the male connecting portion 500, the inclined end surface 536 of the male connecting portion 500 comes into contact with the protrusion 618 of the female connecting portion 600. When the male connecting portion 500 is moved toward the female connecting portion 600 in this state, the protrusion 618 moves relatively along the inclined end surface 536, and thereby the end side rotating cylinder portion 523 receives a circumferential rotational force. The rotation of the end side rotating cylinder portion 523 ends at the time when the protrusion 618 reaches the deepest portion of the inclined end surface 536, and if the male connecting portion 500 is further moved toward the base end side from this state, the protrusion 618 enters the guide portion 534. In this state, the connector 532 is in a connectable state with respect to the adapter 610. In addition, in the locking mechanism 243, the end portion of the protrusion 708 is accommodated in the second longitudinal groove 826.

[0124] If the male connecting portion 500 is further pushed in toward the base end side, the first protrusion 704 of the locking mechanism 243 enters the axially deepest portion of the circumferential concave portion 842, and comes into contact with the radial wall (step) 858 (see FIG. 8) between the radial bottom of the base end side second longitudinal groove 826 and the radial bottom of the circumferential concave portion 842. Figure 7

[0125] Next, when the male connecting portion 500 is further pushed in toward the base end side against the force of the spring 854, the first protrusion 704 pushes the wall 858, and the base end side cylindrical member 806 retreats toward the base end side until the base end of the rib 857 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 comes into abutment with the base end of the inner side cylindrical portion 518. At this time, the connector 532 of the male connecting portion 500 comes into abutment with the adapter 610, and is urged toward the end side. By the urging of the connector 532 toward the end side, the end side rotating cylinder portion 523 moves to a retreated position where the end surface of the annular inner wall 524 comes into abutment with the base end of the inner side cylindrical portion 518.

[0126] At this time, the elastic member 530 contracts in accordance with the force received by the connector 532 from the adapter 610. Thereby, the excessive movement of the connector 532 toward the end side is prevented.

[0127] ​As described above, the connector 532 is urged toward the tip side in the state of abutting against the adapter 610, and thereby connected to the adapter 610.

[0128] Next, if the male connecting portion 500 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the state in which the first protrusion 704 is positioned between the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846 as viewed from the tip side toward the base end side, Figure 7 the first protrusion 704 passes between the trapezoidal protrusion 828 and the circumferential wall 848 opposite thereto, and reaches the circumferential end portion of the circumferential recess 842. Next, when the force applied to the male connecting portion 500 is released from this state, the base end side cylindrical member 806 and the first protrusion 704 are pushed back toward the tip side by the force of the spring 854. Thus, the first protrusion 704 is accommodated in the protrusion accommodating chamber 856, and the optical probe 300 is locked in the state of being connected to the rotating portion 238.

[0129] In the case of separating the optical probe 300 from the rotating portion 238, the male connecting portion 500 is pushed toward the base end side against the force of the spring 854, and the first protrusion 704 retreats the base end side cylindrical member 806 toward the base end side. Next, while maintaining this state, the male connecting portion 500 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction from the state in which the first protrusion 704 is positioned between the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846 as viewed from the tip side toward the base end side, Figure 7 the first protrusion 704 passes between the trapezoidal protrusion 828 and the circumferential wall 848 opposite thereto, and reaches the circumferential end portion of the circumferential recess 842. Next, when the force applied to the male connecting portion 500 is released from this state, the base end side cylindrical member 806 and the first protrusion 704 are pushed back toward the tip side by the force of the spring 854. Thus, the first protrusion 704 is accommodated in the protrusion accommodating chamber 856, and the optical probe 300 is locked in the state of being connected to the rotating portion 238.

[0130] When the male connecting portion 500 is moved toward the tip side from the state in which the first protrusion 704 is positioned between the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846, the guide portion 534 is moved toward the tip side, and in addition, the tip side rotating cylinder portion 523 is moved to the advanced position in which the base end face of the annular outer wall 528 abuts against the small diameter cylinder portion 522, and thereby the connector 532 is separated from the adapter 610. Furthermore, in the locking mechanism 243, the second protrusion 708 is moved toward the tip side from the base end side concave face 844 through the first longitudinal groove 826 and the second longitudinal groove 846. Finally, the male locking portion 700 is separated from the female locking portion 800, and the male connecting portion 500 is separated from the female connecting portion 600.

[0131] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0132] 238: driving portion (rotating portion)

[0133] 242: connecting mechanism

[0134] 243: locking mechanism

[0135] 300: optical probe

[0136] 500: male connecting portion

[0137] 512: central shaft

[0138] 523: end-side rotary cylindrical portion

[0139] 532: connector

[0140] 534: guide portion

[0141] 536: inclined end surface

[0142] 600: female connection portion

[0143] 610: adapter

[0144] 612: base-end-side rotary cylindrical portion

[0145] 616: central shaft

[0146] 618: protrusion

[0147] 700: male locking portion

[0148] 704: protrusion

[0149] 800: female locking portion

[0150] 802: end-side cylindrical member

[0151] 804: base-end-side fixed member

[0152] 806: base-end-side cylindrical member

[0153] 818: central shaft

[0154] 826: longitudinal groove

[0155] 828: protrusion

[0156] 842: circumferential recess

[0157] 854: spring

[0158] 856: space

[0159] 858: wall

[0160] It should be apparent that the foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of the application and should not be construed as limiting the application. Other variations and modifications of the application will occur to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the application. It is therefore understood that all such variations and modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the application are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism (243) for maintaining the connection between an optical probe (300) for an optical tomography apparatus and a drive unit (238) for rotating the optical probe (300), characterized in that: (a) The locking mechanism (243) includes a male locking part (700) and a female locking part (800) that cooperate with each other. The female locking part (800) is disposed on the end side of the driving part (238), and the male locking part (700) is disposed on the base end side of the optical probe (300). (b) The male locking portion (700) has at least one first protrusion (704) disposed on its outer peripheral surface; (c) The female locking part (800) includes: An end cylindrical component (802) is provided at the end of the female locking part (800). The end cylindrical component (802) is provided with a channel for the male locking part (700) to pass through, and a guide structure (828) that cooperates with the first protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the channel. A base end side fixing member (804) provided on the base end side of the female locking part (800) is fixed to the driving part (238) in such a way as to be opposite to the end side cylindrical member (802); A movable base-end cylindrical component (806) is located between the end-end cylindrical component (802) and the base-end fixed component (804), and the base-end cylindrical component (806) can move along the axial direction (818) of the female locking part (800); A spring (854) is used to apply a force to the base-end cylindrical member (806) to bring it closer to the end-end cylindrical member (802); The inner circumferential surface of the base end cylindrical component (806) is provided with a circumferential recess (842) that cooperates with the guide structure (828). When the base end cylindrical component (806) is subjected to force by the spring (854), the circumferential recess (842) forms a locking space (856) with the guide structure (828) that allows the first protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) to enter. (d) By inserting the male locking part (700) into the channel of the end cylindrical component (802) of the female locking part (800), the first protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) contacts the wall (858) of the circumferential recess (842), and after overcoming the force of the spring (854) to push the base cylindrical component (806) towards the base fixing component (804), the male locking part (700) is rotated so that the first protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) enters the locking space (856), thereby realizing the locking connection between the optical probe (300) and the driving part (238).

2. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end cylindrical component (802) is provided with a first longitudinal groove (826) to form a channel for the male locking part (700) to pass through.

3. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide structure (828) is constructed as a protrusion structure that protrudes towards the base end along the axial direction (818).

4. The locking mechanism (243) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The male locking part (700) further includes a second protrusion (708), which is axially spaced from the first protrusion (704); The inner circumferential surface of the base end side cylindrical component (806) of the female locking part (800) further includes: A concave surface (844) is located on the base end side of the circumferential recess (842) and is spaced apart from the circumferential recess (842); The second longitudinal groove (846) connects the circumferential recess (842) and the concave surface (844); The circumferential wall (848) is formed by the circumferential recess (842), the concave surface (844) and the second longitudinal groove (846); When the first protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) is in contact with the wall (858) of the circumferential recess (842), the second protrusion (708) enters the concave surface (844) through the second longitudinal groove (846). When the male locking part (700) rotates, the circumferential wall (848) enters between the first protrusion (704) and the second protrusion (708).

5. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first protrusion (704) is constructed as a cylindrical protrusion extending radially, and the second protrusion (708) is constructed as a strip-shaped protrusion extending axially.

6. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base-end side fixing component (804) is connected to the end-side cylindrical component (802) and the base-end side cylindrical component (806) via a connecting pin (836).

7. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connecting pin (836) passes sequentially through the pin holes on the base-side fixing member (804), the base-side cylindrical member (806), and the end-side cylindrical member (802); and the inner diameter of the pin hole of the base-side cylindrical member (806) is larger than the diameter of the connecting pin (836) to allow the base-side cylindrical member (806) to move relative to the connecting pin (836) along the axial direction (818).

8. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The spring (854) is sleeved on the connecting pin (836), with one end abutting against the base end side fixing member (804) and the other end abutting against the base end side cylindrical member (806).

9. The locking mechanism (243) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base-end cylindrical component (806) has ribs (857) extending along the axial direction (818) on its outer peripheral surface, which are used to limit the movement distance of the base-end cylindrical component (806) in the axial direction (818).

Images