Light radiation device

Abstract

Provided is a light radiation device with which it is possible to indicate a light radiation direction. The light radiation device has an elongated shape having a longitudinal direction and comprises a light emission part and a marker member that is directly or indirectly connected to the light emission part and is radiopaque. The marker member as viewed from a first direction in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction differs in at least one among shape and position from the marker member as viewed from a second direction differing from the first direction in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and it is possible to radiate light emitted from the light emission part in a predetermined direction crossing the longitudinal direction.

Description

Light irradiation device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light illumination device.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a light irradiation device that includes a radiopaque marker portion and is capable of selectively irradiating light onto a specific position within a biological lumen.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-185259

[0004] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a light irradiation device that can indicate the direction of light irradiation.

[0005] In one embodiment, the light irradiation device is an elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, and includes a light emitting section and a radiopaque marker member connected directly or indirectly to the light emitting section, wherein the marker member viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has at least one of a shape and a position different from that of the marker member viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which is different from the first direction, and is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light emitting section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0006] In one embodiment, the light irradiation device is an elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, and includes a light emitting section, a support to which the light emitting section is fixed, and a radiopaque marker section, wherein the marker section viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has at least one of a shape and a position different from that of the marker section viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is different from the first direction, and the marker section is provided on the support, and is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light emitting section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0007] A light irradiation device capable of indicating the direction of light irradiation can be provided.

[0008] 4B is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a first embodiment; FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first example of the configuration of the light irradiating device of the first embodiment; FIG. 4D is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second example of the configuration of the light irradiating device of the first embodiment; FIG. 4E is a view of a marker member provided in the light irradiating device of the first embodiment, viewed from a first direction; FIG. 4F is a view of a marker member provided in the light irradiating device of the first embodiment, viewed from a second direction; FIG. 4G is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a second embodiment; FIG. 4H is a schematic bottom view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a second embodiment; FIG. 4I is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the light irradiating device is rotated 180 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 4A around a central axis of the light irradiating device parallel to the longitudinal direction as a rotation axis; FIG. 4J is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a third embodiment; FIG. 4J is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a fourth embodiment; FIG. 4I is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a fifth embodiment; FIG. 4J is a schematic bottom view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a fifth embodiment; FIG. 4J is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a sixth embodiment; FIG. 4J is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example of a light irradiating device of a seventh embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an in vivo light-illumination assembly using the light-illumination device of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the light-illumination device of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the light-illumination device of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a light-illumination device main body before being sealed with an insulating layer. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a light-emitting element mounted on a support body. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of lamination of a support body and a light-emitting element. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an in vivo light-illumination assembly using the light-illumination device of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of optical elements in the light-illumination device of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a light-illumination device of the tenth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light-emitting element used in the tenth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the light-emitting element mounting surface side of the support body used in the tenth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the back side of the support body used in the tenth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing electrical characteristics and light output characteristics of a light-illumination device of an embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing thermal resistance of a light-illumination device of an embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first example of the configuration of a light-illumination device of an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second example of the configuration of a light-illumination device of the eleventh embodiment.FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third example of the configuration of the light irradiation device according to the eleventh embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description is intended to embody the technical concept of the present disclosure, and unless otherwise specified, the present disclosure is not limited to the following description. In each drawing, components having the same function may be assigned the same reference numerals. For convenience, the embodiments may be shown separately in consideration of ease of explanation or understanding of the main points, but partial substitution or combination of configurations shown in different embodiments or examples is possible. In the embodiments shown later, differences from the previously shown embodiments will be mainly described, and redundant description of matters common to the previously shown embodiments may be omitted. The size and positional relationship of components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0010] First Embodiment The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. The light irradiation device 10C is introduced into a living body by, for example, being inserted into a catheter. The light irradiation device 10C is inserted into the vicinity of a target site, such as an affected area, in the living body using a catheter, and can directly irradiate a diseased area, such as a tumor, with light, or inspect or confirm a target site for diagnosis, sensing, or the like. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10C according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10C. FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10C. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a cross-section of the elongated light irradiation device 10C having a longitudinal direction P, the cross-section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P. FIG. 3A is a view of a marker member 20A included in the light irradiation device 10C shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, viewed from a first direction Q1. FIG. 3B is a view of the marker member 20A provided in the light irradiation device 10C shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, viewed from the second direction Q2.

[0011] The central axis C0 is an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P and passes through the center of a cross section of the light irradiation device 10C perpendicular to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P. Here, the center refers to the center of a circumscribing circle when the light irradiation device 10C is viewed from the +Z direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the light irradiation device 10C has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with the longitudinal direction P as its length, in which the housing 30A and the marker member 20A are coupled. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the cross section of the light irradiation device 10C perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P is substantially rectangular. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the center of the cross section of the light irradiation device 10C perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P corresponds to the center of the cross section of the rectangular parallelepiped perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P. However, the cross section of the light irradiation device 10C perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P is not limited to being substantially rectangular, and may be any shape. The center of the cross section of the light irradiation device 10C perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P may be approximately the center of any shape perpendicular to the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction P.

[0012] 1 and 2A, the light irradiation device 10C includes a light output unit 60 and a radiopaque marker member 20A that is directly or indirectly connected to the light output unit 60. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the marker member 20A viewed from a first direction Q1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P differs in at least one of its shape and position from the marker member 20A viewed from a second direction Q2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P and different from the first direction Q1. The light irradiation device 10C can irradiate light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in a predetermined direction R that intersects with the longitudinal direction P.

[0013] For example, in a light irradiation device used in medical applications, it may be necessary to determine the direction of light irradiation from the light irradiation device when the light irradiation device is placed inside the living body, for example, to irradiate a targeted area inside the living body. The light irradiation device 10C is opaque to radiation such as X-rays and includes a marker member 20A whose shape and / or position differ when viewed from a first direction Q1 and a second direction Q2. Furthermore, the components of the light irradiation device 10C other than the marker member 20A are transparent to radiation. Therefore, when a living body with the light irradiation device 10C placed inside is photographed using an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) or the like, an image of the marker member 20A can be confirmed in the photographed image. By checking at least one of the shape and position of the image of the marker member 20A in the X-ray CT photographed image, the orientation of the marker member 20A placed inside the living body can be confirmed. The orientation of the marker member 20A is known with respect to the longitudinal direction P, and the light irradiation device 10C can irradiate light emitted from the light emitting element 11 in a predetermined direction R intersecting the longitudinal direction P. Therefore, in this embodiment, by using the light irradiation device 10C, the irradiation direction of light from the light irradiation device 10C can be known from the orientation of the marker member 20A confirmed based on an X-ray CT image. From another perspective, the light irradiation device 10C has the marker member 20A, and therefore the irradiation direction of light from the light irradiation device 10C can be indicated via X-ray CT or the like. In this embodiment, it is possible to provide a light irradiation device 10C that can indicate the irradiation direction of light.

[0014] Here, "at least one of the shape and the position is different" means that the shape and the position are different when viewed visually, and do not necessarily have to be different in the radiographic image. In the radiographic image, the marker member 20A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A has the same shape and position when viewed from above (e.g., the +Y side) and below (e.g., the -Y side). Therefore, the direction of light irradiation by the light irradiation device 10C cannot be determined from this image alone. However, because the shape of the marker member 20A differs visually in at least one of the shape and the position, a slight change in the viewing direction also causes a change in the radiographic image, making it possible to determine whether the direction is above or below.

[0015] 3A and 3B has an elongated base 21 and a protrusion 22 provided on the surface of the base 21. This makes it possible to provide a marker member 20A having different shapes in the first direction Q1 and the second direction Q2. The marker member 20A can be made of a metal material such as platinum that is opaque to radiation.

[0016] The marker member 20A is not limited to the convex portion 22, and at least one of a convex portion and a concave portion may be provided on the surface of the base portion 21. Furthermore, the marker member 20A is not limited to having the base portion 21 and at least one of a convex portion and a concave portion, and various shapes can be used as long as at least one of the shape and position differs between the first direction Q1 and the second direction Q2. One or more portions of the marker member 20A may be arranged separate from other portions.

[0017] 1 and 2A, the light emitting unit 60 has a light emitting element 11 and a support body 12 that supports the light emitting element 11. The support body 12 is disposed on the upper surface (e.g., the surface on the +Y side) of the base 21 of the marker member 20A. The light emitting element 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the support body 12. The light emitting element 11 can emit light in a direction along the longitudinal direction P from a light emitting surface 111 that intersects with the longitudinal direction P. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting element 11 emits light in the +Z direction. In the light irradiation device 10C, since the light emitting unit 60 has the light emitting element 11 and the support body 12, the support body 12 can be used as a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat from the light emitting element 11.

[0018] 1 and 2A, the light irradiation device 10C includes an optical component 40 that directs light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in a longitudinal direction P in a direction R intersecting the longitudinal direction P. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the optical component 40 is a prism disposed on the upper surface of the support 12 and including a reflective surface 41 that intersects with the upper surface of the support 12. The optical component 40 directs the light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in the direction R by reflecting it on the reflective surface 41. Note that the optical component 40 is not limited to a prism, and may be a mirror, a lens, a diffractive optical element, or the like, as long as it can direct light in a predetermined direction. The optical component 40 may be configured to include a resin material, a glass material, a metal material, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2B, the optical component 40 may be integrally formed with the support 12.

[0019] 2A , the entire surface of the light-emitting element 11 is covered with an insulating layer 16. This prevents the light-emitting element 11 from being damaged due to a short circuit between the marker member 20A and the light-emitting element 11 via the support member 12. In the light irradiation device 10C, the insulating layer may cover not only the entire surface of the light-emitting element 11 but also at least one of the light-emitting element 11 and the support member 12. Covering at least one of the light-emitting element 11 and the support member 12 with an insulating layer prevents the light-emitting element 11 from being damaged due to a short circuit between the marker member 20A and the light-emitting element 11.

[0020] 1 and 2A , the light irradiation device 10C includes an insulated wire 14 electrically connected to the light emitting element 11, and the insulated wire 14 is electrically insulated from the marker member 20A. As described above, the insulated wire 14 includes a first insulated wire 14a and a second insulated wire 14b. By including the insulated wire 14 electrically connected to the light emitting element 11, the light irradiation device 10C can prevent damage to the light emitting element 11 due to a short circuit via the marker member 20A.

[0021] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A , the light irradiation device 10C includes a housing 30A including an opening 31A, in which at least a portion of the light-emitting element 11 and at least a portion of the support 12 can be disposed, and a light-transmitting member 32 sealing the opening 31A of the housing 30A. The light-transmitting member 32 transmits light emitted from the light-emitting unit 60 and irradiated in a predetermined direction R intersecting the longitudinal direction P. With this configuration, the light irradiation device 10C can emit light from the light-emitting element 11 disposed inside the housing 30A through the light-transmitting member 32. Furthermore, sealing the opening 31A with the light-transmitting member 32 reduces exposure of the interior of the housing 30A to the outside. The housing 30A can be configured to include a resin material, a metal material, or the like that has light-blocking or absorbing properties for the peak wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting element 11. The light-transmitting member 32 can be configured to include a resin material, a glass material, or the like that is transmissive to the peak wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting element 11.

[0022] 1 and 2A, the light-emitting element 11 is disposed inside the housing 30A, and the inside of the housing 30A is hermetically sealed. This prevents the liquid from entering the housing 30A even when the light irradiation device 10C is disposed inside a biological lumen where a liquid such as blood is present, and prevents the light-emitting element from being damaged by a short circuit caused by the liquid.

[0023] The materials for the support 12, light emitting element 11, optical component 40, insulated wire 14, etc. can be the same as those used in the eighth to tenth embodiments described below, and the same applies to embodiments 2 to 7. When the support 12 and optical component 40 are integrally formed, as in the example shown in FIG. 2B , they may be integrally formed from the same material. Aluminum nitride (AlN) may be included as a main component because of its high thermal conductivity. Examples of methods for integrally forming the support 12 and optical component 40 include injection molding and pressing a ceramic green sheet.

[0024] Second Embodiment The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4A, 4B, and 5. Fig. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiation device 10D according to the second embodiment. Fig. 4B is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10D. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the light irradiation device 10D is rotated 180 degrees from the state shown in Fig. 4A around a central axis C0 of the light irradiation device 10D parallel to the longitudinal direction P as a rotation axis. Note that Figs. 4A and 5 show cross sections of an elongated light irradiation device 10D having the longitudinal direction P, the cross section including the central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4A , 4B , and 5 , the light irradiation device 10D includes a light-emitting element 11, a support 12 to which the light-emitting element 11 is fixed, and a radiopaque marker unit 20D. The marker unit 20D viewed from a first direction Q1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P differs in at least one of shape and position from the marker unit 20D viewed from a second direction Q2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P, which is different from the first direction Q1. The marker unit 20D is provided on the support 12. The light irradiation device 10D is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in a predetermined direction R intersecting the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 11 is an example of a light-emitting unit 60. In FIG. 4A , the light-emitting element 11 and the light-emitting unit 60 are labeled with the same reference numerals to indicate that they are the same. In subsequent figures, the same reference numerals may also be used for the same purpose.

[0026] In this embodiment, the marker unit 20D, like the first embodiment, allows the direction of light irradiation from the light irradiation device 10D to be indicated via X-ray CT or the like, thereby providing a light irradiation device 10C capable of indicating the direction of light irradiation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the marker unit 20D is provided on the support 12, thereby simplifying the configuration of the light irradiation device compared to a case in which a member functioning as a marker unit is provided outside the support 12. Note that the marker unit 20D is fixed to the support 12 and can move integrally with the support 12. In this embodiment, "at least one of the shape and position" refers to a difference that can be observed visually, and does not necessarily mean a difference in a radiographic image. In a radiographic image, the marker unit 20D shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 has the same shape and position when viewed from above (e.g., the +Y side) and below (e.g., the -Y side). Therefore, the direction of light irradiation by the light irradiation device 10D cannot be determined from this image alone. However, since the shape of the marker portion 20D differs visually in at least one of the shape and position, if the viewing direction is changed slightly, a change will occur in the radiological image, making it possible to determine whether it is above or below.

[0027] In the examples shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5, the support 12 includes a first surface 12a on which the light-emitting element 11 is disposed and a second surface 12b located opposite the first surface 12a. The marker portion 20D is provided on the second surface 12b of the support 12. With this configuration, the light irradiation device 10D can effectively utilize the area on the support 12 by providing the marker portion 20D on the second surface 12b opposite the first surface 12a on which the light-emitting element 11 is disposed. The marker portion 20D on the first surface 12a has anisotropy when viewed from a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the first surface 12a, and the marker portion 20D on the second surface 12b may have anisotropy in a direction different from that of the first surface 12a. Note that the anisotropy of the marker portion 20D refers to a property in which at least one of the shape and position of the marker portion 20D is different.

[0028] Furthermore, in the light irradiation device 10D, the marker portion 20D is configured to include a metal material, and at least a portion of the marker portion 20D has a thickness of 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4A , 4B , and 5 , the marker portion 20D is a plate-shaped member having a thickness t1. The thickness t1 is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Making the thickness of at least a portion of the marker portion 20D 40 μm or more is preferable because it can improve visibility in radiographic images. Furthermore, making the thickness 100 μm or less allows for a compact design.

[0029] The metal material constituting the marker portion 20D may be platinum or the like. The marker portion 20D is provided by, for example, plating platinum on the second surface 12b of the support body 12. However, the marker portion 20D is not limited to being provided on a part of another member such as the support body 12. The marker portion 20D may be an independent member that is bonded to another member such as the support body 12 with an adhesive or the like.

[0030] In the light irradiation device 10D, the position of the marker unit 20D when viewed from the third direction Q3, which is a direction parallel to the first surface 12a, differs from the position of the marker unit 20D when viewed from the third direction Q3 by rotating the light irradiation device 10D 180 degrees around the central axis C0 of the light irradiation device 10D, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction P, as the axis of rotation by more than twice the distance t2 between the first surface 12a and the second surface 12b of the support body 12. The first position 20v shown in FIG. 4A represents the position of the marker unit 20D when viewed from the third direction Q3, which is a direction parallel to the first surface 12a. Meanwhile, the second position 20u shown in FIG. 5 represents the position of the marker unit 20D when viewed from the third direction Q3 by rotating the light irradiation device 10D 180 degrees around the central axis C0 of the light irradiation device 10D, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction P, as the axis of rotation. The second position 20u shown in FIG. 4A is a virtual representation of the second position 20u in the state shown in FIG. 5 for comparison with the first position 20v. The distance d between the first position 20v and the second position 20u is at least twice the distance t2. This configuration makes it easy to see the difference in the position of the marker unit 20D depending on the viewing direction. By making it easy to see the difference in the position of the marker unit 20D depending on the viewing direction, in this embodiment, the marker unit 20D can be used to clearly indicate the direction of light emitted from the light irradiation device 10D via X-ray CT or the like.

[0031] In the light irradiation device 10D, the light emitting portion is a light emitting element 11. The light emitting element 11 is disposed on a support 12. With this configuration, the light irradiation device 10D can be provided with a light source, and therefore, the position control of the light irradiation device 10D can be easily performed.

[0032] In the examples shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5, the optical component 40 of the light irradiation device 10D is placed on the support 12.

[0033] (Third embodiment) The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiation device 10E according to the third embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of an elongated light irradiation device 10E having a longitudinal direction P, the cross-section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P.

[0034] In the light irradiation device 10E, the marker units 20D are provided on both the first surface 12a and the second surface 12b. The marker units 20D provided on the first surface 12a differ from the marker units 20D provided on the second surface 12b in at least one of the size and the position of the marker units 20D. This configuration makes it easy to see the difference in the positions of the marker units 20D depending on the viewing direction, and therefore the direction of light irradiated from the light irradiation device 10E can be clearly indicated via X-ray CT or the like.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the marker portion 20D includes a first marker portion 20Da and a second marker portion 20Db. The first marker portion 20Da is provided on the first surface 12a alongside the light-emitting element 11 in the direction along the longitudinal direction P. The second marker portion 20Db is provided on the second surface 12b. The first marker portion 20Da is provided at a position shifted in the longitudinal direction P from the second marker portion 20Db. The first marker portion 20Da is smaller than the second marker portion 20Db. In other words, the first marker portion 20Da differs from the second marker portion 20Db in both size and position. In this embodiment, too, "different in at least one of shape and position" means that the marker portions 20D are different from the second marker portion 20Db in a visual inspection, and do not necessarily need to be different in a radiological image. In the radiographic image, the marker unit 20D shown in FIG. 6 has the same shape and position when viewed from above (e.g., the +Y side) and below (e.g., the -Y side). Therefore, the direction of light emitted by the light irradiation device 10E cannot be determined from this image alone. However, because the shape of the marker unit 20D differs visually in at least one of its shape and position, a slight change in the viewing direction also causes a change in the radiographic image, making it possible to determine whether it is above or below. Note that the existence of two directions that differ visually but do not differ in the radiographic image is the same in the fourth to seventh embodiments described below, and therefore a description of this will be omitted in the fourth to seventh embodiments.

[0036] (Fourth embodiment) The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiation device 10F according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of an elongated light irradiation device 10F having a longitudinal direction P, the cross-section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P.

[0037] In the light irradiation device 10F, the light output section is a fiber 18. The fiber 18 is disposed on the support 12. With this configuration, the light irradiation device 10F can guide light from a remotely disposed light source, so that the light source does not need to be provided inside the light irradiation device. Since the light irradiation device 10F does not include a light source, the configuration of the light output section 60 of the light irradiation device 10F can be simplified.

[0038] Fifth Embodiment The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B. Fig. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiation device 10G according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 8A shows a cross-section of an elongated light irradiation device 10G having a longitudinal direction P, the cross-section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P. Fig. 8B is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10G.

[0039] 8B , in the light irradiation device 10G, the second surface 12b of the support 12 includes a first region 12b1 and a second region 12b2 different from the first region 12b1. A marker portion 20D is provided in the first region 12b1, and an insulated wire 14 is arranged in the second region 12b2. In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , a second insulated wire 14b is arranged in the second region 12b2.

[0040] In the light irradiation device 10G, by providing a marker portion 20D on the second surface 12b of the support 12 and arranging an insulated electric wire 14, the thickness of the light irradiation device 10G can be made thinner than when the insulated electric wire 14 is arranged on the marker portion 20D provided on the second surface 12b.

[0041] Sixth Embodiment The configuration of a light irradiation device according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiation device 10H according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a cross section of an elongated light irradiation device 10H having a longitudinal direction P, the cross section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P.

[0042] The light irradiation device 10H has an optical component 40 that imparts at least one of the optical effects of reflection, refraction, and diffraction to the light emitted from the light emitting section 60, and the marker section 20D differs from the above-described embodiment mainly in that it is provided on the optical component 40.

[0043] In the light irradiation device 10H, the light emitting unit 60 emits light in a direction along the longitudinal direction P, and the optical component 40 includes a reflective surface 41 that reflects the light from the light emitting unit 60 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction P. The marker unit 20D is provided in a region of the optical component 40 other than the region where the reflective surface 41 is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the optical component 40 is disposed on the upper surface of the support body 12. The optical component 40 is a prism having the reflective surface 41 and a surface 42 located on the opposite side of the reflective surface 41. The marker unit 20D is provided on the surface 42 of the optical component 40. In the light irradiation device 10H, providing the marker unit 20D on the optical component 40 can simplify the configuration of the light irradiation device. However, the marker unit 20D may be provided on a side surface of the optical component 40 that intersects with the surface 42, for example, on at least one of the +X side surface and the −X side surface of the optical component 40.

[0044] Seventh Embodiment The configuration of a light irradiating device according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a light irradiating device 10J according to the seventh embodiment.

[0045] In addition to the marker unit 20D, the light irradiation device 10J includes a second marker unit 20J in a portion other than the support body 12 and the optical component 40. In the example shown in Fig. 10 , the light irradiation device 10J includes the marker unit 20D provided on the support body 12 and the second marker unit 20J arranged on the opposite side of the light output unit 60 from the optical component 40. The second marker unit 20J is a cylindrical member inside which the insulated electric wire 14 can be placed. However, the shape of the second marker unit 20J is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be any shape.

[0046] By providing the second marker unit 20J in the light irradiation device 10J, the marker unit that appears in the X-ray CT image can be made larger than when only the marker unit 20D is provided. This improves the visibility of the marker unit, making it possible to provide a light irradiation device 10J that allows the position of the light irradiation device 10J to be easily confirmed. On the other hand, when only the marker unit 20D is provided without the second marker unit 20J, the accurate position and orientation can be confirmed using the marker unit 20D. This makes it possible to provide a light irradiation device 10J that can indicate the light irradiation direction with high precision.

[0047] Hereinafter, eighth to tenth embodiments will be described. In the eighth to tenth embodiments, examples are described in which a marker member or a marker portion is not provided, but the light irradiation devices described in the eighth to tenth embodiments may be provided with the marker member or the marker portion described in the first to seventh embodiments.

[0048] Eighth Embodiment FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an in vivo light irradiation assembly 100 using a light irradiation device 10 according to an eighth embodiment. The in vivo light irradiation assembly 100 includes a catheter 50 and a light irradiation device 10 inserted into the catheter 50. The catheter 50 is filled with a refrigerant 51 at least during use. The in vivo light irradiation assembly 100 is used for treatment, diagnosis, sensing, and the like. The light irradiation device 10 is inserted into the catheter 50 in the direction indicated by the white arrow "insertion direction" in the figure and introduced into a living body. Because the light irradiation device 10 is a heat-generating body, a refrigerant 51 is supplied into the catheter 50, and the heat-generating portion is cooled during use. Therefore, the distal end of the light irradiation device 10 is integrally covered with an insulating layer 16. The refrigerant 51 may be, for example, saline, blood, lymph, or the like, and the refrigerant temperature is, for example, approximately 10°C to 36°C. The light irradiation device 10 is inserted into the vicinity of the irradiation target site, such as an affected area, inside a living body using a catheter 50, so that it is possible to directly irradiate the affected area, such as a tumor, with light, and to inspect and confirm the target site for diagnosis, sensing, etc., without using an optical fiber.

[0049] 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the light irradiation device 10 of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. In both the light irradiation device 10A of FIG. 12A and the light irradiation device 10B of FIG. 12B, the light-emitting element, the support on which the light-emitting element is mounted, and the insulated wire electrically connected to the light-emitting element are integrally covered with an insulating layer, but the state of the insulating layer coverage differs. In the coordinate systems of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the optical axis direction is the Z direction, the direction in which the light-emitting element is mounted on the support is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the Y direction is the X direction. The light irradiation device 10A of FIG. 12A includes a light-emitting element 11 that emits light of a predetermined wavelength, an optical component 17 onto which the light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 is incident, a support 12 on which the light-emitting element 11 and the optical component 17 are mounted, an insulated wire 14 electrically connected to the light-emitting element 11, and an insulating layer 16A that integrally covers the outer surface of the structure including the light-emitting element 11, the optical component 17, the support 12, and the insulated wire 14. The insulating layer 16A is a coating (hereinafter referred to as a polysilazane coating) formed by applying a polysilazane solution and silicating it, for example, and is translucent to the light emitted from the light emitting element 11. By employing a polysilazane coating, the thickness of the insulating layer can be reduced, improving heat dissipation while ensuring insulation. The light emitting surface 111 of the light emitting element 11 and the light incident surface 171 of the optical component 17 face each other across the space 13. Light emitted from the light emitting surface 111 passes through the insulating layer 16A, the space 13, and the insulating layer 16A and is incident on the light incident surface 171 of the optical component 17. The insulating layer 16A in FIG. 12A seals the stacked structure along the surface shapes of the support 12 and the components, such as the light emitting element 11, mounted on the support 12.

[0050] In this configuration example, the longitudinal direction of the support 12 is parallel to the Z direction. The light irradiation device 10 of the eighth embodiment is inserted into the catheter 50 in the +Z direction, and the insulated wires 14 including the first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b extend in the -Z direction. The support 12 is made of silicon (Si), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon nitride (SiN), alumina (Al ２ O ３), glass, quartz, ceramics, or other insulating material, preferably a material with a thermal conductivity of 100 W / m·K or more. Furthermore, the material is not limited to insulating materials, and metal materials such as copper, or resin materials may also be used. When using metal materials, appropriate insulation treatment is performed to prevent short circuits, etc. The light-emitting element 11 is mounted on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12.

[0051] An optical component 17 is mounted on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12 together with the light-emitting element 11, and the light incident surface 171 of the optical component 17 is inclined relative to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. This allows the light incident surface 171 of the optical component 17 to function as a reflecting surface, and the output light Lout of the light irradiation device 10A is extracted in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow. In the configuration example of FIG. 12A , the optical component 17 is a reflective member that guides the light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in a direction intersecting the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12 (e.g., the +Y direction). This allows the light to be emitted in the circumferential direction of the light irradiation device. The optical component 17 may be a mirror that reflects light incident on the light incident surface 171. The mirror may have a reflective layer made of metal and / or a dielectric multilayer film. This allows for efficient reflection of light.

[0052] The insulated wires 14 include a first insulated wire 14a electrically connected to one electrode (also referred to as the first electrode) of the light-emitting element 11 on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121, which is the first surface of the support 12 on which the light-emitting element 11 is mounted, and a second insulated wire 14b electrically connected to the other electrode (also referred to as the second electrode) of the light-emitting element 11 on the back surface 122 (also referred to as the second surface) opposite the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. The use of the insulated wires enables electrical current to be passed through the light-emitting element 11. One of the features of the light irradiation device 10A is that the electrical connections between the first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b and the light-emitting element 11 are integrally sealed with an insulating layer 16A along with the support 12, the light-emitting element 11, and the optical component 17. The thickness of the insulating layer 16A is thinner than the thickness of the light-emitting element 11. By integrally covering the light irradiation device 10A with the insulating layer 16 that is thinner than the light emitting element 11, a small light irradiation device 10A with ensured electrical insulation is realized, which facilitates insertion into the catheter 50. Furthermore, by making the thickness of the insulating layer 16A thinner than the thickness of the light emitting element, the thermal resistance of the insulating layer 16 can be reduced, and heat dissipation can be improved.

[0053] The width of the support 12 in the X direction is a width that allows it to be easily inserted into the catheter 50, but from the viewpoint of widening the cooling area (i.e., heat dissipation area) by the refrigerant 51, it may be set as wide as possible within a range that allows it to be smoothly inserted into the catheter 50. The thickness of the support 12 in the Y direction is a thickness that can stably support the light-emitting element 11 and that allows it to be smoothly inserted into the catheter 50 with the light-emitting element 11 mounted thereon. As an example, the thickness of the support 12 is about 0.075 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0054] The insulating layer 16A, which integrally seals the support 12 and the components on the support 12, is made of a polysilazane coating or an insulating resin such as an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, an acrylic resin, or a thermoplastic resin. By sealing the light-emitting element 11 integrally, i.e., in a single process, the process can be simplified. When using these resins, it is preferable to use an insulating resin that is biocompatible, has high thermal conductivity, and has high transmittance to the emission wavelength. Examples of such insulating resins include polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyurethane, and polyesterimide, whose components and compositions have been adjusted to mitigate adverse effects on living organisms. The insulating layer 16A may also be made by providing a biocompatible resin layer on the surface of a polysilazane coating. The insulating layer 16A isolates the electrical connection between the light-emitting element 11 and the first and second insulated wires 14a and 14b from the refrigerant 51. While maintaining this sealed state, the first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b are pulled out in the −Z direction from the insulating layer 16A.

[0055] The first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b are cooled by the refrigerant 51 and also function as heat dissipation materials. The insulated wire 14 is, for example, an enameled wire, in which metal wiring made of a good conductor such as Cu or Ni is coated with an insulating polyurethane coating. Instead of polyurethane, an insulating resin such as polyester, polyesterimide, polyamideimide, or polyimide may be used. By using the insulating coating, which is the surface coating of the insulated wire 14, as a heat dissipation material, heat generated by the light-emitting element 11 can be dissipated to the outside. When rectangular enameled wires are used as the first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b, the resulting wiring is wider, allowing for a larger bonding area with the support 12. Furthermore, for the same circumscribed circle area, the rectangular enameled wire can have a smaller circumscribed circle area than a round enameled wire, thereby enabling a more compact design.

[0056] The light-emitting element 11 is, for example, an edge-emitting laser element that resonates in a direction parallel to the Z-axis. When an edge-emitting laser element is used as the light-emitting element 11, one end face in the resonance direction becomes the light-emitting surface 111. An optical component 17 is disposed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12 so as to face the light-emitting surface 111 of the light-emitting element 11, and guides the light emitted from the edge-emitting laser element in a direction intersecting with the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. The direction intersecting with the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 is any direction except for directions parallel to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121, but can be, for example, in the range of 50° to 130° with respect to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. It may also be a direction perpendicular to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. Here, the "perpendicular" direction does not need to be strictly perpendicular to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121, and includes a range of 90°±5° taking into account manufacturing errors and surface conditions of the support 12 and the optical component 17. Light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 is reflected by the light incident surface 171 of the optical component 17 and is irradiated in a predetermined direction. When a polysilazane coating is used for the insulating layer 16A, the light can also be reflected by the polysilazane coating. The optical component 17 may be configured by combining a first optical element that controls the spread angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 and a second optical element that has a reflecting function, as long as a predetermined space 13 is maintained between the optical component 17 and the light exit surface 111 of the light-emitting element 11.

[0057] In the configuration example of FIG. 12A , the first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b are connected to the top surface of the light-emitting element 11 and the back surface 122 of the support 12, respectively, so as not to interfere with light emission in the Z direction from the light-emitting element 11 and reflection by the optical component 17. A conductive layer 124 is formed on at least a portion of the surface of the support 12. In the example of FIG. 12A , the support 12 has a conductive layer 124 formed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121, the back surface 122, and at least a portion of the side surface connecting the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 and the back surface 122. As a result, the first insulated wire 14a is electrically connected directly or indirectly to one electrode of the light-emitting element 11 on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 side of the support 12. The second insulated wire 14b is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the other electrode of the light-emitting element 11 on the back surface 122 of the support 12 via the conductive layer 124 formed on the support 12.

[0058] The light-emitting element 11 mounted on the support 12 of the light-irradiation device 10B in FIG. 12B and the insulated wire 14 electrically connected to the light-emitting element 11 are configured in the same manner as in the light-irradiation device 10A, but differ from those in FIG. 12A in the covering state with the insulating layer 16B. The thickness of the insulating layer 16B may be at least partially thicker than the thickness of the light-emitting element 11. In this case, the space between the light-emitting surface 111 of the light-emitting element 11 and the light-incident surface 171 of the optical component 17 may be filled with the insulating layer 16B. Light emitted from the light-emitting surface 111 of the light-emitting element 11 passes through the insulating layer 16B and enters the light-incident surface 171 of the optical component 17. The insulating layer 16B may be made of the same material as the insulating layer 16A described above. By making the insulating layer 16B thick, the entire support 12, light-emitting element 11, optical component 17, and insulated wire 14 can be stably supported, and the optical coupling portions and the electrical connection portions can be reliably prevented from coming into contact with the refrigerant. The thickness of the insulating layer 16B may be greater than the thickness of the light emitting element 11 over the entire region.

[0059] 13 is a perspective view of the light irradiation device body before being sealed with the insulating layer 16 (or 16A or 16B). A predetermined space 13 is provided between the light emission surface 111 of the light emitting element 11 and the light incidence surface 171 of the optical component 17. Light emitted from the light emitting element 11 passes through the space 13 and enters the optical component 17, where it is reflected in a predetermined direction. A conductive layer 124 is formed to cover at least a portion of the light emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support body 12, at least a portion of the side surfaces, and at least a portion of the back surface 122. The top surface of the light emitting element 11 is connected to the first insulated wire 14a, and the bottom surface of the light emitting element 11 is connected to the conductive layer 124 formed on the light emitting element mounting surface 121.

[0060] A portion of the insulating coating of the first insulated wire 14a is removed, and the internal metal wiring is connected to one electrode of the light-emitting element 11. A portion of the insulating coating of the second insulated wire 14b is removed, and the internal metal wiring is electrically connected to the other electrode of the light-emitting element 11. In the example of FIG. 13 , a conductive layer 124 is formed from the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12, through the side surface, to the back surface 122, and the internal metal wiring of the second insulated wire 14b is connected to the conductive layer 124 on the back surface 122 of the support 12. This provides an electrical connection between the other electrode of the light-emitting element 11 and the second insulated wire 14b. By providing the conductive layer 124 for electrical connection on the surface of the support 12, the conductive layer 124 can be used as a heat dissipation member.

[0061] As described above, the optical component 17 is mounted on the support 12 and faces the light emitting surface 111 of the light emitting element 11. The body of the optical component 17 is made of a dielectric material such as glass, and a thin silver film is formed on the light incident surface 171, but this is not limiting. The optical component 17 may be made of plastic, resin, silicon (Si), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon nitride (SiN), alumina (Al ２ O ３ A thin film of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, gold, nickel, platinum, or the like may be formed on the light incident surface (i.e., the reflective surface) of a body made of an insulating material such as glass, quartz, or ceramic. A dielectric multilayer film may be formed instead of a metal reflective film. The support 12, the light emitting element 11, the optical component 17, and a portion of the insulated electric wire 14 are covered with a light-transmitting insulating layer 16A or 16B by a dipping method, a spraying method, or the like.

[0062] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a light-emitting element 11 mounted on a support 12. The light-emitting element 11 is, for example, an edge-emitting laser element having a ridge structure. The light-emitting element 11 includes an n-side electrode 113, an n-side semiconductor layer 114, an active layer 115, a p-side semiconductor layer 116, and a p-side electrode 118. The n-side semiconductor layer 114 may include an optical guide layer, a cladding layer, a contact layer, etc., doped with n-type impurities. The p-side semiconductor layer 116 may include an optical guide layer, a cladding layer, a contact layer, etc., doped with p-type impurities. The p-side electrode 118 is electrically connected to the first insulated wire 14a. When an ITO electrode is used as the p-side electrode 118, the p-side electrode 118 may also serve as a cladding layer. The p-side electrode 118 is electrically connected to the second insulated wire 14b via a conductive layer 124 formed on the support 12. 14, the n-side electrode 113 and the first insulated wire 14a are directly connected, but they may be indirectly connected, for example, a second support may be disposed between the n-side electrode 113 and the first insulated wire 14a. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 15, by sandwiching the light-emitting element 11 between two supports 12-1 and 12-2, heat dissipation can be improved.

[0063] The semiconductor material and its composition of the light-emitting element 11 are designed to emit laser light of a desired wavelength. When the light-emitting element 11 is used as an ultraviolet laser, a violet laser, a blue laser, or a green laser, GaN-based materials such as GaN, InGaN, and AlGaN are used. When the light-emitting element 11 is used as a red laser, an infrared laser, or a near-infrared laser, GaAs-based materials such as GaAs and AlGaAs, or InP-based materials such as InAlGaP and GaInP are used. The ridge width may be wide to ensure the gain of the active layer 115, from the viewpoint of sealing the light-emitting element 11, the first insulated wire 14a, and the second insulated wire 14b, together with the insulating layer 16A or 16B, when the light-emitting element 11 is mounted on the support 12. The ridge width may be designed to be, for example, 2 μm to 100 μm. The transverse mode may be multimode or single mode.

[0064] Unlike irradiation devices that irradiate laser light via optical fibers, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 11 of this embodiment is linearly polarized, and the direction of the linear polarization after emission can be changed by changing the reflection direction using an optical component 17 such as a mirror. This makes it possible, for example, to reduce the reflectance when the light is incident on a living body and improve the transmittance through the living body. Even light that is in a specific polarization state when emitted as laser light may change its polarization state or become depolarized while passing through a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. In this embodiment, light can be directly irradiated onto an affected area inside the body without using an optical fiber, so light can be irradiated onto a target location such as an affected area while maintaining a specific polarization state.

[0065] 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a stack of the support 12 and the light-emitting element 11. In this configuration example, the light-emitting element 11 is sandwiched between a first support 12-1 and a second support 12-2. The first support 12-1 contacts the top surface of the light-emitting element 11, and the second support 12-2 contacts the bottom surface of the light-emitting element 11. By sandwiching the light-emitting element 11 between the first support 12-1 and the second support 12-2, heat can be efficiently released to the upper and lower sides of the light-emitting element 11, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the light irradiation device 10. The rear end of at least one of the support 12-1 and the second support 12-2 may be extended in the −Z direction. 15 is assumed to use optical component 17 to extract light in a direction (for example, the Y direction) non-parallel to the optical axis (Z axis), but as will be described in the second embodiment, if light is extracted in a direction parallel to light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of support body 12, the tip sides of first support body 12-1 and second support body 12-2 may be extended long in the +Z direction. The entire structure in FIG. 15 is covered with insulating layer 16A or 16B.

[0066] 16 is a diagram showing an example of an in vivo light irradiation assembly 200 using a light irradiation device 20 of the ninth embodiment. The in vivo light irradiation assembly 200 includes a catheter 50 and a light irradiation device 20 inserted into the catheter 50, and the catheter 50 is filled with a refrigerant 51 at least during use. The in vivo light irradiation assembly 200 is used for treatment, diagnosis, sensing, etc. As with the light irradiation device 10 of the eighth embodiment, the light irradiation device 20 is inserted into the catheter 50 in the "insertion direction" indicated by the white arrow in the figure, and introduced into a living body.

[0067] The light irradiation device 20 is used with its heat-generating portion cooled. In the ninth embodiment, the insulated wires 24 are drawn from both sides of the insulating layer 26 along the optical axis to enhance heat dissipation. The insulated wires 24 include a first insulated wire 24a and a second insulated wire 24b electrically connected to the light-emitting element 11. The length of the insulated wire 24 drawn from the insulating layer 26 in the +Z direction may be shorter than the length of the insulated wire 24 drawn from the insulating layer 26 in the −Z direction. To achieve this configuration, light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 is guided in a direction parallel to the light-emitting element mounting surface or in a direction not obstructed by the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b. The covering mode of the insulating layer 26 may be a thin covering along the surface shapes of the support 12 and the components mounted on the support 12 as shown in FIG. 12A to enhance heat dissipation, or a partially thick covering that fills the spaces between the components mounted on the support 12 as shown in FIG. 12B to ensure electrical insulation from the refrigerant 51 by making the thickness of the entire light irradiation device as small as possible.

[0068] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the optical components 27 of the light irradiation device 20. To clearly show the configuration, Fig. 17 shows a state before the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b are electrically connected to the light emitting element 11. Light emitted from the light emitting surface 111 of the light emitting element 11 is reflected by the optical components 27 in a direction approximately parallel to the light emitting element mounting surface 121, and output light Lout of the light irradiation device 20 is extracted in the direction of the dashed arrow. As long as the reflected light from the optical components 27 is not obstructed by the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b, the light may be reflected in a non-parallel direction from the light emitting element mounting surface 121.

[0069] In the actual light irradiation device 20, the light emitting element 11, the optical component 27, and the electrical connection portions between the light emitting element 11 and the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b are sealed integrally with the support body 12 by the insulating layer 26. At least the portion of the insulating layer 26 that exists between the light emitting surface 111 of the light emitting element 11 and the light incident surface 171 of the optical component is translucent to the light emitted from the light emitting element 11.

[0070] The light-emitting element 11 is, for example, an edge-emitting laser element. The light-emitting element 11 may be a laser element having a wide ridge structure similar to that of the eighth embodiment. The direction parallel to the Z axis of the light-emitting element 11 is the resonance direction. An optical component 27 is disposed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12, and guides light emitted from the emission surface of the laser element in a direction parallel to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12. The first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b (see FIG. 16) extend in the +Z direction and the −Z direction, sandwiching the light-emitting element 11 and the support 12 therebetween. Therefore, the light from the light-emitting element 11 is reflected by the optical component 27 in a direction that is not obstructed by the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b.

[0071] The optical component 27 reflects light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element 11, for example, in the X direction parallel to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121. Here, the "parallel" direction does not necessarily have to be strictly parallel to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121; it may have an error of approximately ±10°, taking into account the surface condition of the support 12, manufacturing errors of the optical component 27, etc. As long as the laser light reflected by the optical component 27 does not interfere with the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b, it may be extracted at an angle other than parallel. The optical component 27 is preferably as thick as or thinner than the light-emitting element 11. The optical component 27 may be a flattened mirror or prism, or a metapolarizing element with a metasurface element inserted. The optical component 27 may also be an optical element having a lens function that controls the divergence angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 11. The optical component 27 may be composed of two or more optical elements. For example, it may have an optical element having a lens function that controls the spread angle of the light emitted from the light emitting element 11, and an optical element that reflects the light whose spread angle has been controlled by the optical element at a predetermined angle.

[0072] The insulating layer 26 integrally seals the locations requiring electrical insulation in a state in which the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b are extended in the +Z direction and the −Z direction from both ends of the support body 12 in the optical axis direction. The electrical connection portions between the light emitting element 11 and the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b, as well as at least the light emission surface 111 of the light emitting element 11 and the light incidence surface 171 of the optical component 17, are sealed by the insulating layer 26 and isolated from the coolant 51. The insulating layer 26 is preferably made of a biocompatible resin with high thermal conductivity.

[0073] At least one of the ends of the support 12 in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) may protrude from the insulating layer 26. The support 12 protruding from the insulating layer 26 comes into contact with the refrigerant 51, thereby ensuring the heat dissipation of the light irradiation device 20. Furthermore, by extending the first insulated wire 24a and the second insulated wire 24b to both longitudinal sides of the support 12, the heat dissipation is further improved compared to the eighth embodiment. As in the eighth embodiment, the overall thickness and width of the light irradiation device 20 are approximately 0.5 mm, thereby realizing an ultra-compact light irradiation device 20 that can be mounted on a catheter 50. In the configuration of the ninth embodiment, the light emitting element 11 may be sandwiched between two supports 12-1 and 12-2, as shown in FIG. 15 . In the ninth embodiment, light emitted from the light emitting element 11 is extracted in a direction not obstructed by the support 12. Therefore, sandwiching the light emitting element 11 between the two supports 12-1 and 12-2 can further improve the heat dissipation of the light irradiation device 20.

[0074] 10th Embodiment Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a light irradiation device 30 according to a tenth embodiment. As in the eighth and ninth embodiments, the light irradiation device 30 is also mounted on a catheter 50 (see Figs. 11 and 16) for use, and the light irradiation device 30 and the catheter 50 can form an in-vivo light irradiation assembly. In the tenth embodiment, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is used as the light emitting element 31.

[0075] The light irradiation device 30 includes two light-emitting elements 31 that emit light of a predetermined wavelength, a support 12 on which the light-emitting elements 31 are mounted, and insulated wires 34 electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 31. The insulated wires 34 include a first insulated wire 34a connected to one electrode of each light-emitting element 31 and a second insulated wire 34b connected to the other electrode. The light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting elements 31 and the electrical connection portions between the light-emitting elements 31 and the insulated wires 34 are integrally sealed with the support 12 by an insulating layer 36. At least one of both ends of the support 12 along the longitudinal direction (Z direction) may protrude from the insulating layer 36. At least the portion of the insulating layer 36 that covers the light-emitting surfaces is translucent. The thickness of the insulating layer 36 may be thicker or thinner than the thickness of the light-emitting elements 31.

[0076] The light emission surface of the VCSEL used in the light emitting element 31 is parallel to the light emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support body 12, and the laser light emitted from the VCSEL is emitted in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting element mounting surface 121, as indicated by the white arrow in the figure. In this configuration, no optical components such as mirrors are required.

[0077] The first insulated wire 34a and the second insulated wire 34b are, for example, two-core enameled wires. The first insulated wire 34a is connected to one electrode of each light-emitting element 31 on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 side of the support body 12, and the second insulated wire 34b is connected to the other electrode of each light-emitting element 31 on the back surface (the surface opposite the light-emitting element mounting surface 121) of the support body 12. The first insulated wire 34a and the second insulated wire 34b are drawn out of the insulating layer 36 from at least one of both ends of the support body 12 in the longitudinal direction, with the support body 12 sandwiched therebetween.

[0078] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light-emitting element 31 used in the tenth embodiment. The VCSEL, which is the light-emitting element 31, has a layered structure in which a semiconductor substrate 401, an n-side reflective film 402, an n-type semiconductor layer 403, an active layer 404, a p-type semiconductor layer 405, and a p-side reflective film 406 are layered in this order in the −Y direction. The light emission direction is the +Y direction. The p-type and n-type conductivity types may be reversed. The semiconductor substrate 401 may be removed. The n-type semiconductor layer 403 has a flat portion and a convex portion protruding from the flat portion in the −Y direction. An active layer 404 is provided on the upper surface of the convex portion of the n-type semiconductor layer 403. A p-type semiconductor layer 405 is provided on the upper surface of the active layer 404, and a p-side reflective film 406 is provided on the upper portion of the p-type semiconductor layer 405 except for the peripheral region. A p-side contact layer may be provided between the p-type semiconductor layer 405 and the p-side reflective film 406.

[0079] The light-emitting element 31 includes an insulating layer 407 that covers the upper surface of the flat portion and the side surfaces of the convex portion of the n-type semiconductor layer 403, the side surfaces of the active layer 404, and the peripheral region of the side surfaces and upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer 405. The light-emitting element 31 includes a p-side electrode 408 electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer 405 and an n-side electrode 409 electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer 403. The side on which the p-side electrode 408 and the n-side electrode 409 are provided is disposed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12. A conductive connection layer (or bump) connected to the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12 may be provided so that the heights of the p-side electrode 408 and the n-side electrode 409 in the -Y direction are aligned. When the light-emitting element 31 is flip-chip mounted on the support 12 using the conductive connection layer connected to the p-side electrode 408 and the n-side electrode 409, the p-side reflective film 406 does not interfere with the light-emitting element mounting surface of the support 12.

[0080] The n-side reflective film 402 and the p-side reflective film 406 may each be formed of, for example, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). A DBR has a structure in which multiple high-refractive index layers and multiple low-refractive index layers are alternately stacked. The DBR has a wavelength range of high reflectivity called a stop band. The center wavelength and wavelength width of the stop band are determined by the refractive index and thickness of the high-refractive index layers and the refractive index and thickness of the low-refractive index layers. The reflectivity in the stop band of the DBR increases with the refractive index difference between the high-refractive index layers and the number of layers stacked.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 19 , a standing wave is formed between the n-side reflective film 402 and the p-side reflective film 406. The wavelength of the standing wave in air is within the stop band of the n-side reflective film 402 and the p-side reflective film 406, and this wavelength is the oscillation wavelength of the laser light. An integer multiple of half the oscillation wavelength is equal to the optical distance between the opposing reflective surfaces of the n-side reflective film 402 and the p-side reflective film 406. The optical distance is the distance obtained by multiplying the actual propagation distance of light through a medium by the refractive index of that medium. Current can be injected into the active layer 404 by applying a forward voltage between the p-side electrode 408 and the n-side electrode 409. This current injection causes a population inversion in the active layer 404, resulting in light amplification by stimulated emission at the oscillation wavelength, i.e., laser oscillation. As described above, the VCSEL of this embodiment is intended to be mounted on the p-side electrode 408 and n-side electrode 409 side, with laser light extracted from the semiconductor substrate 401 side.

[0082] The configuration of the VCSEL shown in FIG. 19 is an example. The components included in the VCSEL may be formed from known materials. The shapes of some of the components included in the VCSEL may be modified, or other components may be further included. A configuration in which laser light is extracted from the side opposite to the semiconductor substrate 401 may also be used.

[0083] FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 side of the support body 12 used in the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the back surface 122 side of the support body. Here, the surface opposite the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 is referred to as the "back surface." Conductive layers 124 and 125 are formed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support body 12. The conductive layer 124 is formed on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support body 12 and is electrically insulated from the conductive layer 125. The conductive layer 124 has a connection region 124c that is connected to one electrode of the light-emitting element 31, and a wide portion 124w at the end on the -Z side of the support body 12 that is wider than the connection region 124c. The wide portion 124w is used for electrical connection with the first insulated wire 34a. The conductive layer 125 is formed from the side surface of the support body 12 to the back surface 122.

[0084] The p-side electrode 408 and the n-side electrode 409 of the light-emitting element 31 are connected to the conductive layers 124 and 125 on the light-emitting element mounting surface 121, respectively, via conductive connection layers (or bumps). The wide portion 124w of the conductive layer 124 is electrically connected to the first insulated wire 34a. A portion of the insulating coating of the first insulated wire 34a is removed, and the internal metal wiring is connected to the conductive layer 124. On the back surface 122 of the support 12, the conductive layer 125 is electrically connected to the second insulated wire 34b. A portion of the insulating coating of the second insulated wire 34b is removed, and the internal metal wiring is connected to the conductive layer 125.

[0085] The first insulated wire 34a and the second insulated wire 34b are arranged to sandwich the support 12 and extend in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the support 12 so as not to interfere with the light emission of the VCSEL. In the arrangement configuration shown in FIG. 18 , the second insulated wire 34b connected to the rear surface 122 of the support 12 may be extended to near the tip of the support 12 on the +Z side. The first insulated wire 34a and the second insulated wire 34b protruding from the insulating layer 36 in the −Z direction are cooled by contact with a refrigerant. The support 12 may also protrude from the insulating layer 36 at at least one end in the longitudinal direction and be directly cooled by the refrigerant. The conductive layers 124 and 125 formed on the surface of the support 12 also function as a heat sink.

[0086] The VCSEL chip used as the light-emitting element 31 has a side length and height of 200 μm or less, is mounted on the support 12, and is sealed with an insulating layer 36. The overall thickness and width of the light-emitting device 30 are about 0.5 mm, realizing an ultra-compact light-emitting device 30 that can be mounted on a catheter 50. In the example of FIG. 18 , the thickness of the insulating layer 36 is thinner than the thickness of the light-emitting element 31.

[0087] FIG. 21 shows the electrical characteristics and optical output characteristics of the fabricated light-emitting device, and FIG. 22 shows the thermal resistance. The characteristics of this light-emitting device were measured using a sample fabricated according to the eighth embodiment. The light-emitting element 11 used had a resonator length (length in the Z direction) of 1.5 mm, a width (length in the X direction) of 0.2 mm, and an oscillation wavelength of 640 nm. The support 12 was an AlN substrate with a thickness (length in the Y direction) of 0.1 mm. The mirror was a silver mirror with a bottom surface size (length x width) of 0.3 mm x 0.2 mm and a height of 0.2 mm. The first insulated wire 14a and the second insulated wire 14b were polyurethane copper wires with a diameter of 0.1 mm and a length of 1.5 m. The insulating layer 16 was a polysilazane coating.

[0088] 21, the horizontal axis represents the current value [mA] applied via the insulated wire 14, the left vertical axis represents the optical output [mW], and the right vertical axis represents the voltage [V]. The black marks in the figure represent the current vs. optical output characteristics, and the white marks represent the current vs. voltage characteristics. The optical output increases as the current increases, and an optical power of 30 mW can be obtained with an injection current of 100 mA.

[0089] 22, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents thermal resistance (K / W). The thermal resistance saturates approximately 0.1 seconds after the light irradiation device is turned on. By cooling the light irradiation device with the refrigerant 51 while it is in operation, heat can be efficiently released from the support 12, the insulated wire 14, and the insulating layer 16, stabilizing the operation of the light irradiation device.

[0090] Although the above description has been based on specific configuration examples, the present disclosure is not limited to the above configuration examples. For example, in the eighth embodiment, the second insulated wire 14b, which does not interfere with light emission, may be extended from the tip of the support 12 in the +Z direction to function as a heat dissipation member. In the configurations of the eighth or tenth embodiment, a light detector such as a photodiode may be disposed together with a light emitting element on the light emitting element mounting surface 121 of the support 12 to be used as a biosensor. In the configuration of the tenth embodiment, instead of mounting two light emitting elements 31 on the support 12, one light emitting element 31 and one light receiving element may be mounted. When using two-core enameled wires as the insulated wires 14 and 34, one metal wiring may be used to supply an electrical signal to the light emitting element 11 or 31, and the other metal wiring may be used as a wiring for reading out a signal output from the photodetector.

[0091] The light irradiation devices 10 (including 10A and 10B), 20, and 30 of the eighth to tenth embodiments may be used in combination with an endoscope. The light emitting elements 11 and 31 can be used not only as laser light sources for treatment, but also as sensing light sources and illumination light sources. In either case, they have heat dissipation properties that allow heat from the light emitting elements to be dissipated to the outside, electrical insulation properties sufficient to ensure insulation in a refrigerant, and are effective as light irradiation devices that can be mounted on a catheter. Unlike optical fibers, insulated wires with insulating coatings are highly flexible. Furthermore, a configuration in which the light emitting elements themselves are mounted on the support 12 has excellent integration properties and a wide range of applications for sensors.

[0092] The present disclosure can be used not only for light irradiation devices inserted into medical catheters but also for other medical applications, such as sensors that require localized light irradiation in combination with a refrigerant.

[0093] The light irradiation devices of the first to seventh embodiments are not limited to those placed inside living organisms for medical purposes, but can also be used as illumination light sources placed in small spaces inside precision machinery, etc., and used to inspect the inside of precision machinery, etc.

[0094] 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first example of the configuration of a light irradiating device 10K according to an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second example of the configuration of a light irradiating device 10K according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third example of the configuration of a light irradiating device 10K according to the eleventh embodiment. Each of FIGS. 23 to 25 shows a cross section of an elongated light irradiating device 10K having a longitudinal direction P, the cross section including a central axis C0 along the longitudinal direction P.

[0095] As in the eighth to tenth embodiments, the light irradiation device 10K is mounted on a catheter 50 (see FIGS. 11 and 16 ), and the light irradiation device 10K and the catheter 50 may constitute an in-vivo light irradiation assembly. In the eleventh embodiment, the light emitting unit 60 includes a light emitting element 11 and a support 12-3 that supports the light emitting element 11. The support 12-3 contains a material that is opaque to radiation such as X-rays. For example, the support 12-3 includes Cu—W or Cu—Mo. Since the support 12-3 contains a material that is opaque to radiation such as X-rays, a separate marker member is not required. The support 12-3 has a notch 12c on the opposite side of the light emitting unit 60 from the optical component 40. Since the support 12-3 itself can serve as a marker member or marker unit, the light irradiation device 10K can be made smaller. The light emitting element 11 is fixed to the support 12-3, and the support 12-3 and the light emitting surface 111 are disposed close to each other, improving the accuracy of the direction of light irradiation. The support 12-3 may be a block made of Cu—W or Cu—Mo. If the support 12-3 is conductive, the support 12-3 itself may also serve as a conductive layer.

[0096] The light emitting element 11 is disposed on a first surface 12a, which is the upper surface of the support 12-3. The light emitting element 11 can emit light in a direction along the longitudinal direction P from a light emitting surface 111 that intersects with the longitudinal direction P. In the example shown in Fig. 23 , the light emitting element 11 emits light in the +Z direction. In the light irradiation device 10K, the light emitting unit 60 includes the light emitting element 11 and the support 12-3, and therefore the support 12-3 can be used as a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat from the light emitting element 11.

[0097] The support 12-3 is opaque to radiation such as X-rays and has a notch 12c, and at least one of its shape and position differs when viewed from the first direction Q1 and the second direction Q2. Therefore, when a living body with the light irradiation device 10K placed inside is imaged using an X-ray CT scanner or the like, an image of the support 12-3 can be confirmed in the captured image. By confirming at least one of the shape and position of the image of the support 12-3 reflected in the X-ray CT image, the orientation of the support 12 placed inside the living body can be confirmed. The orientation of the support 12-3 is known relative to the longitudinal direction P, and the light irradiation device 10K can irradiate light emitted from the light-emitting element 11 in a predetermined direction R intersecting the longitudinal direction P. Therefore, in this embodiment, by using the light irradiation device 10K, the irradiation direction of light from the light irradiation device 10K can be determined from the orientation of the support 12-3 confirmed based on the X-ray CT image.

[0098] In the first example shown in Fig. 23, the support 12-3 has the notch 12c, but as in the second example shown in Fig. 24, the support 12-4 may have a protrusion 12d that protrudes in the +Y direction from the first surface 12a, which is the upper surface of the support 12-4. The support 12-4 including the protrusion 12d may be formed as an integral member, or may be formed by joining rectangular parallelepiped members of different sizes. Like the support 12-3, the support 12-4 is opaque to radiation such as X-rays.

[0099] 25, a support 12-5 may be used in combination with a marker portion 20D provided on an optical component 40. The support 12-5 is opaque to radiation such as X-rays, similar to the support 12-3.

[0100] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-217446 filed with the Japan Patent Office on December 22, 2023, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-217447 filed with the Japan Patent Office on December 22, 2023, and includes the entire contents of these Japanese patent applications.

[0101] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include, for example, the following configurations. <Item 1> An elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light output unit; and a radiopaque marker member connected directly or indirectly to the light output unit, wherein the marker member viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction differs in at least one of shape and position from the marker member viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and wherein the light irradiation device is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light output unit in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. <Item 2> The light irradiation device according to <Item 1>, wherein the marker member has an elongated base and at least one of a convex portion and a concave portion provided on a surface of the base. <Item 3> The light irradiation device according to <Item 1> or <Item 2>, further comprising an optical component that reflects light emitted from the light output unit in a direction along the longitudinal direction, in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. <Item 4> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 3>, wherein the light output unit includes a light emitting element and a support body that supports the light emitting element. <Item 5> The light irradiation device according to <Item 4>, wherein at least one of the light emitting element and the support body is covered with an insulating layer. <Item 6> The light irradiation device according to <Item 4> or <Item 5>, wherein an insulated wire is electrically connected to the light emitting element, and the insulated wire is electrically insulated from the marker member. <Item 7> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 4> to <Item 6>, wherein the light irradiation device includes a housing that includes an opening and allows at least a portion of the light emitting element and at least a portion of the support body to be disposed therein, and a translucent member that seals the opening of the housing, wherein the translucent member transmits light that is output from the light output unit and is irradiated in a predetermined direction that intersects the longitudinal direction. <Item 8> The light irradiation device according to <Item 7>, wherein the light emitting element is disposed inside the housing, and the inside of the housing is hermetically sealed.<Item 9> An elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, the light irradiation device comprising: a light output section; a support to which the light output section is fixed; and a radiopaque marker section, wherein the marker section viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction differs in at least one of shape and position from the marker section viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and the marker section is provided on the support and is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light output section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. <Item 10> The light irradiation device according to <Item 9>, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light output section is arranged and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and the marker section is provided on the second surface of the support. <Item 11> The light irradiation device according to <Item 9> or <Item 10>, wherein at least a portion of the marker section has a thickness of 40 μm or more and 100 μm or less. <Item 12> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 9> to <Item 11>, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light output unit is arranged and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and a position of the marker unit when viewed from a third direction that is a direction parallel to the first surface differs from a position of the marker unit when the light irradiation device is rotated 180 degrees around a central axis of the light irradiation device that is parallel to the longitudinal direction as an axis of rotation and viewed from the third direction by at least twice the distance between the first surface and the second surface on the support. <Item 13> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 9> to <Item 12>, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light output unit is arranged and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and the marker unit is provided on both the first surface and the second surface, and at least one of the size and position of the marker unit differs from the marker unit provided on the second surface. <Item 14> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 9> to <Item 13>, wherein the light emitting portion is a light emitting element, and the light emitting element is disposed on the support body.<Item 15> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 9> to <Item 14>, wherein the light output unit is a fiber, and the fiber is disposed on the support. <Item 16> The light irradiation device according to <Item 14>, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light output unit is disposed and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, the second surface of the support includes a first region and a second region different from the first region, the marker unit is provided in the first region, and an insulated wire is disposed in the second region. <Item 17> An elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light emitting section; a support to which the light emitting section is fixed; an optical component that imparts at least one of an optical effect of reflection, refraction, and diffraction to light emitted from the light emitting section; and a radiopaque marker section, wherein the marker section viewed from a first direction in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is different in at least one of a shape and a position from the marker section viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is different from the first direction, and the marker section is provided on the optical component, and the light irradiation device can irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting section in a predetermined direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction. <Item 18> The light irradiation device according to <Item 17>, wherein the light output section outputs the light in a direction along the longitudinal direction, the optical component includes a reflective surface that reflects the light from the light output section in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and the marker section is provided in an area of ​​the optical component other than an area where the reflective surface is provided. <Item 19> The light irradiation device according to <Item 17>, wherein in addition to the marker section, a second marker section is provided in a portion other than the support body and the optical component. <Item 20> The light irradiation device according to any one of <Item 17> to <Item 19>, wherein the support body and the optical component are integrally formed.<Item 21> An elongated light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light emitting unit having a light emitting element and a support body supporting the light emitting element; the support body containing a member having radiopaque properties; and the support body viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction differs in at least one of shape and position from the support body viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction; and the light irradiation device is capable of irradiating light emitted from the light emitting unit in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0102] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10J, 10K, 20, 30 Light irradiation device 11, 31 Light emitting element 111 Light emitting surface 12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 Support 12a First surface 12b Second surface 12b1 First region 12b2 Second region 12c Notch 12d Protrusion 121 Light emitting element mounting surface 122 Back surface 124, 125 Conductive layer 14, 24, 34 Insulated wire 14a, 24a, 34a First insulated wire 14b, 24b, 34b Second insulated wire 16, 16A, 16B, 26, 36 Insulating layer 17, 27 Optical component 18 Fiber 20A Marker member 20D Marker portion 20J Second marker portion 20v First position 20u Second position t1 Thickness t2, d Distance 30A Housing 31A Opening 32 Light-transmitting member 40 Optical component 41 Reflecting surface 42 Surface 50 Catheter 51 Coolant 60 Light emitting portion 100, 200 In-vivo light irradiation assembly Q1 First direction Q2 Second direction Q3 Third direction P Longitudinal direction R Direction

Claims

1. A long light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light output section; and a radiopaque marker member connected directly or indirectly to the light output section, wherein the marker member viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has at least one of a shape and a position different from that of the marker member viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and the light irradiation device is capable of irradiating light output from the light output section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

2. The light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the marker member has an elongated base and at least one of a convex portion and a concave portion provided on a surface of the base.

3. The light irradiation device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an optical component that reflects light emitted from said light emitting portion in a direction along said longitudinal direction, in a direction intersecting said longitudinal direction.

4. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitting portion has a light emitting element and a support body that supports the light emitting element.

5. The light irradiation device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the light emitting element and the support is covered with an insulating layer.

6. The light irradiation device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising an insulated electric wire electrically connected to said light emitting element, said insulated electric wire being electrically insulated from said marker member.

7. A light irradiation device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising: a housing including an opening, into which at least a part of the light emitting element and at least a part of the support body can be respectively arranged; and a light-transmitting member sealing the opening of the housing, wherein the light-transmitting member transmits light that is emitted from the light emitting portion and irradiated in a predetermined direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction.

8. The light irradiation device according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting element is disposed inside the housing, and the inside of the housing is hermetically sealed.

9. A long light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light emitting section; a support to which the light emitting section is fixed; and a radiopaque marker section, wherein at least one of a shape and a position of the marker section viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is different from that of the marker section viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, the marker section being provided on the support, and capable of irradiating light emitted from the light emitting section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

10. The light irradiation device according to claim 9, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light emitting portion is arranged and a second surface located opposite the first surface, and the marker portion is provided on the second surface of the support.

11. The light irradiation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the thickness of at least a part of the marker portion is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

12. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light emitting portion is arranged, and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and a position of the marker portion when viewed from a third direction that is a direction parallel to the first surface differs by more than twice the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the support from a position of the marker portion when the light irradiation device is rotated 180 degrees around a central axis of the light irradiation device that is parallel to the longitudinal direction as an axis of rotation and viewed from the third direction.

13. A light irradiation device described in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light emitting portion is arranged and a second surface located opposite the first surface, the marker portion is provided on both the first surface and the second surface, and the marker portion provided on the first surface differs from the marker portion provided on the second surface in at least one of the size and position of the marker portion.

14. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the light emitting portion is a light emitting element, and the light emitting element is disposed on the support.

15. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the light emitting portion is a fiber, and the fiber is disposed on the support.

16. The light irradiation device according to claim 14, wherein the support includes a first surface on which the light emitting portion is arranged and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, the second surface of the support includes a first region and a second region different from the first region, the marker portion is provided in the first region, and an insulated wire is arranged in the second region.

17. A long light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising: a light output section; a support to which the light output section is fixed; an optical component that imparts at least one of optical effects of reflection, refraction, and diffraction to the light output from the light output section; and a marker section having radiopacity, wherein at least one of a shape and a position of the marker section viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is different from that of the marker section viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and the marker section is provided on the optical component, and the light irradiation device is capable of irradiating the light output from the light output section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

18. The light irradiation device described in claim 17, wherein the light emitting portion emits the light in a direction along the longitudinal direction, the optical component includes a reflective surface that reflects the light from the light emitting portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and the marker portion is provided in an area of ​​the optical component other than the area in which the reflective surface is provided.

19. The light irradiation device according to claim 17, further comprising, in addition to the marker portion, a second marker portion on a portion other than the support body and the optical component.

20. A light irradiation device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the support and the optical component are integrally formed.

21. A long light irradiation device having a longitudinal direction, comprising a light emitting section having a light emitting element and a support supporting the light emitting element, the support containing a member having radiopaque properties, the support viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction differing in at least one of shape and position from the support viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is different from the first direction, and the light irradiation device capable of irradiating light emitted from the light emitting section in a predetermined direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

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