Light therapy device

Abstract

To irradiate a set amount of therapeutic light regardless of the presence or absence of an attachment. [Solution] The phototherapy device 1 has a light source 14 that outputs therapeutic light, an irradiation surface 12 that transmits the therapeutic light and irradiates the irradiated area, and a tip portion 13 that surrounds the irradiation surface 12, and is equipped with a housing 11 that houses the light source 14, an attachment 20 that is configured to be attachable and detachable to the tip portion 13, has an opening 21 and a light-shielding portion 22 that is arranged around the opening 21, and when attached to the tip portion 13, the light-shielding portion 22 has a tapered shape from the tip portion 13 to the opening 21, a recognition unit 17 configured to recognize whether the attachment 20 is attached to the tip portion 13, and a control unit 30 that controls the light source 14 in accordance with the recognition result by the recognition unit 17.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a phototherapy device. [Background technology]

[0002] Phototherapy devices are known that perform treatments such as pain relief by irradiating light such as near-infrared rays. There are various types of conventional phototherapy devices, such as those that repeatedly change the light intensity before and during light irradiation to improve safety for the eyes, and those that irradiate light with multiple different wavelengths from multiple light sources to improve the therapeutic effect.

[0003] Irradiating an expected amount of light to an irradiated area such as an affected area is an important factor for realizing effective treatment. Patent Document 1 discloses an ultraviolet treatment device that suppresses changes in the illuminance of ultraviolet light on a target area even when the irradiation area is narrowed. This ultraviolet treatment device includes a housing that contains a light source and includes a light exit window that extracts ultraviolet light, and a cylindrical attachment that is detachably attached to the housing, and the attachment has a reflecting member arranged in the inner space so as to surround the traveling space through which the ultraviolet light travels. The reflecting member has a light inlet that introduces ultraviolet light into the traveling space, and a light exit port that emits ultraviolet light that has been worshiped in the worship space toward the outside of the housing, and the light inlet is located inside the light exit window. This reduces the amount of ultraviolet light that is not introduced into the inner space of the attachment, so that changes in the illuminance of ultraviolet light are suppressed even when the irradiation area is narrowed by attaching the attachment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2024-118824 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The attachment as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an important component for directing the light emitted from the main body of the phototherapy device toward the intended irradiated area. However, when the attachment is attached, the distance between the light source and the irradiated area increases compared to when the attachment is not used, and this attenuates the light output, and there is a risk that the amount of therapeutic light actually irradiated to the irradiated area will differ from the amount of irradiation set without the attachment.

[0006] As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses that in an ultraviolet treatment device equipped with an attachment, a reflective member is provided inside the attachment to suppress changes in the illuminance of ultraviolet light on a target area when the attachment is attached to narrow the irradiation area. In other words, Patent Document 1 shows a solution to the problem that the irradiation area differs depending on whether the attachment is attached or not. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention the fact that the distance between the light source and the irradiated part differs depending on whether the attachment is attached or not, and does not disclose a solution to this problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a phototherapy device that can precisely irradiate a set dose regardless of whether or not an attachment is used.

[0008] The present invention relates to A light source that outputs therapeutic light; an irradiation surface that transmits the therapeutic light and irradiates the therapeutic light to an irradiated portion; a housing having a tip portion surrounding the irradiation surface and housing the light source; an attachment that is detachably attached to the tip portion, has an opening and a light-shielding portion that is arranged around the opening, and the light-shielding portion is tapered from the tip portion toward the opening when attached to the tip portion; A recognition unit configured to recognize whether or not the attachment is attached to the tip portion; a control unit that controls the light source in response to a recognition result by the recognition unit; To provide a light therapy device equipped with the above. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the control unit controls the light source depending on the recognition result of whether or not an attachment is attached, making it possible to adjust the irradiation amount depending on the recognition result.Therefore, even if the distance between the light source and the irradiated area differs depending on whether or not an attachment is attached, it is possible to irradiate the set irradiation amount of therapeutic light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a phototherapy device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the phototherapy device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the irradiation surface of the phototherapy device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of a phototherapy device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an attachment for the phototherapy device according to the first embodiment, where (a) is a front view of the attachment and (b) is a rear perspective view of the attachment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an attachment for a phototherapy device according to a second embodiment, where (a) is a front view of the attachment and (b) is a rear perspective view of the attachment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the irradiation surface of the phototherapy device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the phototherapy device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a phototherapy device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The phototherapy device 1 includes a main body 10 and an attachment 20 that is detachable from the main body 10. FIG. 2 is a front view of the phototherapy device 1 according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the attachment 20 is attached to the main body 10. The phototherapy device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that performs so-called phototherapy, in which an operator (user) holds the main body 10 in his / her hand and irradiates a predetermined area (irradiated area) of the human body with therapeutic light to perform treatment. The therapeutic light is light used for treatment and includes ultraviolet and infrared rays. Examples of users are assumed to be specialists such as doctors and nurses.

[0013] The main body 10 includes a housing 11 made of resin or the like. The housing 11 has a shape that allows a person to hold it in his / her hand. The housing 11 has an irradiation surface 12 through which the therapeutic light passes and irradiates the irradiated area, and a tip portion 13 of the housing 11 surrounds the irradiation surface 12. Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of the irradiation surface 12 of the phototherapy device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The housing 11 accommodates a light source 14 that outputs therapeutic light. The therapeutic light output by the light source 14 is, for example, ultraviolet light, but the type of therapeutic light is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the light source 14 includes a plurality of LED elements arranged opposite the irradiation surface 12, but the type of light source 14 is not particularly limited.

[0015] Attachment 20, which is made of resin or the like, is configured to be detachably attached to tip portion 13 of housing 11. Attachment 20 has opening 21 and light-shielding portion 22 arranged around opening 21. When attachment 20 is attached to tip portion 13, light-shielding portion 22 has a tapered shape that gradually becomes thinner from tip portion 13 toward opening 21. Main body 10 can irradiate therapeutic light by itself, but by attaching attachment 20 having a tapered shape, it becomes possible to irradiate the therapeutic light to a limited irradiated area.

[0016] The main body 10 further includes a recognition unit 17 configured to be able to recognize whether or not the attachment 20 is attached to the tip 13. In this embodiment, the recognition unit 17 is provided on the irradiation surface 12 at a position facing the attachment 20, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. The recognition unit 17 is configured by, for example, a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetism.

[0017] 4 shows a functional block diagram of the light therapy device 1. The light therapy device 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is a computer or processor (arithmetic unit) that controls the overall operation of the light therapy device 1, and causes the light therapy device 1 to execute predetermined processes by reading various programs, applications, data, etc. from a storage device. Particularly in this embodiment, the control unit 30 plays a role in controlling the light source 14 according to the recognition result by the recognition unit 17.

[0018] The control unit 30 includes a calculation unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The calculation unit 31 and the storage unit 32 will be described in detail later. The phototherapy device 1 further includes an irradiation amount setting unit 33 including a button, a knob, a touch panel, etc. The user can set the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to the irradiated area by operating the irradiation amount setting unit 33. The control unit 30 and the irradiation amount setting unit 33 only need to be electrically connected to the light source 14 and the recognition unit 17, and may be provided in a device separate from the housing 11 or may be provided within the housing 11.

[0019] 5 is a diagram showing an attachment 20 of the phototherapy device 1 according to the first embodiment, where (a) is a front view of the attachment 20 and (b) is a rear perspective view of the attachment 20. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing the attachment 20 of FIG. 5(a) as seen from the back side. The attachment 20 has an end 24 located on the opposite side of the opening 21 in the light-shielding portion 22. In the state shown in FIG. 1, a user can attach the attachment 20 to the main body 10 by inserting the end 24 of the attachment 20 into the recess 18 of the housing 11 of the main body 10.

[0020] An end 24 of the attachment 20 has a mounting surface 25 that faces the irradiation surface 12 located at the bottom of the recess 18 when the attachment 20 is attached to the main body 10. A magnet 26 that constitutes an object to be recognized by the recognition unit 17 is provided on the mounting surface 25. Since the recognition unit 17 is composed of a magnetic sensor that can detect magnetism, it can recognize that the attachment 20 has been attached by detecting that the magnet 26 provided on the attachment 20 has come close.

[0021] The distance between the light source 14 and the irradiated area varies depending on whether or not the attachment 20 is used. Therefore, even if the user sets the irradiation amount in advance by operating the irradiation amount setting unit 33, the desired set amount of therapeutic light may not be irradiated to the irradiated area depending on whether or not the attachment 20 is used. Even if the user sets the irradiation amount in advance by operating the irradiation amount setting unit 33 without the attachment 20, for example, the distance between the light source 14 and the irradiated area may become longer by attaching the attachment 20, and the required amount of irradiation may not reach the irradiated area.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the control unit 30 can control the light source 14 according to the recognition result of whether or not the attachment 20 is attached by the recognition unit 17. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of irradiation light according to the recognition result, so that even if the distance between the light source 14 and the irradiated part differs depending on the presence or absence of the attachment 20, it is possible to irradiate the therapeutic light with the set amount of irradiation, and to perform effective treatment.

[0023] Specifically, controller 30 can control light source 14 to adjust at least one of the irradiation time and the output intensity of the therapeutic light, depending on the recognition result by recognition unit 17. This allows controller 30 to adjust the irradiation time or output intensity of the therapeutic light, depending on the recognition result by recognition unit 17 as to whether or not attachment 20 is attached, thereby enabling appropriate irradiation of the therapeutic light.

[0024] Furthermore, the recognition unit 17 may be configured to be able to recognize the type of the attached attachment 20. When the recognition unit 17 is able to recognize the type of the attached attachment 20, it becomes possible to irradiate the therapeutic light with a set irradiation amount according to the type of the attachment 20.

[0025] The recognition unit 17 may be configured to recognize that the attachment 20 is attached by detecting that the attachment 20 is approaching the tip portion 13. By detecting the approach of the attachment 20 to the tip portion 13, the attachment of the attachment 20 can be quickly recognized.

[0026] Specifically, the recognition unit 17 may be configured to be a magnetic sensor provided at the tip portion 13 as in the embodiment, and to be capable of recognizing that the attachment 20 is attached by detecting the proximity of the magnet 26 provided at the attachment 20. In this case, with a simple configuration, it is possible to recognize whether or not the attachment 20 is attached.

[0027] 6 shows an attachment 20 of a phototherapy device 1 according to a second embodiment, where (a) is a front view of the attachment 20 and (b) is a rear perspective view of the attachment 20. The attachment 20 of this embodiment has a larger area of ​​the opening 21 than the attachment 20 of FIG. 5, and can irradiate a wider area with therapeutic light than the attachment 20 of FIG.

[0028] The tip portion 13 may be configured to selectively mount any one of a plurality of attachments 20 as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. For example, the recognition unit 17 may include one or more magnetic sensors provided at one location or at different locations on the tip portion 13. In this case, the recognition unit 17 may be configured to be able to recognize which of the plurality of attachments 20 is attached, according to at least one of the types and mounting positions of the magnets 26 provided on the plurality of attachments 20.

[0029] This makes it possible to recognize, with a simple configuration, which of the multiple attachments 20 is attached or not.

[0030] 7 is an enlarged front view of the irradiation surface 12 of the phototherapy device 1 according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, magnetic sensors serving as the recognition unit 17 are disposed above and below the tip portion 13 (irradiation surface 12), and the recognition unit 17 can recognize attachments of a different type from the attachments 20 in the first and second embodiments.

[0031] By increasing the combinations (combinations of N poles and S poles) of the magnets 26 and the recognition units 17, that is, the magnetic sensors, it becomes possible to recognize the attachment of four types of attachments 20 with different areas of the openings 21, for example, as follows. 1) Attachment Type 1: Magnet N pole (upper) Magnet N pole (lower) 2) Attachment Type 2: Magnet North Pole (top) Magnet South Pole (bottom) 3) Attachment Type 3: Magnet South Pole (top) Magnet North Pole (bottom) 4) Attachment Type 4: Magnet S pole (upper) Magnet S pole (lower)

[0032] Alternatively, the calculation unit 31 of the control unit 30 may calculate the dose of the therapeutic light output from the light source 14 in accordance with the dose set by the dose setting unit 33. In this case, the storage unit 32 may store in advance an attenuation rate of the therapeutic light output from the light source 14 in accordance with the attachment type. When the recognition unit 17 recognizes that the attachment 20 is attached, the control unit 30 may adjust at least one of the irradiation time and the output intensity of the therapeutic light in accordance with the attenuation rate in accordance with the attachment type of the attachment 20. This allows the light source 14 to be controlled so that the dose of the therapeutic light irradiated to the irradiated area through the opening 21 becomes the calculated dose.

[0033] This makes it possible to control the light source 14 so that the irradiation time or output intensity of the therapeutic light is adjusted according to the attenuation rate corresponding to the attachment type, and the amount of therapeutic light irradiated to the irradiated area is appropriate.

[0034] In the embodiment, the light source 14 includes a plurality of LED elements arranged to face the irradiation surface 12. When the recognition unit 17 recognizes that the attachment 20 is attached, the control unit 30 may turn off an LED element among the plurality of LED elements that corresponds to the light blocking portion 22 of the attachment 20. When the light source 14 includes a plurality of LED elements, the LED element corresponding to the light blocking portion 22 can be turned off when the attachment 20 is attached. "The LED element corresponding to the light blocking portion 22 of the attachment" refers to an LED element that is covered by the light blocking portion 22 and cannot be seen when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 2, and refers to an LED element other than an LED element that is visible through the opening 21.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited.

[0036] As a result, the present disclosure includes at least the following items. Note that, in parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

[0037] (1) a light source (14) that outputs therapeutic light; an irradiation surface (12) that transmits the therapeutic light and irradiates the therapeutic light to an irradiated area; a housing (11) that has a tip portion (13) surrounding the irradiation surface and that houses the light source; an attachment (20) configured to be detachable from the tip portion, having an opening (21) and a light-shielding portion (22) arranged around the opening, the light-shielding portion having a tapered shape from the tip portion toward the opening when attached to the tip portion; a recognition unit (17) configured to recognize whether or not the attachment is attached to the tip portion; a control unit (30) for controlling the light source in accordance with a recognition result by the recognition unit; A phototherapy device equipped with (1).

[0038] According to the above configuration, the control unit controls the light source depending on the recognition result of whether or not an attachment is attached, making it possible to adjust the irradiation amount depending on the recognition result. Therefore, even if the distance between the light source and the irradiated area differs depending on the presence or absence of an attachment, it is possible to irradiate the therapeutic light of the set irradiation amount.

[0039] (2) the control unit controls the light source to adjust at least one of an irradiation time of the therapeutic light and an output intensity of the therapeutic light in accordance with the recognition result. A phototherapy device as described in (1).

[0040] According to the above configuration, the control unit can adjust the irradiation time or output intensity of the therapeutic light depending on the result of the recognition unit as to whether or not the attachment is attached, thereby enabling appropriate irradiation of the therapeutic light.

[0041] (3) The recognition unit is configured to be able to recognize the type of the attached attachment, A phototherapy device as described in (1).

[0042] According to the above configuration, since the recognition unit can recognize the type of the attached attachment, it becomes possible to irradiate the therapeutic light with a set irradiation amount according to the type of the attachment.

[0043] (4) The recognition unit is configured to recognize that the attachment is attached by detecting that the attachment is in proximity to the tip portion. A phototherapy device as described in (1).

[0044] According to the above configuration, the proximity of the attachment to the tip portion is detected, so that the attachment can be quickly recognized.

[0045] (5) The recognition unit is a magnetic sensor provided at the tip portion, and is configured to recognize that the attachment is attached by detecting that a magnet provided at the attachment is in proximity. (4) A phototherapy device as described above.

[0046] According to the above configuration, it is possible to recognize whether or not the attachment is attached with a simple configuration.

[0047] (6) The tip portion is configured so that any one of the plurality of attachments can be selectively attached to the tip portion, The recognition unit includes one or more magnetic sensors provided at one location or at different locations on the tip portion, and is configured to be able to recognize which of the multiple attachments is attached according to at least one of the types and mounting positions of the magnets provided on the multiple attachments. (5) A phototherapy device as described in (5).

[0048] According to the above configuration, it is possible to recognize, with a simple configuration, which of a plurality of attachments is attached or not.

[0049] (7) The control unit calculating an irradiation amount of the therapeutic light output from the light source according to a set irradiation amount; storing in advance an attenuation rate of the therapeutic light output from the light source according to an attachment type; when the recognition unit recognizes that the attachment is attached, the light source is controlled by adjusting at least one of an irradiation time of the therapeutic light and an output intensity of the therapeutic light in accordance with the attenuation rate corresponding to the attachment type of the attachment, so that the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light irradiated to the irradiated portion through the opening becomes the calculated irradiation amount. (2) A phototherapy device as described above.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the irradiation time or output intensity of the therapeutic light can be adjusted in accordance with the attenuation rate corresponding to the attachment type, and the light source can be controlled so that an appropriate amount of therapeutic light is irradiated to the irradiated area.

[0051] (8) The light source includes a plurality of LED elements arranged opposite the irradiation surface, When the recognition unit recognizes that the attachment is attached, an LED element corresponding to the light-shielding portion of the attachment is turned off among the plurality of LED elements. A phototherapy device as described in (1).

[0052] According to the above configuration, since the light source includes a plurality of LED elements, it is possible to turn off the LED element corresponding to the light blocking portion when the attachment is attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Phototherapy device 10 Main body 11. Cabinet 12 Irradiation surface 13 Tip 14 Light source 17 Recognition part 18 Recess 20 Attachment 21 Opening 22 Light shielding section 24 End 25 Mounting surface 26 Magnet 30 Control section 31 Calculation section 32 Storage section 33 Radiation amount setting unit

Claims

1. A light source that outputs therapeutic light; an irradiation surface that transmits the therapeutic light and irradiates the therapeutic light to an irradiated portion; a housing having a tip portion surrounding the irradiation surface and housing the light source; an attachment that is detachably attached to the tip portion, has an opening and a light-shielding portion that is arranged around the opening, and the light-shielding portion is tapered from the tip portion toward the opening when attached to the tip portion; A recognition unit configured to recognize whether or not the attachment is attached to the tip portion; a control unit that controls the light source in response to a recognition result by the recognition unit; Equipped with the control unit controls the light source to adjust at least one of an irradiation time of the therapeutic light and an output intensity of the therapeutic light in accordance with the recognition result; The control unit is calculating an irradiation amount of the therapeutic light output from the light source according to a set irradiation amount; storing in advance an attenuation rate of the therapeutic light output from the light source according to an attachment type; when the recognition unit recognizes that the attachment is attached, the light source is controlled by adjusting at least one of an irradiation time of the therapeutic light and an output intensity of the therapeutic light in accordance with the attenuation rate corresponding to the attachment type of the attachment, so that the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light irradiated to the irradiated portion through the opening becomes the calculated irradiation amount. Phototherapy device.

2. A light source that outputs therapeutic light; an irradiation surface that transmits the therapeutic light and irradiates the therapeutic light to an irradiated portion; a housing having a tip portion surrounding the irradiation surface and housing the light source; an attachment that is detachably attached to the tip portion, has an opening and a light-shielding portion that is arranged around the opening, and the light-shielding portion is tapered from the tip portion toward the opening when attached to the tip portion; A recognition unit configured to recognize whether or not the attachment is attached to the tip portion; a control unit that controls the light source in response to a recognition result by the recognition unit; Equipped with The light source includes a plurality of LED elements arranged opposite to the irradiation surface, When the recognition unit recognizes that the attachment is attached, an LED element corresponding to the light-shielding portion of the attachment is turned off among the plurality of LED elements. Phototherapy device.

3. The recognition unit is configured to recognize the type of the attached attachment, 3. A phototherapy device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The recognition unit is configured to recognize that the attachment is attached by detecting that the attachment is in proximity to the tip portion.

3. A phototherapy device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The recognition unit is a magnetic sensor provided at the tip portion, and is configured to recognize that the attachment is attached by detecting that a magnet provided at the attachment is in proximity.

5. A phototherapy device according to claim 4.

6. The tip portion is configured so that any one of the plurality of attachments can be selectively attached, The recognition unit includes one or more magnetic sensors provided at one location or at different locations on the tip portion, and is configured to be able to recognize which of the multiple attachments is attached according to at least one of the types and mounting positions of the magnets provided on the multiple attachments. The phototherapy device according to claim 5.

7. The light source includes a plurality of LED elements arranged opposite the irradiation surface, When the recognition unit recognizes that the attachment is attached, an LED element corresponding to the light-shielding portion of the attachment is turned off among the plurality of LED elements. The phototherapy device according to claim 1.

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