Circumferential emission linear light conductor and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

To provide a circumferential emission linear light conductor with which it is possible to shorten the time required for manufacturing and increase productivity so as to reduce manufacturing cost, and a manufacturing method therefor.SOLUTION: A circumferential emission linear light conductor 3 comprises: an optical fiber 4 where an outer circumferential surface 41a of a core 41 is exposed from a clad 42 at a one longitudinal end; a light scattering member 5 where an accommodation hole 51 for accommodating the exposed section of the core 41 is formed; and a light permeable interposition resin 6 which is interposed between the outer circumferential surface 41a of the core 41 and an inner circumferential surface 51a of the accommodation hole 51. The light scattering member 5 includes a light permeable base 50 and a light scattering particle 500 for scattering light having entered the base 50. The light scattering particle 500 is dispersed and mixed to the base 50, and the light scattering member 5 is secured to the core 41 by the interposition resin 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide provided with an optical fiber and a light scattering member, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, catheter treatment has been performed in which an optical fiber catheter equipped with an optical fiber is inserted into a hollow organ such as the esophagus or intestine of the human body, or into a blood vessel or the heart, and the affected area is treated with light emitted from the core of the optical fiber. The present applicant has proposed a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide for use in such catheter treatment, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide described in Patent Document 1 includes an optical fiber in which the cladding has been removed to expose the core, and a light-scattering member in which light-scattering particles are dispersed and mixed in a light-transmitting substrate having a higher refractive index than the core, and the outer surface of the exposed core is covered with the light-scattering member. The light-scattering member is composed of multiple layers with different mixing ratios of light-scattering particles in the substrate to improve the uniformity of light intensity in the axial direction, and the multiple layers overlap at least partially in the radial direction of the core. This light-scattering member is formed by repeatedly preparing multiple types of liquid with different mixing ratios of light-scattering particles and applying and curing these liquids to the outer periphery of the core. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-158714 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the one described in Patent Document 1 can improve the uniformity of light intensity in the axial direction, there is still room for improvement in that the process of forming the light scattering member takes a long time. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide and a method for manufacturing the same that can shorten the time required for manufacturing, increase productivity, and thereby reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a peripherally emitting linear light guide comprising: an optical fiber in which the outer surface of the core is exposed from the cladding at one longitudinal end; a light-scattering member having a receiving hole formed therein to receive the core in the exposed portion; and a light-transmitting intervening resin interposed between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the receiving hole, wherein the light-scattering member has a light-transmitting base material and light-scattering particles that scatter light incident on the base material, the light-scattering particles being dispersed and mixed in the base material, and the light-scattering member being fixed to the core by the intervening resin.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned peripheral light-emitting linear light guide, which includes the steps of removing the cladding at one longitudinal end of the optical fiber to expose the outer surface of the core, forming the light-scattering member, and fixing the light-scattering member to the core with the intervening resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs by improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a treatment device using a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention as a catheter, together with a patient. [Figure 2]1 is a schematic diagram showing an end portion of a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide inserted into a patient's body. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one end of a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide. [Figure 4] 1(a) and 1(b) are cross-sectional views of a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide taken along a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of a receiving hole that receives a core. [Figure 5] 1A is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber processing step, FIG. 1B is an explanatory view showing an example of a light scattering member forming step, and FIG. 1C is an explanatory view showing an example of a fixing step. [Figure 6] 10(a) is a perspective view showing one end of a peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding body according to a second embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding body according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a treatment device using a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention as a catheter, together with a patient to be treated. The treatment device 1 has a main body 2 and a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3, and the distal end of the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 is inserted into the body of the patient P. The main body 2 has a light source 21 that emits laser light, and the laser light generated by the light source 21 is incident on the proximal end of the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3.

[0011] <Configuration of peripheral light-emitting linear light guide> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the end of the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 inserted into the body of a patient P. In FIG. 2, a part of a blood vessel P1 of the patient P is cut out to show the end of the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 inserted into the blood vessel P1. The laser light Lr scattered and emitted from the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 irradiates the treatment area P2, causing a reaction with a drug that has been previously contained in the treatment area P2. In this way, intravascular laser treatment is performed.

[0012] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view showing one end of the peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3. The peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3 includes an optical fiber 4 that guides laser light generated by the light source 21 to the treatment area P2, a glass light-scattering member 5 provided at one end of the optical fiber 4, a light-transmitting intervening resin 6 interposed between the optical fiber 4 and the light-scattering member 5, and a light-transmitting coating 71. The optical fiber 4 has a core 41, a clad 42, and a sheath 43. At one longitudinal end of the optical fiber 4, the outer peripheral surface 42a of the clad 42 is exposed from the sheath 43, and the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 is exposed from the clad 42. In FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the diameter of the optical fiber 4 and the thickness of the light-scattering member 5 are exaggerated for clarity. The coating 71 is not shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0013] The optical fiber 4 is a silica glass optical fiber in which the core 41 is made of silica glass and the cladding 42 is made of a polymer. The sheath 43 is made of a fluorine-based resin, more specifically, ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer), for example. The diameter D1 of the core 41 is, for example, 200 μm. The refractive index of the core 41 is higher than the refractive index of the cladding 42, and light propagating through the core 41 within the cladding 42 is totally reflected at the interface with the cladding 42.

[0014] The light-scattering member 5 has a receiving hole 51 formed therein to receive the portion of the core 41 exposed from the cladding 42. The light-scattering member 5 covers the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface 41a of the core 41 over a predetermined length range. The length L of the portion of the core 41 received in the receiving hole 51 of the light-scattering member 5 is, for example, 1 to 5 cm. A portion of the core 41 in the longitudinal direction forms an uncovered portion 410 that is not covered by either the cladding 42 or the light-scattering member 5. The covering body 71 covers the uncovered portion 410 and the light-scattering member 5 together with a portion of the cladding 42.

[0015] The intervening resin 6 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the accommodating hole 51, and the light scattering member 5 is fixed to the core 41 by the intervening resin 6. The refractive index of the intervening resin 6 is equal to or higher than the refractive index of the core 41, and light reflection at the interface between the core 41 and the intervening resin 6 is suppressed. The intervening resin 6 is made of, for example, a silicone resin.

[0016] The light-scattering member 5 scatters and radiates light that is emitted from the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 and transmitted through the intervening resin 6. The light-scattering member 5 has a light-transmitting substrate 50 and a large number of light-scattering particles 500 that scatter light that enters the substrate 50. The light-scattering particles 500 are dispersed and mixed at a constant ratio throughout the substrate 50. Here, "dispersed and mixed at a constant ratio" means that the light-scattering particles 500 are mixed so that they are evenly dispersed within the substrate 50, so that the distribution of the light-scattering particles 500 is not concentrated in one part of the substrate 50. In this embodiment, the substrate 50 is made of glass, and more specifically, is made of crystallized glass, for example. The refractive index of the substrate 50 is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the intervening resin 6.

[0017] The light scattering particles 500 are metal particles that reflect light incident on the light scattering member 5. In this embodiment, titanium oxide (TiO2) is used as the light scattering particles 500. However, the light scattering particles 500 are not limited to this, and aluminum oxide (alumina), or fine metal powder of silver, copper, iron, or an alloy thereof may also be used as the light scattering particles 500. Note that the light scattering particles 500 are so fine that they cannot be recognized by the naked eye, but the size of the light scattering particles 500 is exaggerated in FIG. 3(b).

[0018] In the present embodiment, light scattering member 5 is a bottomed cylinder integrally having cylindrical portion 52 with accommodating hole 51 formed in the center and bottom portion 53 that closes accommodating hole 51 at one axial end portion of light scattering member 5. The thickness of cylindrical portion 52 in the radial direction perpendicular to central axis C of accommodating hole 51 is thin on the uncoated portion 410 side of core 41 and becomes thicker towards the tip end of core 41.

[0019] 4(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C of the accommodation hole 51. FIG. 4(a) shows a cross section of the small diameter end 521 of the cylindrical portion 52, and FIG. 4(b) shows a cross section of the large diameter end 522 of the cylindrical portion 52.

[0020] The inner diameter D2 of the accommodating hole 51 is larger than the diameter D1 of the core 41, and the average value of the thickness T of the interposed resin 6 is half the difference between the inner diameter D2 of the accommodating hole 51 and the diameter D1 of the core 41. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 52 of the light-scattering member 5 gradually increases from the small diameter end 521 toward the large diameter end 522. The thickness T2 of the large diameter end 522 of the cylindrical portion 52 of the light-scattering member 5 is, for example, 1.5 to 5.0 times the thickness T1 of the small diameter end 521.

[0021] Due to the configuration of this light-scattering member 5, the amount of light-scattering particles 500 on the outer periphery of the core 41 is small near the small-diameter end 521 and gradually increases toward the large-diameter end 522. Therefore, there is a high proportion of light emitted from the core 41 near the small-diameter end 521 to the light-scattering member 5 through the intervening resin 6, which does not hit the light-scattering particles 500 but reaches the outer peripheral surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52 of the light-scattering member 5, is internally reflected, and enters the core 41 again through the intervening resin 6. This is because the light emitted from the light source 21, propagates through the core 41, is emitted from the core 41 to the light-scattering member 5 through the intervening resin 6, and reaches the outer peripheral surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52 without hitting the light-scattering particles 500, has a shallow angle of incidence with respect to the outer peripheral surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52, and is reflected.

[0022] On the other hand, near the large-diameter end 522, the amount of light scattering particles 500 is greater than that near the small-diameter end 521. Therefore, the light emitted from the core 41 through the interposed resin 6 to the light-scattering member 5 strikes the light-scattering particles 500 and is scattered, resulting in a high proportion of the light being emitted from the light-scattering member 5 without being internally reflected on the outer circumferential surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52. In other words, the proportion of the light reaching the outer circumferential surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52 in the light-scattering member 5 without striking the light-scattering particles 500 is low. In other words, in the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3 according to the present embodiment, the intensity of light inside the core 41 accommodated in the accommodation hole 51 of the light-scattering member 5 gradually weakens toward the tip end of the core 41, while the proportion of the light emitted from the core 41 that is emitted to the outside of the light-scattering member 5 gradually increases toward the tip end of the core 41. In other words, in the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3, the light intensity distribution in the axial direction of the light scattering member 5 is made uniform by balancing the light intensity inside the core 41 and the ease of radiation to the outside of the light scattering member 5.

[0023] Bottom portion 53 is formed in a disk shape continuous with large-diameter end portion 522 of cylindrical portion 52. In order to prevent the light emitted from end surface 53a of bottom portion 53 along the axial direction of light-scattering member 5 from adversely affecting the human body, end surface 53a of bottom portion 53 is desirably covered with a light-blocking material such as black resin.

[0024] <Method of manufacturing peripheral light-emitting linear light guide> 5(a) to 5(c), a manufacturing method of the peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding member 3 will be described. The manufacturing method of the peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding member 3 includes an optical fiber processing step of removing the sheath 43 and the cladding 42 at one longitudinal end of the optical fiber 4 to expose the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41, a light scattering member forming step of forming the light scattering member 5, and a fixing step of fixing the light scattering member 5 to the core 41 with the interposed resin 6.

[0025] 5(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the optical fiber processing step. In the optical fiber processing step, an optical fiber 4 having a core 41, a cladding 42, and a sheath 43 is prepared, the sheath 43 and the cladding 42 are removed over a predetermined length range to expose the outer circumferential surface 41a of the core 41, and a portion of the exposed core 41 is cut. The core 41 can be cut, for example, by using a cutting tool 81 to make a cut in a portion of the core 41 and breaking the core 41 at the cut location.

[0026] 5(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a light-scattering member forming step. The light-scattering member 5 can be formed by vertically arranging a mandrel 82 for forming the receiving hole 51, rotating the mandrel 82 around its central axis, supplying molten glass 501, in which light-scattering particles 500 have been dispersed and mixed, around the mandrel 82 to shape it, and then cooling and solidifying the molten glass 501. The diameter of the mandrel 82 is larger than the diameter of the core 41, and the receiving hole 51 is formed by removing the mandrel 82 after the molten glass 501 has solidified.

[0027] 5(c) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the fixing step. In the example shown in FIG. 5(c), liquid resin 60 that will become the intervening resin 6 is poured into the accommodation hole 51 of the light scattering member 5 that is arranged so that the bottom 53 is vertically downward, and in this state, the core 41 is inserted into the accommodation hole 51. When the core 41 is inserted into the accommodation hole 51, the liquid resin 60 spreads between the inner circumferential surface 51a of the accommodation hole 51 and the outer circumferential surface 41a of the core 41. Thereafter, the liquid resin 60 hardens inside the accommodation hole 51, thereby forming the intervening resin 6.

[0028] The fixing step is not limited to this, and for example, after inserting the core 41 into the accommodating hole 51, the liquid resin 60 may be poured into the gap between the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the accommodating hole 51. In this case, the liquid resin 60 can be spread throughout the gap between the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 and the inner peripheral surface 51a of the accommodating hole 51 by capillary action. Alternatively, the core 41 may be inserted into the accommodating hole 51 with the liquid resin 60 already attached to the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41.

[0029] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the first embodiment described above, unlike the conventional manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, for example, there is no need to repeatedly apply and harden multiple types of liquids containing different proportions of light scattering particles to the periphery of the core. This reduces the time required for manufacturing, increases productivity, and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, productivity can be improved and manufacturing time can be reduced by performing the light scattering member forming step in parallel with the optical fiber processing step or the fixing step, or by consecutively performing the fixing step of inserting and fixing the core 41 into multiple pre-formed light scattering members 5. Furthermore, the time during which the core 41 is exposed to air can be reduced, thereby preventing moisture in the air from adversely affecting the characteristics of the core 41.

[0030] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view showing one end of a peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding member 3A according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the peripheral surface light-emitting linear light-guiding member 3A.

[0031] The peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3A according to the second embodiment has, instead of the light-scattering member 5 of the peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3 according to the first embodiment, a light-scattering member 9 having a receiving hole 91 formed in the center thereof and a light-shielding member 72 covering the tip portion 411 of the core 41 protruding from the receiving hole 91 of the light-scattering member 9. That is, the peripheral surface-emitting linear light guide 3A has an optical fiber 4 having an outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 exposed from the cladding 42, a light-scattering member 9 having a receiving hole 91 formed therein for receiving the core 41 exposed from the cladding 42, a light-transmitting intervening resin 6 interposed between the outer peripheral surface 41a of the core 41 and the inner peripheral surface 91a of the receiving hole 91, a light-transmitting covering body 71 covering the uncoated portion 410 of the core 41, and a light-shielding member 72. Note that, in FIG. 6(a), as in FIG. 3(a) of the first embodiment, the covering body 71 is not shown.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the light scattering member 5 is cylindrical with a bottom, and has a cylindrical portion 52 and a bottom portion 53 integrally therewith. However, in the second embodiment, the light scattering member 9 does not have a portion corresponding to the bottom portion 53, and the light scattering member 9 is cylindrical as a whole. In other words, the entire light scattering member 9 is a cylindrical portion having an accommodating hole 91 penetrating through the center. The length L and diameter D1 of the core 41 of the portion accommodated in the accommodating hole 91 of the light scattering member 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The core 41 is inserted into the accommodating hole 91 of the light scattering member 9, and the tip portion 411 protrudes axially from the accommodating hole 91. Here, "inserted" means inserted so as to penetrate through.

[0033] Like the light-scattering member 5 of the first embodiment, the light-scattering member 9 has a light-transmitting substrate 90 and a large number of light-scattering particles 900 that scatter light incident on the substrate 90, and the light-scattering particles 900 are dispersed and mixed at a constant ratio throughout the substrate 90. The materials of the substrate 90 and the light-scattering particles 900 are the same as those of the substrate 50 and the light-scattering particles 500 of the first embodiment. The thickness of the light-scattering member 9 gradually increases from a small-diameter end 92 that is the end on the cladding 42 side toward a large-diameter end 93 on the tip 411 side of the core 41.

[0034] The light-shielding member 72 has a light-shielding property that absorbs light that propagates through the core 41 and is emitted from the tip surface 41b of the core 41, and reduces the intensity of light that is emitted from the circumferential light-emitting linear light guide 3A along the axial direction of the light-scattering member 9. The light-shielding member 72 is made of, for example, a black resin, and covers the tip surface 41b of the core 41, the outer circumferential surface 41a of the core 41 that protrudes from the accommodation hole 91 of the light-scattering member 9, and the tip surface 9a of the light-scattering member 9.

[0035] The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide 3A is manufactured by a manufacturing method including an optical fiber processing step similar to that of the first embodiment, a light-scattering member forming step of forming a glass light-scattering member 9, a fixing step of fixing the light-scattering member 9 to the core 41 with the interposing resin 6, and a light-shielding member forming step of forming a light-shielding member 72. In the light-scattering member forming step, as described with reference to FIG. 5(b) in the first embodiment, the light-scattering member 9 may be formed using, for example, a mandrel 82. Alternatively, the light-scattering member 9 may be formed by heating and stretching a glass base material with a hole drilled in advance. In this case, a tapered shape is formed by adjusting the stretching speed while flowing an inert gas through the hole in the glass base material to prevent the hole from collapsing, and the glass base material is then cut to a predetermined length, thereby enabling easy mass production of light-scattering members 9.

[0036] In the light-shielding member process, a liquid resin containing a black pigment such as carbon black is applied to the tip 411 of the core 41, and the liquid resin is cured in this state to form the light-shielding member 72.

[0037] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the light-shielding member 72, which reduces the intensity of light emitted from the circumferential light-emitting linear light guide 3A along the axial direction of the light-scattering member 9, can be fixed with high fixing strength to the light-scattering member 9 and the tip of the core 41, preventing strong light from irradiating unintended areas and improving safety for the human body. Furthermore, if the light-scattering member 9 is formed by heating and stretching a glass base material with holes drilled in advance, the light-scattering member 9 can be easily mass-produced.

[0038] (Summary of the embodiment) Next, the technical ideas grasped from the first and second embodiments explained above will be described using the reference numerals and symbols in the first and second embodiments. However, the reference numerals in the following description do not limit the components in the claims to the members and symbols specifically shown in the embodiments.

[0039] [1] An optical fiber (4) having an outer peripheral surface (41a) of a core (41) exposed from a clad (42) at one end in the longitudinal direction, a light scattering member (5, 9) having a receiving hole (51, 91) for receiving the exposed portion of the core (41), and a light-transmitting intervening resin (6) interposed between the outer peripheral surface (41a) of the core (41) and the inner peripheral surface (51a, 91a) of the receiving hole (51, 91). the light-scattering member (5, 9) has a light-transmitting base material (50, 90) and light-scattering particles (500, 900) that scatter light incident on the base material (50, 90), the light-scattering particles (500, 900) are dispersed and mixed in the base material (50, 90), and the light-scattering member (5, 9) is fixed to the core (41) by the intervening resin (6), in a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide (3, 3A).

[0040] [2] The peripheral surface light-emitting linear light guide (3, 3A) according to [1] above, wherein the light scattering member (5, 9) has a cylindrical portion (52) in the center of which the accommodating hole (51, 91) is formed, and the thickness of the cylindrical portion (52) increases toward the tip end of the core (41).

[0041] [3] The peripheral surface light-emitting linear light guide (3) described in [2] above, wherein the light scattering member (5) has a bottom portion (53) that closes the accommodation hole (51) at one end in the axial direction, integral with the cylindrical portion (52).

[0042] [4] The peripheral surface light-emitting linear light guide (3A) described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the core (41) is inserted into the accommodating hole (51) so that the tip portion (41) protrudes axially from the accommodating hole (51), and the tip portion (41) of the core (41) is covered with a light-shielding member (72).

[0043] [5] The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide (3, 3A) according to the above [1], wherein the light scattering member (5, 9) has a base material (50, 90) made of glass.

[0044] [6] The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide (3, 3A) according to [1] or [5] above, wherein the refractive index of the intervening resin (6) is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the core (41), and the refractive index of the base material (50, 90) of the light-scattering member (5, 9) is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the intervening resin (6).

[0045] [7] A method for manufacturing the peripheral surface light-emitting linear light guide (3, 3A) described in [1] above, comprising the steps of removing the cladding (42) at one longitudinal end of the optical fiber (4) to expose the outer peripheral surface (41a) of the core (41), forming the light scattering member (5, 9), and fixing the light scattering member (5, 9) to the core (41) with the intervening resin (6).

[0046] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 3, 3A...Circumferential light emitting linear light guide 4...Optical fiber 41...Core 411...Tip 41a...Outer surface 42...Cladding 5, 9... Light scattering member 50, 90... Base material 500, 900...light scattering particles 51, 91...receiving holes 51a, 91a...inner peripheral surface 52...cylindrical portion 53…Bottom 6…Intervening resin 72...Light-shielding member

Claims

1. an optical fiber having an outer circumferential surface of a core exposed from a clad at one end in a longitudinal direction; a light scattering member having a receiving hole formed therein for receiving the core in the exposed portion; and a light-transmitting intervening resin interposed between the outer circumferential surface of the core and the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole, the light scattering member has a light-transmitting base material and light scattering particles that scatter light incident on the base material, the light scattering particles being dispersed and mixed in the base material; the light scattering member is fixed to the core by the intervening resin; Peripheral light emitting linear light guide.

2. the light scattering member has a cylindrical portion with the receiving hole formed in the center thereof, and the thickness of the cylindrical portion increases toward the tip end of the core; The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 1 .

3. the light scattering member has a bottom portion that closes the accommodation hole at one end portion in the axial direction, the bottom portion being integral with the cylindrical portion; The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 2 .

4. the core is inserted into the receiving hole and has a tip end protruding from the receiving hole in the axial direction, the tip of the core is covered with a light-shielding member; The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The light scattering member has a base material made of glass. The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 1 .

6. the refractive index of the intervening resin is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the core, and the refractive index of the substrate of the light-scattering member is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the intervening resin; The peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 1 or 5.

7. A method for manufacturing the peripheral light-emitting linear light guide according to claim 1, The method comprises the steps of: removing the cladding at one end of the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction to expose an outer peripheral surface of the core; forming the light scattering member; and fixing the light scattering member to the core with the interposed resin. A method for manufacturing a peripheral light-emitting linear light guide.

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