Light irradiation device

Abstract

This technology aims to further improve the safety of light irradiation devices. [Solution] The light irradiation device comprises a tube inserted into the body and a light-emitting unit (4) provided on the tube and having a light-emitting element (42) that emits light of a specific wavelength. The light-emitting unit (4) has a plurality of element arrangement units (44) arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube, each of which has one or more light-emitting elements (42). For two adjacent element arrangement units (44), the geometric center (C) of the outer shape of at least one light-emitting element (42) arranged in one element arrangement unit (44), as viewed from the normal direction (n) of the light-emitting surface (42a) of the light-emitting element (42), is shifted in the axial direction (Ax) of the tube (2) with respect to the geometric center (C) of all the light-emitting elements (42) arranged in the other element arrangement unit (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light irradiation device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a light irradiation device for irradiating light of a specific wavelength required for photoimmunotherapy or photodynamic therapy. This light irradiation device includes a tube having a light emitting portion at its tip, a flexible wiring board disposed within the light emitting portion and on which a light emitter for irradiating light of a specific wavelength is mounted, and a power source for supplying power to the light emitter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In medical devices including the above-described light irradiation device, improvement in safety is always required. For example, in the above-described light irradiation device, a light emitting element such as an LED is used as the light emitter. The light emitting element generates heat when emitting light. Therefore, in order to further improve the safety of the light irradiation device, it is desirable to take measures to prevent the temperature of the light emitting portion from rising.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for further improving the safety of a light irradiation device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is a photoirradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis. The photoirradiation device comprises a tube inserted into the body and a light-emitting unit provided on the tube and having light-emitting elements that emit light of a specific wavelength. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of element arrangement sections arranged circumferentially around the tube, each of which has one or more light-emitting elements. For two adjacent element arrangement sections, the geometric center of the outer shape of at least one light-emitting element in one element arrangement section, as viewed from the normal direction of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element, is offset in the axial direction of the tube with respect to the geometric centers of all light-emitting elements in the other element arrangement section.

[0007] Other aspects of the present disclosure also relate to a photoirradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis. This photoirradiation device comprises a tube inserted into the body, a light-emitting unit provided in the tube and having a light-emitting element that emits light of a specific wavelength, and a control unit that controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting element to repeatedly increase or decrease the light-emitting intensity.

[0008] Other aspects of the present disclosure also relate to a photoirradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis. The photoirradiation device comprises a tube inserted into the body, a light-emitting unit provided in the tube and having a light-emitting element that emits light of a specific wavelength, and a temperature sensor positioned in the light-emitting unit.

[0009] Any combination of the above components, as well as any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., are also valid forms of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This disclosure makes it possible to further improve the safety of light irradiation devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a light irradiation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a light irradiation device. [Figure 3] Figure 3(A) is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3(B) is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first measure to prevent temperature rise. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the second measure to prevent temperature rise. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the present disclosure. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted where appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and are not to be interpreted restrictively unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, where terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, these terms do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another. In addition, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a light irradiation device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the light irradiation device 1. Figure 3(A) is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3(B) is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1. In Figures 1 and 2, some of the components of the light irradiation device 1 are depicted as functional blocks. At least some of these functional blocks can be realized as hardware components and circuits, including the CPU and memory of a computer, and as software components, by computer programs, etc. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combinations of hardware and software. Figure 2 corresponds to a cross-sectional view along the axial direction Ax of the tube 2. In Figure 2, the arrangement of the temperature sensor 6 is shown for convenience.

[0014] The light irradiation device 1 of this embodiment is a device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy (PIT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). The light irradiation device 1 mainly comprises a tube 2, a light-emitting unit 4, a temperature sensor 6, a power supply unit 8, a control unit 10, and a notification unit 12.

[0015] Tube 2 is a long, flexible tubular body, with at least its tip being inserted into the patient's body. Tube 2 has a structure in which, from the proximal end to the tip, a proximal tube 14, a lumen switching section 16, a lumen diameter expanding section 18, and a tip tube 20 are arranged in that order. A light-emitting section 4 is provided between the lumen switching section 16 and the lumen diameter expanding section 18. Therefore, the light-emitting section 4 constitutes a part of tube 2. As an example, the proximal end of the lumen switching section 16 is connected to the tip of the proximal tube 14, the proximal end of the light-emitting section 4 is connected to the tip of the lumen switching section 16, the proximal end of the lumen diameter expanding section 18 is connected to the tip of the light-emitting section 4, and the proximal end of the tip tube 20 is connected to the tip of the lumen diameter expanding section 18. The outer diameter of tube 2 is, for example, 1.5 mm to 15 mm. The length of tube 2 is, for example, 300 mm to 5000 mm.

[0016] The base tube 14 is tubular and has a first lumen 22 and a second lumen 24 inside. The length of the base tube 14 is, for example, 100 mm to 4960 mm. The base tube 14 is made of synthetic resin such as PEBAX, polyurethane, polyamide, polyethylene, or polypropylene, as an example.

[0017] The first lumen 22 has a cross-sectional shape that is approximately circular, for example, perpendicular to the central axis of the tube 2, and extends in the axial direction Ax of the tube 2 at a position radially offset from the central axis of the tube 2. The axial direction Ax is the direction in which the central axis of the tube 2 extends. The tip of the first lumen 22 is open at the tip of the base tube 14. The base end of the first lumen 22 is closed at the base end of the base tube 14. The peripheral wall of the base tube 14 is provided with a side hole 26 that extends from the outer surface of the base tube 14 to the first lumen 22. The first lumen 22 functions as a passage for liquids such as bile. The liquid flowing through the first lumen 22 is discharged to the outside through the side hole 26. Therefore, the side hole 26 functions as a liquid discharge port.

[0018] The second lumen 24 has, for example, a substantially oval or rounded rectangular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the central axis of the tube 2, and extends in the axial direction Ax at a position radially displaced from the central axis of the tube 2. The tip of the second lumen 24 is blocked by the lumen switching portion 16. The proximal end of the second lumen 24 is opened at the proximal end of the proximal tube 14. Therefore, an opening 28 is formed on the proximal end surface of the tube 2 by the proximal end of the second lumen 24. The anode lead wire 30 and the cathode lead wire 32 are inserted into the second lumen 24.

[0019] The lumen switching portion 16 is interposed between the proximal tube 14 and the light emitting portion 4. The length of the lumen switching portion 16 is, for example, 1 mm to 100 mm. The lumen switching portion 16 is made of, for example, the same synthetic resin as the proximal tube 14. Note that the lumen switching portion 16 may be made of a synthetic resin different from that of the proximal tube 14. The lumen switching portion 16 has a communication passage 34 extending from the proximal end side to the distal end side. The communication passage 34 functions as a passage for liquids such as bile. The proximal end of the communication passage 34 is connected to the distal end of the first lumen 22.

[0020] The light emitting portion 4 is cylindrical and has a central lumen 36 and a plurality of peripheral lumens 38 inside. The length of the light emitting portion 4 is, for example, 3 mm to 500 mm. The light emitting portion 4 is made of, for example, a resin having light transmissivity such as epoxy resin, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, ABS resin, silicone resin, urethane resin, etc. The light emitting portion 4 can transmit at least a part of the light emitted by the light emitting element 42.

[0021] The central lumen 36 has, for example, a substantially circular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the central axis of the tube 2, and extends in the axial direction Ax at a position overlapping the central axis of the tube 2. The central lumen 36 is opened at the distal end and the proximal end of the light emitting portion 4. The central lumen 36 functions as a passage for liquids such as bile. The proximal end of the central lumen 36 is connected to the distal end of the communication passage 34.

[0022] Each of the multiple peripheral lumens 38 has, for example, a rounded rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the central axis of the tube 2, and is arranged at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction of the tube 2. The multiple peripheral lumens 38 are arranged to surround the central lumen 36 and extend in the axial direction Ax. The light-emitting section 4 of this embodiment has, as an example, four peripheral lumens 38. Each peripheral lumen 38 is arranged around the central lumen 36 at 90° intervals. The base end of each peripheral lumen 38 is closed by the lumen switching section 16. The tip of each peripheral lumen 38 is closed by the lumen diameter expanding section 18.

[0023] A wiring board 40 is housed in each peripheral lumen 38. One or more light-emitting elements 42 are mounted on each wiring board 40. The light-emitting elements 42 emit light of a specific wavelength corresponding to the photosensitive material. When IR700 is used as the photosensitive material, for example, the light-emitting elements 42 emit red light with a wavelength of 680 nm to 700 nm. For example, the light-emitting elements 42 are composed of known semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs. Alternatively, a light-transmitting resin may be filled into each peripheral lumen 38 where the wiring boards 40 are housed, and the wiring boards 40 may be embedded in it.

[0024] Each wiring board 40 in this embodiment is a long strip in the axial direction Ax. Seven light-emitting elements 42 are arranged on each wiring board 40 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction Ax. Each wiring board 40 is housed in each peripheral lumen 38 with the mounted light-emitting elements 42 facing radially outward from the tube 2. The length of the wiring board 40 is, for example, 3 mm to 450 mm. The width of the wiring board 40 is, for example, 0.3 mm to 12.5 mm.

[0025] Each wiring board 40 has an anode terminal 46 and a cathode terminal 48 on its base end. The tip end of the anode lead wire 30 is connected to the anode terminal 46. The tip end of the cathode lead wire 32 is connected to the cathode terminal 48. The anode lead wires 30 connected to the anode terminal 46 of each wiring board 40 are inserted into the second lumen 24, passing through the inside of the lumen switching section 16 from each peripheral lumen 38. Each anode lead wire 30 is bundled into one in the second lumen 24 and extends out of the tube 2 through the opening 28 in a consolidated state. Each anode lead wire 30 is fixed to the lumen switching section 16 by the resin that makes up the lumen switching section 16. The base end of each anode lead wire 30 is connected to the connector 50.

[0026] The cathode lead wires 32 connected to the cathode terminals 48 of each wiring board 40 are inserted into the second lumen 24, passing through the interior of the lumen switching section 16 from each peripheral lumen 38. Each cathode lead wire 32 is bundled together into one in the second lumen 24 and extends out of the tube 2 through the opening 28 in a consolidated state. Each cathode lead wire 32 is fixed to the lumen switching section 16 by the resin that makes up the lumen switching section 16. The base end of each cathode lead wire 32 is connected to the connector 50.

[0027] A temperature sensor 6 is housed in each peripheral lumen 38. Each temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature within the peripheral lumen 38 in which it is housed. Known temperature sensors such as thermocouples can be used for the temperature sensor 6. The lead wires 52 of each temperature sensor 6 are inserted from each peripheral lumen 38 through the inside of the lumen switching section 16 into the second lumen 24. The lead wires 52 are bundled together into one in the second lumen 24 and extend out of the tube 2 from the opening 28 in a consolidated state. The base end of each lead wire 52 is connected to the connector 50.

[0028] The power supply unit 8, the control unit 10, and the notification unit 12 are connected to the connector 50. This electrically connects each light-emitting element 42 to the power supply unit 8 via the anode lead wire 30 and the cathode lead wire 32. Additionally, the temperature sensor 6 and the control unit 10 are connected via the lead wire 52. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 6 and the notification unit 12 are connected via the lead wire 52.

[0029] The lumen expansion section 18 is interposed between the light-emitting section 4 and the tip tube 20. The length of the lumen expansion section 18 is, for example, 1 mm to 30 mm. The lumen expansion section 18 is made of the same synthetic resin as the base tube 14, for example. However, the lumen expansion section 18 may be made of a different synthetic resin than the base tube 14. The lumen expansion section 18 has an expansion passage 54 that extends from the base side to the tip side. The expansion passage 54 functions as a passage for liquids such as bile. The base end of the expansion passage 54 is connected to the tip of the central lumen 36.

[0030] The tip tube 20 is cylindrical and has a tip lumen 56 inside. The length of the tip tube 20 is, for example, 10 mm to 100 mm. The tip lumen 56 has, for example, a roughly circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the central axis of the tube 2, and extends axially Ax at a position that coincides with the central axis of the tube 2. The base end of the tip lumen 56 is open at the base end of the tip tube 20 and connects to the tip of the diameter-expanding communication passage 54. The tip of the tip lumen 56 is open at the tip of the tip tube 20. Therefore, an opening 58 is formed on the tip surface of the tube 2 by the tip of the tip lumen 56.

[0031] The expanded diameter passage 54 is a frustoconical space, with the base diameter of the expanded diameter passage 54 being the same as the diameter of the central lumen 36, and the tip diameter of the expanded diameter passage 54 being the same as the diameter of the tip lumen 56. The diameter of the tip lumen 56 is larger than the diameter of the central lumen 36. The peripheral wall of the tip tube 20 is provided with a number of side holes 60 extending from the outer surface of the tip tube 20 to the tip lumen 56. The tip lumen 56 functions as a passage for liquids such as bile. Liquids such as bile that accumulate on the tip side of the light-emitting part 4 of the tube 2 flow into the tip lumen 56 through the opening 58 and the side holes 60. Therefore, the opening 58 and the side holes 60 function as liquid inflow ports.

[0032] For example, if the light-emitting part 4 is positioned to block a narrowed portion of the bile duct, the bile accumulating around the tip tube 20 flows into the tip lumen 56 through the opening 58 and the side holes 60. The bile that flows into the tip lumen 56 passes through the widening connecting passage 54, the central lumen 36, the connecting passage 34, and the first lumen 22, and is discharged to the outside through the side holes 26.

[0033] The tip tube 20 retains a J-shaped curved form. The tip tube 20 easily deforms when external force is applied, but returns to its curved shape when the external force is removed. Because the tip tube 20 retains its curved shape, it is possible to lock the tip tube 20 to the treatment site, such as the inner wall of the bile duct, and easily position the light-emitting unit 4 at the desired location. Note that the structure for locking the tip tube 20 is not limited to the one described above.

[0034] A lead protection sheath 62 is fitted to the proximal end of the proximal tube 14. The length of the lead protection sheath 62 is, for example, 10 mm to 3000 mm. The lead protection sheath 62 encloses the anode lead wire 30 and cathode lead wire 32 protruding from the opening 28. The lead protection sheath 62 is, as an example, a peel-away sheath with a slit 64 on the proximal end. By tearing the lead protection sheath 62 along the slit 64, the lead protection sheath 62 can be easily removed from the tube 2.

[0035] As an example, photoimmunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma using light irradiation device 1 is performed as follows: Firstly, a conjugate of an antibody and a photosensitive substance such as IR700 is administered into the patient's body by intravenous injection or the like. This causes the conjugate to adhere to the cancerous tissue of the cholangiocarcinoma. IR700 is a hydrophilic phthalocyanine that reacts to red light with a wavelength of around 700 nm. Secondly, tube 2 is inserted into the working lumen of the endoscope. Thirdly, the endoscope is inserted through the patient's mouth, and the tip of the endoscope reaches the duodenal papilla. Fourthly, a guidewire is inserted into the inside of tube 2, specifically through the first lumen 22, the connecting passage 34, the central lumen 36, the widening connecting passage 54, and the tip lumen 56, and inserted into the bile duct.

[0036] Fifth, the tube 2 is inserted into the bile duct along the guidewire, and the light-emitting unit 4 is positioned to contact the bile duct cancer. Sixth, the guidewire and endoscope are removed, leaving only the tube 2 in the body. Seventh, the proximal end of the tube 2 extending from the mouth is extended through the nasal cavity and out of the nostril. Eighth, power is supplied from the power supply unit 8 to the light-emitting elements 42 of each wiring board 40, causing the light-emitting elements 42 to emit light. As a result, the bile duct cancer is irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, causing a photosensitive substance attached to the cancerous tissue to react, and photoimmunotherapy is performed. The light irradiation device 1 can also be used for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases other than bile duct cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer.

[0037] The light-emitting element 42 tends to generate heat when emitting light. When the light-emitting element 42 generates heat, the temperature of the light-emitting section 4 rises. Excessive heating of the light-emitting section 4 can have a negative impact on the patient's tissue. Although cooling of the light-emitting element 42 by the liquid flowing through the central lumen 36 can be expected, it is desirable to implement measures to prevent the light-emitting section 4 from overheating in the light irradiation device 1 in order to further improve the safety of the light irradiation device 1. In response to this, the light irradiation device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the first to third measures to prevent overheating described below.

[0038] (First measure to prevent temperature rise) Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first temperature rise countermeasure. As described above, the light-emitting unit 4 has a plurality of peripheral lumens 38 arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube 2, and a wiring board 40 on which light-emitting elements 42 are mounted is housed in each peripheral lumen 38. Therefore, each peripheral lumen 38 corresponds to a plurality of element arrangement sections 44 arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube 2. One or more light-emitting elements 42 are arranged in each element arrangement section 44. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 4 has four element arrangement sections 44, and seven light-emitting elements 42 are arranged in each element arrangement section 44.

[0039] Furthermore, for two adjacent element placement sections 44, the geometric center C of at least one light-emitting element 42 placed in one element placement section 44 is offset in the axial direction Ax of the tube 2 relative to the geometric center C of all light-emitting elements 42 placed in the other element placement section 44. The geometric center C of a light-emitting element 42 is the geometric center of the outer shape of the light-emitting element 42 when viewed from the direction n normal to the light-emitting surface 42a of the light-emitting element 42. In this way, the geometric center C of a light-emitting element 42 placed in any element placement section 44 and the geometric center C of a light-emitting element 42 placed in an adjacent element placement section 44 are offset in the axial direction Ax of the tube 2, which reduces the overlap of spaces that are heated by the heat generated by each light-emitting element 42. This suppresses excessive heating of the light-emitting section 4. In this embodiment, the geometric center C of a light-emitting element 42 placed in one element placement section 44 is placed between the geometric centers C of two light-emitting elements 42 placed in the other element placement section 44 in the axial direction Ax.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entirety of at least one light-emitting element 42 located in one element arrangement section 44 is offset in the axial direction Ax of the tube 2 relative to the entirety of all light-emitting elements 42 located in the other element arrangement section 44. In other words, the entirety of adjacent light-emitting elements 42 in the circumferential direction of the tube 2 (in other words, their entirety) does not overlap in the axial direction Ax. This further reduces the overlap of spaces that are heated by the heat generated by each light-emitting element 42, and further suppresses excessive heating of the light-emitting section 4. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 42 located in one element arrangement section 44 is situated between two light-emitting elements 42 located in the other element arrangement section 44 in the axial direction Ax.

[0041] In this embodiment, all of the light-emitting elements 42 arranged in one element arrangement section 44 satisfy the above-described arrangement conditions for all of the light-emitting elements 42 arranged in the other element arrangement section 44. This makes it possible to further suppress excessive temperature rise of the light-emitting section 4.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple light-emitting elements 42 are arranged in each of the element arrangement sections 44, one and the other, at predetermined intervals in the axial direction Ax. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Ax, in other words, from the radial direction of the tube 2, the geometric centers C of each light-emitting element 42 in the one element arrangement section 44 and the geometric centers C of each light-emitting element 42 in the other element arrangement section 44 are alternately aligned in the axial direction Ax. This further suppresses excessive heating of the light-emitting section 4. It also enables more uniform light irradiation in the axial direction Ax and the circumferential direction.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the geometric centers C of the light-emitting elements 42 arranged in two element arrangement sections 44 that are aligned on either side of one element arrangement section 44 in the circumferential direction of the tube 2 coincide in the axial direction Ax. This makes it possible to suppress the large shift in the axial direction Ax of the light-emitting range of the light-emitting section 4 depending on its position in the circumferential direction of the tube 2. However, the light-emitting elements 42 arranged in the two element arrangement sections 44 may also be arranged so that their geometric centers C are offset in the axial direction Ax.

[0044] (Second measure to prevent temperature rise) Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second temperature rise countermeasure. Figure 5 shows a timing chart of the light emission intensity of each light-emitting element 42. As described above, each light-emitting element 42 is electrically connected to a power supply unit 8 via a connector 50. The power supply unit 8 supplies power to each light-emitting element 42 according to a control signal sent from the control unit 10. The power supply unit 8 is composed of a predetermined power supply circuit, such as a switching regulator. The control unit 10 controls the operation of the entire light irradiation device 1. The control unit 10 is composed of a microcomputer, for example. The control unit 10 can control the light emission state of each light-emitting element 42 by sending a control signal to the power supply unit 8.

[0045] The control unit 10 controls the light-emitting state of each light-emitting element 42 so as to repeatedly increase or decrease the light-emitting intensity of each element 42. This suppresses excessive temperature rise of the light-emitting elements 42 and, consequently, the light-emitting unit 4. For example, the control unit 10 sends a control signal to the power supply unit 8 instructing it to repeatedly turn the light-emitting elements 42 on and off at a predetermined cycle. Note that the maximum and minimum intensities when increasing or decreasing the light-emitting intensity are not limited to on and off, in other words, 100% intensity and 0% intensity; the maximum value may be less than 100%, and the minimum value may be 0% or more. Also, the maximum and minimum values ​​do not always have to be constant when repeatedly increasing or decreasing the light-emitting intensity.

[0046] The period of increasing and decreasing the luminescence intensity is, for example, 10 Hz to 5 MHz, preferably 300 kHz to 5 MHz. By setting the period to 10 Hz to 5 MHz, it is possible to effectively suppress excessive heating of the light-emitting element 42 while preventing the time required for treatment or diagnosis using the light irradiation device 1 from being prolonged by the increase and decrease in luminescence intensity. Furthermore, by setting the period to 300 kHz to 5 MHz, the safety of the light irradiation device 1 can be further improved.

[0047] (Third measure to prevent temperature rise) As described above, a temperature sensor 6 is placed in each element placement section 44. Each temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature within the element placement section 44 in which it is placed. For example, the temperature sensors 6 are mounted on each wiring board 40. The temperature detected by each temperature sensor 6 can be assumed to be the temperature of all the light-emitting elements 42 mounted on each wiring board 40. In addition, each temperature sensor 6 is connected to the control unit 10 and the notification unit 12 via a connector 50. This allows the control unit 10 and the notification unit 12 to receive signals from the temperature sensors 6 indicating the detection results.

[0048] The control unit 10 controls the light emission state of the light-emitting element 42 so that the light emission intensity decreases when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This threshold can be set appropriately based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments and simulations conducted by the designer, and is set in advance and stored in the control unit 10. For example, the threshold is 44°C. For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6 exceeds the threshold, the control unit 10 sends a control signal to the power supply unit 8 to instruct the corresponding light-emitting element 42 to turn off. In addition, when the control unit 10 reduces the light emission intensity, it may also cause the light-emitting element 42 to emit light at a predetermined low light emission intensity instead of turning it off. In this way, by reducing the light emission intensity of the light-emitting element 42 when the temperature sensor 6 detects a temperature rise in the light-emitting unit 4, excessive temperature rise of the light-emitting unit 4 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 10 may control the light emission state of the light-emitting element 42 so that the light emission intensity increases when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6 falls below a predetermined lower threshold. This lower threshold can be set appropriately based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments and simulations conducted by the designer, and is set in advance and stored within the control unit 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the notification unit 12 notifies the user when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The notification method performed by the notification unit 12 is not particularly limited, and known methods such as generating a notification sound or lighting a notification light can be employed. The user of the light irradiation device 1, upon receiving notification from the notification unit 12, can suppress excessive heating of the light-emitting unit 4 by controlling the power supply unit 8 and the control unit 10 to reduce the light emission intensity of the light-emitting element 42. The user can input signals to the power supply unit 8 and the control unit 10 to instruct them to operate by operating an input unit (not shown) consisting of a dial, button, touch panel, etc. The notification unit 12 may also notify the user when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6 falls below a predetermined lower threshold. The lower threshold is the same as described above.

[0051] In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 6 is placed in each element arrangement section 44. Therefore, the temperature can be monitored for each element arrangement section 44. This allows for individual control of the light emission intensity for each light-emitting element 42 in each element arrangement section 44. Thus, the temperature rise of the light-emitting section 4 can be suppressed with higher precision. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the temperature sensor 6 may be placed in only some of the element arrangement sections 44. This reduces the number of components in the light-emitting section 4. It also simplifies the structure of the light-emitting section 4. Light-emitting elements 42 placed in element arrangement sections 44 without a temperature sensor 6 are controlled uniformly, for example, with light-emitting elements 42 placed in element arrangement sections 44 with a temperature sensor 6.

[0052] Note that the automatic control of the light emission state by the control unit 10 and the notification by the notification unit 12 may be performed by only one of them, or both may be performed. Furthermore, both the control of the light emission state by the control unit 10 and the notification by the notification unit 12 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the detection result of the temperature sensor 6 will be displayed on a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display, CRT display, or organic EL display. The user of the light irradiation device 1 can understand the temperature of the light-emitting element 42 by monitoring the display unit and instruct the power supply unit 8 and the control unit 10 to operate.

[0053] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above. The embodiments described above are merely examples of how to implement this disclosure. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of this disclosure, and many design changes, such as changes, additions, and deletions of components, are possible, as long as they do not deviate from the idea of ​​this disclosure as defined in the claims. A new embodiment with design changes will have the effects of both the combined embodiment and the variation. In the embodiments described above, the content in which such design changes are possible is emphasized with notations such as "of this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design changes are also permitted even if there are no such notations. Any combination of components included in each embodiment is also valid as an embodiment of this disclosure. The hatching applied to the cross-section in the drawings does not limit the material of the object to which the hatching is applied.

[0054] The configuration of tube 2 and light-emitting unit 4 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the number of element arrangement sections 44 in the light-emitting unit 4 is not limited to four. Theoretically, one or more element arrangement sections 44 are sufficient to achieve the second and third temperature rise countermeasures, and two or more element arrangement sections 44 are sufficient to achieve the first temperature rise countermeasure. However, if the number of element arrangement sections 44 is less than four, uneven light irradiation tends to occur in the circumferential direction of the light-emitting unit 4, so it is preferable that the number of element arrangement sections 44 be four or more. The number of light-emitting elements 42 is also not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate according to the light emission range of the light-emitting unit 4, etc. Theoretically, one or more light-emitting elements 42 are sufficient to achieve the second and third temperature rise countermeasures, and two or more light-emitting elements 42 are sufficient to achieve the first temperature rise countermeasure.

[0055] Furthermore, only one of the first to third temperature rise countermeasures may be implemented, or two or more may be implemented. The control of the power supply unit 8 by the control unit 10 may be implemented by hardware (circuit) or by software (program). If implemented by software, the software consists of a group of programs that cause a computer to execute each function. Each program may, for example, be pre-installed in the computer, or it may be installed in the computer from a network or recording medium. The notification unit 12 may acquire the detection result of the temperature sensor 6 via the control unit 10.

[0056] The embodiments may be specified by the items described below. [1st item] A light irradiation device (1) for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube (2) is inserted into the body, The device comprises a light-emitting section (4) provided in a tube (2) and having a light-emitting element (42) that emits light of a specific wavelength, The light-emitting section (4) has a plurality of element arrangement sections (44) which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube (2) and each of which has one or more light-emitting elements (42) placed therein. With respect to two adjacent element placement sections (44), at least one light-emitting element (42) placed in one element placement section (44) has a geometric center (C) of its outer shape, as viewed from the normal direction (n) of the light-emitting surface (42a) of the said light-emitting element (42), which is shifted in the axial direction (Ax) of the tube (2) with respect to the geometric center (C) of all the light-emitting elements (42) placed in the other element placement section (44). Light irradiation device (1). [Second item] The entirety of at least one light-emitting element (42) arranged in one element arrangement section (44) is offset in the axial direction of the tube (2) relative to the entirety of all light-emitting elements (42) arranged in the other element arrangement section (44). The first item is a light irradiation device (1). [3rd item] In each of the element arrangement sections (44) and the other element arrangement section (44), a plurality of light-emitting elements (42) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction (Ax). When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (Ax), the geometric centers (C) of each light-emitting element (42) in one element arrangement section (44) and the geometric centers (C) of each light-emitting element (42) in the other element arrangement section (44) are alternately aligned in the axial direction (Ax). A light irradiation device (1) specified in item 1 or item 2. [4th item] A light irradiation device (1) for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube (2) is inserted into the body, A light-emitting unit (4) is provided in a tube (2) and has a light-emitting element (42) that emits light of a specific wavelength, The system includes a control unit (10) that controls the light-emitting state of a light-emitting element (42) to repeatedly increase or decrease the light-emitting intensity, Light irradiation device (1). [Item 5] A light irradiation device (1) for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube (2) is inserted into the body, A light-emitting unit (4) is provided in a tube (2) and has a light-emitting element (42) that emits light of a specific wavelength, The device comprises a temperature sensor (6) positioned in the light-emitting section (4), Light irradiation device (1). [Item 6] The system further includes a control unit (10) that controls the light emission state of the light-emitting element (42) so as to reduce the light emission intensity when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (6) exceeds a predetermined threshold. Item 5: Light irradiation device (1). [Item 7] The system further includes a notification unit (12) that notifies the system when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (6) exceeds a predetermined threshold. A light irradiation device (1) specified in item 5 or item 6. [Item 8] The light-emitting section (4) has a plurality of element arrangement sections (44) which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube (2) and each of which has one or more light-emitting elements (42) placed therein. The temperature sensor (6) is placed in each element arrangement section (44), A light irradiation device (1) specified in item 5 through 7. [Item 9] The light-emitting section (4) has a plurality of element arrangement sections (44) which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube (2) and each of which has one or more light-emitting elements (42) placed therein. The temperature sensor (6) is placed only in some of the element arrangement sections (44). A light irradiation device (1) specified in item 5 through 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Light irradiation device, 2 Tube, 4 Light-emitting unit, 6 Temperature sensor, 10 Control unit, 12 Notification unit, 42 Light-emitting element, 42a Light-emitting surface, 44 Element arrangement unit, Ax Axis direction, C Geometric center.

Claims

1. A light irradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube inserted into the body, The tube is provided with a light-emitting unit having a light-emitting element that emits light of the specific wavelength, The light-emitting section has a plurality of element arrangement sections, each of which is arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube and has one or more light-emitting elements arranged therein. With respect to two adjacent element arrangement sections, at least one of the light-emitting elements arranged in one of the element arrangement sections has a geometric center of its outer shape, as viewed from the normal direction of the light-emitting surface, that is offset in the axial direction of the tube relative to the geometric centers of all the light-emitting elements arranged in the other element arrangement section. Light irradiation device.

2. The entirety of at least one of the light-emitting elements arranged in one of the element arrangement sections is offset in the axial direction of the tube relative to the entirety of all the light-emitting elements arranged in the other element arrangement section. The light irradiation device according to claim 1.

3. In each of the aforementioned element arrangement section and the other element arrangement section, a plurality of the light-emitting elements are arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the geometric centers of each light-emitting element in one element arrangement section and the geometric centers of each light-emitting element in the other element arrangement section are alternately aligned in the axial direction. The light irradiation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A light irradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube inserted into the body, A light-emitting unit provided in the tube and having a light-emitting element that emits light of the specific wavelength, The system includes a control unit that controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting element to repeatedly increase or decrease the light-emitting intensity, Light irradiation device.

5. A light irradiation device for irradiating a diseased area with light of a specific wavelength required for at least one of photoimmunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis, A tube inserted into the body, A light-emitting unit provided in the tube and having a light-emitting element that emits light of the specific wavelength, The light-emitting part comprises a temperature sensor, Light irradiation device.

6. The system further includes a control unit that controls the light emission state of the light-emitting element so as to decrease the light emission intensity when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The light irradiation device according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a notification unit that notifies the user when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The light irradiation device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The light-emitting section has a plurality of element arrangement sections, each of which is arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube and has one or more light-emitting elements arranged therein. The temperature sensor is placed in each element arrangement section. The light irradiation device according to claim 5 or 6.

9. The light-emitting section has a plurality of element arrangement sections, each of which is arranged in the circumferential direction of the tube and has one or more light-emitting elements arranged therein. The temperature sensor is placed only in a portion of the element arrangement section. The light irradiation device according to claim 5 or 6.

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