Pruritus treatment device

Abstract

Provided is a portable pruritus treatment device which is capable of achieving a sufficient antipruritic effect in lieu of a drug therapy that causes systemic symptoms, and with which a patient can repeatedly perform radiation at home.　This pruritus treatment device is characterized in having a light beam source for emitting a light beam and a light beam radiation probe for radiating the light beam, and is characterized in that the light beam emitted by the light source is percutaneously radiated from the light beam radiation probe toward sensory nerves that dominate a pruritus occurrence site of the skin or the mucosal epithelium.

Description

Itch treatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to an itch treatment device that treats itch by irradiating light rays onto the sensory nerves that control the site where itch occurs.

[0002] Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation on the skin that makes one want to scratch it, and is caused by various skin and systemic diseases. This symptom often manifests as inflammation, an allergic reaction, or a skin reaction to an external stimulus. Examples of diseases that cause pruritus include those associated with xerosis, senile pruritus, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, chronic intractable prurigo, cutaneous pruritus, renal failure, hemodialysis, diabetes, and HIV infection. In these pathological conditions, pruritus often becomes chronic, significantly reducing the patient's quality of life (QOL).

[0003] Current treatments for pruritus commonly involve drug therapy, such as antihistamines, steroids, and immunosuppressants. Drug therapy typically aims to alleviate symptoms and is known to be particularly effective for diseases such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, drug therapy can have side effects, especially with long-term use. For example, excessive use of steroids can cause thinning of the skin. Furthermore, immunosuppressants increase the risk of infection.

[0004] On the other hand, ultraviolet light therapy, a physical treatment method, is known to be useful in alleviating symptoms, especially in chronic skin diseases, but it has issues such as an increased risk of skin cancer and the need for repeated visits to medical institutions for treatment.

[0005] Under these circumstances, phototherapy using infrared light (wavelengths of approximately 700 to 2500 nm) has been reported as a non-invasive and safe therapy. Examples include laser irradiation therapy of the pruritic skin site in subjects with atopic dermatitis (e.g., Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4), and proximal irradiation therapy of the stellate ganglion, a sympathetic ganglion, in atopic dermatitis patients using a low-power laser (LLL), particularly using near-infrared wavelengths (e.g., Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6). Furthermore, a technique for irradiating the itch site with light using a portable probe device has also been reported (Patent Documents 2 to 3). The devices described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 require a built-in heating means to maintain the skin contact surface at a specific temperature. However, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 6 and Patent Documents 2 and 3 do not report any irradiation of the sensory nerves that control the pruritic skin site, rather than the pruritic skin site.

[0006] Meanwhile, the present inventors have reported the application of LLL to irritable bowel syndrome as a physical treatment method with anti-inflammatory effects and suppression of excessive nervous activity (Patent Document 4). The light irradiation device described in Patent Document 4 has a pinpoint irradiation range and is small, making it suitable for patients to repeatedly irradiate themselves at home.

[0007] Patent Document 1: WO2007 / 097317 Patent Document 2: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0173278 Patent Document 3: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0209357 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 7343708

[0008] Tae-Rin K. et al., Photochemistry AND Photobiology, vol. 90, Issue 5, 2014; You K. et al., Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 22: 1196, 2021; Mistica L., et al., The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, vol. 38, Issue 3, 2021; Christian K. et al., JMIR Res Protec. 2019 Jan; 8(1): e11911; Toyofumi Hosokawa, Misako Omori, Yasuyo Kawabata, "Control of Itching with Low-Power Laser," Journal of the Japanese Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 1 (2003), pp. 3-10; Hirohiro Yamada, "Therapeutic Effect of Low-Power Laser Irradiation near the Stellate Ganglion," Journal of the Japanese Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 1 (2003), pp. 37-41

[0009] Therefore, there has been a need for the development of a portable pruritus treatment device that can achieve sufficient relief of pruritus and that can be used repeatedly by patients themselves at home, as an alternative to drug therapy that causes systemic symptoms.

[0010] The present inventors have conducted extensive research in light of the above circumstances, and have found that transcutaneous light irradiation of sensory nerves that control pruritus-causing sites on the skin or mucosal epithelium directly suppresses excessive activation of the sensory nerves that cause pruritus, thereby effectively treating or preventing pruritus, and have completed the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention provides the following: [1] An pruritus treatment device comprising a light source that emits light and a light irradiation probe that irradiates the light, and characterized in that the light emitted from the light source is transcutaneously irradiated from the light irradiation probe toward the sensory nerves that control pruritus-causing sites on the skin or mucosal epithelium. [2] An pruritus treatment device having an average power of 32 mW to 26,665 mW and an average power density, calculated by dividing the average power by the area irradiated by the light, of 14 mW / cm. ２ ~11748mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.8 J to 4800 J per irradiation, and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.6 J / cm per irradiation.２ ~2115 J / cm ２ [1] The pruritus treatment device according to [1], wherein the light source is a light source having a wavelength of 750 nm to 850 nm. [3] The pruritus treatment device according to [1] or [2], wherein the sensory nerve to be irradiated with light is the median nerve, the sacral nerve, or the sciatic nerve. [4] The pruritus treatment device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the light source is built into the light irradiation probe and is portable.

[0011] The device for treating pruritus of the present invention can treat or prevent pruritus efficiently and safely by transcutaneously irradiating the sensory nerves that control the site of pruritus. Furthermore, because the device for treating pruritus of the present invention is portable, patients can irradiate it repeatedly at home or on the go, making it highly practical.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a representative embodiment of the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a representative embodiment of the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the depth of sensory nerves from the skin surface and energy density in the vicinity of a radius of approximately 0.025 cm from the center of the light irradiation site. FIG. 4A is a graph showing the pruritus treatment effect in a mouse in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus-producing substance (histamine (His)) after light irradiation with the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the pruritus treatment effect in a mouse in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus-producing substance (chloroquine (CQ)) after light irradiation with the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. FIG. 4C is a graph showing the pruritus treatment effect in a mouse in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus-producing substance (serotonin (5-HT)) after light irradiation with the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. In Figures 4A to 4C, the sham irradiation group was a group in which only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed without laser output. Figure 5A is a graph showing the change in pruritus treatment effect due to differences in the irradiation site in mice in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus substance (histamine (His)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. Figure 5B is a graph showing the change in pruritus treatment effect due to differences in the irradiation site in mice in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus substance (chloroquine (CQ)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. Figure 5C is a graph showing the change in pruritus treatment effect due to differences in the irradiation site in mice in which acute pruritus was developed by administration of a pruritus substance (serotonin (5-HT)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. In Figures 5A to 5C, the sham irradiation group was a group in which only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed without laser output. In each figure, the "pruritus substance administration site" is synonymous with the site where pruritus was developed. Figure 6A is a graph showing experimental condition 1 in Example 4. The "Average power" on the horizontal axis is the average power. This is the same for Figure 6B and subsequent figures. Figure 6B is a diagram showing experimental condition 2 in Example 4. Figure 7A is a diagram showing the tendency for the pruritus treatment effect to increase in an average power-dependent manner in mice that developed acute pruritus by administering a pruritic substance (histamine (His)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention.Figure 7B shows a tendency for the pruritus treatment effect to increase in an average power-dependent manner in mice that developed acute pruritus due to administration of a pruritic substance (chloroquine (CQ)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. Figure 7C shows a tendency for the pruritus treatment effect to increase in an average power-dependent manner in mice that developed acute pruritus due to administration of a pruritic substance (serotonin (5-HT)) after light irradiation using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention. In Figures 7A to 7C, irradiation was performed using experimental condition 1 in Example 4. In each figure, x represents the average power, and y represents the number of scratching movements per 30 minutes. Figure 8 shows the relationship between energy and the number of scratching movements when irradiation was performed using experimental condition 2 in Example 4.

[0013] The device for treating pruritus of the present invention treats or prevents pruritus by irradiating a specific light beam onto the sensory nerves that control the site where pruritus occurs, thereby suppressing overactivity of the sensory nerves.

[0014] [Device for Treating Itching] An embodiment of the device for treating itching of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a representative device for treating itching 1 of this embodiment is a medical device for treating or preventing itching by transcutaneously irradiating light rays to the sensory nerves that control the site of itching. The device for treating itching includes a light-irradiating probe 2 that irradiates light rays, a light source 3, a probe cable 4 that connects the light source and the light-irradiating probe, and a main body 5 that houses the light source.

[0015] In the pruritus treatment device of the present invention, pruritus can be treated or prevented by applying a light beam irradiation probe 2 to the surface of the skin or mucosal epithelium (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "skin") in a region where sensory nerves that control the pruritus site run, and irradiating the surface with light. FIG. 1 shows how the light beam is guided by a probe cable 4, and the main body is equipped with a power source (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the pruritus treatment device can also be configured so that the light beam source and power source 6 are built into the light beam irradiation probe 2, making it portable and allowing treatment or prevention of pruritus even when away from home. Many pruritus patients lead daily lives similar to healthy individuals without hospitalization or outpatient care, making a portable treatment or prevention device convenient for use when needed.

[0016] To enhance the safety of light irradiation, the tip of the light irradiation probe preferably has a structure that allows the tip to contact the skin surface and prevents diffuse reflection of the irradiated light from leaking out. The tip and its vicinity of the light irradiation probe preferably have a structure that enables irradiation only when the light irradiation probe is properly in contact with the skin at the irradiation site. Such a structure may be, for example, a device equipped with a sensor that detects contact with the skin and a control and calculation unit that controls the ON / OFF of light irradiation based on the detection results. A side effect of light irradiation can be burns caused by an increase in skin temperature. To avoid burns, pulse irradiation, which involves intermittent irradiation of light while maintaining the light dose (energy and energy density), can mitigate the increase in skin temperature. In this case, a repetition frequency of 0.5 to 10 Hz is preferred. Furthermore, a structure that uses a fan, compressor, or other air source to blow air onto the skin through a flow path or the like, thereby reducing the temperature by forced convection, is preferred.

[0017] [Light Beam Irradiation Site] The light beam irradiation site in the present invention is the skin surface, and is not particularly limited as long as the light beam irradiation field hits a sensory nerve. Preferably, it is a skin surface where a sensory nerve runs below the center of light beam irradiation, and where there are no obstacles, such as bones, between the sensory nerve and the skin surface. Examples of mucosal epithelium include the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, cornea (or eyeball), nasal cavity, external auditory canal, anus, and genitals. In the present invention, in addition to this irradiation site, the pruritus-causing site itself may also be irradiated. Irradiation of both the above-mentioned irradiation site and the pruritus-causing site may achieve a higher therapeutic effect than irradiation of the above-mentioned irradiation site alone or the pruritus-causing site alone, depending on the irradiation conditions, the cause of pruritus, etc. Light irradiation is preferably performed by applying a light beam irradiation probe directly above the skin at the irradiation site (i.e., at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the skin at the irradiation site).

[0018] [Sensory nerves] As used herein, the term "sensory nerves" encompasses all human "sensory nerves," a term used in the art. That is, it includes all afferent or sensory (perceptual) nerve fibers that are classified as part of the somatic nervous system within the peripheral nervous system and have the function of transmitting nerve signals (excitation) generated by sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

[0019] Among "sensory nerves," the specifically targeted sensory nerves are those located at a depth within the range of light beam reach. If the sensory nerve is located significantly deeper than the skin surface, the light beam may not reach the sensory nerve at all, or the energy of the specified light beam may not reach the sensory nerve, resulting in the desired therapeutic efficiency being either not achieved or reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the targeted sensory nerve be located relatively shallow from the skin surface. Because the depth of the sensory nerve from the skin surface varies between individuals, the mean ± standard deviation of the sensory nerve depth is preferably within a range of approximately 30 mm or less, preferably within a range of approximately 4 mm to approximately 30 mm, more preferably within a range of approximately 4 mm to approximately 20 mm, and even more preferably within a range of approximately 4 mm to approximately 10 mm. Examples of such sensory nerves include the human median nerve (average value 4.9 mm), the human sciatic nerve (average value 18.6 mm), and the human sacral nerve (average value 23.7 mm).

[0020] Of course, the human sensory nerves targeted are not limited to those listed above; any sensory nerve whose depth from the skin surface meets the above-mentioned conditions can be targeted. For example, the brachial plexus (e.g., ulnar nerve, radial nerve, musculocutaneous nerve, axillary nerve) other than the human median nerve or the human trigeminal nerve generally meets this depth requirement. Furthermore, while the sensory nerves present within the vertebrae from the neck to the lower back typically have a depth of more than 50 mm from the skin surface, the human cervical plexus (e.g., lesser occipital nerve, greater occipital nerve, greater auricular nerve, transverse cervical nerve, supraclavicular nerve, phrenic nerve, superior cervical nerve root, and inferior cervical nerve root) on the ventral side of the vertebrae meet a depth of approximately 4 mm to approximately 30 mm, depending on the location. The vagus nerve, which plays a role in transmitting sensations behind the ear, can also be targeted.

[0021] Furthermore, examples of sensory nerves transmitting sensation in the arm or shoulder other than the human median nerve include the upper lateral brachial cutaneous nerve, posterior brachial cutaneous nerve, lower lateral brachial cutaneous nerve, posterior forearm cutaneous nerve, dorsal digital nerve, medial brachial cutaneous nerve, intercostobrachial nerve, medial forearm cutaneous nerve, etc. Examples of sensory nerves transmitting sensation in the leg other than the human sciatic nerve include the iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, genitofemoral nerve, pudendal nerve, saphenous nerve, femoral nerve, obturator nerve, common peroneal nerve, deep peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, medial dorsal cutaneous nerve of the pediatric, intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve of the pediatric, lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve of the pediatric, sural nerve, dorsal digital nerve, dorsal digital nerve, superior gluteal nerve, tibial nerve, medial sural cutaneous nerve, lateral sural cutaneous nerve, posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, medial plantar nerve, lateral plantar nerve, common plantar digital nerve, and proper plantar digital nerve.

[0022] The sensation of the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, cornea (or eyeball), and external auditory canal is innervated by the human trigeminal nerve, and the depth from these mucosal epithelium to the human trigeminal nerve is generally in the range of about 4 mm to about 30 mm, satisfying the depth requirement described above. Furthermore, the sensation of the mucosal epithelium of the nasal cavity is innervated by the human posterior nasal nerve, and the sensation of the mucosal epithelium of the anus is innervated by the human pudendal nerve, and the depth from the mucosal epithelium of the nasal cavity to the human posterior nasal nerve and the depth from the mucosal epithelium of the anus to the human pudendal nerve are both generally in the range of about 4 mm to about 30 mm.

[0023] [Relationship between the site where pruritus occurs and the site where light is irradiated] The relationship between the site where pruritus occurs and the site where light is irradiated is preferably the human brachial nerve, such as the median nerve. When viewed from the surface of the body, it is effective to irradiate the entire upper limb from the base of the upper limb. When viewed from the surface of the body, it is effective to irradiate the lower back or lower limb. When viewed from the surface of the body, it is effective to irradiate the lower back or lower limb. When viewed from the surface of the body, it is effective to irradiate the lower back or lower limb. When viewed from the surface of the body, it is effective to irradiate the pelvis, sacral foramen, etc. When the site of itching is, for example, the body wall, the sensory nerves to be irradiated with light include the intercostal nerve, subcostal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, and ilioinguinal nerve.

[0024] [Light Irradiation Conditions] In order to obtain the desired therapeutic effect on itching, the irradiation conditions using the pruritus treatment device of the present invention preferably include one or more of the following light irradiation conditions (excluding the wavelength condition), and more preferably include all of the following conditions. That is, the average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe is 32 mW to 26665 mW, and the average power is set to a value within the irradiation area of ​​the light (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 14 mW / cm ２ ~11748mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.8 J to 4800 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.6 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~2115 J / cm ２ The average power, average power density, energy, and energy density of the above-mentioned light beam are values ​​calculated from the mean value ± standard deviation of the depth of sensory nerves including the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve.

[0025] In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions preferably include any one or more of the following light irradiation conditions, and more preferably include all of the following conditions: the average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe is 28.6 mW to 19471 mW, and the average power is controlled relative to the irradiation area of ​​the light (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 13 mW / cm ２ ~8578mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.1 J to 3505 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.6 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~1544 J / cm ２ The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ±20% of the depth of the sensory nerves including the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the irradiation conditions preferably include any one or more of the following light irradiation conditions, and more preferably include all of the following conditions: the average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe is 32.5 mW to 10369 mW, and the average power is controlled relative to the irradiation area of ​​the light (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 14 mW / cm ２ ~4568mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.9 J to 1866 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.6 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~822 J / cm ２ The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ±10% of the depth of the sensory nerves including the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve.

[0027] If the energy or energy density is close to the upper limit of the above range, burns may occur to the skin, but this can be dealt with by taking suitable measures such as those described in [Mode of irradiation].

[0028] [Wavelength Range] The wavelength of 808 nm used in the evaluation tests in the Examples described below is included in the near-infrared region of 700 nm to 900 nm. As shown in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2005, 38, 2543-2555, the transmittance to living organisms is equivalent within the near-infrared region, and therefore equivalent efficacy is also present in the 700 nm to 900 nm range. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum of cytochrome c oxidase, which has been reported to be involved in the mechanism of action of phototherapy, has been reported to be equivalent in the 780 nm to 850 nm range, as shown in Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2005; 280(6): 4761-4771. Based on the above, the wavelength in the present invention is preferably 700 nm to 900 nm, more preferably 780 nm to 850 nm, and even more preferably 788 nm to 828 nm.

[0029] [Specific Light Irradiation Conditions for Sensory Nerves] As a result of detailed investigation of the light irradiation conditions for the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve, it is preferable that the light irradiation conditions applicable to any of these sensory nerves include one or more of the conditions listed below, and more preferably include all of the conditions. The average power of the light beam is 9.7 mW to 39998 mW, and the average power is regulated within the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 0.785 cm ２ ) is 12 mW / cm ２ ~50953mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 0.3 J to 23999 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 0.4 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~30572J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of sensory nerves including the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve.

[0030] Furthermore, preferred light irradiation conditions for each of the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve preferably include one or more of the conditions listed below, and more preferably include all of the conditions. (A) When the sensory nerve to be irradiated with light is the human median nerve: (1) In one embodiment, the irradiation conditions are an average power of the light beam of 9.7 mW to 63.4 mW, and an average power of 9.7 mW to 63.4 mW over an irradiation area (e.g., 0.785 cm ). ２ ) is 12 mW / cm ２ ~81 mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 0.3 J to 38 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 0.4 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~49 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the human median nerve.

[0031] (2) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 32.4 mW to 42.3 mW, and the average power is controlled by adjusting the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm２ ) is 14.3 mW / cm ２ ~18.6mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.83 J to 7.61 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.57 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~3.35 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the human median nerve.

[0032] (3) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 28.6 mW to 48.0 mW, and the average power is controlled by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 12.6 mW / cm ２ ~21.1mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.14 J to 8.63 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.26 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~3.80 / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the human median nerve ±20%.

[0033] (4) In yet another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 32.5 mW to 42.1 mW, and the average power is controlled by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 14.3 mW / cm ２ ~18.6mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.85 J to 7.58 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.58 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~3.34 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the human median nerve ±10%.

[0034] (B) When the sensory nerve to be irradiated with light is a human sciatic nerve: (1) In one embodiment, the irradiation conditions are as follows: the average power of the light is 151 mW to 6110 mW, and the average power is controlled by adjusting the irradiation area of ​​the light (for example, 0.785 cm ２ ) is 192 mW / cm ２ ~7784mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 4.5 J to 3666 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 5.8 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~4670 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the human sciatic nerve.

[0035] (2) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 503 mW to 4073 mW, and the average power is controlled by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 221 mW / cm ２ ~1795mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 90.5 J to 733 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 39.9 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~323 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the human sciatic nerve.

[0036] (3) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 531 mW to 3851 mW, and the average power is controlled by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 234 mW / cm ２ ~1697mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 95.7 J to 693 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 42.2 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~305 J / cm ２The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the human sciatic nerve ±20%.

[0037] (4) In yet another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 872 mW to 2347 mW, and the average power is controlled by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 384 mW / cm ２ ~1034mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 157 J to 423 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 69.2 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~186 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the human sciatic nerve ±10%.

[0038] (C) When the sensory nerve to be irradiated with light is a human sacral nerve (1) In one embodiment, the irradiation conditions are as follows: the average power of the light is 343 mW to 39998 mW, and the average power is controlled by adjusting the irradiation area of ​​the light (for example, 0.785 cm ２ ) is 437 mW / cm ２ ~50953mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 10.3 J to 23999 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 13.1 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~30572J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the sacral nerves present in the left and right S1 to S4 sacral foramina.

[0039] (2) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 1140 mW to 26665 mW, and the average power is controlled by adjusting the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 504 mW / cm ２ ~11748mW / cm ２The energy, which is the light dose, is 206 J to 4800 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 90.7 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~2115 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value ± standard deviation of the depth of the sacral nerves present in the left and right S1 to S4 sacral foramina.

[0040] (3) In another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are: an average power of the light beam of 1566 mW to 19471 mW; an average power of the light beam of 1566 mW to 19471 mW; an irradiation area of ​​the light beam of 2.27 cm ２ ) is 690 mW / cm ２ ~8578mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 282 J to 3505 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 124 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~1544 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm, and the above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the sacral nerve ±20%.

[0041] (4) In yet another embodiment, the irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light beam is 2940 mW to 10369 mW, and the average power is controlled by adjusting the irradiation area of ​​the light beam (for example, 2.27 cm ２ ) is 1295 mW / cm ２ ~4568mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 529 J to 1866 J per irradiation (for example, 180 seconds), and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 233 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~822 J / cm ２ The wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm. The above conditions such as average power are values ​​calculated from the average value of the depth of the sacral nerve ±10%. For each sensory nerve, the irradiation condition (1) is particularly preferable.

[0042] When treating or preventing itching, predetermined preferred light conditions may be set and irradiated each time, or light may be irradiated using an itching treatment device equipped with a light source that irradiates light with predetermined preferred conditions.

[0043] [Light Beam] A light beam that satisfies the irradiation conditions of the present invention, namely, average power, average power density, energy, energy density, and wavelength, is a laser beam excited by a semiconductor element or the like. Also, LED light beams, lamp light beams, etc. that satisfy the conditions of the present invention may be used. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 2018;17(8):1003-1017 reports phototherapy using light sources such as lasers, LEDs, and lamps in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges in fields such as plastic surgery and dermatology.

[0044] [Irradiation Mode] Irradiation is preferably performed twice a day to once a week. It can also be used before the onset of symptoms or when symptoms are likely to occur, depending on the patient's physical condition. The irradiation time is preferably about 3 to 60 minutes per session, more preferably about 3 to 40 minutes, and even more preferably about 3 to 30 minutes.

[0045] Irradiation may be a single continuous irradiation or an intermittent irradiation combining irradiation and pauses. For continuous irradiation exceeding approximately 60 minutes, intermittent irradiation is desirable to avoid skin burns. Examples of intermittent irradiation include 3 minutes of irradiation followed by a 30-second pause, 1 minute of irradiation followed by a 10-second pause, or 30 seconds of irradiation followed by a 5-second pause. Furthermore, intermittent irradiation is preferable for irradiation at high energy densities to avoid the possibility of skin burns. Furthermore, by momentarily irradiating high-intensity pulsed light beams and providing appropriate pauses, it is possible to deliver light beams to sensory nerves at a depth of 30 mm or more while reducing the average power and preventing skin burns. It is also desirable to cool the irradiated area using a system equipped in the light irradiation treatment device that automatically sprays cooling gas immediately after irradiation. Furthermore, in the case of laser irradiation, the retina may be locally damaged due to the thermal and focusing effects of the laser beam, so it is recommended to wear protective glasses during irradiation. If the pruritus treatment device has an interlock mechanism that allows irradiation only when the light-irradiating probe comes into contact with the skin, this mechanism can be used to perform treatment without wearing protective glasses.

[0046] The surface area to be irradiated is preferably about 0.5 cm ２ ~ approx. 6cm ２ , more preferably 0.6 cm ２ ~3cm ２ , more preferably 0.6 cm ２ ~1cm ２ The shape of the illumination may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, etc.

[0047] The pruritus treatment device is preferably used by contacting it with the skin during irradiation. In cases where continuous irradiation is performed or where it is difficult to contact the skin due to an uneven surface at the irradiation site, the pruritus treatment device may be used at a distance of about 1 to 10 cm, preferably about 1 to 5 cm, from the skin.

[0048] [Embodiments of Itching] In the present invention, diseases that cause itching include, for example, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, prurigo, insect bites, xerosis, asteatosis, senile pruritus, miliaria, seborrheic dermatitis, hand eczema, chronic refractory prurigo, cutaneous pruritus, vulvar pruritus, chronic pruritus, hay fever, dermatomycosis, bullous disease, cutaneous lymphoma, or pruritus ani; pruritus associated with kidney disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, HIV infection, mental illness stress, neurogenic disease, neuropathy, or malignant tumor; pruritus associated with hemodialysis, morphine administration, or chloroquine administration in malaria treatment. A particularly targeted causative disease is atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis. Systemic itching caused by atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis is often not mediated by histamine receptors, so drug therapy may not provide sufficient antipruritic effects. Therefore, it is expected that the pruritus treatment device of the present invention can be applied to such diseases for treating pruritus. In some cases, treatment with the pruritus treatment device of the present invention can be used in combination with conventional drug treatment. Note that central pruritus, which does not usually cause skin lesions and is caused by pruritus mediators directly binding to receptors in central nerve cells such as the spinal cord and brain, is not included in the pruritus of the present invention. Experimental example

[0049] Example 1: Simulation-Based Investigation of Light Penetration The effectiveness of phototherapy generally depends on the amount of light in the target tissue. However, when light is irradiated onto a living body, it is repeatedly scattered and absorbed, and the amount of light decreases exponentially with distance from the skin surface (Beer-Lambert law). Therefore, the effectiveness of phototherapy in deep tissues must take into account the penetration of light. Therefore, it is effective to calculate the optimal output conditions by comparing the distance to the nerves of animals used in preclinical studies with that of humans. For example, the cervical vertebrae of a mouse used as an pruritus model animal were approximately 8.6 mm from the skin surface. In contrast, when the position of the human cervical vertebrae was imaged using an ultrasound imaging diagnostic device (Fujifilm Medical Co., Ltd.), it was found to be located at a depth of approximately 52.8 mm (Korean J Pain. 2012 Apr; 25(2): 99-104). Therefore, because the human cervical vertebrae may be located deeper than the mouse cervical vertebrae, it is believed that preclinical equivalent irradiation conditions may be lower than the experimental conditions used in clinical trials. Although the structure of the skin differs between humans and rodents, the components are similar, so it can be said that the penetration of light depends on the distance from the skin surface to the target tissue rather than on the difference in animal species.

[0050] Next, we attempted to convert the experimental conditions of the non-clinical study into clinically equivalent conditions by examining the amount of light transmitted using a light scattering simulation by Monte Carlo Modeling of Light Transport in Multi-layered Tissues (hereinafter referred to as "MCML"), which uses the Monte Carlo method described in WO 2022 / 019293 (Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, Volume 47, Issue 2, July 1995, Pages 131-146). Specifically, we used MCML to examine transmittance in order to calculate the clinical equivalent of the average power, average power density, energy, and energy density, which are light dose-related conditions in the non-clinical study.

[0051] The conditions for MCML are as follows. A three-layer structure consisting of skin, fat, and muscle layers was prepared, and the optical properties of each were set as follows. However, the numerical values ​​are for skin, fat, and muscle, respectively (Phys. Med. Biol. 44 (1999) 2689-2702). Refractive index n: 1.4 for each Absorption coefficient μa: 0.15 cm －１ , 0.02 cm －１ , 0.3 cm －１ Scattering coefficient μs: 100 cm －１ , 80cm －１ , 33cm －１ Isotropic scattering parameter g: 0.85 in all cases. Thickness: 0.1 cm, 0.4 cm, 2.0 cm. Note that a layer with a refractive index of 1.4 was assumed to continue infinitely below the muscle layer. The light irradiation conditions were a Gaussian beam profile showing the spatial intensity distribution, an irradiation radius of 0.9 cm, and energy of 600 J. The number of photons was set to 10 million, and calculations were performed in 0.05 cm increments in the depth and radial directions.

[0052] The results are explained below. Figure 3 shows the relationship between the depth (X) of the sensory nerve and the energy density (Y) within a radius of 0.025 cm from the center of the light irradiated area.

[0053]

[0054] The energy density at a depth of 8.6 mm, which corresponds to the depth of the mouse cervical dorsal root ganglion, is 3.64 J / cm ３ On the other hand, the energy density at a depth of 52.8 mm, which corresponds to the depth of the human cervical dorsal root ganglion, was 2.8 × 10 －５ J / cm ３ Therefore, since the human cervical dorsal root ganglion is located deeper below the skin surface than the mouse, it is expected that the energy of the light irradiated from the skin surface is reflected and absorbed along the way, and hardly reaches the target sensory nerve. On the other hand, to achieve the same energy density when irradiating the human tibial dorsal root ganglion as when irradiating the mouse cervical dorsal root ganglion with light, a light dose approximately 130,000 times greater would be required.

[0055] The depths of the human median nerve, sciatic nerve, and sacral nerve from the skin surface were determined as follows. For the human median nerve, an ultrasound imaging diagnostic device (Konica Minolta, Inc.) was used to measure the distance from the skin surface to the median nerve at the wrist of the left arm for 21 subjects. The average distance was 4.9 mm (standard deviation: 0.50 mm). For the human sciatic nerve, the distance from the skin surface to the site where the sciatic nerve in the left leg branches into the common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve was measured for 12 subjects. The average distance was 18.6 mm (standard deviation: 3.93 mm). It has been reported that the distance from the skin surface to the sacral nerve located at the S3 sacral foramen in humans is 22 mm (Patent Publication No. 7343708). However, when the distance from the skin surface to the sacral nerve located at the left and right S1 to S4 sacral foramina was measured for 12 subjects and the results were averaged, the average value was 23.7 mm (standard deviation: 5.91 mm).

[0056] Table 1 shows the depth of each sensory nerve and the energy density calculated from Equation I.

[0057]

[0058] The energy density at a depth of 8.6 mm, which corresponds to the depth of the mouse cervical dorsal root ganglion, was 3.64 J / cm ３ To achieve this in the human median nerve, a light dose of 0.36 times is required, to achieve this in the human sciatic nerve, a light dose of 14.3 times is required, and to achieve this in the human sacral nerve, a light dose of 35.5 times is required.

[0059] Example 2: Test to evaluate the therapeutic and preventive effects of photoirradiation on pruritus In order to examine the therapeutic and preventive effects of photoirradiation on pruritus, a test was conducted using animals. As an pruritus model, an acute pruritus test was conducted using a prurigenic substance that is widely used in non-clinical trials of pruritus.

[0060] The test procedure is as follows. [Animal Model Used] Experiments were conducted in which a pruritic substance was administered intradermally to the back of mice to induce pruritus. Male ICR mice, 6 to 9 weeks old, were used. Groups were divided into 1: saline administration / sham irradiation group, 2: pruritic substance administration / sham irradiation group, 3: saline administration / laser irradiation group, and 4: pruritic substance administration / laser irradiation group, with eight mice in each group. The pruritic substances used were histamine (His) (200 nmol / site, 50 μL), chloroquine (CQ) (200 μg / site, 50 μL), and serotonin (5-HT) (100 nmol / site, 50 μL). The sham irradiation group was a group in which no laser was output and only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed. [Laser Irradiation] Laser light was irradiated transcutaneously at the cervical vertebrae of the mice under the following irradiation conditions. Wavelength: 808 nm, average power: 0.1 W, peak power: 1 W, pulse oscillation, pulse width 20 ms, pulse rest time 180 ms, frequency: 5 Hz, duty ratio: 10%, irradiation area: 2.27 cm ２, irradiation time: 180 seconds. Laser irradiation was performed under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. [Evaluation method] The therapeutic effect on pruritus was evaluated by counting the number of scratching movements of the mice. [Experimental procedure] (1) The laser was irradiated to the cervical vertebrae of mice under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. The sham-irradiated group was sham-irradiated. (2) After release from anesthesia, a prurigenic substance was administered intradermally to the back 2 hours after laser or sham irradiation. (3) The number of scratching movements was counted for 30 minutes. (4) Tukey's multiple comparison test was performed between all groups, with a significance level of 5%. [Results] The results are shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The mean values ​​are shown as bars, and the standard error is shown as error bars. *** indicates a p-value lower than 0.001 between groups, and ### indicates a p-value lower than 0.001 between groups. For all pruritic substances, there was a significant increase in the number of scratching movements in the pruritic substance administration and sham irradiation groups compared to the number of scratching movements in the saline administration and sham irradiation groups, confirming that the pathological condition was induced. There was almost no change in the number of scratching movements in the saline administration and laser irradiation groups compared to the number of scratching movements in the saline administration and sham irradiation groups, indicating that laser irradiation alone does not change the number of scratching movements. For all pruritic substances, there was a significant decrease in the number of scratching movements in the pruritic substance administration and laser irradiation groups compared to the number of scratching movements in the pruritic substance administration and sham irradiation groups, confirming the therapeutic and preventive effects of laser irradiation on pruritus.

[0061] Example 3 Comparative Study of the Therapeutic and Preventive Effects on Pruritus at Different Irradiation Sites To compare the therapeutic and preventive effects on acute pruritus at different irradiation sites, three sites on the animals were irradiated: (i) the cervical vertebrae, (ii) the site where the pruritic substance was administered, and (iii) the site where the pruritic substance was administered and the cervical vertebrae. As a test pruritus model, an acute pruritus test was conducted using a pruritic substance that is widely used in non-clinical studies of pruritus.

[0062] The test procedure is as follows. [Animal Model Used] An experiment was conducted in which a pruritic substance was administered intradermally to the back of a mouse to induce pruritus. Male ICR mice, 6 to 9 weeks old, were used. The groups were: 1: pruritic substance administration / sham irradiation group; 2: pruritic substance administration / cervical spine laser irradiation group; 3: pruritic substance administration / laser irradiation to the pruritic substance administration site group; and 4: pruritic substance administration / laser irradiation to both the cervical spine and pruritic substance administration site group, with eight mice in each group. The pruritic substances used were histamine (His) (200 nmol / site, 50 μL), chloroquine (CQ) (200 μg / site, 50 μL), and serotonin (5-HT) (100 nmol / site, 50 μL). The sham irradiation group was a group in which no laser was output and only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed. [Laser Irradiation] The mouse was percutaneously irradiated at the cervical vertebrae with laser light under the following irradiation conditions: wavelength: 808 nm, average power: 0.1 W, peak power: 1 W, pulsed oscillation, pulse width: 20 ms, pulse rest time: 180 ms, frequency: 5 Hz, duty ratio: 10%, irradiation area: 0.785 cm ２Irradiation time: 180 seconds for Groups 1 and 2, and 180 seconds for Group 3 at the cervical spine followed by 180 seconds at the administration site of the pruritic substance (total 360 seconds). Laser irradiation was performed under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. Isoflurane inhalation anesthesia was performed for 360 seconds for all groups. [Evaluation method] The effectiveness of pruritic treatment was evaluated by counting the number of scratching movements made by the mice. [Experimental procedure] (1) Mice under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia were irradiated with a laser. The laser irradiation site was either the cervical spine, the site where the pruritic substance was administered, or both the cervical spine and the site where the pruritic substance was administered. The sham irradiation group was a group in which no laser was output and only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed. (2) After release from anesthesia, the pruritic substance was administered intradermally to the back 2 hours after laser irradiation or sham irradiation. (3) The number of scratching movements was counted for 30 minutes. (4) Tukey's multiple comparison test was performed between all groups, with a significance level of 5%. [Results] The results are shown in Figures 5A to 5C. Bars show the mean values, and error bars show the standard errors. * indicates a p-value lower than 0.05 between groups, ** indicates a p-value lower than 0.01 between groups, and *** indicates a p-value lower than 0.001 between groups. As is clear from Figures 5A to 5C, for all prurigenic substances, the number of scratching movements in the prurigenic substance-administered and cervical vertebrae laser irradiation group, the prurigenic substance-administered and laser irradiation of the prurigenic substance-administered site group, and the prurigenic substance-administered and cervical vertebrae and prurigenic substance-administered site laser irradiation group were significantly reduced compared to the number of scratching movements in the prurigenic substance-administered and sham-irradiated group. There was no difference in the effectiveness of phototherapy depending on the irradiation site. Laser irradiation of the cervical spine can treat itching over a wide area, such as the skin, that is innervated by sensory nerves connected to the spinal cord in the cervical spine, whereas laser irradiation of the site where the pruritic substance is administered can treat itching only at the site where the pruritic substance is administered, i.e., only in the affected area. Therefore, light irradiation of sensory nerves is considered to be advantageous in that it can treat a wider area.

[0063] Example 4 Comparative study of therapeutic and preventive effects on pruritus due to differences in irradiation intensity To compare the therapeutic and preventive effects on pruritus due to differences in the average power and irradiation time of light, groups were set up using multiple combinations of average power and irradiation time. As a test pruritus model, an acute pruritus test was conducted using a prurigenic substance that is widely used in non-clinical trials of pruritus.

[0064] The test procedure is as follows. [Animal model used] An experiment was conducted in which a pruritic substance was administered intradermally to the back of a mouse to induce pruritus. Male ICR mice, 6 to 9 weeks old, were used. Groups were divided into a pruritic substance administration / sham irradiation group and a pruritic substance administration / laser irradiation group. The laser irradiation group used the following experimental condition 1 or experimental condition 2. Experimental condition 1: average power of 1, 10, 20, 30, or 100 mW, irradiation time of 180 seconds; number of animals in each group: pruritic substances: histamine (His) (200 nmol / site, 50 μL), chloroquine (CQ) (200 μg / site, 50 μL), and serotonin (5-HT) (100 nmol / site, 50 μL). Experimental condition 2: Average power was 30, 60, 100, and 150 mW, and the irradiation time at each average power was 30, 90, 180, 300, and 600 seconds; each group contained 3 animals; the pruritic substance was histamine (His) (200 nmol / site, 50 μL). The sham irradiation group was a group in which no laser was output, and only experimental procedures equivalent to laser irradiation were performed. [Laser irradiation] Laser light was irradiated transcutaneously at the cervical vertebrae of the mice under the following irradiation conditions. The average power and irradiation time are as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and the peak power is 10 times the average power. Wavelength: 808 nm, pulsed oscillation, pulse width: 20 ms, pulse pause time: 180 ms, frequency: 5 Hz, duty ratio: 10%, irradiation area: 0.785 cm ２Laser irradiation was performed under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. Isoflurane inhalation anesthesia was administered for 600 seconds in all groups. [Evaluation Method] The therapeutic effect on pruritus was evaluated by counting the number of scratching movements of the mice. [Experimental Procedure] (1) Laser irradiation was performed on the cervical vertebrae of mice under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. The sham-irradiated group underwent sham irradiation. (2) After release from anesthesia, 2 hours after laser or sham irradiation, a pruritic substance was intradermally administered to the back. (3) The number of scratching movements was counted for 30 minutes. [Results] Laser irradiation under experimental condition 1 reduced the number of scratching movements for all pruritic substances with a higher average power. This indicates that the therapeutic and preventive effects against pruritus are greater with a higher average power (Figures 7A-7C). Laser irradiation under experimental condition 2 reduced the number of scratching movements for all pruritic substances with a higher average power and longer irradiation time. This indicates that the therapeutic and preventive effects against pruritus are greater with a higher average power and longer irradiation time. The product of average power and irradiation time is energy, and it can be said that the greater the energy, the greater the therapeutic and preventive effects (Figure 8). Furthermore, it was found that, at any average power, the therapeutic and preventive effects against pruritus in the pruritic substance administration / laser irradiation group were greater than those in the pruritic substance administration / sham irradiation group. In other words, it was found that even at low energy, higher therapeutic and preventive effects were obtained compared to those in the sham irradiation group.

[0065] Based on these results, the irradiation conditions for the human median nerve, human sciatic nerve, and human sacral nerve were calculated from the irradiation conditions in the mouse experiments (Tables 2 to 13). For example, in Table 2, an average power of 30 mW in the mouse corresponds to 9.7 mW in [mean depth - standard deviation] (mean depth is 4.9 mm (Table 1)) and 12.7 mW in [mean depth + standard deviation] in the human median nerve. Therefore, an average power of 30 mW in the mouse corresponds to 9.7 to 12.7 mW in the human median nerve.

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072]

[0073]

[0074]

[0075]

[0076]

[0077]

[0078] From the above results, when irradiating the human median nerve, the preferred irradiation conditions are an average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe of 9.7 mW to 63.4 mW, and an average power density obtained by dividing the average power by the irradiated area of ​​the light of 12 mW / cm. ２ ~81 mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 0.3 J to 38 J per irradiation, and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 0.4 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~49 J / cm ２ , and the wavelength was found to be 808 nm.

[0079] In addition, in the case of irradiation to a human sciatic nerve, the preferred irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe is 151 mW to 6110 mW, and the average power density obtained by dividing the average power by the irradiated area of ​​the light is 192 mW / cm ２ ~7784mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 4.5 J to 3666 J per irradiation, and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 5.8 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~4670 J / cm ２ , and the wavelength was found to be 808 nm.

[0080] In addition, in the case of irradiation to the human sacral nerve, the preferred irradiation conditions are that the average power of the light irradiated from the light irradiating probe is 343 mW to 39998 mW, and the average power density obtained by dividing the average power by the irradiated area of ​​the light is 437 mW / cm ２ ~50953mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 10.3 J to 23999 J per irradiation, and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 13.1 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~30572J / cm ２ , and the wavelength was found to be 808 nm.

[0081] As a new treatment method for pruritus, the pruritus suppression effect of phototherapy can be confirmed, and a new physical treatment method can be provided.

[0082] 1 Itch treatment device 2 Light irradiation probe 3 Light source 4 Probe cable 5 Main body 6 Light source and power supply

Claims

1. An itch treatment device comprising a light source that emits light rays and a light irradiation probe that irradiates the light rays, and characterized in that the light rays emitted by the light source are transcutaneously irradiated from the light irradiation probe toward sensory nerves that control the itch-causing site on the skin or mucosal epithelium.

2. The average power of the light beam irradiated from the light beam irradiation probe is 32 mW to 26665 mW, and the average power density obtained by dividing the average power by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam is 14 mW / cm ２ ~11748mW / cm ２ The energy, which is the light dose, is 5.8 J to 4800 J per irradiation, and the energy density, which is the energy divided by the irradiation area of ​​the light beam, is 2.6 J / cm per irradiation. ２ ~2115 J / cm ２ 10. The device for treating pruritus according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength is 750 nm to 850 nm.

3. The device for treating pruritus according to claim 1, wherein the sensory nerve irradiated with light is the median nerve, the sacral nerve, or the sciatic nerve.

4. The device for treating itching according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source is built into the light irradiating probe and is portable.

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