A fluorescence detector

Abstract

This invention provides a fluorescence detector that records the number of times a fiber optic probe is used. An ID chip is embedded in the fiber optic probe, which can perform non-contact bidirectional data reading and writing with the host. When the fiber optic probe completes the baseline acquisition program, it indicates that the fiber optic probe has performed the intraoperative parathyroid gland identification process for a certain patient. At this time, the number of times the fiber optic probe is used is deducted once and written to the corresponding ID chip. The next time it is used, the host can read the remaining number of times the fiber optic probe is used, effectively avoiding the risk of parathyroid gland misidentification caused by the fiber optic probe being used beyond the allowed number of times.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a fluorescence detector that records the number of times a fiber optic probe is used. Background Technology

[0002] The parathyroid gland, an important endocrine gland regulating calcium balance in the human body, often presents challenges in localization and identification during neck surgery. While non-invasive identification technology based on autofluorescence detection shows promising application prospects, practical applications are hampered by the lifespan of the equipment and consumables used. During intraoperative parathyroid gland identification, a fluorescent fiber optic probe needs to be inserted into the surgical area and placed close to the tissue being measured. Fluorescence is emitted and received via an optical fiber at the probe's end face. Due to the high cost of fluorescent fiber optic probes, they are typically sterilized with ethylene oxide after surgery before reuse. During ethylene oxide sterilization, the probe undergoes -80 kPa vacuum pressure and 55°C / 6h temperature cycling stress. Since fluorescent fiber optic probes are usually armored with biocompatible flexible materials, repeated ethylene oxide sterilization causes irreversible cumulative plastic deformation of the probe's protective layer and attenuation of the fiber core's optical performance, leading to decreased detection sensitivity and incorrect parathyroid gland identification. Therefore, developing a fluorescence detector that records the number of times a fluorescence fiber optic probe is used, ensuring that the probe is used within the permissible number of uses, is of great significance for the safety and reliability of the intraoperative parathyroid gland identification process. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, in response to at least one of the above problems, this utility model provides a fluorescence detector.

[0004] This utility model is achieved using the following solution:

[0005] This utility model proposes a fluorescence detector, including an optical fiber assembly and a host. The first end of the optical fiber assembly is provided with an optical fiber probe, and the second end of the optical fiber assembly is detachably connected to the host. The second end of the optical fiber assembly is also provided with an ID chip. The host is provided with an ID chip sensing module. The ID chip is used to communicate with the ID chip sensing module and to store the usage data information of the optical fiber assembly.

[0006] In one embodiment, the second end of the optical fiber assembly is provided with a rotary fastening nut, and the host is provided with an optical fiber connection plug hole. The optical fiber connection plug hole is provided with a rotary fastening thread that matches the rotary fastening nut, thereby enabling the second end of the optical fiber assembly to be detachably connected to the host; the ID chip is embedded in the rotary fastening nut.

[0007] In one embodiment, the host is provided with a housing, and a mounting hole matching the optical fiber connection plug hole is provided on one side of the housing. The ID chip sensing module is located inside the housing, around the mounting hole.

[0008] In one embodiment, after the rotating fastening nut is rotated and fastened to the optical fiber connection plug hole, the distance between the ID chip and the ID chip sensing module is less than 1.5cm.

[0009] In one embodiment, the host computer further comprises an optical path module, a main control module, a spectral detection module, an infrared excitation source module, and a display module. The main control module is connected to the ID chip sensing module, the spectral detection module, the infrared excitation source module, and the display module, respectively. The optical path module is provided with an optical fiber connection socket. The optical path module is used to transmit the excitation light emitted by the infrared excitation source module to the optical fiber assembly, and to transmit the near-infrared autofluorescence collected by the optical fiber assembly to the spectral detection module.

[0010] In one embodiment, the display module is a human-computer interaction interface used to transmit and receive instruction signals to the main control module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the infrared excitation source module is connected to the optical path module via an optical fiber, and is used to emit 785±10nm infrared excitation light to the optical path module according to the instructions of the main control module; the spectral detection module is connected to the optical path module via an optical fiber, and receives the near-infrared autofluorescence signal transmitted from the optical path module, and transmits the spectral information of the detected near-infrared autofluorescence to the main control module.

[0012] In one embodiment, the ID chip is also used to store an independent identification code for the optical fiber assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fiber optic probe is a fluorescent fiber optic probe armored with a flexible stainless steel material, used to irradiate the tissue under test with near-infrared excitation light and collect the near-infrared autofluorescence excited by the tissue under test.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ID chip sensing module is equipped with a wireless radio frequency communicator for non-contact bidirectional data communication with the ID chip via wireless radio frequency communication.

[0015] The technical solution provided by this utility model has the following technical effects:

[0016] 1. This utility model provides a fluorescence detector that records the number of times a fiber optic probe is used. An ID chip is embedded within the fiber optic probe, enabling non-contact bidirectional data reading and writing with the host computer. Once the fiber optic probe completes its baseline acquisition program, it indicates that the probe has performed intraoperative parathyroid gland identification for a specific patient. At this point, one use of the fiber optic probe is deducted and written to the corresponding ID chip. The host computer can then read the remaining number of uses for the fiber optic probe during the next use, effectively avoiding the risk of incorrect parathyroid gland identification due to overuse of the probe.

[0017] 2. The fluorescence detector of this invention not only improves the reliability of fiber optic probe usage records, but also simplifies the operation process, enhances the user experience, and greatly ensures the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detector in identifying parathyroid glands during surgery. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Fig. 1 This is a perspective view of the fluorescence detector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Fig. 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal frame structure of the fluorescence detector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 3 This is an exploded view of the rotary fastening nut of this utility model embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention and are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments, and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. Components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0022] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] like Figs. 1-3 As shown, this utility model provides a fluorescence detector that can be used for the detection of parathyroid glands, including an optical fiber assembly 10 and a main unit 20.

[0024] The fiber optic assembly 10 is a confocal fiber used for dual-path transmission of near-infrared excitation light and near-infrared autofluorescence light. The first end of the fiber optic assembly 10 is equipped with a stainless steel flexible armored fluorescence fiber optic probe 11, used to irradiate the tissue under test with near-infrared excitation light and collect the near-infrared autofluorescence excited by the tissue. The second end of the fiber optic assembly 10 is equipped with a rotary fastening nut 12. The main unit 20 is equipped with a fiber optic connection insertion hole 28, which has a rotary fastening thread that matches the rotary fastening nut 12 of the fiber optic assembly 10, thus allowing the second end of the fiber optic assembly 10 to be detachably connected to the main unit 20.

[0025] An ID chip 13 is provided at the second end of the fiber optic assembly 10. In this embodiment, the ID chip 13 is embedded in the rotating fastening nut 12. The host 20 is provided with an ID chip sensing module 22. The ID chip sensing module 22 is provided with a wireless radio frequency communicator for non-contact bidirectional data communication with the ID chip 13 via wireless radio frequency communication, thereby the ID chip 13 is used to store usage data information of the fiber optic assembly 10. Each ID chip 13 is accompanied by storing a unique identification code for the fiber optic assembly, ensuring the uniqueness and identifiability of each fiber optic assembly 10.

[0026] The host 20 is equipped with an optical path module 21, an ID chip sensing module 22, a main control module 23, a spectrum detection module 24, an infrared excitation light source module 25, a display module 26, and a housing 27.

[0027] The optical path module 21 is provided with the aforementioned fiber optic connection socket 28. The fiber optic assembly 10 is connected to the optical path module 21 of the host 20 by rotating the fastening nut 12. The optical path module 21 is used to transmit the excitation light emitted by the infrared excitation source module 25 to the fiber optic assembly 10, and to transmit the near-infrared autofluorescence collected by the fiber optic assembly 10 to the spectral detection module 24.

[0028] The housing 27 has a mounting hole on one side that matches the fiber optic connection plug-in hole 28. The ID chip sensing module 22 is located inside the housing 27, around the mounting hole. The ID chip sensing module 22 is used to read the usage data in the ID chip 13 embedded in the rotating fastening nut 12, transmit the data to the main control module 23, and write the usage data of the fiber optic assembly 10 into the ID chip 13 according to the instructions of the main control module 23. The detection attenuation distance of the ID chip sensing module 22 is 1.5cm. After the rotating fastening nut 12 of the fiber optic assembly 10 is rotated and fastened to the fiber optic connection plug-in hole 28 of the optical path module 21, the distance between the ID chip 13 and the ID chip sensing module 22 is less than 1.5cm. This not only ensures good data transmission quality but also avoids other fiber optic assemblies placed outside the housing 27 from being falsely sensed, resulting in the deduction of usage counts even though they are not used, thus ensuring the accuracy of the actual usage count of the fiber optic assembly.

[0029] The infrared excitation source module 25 is connected to the optical path module 21 via optical fiber and is used to emit 785±10nm infrared excitation light to the optical path module 21 according to the instructions of the main control module 23.

[0030] The spectral detection module 24 is connected to the optical path module 21 via optical fiber, receives the near-infrared autofluorescence signal transmitted by the optical path module 21, and transmits the spectral information of the detected near-infrared autofluorescence to the main control module 23.

[0031] The main control module 23 is connected to the ID chip sensing module 22, the spectral detection module 24, the infrared excitation source module 25, and the display module 26, respectively, for receiving, processing, analyzing, and transmitting data, as well as controlling the connected modules. The main control module 23 reads the usage data of the fiber optic assembly 10 through the ID chip sensing module 22, including the number of uses and usage time, and transmits the current remaining usage count of the fiber optic assembly 10 to the display module 26. After confirming that the fiber optic assembly 10 has not exceeded the allowed number of uses, the main control module 23 controls the display module 26 to enter the benchmark acquisition interface and controls the spectral detection module 24 to start acquiring benchmark spectral data. After the benchmark acquisition is completed, one usage record of the fiber optic assembly 10 is automatically deducted, and the deducted usage data is updated and written to the ID chip 13. Then, the main control module 23 controls the spectral detection module 24 to acquire the fluorescence spectral data of the tissue under test, performs real-time analysis of the received spectral information, and transmits the detection information to the display module 26.

[0032] The display module 26 is a human-computer interaction interface used to transmit and receive command signals to the main control module 23.

[0033] Working principle:

[0034] First, the fiber optic assembly 10 is connected to the optical path module 21 via the rotating fastening nut 12. After the host is powered on, the ID chip sensing module 22 reads the usage data information of the fiber optic assembly 10 from the ID chip 13 embedded in the rotating fastening nut 12 and transmits it to the main control module 23. The main control module 23 transmits the current remaining number of uses of the fiber optic assembly 10 to the display module 26 and determines whether the fiber optic assembly 10 has exceeded the allowed number of uses based on the usage data. If the allowed number of uses has been exceeded, an alarm signal is issued to remind the operator to replace the fiber optic assembly 10. If the fiber optic assembly 10 has not exceeded the allowed number of uses, the main control module 23 controls the display module 26 to enter the reference acquisition interface. The operator places the fluorescent fiber optic probe 11 close to the reference tissue to be tested and clicks "start" on the display module 26 to begin acquisition. The main control module 23 controls the infrared excitation light source module 25 to emit infrared light, which is transmitted to the fiber optic assembly 10 through the optical path module 21. The fluorescent fiber optic probe 11 of the fiber optic assembly 10 irradiates the reference tissue to be tested with infrared excitation light. The reference tissue to be tested is excited to produce near-infrared autofluorescence under infrared excitation light. The fluorescence fiber optic probe 11 collects the fluorescence signal generated by the reference tissue and transmits it to the spectral detection module 24 through the optical path module 21. The spectral detection module 24 transmits the detected near-infrared autofluorescence spectral information to the main control module 23. The main control module 23 analyzes the received spectral information in real time and transmits the detection information to the display module 26. After the reference acquisition program is completed, the main control module 23 automatically deducts one use record of the fiber optic assembly 10 and updates the deducted usage data to the ID chip 13. The display module 26 then enters the detection interface. The remaining number of uses of the fiber optic probe can be read by the host computer the next time it is used, effectively avoiding the risk of parathyroid gland misidentification due to the fiber optic probe being used beyond its limit.

[0035] The fluorescence detector of this invention not only improves the reliability of fiber optic probe usage records, but also simplifies the operation process, enhances the user experience, and greatly ensures the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detector in identifying parathyroid glands during surgery.

[0036] In this embodiment, the use of a fluorescence detector for the detection of parathyroid glands is taken as an example, but it is not limited thereto; as those skilled in the art can anticipate, the fluorescence detector can also be used for the detection of other tissues or organs, such as the detection of liver tumor tissue.

[0037] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, and all such changes shall be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fluorescence detector, comprising an optical fiber assembly and a main unit, wherein a first end of the optical fiber assembly is provided with an optical fiber probe, and a second end of the optical fiber assembly is detachably connected to the main unit, characterized in that, The second end of the optical fiber assembly is also provided with an ID chip, and the host is provided with an ID chip sensing module. The ID chip is used to communicate with the ID chip sensing module and to store the usage data information of the optical fiber assembly.

2. The fluorescence detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second end of the optical fiber assembly is provided with a rotary fastening nut, and the host is provided with an optical fiber connection plug hole. The optical fiber connection plug hole is provided with a rotary fastening thread that matches the rotary fastening nut, thereby enabling the second end of the optical fiber assembly to be detachably connected to the host; the ID chip is embedded in the rotary fastening nut.

3. The fluorescence detector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The host is provided with a housing, and a mounting hole matching the optical fiber connection plug hole is provided on one side of the housing. The ID chip sensing module is located inside the housing, around the mounting hole.

4. The fluorescence detector according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the rotating fastening nut is rotated and fastened to the optical fiber connection plug hole, the distance between the ID chip and the ID chip sensing module is less than 1.5cm.

5. The fluorescence detector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The host also includes an optical path module, a main control module, a spectral detection module, an infrared excitation source module, and a display module. The main control module is connected to the ID chip sensing module, the spectral detection module, the infrared excitation source module, and the display module, respectively. The optical path module is provided with an optical fiber connection plug. The optical path module is used to transmit the excitation light emitted by the infrared excitation source module to the optical fiber assembly, and to transmit the near-infrared autofluorescence collected by the optical fiber assembly to the spectral detection module.

6. The fluorescence detector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display module is a human-computer interaction interface used to transmit and receive command signals to and from the main control module.

7. The fluorescence detector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The infrared excitation source module is connected to the optical path module via optical fiber and is used to emit 785±10nm infrared excitation light to the optical path module according to the instructions of the main control module; the spectral detection module is connected to the optical path module via optical fiber, and the spectral detection module receives the near-infrared autofluorescence signal transmitted from the optical path module and transmits the spectral information of the detected near-infrared autofluorescence to the main control module.

8. The fluorescence detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ID chip is also used to store the unique identification code of the optical fiber assembly.

9. The fluorescence detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fiber optic probe is a fluorescent fiber optic probe armored with a flexible stainless steel material, used to irradiate the tissue under test with near-infrared excitation light and collect the near-infrared autofluorescence excited by the tissue under test.

10. The fluorescence detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ID chip sensing module is equipped with a wireless radio frequency communicator for non-contact bidirectional data communication with the ID chip via wireless radio frequency communication.

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