Laser ablation system, coupling device and coupling method using device

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device of a laser ablation system. The coupling device comprises a lens, a polarization beam-splitting cube and a conduit interface seat, the catheter interface seat is used for being connected with a catheter connector at the near end of a catheter, and an optical fiber bundle is arranged in the catheter connector; a laser beam emitted by a laser of the laser ablation system sequentially passes through a lens and a polarization beam splitting cube and then is coupled into an optical fiber bundle; the polarization beam-splitting cube is connected with an energy detector; the lens is connected with the first motor, and the first motor drives the lens to do linear motion; and the signal control of the first motor, the laser and the energy detector is carried out by the controller. The invention also comprises a laser ablation system and a coupling method using the device. The system has the advantages of being adjustable in light spot and high in coupling efficiency, the lens is driven by the first motor to move, the focus position and the focus light spot are adjusted at the same time, and the coupling efficiency of the system is improved; and the conduit interface seat and the conduit connector which are of a modular structure are convenient to adapt to different optical fiber bundles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of laser catheter coupling, and in particular relates to a laser ablation system, a coupling device and a coupling method using the same. Background Art

[0002] The laser ablation system mainly consists of a host and a catheter. The laser in the host outputs laser energy, which is transmitted to the catheter through a coupling device in the host and then acts on the lesion. The diameters of laser catheters are 0.9mm, 1.4mm, 1.7mm, 2.0mm, 2.3mm, 2.5mm and other sizes. The existing technology uses a solution with non-adjustable light spot (such as CN221331427U, coupling device and laser treatment ablation system). The above-mentioned catheters of various sizes all use the same light spot for spatial light coupling, and the smallest 0.9mm and the largest 2.5mm catheters have different utilization areas of the light spot, resulting in significant differences in area share, resulting in significant differences in energy utilization, which in turn affects the coupling efficiency of the system. Therefore, these differences in size lead to differences in coupling efficiency. The best coupling efficiency in the existing technology is around 25%.

[0003] The existing technology uses a single-size output spot to match all sizes of laser ablation catheters. In this way, the coupling efficiency between large-diameter catheters and the laser ablation system is high, while the coupling efficiency between small-size laser ablation catheters and the laser ablation system is low, resulting in energy waste.

[0004] At the same time, the coupling efficiency of spatial light is often related to the processing accuracy of structural parts. This means that when transmitting laser light from the device to the laser catheter, energy loss will occur due to the matching accuracy. This requires higher laser power to compensate for the energy loss, increasing the tolerance requirements of the device, equipment costs and potential safety risks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the known technology, the present invention provides a laser ablation system, a coupling device and a coupling method using the device, which have the characteristics of adjustable light spot and high coupling efficiency.

[0006] The present invention includes the following technical solutions: a coupling device for a laser ablation system, comprising a lens, a polarization beam splitter cube, and a catheter interface seat; the catheter interface seat is used to connect to a catheter connector at the proximal end of a catheter, and an optical fiber bundle is provided in the catheter connector; a laser beam emitted by a laser of the laser ablation system passes through the lens and the polarization beam splitter cube in sequence and is coupled to the optical fiber bundle; the polarization beam splitter cube is connected to an energy detector; the lens is connected to a first motor, which drives the lens to perform linear motion; and signal control of the first motor, the catheter identification module, the laser, and the energy detector is all performed by a controller.

[0007] Furthermore, a catheter identification module is installed on the catheter interface seat, and an information storage module is provided in the catheter connector. The catheter identification module is controlled by a controller, and the controller obtains the default position information stored in the information storage module through the catheter identification module.

[0008] Furthermore, the catheter interface seat is fixedly installed, and the catheter connector and the catheter interface seat are detachably installed; different types of catheters correspond to catheter connectors with different lengths.

[0009] Furthermore, the catheter interface seat is connected to a second motor, and the second motor drives the catheter interface seat to perform linear motion.

[0010] Furthermore, the controller obtains the catheter information of the information storage module through the catheter identification module, and the identification method is RFID or other IC with storage function through wireless or wired identification, and the default position information is stored in the information storage module.

[0011] Furthermore, the coupling device is applicable to laser wavelengths including 266 nm, 308 nm, 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm.

[0012] Furthermore, the laser is a Nd:YAG laser or a XeCL gas laser.

[0013] Furthermore, the lens is a spherical lens or an aspherical lens.

[0014] Furthermore, the controller is a computer, or an embedded board with a system.

[0015] Furthermore, the first motor and the second motor may be servo motors or DC motors with reduction gearboxes.

[0016] A laser ablation system comprises a laser, a coupling device and a catheter. The coupling device is as described above; the catheter is connected to a catheter connector.

[0017] A coupling method, using the above-mentioned coupling device, includes the following steps: S1, connecting the catheter connector to the catheter interface seat; S2, driving the first motor to move the lens to the proximal limit position; S3, controlling the first motor to move the lens toward the distal end based on the energy value of the energy detector to adjust the lens position until the coupling efficiency reaches the standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged.

[0018] A coupling method, using the above-mentioned coupling device, includes the following steps: S1, connecting a catheter connector to a catheter interface socket with an identification function, and a controller obtaining default position information in an information storage module through a catheter identification module; S2, adjusting the lens position and / or coupling position according to the default position information; S3, continuing to adjust the lens position and / or coupling position based on the energy value of the energy detector until the coupling efficiency reaches a standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged.

[0019] Furthermore, S2 drives the first motor to move the lens to a default position; S3 uses an energy detector to detect the energy value at the distal end of the catheter, and the controller determines whether the coupling efficiency reaches a preset value. If so, the movement is stopped; if it is lower than the preset value, the first motor is driven to adjust the lens toward the distal end of the catheter. If the first motor runs to the maximum stroke and still cannot reach the preset coupling efficiency, the catheter is judged to be faulty.

[0020] Furthermore, when the catheter interface seat is installed with a second motor and can move under its drive, the S2 is to first adjust the position of the lens to a default position obtained from the information storage module, and then adjust the position of the catheter interface seat according to the coupling efficiency in step S3. When the coupling efficiency is less than a preset value, the catheter interface seat is moved toward the proximal end by the second motor; when the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value, the movement of the catheter interface seat is stopped. If the coupling efficiency still cannot reach the preset value after the second motor runs to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

[0021] Furthermore, when the catheter interface seat is installed with a second motor and can move under the drive of the second motor, the S2 is to adjust the position of the catheter interface seat to a default position obtained from the information storage module, and then adjust the position of the lens according to the coupling efficiency in S3. When the coupling efficiency is less than a preset value, the lens is moved toward the distal end by the first motor; when the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value, the lens movement is stopped. If the coupling efficiency still cannot reach the preset value after the first motor runs to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

[0022] The present invention has the following advantages and positive effects:

[0023] 1. The light emitted by the laser of the laser ablation system has a certain emission angle. The present invention adjusts the position of the lens by setting a first motor to drive the movement of the lens, thereby being able to simultaneously adjust the focal position and the focal spot, thereby achieving the effect of adjusting the incident light spot, thereby improving the coupling efficiency of the system.

[0024] 2. The laser ablation system includes a main unit and a catheter, and the catheter connector is connected to a coupling device in the main unit. The laser beam emitted by the laser in the main unit is narrowed by the lens of the coupling device. The narrowed beam enters the laser catheter to treat vascular lesions. The focal position of the narrowed beam is the point with the best optical performance. Placing the incident end of the laser catheter at the focal position of the beam and accurately matching the focal spot with the incident end can significantly improve the coupling efficiency of the system. The present invention uses a second motor to drive the catheter interface seat and the optical fiber bundle to move, or uses a method of replacing catheter connectors of different lengths to adjust the coupling position. Adjusting the size of the narrowed spot to a size that matches the laser catheter can further improve the coupling efficiency.

[0025] 3. The present invention adopts a modular structure of the catheter interface seat and the catheter connector. The catheter connector has a variety of specifications to adapt to the optical fiber bundles of different sizes (from different types of laser catheters). The present invention can adjust the coupling position and the incident light spot based on the size of the optical fiber bundle, thereby improving the system coupling efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 2;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of different types of laser ablation catheters;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber bundle;

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of re-adjusting the position of lens 5;

[0031] In the figure, 1-controller; 2-first motor; 3-energy detector; 4-second motor; 5-lens; 6-polarization splitter cube; 7-fiber bundle; 8-catheter interface seat; 9-catheter connector; 901-catheter connector No. 1; 902-catheter connector No. 2; 903-catheter connector No. 3;

[0032] 10-laser; 11-information storage module; 12-catheter identification module; 13-optical fiber; 14-gap;

[0033] 301-Focus; 302-Focus adjustment range. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to further disclose the content, features and effects of the present invention, the following examples are given and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like, indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this patent and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting this patent.

[0035] In the description of the following embodiments, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connected," and "set" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connection or set, detachable connection or set, or integral connection or set. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this patent based on specific circumstances.

[0036] Example 1: See attached Figure 1 、 Figure 3 A laser ablation system includes a laser 10, a coupling device, and a catheter. Laser 10 can be an Nd:YAG laser, a XeCL gas laser, or another type of laser; the present invention does not limit the specific laser type. The coupling device includes a lens 5, a polarization beam splitter cube 6, a catheter interface 8, and a first motor 2. Lens 5 can be either a spherical lens or an aspherical lens, as long as it can achieve spatial beam contraction; the present invention does not limit the specific lens type.

[0037] The catheter interface seat 8 is used to connect to the catheter connector 9 at the proximal end of the catheter. The catheter connector 9 is provided with an optical fiber bundle 7. The laser beam emitted by the laser 10 of the laser ablation system passes through a lens 5 and a polarization beam splitter cube 6, and is coupled into the optical fiber bundle 7 at an adjustable coupling position. The coupling position refers to the position where the proximal end of the optical fiber bundle 7 in the catheter connector 9 receives the incident light spot. The polarization beam splitter cube 6 is connected to the energy detector 3. The lens 5 is connected to the first motor 2, which drives the lens 5 to move linearly. Signal control of the first motor 2, laser 10, and energy detector 3 is all performed by a controller 1. The controller 1 controls the first motor 2 to drive the lens 5 to move, thereby adjusting the light spot coupled into the catheter.

[0038] Preferably, in order to achieve rapid adjustment, the lens 5 can be roughly adjusted to a predetermined position first, and then fine-tuned. The specific implementation method is that a catheter identification module 12 is installed on the catheter interface seat 8, and an information storage module 11 is provided in the catheter connector 9. The catheter identification module 12 is controlled by the controller 1. The catheter interface seat 8 is fixedly installed, and the catheter connector 9 and the catheter interface seat 8 are detachably installed. Specifically, different catheter connector lengths are set for catheters of different sizes, refer to Figure 3 After catheters of different sizes are connected to the catheter interface seat 8 through the connector 9, the coupling positions are different, that is, the coupling position is adjustable.

[0039] The controller 1 obtains catheter information from the information storage module 11 via the catheter identification module 12. This identification method is RFID or other ICs with storage capabilities, either wirelessly or wired. This application does not limit the specific identification method. The information storage module 11 stores default location information and may also store calibration information and other information. The controller 1 is a computer or an embedded system board.

[0040] The coupling device is suitable for laser wavelengths including 266nm, 308nm, 355nm, 532nm, 1064nm, etc. Figure 3 The No. 1 catheter connector 901 , the No. 2 catheter connector 902 and the No. 3 catheter connector 903 are examples of the length variations of the catheter connectors 9 corresponding to catheters of different sizes.

[0041] Example 2: See attached Figure 2 A coupling device for a laser ablation system is described. The catheter interface 8 is connected to a second motor 4, which drives the catheter interface 8 in linear motion to adjust the coupling position. A controller 1 controls the second motor 4. The first and second motors 2 and 4 can be servo motors or DC motors with reduction gears. In Example 2, the dimensions of the catheter connectors for different catheter types can be the same or different; the remaining structure is essentially the same as in Example 1.

[0042] Similarly, the controller can control the first motor and the second motor to move to positions matching the catheter. Preferably, in order to achieve rapid adjustment, coarse adjustment can be performed first and then fine adjustment, that is, coarse adjustment can be performed based on the identification information of the catheter first, and then fine adjustment can be performed based on the coupling efficiency. The specific adjustment method is as follows:

[0043] See attached Figure 1-4 The coupling method using the above device includes the following steps: S1, connecting the catheter connector 9 to the catheter interface seat 8; S2, moving the first motor to the proximal limit position; S3, moving the first motor toward the distal end based on the energy value change of the energy detector and adjusting the lens position until the coupling efficiency reaches the standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged, which is detailed below:

[0044] The above coupling method is to first move the first motor to the proximal limit position, and then move the first motor toward the distal end based on the results of the energy detector to gradually adjust the coupling efficiency to a preset value or determine that the catheter is damaged. In this method, the motor's movement stroke is long and the adjustment time is long. In order to achieve the adjustment of the coupling efficiency and ensure rapid adjustment, it can be further optimized as follows: Preferably, a catheter identification module 12 is installed on the catheter interface seat 8, and an information storage module 11 is provided in the catheter connector 9.

[0045] See attached Figure 1-4 The coupling method using the above-mentioned device includes the following steps: S1, connecting the catheter connector 9 to the catheter interface socket 8 with an identification function, and the controller 1 obtaining catheter information in the information storage module 11 through the catheter identification module 12; the catheter information includes default position information; S2, adjusting the lens position and / or coupling position according to the default position information; S3, continuing to adjust the lens position and / or coupling position based on the energy value of the energy detector 3 until the coupling efficiency reaches the standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged.

[0046] Specifically, the energy detector 3 receives the laser energy returned by the optical fiber bundle 7 through the polarization splitter cube 6 (the polarization splitter cube 6 will not cause parameter changes to the laser output from the lens 5, the polarization splitter cube 6 only performs 45-degree splitting on the laser reflected and returned by the optical fiber bundle 7 to the energy detector 3). During the position adjustment process, the controller 1 monitors the energy value changes in real time through the energy detector 3 to adjust the movement state of the lens 5 and / or the catheter interface seat 8.

[0047] Coupling efficiency is the ratio of the energy output from the distal end of the catheter to the energy output from lens 5. The catheter's output energy is measured from the energy returned by fiber bundle 7 and received by polarization beam splitter cube 6. The energy output from lens 5, i.e., the laser's output energy, is read by laser 10. Theoretically, the system's coupling efficiency is highest when the catheter's incident end is adjusted to the focal position and the size of the focal spot precisely matches that of the incident end. For the same laser system, although adjusting the lens position can simultaneously adjust both the focal spot position and size, due to inherent properties of the laser, including but not limited to the output spot shape, which can be square, circular, or elliptical, the adjustment range is insufficient to ensure that the coupled spot (the spot coupled into the near end of the fiber bundle) is exactly at the focal spot position and has the same size as the focal spot. Furthermore, since the laser is coupled into the fiber bundle 7, which is composed of a plurality of optical fibers 13 arranged in an array, there must be gaps 14 between the optical fibers 13. When the catheter's connecting end is connected to the coupling device, the fiber bundle 7 is suspended in the air, and the gaps between the outer fibers of the suspended fiber bundle 7 become larger. Furthermore, the overall shape of the fiber bundle 7 may also be square, circular, elliptical, or other irregular shapes. For these reasons, when considering both coupling efficiency and fiber utilization, the coupling efficiency cannot reach 100%. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively consider both the lens position and the coupling position to maximize the system's coupling efficiency.

[0048] Said S2, for the aforementioned embodiment 1, when the catheter interface seat 8 is fixedly installed, since different catheter types correspond to different catheter connector lengths, when a certain type of catheter is inserted, the system recognizes the default position information corresponding to the type of catheter, and then drives the first motor 2 to move the lens 5 to the default position (usually the default position is a position where the spot size is larger than the size of the optical fiber bundle 7 of the laser ablation catheter), refer to Figure 3 In step S3, after the lens is moved to the default position, the energy detector 3 is used to detect the output energy of the distal end of the catheter, and the controller determines whether the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value. If it reaches, the lens 5 is no longer moved; if it is lower than the preset value, the lens 5 is adjusted toward the distal end of the catheter, that is, toward Figure 5 The right area in S3 is adjusted, and the maximum adjustment area is the range between the default position and the focus, that is, the adjustment range 302, that is, the light spot is adjusted from large to small; when it is monitored that the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value, that is, the value of the energy detector 3 in S3 reaches the preset value of the output energy of the laser 10, the lens movement is stopped. If the first motor 2 in S3 runs to the maximum stroke and still cannot reach the preset coupling efficiency, it is determined that the catheter is faulty. Under normal circumstances, the movement stroke of the first motor 2 is lower than the adjustment range 302.

[0049] Meanwhile, the default position information may not be used. For the coupling method of Example 1, the lens 5 is first adjusted to the farthest end of the movement range, that is, the leftmost end of the focus adjustment range 302, and then gradually moved toward the focus position 301. The coupling efficiency is determined within the focus adjustment range 302. When the value 3 of the energy detector in S3 reaches the preset value of the output energy of the laser 10, the movement of the catheter interface seat 8 is stopped. If the first motor 2 in S3 still cannot reach the preset coupling efficiency after running to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

[0050] For the aforementioned embodiment 2, when the catheter interface seat 8 is connected to the second motor 4, according to the method of first adjusting the spot size and then adjusting the coupling position, the S2 is to adjust the position of the lens 5 to the default position obtained from the information storage module 11, and then in step S3, the position of the catheter interface seat 8 is adjusted according to the coupling efficiency. When the coupling efficiency is less than the preset value, the catheter interface seat 8 is moved toward the lens side by the second motor 4; when the value 3 of the energy detector in S3 reaches the preset value of the laser 10 output energy, the movement of the catheter interface seat 8 is stopped. If the second motor 4 in S3 runs to the maximum stroke and still cannot reach the preset coupling efficiency, it is determined that the catheter is faulty. The default position mentioned here mainly serves to speed up the focus matching process. The default position information refers to a position very close to the focus. Only a small range of adjustment of the second motor position is required to achieve energy matching, which greatly reduces the duration of the entire matching.

[0051] For the aforementioned embodiment 2, when the catheter interface seat 8 is able to move under the drive of the second motor 4, according to the method of first adjusting the coupling position and then adjusting the spot size, the position of the catheter interface seat 8 is adjusted to the default position obtained from the information storage module in S2, and then the lens 5 is adjusted from the position farthest from the catheter interface seat 8 to the near position by the first motor 2 in S3, that is, the first motor 2 is driven to drive the lens 5 to move toward the far end; when the value of the energy detector 3 in S3 reaches the preset value of the output energy of the laser 10, the movement of the first motor 2 is stopped. If the first motor 2 still cannot achieve the preset coupling efficiency after running to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

[0052] The preset value of the aforementioned coupling efficiency can be set based on actual needs, such as 50% or 80%.

[0053] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned specific embodiments. The aforementioned specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Persons skilled in the art, informed by the present invention, may devise various embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of protection of the claims. All such embodiments fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coupling device for a laser ablation system, characterized in that: The system comprises a lens, a polarization beam splitter cube, and a catheter interface seat; the catheter interface seat is used to connect to a catheter connector at the proximal end of the catheter, and an optical fiber bundle is provided in the catheter connector; the laser beam emitted by the laser of the laser ablation system passes through the lens and the polarization beam splitter cube in sequence and is coupled into the optical fiber bundle; the polarization beam splitter cube is connected to an energy detector; the lens is connected to a first motor, which drives the lens to perform linear motion; and the signals of the first motor, the laser, and the energy detector are all controlled by a controller.

2. The coupling device of a laser ablation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A catheter identification module is installed on the catheter interface seat, and an information storage module is provided in the catheter connector. The catheter identification module is controlled by a controller, and the controller obtains the default position information stored in the information storage module through the catheter identification module.

3. The coupling device of a laser ablation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The catheter interface seat is fixedly installed, and different types of catheters correspond to catheter connectors with different lengths and sizes.

4. The coupling device of a laser ablation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The catheter interface seat is connected to a second motor, and the second motor drives the catheter interface seat to perform linear motion.

5. A laser ablation system comprising a laser, a coupling device and a catheter, characterized in that: The coupling device is as described in any one of claims 1-4.

6. A coupling method, using the coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1, connect the catheter connector to the catheter interface seat; S2, drive the first motor to move the lens to the proximal limit position; S3, control the first motor to move the lens toward the distal end based on the energy value of the energy detector to adjust the lens position until the coupling efficiency reaches the standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged.

7. A coupling method, using the coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Connect the catheter connector to a catheter interface socket with an identification function, and the controller obtains the default position information in the information storage module through the catheter identification module; S2: Adjust the lens position and / or coupling position according to the default position information; S3: Continue to adjust the lens position and / or coupling position based on the energy value of the energy detector until the coupling efficiency meets the standard or the catheter is determined to be damaged.

8. A coupling method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the catheter interface seat is fixedly installed, S2 drives the first motor to move the lens to the default position; S3 uses the energy detector to detect the energy value at the distal end of the catheter, and the controller determines whether the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value. If so, the lens will not move further; If it is lower than the preset value, the first motor is driven to adjust the lens toward the distal end of the catheter. If the first motor runs to the maximum stroke and still cannot reach the preset coupling efficiency, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

9. A coupling method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the catheter interface seat is installed with a second motor and can move under its drive, the S2 is to first adjust the position of the lens to a default position obtained from the information storage module, and then adjust the position of the catheter interface seat according to the coupling efficiency in step S3. When the coupling efficiency is less than a preset value, the catheter interface seat is moved toward the proximal end by the second motor; when the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value, the movement of the catheter interface seat is stopped. If the coupling efficiency of the second motor still cannot reach the preset value after running to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

10. A coupling method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the catheter interface seat is installed with a second motor and can move under its drive, S2 is to adjust the position of the catheter interface seat to the default position obtained from the information storage module, and then adjust the position of the lens according to the coupling efficiency in S3. When the coupling efficiency is less than a preset value, the lens is moved toward the distal end by the first motor; when the coupling efficiency reaches the preset value, the lens movement is stopped. If the coupling efficiency of the first motor still cannot reach the preset value after running to the maximum stroke, it is determined that the catheter is faulty.

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