Medical light irradiation system

Abstract

Provided is a medical light irradiation system for efficiently irradiating an affected area with light. This medical light irradiation system comprises: a catheter; a plurality of light emission parts which are provided in the vicinity of a tip portion representing the end of the catheter that is to be inserted into a body, and which emit blue light towards tissue; one or more balloons which are provided in the vicinity of the tip portion; a control device which is provided towards a rear portion representing the other end of the catheter and which controls the blue light emitted from each of the light emission parts; and a balloon control device which is provided towards the rear portion representing the other end of the catheter and which controls the expansion or contraction of the balloons. The plurality of light emission parts are provided, for example, in a line along the direction in which the catheter extends, so as to irradiate a predetermined range of the tissue by linking the irradiation ranges of said light emission parts.

Description

Medical Light Irradiation System

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical light irradiation system.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-99990, filed on June 20, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes a device designed to address the need for an effective, rapid, and well-tolerated treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection, as well as the need for a well-tolerated, effective, and minimally invasive method for eliminating or killing microorganisms in body cavities such as the intestines, lungs, peritoneal cavity, and urethra. The device includes a plurality of light-emitting optical fibers having proximal and distal ends, a first fluid, a first sheath having an open distal end, and a second sheath having a closed distal end. The plurality of light-emitting optical fibers are arranged such that their distal ends are offset, thereby forming an offset optical fiber array, the first sheath is positioned over the offset light-emitting optical fiber array, and the second sheath is placed over the first sheath. The first and second sheaths are filled with a first fluid, and the first and second sheaths are in fluid communication, thereby forming a fluid-filled light-diffusing portion.

[0004] Special table 2009-535116 publication

[0005] "Research Report of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research," "Research Project Title: Study on the Antitumor Effect of Blue LED on Colorectal Cancer and the Involvement of Photoreceptors," [online], [Retrieved June 11, 2024], Research Specialist, Tokushima University, Research Director: Yukako Takehara, Internet<https: / / kaken.nii.ac.jp / ja / file / KAKENHI-PROJECT-19K24015 / 19K24015seika.pdf> Yoshimoto T, et al. Blue light emitting diodes induce autophagy in colon cancer cells via Opsin 3. Annals Gastroenterological Surg. doi: 10.1002 / ags3.12055. 2018 JanuaryYoshimoto T, et al. Blue light irradiation inhibits the growth of colon cancer and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Oncology Reports. 2022 May 1;47(5):1-9.Yoshimoto T, et al. Blue light irradiation inhibits the M2 polarization of the cancer-associated macrophages in colon cancer. BMC cancer, 2024, 24.1: 664.

[0006] When patients are diagnosed with rectal cancer, surgical resection is the first choice if resection is possible, but depending on the tumor's location, a permanent colostomy may be required, significantly reducing the patient's quality of life (QOL). In locally advanced cancers, when aiming for local control and anal preservation, preoperative chemoradiotherapy is performed to shrink the tumor, but side effects from chemotherapy and decreased anal sphincter function due to radiation therapy are issues.

[0007] In recent years, a method of irradiating cancer cells with blue light having a central wavelength of 465 nm has attracted attention as a treatment method that can reduce the burden on patients in cancer treatment, and a reduction in cancer cells has been confirmed in non-clinical trials (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0008] In order to irradiate the affected area inside the patient's body with blue light effectively and safely using the above-mentioned treatment method, it is necessary to prevent any effects on the tissue surrounding the affected area and to efficiently irradiate the required amount of blue light onto the affected area.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has an object to provide a medical light irradiation system that can efficiently and safely irradiate an affected area with light.

[0010] One means for solving the above problem is a medical light irradiation system that irradiates light onto tissue inside the body, and includes a catheter, a plurality of light emitting units that are provided near the tip end, which is the end of the catheter that is inserted into the body, and that emit the light toward the tissue, one or more balloons that are provided near the tip end, a control device that is provided on the rear end side, which is the other end of the catheter, and that controls the light emitted from each of the light emitting units, and a balloon control device that is provided on the rear end side, which is the other end of the catheter, and that controls the inflation and deflation of the balloons.

[0011] Other problems and solutions disclosed in the present application will be made clear in the detailed description and drawings.

[0012] According to the present invention, the affected area can be efficiently irradiated with light.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light irradiation system of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the vicinity of the tip of a catheter main body in the light irradiation system of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining how blue light is irradiated onto target tissue by the light irradiation system of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light irradiation system of a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the vicinity of the tip of a catheter main body in the light irradiation system of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining how blue light is irradiated onto target tissue by the light irradiation system of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a light irradiation system of a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration of the light irradiation system of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light irradiation system of a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the vicinity of the tip of a catheter main body in the light irradiation system of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the vicinity of the tip of a catheter main body in the light irradiation system of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining another configuration of the vicinity of the tip of a catheter main body in the light irradiation system of the fourth embodiment.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and some omissions and simplifications have been made as appropriate for clarity of explanation.

[0015] In addition, in the following description, the same or similar components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0016] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between components of the same type, an identifier (number, alphabet, etc.) for each component may be written after a symbol that collectively refers to the components of the same type.

[0017] 1A shows a schematic configuration of a medical light irradiation system (hereinafter referred to as a "light irradiation system 1") according to a first embodiment. The light irradiation system 1 includes a catheter 10, a balloon 20 provided near the end of the catheter 10 that is inserted into the body (hereinafter referred to as a "tip end 10a"), an imaging device 30 provided near the tip end 10a, a plurality of light emitting units 40 provided near the tip end 10a, a control device 50 provided at the end of the catheter 10 opposite the tip end 10a (hereinafter referred to as a "rear end 10b") that controls the light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting units 40, and a balloon control device 60 provided at the rear end 10b of the catheter 10 that controls the inflation and deflation of the balloon 20.

[0018] As mentioned above, in recent years, a method of irradiating cancer cells with blue light having a central wavelength of 465 nm has attracted attention as a treatment method that can reduce the burden on patients during cancer treatment, and a reduction in cancer cell count has been confirmed in non-clinical trials (Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4). The mechanism of action of the cell proliferation inhibitory effect of blue light irradiation is believed to be the induction of autophagy by the non-visual photoreceptor protein (Opn3) receiving blue light. The light irradiation system 1 of this embodiment is configured to be used in the above-mentioned treatment method as one of its usage modes.

[0019] As shown in the figure, the catheter 10 has a catheter body 11 , an insertion aid 12 , and an operation section 13 .

[0020] Of these, the catheter body 11 constitutes the insertion section (shaft) that is inserted into the patient's body. The catheter body 11 is made of a flexible material (resin (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, nylon, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)), silicon, metal, etc.). Of the portion of the catheter body 11 that is inserted into the body, the portion that is likely to come into contact with internal tissue is covered (coated) with a biocompatible material 14.

[0021] The insertion aid 12 is, for example, a sheath introducer or a hypotube, and aids in the insertion of the catheter body 11 into the body.

[0022] The operating unit 13 has mechanisms (handles, angles, various operating buttons, various operating levers, etc.) that allow an operator such as a doctor to operate the tip portion 10a of the catheter 10 (catheter body 11) from outside the body during treatment (to operate the orientation of the tip portion 10a (up, down, left, right, etc.)).

[0023] An operation connecting mechanism (not shown), such as a wire, is provided inside the catheter 10 to connect the operation unit 13 and the tip portion 10a of the catheter 10. By operating the operation unit 13, the operator can freely control the state of the tip portion 10a from outside the body.

[0024] Furthermore, the catheter 10 can be constructed, for example, based on a known medical scope (such as a general-purpose upper gastrointestinal scope (gastroscope), a large intestine scope (colonoscope), a rectal scope (rectal camera), a small intestine scope, an abdominal cavity scope (lapaoscope), a duodenal scope, or an otolaryngological scope).

[0025] The balloon 20 is made of a material (resin (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, nylon, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)), silicone, etc.) that transmits the light emitted from each of the multiple light emitting portions 40.

[0026] After inserting the catheter 10 into the body, when the distal end 10a reaches the vicinity of the tissue (hereinafter referred to as "target tissue C") of the affected area to be treated (e.g., a cancerous area in the intestinal tract), the operator operates the balloon control device 60 to inflate the balloon 20 and expand the tissue inside the body (e.g., expand the contracted inner wall of the intestinal tract). This makes it possible to easily expose the target tissue C to the front surface of the light emitting unit 40.

[0027] Each of the light-emitting units 40 has a light-emitting element (such as a light-emitting diode or a laser diode) that emits blue light with a central wavelength (peak wavelength) of 465 nm. The light-emitting units 40 are arranged in parallel inside the balloon 20 along the extension direction of the catheter 10. In the following, an example is shown in which the light-emitting units 40 are arranged in a row near the tip 10a of the catheter 10, but the light-emitting units 40 may be arranged in multiple rows, for example. Furthermore, for example, a surface-emitting element such as a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) may be used as the light-emitting unit 40.

[0028] Furthermore, the light-emitting element generates heat when blue light is irradiated onto the target tissue C, but in the first embodiment, the light-emitting portions 40a to 40e are provided inside the balloon 20 as described above, so treatment can be performed safely without the light-emitting portions 40a to 40e coming into direct contact with the tissue T.

[0029] The imaging device 30 is provided at a position outside (external to) the balloon 20 near the tip 10a of the catheter 10. The position of the imaging device 30 is not necessarily limited. The imaging device 30 includes an optical element, an image sensor (a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)), and a signal amplification circuit. Images (moving or still images) of the inside of the body captured by the imaging device 30 are sent to the control device 50 via wiring inserted inside the catheter 10.

[0030] The control device 50 is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements constituting each of the plurality of light-emitting units 40 via wiring inserted inside the catheter 10. The control device 50 individually controls the on / off, light emission intensity, lighting time, emission direction, etc. of each light-emitting element from outside the body via the wiring. This control may be performed, for example, by the operator operating a mechanism provided in the operation unit 13.

[0031] The control device 50 is communicably connected to the imaging device 30 via wiring provided inside the catheter 10. The operator can freely control the imaging direction, zoom, exposure, focus, etc. of the imaging device 30 by operating the control device 50. The control device 50 also includes a monitor device, and displays real-time images sent from the imaging device 30 on the monitor device.

[0032] The balloon control device 60 is configured using, for example, a gas pump and a syringe. A gas supply / exhaust pipe (not shown) for gas (helium gas, carbon dioxide gas, etc.) that connects the balloon control device 60 to the inside of the balloon 20 is inserted inside the catheter 10. In addition, an air supply / exhaust port that communicates with the air supply / exhaust pipe is provided at a predetermined position inside the balloon 20 of the catheter 10.

[0033] The balloon control device 60 includes an operating mechanism that allows the operator to control the inflation and deflation of the balloon 20. The balloon control device 60 inflates the balloon 20 by feeding gas into the balloon 20 through an air supply / exhaust pipe, and deflates the balloon 20 by exhausting the gas from the balloon 20 through the air supply / exhaust pipe.

[0034] FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the vicinity of the distal end portion 10a of the catheter 10, and is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the distal end portion 10a.

[0035] As shown in the figure, five light emitting sections 40a to 40e are provided at equal intervals near the tip 10a of the catheter body 11 along the extension direction of the catheter body 11. In addition, an imaging device 30 is provided near the light emitting sections 40a to 40e of the tip 10a of the catheter body 11. Each of the five light emitting sections 40a to 40e is provided so that light emitted from the respective light emitting elements is emitted in a direction away from the side surface of the catheter body 11 (in a radial direction from the axial center of the catheter body 11). Note that, although the number of light emitting sections 40 is five in this example, the number of light emitting sections 40 is not necessarily limited.

[0036] The light-emitting elements of the five light-emitting units 40a to 40e are electrically connected to the control device 50 via wires 41a to 41e inserted inside the catheter 10. The light-emitting elements of the five light-emitting units 40a to 40e are controlled, for example, by voltage control, current control, PWM control, etc., by the control device 50, to control the on / off, light emission intensity, and lighting time of each light-emitting element.

[0037] The five light emitting units 40a to 40e may each include an optical control mechanism for controlling the blue light emitted from each light emitting element (for example, controlling the emission direction and focal position of the blue light). The optical control mechanism is realized using optical devices such as various lenses, prisms, and reflecting mirrors, or MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).

[0038] In addition, the five light-emitting units 40a to 40e may be equipped with an illumination mechanism (e.g., a light-emitting element that emits illumination light) that emits illumination light (visible light, infrared light, etc.) used by the imaging device 30 when photographing the target tissue C, etc., by the operator controlling the control device 50.

[0039] 1C is a diagram showing how blue light emitted from light emitting units 40a-40e is irradiated onto target tissue C (such as a cancerous lesion on the inner wall of the rectum). After inserting catheter 10 into the patient's body and positioning tip portion 10a near target tissue C, the operator operates balloon control device 60 to inflate balloon 20 until its surface comes into close contact with the inner wall of tissue T. As a result, catheter 10 is in the state shown in the figure, with tip portion 10a fixed near target tissue C.

[0040] Next, while checking the image sent from the imaging device 30, the operator operates the operation unit 13 to adjust the state of the vicinity of the tip 10a of the catheter 10 so that the emission direction of the blue light emitted from the light emitting units 40a to 40e is directed toward the target tissue C. Then, once the emission direction of the blue light has been determined, the operator operates the control device 50 to irradiate the target tissue C with the required amount of blue light.

[0041] The balloon 20 is made of a material that transmits the blue light emitted from each of the light emitting portions 40. Therefore, the blue light emitted from the light emitting portions 40a to 40e passes from the inside of the balloon 20 to the outside and is irradiated onto the target tissue C.

[0042] The operator can individually control each light-emitting element of the light emitting unit 40 (controlling the emission direction, turning on / off of each light-emitting element, light emission intensity, lighting time, etc.) by operating the control device 50. For example, by adjusting the on / off, light emission intensity, and lighting time of the light emitted from each light-emitting element, the operator can irradiate the target tissue C with an appropriate amount of light. Furthermore, for example, by turning on only specific light-emitting elements and turning off the others, the operator can irradiate the target tissue C with blue light without affecting other surrounding tissues.

[0043] As described above, the light irradiation system 1 of the first embodiment can efficiently and safely irradiate the target tissue C with the necessary amount of blue light. It can also reliably prevent the blue light from being irradiated onto tissue other than the target tissue C. Furthermore, because the light emitting units 40a to 40e are provided inside the balloon 20, treatment can be performed safely without the light emitting units 40a to 40e coming into direct contact with the tissue T.

[0044] [Second embodiment] Figure 2A shows a schematic configuration of a light irradiation system 1 according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, a balloon 20 is provided near the tip 10a of the catheter 10, and multiple light emitting units 40 are provided inside the balloon 20. In contrast, in the light irradiation system 1 of the second embodiment, multiple balloons 20 are provided near the tip 10a of the catheter 10 along the extension direction of the catheter 10, and multiple light emitting units 40 are provided between adjacent balloons 20 at positions outside the balloons 20. Note that, hereinafter, redundant explanations will be omitted for elements denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the configuration in the vicinity of the tip portion 10a of the catheter 10 of the light irradiation system 1 of the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the configuration in the vicinity of the tip portion 10a.

[0046] As shown in the figure, in the light irradiation system 1 of the second embodiment, two balloons 20a, 20b are provided near the tip 10a of the catheter 10 at a distance along the direction of extension of the catheter 10. Furthermore, five light emitting units 40a to 40e are provided at equal intervals along the direction of extension of the catheter main body 11 between the adjacent balloons 20a, 20b at positions outside (on the outside) of each balloon 20a, 20b. Note that in this example, the number of light emitting units 40 is five, but the number of light emitting units 40 is not necessarily limited.

[0047] For example, in the light irradiation system 1 of the first embodiment, if the light emitting units 40a-40e were provided outside the balloon 20, there is a possibility that the light emitting units 40a-40e would come into contact with the tissue T, so the light emitting units 40a-40e are provided inside the balloon 20. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when the multiple balloons 20a, 20b are inflated and in contact with the tissue T, a space is secured between the light emitting units 40a-40e and the inner wall of the tissue T, and the possibility that the light emitting units 40a-40e will come into contact with the tissue T is lower than in the first embodiment. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the light emitting units 40a-40e are provided at positions outside the balloon 20. Furthermore, by providing the light emitting portions 40a to 40e outside the balloon 20 in this manner, the blue light emitted from the light emitting portions 40a to 40e is directly irradiated onto the target tissue C without being blocked by the balloons 20a and 20b, and the blue light can be efficiently irradiated onto the target tissue C.

[0048] 2C is a diagram illustrating the state in which blue light emitted from the light emitting units 40a to 40e is irradiated onto target tissue C by the light irradiation system 1 of the second embodiment. After inserting the catheter 10 into the patient's body and positioning the tip portion 10a near the target tissue C, the operator operates the balloon control device 60 to inflate the balloons 20a and 20b until their surfaces are in close contact with the inner wall of the tissue T. This fixes the tip portion 10a of the catheter 10 near the target tissue C, resulting in the state shown in the figure.

[0049] Next, while checking the image sent from the imaging device 30, the operator operates the operation unit 13 to adjust the tip portion 10a so that the emission direction of the blue light emitted from the light emitting units 40a to 40e is directed toward the target tissue C. Then, once the emission direction of the blue light has been determined, the operator operates the control device 50 to irradiate the target tissue C with the required amount of blue light.

[0050] As in the first embodiment, the operator can individually control each light-emitting element of the light emitting unit 40 (controlling the emission direction, turning on / off of each light-emitting element, light emission intensity, lighting time, etc.) by operating the control device 50. This allows the operator to irradiate an appropriate amount of light onto the target tissue C. Furthermore, for example, by turning on only specific light-emitting elements and turning off the others, the operator can irradiate the target tissue C with blue light without affecting other surrounding tissues.

[0051] As described above, according to the light irradiation system 1 of the second embodiment, the blue light emitted from the light emitting unit 40 can be directly irradiated onto the target tissue C, thereby enabling efficient irradiation of the blue light onto the target tissue C. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of balloons 20 a, 20 b, the vicinity of the tip end 10 a of the catheter 10 can be stably positioned near the target tissue C, enabling treatment using blue light to be performed efficiently and safely.

[0052] [Third Embodiment] Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating a light irradiation system 1 according to a third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 40 was provided inside the balloon 20 to reliably prevent the light emitting unit 40 from coming into direct contact with the tissue T. In the second embodiment, the light emitting unit 40 was provided between the adjacent balloons 20a and 20b to reliably prevent the light emitting unit 40 from coming into direct contact with the tissue T. In contrast, in the third embodiment, as shown in the figure, the light emitting unit 40 is embedded in a biocompatible material B that transmits blue light to prevent the light emitting unit 40 from coming into direct contact with the tissue T. This can prevent the light emitting unit 40 from coming into direct contact with the tissue T, for example, when inserting the catheter 10 into the body.

[0053] As a modified example, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the light emitting portion 40 may be covered with a biocompatible material B that is capable of transmitting blue light.

[0054] In this way, by embedding the light-emitting portion 40 in a biocompatible material B that is capable of transmitting blue light, or by covering the light-emitting portion 40 with the biocompatible material B, it is possible to reliably prevent the light-emitting portion 40 from coming into direct contact with the tissue T, and treatment using blue light can be performed safely.

[0055] In the third embodiment, the balloon 20 may be provided in the manner shown in the first or second embodiment. By using the balloon 20 in combination, the distal end portion 10a can be fixed in the vicinity of the target tissue C, and the target tissue C can be stably irradiated with blue light.

[0056] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 4A is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light irradiation system 1 according to a fourth embodiment, and Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the vicinity of the distal end 10a of a catheter main body 11 according to the fourth embodiment. In the first to third embodiments, each of the light emitting units 40a to 40e includes a light emitting element, and the control device 50 controls the light emitting elements of the light emitting units 40a to 40e via wiring 41a to 41e. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, optical fibers 45a to 45e are provided inside the catheter 10 along the extension direction of the catheter 10, connecting the control device 50 to the vicinity of the distal end 10a of the catheter 10. Blue light is input to one end face of each of the optical fibers 45a to 45e on the side of the control device 50, and the blue light is output from the other end face of each of the optical fibers 45a to 45e on the side of the distal end 10a of the catheter 10.

[0057] In the fourth embodiment, the end faces of the optical fibers 45a to 45e on the tip end 10a side of the catheter 10 function as blue light emitting portions. Therefore, in the light irradiation system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the portion of the catheter 10 that is inserted into the body does not have a part that generates heat, such as a light emitting element, and treatment using blue light can be performed safely.

[0058] While five optical fibers 45a-45e are provided in FIG. 4A , for example, as shown in FIG. 4C , a single optical fiber or fewer than five optical fibers (only optical fiber 47 in FIG. 4C ) may be used to guide blue light from the control device 50 to the vicinity of the tip 10a of the catheter 10. The blue light guided by the optical fiber (optical fiber 47 in FIG. 4C ) may be branched or distributed to multiple optical fibers 48a-48e via an optical device O (such as an optical branching device, prism, reflecting mirror, or MEMS mirror) provided near the tip 10a of the catheter 10, so that the blue light is emitted from the end face of each of the optical fibers 48a-48e. This reduces the number of optical fibers inserted inside the catheter 10, simplifying the internal configuration of the catheter 10. In this case, the end faces of the optical fibers 48a-48e near the tip 10a of the catheter 10 function as the blue light emission points.

[0059] [Technical Effects, etc.] As described above, the light irradiation system 1 of this embodiment can efficiently irradiate the required amount of blue light to the affected area inside the patient's body in treatment using blue light.

[0060] Furthermore, by using the light irradiation system 1 of this embodiment, for example, it is possible to allow the non-visual photoreceptor protein (Opn3) to efficiently receive blue light, thereby promoting the induction of autophagy and increasing the cell proliferation inhibitory effect.

[0061] The above-described embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

[0062] For example, the present invention can be widely applied to cases where light or electromagnetic waves other than the above-mentioned blue light are irradiated onto tissue.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light irradiation system 10 Catheter 10a Tip portion 10b Rear end portion 11 Catheter body 20 Balloon 30 Imaging device 40 Light emitting portion 40a to 40e Light emitting portion 45a to 45e Optical fiber 47 Optical fiber 48a to 48e Optical fiber 50 Control device 60 Balloon control device C Target tissue B Biocompatible material O Optical device

Claims

1. A medical light irradiation system that irradiates light onto tissue inside the body, comprising: a catheter; a plurality of light emitting units that are provided near the tip end, which is the end of the catheter that is inserted into the body, and that emit the light toward the tissue; one or more balloons that are provided near the tip end; a control device that is provided on the rear end side, which is the other end of the catheter, and that controls the light emitted from each of the light emitting units; and a balloon control device that is provided on the rear end side, which is the other end of the catheter, and that controls the inflation and deflation of the balloons.

2. A medical light irradiation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of emission sections each have a light-emitting element, and the plurality of emission sections are arranged in parallel along the extension direction of the catheter so that their respective irradiation ranges are connected together to irradiate a predetermined range of the tissue.

3. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 2, wherein the control device controls the light emitting elements of each of the plurality of emission sections individually.

4. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 3, wherein the control device controls at least one of the on / off, light emission intensity, lighting time, and emission direction of the light-emitting elements of each of the plurality of emission sections.

5. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of emission sections are provided inside the balloon, and the balloon is made of a material that transmits the light emitted from each of the plurality of emission sections.

6. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the catheters are arranged in parallel along the direction of extension of the catheters and have optical fibers that guide the light from the rear end side to each of the plurality of emission parts.

7. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the catheter has a plurality of balloons spaced apart near the tip, and the plurality of light emitting sections are provided outside the balloons between adjacent balloons.

8. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of emitting sections are embedded in or covered with a biocompatible material that transmits the light.

9. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, comprising an imaging device for imaging the tissue in the vicinity of the tip.

10. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of emitting units emit illumination light used when photographing the tissue with the photographing device.

11. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting element is configured using a light emitting diode.

12. A medical light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the central wavelength of the light is 465 nm.

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