medical devices
The medical device addresses wear and damage issues in ophthalmic examination devices by using a turret with a pressing member and inner positioning portions, ensuring durability and ease of operation while enabling varied light adjustments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022029482
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-02-28
AI Technical Summary
Conventional ophthalmic examination devices face issues with positioning recesses on rotary aperture plates that are prone to wear and damage, making operation difficult and affecting positioning accuracy.
A medical device with a rotary irradiation light adjustment unit featuring a turret with an annular portion and a pressing member that suppresses rotation, incorporating concave or convex positioning portions on the inner surface and multiple adjustment parts to enhance durability and ease of operation.
The solution reduces the risk of wear and damage to the positioning mechanism, improves operational feel, and allows for versatile light adjustments, including slit width and length, enhancing the device's functionality and usability.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device having a function of irradiating a subject with light. [Background technology]
[0002] Handheld examination devices have been used in the medical field for examining subjects such as humans and animals. Patent Document 1 discloses an examination device that can be held in one hand by an operator and irradiate a slit of light onto the subject's eye to examine the anterior segment. Furthermore, Patent Document 2, a Chinese publication, discloses a configuration in which the spot size of light from a light source is adjusted by using a rotary aperture plate provided with two or more aperture sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4136620 [Patent Document 2] CN-A-101627898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the conventional ophthalmic examination device shown in Patent Document 2, a positioning recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a rotary aperture plate, and positioning is achieved when a protrusion of a lead fits into this positioning recess. Since the positioning recess formed on the outer peripheral surface is a location that is constantly touched by the user and is exposed to the outside, there is a risk of it being worn or damaged by external factors. If the positioning recess becomes worn or damaged, the positioning effect may be lost. Furthermore, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the user to operate the positioning recess provided on the outer peripheral surface because it is difficult to transmit force even when placing a finger over the positioning recess to operate it.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a medical device equipped with a rotary irradiation light adjustment unit that is resistant to wear and damage and is easy for the user to operate. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The medical device according to the present invention comprises an illumination system for irradiating a subject with light, the illumination system comprising a light source and an illumination light adjustment unit for adjusting the illumination light from the light source, the illumination light adjustment unit comprising: a turret formed into a roughly cylindrical shape by a roughly circular flat portion having at least one adjustment portion for adjusting the illumination light by being superimposed on the optical axis of the light source, and an annular portion rising from the outer periphery of the flat portion, and configured to be rotatable about the axis of the cylinder; and a pressing member that elastically presses the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion outward to suppress rotation of the turret.
[0007] Furthermore, the medical device according to the present invention may be characterized in that the annular portion has at least one concave or convex positioning portion formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the pressing member has a configuration corresponding to the positioning portion so that when the turret rotates and reaches the positioning portion, the pressing force changes, thereby changing the operating sensation of the operator operating the outer peripheral surface of the turret.
[0008] Furthermore, the medical device according to the present invention may be characterized in that the planar portion of the irradiation light adjustment unit is provided with a plurality of different types of adjustment portions, and the positioning portion is formed so that the operating feel of the operator operating the outer peripheral surface of the turret changes at the position where each adjustment portion overlaps with the optical axis from the light source.
[0009] Furthermore, in the medical device according to the present invention, the irradiation system may include two of the irradiation light adjustment units, the planar portion of one of the irradiation light adjustment units having at least an adjustment portion as a slit length adjustment aperture consisting of an opening whose radial opening width gradually changes as it moves in the circumferential direction, and the planar portion of the other of the irradiation light adjustment units having a plurality of adjustment portions as slit width adjustment apertures consisting of rectangular openings each having a different radial opening width, and the slit width and slit length of the slit light as irradiation light can be adjusted by aligning the one of the irradiation light adjustment units with the other of the irradiation light adjustment units. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the present invention, the inner peripheral surface of the generally cylindrical turret is pressed outward by the elastic force of the pressing member to suppress rotation, thereby eliminating the need for any structure on the outer peripheral surface of the turret. Furthermore, since concave or convex positioning portions are formed on the inner peripheral surface, the possibility of the positioning mechanism being damaged by wear or breakage can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing multiple types of adjustment portions on the flat surface of the irradiation light adjustment unit, it is possible to perform various adjustments of the irradiation light. Furthermore, by combining two irradiation light adjustment units, for example, by adjusting the width and length of the slit light using different irradiation light adjustment units, it is possible to perform various adjustments of the slit width and length of the slit light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4]1 is an external view of a medical device 100 according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention when held by an operator in one hand. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an irradiation unit 10 portion in a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an irradiation light adjusting unit 13 portion in a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a turret in a medical instrument 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Hereinafter, an example of a medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The medical device according to this example is a device called a slit lamp, which irradiates a slit light onto an eye as a subject (hereinafter referred to as "examined eye") and examines the cornea, lens, etc. of the examined eye by observing the scattered light generated by scattering in the examined eye. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the medical device is a handheld slit lamp.
[0013] 1 to 3 are external views showing an example of the configuration of a medical device 100 corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. The medical device 100 is a device for examining a subject's eye by operating it while holding it in one hand. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the medical device 100 includes an irradiation unit 10, an observation unit 20, a grip unit 30, a fingerhold unit 40, an index finger side operation unit 50, a thumb side operation unit 60, a base unit 70, an irradiation angle adjustment unit 80, and a scale unit 90. In this example, the irradiation unit 10 may be referred to as an illumination optical system, and the observation unit 20 may be referred to as an observation optical system. The medical device will be described as having a control unit for controlling the illumination optical system inside.
[0014] The illumination unit (illumination optical system) 10 has a function of irradiating the subject's eye with illumination light. In this example, the illumination unit 10 has a function of irradiating the subject's eye with at least slit light as illumination light, and may also have a function of irradiating spot light. The illumination unit 10 includes, for example, an illumination tube 11, an illumination port 12, an illumination light adjustment unit 13, a swing unit 14, and a separate light source installation unit 15. The illumination tube 11 includes a known configuration for irradiating slit light, such as that described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1. In this example, the illumination tube 11 includes a light source, a condenser lens, a spot disk, a slit disk, and a projector lens. An example of the light source is an LED. In the illumination tube 11, light emitted from the light source is condensed by a condenser lens and then passes through the slit disk to generate slit light or spot light. The slit light or spot light enters the illumination port 12. The illumination port 12 includes a projector prism disposed therein. The slit light or spot light incident on the projecting prism changes direction and is projected toward the subject's eye outside the device. The illumination light adjustment unit 13 is an operating part for adjusting the illumination light by the operator rotating the turret part to change the adjustment part that is superimposed on the optical axis. The swing part 14 is provided at one end and below the illumination tube 11, and is made of a plate-like member whose other end, located a predetermined distance from the illumination tube 11, is connected to the illumination angle adjustment part 80 (described later). Note that a marker is provided on the part of the swing part 14 that contacts the outer periphery of the illumination angle adjustment part 80 to indicate the rotation angle of the illumination part 10.
[0015] The separate light source installation unit 15 is configured to install a light source other than the slit light and is provided separately from the irradiation port 12. Examples of light sources that can be installed in the separate light source installation unit 15 include a background illumination light source and a fluorescent observation illumination light source. For example, a white LED is used as the background illumination light source, and a blue LED is used as the fluorescent observation illumination light source. The background illumination light source and the fluorescent observation illumination light source are examples of light sources that can be installed in the separate light source installation unit 15, and are not limited thereto. Conventionally, background illumination and fluorescent observation illumination light have been irradiated from the same irradiation port as the slit light and spot light. However, simultaneous irradiation between the slit light and spot light and the fluorescent observation illumination and background illumination light was required, making simultaneous irradiation impossible. However, because the light source is directly installed in the separate light source installation unit 15 provided in the medical device 100, background illumination and fluorescent observation illumination light can be irradiated while irradiating the slit light and spot light. As a result, the device can be used, for example, for imaging to explain the illumination of the slit light to a subject (e.g., imaging the anterior segment of the subject's eye using background illumination). Furthermore, because the light for the background illumination and the fluorescence observation illumination is generated along a different optical path from the optical paths of the slit light and the spot light, the illumination range is not limited by the size of the slit turret, and it is possible to install a light source so that the fluorescence observation illumination and the background illumination are illuminated over a wider area than when they are generated along the same optical path. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the separate light source installation unit 15 is provided so that the light emitted from the irradiation port 12 and the light emitted from the separate light source installation unit 15 are always directed in approximately the same direction. For example, the separate light source installation unit 15 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the irradiation port 12. This configuration eliminates the need to separately adjust the direction of the fluorescence observation illumination and the background illumination when adjusting the illumination direction of the slit light or the spot light, thereby improving the ease of handling of the medical device 100.
[0016] The observation unit (observation optical system) 20 has a function of observing the subject's eye with the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 10. In this example, the observation unit 20 includes an observation housing 21, a right-eye eyepiece 22, a left-eye eyepiece 23, and a magnification lever 24. The observation housing 21, the right-eye eyepiece 22, and the left-eye eyepiece 23 are internally configured with the well-known observation optical system described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1. The observation optical system is divided into one for observation with the right eye and one for observation with the left eye. The observation optical system for the right eye is configured inside the observation housing 21 and the right-eye eyepiece 22. The observation optical system for the left eye is configured inside the observation housing 21 and the left-eye eyepiece 23. For example, the observation optical system includes at least an objective lens, an eyepiece prism, a reticle lens, and an eyepiece lens. Slit light from the irradiation unit 10 is scattered by the subject's eye and enters the objective lens as scattered light. The incident scattered light passes through the eyepiece prism, reticle lens, and eyepiece lens to become light that can be observed by the operator. The magnification change lever 24 is a lever that can change the observation magnification of the eye to be examined by moving the objective lens back and forth by moving it left and right.
[0017] The grip unit 30 is provided so that an operator can grasp it by pinching it between the thumb and at least one of the four fingers on the index finger side (the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger; hereinafter, also referred to as "fingers on the index finger side") of one hand. The shape of the grip unit 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can be grasped by the operator, but a substantially cylindrical shape is preferable. In this example, the grip unit 30 is attached to the lower part of the observation housing 21 and has a shape resembling a curved cylinder, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Hereinafter, a state in which the central axis of the grip unit 30 is oriented in a substantially vertical direction (the up-down direction in FIGS. 1 to 3) will be referred to as a "reference state." The direction of the central axis of the grip unit 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is assumed to be substantially vertical. Therefore, the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is the reference state.
[0018] The finger hook 40 is provided on the grip portion 30 so as to hook onto one of the fingers on the index finger side when the operator holds the grip portion 30 with one hand. Here, the "index finger side" refers to the side of the side of the grip portion 30 that the index finger can come into contact with when the operator holds the grip portion 30. Furthermore, "the finger hooked onto the finger" refers to a state in which the finger receives the load of the finger hook 40. The shape of the finger hook 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can hook onto one of the fingers on the index finger side. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the finger hook 40 has a shape that protrudes like a brim from the side of the grip portion 30. By providing the finger hook 40 on the grip portion 30, the operator can hold the grip portion 30 by hooking the finger hook 40 onto one of the fingers on the index finger side. Therefore, it becomes possible for the operator to stably perform the testing operation at the ideal position of the hand gripping the grip portion 30, determined by the finger rest 40. Examples of the shape of the finger rest will be described later.
[0019] The index finger side operation unit 50 is used for the examination operation and is provided at a position within the reach of a finger on the index finger side, the position of which is determined by the finger hook 40 when the operator holds the grip unit 30 with one hand, and which is assumed to be the finger to be used for the operation. The finger assumed to be the finger to be used for the operation is not particularly limited as long as it is any of the fingers on the index finger side, but a finger other than the finger that is hooked by the finger hook 40 is preferable. In this example, the index finger is assumed to be the finger to be used for the operation. Furthermore, the position within the reach of the finger refers to a position that can be reached by moving the finger. An example of a position within the reach of the finger assumed to be the finger to be used for the operation is the position of the grip unit 30 facing the finger assumed to be the finger to be used for the operation when the operator holds the grip unit 30 with one hand. The index finger side operation unit 50 is, for example, a button or a switch. In this example, the index finger side operation unit 50 is a switch that, when pressed, emits light from a light source arranged in the irradiation tube 11 of the irradiation unit 10, and irradiates light from the irradiation port 12.
[0020] Furthermore, the index finger side operation unit 50 may be provided at a position within the reach of a finger that is closer to the thumb than the finger that receives the load from the finger hook 40, assuming that the finger used for operation is the finger used for operation. For example, if the finger that receives the load in the reference state is the middle finger, the finger closer to the thumb than the finger that receives the load is the index finger. With this configuration, it becomes possible to perform the test operation more stably with a finger that is relatively less affected by the load from the finger hook 40.
[0021] The thumb-side operation unit 60 is used for operating the examination of the subject's eye, and is provided at a position within the reach of the thumb, the position of which is determined by the finger hook 40 when the operator holds the grip unit 30 with one hand. The thumb-side operation unit 60 may be provided with multiple operation locations. The operation locations include operation members such as buttons, various switches, and dials for inputting operations related to the examination of the subject's eye. In this example, the operation locations of the thumb-side operation unit 60 include operation buttons 61-63 and an operation dial 64 as operation members. The operation buttons 61-63 are assigned various functions related to the examination, such as turning on / off the fluorescent observation illumination and background illumination. The operation dial 64 is assigned the function of adjusting the light intensity of the slit light irradiated from the irradiation port 12 of the irradiation unit 10, for example. The operation locations of the multiple operation buttons included in the thumb-side operation unit 60 are not particularly limited, as long as they are within the reach of the thumb, the position of which is determined by the finger hook 40 when the operator holds the grip unit 30 with one hand. Examples of the shapes, sizes, arrangements, etc. of the multiple operating members included in the thumb side operating unit 60 will be described later.
[0022] The base portion 70 is a plate-shaped member having one end portion attached to the lower portion of the grip portion 30. The other end portion of the base portion 70 is provided with an irradiation angle adjustment portion 80, which will be described later.
[0023] The irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 is a member that adjusts the irradiation angle of the irradiation light by rotating the irradiation unit 10 about a rotation axis. In this example, the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 is fixedly attached to the other end portion of the base unit 70. In addition, in this example, the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 is rotatably attached to a hole formed in the swing unit 14 at a predetermined distance from the irradiation tube 11, with the upper surface exposed. In other words, the base unit 70 and the swing unit 14 are connected via the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80, and the swing unit 14 is rotatable relative to the base unit 70 about the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80. The irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 is configured, for example, by a bearing.
[0024] The scale unit 90 has a scale on the upper surface of the rotation shaft that indicates the rotation angle. Specifically, the scale unit 90 has an arc-shaped scale on the upper surface of the rotation shaft that corresponds to the irradiation angle of the irradiation light irradiated by the irradiation unit 10. In this example, the scale unit 90 is provided as an arc-shaped mark on the upper surface of the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 fitted into the swing unit 14 that indicates the rotation angle based on the irradiation angle adjustment unit 80 of the swing unit 14. The scale unit 90 will be described in detail later.
[0025] The above describes an example of the configuration and appearance of the medical device 100. The medical device 100 may be configured with a load balance such that the center of gravity of the entire device is located on the index finger side when the thumb side and the index finger side are divided into two by a reference plane that is an imaginary plane parallel to the central axis and passes through the position of the finger hook 40. By achieving such a load balance, even if the hand loosens its grip on the grip unit 30, the medical device 100 tilts from the thumb side to the index finger side with respect to the finger hook 40. Because this tilt occurs with respect to the finger hook 40, the finger hook 40 remains hooked on the finger in the reference state, for example. As a result, it becomes easier to maintain the grip of the grip unit 30 even if the hand loosens its grip.
[0026] FIG. 4 is an external view of a medical device 100 corresponding to at least one embodiment of the present invention when held by an operator in one hand. As shown in FIG. 4, the grip portion 30 is held by being pinched between the thumb and index finger of the operator's hand H. The grip portion 30 is divided into an index finger side (front side in FIG. 4) on which four fingers are located and a thumb side (rear side in FIG. 4) on which one thumb is located. Specifically, the index finger side includes the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. The finger hook portion 40 is provided on the index finger side and hooked onto the middle finger of the hand H. That is, in FIG. 4, the middle finger of the hand H is in a state in which it receives the load of the finger hook portion 40. The index finger of the hand H is in contact with the index finger side operation portion 50 and is in a state in which it can be operated. Furthermore, the thumb of the hand H is in contact with the thumb side operation portion 60 and is in a state in which it can be operated. The reference plane is the plane that passes through the dashed-dotted line A and divides the thumb side and the index finger side into two. The medical device 100 of this example is configured with a load balance such that the center of gravity of the entire device is located on the index finger side when the thumb side and the index finger side are divided into two by the reference plane.
[0027] Incidentally, the medical device 100 of this example is characterized by the structure of the irradiation light adjusting unit 13 for adjusting the irradiation light in the irradiation section (irradiation system) 10. The detailed configuration of the irradiation light adjusting unit 13 in the medical device 100 of this example will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Note that in the following description, an example will be described in which two sets of irradiation light adjusting units 13 are provided, but this is merely one example, and the number of irradiation light adjusting units 13 used and the type of adjusting section 133 used in each irradiation light adjusting unit 13 can be set in various ways.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the irradiation unit 10 in the medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, the irradiation section 10 in the medical device 100 of this example is characterized by including an irradiation light adjustment unit 13 midway along the optical axis through which light from the light source passes. The irradiation light adjustment unit 13 is mainly composed of a turret 131 and a pressing member 132. In the example shown in Fig. 5, two sets of different types of irradiation light adjustment units 13 are used, and the types of adjustment sections 133 set for the turret 131a included in one irradiation light adjustment unit 13 and the turret 131b included in the other irradiation light adjustment unit 13 are different.
[0030] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the irradiation unit 10 in the medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows the cross section taken along line A-A' in Fig. 5 as viewed from above. Fig. 6 shows the internal structure of one irradiation light adjustment unit 13 equipped with a turret 131a.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the irradiation light adjusting unit 13 is mainly composed of a turret 131 and a pressing member 132.
[0032] The turret 131 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with a roughly circular flat portion and an annular portion rising from the outer periphery of the flat portion. The turret 131 is rotatably installed by being rotatably fixed using a boss 135 provided on the axis of the cylinder.
[0033] The pressing member 132 is installed so as to press the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion of the turret 131 outward with an elastic force, thereby suppressing the rotation of the turret 131. The pressing member 132 shown in Fig. 6 is composed of a roller portion 132a that rotates while contacting the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion of the turret 131, and an elastic portion 132b (a plate spring is used in the example of Fig. 6) for pressing the roller portion 132a against the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion of the turret 131. The roller portion 132a is provided at one end of the elastic portion 132b, and the other end of the elastic portion 132b is fixed to a predetermined position in order to exert an elastic force.
[0034] The adjustment unit 133 is configured to adjust the irradiated light so as to overlap with the optical axis from the light source. At least one adjustment unit 133 is provided on the flat surface of the turret 131. The turret 131a shown in Fig. 6 is provided with three adjustment units 133a as slit width adjustment diaphragms each consisting of rectangular openings with different radial opening widths, and also with an adjustment unit 133b as an opening for not adjusting the irradiated light.
[0035] Note that various types of devices can be used as the adjustment unit 133 as long as they can adjust the irradiated light. The adjustment unit may be an aperture used in the turret 131a to generate slit light, or an aperture used in the turret 131b to adjust the width or size of the light passing through. In addition, a fluorescent filter, a polarizing filter, or the like can also be used as the adjustment unit.
[0036] Furthermore, positioning portions 134 are formed at multiple locations on the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion of the turret 131. The positioning portions 134 are formed in a concave or convex shape. In this example, recesses are formed in an arc shape. It is preferable that the positioning portions 134 are configured so that when the turret rotates and the pressing member 132 reaches the positioning portions 134, the pressing force changes, thereby changing the operator's operational feel. In this example, the tip portion of the pressing member 132 is configured as a roller portion 132a that rotates while contacting the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion, and the size of the arc of the outer circumferential portion of the roller portion 132a and the size of the arc of the recesses of the positioning portions 134 are made approximately equal, so that when the roller portion 132a at the tip of the pressing member 132 fits, the operational feel of the operator changes, thereby notifying the operator that the position has been set.
[0037] In this example, a recess is used as the positioning portion 134, and when the arc of the outer periphery of the roller portion 132a fits into the recess, the operator's operating sensation changes to notify the operator that the position has been set, but the relationship between the positioning portion 134 and the pressing member 132 may be any configuration as long as the operator's operating sensation changes to notify the operator that the position has been set. For example, a convex portion may be used as the positioning portion 134, and a recess may be used at the tip of the pressing member 132, so that they fit together.
[0038] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a turret in the medical device 100 corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. This Fig. 7 shows the front and back surfaces of the turret 131b constituting the lower irradiation light adjustment unit 13 of the two irradiation light adjustment units 13 installed in two stages, one above the other, in Fig. 5.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the turret 131b includes adjustment units 133c and 133d, which are different from the turret 131a shown in FIG. 6. The adjustment unit 133c functions as a slit length adjustment aperture, which is an aperture whose radial opening width gradually changes as it moves circumferentially. This adjustment unit 133c has a shape resembling a magatama in plan view. When the turret 131b is rotated, the radial opening width at the point where it overlaps with the optical axis changes, thereby enabling appropriate adjustment of the range through which light from the light source passes. This adjustment unit 133c may be configured so that the radial opening width is selected by stepless adjustment while rotation is restricted by the pressing member 132, without being positioned by the positioning unit 134. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 133d is configured as a circular opening to adjust the spot size of light from the light source. In the example of FIG. 7, two adjustment units 133d with different spot sizes are provided. Note that the turret 131b shown in FIG. 7 also has positioning portions 134 formed at multiple locations on its inner circumferential surface, and is configured in the same way as the turret 131a shown in FIG. 6 in that rotation is suppressed by the pressing member 132, and when the roller portion 132a at the tip of the pressing member 132 fits, the operator's sense of operation changes, informing the operator that the position has been set.
[0040] In the above configuration, the turret 131a of one of the irradiation light adjustment units 13 is operated to select one of the three adjustment units 133a and overlap it with the optical axis, thereby generating slit light and selecting its slit width. Furthermore, the turret 131b of the other irradiation light adjustment unit 13 is operated to select the radial opening width of one of the adjustment units 133c and overlap it with the optical axis, thereby adjusting the length of the slit light. In this way, the slit width and slit length of the slit light can be adjusted by combining the operations of the turret 131a and turret 131b.
[0041] Furthermore, a pressing member 132 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of each annular portion of the cylindrical turrets 131a and 131b constituting the irradiation light adjustment unit 13 to suppress rotation, and the positioning portion 134 and the pressing member 132 provide a location where the operator's operational feel changes, thereby informing the operator that the position has been set. With this configuration, there is no need to provide a structure for suppressing rotation or positioning on the outer circumferential surfaces of the turrets 131a and 131b, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing the outer circumferential surface of the turret 131. For example, when displaying a guide sign informing the operator of the position on the outer circumferential surface, the absence of a recess or the like makes it easy to attach the guide sign and the attached guide sign is easy for the operator to see.
[0042] In this example, a slit lamp has been used as an example of a medical device, but this is not limited to this. Any medical device that has the function of irradiating light onto the subject's eye can adopt an irradiation light adjustment unit having a configuration similar to that of this example.
[0043] As described above, the medical device according to the present invention includes an illumination system that irradiates the eye to be examined with light, the illumination system having a light source and an illumination light adjustment unit that adjusts the illumination light from the light source, and the illumination light adjustment unit is arranged to include a turret that is formed into a roughly cylindrical shape by a roughly circular flat portion that has at least one adjustment portion that is superimposed on the optical axis of the light source and adjusts the illumination light, and an annular portion that rises from the outer periphery of the flat portion and is configured to be rotatable about the axis of the cylinder as the rotation axis, and a pressing member that presses the inner surface of the annular portion outward with an elastic force to suppress rotation of the turret.Since the inner surface of the roughly cylindrical turret is pressed outward with the elastic force of the pressing member to suppress rotation, there is an effect that no structure is required on the outer periphery of the turret.
[0044] In addition, the annular portion has at least one concave or convex positioning portion formed on its inner surface, and the pressing member is arranged to have a configuration corresponding to the positioning portion so that when the turret rotates and reaches a positioning portion, the pressing force changes and the operating feel of the operator operating the turret's outer peripheral surface changes.Since concave or convex positioning portions are formed on the inner surface, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the positioning mechanism being damaged by wear or breakage.
[0045] Furthermore, the planar portion of the irradiation light adjustment unit is provided with a plurality of different types of adjustment parts, and positioning parts are formed so that the operating feel of the operator operating the outer peripheral surface of the turret changes at the position where each adjustment part overlaps with the optical axis from the light source. Therefore, by providing a plurality of types of adjustment parts on the planar portion of the irradiation light adjustment unit, it is possible to adjust the irradiation light in a variety of ways.
[0046] The irradiation system also has two irradiation light adjustment units, and the planar portion of one of the irradiation light adjustment units has at least an adjustment section as a slit length adjustment aperture consisting of an opening whose radial opening width gradually changes as it moves circumferentially, and the planar portion of the other irradiation light adjustment unit has a plurality of adjustment sections as slit width adjustment apertures consisting of rectangular openings each with a different radial opening width, and by aligning the one irradiation light adjustment unit with the other irradiation light adjustment unit, the slit width and slit length of the slit light as irradiation light can be adjusted, making it possible to adjust the slit width and slit length of the slit light in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]
[0047] 100 Medical Devices 10 Irradiation unit 11 Irradiation tube 12 Irradiation port 13 Irradiation light adjustment unit 14 Swing section 15 Separate light source installation section 15a Background illumination port 15b Fluorescence observation illumination port 15c Light source for background lighting 15d Fluorescence observation illumination light source 15e board 20 Observation Section 21 Observation enclosure 22 Observation section for right eye 23 Observation unit for left eye 24 Magnification lever 30 Grip section 40 Finger rest 50 Index finger side operation section 60 Thumb side operation section 61~63 Operation buttons 64 Operation dial 70 Base 80 Irradiation angle adjustment section 90 Scale 131, 131a, 131b turrets 132 Pressing member 132a Roller section 132b Elastic part 133, 133a~133d adjustment section 134 Positioning part 135 Boss
Claims
1. an illumination system that illuminates the subject with light; the illumination system includes a light source and an illumination light adjustment unit that adjusts illumination light from the light source; The irradiation light adjusting unit includes: a turret formed in a generally cylindrical shape by a generally circular flat portion having at least one adjustment portion for adjusting the irradiated light by being superimposed on the optical axis of the light source, and an annular portion rising from the outer periphery of the flat portion, and configured to be rotatable about the axis of the cylinder; a pressing member that uses elastic force to press an inner circumferential surface of the annular portion outward to suppress rotation of the turret; and The annular portion has a positioning portion formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof, the positioning portion being made of at least one arc-shaped recessed portion, the pressing member includes a roller portion corresponding to the positioning portion so that, when the turret rotates and reaches the positioning portion, the pressing force changes, thereby changing the operational feeling of an operator who operates the outer peripheral surface of the turret; the pressing member is disposed at a position approximately 180 degrees different from a position where the adjustment unit is superimposed on the optical axis with respect to a rotation axis of the turret, and is configured to press the inner peripheral surface corresponding to a position on the outer peripheral surface of the turret operated by the operator, The roller portion has a cylindrical shape and is configured to rotate while an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the annular portion, The size of the arc of the outer circumferential portion of the roller portion and the size of the arc of the recess of the positioning portion are approximately the same. A medical device characterized by:
2. the planar portion of the irradiation light adjustment unit includes a plurality of different types of adjustment portions, The positioning portion is formed so that the operational feeling of an operator who operates the outer peripheral surface of the turret changes at a position where each adjustment portion overlaps with the optical axis from the light source.
2. The medical device according to claim 1.
3. the illumination system has two of the illumination light adjusting units, the planar portion of one irradiation light adjustment unit includes at least an adjustment portion serving as a slit length adjustment aperture having an opening whose radial opening width gradually changes as it moves in the circumferential direction, the planar portion of the other irradiation light adjustment unit includes a plurality of adjustment portions as slit width adjustment diaphragms each having a rectangular opening with a different radial opening width, The slit width and slit length of the slit light as the irradiation light can be adjusted by aligning the one irradiation light adjustment unit with the other irradiation light adjustment unit.
3. The medical device according to claim 1 or claim 2.
Citation Information
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