Optical probe and optical probe unit

Abstract

To provide an optical probe and an optical probe unit that can reliably secure an optical path with a subject while suppressing a load applied to the subject.SOLUTION: An optical probe 1A comprises: a light reflecting part 2 that has a reflecting surface 2a that reflects, along a second optical axis A2, light incident along a first optical axis A1; a housing 3 that accommodates the light reflecting part 2 so as to be slidable in an X-axis direction parallel to the first optical axis A1, and holds an end part 121a of an optical fiber 121 so as to be located on the first optical axis A1 and face the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction; a first energizing member 4 that energizes the light reflecting part 2 toward an X1 side in the X-axis direction in the housing 3; and an adjusting part 6 that adjusts a position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction by pressing the light reflecting part 2 toward an X2 side in the X-axis direction in the housing 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical probe and an optical probe unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a probe device used in a biological optical measurement device for measuring changes in local hemodynamics in a living body. The probe device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of probes including a light emitting probe and a light detecting probe, and a shell part that holds the plurality of probes. In each probe, the contact state of the fiber bundle end with the living body can be adjusted with the shell part attached to the living body. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, hair or the like from being caught between the living body and the fiber bundle end, and to ensure an optical path between the living body and the probe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-236963 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the probe device described in Patent Document 1, the contact state of the fiber bundle end with the living body is adjusted by adjusting the position of the fiber bundle end with respect to the living body, which may result in a greater load than expected being applied to the living body.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical probe and an optical probe unit that can reliably secure an optical path between the subject and the subject while suppressing the load acting on the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The optical probe of the present invention is [1] "an optical probe comprising: a light reflecting portion having a reflective surface that reflects light incident along one of a first optical axis and a second optical axis that intersect with each other, along the other of the first optical axis and the second optical axis; a housing that contains the light reflecting portion so that it can slide in a first direction parallel to the first optical axis, and that holds an end of an optical fiber so as to be located on the first optical axis and face the light reflecting portion in the first direction; a first biasing member that biases the light reflecting portion toward a first side in the first direction in the housing; and an adjustment portion that adjusts the position of the light reflecting portion in the first direction by pressing the light reflecting portion toward a second side in the housing opposite the first side in the first direction."

[0007] In the optical probe described in [1] above, the end of the optical fiber faces the light reflecting part on the first optical axis, and the subject faces the light reflecting part on the second optical axis. In this state, the first biasing member biases the light reflecting part that is slidable in the first direction to the first side in the first direction, and the adjustment part presses the light reflecting part that is slidable in the first direction to the second side in the first direction, thereby making it possible to adjust the position of the light reflecting part in the first direction. Therefore, for example, hair or the like can be prevented from being caught between the subject and the light reflecting part, and an optical path between the subject and the light reflecting part can be secured. Here, the sliding direction of the light reflecting part, the biasing direction by the first biasing member, and the pressing direction by the adjustment part are all the first direction parallel to the first optical axis and intersect with the direction parallel to the second optical axis in which the subject faces the light reflecting part, so that the load acting on the subject can be suppressed when adjusting the position of the light reflecting part in the first direction. As described above, according to the optical probe described in [1] above, it is possible to reliably secure an optical path between the subject and the subject while suppressing the load acting on the subject.

[0008] The optical probe of the present invention may be [2] "the optical probe according to [1] above, in which the light reflecting section has an inclined surface corresponding to the reflecting surface, the adjustment section includes a pressing member having a pressing surface in contact with the inclined surface, and the housing accommodates the pressing member so as to be slidable in a second direction parallel to the second optical axis." According to the optical probe according to [2], by utilizing the inclined surface of the light reflecting section corresponding to the reflecting surface to adjust the position of the light reflecting section in the first direction, the adjustment section can be easily and reliably operated from the side opposite the subject in the second direction.

[0009] The optical probe of the present invention may be [3] "the optical probe described in [2] above, in which the adjustment unit further includes a screw member attached to the housing so as to be capable of advancing and retracting along the second direction, one end of the screw member in the second direction being in contact with the pressing member, and the other end of the screw member in the second direction being exposed to the outside of the housing." According to the optical probe described in [3], by accessing the other end of the screw member in the second direction, it is possible to more easily and reliably operate the adjustment unit from the side opposite the subject in the second direction.

[0010] The optical probe of the present invention may be [4] "the optical probe according to the above [3], in which the pressing member has a recess in which the one end of the screw member is disposed." According to the optical probe according to [4], it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the one end of the screw member with respect to the pressing member, and to precisely adjust the position of the light reflecting portion in the first direction.

[0011] The optical probe of the present invention may be [5] "the optical probe according to any one of the above [2] to [4], wherein the light reflecting portion includes a light transmitting member and a metal layer disposed on a surface of the light transmitting member, and the reflecting surface is a surface of the metal layer facing the light transmitting member." According to the optical probe described in [5], light incident along one of the first optical axis and the second optical axis can be reliably reflected along the other of the first optical axis and the second optical axis.

[0012] The optical probe of the present invention may be [6] "the optical probe according to the above [5], in which the light reflecting portion further includes a protective layer disposed on a surface of the metal layer opposite to the light transmitting member, and the inclined surface is a surface of the protective layer opposite to the metal layer." According to the optical probe described in [6], the contact state between the inclined surface of the light reflecting portion and the pressing surface of the pressing member can be made to be in a desired state while suppressing wear of the metal layer.

[0013] The optical probe of the present invention may be [7] "the optical probe according to any one of the above [2] to [4], wherein the light reflecting section includes a light transmitting member, and the light transmitting member has the reflecting surface and the inclined surface as a single surface." According to the optical probe described in [7], it is possible to realize, with a simple configuration, reflection of light incident along one of the first optical axis and the second optical axis along the other of the first optical axis and the second optical axis.

[0014] The optical probe of the present invention may be [8] "the optical probe according to the above [7], in which the pressing surface is a rough surface." According to the optical probe according to [8], a sufficient refractive index difference can be ensured on the reflecting surface of the light transmitting member, so that light incident along one of the first optical axis and the second optical axis can be reliably reflected along the other of the first optical axis and the second optical axis.

[0015] The optical probe of the present invention may be [9] "the optical probe according to any one of the above [1] to [8], further comprising a second biasing member biasing the light reflecting portion toward the second side in the first direction in the housing." According to the optical probe described in [9], the light reflecting portion can be smoothly and stably slid to a position determined by the adjustment portion pressing the light reflecting portion toward the second side in the first direction.

[0016] The optical probe of the present invention may be

[10] "the optical probe described in [9] above, in which the biasing force of the first biasing member is greater than the biasing force of the second biasing member." According to the optical probe described in

[10] , the light reflecting portion can be slid more smoothly and more stably to a position determined by the adjustment portion pressing the light reflecting portion toward the second side in the first direction.

[0017] The optical probe of the present invention may be the optical probe described in [1] above, in which the adjustment section further includes a screw member attached to the housing so as to be movable forward and backward along the first direction, one end of the screw member in the first direction being in contact with the light reflecting section, and the other end of the screw member in the first direction being exposed to the outside of the housing. According to the optical probe described in

[11] , adjustment of the position of the light reflecting section in the first direction can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0018] The optical probe unit of the present invention is

[12] "an optical probe unit comprising: a plurality of optical probes, each of which is the optical probe described in [1] to

[11] above; and a holder that holds the plurality of optical probes."

[0019] According to the optical probe unit described in

[12] above, by using a plurality of optical probes as an optical probe for guiding light to be irradiated to a subject and an optical probe for guiding light emitted from the subject, it is possible to reliably secure an optical path between the subject and the plurality of optical probes while suppressing the load acting on the subject. As a result, it is possible to perform optical inspection of the subject with high accuracy. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical probe and an optical probe unit that can reliably ensure an optical path between the subject and the subject while suppressing the load acting on the subject. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an optical measurement device including an optical probe unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view of an optical probe included in the optical probe unit shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical probe taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical probe taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical probe taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. [Configuration of optical measurement device]

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the optical measurement device 100 includes an optical probe unit 10 and a device body 110. The optical measurement device 100 irradiates a predetermined portion of the subject S with light through the optical probe unit 10 attached to the subject S, and detects the light emitted from the predetermined portion of the subject S, thereby measuring the optical characteristics at the predetermined portion of the subject S. As an example, the optical measurement device 100 irradiates the deep brain with near-infrared light through the optical probe unit 10 attached to the head of a person who is the subject S, and detects the light emitted from the deep brain, thereby measuring the amount of attenuation or the amount of temporal diffusion of light in the deep brain, and measures the hemoglobin dynamics (e.g., oxygenated hemoglobin concentration, decarboxylated hemoglobin concentration, tissue oxygen saturation) in the deep brain based on the amount of attenuation or the amount of temporal diffusion. The subject S to which the optical probe unit 10 is attached may be a portion other than the human head, or may be a portion of a living body other than a human.

[0024] The optical probe unit 10 includes a pair of optical probes 1A and 1B and a holder 11. The optical probe 1A is a probe that emits light toward the subject S, and the optical probe 1B is a probe into which light is incident from the subject S. The holder 11 holds the pair of optical probes 1A and 1B. Specifically, the holder 11 holds the pair of optical probes 1A and 1B such that a predetermined distance is maintained between the pair of optical probes 1A and 1B and the light emission surface of the optical probe 1A and the light incidence surface of the optical probe 1B are in contact with the subject S. The holder 11 is, for example, a pad-like member having elasticity and flexibility.

[0025] The device main body 110 includes a light source unit 111, a light detection unit 112, an optical characteristic determination unit 113, a calculation unit 114, and a control unit 115. The light source unit 111 is optically connected to the optical probe 1A via an optical fiber 121. The light detection unit 112 is optically connected to the optical probe 1B via an optical fiber 122.

[0026] The light source unit 111 emits light to be irradiated onto a predetermined portion of the subject S. The light source unit 111 is composed of a light emitting element (e.g., a light emitting diode, a laser diode, etc.). The light emitted from the light source unit 111 is guided from the light source unit 111 to the optical probe 1A by the optical fiber 121, and is irradiated onto a predetermined portion of the subject S from the optical probe 1A.

[0027] The light detection unit 112 detects light emitted from a predetermined portion of the subject S. The light detection unit 112 is composed of a light detection element (for example, a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, an avalanche photodiode, a PIN photodiode, an MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter), etc.). The light emitted from the predetermined portion of the subject S is guided from the optical probe 1A to the light detection unit 112 by the optical fiber 122 and detected by the light detection unit 112.

[0028] The optical characteristic determination unit 113 determines optical characteristics at a predetermined site of the subject S based on the detection signal output from the light detection unit 112. The calculation unit 114 derives a measurement value at a predetermined site of the subject S based on the optical characteristic data output from the optical characteristic determination unit 113. The control unit 115 controls the light source unit 111, the light detection unit 112, the optical characteristic determination unit 113, and the calculation unit 114. As an example, in the optical measurement device 100, the optical characteristic determination unit 113 and the calculation unit 114 derive hemoglobin dynamics in the deep brain of the subject S. [Optical probe configuration]

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, each of the optical probes 1A and 1B includes a light reflecting section 2, a housing 3, a first biasing member 4, a second biasing member 5, and an adjustment section 6. The optical probe 1A emits light incident from the end 121a of the optical fiber 121 along the first optical axis A1 to the subject S along the second optical axis A2. The optical probe 1B emits light incident from the subject S along the second optical axis A2 to the end 122a of the optical fiber 122 along the first optical axis A1. Since the optical probe 1B has the same configuration as the optical probe 1A, the configuration of the optical probe 1A will be described below, and the configuration of the optical probe 1B will be omitted. In the following description, a first direction parallel to the first optical axis A1 will be referred to as the X-axis direction, a second direction parallel to the second optical axis A2 will be referred to as the Z-axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 will be referred to as the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the second optical axis A2 is perpendicular to the first optical axis A1, but it is sufficient that the second optical axis A2 intersects with the first optical axis A1.

[0030] The light reflecting section 2 includes a light transmitting member 21, a metal layer 22, and a protective layer 23. The light transmitting member 21 includes a support section 24, a reflecting section 25, and a pair of protrusions 26, 27. The reflecting section 25 is disposed on one side of the support section 24 in the Z-axis direction. The pair of protrusions 26, 27 are disposed on both sides of the support section 24 in the Y-axis direction. As an example, the support section 24, the reflecting section 25, and the pair of protrusions 26, 27 are integrally formed from a transparent resin.

[0031] The support portion 24 has a plurality of surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e. The surface 24a is a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction and faces one side in the X-axis direction. The surface 24b is a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction and faces the other side in the X-axis direction. The surface 24c is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and faces one side in the Y-axis direction. The surface 24d is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and faces the other side in the Y-axis direction. The surface 24e is a surface perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and is perpendicular to the second optical axis A2.

[0032] The reflecting portion 25 has a plurality of surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d. The surface 25a is a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction and perpendicular to the first optical axis A1. The surface 25b is a surface parallel to the Y-axis direction and where the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 intersect in terms of the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection. The surface 25c is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and faces one side in the Y-axis direction. The surface 25d is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and faces the other side in the Y-axis direction.

[0033] The protrusion 26 protrudes from the surface 24c of the support portion 24 with its height direction being the Y-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction. The protrusion 27 protrudes from the surface 24d of the support portion 24 with its height direction being the Y-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0034] The surface 24a of the support portion 24 and the surface 25a of the reflector 25 are located on the same plane. The surface 24c of the support portion 24 and the surface 25c of the reflector 25 are located on the same plane. The surface 24d of the support portion 24 and the surface 25d of the reflector 25 are located on the same plane.

[0035] The metal layer 22 is disposed on a surface 25b of the reflecting portion 25, which is the surface of the light transmitting member 21. In the light reflecting portion 2, the surface of the metal layer 22 on the light transmitting member 21 side is a reflecting surface 2a that reflects the light incident along the first optical axis A1 along the second optical axis A2. The material of the metal layer 22 is, for example, aluminum, silver, vanadium, or gold. The thickness of the metal layer 22 is, for example, 0.7 μm or more and 0.8 μm or less. In the optical probe 1B, the reflecting surface 2a reflects the light incident along the second optical axis A2 along the first optical axis A1.

[0036] The protective layer 23 is disposed on the surface of the metal layer 22 opposite to the light transmitting member 21. In the light reflecting section 2, the surface of the protective layer 23 opposite to the metal layer 22 is the inclined surface 2b corresponding to the reflecting surface 2a. The material of the protective layer 23 is, for example, silicon monoxide (SiO). The thickness of the protective layer 23 is, for example, 1 nm or more and 0.1 μm or less. Note that the inclined surface 2b corresponding to the reflecting surface 2a means that the inclined surface 2b faces the reflecting surface 2a via at least one layer, or that the inclined surface 2b is the same surface as the reflecting surface 2a.

[0037] The housing 3 includes a plurality of walls 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and a pair of claws 36, 37. The wall 31 is disposed on one side in the X-axis direction with respect to the space in the housing 3. The wall 31 has an inner surface 31a perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The wall 32 is disposed on the other side in the X-axis direction with respect to the space in the housing 3. The wall 32 has an inner surface 32a perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The wall 33 is disposed on one side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the space in the housing 3. The wall 33 has an inner surface 33a perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The wall 34 is disposed on the other side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the space in the housing 3. The wall 34 has an inner surface 34a perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The wall 35 is disposed on one side in the Z-axis direction with respect to the space in the housing 3. The wall 35 has an inner surface 35a perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The pair of claws 36, 37 face each other in the Y-axis direction. Each of the claws 36, 37 extends from the wall 31 to the side opposite the space within the housing 3. As an example, the walls 31, 33, 34, 35 and the pair of claws 36, 37 are integrally formed from black resin, and the wall 32 is formed separately from them from black resin.

[0038] A groove 33b is formed in the wall 33. The groove 33b opens to the inner surface 33a with the Y-axis direction as the depth direction, and extends in the X-axis direction. A groove 34b is formed in the wall 34. The groove 34b opens to the inner surface 34a with the Y-axis direction as the depth direction, and extends in the X-axis direction. The light reflecting part 2 is arranged in the housing 3 with the protrusion 26 arranged in the groove 33b and the protrusion 27 arranged in the groove 34b. The distance between the surface 24a of the support part 24 and the surface 24b of the support part 24 in the X-axis direction (i.e., the distance between the surface 25a of the reflecting part 25 and the surface 24b of the support part 24 in the X-axis direction) is smaller than the distance between the inner surface 31a of the wall part 31 and the inner surface 32a of the wall part 32 in the X-axis direction. The surface 24c of the support part 24 and the surface 25c of the reflecting part 25 are in contact with the inner surface 33a of the wall part 33. The surface 24d of the support portion 24 and the surface 25d of the reflecting portion 25 are in contact with the inner surface 34a of the wall portion 34. This allows the light reflecting portion 2 to slide in the X-axis direction within the housing 3. In other words, the housing 3 accommodates the light reflecting portion 2 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. Note that the end faces of the walls 31, 32, 33, and 34 opposite the wall portion 35 and the surface 24e of the support portion 24 are located on the same plane.

[0039] A through hole 31b is formed in the wall 31. The through hole 31b penetrates the wall 31 with the first optical axis A1 as the center line. The through hole 31b faces the surface 25a of the reflecting part 25 in the X-axis direction. The through hole 31b is located between the pair of claws 36, 37 when viewed from the X-axis direction. A part of the end 121a of the optical fiber 121 is disposed in the through hole 31b. As a result, the end 121a of the optical fiber 121 faces the light reflecting part 2 on the first optical axis A1. In this state, the end 121a of the optical fiber 121 is gripped by the pair of claws 36, 37. That is, the housing 3 holds the end 121a of the optical fiber 121 so as to be located on the first optical axis A1 and to face the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction.

[0040] A bottomed hole 31c is formed in the wall portion 31. The bottomed hole 31c opens to the inner surface 31a of the wall portion 31 with the depth direction being in the X-axis direction. The bottomed hole 31c faces the surface 24a of the support portion 24 in the X-axis direction. A first biasing member 4 is disposed between the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 31c and the surface 24a of the support portion 24. The first biasing member 4 is a coil spring disposed in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 31c and the surface 24a of the support portion 24.

[0041] A bottomed hole 32b is formed in the wall portion 32. The bottomed hole 32b opens to the inner surface 32a of the wall portion 32 with the depth direction being in the X-axis direction. The bottomed hole 32b faces the surface 24b of the support portion 24 in the X-axis direction. A second biasing member 5 is disposed between the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 32b and the surface 24b of the support portion 24. The second biasing member 5 is a coil spring disposed in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 32b and the surface 24b of the support portion 24.

[0042] The first biasing member 4 biases the light reflecting portion 2 toward the X1 side (first side) in the X-axis direction in the housing 3. The second biasing member 5 biases the light reflecting portion 2 toward the X2 side (second side opposite to the first side) in the X-axis direction in the housing 3. The biasing force of the first biasing member 4 is greater than the biasing force of the second biasing member 5.

[0043] The adjustment unit 6 adjusts the position of the light reflection unit 2 in the X-axis direction by pressing the light reflection unit 2 toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction in the housing 3. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 6 includes a pressing member 61 and a screw member 62.

[0044] The pressing member 61 has a pressing surface 61a. The pressing surface 61a is in contact with the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting portion 2. More specifically, the pressing surface 61a is a surface parallel to the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting portion 2, and is in surface contact with the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting portion 2. The pressing member 61 further has a plurality of surfaces 61b, 61c, 61d, and 61e. The surface 61b is a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and is in contact with the inner surface 32a of the wall portion 32. The surface 61c is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, and is in contact with the inner surface 33a of the wall portion 33. The surface 61d is a surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, and is in contact with the inner surface 34a of the wall portion 34. The surface 61e is a surface perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and faces the inner surface 35a of the wall portion 35. With these, the pressing member 61 is slidable in the Z-axis direction within the housing 3. That is, the housing 3 accommodates the pressing member 61 so as to be slidable in the Z-axis direction. As an example, the pressing member 61 is made of black resin.

[0045] A recess 61f is formed in the pressing member 61. The recess 61f opens on a surface 61e of the pressing member 61 with the Z-axis direction as the depth direction. A screw hole 35b is formed in the wall portion 35. The screw hole 35b penetrates the wall portion 35 along the Z-axis direction. The screw hole 35b faces the recess 61f in the Z-axis direction. The screw member 62 is screwed into the screw hole 35b and penetrates the wall portion 35 along the Z-axis direction. That is, the screw member 62 is attached to the housing 3 so as to be able to advance and retreat along the Z-axis direction. One end 62a of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction is disposed in the recess 61f and is in contact with the pressing member 61. The other end 62b of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction is exposed to the outside of the housing 3. The other end 62b of the screw member 62 is configured as a knob for rotation.

[0046] In the optical probe 1A configured as above, when the other end 62b of the screw member 62 is rotated forward and the screw member 62 is advanced from the state shown in Fig. 3 to the state shown in Fig. 5, the pressing force of the screw member 62 causes the pressing member 61 to slide to the opposite side from the wall portion 35, and the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting portion 2 is pressed by the pressing surface 61a of the pressing member 61, so that the light reflecting portion 2 slides toward the X2 side. On the other hand, when the other end 62b of the screw member 62 is rotated backward and the screw member 62 is retreated from the state shown in Fig. 5 to the state shown in Fig. 3, the light reflecting portion 2 slides toward the X1 side due to the biasing force obtained by subtracting the biasing force of the second biasing member 5 from the biasing force of the first biasing member 4, and the pressing surface 61a of the pressing member 61 is pressed by the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting portion 2, so that the pressing member 61 slides toward the wall portion 35 side. In this manner, in the optical probe 1A, the other end 62b of the screw member 62 is rotated to adjust the position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction (that is, the position of the second optical axis A2). [Action and Effects]

[0047] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the end 121a (122a) of the optical fiber 121 (122) faces the light reflecting part 2 on the first optical axis A1, and the subject S faces the light reflecting part 2 on the second optical axis A2. In this state, the first biasing member 4 biases the light reflecting part 2, which is slidable in the X-axis direction, toward the X1 side in the X-axis direction, and the adjustment part 6 presses the light reflecting part 2, which is slidable in the X-axis direction, toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction, thereby making it possible to adjust the position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, for example, hair or the like can be prevented from being caught between the subject S and the light reflecting part 2, and the optical path between the subject S and the light reflecting part 2 can be secured. Here, the sliding direction of the light reflecting part 2, the biasing direction by the first biasing member 4, and the pressing direction by the adjustment part 6 are all in the X-axis direction parallel to the first optical axis A1 and intersect with a direction parallel to the second optical axis A2 along which the subject S faces the light reflecting part 2, so that the load acting on the subject S can be suppressed when adjusting the position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction. As described above, according to the optical probe 1A (1B), it is possible to reliably secure an optical path between the subject S and the subject S while suppressing the load acting on the subject S.

[0048] In particular, when the subject S is an infant's head, the head is immature both functionally and structurally. In addition, in order to minimize fluctuations in respiratory and circulatory dynamics, it is required to minimize the total time that the optical probe unit 10 is in contact with the subject S. In response to this, the optical probe 1A (1B) can reliably secure an optical path between the subject S and the subject S while suppressing the load acting on the subject S, as described above.

[0049] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the light reflecting part 2 has an inclined surface 2b corresponding to the reflecting surface 2a, the adjustment part 6 includes a pressing member 61 having a pressing surface 61a in contact with the inclined surface 2b, and the housing 3 accommodates the pressing member 61 so as to be slidable in the Z-axis direction parallel to the second optical axis A2. As a result, by utilizing the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting part 2 corresponding to the reflecting surface 2a to adjust the position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction, the adjustment part 6 can be easily and reliably operated from the opposite side of the subject S in the Z-axis direction. In addition, since the adjustment part 6 can be operated at a position away from the subject S, it is possible to prevent the tool and hand operating the adjustment part 6 from coming into contact with the subject S.

[0050] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the adjustment unit 6 includes a screw member 62 attached to the housing 3 so as to be movable forward and backward along the Z-axis direction, one end 62a of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction contacts the pressing member 61, and the other end 62b of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction is exposed to the outside of the housing 3. This makes it possible to more easily and reliably operate the adjustment unit 6 from the opposite side to the subject S in the Z-axis direction by accessing the other end 62b of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction.

[0051] In the optical probe 1A (1B), a recess 61f in which one end 62a of the screw member 62 is disposed is formed in the pressing member 61. This makes it possible to suppress positional deviation of the one end 62a of the screw member 62 with respect to the pressing member 61 and to accurately adjust the position of the light reflecting part 2 in the X-axis direction.

[0052] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the light reflecting section 2 includes a metal layer 22 disposed on the surface of a light transmitting member 21, and the surface of the metal layer 22 facing the light transmitting member 21 serves as a reflecting surface 2a. This allows the light incident along one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 to be reliably reflected along the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

[0053] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the light reflecting section 2 includes a protective layer 23 disposed on the surface of the metal layer 22 opposite to the light transmitting member 21, and the surface of the protective layer 23 opposite to the metal layer 22 is an inclined surface 2b. This makes it possible to suppress wear of the metal layer 22 while keeping the contact state between the inclined surface 2b of the light reflecting section 2 and the pressing surface 61a of the pressing member 61 in a desired state.

[0054] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the second biasing member 5 biases the light reflecting part 2 toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction in the housing 3. This allows the light reflecting part 2 to slide smoothly and stably to a position determined by the adjustment part 6 pressing the light reflecting part 2 toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction.

[0055] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the biasing force of the first biasing member 4 is greater than the biasing force of the second biasing member 5. This allows the light reflecting part 2 to slide more smoothly and stably to the position determined by the adjustment part 6 pressing the light reflecting part 2 toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction.

[0056] In the optical probe 1A (1B), the light reflecting section 2 has a support section 24 and a reflecting section 25 aligned in the Z-axis direction, and the support section 24 is biased toward the X1 side in the X-axis direction by the first biasing member 4. The inclined surface 2b provided on the surface 25a of the reflecting section 25 is pressed toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction by the adjustment section 6. The reflecting surface 2a provided on the surface 25a of the reflecting section 25 guides light from one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 to the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously bias the light transmitting member 21 toward the X1 side and press it toward the X2 side, and guide light from one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 to the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

[0057] According to the optical probe unit 10, the optical probe 1A guides the light to be irradiated to the subject S, and the optical probe 1B guides the light emitted from the subject S, thereby making it possible to reliably secure an optical path between the subject S and the pair of optical probes 1A and 1B while suppressing the load acting on the subject S. As a result, optical inspection of the subject S can be performed with high accuracy. [Variations]

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the pressing member 61 is slidable in the Z-axis direction parallel to the second optical axis A2, but is not limited thereto. For example, the pressing member 61 may be slidable in a direction inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the second optical axis A2. Even in such a case, the light reflecting section 2 can slide in the X-axis direction by sliding the pressing member 61.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the inclined surface 2b faces the reflecting surface 2a via at least one layer, but this is not limited thereto. In the optical probe 1A (1B) of the first modified example, the light transmitting member 21 may have the reflecting surface 2a and the inclined surface 2b as the same surface. That is, in the light transmitting member 21, the inclined surface 2b may correspond to the reflecting surface 2a. For example, the light transmitting member 21 may be a prism, and the light incident along one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 may be refracted at the surface 25b of the reflecting portion 25 to be reflected along the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2. In addition, the light reflecting portion 2 may not have the metal layer 22 and the protective layer 23, and the pressing surface 61a of the pressing member 61 may press the light reflecting portion 2 toward the X2 side while being in surface contact with the surface 25b of the reflecting portion 25. According to the optical probe 1A (1B) of such a first modified example, it is possible to realize, with a simple configuration, the reflection of light incident along one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 along the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

[0060] In the optical probe 1A (1B) of the first modification, the pressing surface 61a of the adjustment unit 6 may be a rough surface. "The pressing surface 61a is a rough surface" means that the pressing surface 61a is a surface having a surface roughness of 20 μm or more. As an example, the pressing surface 61a may be a surface having an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of 25 μm or more, or may be a so-called roughly finished surface. When the pressing surface 61a is a rough surface, for example, when the pressing surface 61a contacts the surface 25b of the reflecting unit 25, the surface 25b includes an interface with air. According to such an optical probe 1A (1B) of the first modification, a sufficient refractive index difference can be secured on the surface 25b of the reflecting unit 25, so that the light incident along one of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 can be reliably reflected along the other of the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

[0061] In the above embodiment, it is sufficient that the adjustment unit 6 can adjust the position of the light reflecting unit 2 in the X-axis direction by pressing the light reflecting unit 2 toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction. For example, in the optical probe 1A (1B) of the second modified example, the screw member 62 may be movable forward and backward in the X-axis direction, and one end 62a of the screw member 62 may be in contact with the surface 61b of the pressing member 61. In the optical probe 1A (1B) of the second modified example, when the other end 62b of the screw member 62 is rotated forward and the screw member 62 is advanced, the pressing member 61 slides toward the X2 side due to the pressing force of the screw member 62, and the light reflecting unit 2 slides toward the X2 side, similar to the above embodiment. On the other hand, when the other end 62b of the screw member 62 is rotated backward and the screw member 62 is retreated, the pressing member 61 slides toward the X1 side in the X-axis direction, similar to the above embodiment.

[0062] Also, for example, in the optical probe 1A (1B) of the third modified example, the adjustment unit 6 may include only a screw member attached to the housing 3 so as to be movable forward and backward along the X-axis direction. In this case, the optical probe 1A (1B) may not have the second biasing member 5, and for example, the screw member may be attached to the wall portion 32. One end of the screw member in the X-axis direction may be in contact with the surface 24b of the support portion 24 of the light reflecting unit 2, and the other end of the screw member in the X-axis direction may be exposed to the outside of the housing 3. According to such an optical probe 1A (1B) of the third modified example, it is possible to adjust the position of the light reflecting unit 2 in the X-axis direction with a simple configuration.

[0063] In the optical probe 1A (1B) of the third modified example, when the other end of the screw member is rotated forward and the screw member is advanced toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction, the surface 24b of the support portion 24 is pressed by one end of the screw member due to the pressing force of the screw member, causing the light reflecting portion 2 to slide toward the X2 side. On the other hand, when the other end of the screw member is rotated backward and the screw member is retreated toward the X1 side in the X-axis direction, the biasing force of the first biasing member 4 causes the light reflecting portion 2 to slide toward the X1 side.

[0064] In the above embodiment and each modified example, it is only necessary that the position of the light reflecting portion 2 in the X-axis direction is adjustable, and therefore it is only necessary that the light reflecting portion 2 is pressed toward the X2 side in the X-axis direction by the adjustment portion 6 and is biased toward the X1 side in the X-axis direction by the first biasing member 4. Therefore, the optical probe 1A does not need to have the second biasing member 5.

[0065] In the above embodiment and each modified example, it is sufficient that one end 62a of the screw member 62 in the Z-axis direction is in contact with the pressing member 61. Therefore, the pressing member 61 does not need to be formed with the recess 61f.

[0066] In the above embodiment and each modified example, the screw member 62 may be any screw member that is attached to the housing 3 and can advance and retreat in a predetermined direction. For example, the screw member 62 may be a set screw.

[0067] In the above embodiment and each of the modified examples, the optical probe unit 10 has one each of the optical probe 1A and the optical probe 1B, but it is sufficient that the optical probe unit 10 has at least one optical probe 1A and at least one optical probe 1B.

[0068] In the optical probe unit 10, one of the pair of optical probes 1A, 1B may be disposed on a straight line including the first optical axis A1 of the other of the pair of optical probes 1A, 1B. In this case, by adjusting the position of the light reflecting part 2 in a direction parallel to the first optical axis A1 in the other optical probe, the distance between the second optical axis A2 of the optical probe 1A and the second optical axis A2 of the optical probe 1B can be adjusted according to the depth of the site whose optical characteristics are to be measured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1A, 1B...optical probe, 2...light reflecting portion, 2a...reflecting surface, 2b...inclined surface, 3...housing, 4...first biasing member, 5...second biasing member, 6...adjustment portion, 10...optical probe unit, 11...holder, 21...light-transmitting member, 22...metal layer, 23...protective layer, 61...pressing member, 61a...pressing surface, 61f...recess, 62...screw member, 62a...one end, 62b...other end, 121, 122...optical fiber, 121a, 122a...end, A1...first optical axis, A2...second optical axis.

Claims

1. a light reflecting portion having a reflecting surface that reflects light incident along one of a first optical axis and a second optical axis that intersect with each other along the other of the first optical axis and the second optical axis; a housing that accommodates the light reflecting portion so as to be slidable in a first direction parallel to the first optical axis, and that holds an end of an optical fiber so as to be positioned on the first optical axis and face the light reflecting portion in the first direction; a first biasing member biasing the light reflecting portion toward a first side in the first direction in the housing; an adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the light reflecting portion in the first direction by pressing the light reflecting portion against a second side of the housing opposite to the first side in the first direction.

2. The light reflecting portion has an inclined surface corresponding to the reflecting surface, the adjustment portion includes a pressing member having a pressing surface in contact with the inclined surface, The optical probe according to claim 1 , wherein the housing accommodates the pressing member so as to be slidable in a second direction parallel to the second optical axis.

3. the adjustment portion further includes a screw member attached to the housing so as to be movable forward and backward along the second direction, One end of the screw member in the second direction is in contact with the pressing member, The optical probe according to claim 2 , wherein the other end of the screw member in the second direction is exposed outside the housing.

4. The optical probe according to claim 3 , wherein the pressing member has a recess in which the one end of the screw member is disposed.

5. The light reflecting portion includes a light transmitting member and a metal layer disposed on a surface of the light transmitting member, The optical probe according to claim 2 , wherein the reflective surface is a surface of the metal layer facing the light transmitting member.

6. The light reflecting portion further includes a protective layer disposed on a surface of the metal layer opposite to the light transmitting member, The optical probe according to claim 5 , wherein the inclined surface is a surface of the protective layer opposite to the metal layer.

7. The light reflecting portion includes a light transmitting member, The optical probe according to claim 2 , wherein the light transmitting member has the reflecting surface and the inclined surface as a same surface.

8. The optical probe of claim 7 , wherein the pressing surface is a rough surface.

9. The optical probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a second biasing member biasing the light reflecting portion toward the second side in the first direction in the housing.

10. The optical probe of claim 9 , wherein the biasing force of the first biasing member is greater than the biasing force of the second biasing member.

11. the adjustment portion further includes a screw member attached to the housing so as to be movable forward and backward along the first direction, One end of the screw member in the first direction is in contact with the light reflecting portion, The optical probe according to claim 1 , wherein the other end of the screw member in the first direction is exposed outside the housing.

12. a plurality of optical probes, each of which is the optical probe of claim 1; a holder that holds the plurality of optical probes.

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