Coherent light generators – Particular component circuitry – Switch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-09-04
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Coherent light generators
Particular component circuitry
Switch
C372S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285693
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser apparatus and, more particularly, to an excellently safe laser apparatus for medical application which can terminate a laser irradiation without fail even if an irradiation switch unit has trouble during the irradiating operation.
Generally, by using a laser apparatus for medical application, a doctor manipulates a handpiece by hand and operates the irradiation switch unit by hand or by foot to turn on and off the laser unit for irradiating a diseased part of a patient with a laser beam. In a conventional laser apparatus with a laser unit as a light source, a push-type irradiation switch unit internally has one switch and one return spring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
If the contacts of the switch of the push-type irradiation switch unit are locked accidentally in a closed state, i.e., an on-state, during an irradiating operation in a continuous irradiation mode, the irradiating operation cannot be terminated by-operating the irradiation switch unit so as to turn off the laser unit. If the return spring of the laser irradiation switch unit breaks accidentally during an irradiating operation in the continuous irradiation mode, the switch does not open even if the irradiation switch unit is operated so as to open the switch, and the irradiating operation cannot be terminated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable laser apparatus which, even if the components of the irradiation switch unit have trouble where a continuous irradiation mode is set, is capable of terminating an irradiating operation without fail by turning off the irradiation switch unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is a laser apparatus which uses a laser as a light source, and capable of being set for a continuous irradiation mode where a laser beam is irradiated for a time equal to or nearly equal to a time interval in which an irradiation switch unit for the laser is operated, said laser apparatus comprising:
an irradiation switch unit including a first switch and a second switch electrically connected in series to each other, and an operating member capable of substantially simultaneously closing and opening the first and the second switches in substantially the same degree;
wherein the laser beam is emitted only when both the first and the second switches are closed by the operating member where the continuous irradiation mode is set.
In this invention, types and/or the number of switches included in the irradiation switch unit can be at least two. Types and the number of return springs included in the irradiation switch unit can be at least two. Since the laser apparatus is thus formed, the irradiating operation can surely be terminated by turning off the irradiation switch unit even if the component parts of the irradiation switch unit have trouble during the irradiating operation, for example, in the continuous irradiation mode.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6008466 (1999-12-01), Hosoda
Foley & Lardner
Font Frank G.
Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
Rodriguez Armando
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