Ultraviolet therapeutic device

Abstract

To further improve heat dissipation in an ultraviolet treatment device using an LED as a light source.SOLUTION: The ultraviolet light treatment device 1 includes a housing 24 having a light emission window 23 which emits light including ultraviolet light, an LED substrate 25a which is provided to face the light emission window 23 in the housing 24 and on which an LED light source 25b which emits light including ultraviolet light toward the light emission window 23 is mounted, a heatsink 27 which is attached to a surface of the LED substrate 25b on a side opposite to a mounting surface of the LED light source 25a in the housing 24 and dissipates heat of the LED substrate 25b, an intake 24a which is provided at a position corresponding to the heatsink 27 on a surface intersecting the light emission window 23 of the housing 24 and takes cool air into the housing 24, and a blower (fan) 28 which is provided on a side opposite to the LED substrate 25b of the heatsink 27 in the housing 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet treatment device that uses an LED as a light source. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional phototherapy involves ultraviolet light therapy using ultraviolet light in wavelength ranges such as UVA (wavelength 320nm-400nm) and UVB (wavelength 280nm-320nm). UV light therapy aims to suppress the immune system through ultraviolet light irradiation, thereby achieving a therapeutic effect. BACKGROUND ART Patent Document 1, for example, discloses an ultraviolet treatment device that uses ultraviolet light to treat skin diseases and that includes a lamp light source as an ultraviolet light source.

[0003] Meanwhile, the development of LEDs has been remarkable in recent years, and the light source is being switched from lamps to LEDs not only for general lighting but also for many industrial machinery and equipment. LEDs are also becoming more powerful not only in the visible light range but also in the ultraviolet range, and there are high expectations for LEDs to be used as light sources in the medical field as well. When LEDs are used as light sources, generally speaking, a simpler circuit configuration can be realized than with a lamp power supply, and the device can be made smaller and lighter. Therefore, the use of LEDs as the light source instead of lamp light sources in ultraviolet therapy devices has been considered, and in recent years, ultraviolet therapy devices using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) as the ultraviolet light source have been proposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-5438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, UV-LEDs have become increasingly powerful in recent years, but the luminous efficiency of LEDs in the UVB region is still only a few percent. As a result, most of the power input to an LED becomes heat. If the heat generated by an LED is not properly dissipated, it can cause problems such as a wavelength shift (longer wavelength) in the emitted light or thermal damage to the LED element. Therefore, when an LED is used as the light source in an ultraviolet therapy device, it is necessary to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by the LED when it is turned on.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to further improve heat dissipation in an ultraviolet treatment device that uses an LED as a light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the ultraviolet therapy device of the present invention comprises a housing having a light emission window that emits light including ultraviolet rays, an LED board that is arranged inside the housing facing the light emission window and that has an LED light source mounted thereon that emits light including ultraviolet rays toward the light emission window, a heat sink that is attached inside the housing to the side of the LED board opposite the mounting surface of the LED light source and that dissipates heat from the LED board, an air intake that is arranged at a position corresponding to the heat sink on a plane of the housing that intersects with the light emission window and that takes in cooling air into the housing, and a blower that is arranged inside the housing on the side of the heat sink opposite the LED board.

[0008] In this way, an intake port for taking cooling air into the housing is provided at a position on the side of the housing corresponding to the heat sink, so that the cooling air can first hit the heat sink, allowing it to be cooled efficiently. This improves the heat dissipation characteristics of the heat sink, allowing the heat generated by the LED to be dissipated efficiently.

[0009] In addition, the above-mentioned ultraviolet treatment device may further include an exhaust port provided on the side of the housing opposite to the side on which the light emission window is provided, for exhausting the cooling air blown by the blower to the outside of the housing. In this case, the structure can be such that the exhaust air does not hit the patient. Also, the practitioner will not be exposed to the exhaust air unless they are positioned in a straight line with the affected area via the treatment tool. Even if the patient and practitioner are positioned in a straight line via the treatment tool, this is only temporary, and the practitioner can easily avoid the exhaust air. Therefore, discomfort caused by direct exposure to the exhaust air during treatment is reduced for both the patient and the practitioner.

[0010] Furthermore, the ultraviolet therapy device may further include a grip portion that is connected to a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window and that is held by an operator. In this case, the practitioner (user) can easily handle the treatment tool by holding the grip portion, and therefore the practitioner can easily operate it without blowing the exhaust air onto themselves or the patient.

[0011] In addition, in the above-mentioned ultraviolet treatment device, the gripping portion may extend from the position where the heat sink is positioned on the surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, or from a position on the opposite side of the light emission window from the position where the heat sink is positioned, and the extension direction may intersect with the arrangement direction of the light emission window, the LED substrate, and the heat sink. In this case, in an ultraviolet treatment device using an LED as a light source, the gripping portion can be provided taking into consideration the placement position of the heat sink, which is a major factor in terms of weight. When the gripping portion is located near the heat sink, it can be held in a position close to the center of gravity of the treatment device, allowing the operator to hold the treatment device stably and stably apply the light irradiation portion to the affected area. Also, when the gripping portion is located behind the heat sink (opposite the light emission window), it becomes easy to rest the weight of the treatment device on the affected area during irradiation, allowing the operator to stably apply the light irradiation portion to the affected area.

[0012] Furthermore, in the ultraviolet therapy device described above, the air intake may be provided at least on a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, on the opposite side to the surface to which the grip portion is connected. In this case, the hand holding the grip part can avoid blocking the air intake. Also, since treatment is usually performed by holding the grip part with the housing (light-emitting part) facing up, the cooling air taken into the housing from the air intake on the side opposite to the side to which the grip part is connected, i.e., the top surface, can preferentially cool the upper side of the LED board, which is prone to becoming hot. This allows for efficient heat dissipation of heat generated by the LED.

[0013] In the ultraviolet therapy device, the air intakes may be provided on a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, with the heat sink in between. In this case, cooling air can be supplied to the heat sink from both sides, which reduces uneven cooling caused by only one side of the heat sink being cooled.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned ultraviolet treatment device, the heat sink may have a plurality of plate-shaped fins, and the air intake may be arranged opposite the extension direction of the fins on a plane that intersects with the light emission window of the housing. In this case, the cooling air introduced into the heat sink can flow between the fins, further improving the cooling characteristics of the heat sink.

[0015] In the ultraviolet therapy device, the blower may be an axial flow fan. In this case, the air velocity on the suction side can be made weak, making it difficult for the practitioner to feel the intake air near the intake port. In other words, even if the practitioner is on the side of the housing, the practitioner is unlikely to feel the intake air.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned ultraviolet therapy device, the axial fan may be arranged with its intake surface facing the heat sink, and an exhaust port may be provided on the side of the housing opposite to the surface on which the light emission window is provided, for exhausting the cooling air discharged from the discharge surface of the axial fan to the outside of the housing. In this case, the cooling air that has absorbed heat from the heat sink and has become hot can be quickly discharged to the outside of the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the heat dissipation properties in an ultraviolet treatment device that uses an LED as a light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultraviolet treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a treatment tool. [Figure 3] 1 is a configuration example of a heat sink. [Figure 4] 10 is another example of the configuration of a heat sink. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of a treatment tool. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of a treatment tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the dimensional ratios in the drawing do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings do not necessarily match.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultraviolet treatment device 1 according to this embodiment. The ultraviolet treatment device 1 comprises a treatment tool 2 having an LED light source that emits light including ultraviolet rays, and a main body 4 that supplies power to the treatment tool 2 and controls the LED light source. The treatment tool 2 is configured to be portable with one hand (handheld type configuration), and can be freely displaced by an operator relative to the main body 4 within the range of extension of the connection wire 6. Here, the operator is a person (e.g., a doctor, nurse, etc.) different from the patient. In the following description, ultraviolet light and light containing ultraviolet light may be simply referred to as "light."

[0021] The treatment tool 2 includes a light emitting section 21 that houses an LED light source, a grip (handle) 22 that an operator holds with one hand, and a light emission window 23 that is provided in the light emitting section 21 and that emits light. The main body 4 includes an input unit 41, a display unit 42, a power supply unit 43, a control unit 44, and an LED driving unit 45. The treatment device 2 and the main body 4 are connected by a connection line 6, which includes a power supply line 6a indicated by a thick line and a signal line 6b indicated by a thin line.

[0022] The input unit 41 receives information input by the operator and outputs the information to the control unit 44. The information input by the operator includes information regarding the dose of ultraviolet light to be irradiated onto the affected area. The display unit 42 can display the irradiance of ultraviolet light, the irradiation time, the elapsed time during ultraviolet light irradiation, etc. Furthermore, if any abnormality occurs in the ultraviolet treatment device 1, the display unit 42 can also display information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality (such as an error message).

[0023] The power supply unit 43 converts the power supplied from the external power supply 8 into an appropriate voltage and supplies it to each unit in the subsequent stages. The control unit 44 controls the LED driving unit 45 based on the information input from the input section 41, and controls the amount of irradiation (irradiance or irradiation time) of the LED light source of the treatment tool 2. The LED driving unit 45 supplies power to the LED light source in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 44 .

[0024] The procedure for an operator to irradiate an affected area with ultraviolet light using the ultraviolet treatment device 1 of this embodiment will be described below. First, the operator inputs information regarding the amount of ultraviolet light to be irradiated to the affected area (irradiation time and irradiance) by operating the input unit 41. Next, the operator holds the grip portion 22 of the treatment tool 2 and brings the light emission window 23 into contact with or close to the affected area. Then, the operator presses, for example, a switch (not shown) provided on the grip portion 22. Then, the LED light source of the treatment tool 2 lights up, and irradiation of the affected area with ultraviolet light begins. After that, when the UV irradiation reaches the input irradiation amount (the set irradiation time is reached), the LED light source will automatically turn off.

[0025] The configuration of the treatment device 2 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 2, the light irradiation unit 21 of the treatment device 2 includes a housing 24 having a light emission window 23. An opening is provided at the front end of the housing 24, and the light emission window 23 is attached to the opening. The shape of the housing 24 may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The shape of the light emission window 23 may be, for example, a rectangular shape of 50 mm x 50 mm. The housing 24 accommodates a light source unit 25, a light guide unit 26, a heat sink 27, and a fan 28.

[0026] The light source unit 25 includes a plurality of LEDs (LED light sources) 25a that emit light including ultraviolet rays, and an LED substrate 25b on which the plurality of LEDs 25a are mounted. The number of LEDs 25a may be, for example, 20 or more. The LED 25a is a UV-LED that emits ultraviolet light having an emission peak in a wavelength range of, for example, 308 nm to 370 nm. The ultraviolet light emitted from the LED 25a is therapeutic light for treating skin diseases.

[0027] For example, medium-wave ultraviolet light (wavelength 308 nm to 313 nm) is known to be effective against psoriasis, parapsoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, malignant lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, chronic pityriasis lichenoides, vitiligo vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, etc. Also, long-wave ultraviolet light (wavelength 340 nm to 400 nm) is known to be effective against cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, scleroderma, dyshidrotic eczema, etc. The LED 25a emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength corresponding to the skin disease to be treated.

[0028] The LED substrate 25b is disposed with the surface on which the LEDs 25a are mounted facing the light emission window 23. The LED substrate 25b uses a metal for the substrate base or core in order to efficiently conduct heat from the mounted components (LEDs 25a) to the heat sink 27. Here, the metal used for the substrate base or core may be aluminum or copper, which have high thermal conductivity.

[0029] The light guiding unit 26 is a light guide path that guides the light emitted from the LED 25a to the light emission window 23, and is constituted by the housing 24 in the section from the LED 25a to the light emission window 23. The inner circumferential surface of the housing 24 that constitutes the light guiding unit 26 may be constituted by a reflector. In this case, the light guiding unit 26 guides the light emitted from the LED 25a and the light reflected by the inner circumferential surface of the reflector to the light emission window 23. The light guide 26 is intended to keep the distance from the LED 25a to the irradiated area (affected area) constant or approximately constant. If the light emission window 23 is always in contact with the affected area during ultraviolet irradiation, the distance from the LED 25a to the irradiated area can be kept constant, and the irradiance and irradiance uniformity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the irradiated area (treatment area) can always be set to preset values.

[0030] Between the LED 25a and the light emission window 23 in the light guide section 26, a wavelength selection filter may be arranged that transmits only light in a desired wavelength range from the light emitted by the LED 25a.

[0031] As described above, the UV-LED, which is also used as the light source of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 of this embodiment, generates heat when turned on. If the heat generated by the UV-LED is not properly dissipated, the wavelength of the emitted light may shift (become longer) or the LED element may be thermally damaged. Therefore, when using a UV-LED, a heat dissipation unit is required to actively dissipate the heat.

[0032] In this embodiment, the light irradiating unit 21 includes a heat sink 27 and a fan 28 as a heat dissipating unit for dissipating heat from the LEDs 25a. The heat sink 27 includes a base 27a and fins 27b. The base 27a is attached to the surface of the LED substrate 25b opposite to the surface on which the LEDs 25a are mounted. The fins 27b are composed of a number of fins attached to the base 27a. The heat sink 27 (base 27a, fins 27b) is made of aluminum, copper, or the like, which has high thermal conductivity. The fins may have any shape.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fins 27b are plate-shaped (flat) members. When the treatment device 2 is oriented as shown in Fig. 2, the fins 27b are arranged vertically (in the up-down direction on the paper in Fig. 2) and are arranged in parallel to each other. The fan 28 is used to send cooling air to the fins 27b of the heat sink 27 and improve the heat dissipation performance of the heat sink 27. In this embodiment, the fan 28 is an axial fan. The fan 28 is provided on the side of the heat sink 27 opposite the LED substrate 25b, with its intake surface facing the surface of the heat sink 27 on which the fins 27b are provided. In this manner, the fan 28 is disposed so that the intake and exhaust directions of the air coincide or substantially coincide with the arrangement direction of the light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, and the heat sink 27 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2 ).

[0034] Furthermore, air intakes 24a for taking cooling air into the housing 24 are provided at positions corresponding to the heat sink 27 on the side surface of the housing 24 (surface intersecting with the light emission window 23). Specifically, the air intakes 24a are provided on surfaces of the housing 24 that face each other in the vertical direction as viewed in the drawing, at positions facing the fins 27b of the heat sink 27. The opening shape of intake port 24a may be any shape, such as a slit, an arrangement of holes, etc. In order to fully utilize the characteristics of fan 28, it is preferable that the area of ​​the opening of intake port 24a be equal to or greater than the area of ​​the suction surface of fan 28.

[0035] Furthermore, an exhaust port 24b is provided on the rear surface of the housing 24 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the light emission window 23 is provided) to exhaust the cooling air blown by the fan 28 to the outside of the housing 24. Specifically, the exhaust port 24b is provided on the rear surface of the housing 24 at a position facing the fins 27b of the heat sink 27 (a position facing the discharge surface of the fan 28, which is an axial fan). The opening shape of exhaust port 24b may be any shape, such as a slit, a hole arrangement, etc. In order to fully utilize the characteristics of fan 28, it is preferable that the area of ​​the opening of exhaust port 24b be equal to or larger than the area of ​​the ejection surface of fan 28.

[0036] When the operator holds the grip portion 22 of the treatment tool 2, brings the light emission window 23 into contact with or close to the affected area, and presses, for example, a switch (not shown) provided on the grip portion 22, the LED 25a lights up and ultraviolet irradiation of the affected area begins. At the same time, the fan 28 starts operating. Then, as shown by the arrows in Figure 2, cooling air is drawn into the housing 24 from above and below through the air intake 24a. Note that the fan 28 may be set to operate constantly after the main power of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 is turned on.

[0037] When the LED 25a lights up, the LED 25a generates heat, and the heat is transferred to the heat sink 27 via the LED substrate 25b, causing the temperature of the heat sink 27 to rise. The cooling air taken into the housing 24 from the air intake 24a passes between the fins 27b of the heat sink 27, whose temperature has risen, and cools the heat sink 27. 3(a), which is a view of the heat sink 27 from the back side (the opposite side to the LED substrate 25b), the fins 27b are arranged vertically (in the vertical direction on the paper) and are arranged parallel to each other, so that the cooling air taken into the housing 24 from above and below through the air intakes 24a provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 24 flows along the plate longitudinal direction (plate extension direction) of the fins 27b. Therefore, this cooling air can efficiently dissipate heat from the LEDs 25a via the heat sink 27, and the LEDs 25a are cooled so that their temperature does not exceed the allowable temperature range.

[0038] The cooling air introduced from both the top and bottom sides of the heat sink 27 and flowing through the flow path between the fins 27b is sucked in by the fan 28 arranged on the fin 27b side of the heat sink 27, and flows as exhaust air on the opposite side of the base 27a of the heat sink 27 as shown in Figure 3(b). The exhaust air whose temperature has increased after cooling the heat sink 27 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 24 from the exhaust port 24b via the fan 28, as shown by the arrow in FIG.

[0039] It is preferable to keep the fan 28 running while the LED 25a is on, so that the temperature of the LED element can be appropriately controlled so as not to exceed the allowable temperature range. When the treatment is completed and the LED 25a is turned off, the fan 28 stops and the exhaust also stops. It should be noted that even after the LED 25a is turned off, the fan 28 may be operated for a while (for example, until the temperature of the LED 25a reaches approximately room temperature) to continue cooling.

[0040] 2, the grip portion 22 is provided so as to extend from a position behind (on the opposite side from the light emission window 23) the position where the heat sink 27 is arranged on the side surface (the surface intersecting with the light emission window 23) of the housing 24. Specifically, the grip portion 22 extends in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2) of the light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, and the heat sink 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the grip portion 22 can be a linear rod-shaped member (a gripping rod). The extending direction of the grip portion 22 only needs to intersect with the arrangement direction of the light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, and the heat sink 27 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2), and is not limited to the orthogonal direction as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the grip portion 22 may be provided so as to extend obliquely from the side surface of the housing 24.

[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, the fins 27b of the heat sink 27 are plate-shaped (flat), but the fins 27b may be pin-shaped, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), for example. Note that the pin shape is arbitrary and is not limited to the shapes shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). In this case, since the fins 27b are arranged isotropically, the direction in which air is supplied to the heat sink 27 may be either vertical or horizontal. That is, in this case, the air intakes 24a may be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 24, for example, as in a treatment device 2A shown in FIG. Furthermore, even when a heat sink 27 having plate-shaped fins 27b as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) is used, if the fins 27b are arranged horizontally and parallel to each other, the air intakes 24a may be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 24 as shown in Figure 5.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where an air intake port 24a is provided on each of two opposing surfaces of the housing 24 has been described, but when a heat sink 27 having pin-shaped fins 27b as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) is used, an air intake port 24a can also be provided on each of the four surfaces of the housing 24, namely the top, bottom, left, and right. In the case of air cooling, plate-shaped fins generally have smaller pressure loss than pin-shaped fins and allow air to move more easily between the fins, so the fins 27b of the heat sink 27 are preferably plate-shaped.

[0043] Furthermore, the air intakes 24a do not have to be formed on both opposing surfaces of the housing 24. For example, as in the treatment device 2B shown in FIG. 6, the air intakes 24a may be formed only on the top surface of the housing 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature of the LED substrate 25b is higher at the top. Therefore, it is sufficient that the air intakes 24a are formed at least on the top surface of the housing 24. This allows the upper side, which tends to become hot, to be cooled preferentially. Also, the hand holding the grip portion 22 will not accidentally block the intake port 24a.

[0044] As described above, the treatment tool 2 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in this embodiment includes the light irradiating unit 21 that emits light containing ultraviolet rays, and the gripping unit 22 that is connected to the light irradiating unit 21 and is held by an operator. The light irradiating unit 21 includes a housing 24 having a light emission window 23, a light source unit 25 (LEDs 25a, LED substrate 25b), a light guide unit 26, a heat sink 27, and a fan (blower) 28. The light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, the heat sink 27, and the fan 28 are linearly arranged in this order, as shown in FIG. The treatment tool 2 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in this embodiment is provided with a heat dissipation system made up of a heat sink 27 and a fan 28 inside a housing 24. The heat sink 27 is used to efficiently dissipate heat generated when the LED 25a is turned on, and the fan 28 is used to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink 27. Air is drawn in and exhausted by the fan 28 via an intake port 24a and an exhaust port 24b provided in the housing 24 of the treatment tool 2.

[0045] In the treatment tool 2 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in this embodiment, an air intake 24a for taking cooling air into the housing 24 is provided at a position corresponding to the heat sink 27 on the side surface of the housing 24 of the treatment tool 2. This allows the cooling air taken into the housing 24 through the air intake 24a to first hit the heat sink 27, thereby allowing the heat sink 27 to be cooled efficiently. Therefore, in the ultraviolet therapy device 1 using the LED 25a as the light source, the heat dissipation can be further improved.

[0046] An exhaust port 24b for exhausting the cooling air blown by the fan 28 to the outside of the housing 24 is provided on the back surface of the housing 24 of the treatment tool 2. As such, the exhaust port 24b is provided on the surface of the housing 24 of the treatment tool 2 opposite to the light emission window 23, so that the exhaust air from the exhaust port 24b will not hit the patient. Furthermore, the practitioner will not be exposed to the exhaust air unless he or she is positioned in a straight line with the affected area via the treatment tool 2. The practitioner handles the treatment tool 2 by grasping the grip 22 attached to the side of the treatment tool 2. Considering this method of using the treatment tool 2, it is rare for the patient and practitioner to be positioned in a straight line via the treatment tool 2, and the practitioner will generally be positioned to the side of the treatment tool 2. Even if the patient and practitioner are positioned in a straight line via the treatment tool 2, this is only temporary, and it is easy for the practitioner to avoid the exhaust air.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fan 28 may be an axial flow fan arranged with its air intake side facing the heat sink 27. Axial fans generally have a characteristic that the wind speed on the intake side is weak, and the wind speed distribution spreads over a wide angle from a short distance point. Therefore, the wind can only be felt very close to the intake port 25a. In other words, both the practitioner and the patient find it difficult to feel the wind caused by intake near the intake port 25a. Therefore, if an axial fan is used as the fan 28, there is no problem even if the intake port 25a is provided on the side of the treatment tool 2 that faces the practitioner.

[0048] In this way, in this embodiment, the airflow generated near the intake and exhaust ports can be prevented from directly hitting the practitioner (user) or patient, improving usability. In particular, the exhaust air may be heated, which can cause discomfort if it hits directly, but a structure can be realized that prevents the intake and exhaust air from hitting the practitioner or patient, thereby reducing the discomfort.

[0049] Furthermore, the treatment tool 2 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in this embodiment can include a grip portion 22 that extends from the side of the housing 24, with the extension direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, and the heat sink 27. By configuring the grip portion 22 so that it is not aligned in a straight line with the light emission window 23, the LED substrate 25b, and the heat sink 27, the operator can stably hold the treatment tool 2 even with the light emission window 23 facing forward, for example. This improves operability when the treatment tool 2 is operated by a person other than the patient (for example, a doctor or nurse).

[0050] Furthermore, the grip portion 22 can be provided so as to extend from the rear of the position where the heat sink 27 is disposed on the side surface of the housing 24 (on the opposite side to the light emission window 23). The light source unit 25 includes a large number of LEDs (UV-LEDs) 25a, and therefore generates a large amount of heat. Therefore, in order to improve the heat dissipation efficiency, it is necessary to increase the surface area of ​​the fins of the heat sink 27, which makes the heat sink 27 somewhat large. The heat sink 27 is made of a metal with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper, and is relatively large and therefore heavy. The weight of the heat sink 27 accounts for most of the weight of the treatment device 2. Furthermore, the power supply system, including the power supply unit 43 and the LED driving unit 45, is mounted on the main body 4, which is separate from the treatment tool 2, and the LED driving unit 45 supplies power to the LED 25a via the connection line 6 (power line 6a). As such, since the power supply system is provided outside the treatment tool 2, the heat sink 27 is the heaviest component of the treatment tool 2.

[0051] Therefore, by providing the grip portion 22 extending from behind the position where the heat sink 27 is disposed on the side surface of the housing 24, the operator holds the treatment tool 2 behind the center of gravity with the light irradiation portion 21 facing up. Therefore, when the operator brings the treatment tool 2 into contact with the affected area with the light emission window 23 facing downward, the weight of the treatment tool 2 can be more easily transferred to the affected area. In other words, the weight of the heat sink 27 can be used to make it easier to press the light irradiation portion 21. Therefore, the treatment tool 2 can be applied more stably to the affected area.

[0052] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the grip portion 22 extends from a position behind the heat sink 27 on the side surface of the housing 24. However, the grip portion 22 may extend from the position where the heat sink 27 is disposed. In this case, the operator can appropriately hold the treatment tool 2 at a position close to the center of gravity. In other words, when the operator holds the grip part 22 with the light irradiation part 21 facing up, the weight of the heat sink 27 is applied to the grip part 22, allowing the operator to stably hold the treatment tool 2. Therefore, the operator can stably apply the light irradiation part 21 to the affected area.

[0053] The ultraviolet treatment device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the shape of the housing 21 may be any shape, such as a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the grip portion 22 may be provided with a step or a protrusion to allow the operator to hold the grip portion 22 stably. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the operator is different from the patient has been described, but the patient may hold and operate the treatment tool.

[0054] 1...ultraviolet treatment device, 2...treatment tool, 4...main body, 21...light irradiation section, 22...holding section, 23...light emission window, 24...casing, 25a...LED, 25b...LED substrate, 26...light guide section, 27...heat sink, 27a...base, 27b...fins, 28...fan

Claims

1. A handheld ultraviolet therapy device, A housing having a light-emitting window that emits light including ultraviolet light, An LED substrate is provided within the housing facing the light emission window, and an LED light source is mounted on it that emits light including ultraviolet light toward the light emission window. A heat sink is attached to the side of the LED substrate opposite to the mounting surface of the LED light source within the housing, and dissipates heat from the LED substrate. An air intake is provided on the surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, at a position opposite the heat sink, and for taking cooling air into the housing, An exhaust port for exhausting the cooling air inside the enclosure to the outside, The enclosure comprises a blower provided facing the heat sink, The heat sink has a plurality of fins extending toward the side opposite to the LED substrate side, The intake port is provided at a position opposite to the plurality of fins of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the plurality of fins, and at a position opposite to the side surface including the gap between the plurality of fins. The exhaust port is provided at a position opposite to the discharge surface, which is the side of the blower that discharges air. An ultraviolet therapy device characterized in that the peak wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED light source is 308 nm.

2. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion connected to a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window and which is held by the operator.

3. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping portion extends from the position of the heat sink on the surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, or from a position opposite to the light emission window from the position of the heat sink, and the direction of extension intersects with the arrangement direction of the light emission window, the LED substrate, and the heat sink.

4. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 2, characterized in that the air intake is provided on at least the surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, on the surface opposite to the surface to which the gripping portion is connected.

5. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air intake is provided on a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, with the heat sink in between.

6. The heat sink comprises a plurality of plate-shaped fins, The plurality of fins are arranged parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 5, characterized in that the intake port is provided on a surface of the housing that intersects with the light emission window, facing in a direction perpendicular to both the extension direction and the arrangement direction of the fins.

7. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blower is an axial flow fan.

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