Ultraviolet therapeutic device

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet treatment device capable of maintaining irradiance of light including ultraviolet rays by preventing reduction in transmittance of a light emission window due to secular change.SOLUTION: An ultraviolet light source device includes an ultraviolet light source 6 that emits light including ultraviolet light, and a housing 4 that accommodates the ultraviolet light source 6, wherein the housing 4 includes a light emission window 10 that transmits light and emits the light to the outside, and a window frame 11 that protrudes from an outer surface of the light emission window 10 in a direction intersecting an outer surface of the light emission window 10, the ultraviolet light source 6 emits ultraviolet light of 308 nm to 313 nm, and the window frame 11 protrudes from the outer surface in a direction intersecting the outer surface of the light emission window 10. A space is arranged between the outer surface of the light emitting window 10 and the surface of the affected part to prevent the affected part from coming into contact with the outer surface of the light emitting window 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a targeted ultraviolet treatment device is known that can locally irradiate an affected area with light containing ultraviolet rays while avoiding irradiation of healthy areas with ultraviolet rays (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ultraviolet treatment device has a glass light exit window on the irradiation surface, and emits light containing ultraviolet rays when the outer surface of the light exit window is in contact with the affected area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6256813 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The ultraviolet treatment device of Patent Document 1 brings the light exit window into contact with the affected area each time treatment is performed, so body fluids, sebum, cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. adhere to the light exit window. If the device is used with body fluids, etc. adhered to it, the light exit window will become cloudy (discolored) over time, impairing its transparency and reducing the irradiance of light, including ultraviolet light. Discoloration of the light exit window occurs due to deterioration of the surface of the light exit window material, and therefore cannot be removed by washing with water or alcohol, etc. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the occurrence of discoloration on the light exit window, maintain transparency, and prevent a decrease in the irradiance of light including ultraviolet light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an ultraviolet therapy device comprising: an ultraviolet light source that emits light including ultraviolet rays; and a housing that houses the ultraviolet light source; the housing having a light exit window that transmits the light and emits it to the outside; and a window frame that is arranged on the outer periphery of the light exit window; the ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet rays of 308 nm to 313 nm; the window frame protrudes from the outer surface of the light exit window in a direction that intersects with the outer surface; and a space is arranged between the outer surface of the light exit window and the surface of an affected area, preventing the affected area from coming into contact with the outer surface of the light exit window.

[0006] According to this aspect, when treating an affected area using the ultraviolet treatment device, the tip end face of the window frame provided in the housing is brought into contact with the surface of the skin surrounding the affected area, and the ultraviolet light source is activated to emit light containing ultraviolet rays. As a result, the light emitted from the ultraviolet light source passes through the light exit window and is irradiated onto the surface of the affected area.

[0007] In this case, because the window frame protrudes beyond the outer surface of the light exit window in a direction intersecting the outer surface, even when the tip end face of the window frame is in contact with the skin surrounding the affected area, the surface of the affected area is prevented from contacting the outer surface of the light exit window, preventing body fluids, sebum, cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. on the surface of the affected area from adhering to the light exit window. As a result, a decrease in the transmittance of the light exit window due to aging can be prevented, and the irradiance of light including ultraviolet rays can be maintained. Note that this does not exclude that the surface of the skin surrounding the affected area that the window frame comes into contact with is also part of the affected area.

[0008] In the above aspect, the window frame may protrude from the outer surface of the light exit window by 10 mm or more. According to this aspect, by pressing the window frame against the surface of the skin surrounding the affected area, even if the surface of the affected area inside the window frame rises toward the light exit window, the raised surface of the affected area can be more reliably prevented from coming into contact with the outer surface of the light exit window.

[0009] In the above aspect, the ultraviolet light source may include a plurality of LEDs, and the inner surface of the window frame may include a reflective surface that reflects the light. According to this aspect, even if the light emitted from the multiple LEDs varies in intensity or wavelength, the reflective surface on the inner surface of the window frame can mix the light from the multiple LEDs and irradiate the affected area with light of uniform irradiance and wavelength distribution, thereby achieving a uniform therapeutic effect on the affected area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an ultraviolet treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a treatment tool for the ultraviolet treatment device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship between the distal end surface of the window frame and the light exit window of the treatment tool of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing the results of measurements carried out to determine the distance between the tip face of the window frame of the treatment tool of FIG. 2 and the light exit window. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the swelling of the skin when the tip end face of the window frame of the treatment tool of FIG. 2 is pressed against human skin. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An ultraviolet therapy device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an ultraviolet treatment device 1 according to this embodiment includes a treatment tool 2 and a main body 3 that controls the treatment tool 2.

[0012] 2, the treatment tool 2 includes a housing 4 having a grip portion 5 that is gripped by an operator, and an ultraviolet light source 6 housed in the housing 4. The treatment tool 2 also includes a heat sink 7 for cooling heat generated in the ultraviolet light source 6, and a cooling fan 8 for improving the heat dissipation of the heat sink 7. In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a plurality of holes provided in the housing 4 for discharging air inside the housing 4 to the outside by the cooling fan 8.

[0013] The housing 4 includes a light exit window 10 that transmits light containing ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light source 6 and emits it to the outside, and a rectangular cylindrical window frame 11 that is positioned to surround the outer periphery of the light exit window 10. The light exit window 10 is made of transparent glass or resin.

[0014] The window frame 11 includes a cylindrical light guide 12 that surrounds the passage from the ultraviolet light source 6 to the light exit window 10, and a tip surface 13 provided at the tip of the light guide 12. The light guide 12 has the effect of reflecting light on the inside. The grip portion 5 of the housing 4 is provided with a switch 14 that is operated by the fingers of an operator holding the grip portion 5 to turn on / off the ultraviolet light source 6.

[0015] The ultraviolet light source 6 includes an LED 15 that emits light containing ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of, for example, 308 to 370 nm, and a metal substrate 16 on which the LED 15 is mounted. The medium-wave ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 308 nm to 313 nm emitted from the LED 15 is effective in treating psoriasis, parapsoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, malignant lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, chronic pityriasis lichenoides, vitiligo vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, etc. In addition, the long-wave ultraviolet light of 365 nm is effective in treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, scleroderma, dyshidrotic eczema, etc.

[0016] Metal substrate 16 is a substrate that uses a metal for the base or core, and efficiently conducts heat generated by LEDs 15 to heat sink 7. The metal used for the base or core of metal substrate 16 is aluminum, copper, or an alloy thereof, which have high thermal conductivity. The heat sink 7 is also made of aluminum, copper or an alloy thereof, which has high thermal conductivity, and has a shape, such as a fin shape, that increases the surface area and promotes heat dissipation.

[0017] The main body 3 includes an input unit 17, a display unit 18, a power supply unit 19, a control unit 20, and an LED driving unit 21. The treatment device 2 and the main body 3 are connected by a connection line 22. The connection line 22 includes a power supply line 23 indicated by a thick line and a signal line 24 indicated by a thin line.

[0018] The input unit 17 acquires the set irradiation dose input by an operator (for example, a doctor) and outputs the information to the control unit 20. The display unit 18 can display the irradiance and irradiation time of ultraviolet light, the elapsed time during ultraviolet light irradiation, etc. Furthermore, if any abnormality occurs in the ultraviolet light therapy device 1, the display unit 18 can also display information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality (such as an error message).

[0019] The power supply unit 19 converts the power supplied from the external power supply 25 into an appropriate voltage and supplies it to the units 18, 20, and 21 in the subsequent stages. The control unit 20 controls the LED driving unit 21 based on the set irradiation amount input from the input unit 17, and controls the lighting time of the LEDs 15, etc. The LED driving unit 21 supplies power to each of the LEDs 15 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 20.

[0020] 2 and 3, in the ultraviolet therapy device 1 according to this embodiment, the window frame 11 surrounding the outer periphery of the light exit window 10 provided in the housing 4 has a flat tip surface 13 parallel to the outer surface of the light exit window 10 at a position that protrudes one step higher than the outer surface of the light exit window 10. In other words, the outer surface of the light exit window 10 is positioned recessed toward the ultraviolet light source 6 relative to the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 that is positioned at the most extreme end in the direction of light emission.

[0021] The light exit window 10 is, for example, a square of 50 mm×50 mm. The tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 is disposed at a position protruding from the outer surface of the light exit window 10 by 10 mm or more. Here, the reason why the amount of protrusion of the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 from the light exit window 10 is set to 10 mm will be explained.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, an experiment was conducted in which the tip surface 13 of a window frame 11 with an opening size (50 mm x 50 mm) was pressed against various parts of a human body. The height of the skin swelling inside the window frame 11 toward the light exit window 10 was measured for three subjects, and the results shown in Figure 4 were obtained. The opening size was determined from the dimensions of a conventional product.

[0023] Here, each site in Figure 4 was determined based on the site where diseases that are targeted in ultraviolet therapy tend to occur, as follows. Cheeks: A common site for vitiligo and atopic dermatitis Palms: A common site for palmoplantar pustulosis Dorsal hand: A common site for vitiligo Elbow: A common site for psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis (measurements were taken with the elbow extended) Trunk: A common site for mycosis fungoides Soles of the feet: A common site for palmoplantar pustulosis Heels: A common site for palmoplantar pustulosis

[0024] The operation of the ultraviolet therapy device 1 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described below. To perform ultraviolet therapy using the ultraviolet therapy device 1 according to this embodiment, the operator first inputs a set irradiation dose from the input unit 17 of the main body 3. The input set irradiation dose is sent to the control unit 20, which then calculates the irradiation time based on the preset irradiance of light containing ultraviolet light.

[0025] 5, the operator grasps the grip portion 5 of the housing 4 of the treatment tool 2 and brings the treatment tool 2 close to the patient so that the affected area X is positioned inside the window frame 11 provided in the housing 4. Then, at a position where the irradiation range of the affected area X is surrounded by the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11, the operator brings the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 into contact with the surface of the skin surrounding the affected area X of the patient.

[0026] As a result, the light exit window 10 surrounded by the window frame 11 is disposed opposite to the irradiation range of the affected area X, and the treatment tool 2 is positioned relative to the affected area X. In this state, when the operator presses switch 14 provided on grip portion 5, a signal indicating that switch 14 has been pressed is input to control unit 20. When the signal indicating that switch 14 has been pressed is input, control unit 20 controls LED driving unit 21 so as to cause LED 15 to emit ultraviolet light for the calculated irradiation time.

[0027] As a result, the light containing ultraviolet rays of the set required irradiation amount is irradiated onto the affected area X, and ultraviolet treatment is performed on the affected area X. Then, when the calculated irradiation time has elapsed, the LED 15 is automatically turned off.

[0028] When the LED 15 is turned on by the operation of the LED drive unit 21, the light including ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED 15 spreads with a light distribution specific to the LED 15. Because the light guide section 12 having a reflective surface is provided on the inner surface of the window frame 11, the light emitted from the LED 15 is repeatedly reflected on the inner surface of the window frame 11 before passing through the light exit window 10 and being emitted.

[0029] Because light from the multiple LEDs 15 is emitted while repeatedly reflected by the light guide section 12 on the inner surface of the window frame 11, the light from the multiple LEDs 15 is sufficiently mixed even if there is variation in the intensity or wavelength distribution of the ultraviolet light emitted from each LED 15. This reduces the in-plane variation in the intensity and wavelength distribution of the ultraviolet light emitted from the tip of the window frame 11, allowing the affected area X to be uniformly irradiated.

[0030] Since the irradiation range of the affected area X is arranged opposite the light exit window 10, light containing ultraviolet rays is irradiated onto the affected area X, and ultraviolet therapy of the affected area X is carried out. When the LED 15 lights up, the LED 15 generates heat, but the generated heat is efficiently conducted to the heat sink 7 via the metal substrate 16 on which the LED 15 is mounted, and is then efficiently dissipated from the heat sink 7 to the outside by the cooling fan 8. This allows the LED 15 to be sufficiently cooled, preventing a decrease in light-emitting efficiency due to heat generation.

[0031] In this case, according to the ultraviolet therapy device 1 of this embodiment, the tip surface 13 of the flat window frame 11 contacts the patient's skin around the entire circumference of the light exit window 10, and the outer surface of the light exit window 10, which is positioned one step lower than the tip surface 13, is positioned at a distance from the opposing affected area X. When the affected area X is located in an inelastic part of the human body, even if the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 is pressed against the skin around the affected area X, the affected area X will not come close to the outer surface of the light exit window 10 inside the window frame 11.

[0032] On the other hand, when the diseased area X is located in an elastic part of the human body and the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 is pressed against the skin around the diseased area X, the diseased area X will rise inside the window frame 11 in a direction approaching the outer surface of the light exit window 10, as shown in Fig. 5. This reduces the distance between the diseased area X and the outer surface of the light exit window 10, but by locating the light exit window 10 at a position 10 mm lower than the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11 as in this embodiment, the raised diseased area X is unlikely to come into contact with the outer surface of the light exit window 10.

[0033] Therefore, even if bodily fluids are seeping out of the affected area X, or even if substances such as sebum, cosmetics, or sunscreen are attached to the affected area X, these substances are prevented from adhering to the outer surface of the light exit window 10. This has the advantage of preventing the light exit window 10 from becoming discolored due to aging, maintaining its transparency, and preventing a decrease in the irradiance of light including ultraviolet light.

[0034] Furthermore, if the light exit window 10 becomes dirty after use of the ultraviolet therapy device 1, it is wiped clean. If the light exit window 10 is made of resin, the outer surface of the light exit window 10 is rubbed by wiping, which easily causes fine scratches and reduces the light transmittance of the light exit window 10. Furthermore, if the light exit window 10 is made of resin and is wiped clean with high-concentration alcohol for disinfection, the outer surface may dissolve and become cloudy.

[0035] In contrast, according to this embodiment, body fluids and the like do not adhere to the outer surface of the light exit window 10, so the frequency of wiping can be reduced, and even if the light exit window 10 is made of resin, a decrease in transmittance can be prevented. When exposed to ultraviolet light, resins such as acrylic deteriorate and transmittance decreases, but this is not a problem as it is much smaller than the decrease in transmittance caused by scratches or dissolution due to wiping.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the light exit window 10 can be made of a resin such as acrylic, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of the treatment tool 2 and improve operability, and also has the advantage of being less likely to break than glass, making it more durable to use.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to prevent a decrease in the transmittance of the light exit window 10, it is conceivable to radiate light from the ultraviolet light source 6 directly to the outside without providing the light exit window 10, but because the ultraviolet light source 6 becomes hot while it is turned on, it is preferable to prevent people from accidentally touching the ultraviolet light source 6. By providing the light exit window 10 to prevent a decrease in the transmittance thereof as in this embodiment, the light exit window 10 separates the ultraviolet light source 6 from the outside, and it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of people coming into contact with the ultraviolet light source 6 from occurring.

[0038] In this embodiment, the opening size of the window frame 11 is set to a square of 50 mm x 50 mm, but is not limited to this. The opening size and shape of the window frame 11 can be set arbitrarily. In particular, if the opening size is smaller than 50 mm x 50 mm, the amount of skin that protrudes into the window frame 11 will be reduced. Therefore, if the light exit window 10 is 10 mm behind the tip surface 13 of the window frame 11, the skin will not come into contact with the light exit window.

[0039] To prevent a person from touching the light exit window 10 during treatment, the opening size of the window frame 11 must be set to be at least smaller than the hand. Based on statistical data on the hand lengths of Japanese adults (average 184.2 mm, maximum 210.3 mm, minimum 157.0 mm), it is appropriate for each side to be 157 mm or less if the window frame is rectangular. Furthermore, the window frame 11 is not limited to a rectangle, and any shape, such as a circle, ellipse, or polygon, can be used.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ultraviolet light source 6 is provided with a plurality of LEDs 15, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a conventional low-pressure mercury lamp or excimer lamp may also be used. Furthermore, the inner surface of the cylinder that constitutes the window frame 11, i.e., the cylindrical light guide 12, is used as a reflective surface to reflect and mix the light from the plurality of LEDs 15 multiple times, but instead of or in addition to this, optical members such as a lens array or a filter may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Ultraviolet treatment device 4. Cabinet 6 UV light source 10 Light exit window 11 Window Frame 12 Light guiding part (reflecting surface) 15 LED X Affected area

Claims

1. an ultraviolet light source that emits light including ultraviolet rays; a housing that houses the ultraviolet light source, the housing includes a light exit window that transmits the light and outputs it to the outside, and a window frame that is arranged on an outer periphery of the light exit window, the ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light between 308 nm and 313 nm; An ultraviolet treatment device in which the window frame protrudes from the outer surface of the light exit window in a direction intersecting the outer surface, and a space is arranged between the outer surface of the light exit window and the surface of the affected area, preventing the affected area from coming into contact with the outer surface of the light exit window.

2. 2. The ultraviolet treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the window frame protrudes from the outer surface of the light exit window by 10 mm or more.

3. the ultraviolet light source comprises a plurality of LEDs; 3. The ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the window frame is provided with a reflective surface that reflects the light.

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