Near-infrared probe cooperatively used with transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment and near-infrared brain function imaging equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a near-infrared probe cooperatively used with transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment and near-infrared brain function imaging equipment. The near-infrared probe comprises a shell assembly, a light guide assembly and a reflecting piece. A containing cavity is formed in the shell assembly and comprises a first cavity body, a second cavity body and a third cavity body, and the extending direction of the first cavity body is different from the extending direction of the third cavity body. The light guide assembly comprises a first optical fiber and a first light guide part. The reflecting part is arranged in the second cavity and is used for transmitting near-infrared light emitted by the light emitting end of the first optical fiber to the light receiving end of the first light guide part, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is below 10mm. According to the structure, the near-infrared light emitted by the light emitting end of the first optical fiber can be transmitted to the light receiving end of the first light guide piece through reflection of the reflecting piece, and the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe can be reduced as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of near-infrared brain function imaging technology, and in particular to a near-infrared probe and near-infrared brain function imaging device used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. Background Art

[0002] Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a mature non-destructive testing technology that can continuously monitor brain activity by detecting the near-infrared spectrum absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and reduced hemoglobin (HHb) through a detector. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a biostimulation technology that uses a time-varying magnetic field to act on the cerebral cortex to generate induced currents that alter the action potentials of cortical neurons, thereby affecting brain metabolism and neural electrical activity. Currently, fNIRS devices and TMS devices can be used synergistically in the patient's brain, so that the detection results of the former can provide a reference for the target brain area of ​​the TMS device, and the effect of the magnetic stimulation program on the target brain area can also be tested.

[0003] However, to ensure the therapeutic effect of TMS, doctors usually hope that TMS can penetrate deep into the brain, but the magnetic field will attenuate when penetrating the skull and brain tissue. Therefore, when TMS is used in conjunction with fNIRS equipment, the magnetic field will be additionally attenuated by the near-infrared probe before reaching the skull. If the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is relatively thick, for example, about 1.5 cm, then the TMS stimulation depth will be further reduced, so that the TMS stimulation depth is reduced to 1 cm-3 cm, or even less than 1 cm, so that TMS cannot effectively act on the deep nuclei of the brain. However, mental illnesses such as depression and cognitive degeneration diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are closely related to deep brain nuclei, such as deep brain tissue related to the reward system, the hippocampus, and so on. Therefore, in the scenario where TMS is used in conjunction with fNIRS equipment, the stimulation effect of TMS will be greatly weakened due to the near-infrared probe. Utility Model Content

[0004] In response to the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art, the present application provides a near-infrared probe and a near-infrared brain functional imaging device for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. The near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber can be transmitted to the light-receiving end of the first light guide through reflection by the reflective element, which can reduce the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe as much as possible, thereby minimizing the interference caused by the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe when the near-infrared probe is used in conjunction with the transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. The near-infrared probe includes a shell assembly, a light guide assembly, and a reflector. A accommodating cavity is formed inside the shell assembly, and the accommodating cavity includes a first cavity, a second cavity, and a third cavity that are connected in sequence, and the extension direction of the first cavity is different from the extension direction of the third cavity. The light guide assembly includes an independent first optical fiber and a first light guide, the first optical fiber is arranged in the first cavity, and the first light guide is arranged in the third cavity. The reflector is arranged in the second cavity, and the reflector is used to transmit the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber to the light-receiving end of the first light guide, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 10 mm.

[0006] In some embodiments, the reflective element is tiltedly disposed in the second cavity, so that an angle is formed between the reflective surface of the reflective element and the axis of the first optical fiber and the axis of the first light guide.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first light guide is constructed as a second optical fiber, and a light guide portion is further provided in the third cavity. The light receiving end of the light guide portion is arranged corresponding to the reflective element, and the light emitting end of the light guide portion is arranged in contact with the light receiving end of the second optical fiber, so that the reflective element transmits the near-infrared light emitted from the light emitting end of the first optical fiber to the light receiving end of the second optical fiber via the light guide portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the outer contour size of the light receiving end of the light guide portion is larger than the outer contour size of the light emitting end of the light guide portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area, the reference reflection area is located in the second cavity, and the reflector is correspondingly arranged in the reference reflection area.

[0010] In some embodiments, the intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area, the reference reflection area is located in the second cavity, and the size of the reflector at least covers the size of the reference reflection area.

[0011] In some embodiments, a support body and / or a mounting groove is provided in the second cavity, the support body is used to support the reflector, and the mounting groove is used to install the reflector.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first optical fiber and / or the first light guide comprises a plurality of optical fiber bodies, each of which comprises a core and a cladding structure sleeved outside the core, and the outer surface of the optical fiber body does not have a coating layer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the shell assembly includes a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell cooperate to form the accommodating cavity, and the second shell is detachably connected to the first shell to rotate to cover or expose the accommodating cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first solidified inclusion wrapped around the first optical fiber is formed in the first cavity, and the first solidified inclusion is used to be formed in the first cavity by injection when the second shell is moved away from the first shell to expose the accommodating cavity; and / or a second solidified inclusion wrapped around the first light guide is formed in the third cavity, and the second solidified inclusion is used to be formed in the third cavity by injection when the second shell is moved away from the first shell to expose the accommodating cavity.

[0015] In some embodiments, an optical coupling enclosure is formed in the accommodating cavity and is wrapped around the first optical fiber, the reflective component, and the outside of the first light guide component.

[0016] In some embodiments, the shell assembly is formed with a protrusion or a flat portion at the light-emitting end of the first light guide member. The protrusion is arranged to correspond to the first type of brain area and is used to push aside the hair located around the near-infrared probe. The flat portion is arranged to correspond to the second type of brain area and is used to enable the near-infrared probe to directly contact the scalp.

[0017] In some embodiments, the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 6 mm.

[0018] The present application also provides a near-infrared brain function imaging device for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. The near-infrared brain function imaging device includes the aforementioned near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with the transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the embodiments of the present application is that: the present application can respectively accommodate the first optical fiber, the reflector and the first light guide through the first cavity, the second cavity and the third cavity inside the shell assembly, so that the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber can be transmitted to the light-receiving end of the first light guide through reflection of the reflector. The provision of the reflector can ensure light transmission while making the structure of the near-infrared probe more compact, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe can be less than 10 mm, thereby minimizing the interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe when the near-infrared probe and the transcranial magnetic stimulation device are used in conjunction, so that the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can be closer to the scalp to apply stimulation, so that the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can effectively act on the nuclei deep in the brain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The drawings illustrate various embodiments generally by way of example and not limitation, and together with the description and claims, serve to illustrate the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to like or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive of the embodiments of the present apparatus or method.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing assembly of the near-infrared probe according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the second housing is shown in an installed state;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a near-infrared probe according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the light guide portion is not shown;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a near-infrared probe according to an embodiment of the present application, showing a light guide portion;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a simplified structural diagram of the first optical fiber and the first light guide of the near-infrared probe according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing assembly of the near-infrared probe according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the second housing is shown in a disassembled state.

[0026] The components indicated by the reference numerals in the figures are:

[0027] 1. Shell assembly; 11. First shell; 12. Second shell; 13. Protrusion; 14. Flat portion; 2. Accommodating cavity; 21. First cavity; 22. Second cavity; 23. Third cavity; 3. First optical fiber; 4. First light guide; 5. Reflector; 6. Light guide; 7. Reference reflection area; 8. Sheath. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit the present application.

[0029] The terms "first", "second", and similar terms in the present application do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are only used to distinguish different parts. The terms "comprise", "contain", and similar terms mean that the elements before the terms encompass the elements listed after the terms, and do not exclude the possibility of also encompassing other elements. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and the like only denote relative positional relationships, which can change accordingly when the absolute positions of the described objects change.

[0030] In the present application, when it is described that a specific device is located between a first device and a second device, there can be an intervening device between the specific device and the first device or the second device, or there can be no intervening device. When it is described that a specific device is connected to other devices, the specific device can be directly connected to the other devices without an intervening device, or can not be directly connected to the other devices with an intervening device.

[0031] All terms used in the present application, including technical terms or scientific terms, have the same meanings as understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or extremely formalized sense, unless otherwise explicitly defined herein.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail, but should be considered as part of the specification where appropriate.

[0033] The embodiments of the present application provide a near-infrared probe used in cooperation with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. As shown in Figures 1 to 2 The near-infrared probe includes a shell assembly 1, a light guide assembly, and a reflector 5. As shown in Figure 1 The shell assembly 1 has an accommodation cavity 2 formed inside, and the accommodation cavity 2 includes a first cavity 21, a second cavity 22, and a third cavity 23 that are sequentially communicated, and the extension direction of the first cavity 21 is different from the extension direction of the third cavity 23. As shown in Figure 2 The light guide assembly includes a first optical fiber 3 and a first light guide 4 that are independent of each other, the first optical fiber 3 is arranged in the first cavity 21, and the first light guide 4 is arranged in the third cavity 23. The reflector 5 is arranged in the second cavity 22, and the reflector 5 is used to transmit the near-infrared light emitted by the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 to the light-receiving end of the first light guide 4, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 10 mm.

[0034] The housing assembly 1 can be integrally formed or comprise multiple housings, which are assembled together. This application does not impose any specific restrictions on this, as long as it facilitates the assembly of the light guide assembly. The following description will be specifically described using the housing assembly 1 comprising the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 as an example, and will not be elaborated here.

[0035] The above-mentioned accommodating cavity 2 can be understood as a through cavity. The accommodating cavity 2 can have a cavity entrance and a cavity exit. The cavity entrance and the cavity exit are connected. The cavity entrance is located on the side of the first cavity 21 away from the second cavity 22, and the cavity exit is located on the side of the third cavity 23 away from the second cavity 22. The first optical fiber 3 can extend into the first cavity 21 through the cavity entrance, and the first light guide 4 is arranged in the third cavity 23.

[0036] The fact that the extension direction of the first cavity 21 is different from the extension direction of the third cavity 23 can be understood as an angle formed between the extension direction of the first cavity 21 and the extension direction of the third cavity 23, and the value range of the angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the angle between the extension direction of the first cavity 21 and the extension direction of the third cavity 23 is 90 degrees, that is, the two are perpendicular to each other.

[0037] The second cavity 22 can be understood as a cavity with a bending angle to fully connect with the first cavity 21 and the third cavity 23 on both sides. The bending angle of the second cavity 22 can be understood as the angle between the length direction of the first cavity 21 and the length direction of the third cavity 23.

[0038] The first optical fiber 3 and the first light guide 4 are independent of each other, that is, there is no direct connection between the first optical fiber 3 and the first light guide 4. Specifically, the first light guide 4 can be an optical fiber or other light-guiding component, such as a light guide column. The first light guide 4 only needs to guide the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3.

[0039] The reflector 5 can be understood as an object capable of reflecting near-infrared light, such as a mirror, reflective sticker, or other object made of reflective material. The reflector 5 can also include multiple reflective components, such as a combination of multiple reflectors. This application does not limit the specific form of the reflector 5, as long as it can transmit the near-infrared light emitted by the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 to the light-receiving end of the first light guide 4.

[0040] When the near-infrared probe is used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, the active surface of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device is generally located on the side of the near-infrared probe away from the head, that is, the near-infrared probe is located between the head and the active surface of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device. Providing the reflector 5 can ensure light transmission while also making the structure of the near-infrared probe more compact and reducing the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe to less than 10 mm. This can effectively reduce the distance between the active surface of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device and the head, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device. The aforementioned active surface can be understood as the surface of the stimulation coil of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0041] The present application can respectively accommodate the first optical fiber 3, the reflector 5 and the first light guide 4 through the first cavity 21, the second cavity 22 and the third cavity 23 inside the shell assembly 1, so that the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 can be transmitted to the light-receiving end of the first light guide 4 through reflection by the reflector 5. By setting the reflector 5, the light transmission can be ensured while the structure of the near-infrared probe can be made more compact. The longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 10 mm, which can minimize the interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe when the near-infrared probe and the transcranial magnetic stimulation device are used in coordination, so that the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can be closer to the scalp to apply stimulation, so that the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can effectively act on the nuclei deep in the brain.

[0042] For example, the stimulation depth of the brain by a transcranial magnetic stimulation device using an 8-shaped coil is 2.5cm to 4cm. After the stimulation effect of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device is attenuated by the above-mentioned near-infrared probe, the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can still ensure that the stimulation depth is about 3cm, so as to ensure that the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can effectively act on the nuclei deep in the brain.

[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the reflector 5 is tilted in the second cavity 22 so that an angle is formed between the reflective surface of the reflector 5 and the axis of the first optical fiber 3 and the axis of the first light guide 4 .

[0044] In this way, the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 can be fully reflected by the tilted reflector 5, and more near-infrared light can be transmitted to the light-receiving end of the first light guide 4, making full use of the reflective ability of the reflector 5.

[0045] In some embodiments, the reflector 5 is plate-shaped, and its reflective surface is flat, so as to more stably reflect the near-infrared light.

[0046] In some other embodiments, the reflecting member 5 can also be disposed non-tilted in the second cavity 22. The reflecting member 5 can be vertically disposed in the second cavity 22, for example, the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 5 can be horizontal to the axis of the first light guide 4, at this time, in order to ensure that the reflecting member 5 can receive as much near-infrared light emitted by the first optical fiber 3 as possible, the first optical fiber 3 can be disposed inclined to the reflecting member 5, the first light guide 4 is disposed at the position corresponding to the light path after the reflection of the incident light, and is placed parallel to the reflecting member 5 to receive the reflected light.

[0047] In some embodiments, when the reflecting member 5 is placed in the second cavity 22, the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 5 has an angle with the axis of the first optical fiber 3, and the first light guide 4 can receive the near-infrared light emitted by the first optical fiber 3 reflected by the reflecting member 5, and the present application does not make specific limitations on the setting position, relative position relationship and the like of the first optical fiber 3, the first light guide 4 and the reflecting member 5.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3 The first light guide 4 is configured as a second optical fiber, and a light guide part 6 is further arranged in the third cavity 23, the light receiving end of the light guide part 6 corresponds to the reflecting member 5, and the light emitting end of the light guide part 6 is arranged in close contact with the light receiving end of the second optical fiber, so that the reflecting member 5 transmits the near-infrared light emitted by the light emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 to the light receiving end of the second optical fiber through the light guide part 6.

[0049] In this way, the light guide efficiency of the near-infrared light reflected by the reflecting member 5 and transmitted to the light receiving end of the second optical fiber can be increased through the light guide part 6, so that the near-infrared light can be collected by the light guide part 6 and then transmitted outward, achieving the purpose of reducing light loss.

[0050] The end of the light guide part 6 in close contact with the second optical fiber can be configured as a flat end to increase the close contact stability of the light guide part 6 and the light receiving end of the second optical fiber and increase the transmission efficiency of the near-infrared light.

[0051] The light receiving end of the light guide part 6 can be spaced apart from the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 5 or partially in close contact with the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 5, and the present application does not make specific limitations thereon, as long as the light guide part 6 can transmit more near-infrared light reflected by the reflecting member 5 to the second optical fiber.

[0052] The light guide part 6 can be made of materials with good light guide performance, preferably made of high-transmittance materials, including but not limited to optical resin, polycarbonate (PC) and the like.

[0053] In some other embodiments, the light guide part 6 can not be arranged in the third cavity 23, but the gap between the reflecting member 5 and the first light guide 4 can be used for light guide, so that the near-infrared light reflected by the reflecting member 5 can be transmitted to the light receiving end of the second optical fiber through the gap.

[0054] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, the outer contour size of the light receiving end of the light guide portion 6 is larger than the outer contour size of the light emitting end of the light guide portion 6 .

[0055] In this way, the light-receiving end of the light-guiding part 6 with a larger outer contour dimension can receive more near-infrared light reflected by the reflector 5, and the near-infrared light can be gathered to the light-emitting end with a smaller outer contour dimension through the structural dimension of the light-guiding part 6 itself, so that the light-guiding part 6 can guide more near-infrared light to the second optical fiber, further reducing light loss.

[0056] Optionally, the light guide portion 6 may be in a columnar, conical, truncated cone, rectangular parallelepiped, etc. Preferably, the light guide portion 6 may be in a truncated cone shape.

[0057] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber 3 extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide 4 extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area 7, which is located in the second cavity 22, and the reflector 5 is correspondingly arranged in the reference reflection area 7.

[0058] In this way, by arranging the reflector 5 correspondingly in the reference reflection area 7, the reflector 5 is facilitated to receive the near-infrared light emitted by the first optical fiber 3 and reflect the near-infrared light toward the first light guide 4, thereby minimizing the optical loss of the near-infrared light in the reflection and transmission paths.

[0059] The reflecting surface of the above-mentioned reflecting element 5 is completely located in the reference reflecting area 7, that is, the size of the reference reflecting area 7 is larger than the size of the reflecting surface of the reflecting element 5, and the reflecting surface of the reflecting element 5 can cover the local reference reflecting area 7. In this case, the reflecting element 5 can ensure that the size of the reflecting element 5 and its longitudinal height in the second cavity 22 are reduced as much as possible on the basis of transmitting near-infrared light, thereby achieving the purpose of further fully reducing the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe.

[0060] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber 3 extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide 4 extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area 7, and the reference reflection area 7 is located in the second cavity 22, and the size of the reflector 5 at least covers the size of the reference reflection area 7.

[0061] In this way, by setting the size of the reflector 5 to at least cover the size of the reference reflection area 7, it is possible to provide a margin for the scattering of the near-infrared light emitted by the reflector 5, thereby minimizing the optical loss in the reflection and transmission paths.

[0062] The size of the reflecting member 5 covering the size of the reference reflecting area 7 can be understood as the size of the reflecting member 5 being greater than the size of the reference reflecting area 7, and the reflecting member 5 can completely cover the reference reflecting area 7, so that the near-infrared light emitted by the first optical fiber 3 can be transmitted to the reflecting member 5 as much as possible, so that the reflecting member 5 can transmit more near-infrared light to the first light guide member 4.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2 , the relative positional relationship among the first optical fiber 3, the first light guide member 4 and the reflecting member 5 can be configured such that the near-infrared light emitted near the upper edge of the first optical fiber 3 can be transmitted to the inside of the right edge of the first light guide member 4 after being reflected by the reflecting member 5, and the near-infrared light emitted near the lower edge of the first optical fiber 3 can be transmitted to the inside of the left edge of the first light guide member 4 after being reflected by the reflecting member 5, thereby ensuring that the near-infrared light emitted by the first optical fiber 3 can be sufficiently transmitted to the first light guide member 4 to ensure that sufficient near-infrared light can enter the cerebral cortex to achieve effective detection.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first optical fiber 3 and / or the first light guide member 4 includes a plurality of optical fiber bodies, the optical fiber body includes a core and a cladding structure sleeved outside the core, and the outer surface of the optical fiber body does not have a coating layer.

[0065] In this way, the structure of the above-mentioned optical fiber body can make the size of the first optical fiber 3 and / or the first light guide member 4 thinner, further reducing the structural size of the near-infrared probe, so that the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can be closer to the scalp to apply a stimulating effect.

[0066] The radius of the above-mentioned optical fiber body ranges from 30μm to 50μm, and the core and the cladding structure of the optical fiber body have different refractive indexes to achieve total reflection of light at the interface.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the shell assembly 1 includes a first shell 11 and a second shell 12, the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 cooperate to form the accommodation cavity 2, and the second shell 12 is detachably connected to the first shell 11 to cover or expose the accommodation cavity 2.

[0068] In this way, the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 can realize the opening or closing of the accommodation cavity 2, which is convenient for opening the accommodation cavity 2 to operate the light guide assembly, such as threading and removing the light guide assembly, which can protect the light guide assembly as much as possible during the operation process, thereby prolonging the service life of the light guide assembly.

[0069] The above-mentioned second shell 12 has a mounted state of being mounted on the first shell 11, and also has a dismounted state of being detached from the first shell 11. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 ,Figures 1 to 3 The second shell 12 shown in FIG. 2 is in the mounted state, as shown in Figure 5 FIG. 1. Figure 5 The second shell 12 shown in FIG. 2 is in the dismounted state.

[0070] As shown in Figure 1 FIG. 1 and Figure 5 FIG. 2, the third cavity 23 can be formed by the first shell 11, and the first cavity 21 and the second cavity 22 can be formed by the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 in cooperation. After the second shell 12 is dismounted from the first shell 11, the first cavity 21 and the second cavity 22 can be exposed for operating the light guide assembly.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second shell 12 can be connected to the first shell 11 in a pivoted manner, and the covering or exposing of the accommodating cavity 2 can be achieved by rotating the second shell 12.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first cavity 21 is formed with a first cured wrapping body wrapped around the first optical fiber 3, and the first cured wrapping body is formed in the first cavity 21 in an injection manner when the second shell 12 is moved away from the first shell 11 to expose the accommodating cavity 2; and / or, the third cavity 23 is formed with a second cured wrapping body wrapped around the first light guide 4, and the second cured wrapping body is formed in the third cavity 23 in an injection manner when the second shell 12 is moved away from the first shell 11 to expose the accommodating cavity 2.

[0073] In this way, the light guide assembly can be stably and firmly fixed in the accommodating cavity 2 by the first cured wrapping body and / or the second cured wrapping body, which can not only ensure the structural strength of the light guide assembly, but also increase the setting stability of the light guide assembly, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the data collected by the near-infrared probe.

[0074] The first optical fiber 3 and the first light guide 4 can be fixed in the accommodating cavity 2 in a sequential order, such as first fixing the first optical fiber 3 and then fixing the first light guide 4, or first fixing the first light guide 4 and then fixing the first optical fiber 3. The following description takes fixing the first optical fiber 3 first as an example, but it should be noted that this can also be applied to fixing the first light guide 4 first. After the first optical fiber 3 is inserted into the first cavity 21, the first cavity 21 is turned downward and the first solidified inclusion is injected. After the first solidified inclusion is solidified, the first optical fiber 3 can be firmly confined in the first cavity 21 by the first solidified inclusion. This can minimize the overflow of the first solidified inclusion into the second cavity 22 accommodating the reflector. Subsequently, after the first light guide 4 is inserted into the third cavity 23, the third cavity 23 is turned downward and the second solidified inclusion is injected. After the second solidified inclusion is solidified, the first light guide 4 can be firmly confined in the third cavity 23 by the second solidified inclusion. This can minimize the overflow of the second solidified inclusion into the second cavity 22 accommodating the reflector.

[0075] The first and / or second solidified inclusions can be made of a material capable of transforming from a liquid or semi-liquid state to a solid state, such as an epoxy resin with high light transmittance, such as an aliphatic epoxy resin or an optical epoxy resin. In this way, the highly transmittant first and / or second solidified inclusions will not affect the reflective function of the reflector 5 after filling the accommodating cavity 2.

[0076] In some embodiments, a support body and / or a mounting groove are provided in the second cavity 22 . The support body is used to support the reflector 5 , and the mounting groove is used to install the reflector 5 .

[0077] In this way, the reflector 5 can be stably installed in the second cavity 22 through the above-mentioned support body and / or installation groove, thereby improving the installation stability of the reflector 5.

[0078] Moreover, for the above-mentioned scenario of injecting the first solidified inclusion and / or the second solidified inclusion into the accommodating cavity 2, the need to fix the reflector 5 by means of the first solidified inclusion and / or the second solidified inclusion can be avoided, and the purpose of fixing the reflector 5 can be achieved by using the above-mentioned support body and / or mounting groove, thereby avoiding the first solidified inclusion and / or the second solidified inclusion from contaminating the reflector 5 and affecting the reflective effect of the reflector 5.

[0079] In some embodiments, an optical coupling enclosure is formed in the accommodating cavity 2 and is wrapped around the first optical fiber 3 , the reflective component 5 and the first light guide component 4 .

[0080] In this way, while fixing the first optical fiber 3, the reflector 5 and the first light guide 4, the light transmission loss can be reduced by filling the accommodating cavity 2 with the optical coupling inclusion, thereby achieving the purpose of ensuring light transmission efficiency.

[0081] The optical coupling inclusion can be made of a material that can be transformed from a liquid or semi-liquid state to a solid state, so that the optical coupling inclusion can be formed in the accommodating cavity 2 by injection.

[0082] The optical coupling inclusion may be made of a viscoelastic material, so that the optical coupling inclusion can absorb the thermal expansion difference between the first optical fiber 3 and the first light guide 4 without introducing excessive stress or delamination.

[0083] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the housing assembly 1 is formed with a protrusion 13 or a flat portion 14 at the light-emitting end corresponding to the first light guide 4. The protrusion 13 is provided corresponding to the first type of brain area and is used to push aside the hair around the near-infrared probe. The flat portion 14 is provided corresponding to the second type of brain area and is used to allow the near-infrared probe to directly contact the scalp. Figure 1 The housing assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed with a flat portion 14 at the light emitting end of the first light guide member 4. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 The housing assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed with a protrusion 13 at the light emitting end corresponding to the first light guide 4 .

[0084] In this way, the protrusion 13 or the flat portion 14 formed at the light-emitting end of the first light guide 4 can be adapted to different types of brain areas, so that the near-infrared probe can be set specifically for different types of brain areas, thereby improving the setting flexibility of the near-infrared probe.

[0085] The first type of brain region mentioned above can be understood as the corresponding brain region with dense hair, such as the occipital region, left and right temporal lobe regions, etc. The second type of brain region can be understood as the corresponding brain region with sparse hair, such as the forehead region.

[0086] The protrusion 13 can be configured to be tapered to facilitate insertion of the protrusion 13 into the hair, thereby parting the hair around the near-infrared probe. The length of the protrusion 13 can be in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0087] The overall longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe using the flat portion 14 can be smaller than that of the near-infrared probe using the protruding portion 13, so as to minimize the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe for the brain area where the hair does not need to be parted.

[0088] The side of the flat portion 14 facing the head may be constructed as a flat surface or a curved surface, so that the flat portion 14 can better fit the head, thereby ensuring the fit between the near-infrared probe and the head.

[0089] In some embodiments, the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 6 mm, thereby minimizing interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe when the near-infrared probe is used in combination with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0090] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the near-infrared probe also includes a sheath 8, which is connected to the cavity entrance of the housing assembly 1 and is mounted outside the light guide assembly. In this way, the provision of the sheath 8 can better protect the portion of the light guide assembly located outside the housing assembly 1, thereby extending the service life of the light guide assembly.

[0091] Optionally, the sheath 8 can be connected to the housing assembly 1 in a detachable manner. In some other optional embodiments, the sheath 8 can be made of a material that can be deformed when heated, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The sheath 8 can expand when heated and be sheathed around the outside of the housing assembly 1, and shrink after natural cooling, so that the sheath 8 can be tightly sheathed around the outside of the housing assembly 1, thereby achieving a stable connection between the sheath 8 and the housing assembly 1.

[0092] The present application also provides a near-infrared brain function imaging device for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. The near-infrared brain function imaging device includes the aforementioned near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with the transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0093] The near-infrared brain functional imaging device using the above-mentioned near-infrared probe can respectively accommodate the first optical fiber 3, the reflector 5 and the first light guide 4 through the first cavity 21, the second cavity 22 and the third cavity 23 inside the shell assembly 1, so that the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber 3 can be transmitted to the light-receiving end of the first light guide 4 through the reflection of the reflector 5. By setting the reflector 5, the light transmission can be ensured while the structure of the near-infrared probe can be made more compact, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe can be less than 10 mm, thereby further reducing the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe, thereby minimizing the interference caused by the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe when the near-infrared probe and the transcranial magnetic stimulation device are used in conjunction, so that the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can be closer to the scalp to apply stimulation, so as to achieve the purpose that the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can effectively act on the nuclei deep in the brain.

[0094] For example, the stimulation depth of the brain by a transcranial magnetic stimulation device using an 8-shaped coil is 2.5cm to 4cm. After the stimulation effect of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device is attenuated by the above-mentioned near-infrared probe, the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can still ensure that the stimulation depth is about 3cm, so as to ensure that the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device can effectively act on the nuclei deep in the brain.

[0095] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described herein, the scope includes any and all embodiments based on the present application with equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., solutions that intersect various embodiments), adaptations, or changes. The elements in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0096] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more of their solutions) can be used in combination with each other. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art may use other embodiments when reading the above description. In addition, in the above-mentioned specific embodiments, various features can be grouped together to simplify the application. This should not be interpreted as an intention that a disclosed feature that is not required to be protected is necessary for any claim. On the contrary, the subject matter of the present application may be less than all the features of a specific disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims are incorporated into the specific embodiments as examples or embodiments, wherein each claim is independently a separate embodiment, and it is considered that these embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of this application should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which these claims are entitled.

[0097] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. The scope of protection of the present application is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present application within the essence and scope of protection of the present application, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions shall also be deemed to fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, characterized in that: include: A housing assembly having an accommodating cavity formed therein, the accommodating cavity including a first cavity, a second cavity, and a third cavity that are sequentially connected, wherein the first cavity and the third cavity extend in different directions; a light guide assembly comprising a first optical fiber and a first light guide member which are independent of each other, wherein the first optical fiber is disposed in the first cavity, and the first light guide member is disposed in the third cavity; A reflector is provided in the second cavity and is used to transmit the near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting end of the first optical fiber to the light-receiving end of the first light guide, so that the longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 10 mm.

2. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflective element is tiltedly arranged in the second cavity, so that an included angle is formed between the reflective surface of the reflective element and the axis of the first optical fiber and the axis of the first light guide element.

3. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first light guide is constructed as a second optical fiber, and a light guiding part is further provided in the third cavity. The light receiving end of the light guide is arranged corresponding to the reflective component, and the light emitting end of the light guide is fitted with the light receiving end of the second optical fiber so that the reflective component transmits the near-infrared light emitted from the light emitting end of the first optical fiber to the light receiving end of the second optical fiber via the light guiding part.

4. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer contour size of the light receiving end of the light guide portion is larger than the outer contour size of the light emitting end of the light guide portion.

5. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area, the reference reflection area is located in the second cavity, and the reflector is correspondingly arranged in the reference reflection area.

6. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The intersection area formed by the area where the first optical fiber extends along its length direction and the area where the first light guide extends along its length direction is constructed as a reference reflection area, and the reference reflection area is located in the second cavity. The size of the reflector at least covers the size of the reference reflection area.

7. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A support body and / or a mounting groove are provided in the second cavity. The support body is used to support the reflector, and the mounting groove is used to install the reflector.

8. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first optical fiber and / or the first light guide member includes a plurality of optical fiber bodies, each of which includes a core and a cladding structure sleeved outside the core, and the outer surface of the optical fiber body does not have a coating layer.

9. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing cooperate to form the accommodating cavity. The second housing is detachably connected to the first housing to rotate to cover or expose the accommodating cavity.

10. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: A first solidified inclusion wrapped around the first optical fiber is formed in the first cavity, and the first solidified inclusion is used to be formed in the first cavity by injection when the second housing is moved away from the first housing to expose the accommodating cavity; and / or, A second solidified inclusion wrapped around the first light guide member is formed in the third cavity. The second solidified inclusion is formed in the third cavity by injection when the second shell is moved away from the first shell to expose the accommodating cavity.

11. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: An optical coupling enclosure is formed in the accommodating cavity and is wrapped around the first optical fiber, the reflective component and the outer side of the first light guide component.

12. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The shell assembly is formed with a protrusion or a flat portion at the light-emitting end corresponding to the first light guide member. The protrusion is arranged corresponding to the first type of brain area and is used to push aside the hair located around the near-infrared probe. The flat portion is arranged corresponding to the second type of brain area and is used to enable the near-infrared probe to directly contact the scalp.

13. The near-infrared probe for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The longitudinal thickness of the near-infrared probe is less than 6 mm.

14. A near-infrared brain function imaging device used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, characterized in that: The device comprises a near-infrared probe according to any one of claims 1 to 13 used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

Images