Ultraviolet treatment device and method of operating the ultraviolet treatment device

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet phototherapy device that can obtain excellent therapeutic effects.SOLUTION: Provided is an ultraviolet phototherapy device 1 that includes: a plurality of LEDs that emit light including ultraviolet light; a light-emitting surface that emits the light from the LEDs; a control unit 45 that divides the LEDs into a plurality of blocks and controls the lighting of each of the LEDs for each block; an input unit 41 for inputting a set irradiation dose which is the irradiation dose of therapeutic light with which a patient is to be irradiated when reference light emitted from a reference light source is used as therapeutic light; and a recording unit 43 that records a parameter for correcting the set irradiation dose for each block. The control unit comprises a correction unit 53 for correcting the set irradiation dose input by the input unit for each block on the basis of the parameters recorded by the recording unit, and a lighting control unit 54 whereby the LEDs are lit in each block so that the irradiation doses of light become the set irradiation doses after correction thereof by the correction unit. The corrected set irradiation doses are irradiation doses derived on the basis of the impact of the reference light on the human body and the impact of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface on the human body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet treatment device and an ultraviolet treatment device. Operation of Regarding the method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, phototherapy has involved ultraviolet light therapy using ultraviolet light in wavelength ranges such as UVA (wavelength 320 nm to 400 nm) and UVB (wavelength 280 to 320 nm). Ultraviolet light therapy aims to suppress the immune system through ultraviolet light irradiation to achieve a therapeutic effect. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultraviolet light therapy device that uses ultraviolet light to treat skin diseases. This ultraviolet light therapy device is equipped with a lamp light source or an LED as an ultraviolet light source.

[0003] When LEDs are used as light sources, a simpler circuit configuration can generally be realized than with lamp power supplies, allowing for smaller and lighter devices. For this reason, ultraviolet therapy devices using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVLEDs) as ultraviolet light sources have been proposed in recent years. In the following explanation, ultraviolet light and light containing ultraviolet light may also be simply referred to as "light." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-131522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, one known ultraviolet therapy device that utilizes ultraviolet light in the UVB wavelength range uses an excimer lamp that emits light with a peak wavelength of 308 nm. In contrast, one type of ultraviolet light-emitting diode (LED) emits light with a peak wavelength of 308 nm (hereinafter referred to as a "308 nm LED"). Therefore, as an alternative to the above-mentioned UVB therapy device using an excimer lamp, a therapy device using a 308 nm LED could be considered. However, unlike lamps, LEDs, even those manufactured with a target peak wavelength of 308 nm, can have a variation of approximately ±5 nm in the peak wavelength of the light emitted from the LED due to manufacturing variations. In other words, 308 nm LEDs include not only those with a peak wavelength at 308 nm, but also those with a peak wavelength in the 303 nm to 313 nm range.

[0006] On the other hand, the effect of UVB rays on the skin varies depending on the wavelength of the UV rays. Generally, UV therapy devices irradiate the affected area with light in a range that does not cause erythema, depending on the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, to achieve a therapeutic effect. Therefore, when multiple LEDs are used as the light source for a UV therapy device, if the wavelength of the light emitted from the UV therapy device varies depending on the position of the light emitting surface due to individual differences in the LEDs used as light sources, erythema may occur even if the affected area is irradiated with light in a range that does not cause erythema, or conversely, the therapeutic effect may be insufficient.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an ultraviolet light therapy device and an ultraviolet light therapy apparatus that can obtain excellent therapeutic effects without causing erythema, regardless of individual differences in LEDs. Operation of The objective is to provide a method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is an ultraviolet therapy device comprising: a plurality of LEDs that emit light including ultraviolet light; a light emitting surface that emits light from the LEDs; a control unit that divides the LEDs into a plurality of sections and controls the lighting of each of the LEDs for each section; an input unit that inputs a set irradiation amount, which is the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to a patient when reference light emitted from a reference light source is used as the therapeutic light; and a recording unit that records parameters for correcting the set irradiation amount for each section, wherein the control unit is further equipped with a correction unit that corrects the set irradiation amount input by the input unit for each section based on the parameters recorded in the recording unit; and a lighting control unit that turns on the LEDs for each section so that the irradiation amount of the light becomes the corrected set irradiation amount corrected by the correction unit, wherein the corrected set irradiation amount is an irradiation amount derived based on the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body and the degree of influence of the light radiated from the light emitting surface on the human body. According to this aspect, the control unit controls the illumination of the multiple LEDs provided in the ultraviolet therapy device for each section. Even if the wavelengths of light emitted from the LEDs vary from section to section, ultraviolet irradiation can be performed with an irradiation amount appropriate for the light emitted from each section. This prevents uneven erythema effects on the light emitting surface, preventing erythema from occurring in the affected area, and allows for uniform ultraviolet irradiation that achieves excellent therapeutic effects.

[0009] In this case, the LEDs are lit by adjusting the set irradiation amount appropriate for when the reference light is used as the treatment light for each section based on the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body and the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device (this treatment device) actually used for treatment. Therefore, even if there is a difference in wavelength between the reference light and the light emitted from this treatment device, ultraviolet irradiation can be performed at an irradiation amount appropriate for the light emitted from this treatment device. As a result, excellent treatment effects can be achieved without causing erythema in the affected area.

[0010] In the above aspect, the recording unit may record, as the parameter, a correction coefficient which is a value obtained by dividing the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body by the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body, and the correction unit may calculate the corrected set irradiation amount by multiplying the set irradiation amount input by the input unit by the correction coefficient recorded in the recording unit. In this case, the corrected set irradiation dose can be derived by a simple calculation.

[0011] In addition, in the above aspect, the recording unit may record at least the spectral spectrum of the reference light, the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and an erythema action spectrum as the parameters, and the correction unit may calculate the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body based on the product of the spectral spectrum and the erythema action spectrum of the reference light recorded in the recording unit, calculate the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body based on the product of the spectral spectrum and the erythema action spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface recorded in the recording unit, calculate a correction coefficient which is a value obtained by dividing the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body by the degree of influence of the light radiated from the light emitting surface on the human body, and calculate the corrected set irradiation amount by multiplying the set irradiation amount input by the input unit by the correction coefficient. In this case, it is possible to derive an appropriate corrected set irradiation dose.

[0012] In addition, in the above aspect, the recording unit may record the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and the lighting control unit may calculate an irradiation time of the light from the LED by dividing the corrected set irradiation amount by the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and may turn on the LED using the calculated irradiation time. In this case, the lighting time of the LED can be controlled so that the light irradiation amount is appropriately controlled to the corrected set irradiation amount.

[0013] In addition, in the above aspect, the lighting control unit may calculate the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface by dividing the corrected set irradiation amount by a predetermined irradiation time, and may light up the LED for the irradiation time using the calculated irradiance. In this case, the current value of the LED can be controlled so that the light irradiation amount becomes the corrected set irradiation amount.

[0014] In the above aspect, the degree of influence may be a value obtained by integrating the product of the optical spectrum and the erythema action spectrum over a predetermined wavelength interval. In this case, it is possible to obtain a set irradiation amount that is appropriately corrected based on the degree of influence on the human body of the reference light and the degree of influence on the human body of the light emitted from this treatment device.

[0015] In the above aspect, the wavelength range may be 250 nm or more and 400 nm or less. In this case, it is possible to obtain a corrected set irradiation amount based on the influence degree appropriately derived in the wavelength interval in which the erythema action spectrum is defined.

[0016] In the above aspect, the degree of influence may be a UV index. In this case, using a UV index measuring device makes it easier to measure and calculate the impact on the human body.

[0017] In the above aspect, the LED may be manufactured so as to emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm. In this case, various skin diseases for which medium-wave ultraviolet therapy is applicable can be appropriately treated.

[0018] In the above aspect, the LED may be manufactured so as to emit the light having a peak wavelength of 308 nm. In this case, various skin diseases can be treated appropriately in the same way as with an ultraviolet treatment device that uses a conventional excimer lamp as a light source, which has a peak wavelength at 308 nm.

[0019] In the above aspect, the reference light source may be a lamp that emits the reference light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm. In this case, the irradiation amount set in the ultraviolet treatment device that uses a lamp as a light source can be used as the set irradiation amount to be input into this treatment device.

[0020] In the above aspect, the reference light source may be an excimer lamp. In this case, the dose of irradiation set in a conventional ultraviolet treatment device using an excimer lamp as a light source can be used as the dose of irradiation set to be input into this treatment device.

[0021] In the above aspect, the reference light source may be an LED that emits the reference light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm. In this case, the actual irradiation amount when an LED of a specific wavelength is used as the light source can be used as the set irradiation amount to be input into this treatment device.

[0022] In addition, a second aspect is an ultraviolet irradiation method for an ultraviolet therapy device having a light emitting surface that emits light including ultraviolet rays emitted from a plurality of LEDs, the ultraviolet irradiation method for an ultraviolet therapy device including: a first step of inputting a set irradiation amount, which is the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to a patient when reference light emitted from a reference light source is used as the therapeutic light; a second step of comparing the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body with the degree of influence of the light radiated from the light emitting surface on the human body, and correcting the set irradiation amount for each section including at least one of the LEDs; and a third step of turning on the LEDs for each section so that the irradiation amount of the light becomes the corrected set irradiation amount.

[0023] In this way, the LED is lit with a set dose of irradiation appropriate for when the reference light is used as the therapeutic light, corrected based on the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body and the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the ultraviolet therapy device actually used for treatment. Therefore, even if there is a difference in wavelength between the reference light and the light emitted from the ultraviolet therapy device, ultraviolet irradiation can be performed at a dose appropriate for the light emitted from the ultraviolet therapy device. Furthermore, even if there is a difference in wavelength between the light emitted from the light-emitting surface in each section, the degree of influence on the affected area can be made equal, allowing for even irradiation over a wide area. Therefore, excellent therapeutic effects can be achieved without causing erythema in the affected area.

[0024] In the above aspect, the second step includes a step of measuring the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface in a preset wavelength interval; a step of calculating an erythemal UV dose by multiplying the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface by an erythemal action spectrum and integrating the wavelengths over the wavelength interval; a step of normalizing the erythemal UV dose by an integral value over the wavelength interval of the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface to calculate a relative erythemal UV dose, which is the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body; and a step of measuring the spectral spectrum of the reference light in a preset wavelength interval by multiplying the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface by an erythemal action spectrum and integrating the wavelengths over the wavelength interval. a step of calculating a reference erythemal UV dose by multiplying the spectral spectrum of the reference light by the erythemal action spectrum and integrating the wavelengths over the wavelength interval; a step of calculating a reference relative erythemal UV dose, which is the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body, by normalizing the reference erythemal UV dose by an integral value of the wavelength interval of the spectral spectrum of the reference light; a step of dividing the reference relative erythemal UV dose by the relative erythemal UV dose to calculate a correction coefficient; and a step of calculating the corrected set irradiance by multiplying the set irradiance by the correction coefficient. In this case, the corrected set irradiation dose can be calculated appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, in an ultraviolet treatment device that uses an LED (UVLED) that emits ultraviolet light as a light source, excellent treatment effects can be obtained without causing erythema in the affected area, regardless of individual differences in the LED that is the light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an ultraviolet treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an LED driving unit and a treatment tool of the ultraviolet treatment device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a graph showing the CIE erythema action spectrum. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing a spectrum. [Figure 5] 1 is a graph showing the product of the optical spectrum and the erythema action spectrum. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows the ratio of individual MEDs. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a conventional ultraviolet treatment device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ultraviolet treatment device in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a table showing actual measurements of MED performed on four subjects. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing the doses of irradiation before and after correction using the average value of MED in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An ultraviolet therapy device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention 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 having an LED 50 that emits light including ultraviolet rays, and a main body 4 that controls the LED 50 that the treatment tool 2 has.

[0028] 2, the treatment tool 2 includes, for example, 4×4=16 LEDs 50 arranged in a square inside a housing 51 held by an operator. The housing 51 is provided with four sections X (X=1 to 4) each including 2×2=4 LEDs 50 arranged in a square. The number of LEDs 50 may be any number, and the number of sections X may also be any number. The number of LEDs 50 included in a section X may also be any number. Furthermore, the LEDs 50 may be arranged in concentric circles instead of a square array, or may be arranged according to any other method.

[0029] The main body 4 includes an input unit 41, a display unit 42, a recording unit 43, a power supply unit 44, a control unit (control unit) 45, and LED driving units 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d. The treatment device 2 and the main body 4 are connected by a connection line 6, which includes a power supply line 6a indicated by a thick line and a signal line 6b indicated by a thin line.

[0030] The input unit 41 acquires the set irradiation dose H input by an operator (for example, a doctor), and outputs the information to the control unit 45. The display unit 42 can display the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, irradiation time, elapsed time during ultraviolet irradiation, etc. Furthermore, if any abnormality occurs in the ultraviolet treatment device 1, the display unit 42 can also display information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality (such as an error message). The recording unit 43 records the irradiance E for each section X on the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device 1. X and the correction coefficient p for each section X to correct the set irradiation dose H X Record the following.

[0031] The power supply unit 44 converts the power supplied from the external power supply 8 into an appropriate voltage and supplies it to each of the units 42, 45, 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d in the subsequent stage. The control unit 45 converts the set irradiation dose H input from the input unit 41 into the correction coefficient p X The corrected exposure dose for each section X is H X The irradiance E recorded in the recording unit 43X The irradiation time t for each section X is calculated by dividing by X Calculate.

[0032] The control unit 45 controls the LED driving units 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d to adjust the irradiation amount (irradiation time t X That is, the control unit 45 controls the correcting unit 53 that corrects the set irradiation amount H, and the irradiation amount of light from the LED 50 is adjusted to the corrected set irradiation amount H X and a lighting control unit 54 that lights up the LED 50 so that the

[0033] The LED driving units 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are provided for each of the four sections X. In accordance with control signals from the control unit 45, the four LED driving units 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d supply power to the LEDs 50 that belong to the corresponding section X.

[0034] The amounts used in this embodiment will be described below. The treatment tool 2 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 according to this embodiment emits light containing ultraviolet rays, for example, light containing ultraviolet rays in the UVB region (wavelength 280 nm to 320 nm). Here, a case will be described in which the device is equipped with an LED 50 manufactured to emit light having a peak wavelength of 308 nm.

[0035] When ultraviolet rays in the UVB region are irradiated on human skin, erythema can occur. Erythema is a condition in which the surface of the skin becomes red due to factors such as dilation of capillaries. The minimum amount of ultraviolet radiation that causes erythema on the skin is called the minimal erythema dose (MED). The unit of MED is mJ / cm. 2 Just as there are individual differences in susceptibility to sunburn, there are also individual differences in susceptibility to erythema, i.e., MED.

[0036] The likelihood of UV-induced erythema, or the degree of UV-induced impact on the human body, varies depending on the wavelength of the UV light. The relative impact of each wavelength on the human body is defined as the erythema action spectrum by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

[0037] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the erythema action spectrum. In this Figure 3, the horizontal axis is wavelength λ (nm) and the vertical axis is relative effect. er is defined in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm, and is expressed as the relative influence of each wavelength, assuming that the influence of light with wavelengths of 250 nm to 298 nm on the skin is 1, as shown in the definition formula (1) below.

[0038]

number

[0039] From the outline of the graph in Figure 3, we can see that shorter wavelengths have a greater effect on the human body and are more likely to cause erythema. Specifically, light with wavelengths longer than the UVB range, or light with wavelengths longer than 328 nm if we strictly apply equation (1) above, has almost no effect on the skin. On the other hand, when the wavelength is 328 nm or less, it begins to have an effect on the skin, and the effect increases as the wavelength becomes shorter. This shows that the shorter the wavelength, the smaller the MED. In other words, the MED is determined by the erythema action spectrum S er is inversely proportional to

[0040] The overall impact of ultraviolet light on the human body is determined by the spectral irradiance Λ of the ultraviolet light being irradiated and the erythema action spectrum S er The influence level calculated in this way is called the erythemal UV dose I.

[0041]

number

[0042] In addition, the overall impact of ultraviolet rays on the human body is measured by the UV Index I. UV The UV index I is often used. UV The UV index I and the erythemal UV dose I are related by the following formula (3). UV can be measured using a simple measuring device. I UV =I / 25 (3)

[0043] As can be seen from Figure 3, even a difference of just 1 nm in wavelength can significantly change the degree of impact on the human body, especially in the wavelength range of 298 nm or more and 310 nm or less. Figure 4 is a graph showing the optical spectrum of LED light with peak wavelengths of 306 nm, 307 nm, 308 nm, and 309 nm. This optical spectrum has been normalized so that the wavelength integration value over the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm is 1. The value on the vertical axis of Figure 4 is expressed by the following equation.

[0044]

number

[0045] Figure 5 shows the spectral response shown in Figure 4 and the erythema action spectrum S er The value on the vertical axis in FIG. 5 is expressed by the following equation:

[0046]

number

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, a difference of just 1 nm in peak wavelength can have a large effect on the human body. Therefore, for example, if you are trying to receive treatment using an ultraviolet therapy device that uses an LED (308nm LED) manufactured to have a peak wavelength of 308nm, if the peak wavelength of the light emitted from the 308nm LED is off by just 1nm due to manufacturing variations in the LED 50, it can cause erythema or, conversely, the treatment effect can be insufficient.

[0048] For example, the MED for light with a wavelength of 308 nm is 200 mJ / cm 2 In order to maximize the therapeutic effect without causing erythema, the irradiation dose of the ultraviolet light therapy device using 308 nm LED should be set to, for example, 190 mJ / cm 2 Consider a case where the UV treatment device is set to a 308nm LED (irradiation dose slightly lower than the MED). In this case, if the 308nm LED of the UV treatment device actually has a peak wavelength of 307nm, the patient will be exposed to UV radiation that exceeds the MED for 307nm light, causing erythema in the affected area. Here, the MED for light with a wavelength of 308 nm is 200 mJ / cm 2 The MED for a person with a wavelength of 307 nm is the erythema action spectrum S er Based on this, approximately 161 mJ / cm 2 It can be calculated that:

[0049] On the other hand, if the 308 nm LED of the UV therapy device actually has a peak wavelength of 309 nm, the effect on the skin will be smaller than expected. 2 This irradiation does not provide the maximum therapeutic effect on the affected area; in other words, more irradiation could have been performed without causing erythema.

[0050] As described above, since the wavelength of the LEDs 50 may vary among the elements, even if the same ultraviolet irradiation dose is set, in an ultraviolet therapy device using multiple LEDs as a light source, the appearance of erythema and the therapeutic effect may vary depending on the position on the light emitting surface of the device. In this embodiment, taking into account such in-plane variations in wavelength, the ultraviolet irradiation dose (set irradiation dose) set in the ultraviolet therapy device is corrected for each section.

[0051] The inventors have found that although there are individual differences in the MED (ease of causing erythema) for each wavelength, there are no individual differences in the ratio of MEDs, and that the CIE erythema action spectrum S er It was confirmed that it conforms to the Figure 6 is a diagram showing the ratio of MED for each individual. In Figure 6, squares, triangles, circles, and diamonds represent plots of the MED ratios for four subjects. The plotted values ​​are calculated by dividing the MED for each individual wavelength (MED for 306 nm LED, 307 nm LED, 308 nm LED, and 309 nm LED) by the MED for 308 nm LED for each individual. The curve shown by the dashed line in Figure 6 represents the erythema action spectrum S er This is the MED ratio calculated based on the above.

[0052] Based on the above findings, the inventors have found that the optimal dose of irradiation to be irradiated to a patient from the reference treatment device (the dose of irradiation corresponding to the patient's MED when using the reference light) can be corrected based on the ratio between the degree of influence on the human body of reference light emitted from an arbitrary reference ultraviolet treatment device (also referred to as the reference treatment device) and the degree of influence on the human body of light emitted from the ultraviolet treatment device actually used for treatment (also referred to as the present treatment device).This makes it possible to calculate the optimal dose of irradiation to be irradiated to a patient from the present treatment device (the dose of irradiation corresponding to the patient's MED when using the light from the present treatment device). In this embodiment, a case will be described in which an excimer lamp that emits light having a peak at a wavelength of 308 nm is used as the reference light source.

[0053] First, a processing flow when using a conventional ultraviolet treatment device that uses an excimer lamp as a light source will be described with reference to FIG. Unlike LED50, excimer lamps have almost no manufacturing variation in wavelength, and can emit light with the targeted wavelength of 308 nm for ultraviolet therapy devices. Therefore, even in therapy devices using multiple light sources, there is no need to correct the amount of ultraviolet radiation given differences in wavelength depending on the position on the light emitting surface.

[0054] In FIG. 7, step S11 is a process carried out in a factory before shipping an ultraviolet treatment device, and steps S21 to S23 are processes carried out during treatment in, for example, a hospital or the like. In step S11, the irradiance E [mW / cm ] on the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device is 2 ] is measured and the measured irradiance E is recorded on the ultraviolet treatment device.

[0055] In step S21, a doctor examines the patient and determines an appropriate irradiation dose (set irradiation dose) H [mJ / cm 2 ] and enter it into the ultraviolet therapy device. The set irradiation dose H input to the ultraviolet therapy device is an irradiation dose corresponding to the patient's MED when using excimer lamp light with a wavelength of 308 nm, and can be, for example, an irradiation dose slightly smaller than the patient's MED when using excimer lamp light with a wavelength of 308 nm.

[0056] In step S22, the irradiation time t of the ultraviolet treatment device is automatically calculated. Specifically, the ultraviolet treatment device acquires the set irradiation amount H input by the doctor, and divides the set irradiation amount H by the irradiance E recorded in the ultraviolet treatment device to calculate the irradiation time t [sec]. t=H / E (6)

[0057] In step S23, a doctor, or in some cases a medical professional such as a nurse, presses the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device against the affected area and presses a switch provided on the ultraviolet treatment device to start ultraviolet irradiation and perform treatment. This treatment ends after irradiation time t seconds.

[0058] As described above, when an excimer lamp is used as a light source, the ultraviolet treatment device emits light of the targeted wavelength. In other words, the set dose H input in step S21 is the optimal dose for the patient's MED with the light from this treatment device. Therefore, the set dose H can be used directly to calculate the irradiation time t.

[0059] Next, a process flow when using the ultraviolet treatment device 1 using the LED 50 of this embodiment as the light source will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Here, the case where the LED 50 manufactured to emit light having a peak wavelength of 308 nm is used as the light source will be described.

[0060] As mentioned above, wavelength variations can occur between elements in the LED 50. In other words, even if an LED 50 manufactured to emit light with a wavelength of 308 nm is used as a light source, the peak wavelength of the light emitted from the ultraviolet therapy device 1 may deviate from 308 nm depending on the position of the light emitting surface. Therefore, the irradiation amount set according to the patient's MED for light with a wavelength of 308 nm may not necessarily be the optimal irradiation amount depending on the position of the light emitting surface of the therapy device 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the set irradiation amount H is corrected in consideration of the variation in wavelength within the light emitting surface, and the corrected set irradiation amount H for each section X is X UV irradiation is carried out based on the above.

[0061] In this Figure 8, steps S11' to S13 are processes carried out in a factory before shipping the ultraviolet treatment device 1, and steps S21 to S23 are processes carried out, for example, during treatment in a hospital, etc. In Figure 8, steps that perform the same processes as in Figure 7 are assigned the same step numbers as in Figure 7.

[0062] In step S11', the irradiance E on the light emitting surface when the LED 50 in the section X (X=1 to 4) of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 is turned on is X [mW / cm 2 ] and the measured irradiance E X is recorded on the ultraviolet treatment device 1. The irradiance E measured here is X is the irradiance for each section X of the combined light emitted from one or more LEDs 50 belonging to each section X.

[0063] In step S12, the spectral irradiance (ultraviolet irradiance by wavelength) Λ on the light emitting surface when the LED 50 in the section X of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 is turned on is calculated. X[mW / cm 2 ·nm] is measured at least in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm.

[0064] In addition, the spectral irradiance Λ in the section X of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 X and the CIE erythema action spectrum S er and multiplied by the wavelength integral over the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm, the erythemal UV dose I in section X is X [mW / cm 2 Calculate the erythemal UV dose I in section X. X is expressed by the above formula (2).

[0065] Next, the calculated erythemal UV dose I X The spectral irradiance Λ of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 X The relative erythemal UV dose R in zone X is calculated as shown in equation (7). X Calculate.

[0066]

number

[0067] In step S13, a correction coefficient p X Calculate the correction coefficient p X Record this on the ultraviolet therapy device 1. Correction coefficient p X For example, the relative erythemal UV dose when LED 50 in section X=1 is turned on is calculated as the reference relative erythemal UV dose R std and calculate it using equation (8).

[0068] p x =R std / R x (8)

[0069] Then, steps S11' to S13 are repeated for each section X (X=1 to 4). After repeating for each section X, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0070] Relative erythemal UV dose R X is the degree of influence on the human body of the light emitted from the light emitting surface when the LED 50 in section X of the ultraviolet therapy device 1 is turned on, and is the spectral spectrum and the erythema action spectrum S er This corresponds to the wavelength integration value of the product of these values ​​over the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm. Therefore, here the spectral irradiance Λ X and erythema action spectrum S er The product of these two values ​​is integrated over the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm to obtain the erythemal UV dose I X Calculate the erythema UV dose I X is normalized to the relative erythemal UV dose R X The calculation of the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the ultraviolet therapy device 1 and the erythema action spectrum S er The product of these two values ​​is integrated over the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm to obtain the relative erythemal UV dose R X may be calculated directly.

[0071] In addition, the reference relative erythema UV dose R std is the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body. Reference relative erythemal UV dose R std However, instead of this, the relative erythemal UV amount when the LEDs 50 in another section X are turned on may be used. Also, the spectral irradiance when all the LEDs 50 are turned on or the spectral irradiance of a separately prepared reference light source may be used. Or, the spectral spectrum of the reference light and the erythema action spectrum S er The product of this and the wavelength integration in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm is used to obtain the reference relative erythemal UV dose R std may be calculated.

[0072] In step S21, a doctor examines the patient and determines an appropriate irradiation dose (set irradiation dose) H [mJ / cm 2 ] is determined and input into the ultraviolet therapy device 1. The set irradiation amount H input to the ultraviolet treatment device 1 is an irradiation amount corresponding to the patient's MED in the above-mentioned arbitrary reference light (for example, excimer lamp light with a wavelength of 308 nm), and can be, for example, an irradiation amount slightly smaller than the patient's MED in the reference light.

[0073] In step S22, the irradiation time t X Specifically, the ultraviolet therapy device 1 acquires the set irradiation amount H input by the doctor, and calculates the correction coefficient p recorded in the ultraviolet therapy device 1 to the set irradiation amount H. X By multiplying by , the corrected set exposure dose H X (=H×p X ) is calculated by the correction coefficient p X is recorded for each section X, and the corrected exposure setting H X is calculated for each section X. Then, the corrected set dose H X The irradiance E recorded on the ultraviolet treatment device 1 X Divide by the corrected exposure time t X Calculate [sec] for each section X. t X =H×p X / E X (9)

[0074] In step S23, a doctor, or in some cases a medical professional such as a nurse, presses the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 against the affected area, presses a switch provided on the ultraviolet treatment device 1, and starts ultraviolet irradiation to perform treatment. This treatment is performed for each section X for an irradiation time t X It ends after seconds have passed.

[0075] In this way, the set irradiation dose H [mJ / cm 2 ], the actual irradiation dose for treatment is the irradiation dose H corrected for each section X taking into account the variation in wavelength of LED50. X =H×p X [mJ / cm 2 ] can be used.

[0076] Figure 9 shows the results of measuring the MED of four subjects using four LEDs 50 from the same manufacturer and lot with different peak wavelengths. Figure 10 shows the average irradiance in Figure 9 with and without correction, based on the irradiance of an LED 50 with a wavelength of 307.7 nm, which is closest to the peak wavelength of the excimer lamp, 308 nm.

[0077] Without correction, the irradiation dose remains constant even for different wavelengths, but with correction, the irradiation dose curve approaches the plot of the average value, making it possible to suppress an increase in the likelihood of erythema occurring and a decrease in treatment effect due to differences in wavelength. In other words, by performing correction, even if the wavelength differs depending on the position on the light emitting surface, the likelihood of erythema occurring becomes the same, and medical personnel can use the ultraviolet therapy device 1 without being aware of differences in wavelength depending on the position.

[0078] In addition, the corrected irradiation dose H X The occurrence of erythema when treated with the reference treatment device emitting the reference light is the same as the occurrence of erythema when treated with the reference treatment device emitting the reference light at the set irradiation dose H. By setting the same reference treatment device for all ultraviolet treatment devices 1, doctors can concentrate on treatment without being aware of the difference in wavelength, even when treatment devices with different wavelengths are used.

[0079] The procedure for an operator to irradiate an affected area with ultraviolet light using the ultraviolet treatment device 1 of this embodiment will be described below. First, the operator operates the input unit 41 to input the dose of ultraviolet light to be irradiated to the affected area (set dose H). At this time, the ultraviolet treatment device 1 corrects the set dose H and sets the ultraviolet light irradiation time t X is calculated for each section X of the LED 50.

[0080] Next, the operator holds the treatment tool 2 and brings the light emitting surface into contact with or close to the affected area. Then, the operator presses a switch (not shown) provided on the treatment tool 2. This turns on the LED 50, and ultraviolet irradiation of the affected area begins. After that, the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated from the light emitting surface of each section X is adjusted to the corrected set irradiation amount H X When the irradiation time reaches the calculated irradiation time t X When it reaches this value, LED50 will automatically turn off.

[0081] As described above, the ultraviolet therapy device 1 in this embodiment includes a plurality of LEDs 50 that emit light including ultraviolet rays, and a control unit 45 that divides the LEDs 50 into a plurality of sections X and controls the lighting of each LED 50 for each section X. The ultraviolet therapy device 1 also includes an input unit 41 for inputting a set irradiation amount H, which is the irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to the patient when the reference light emitted from the reference light source is used as the therapeutic light, and a recording unit 43 for recording parameters for correcting the set irradiation amount H.

[0082] Here, the recording unit 43 records the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body (reference relative erythema ultraviolet radiation dose R std ) and the degree of influence on the human body by the light emitted from the light emitting surface of this treatment device 1 (relative erythema ultraviolet radiation R X ) and the correction factor p determined based on X is recorded for each section X. The recording unit 43 also records the irradiance E X Also record for each section X.

[0083] Then, the control unit 45 calculates the correction coefficient p X The set irradiation amount H is corrected for each section X based on the above, and the light irradiation amount is the corrected set irradiation amount H X Specifically, the control unit 45 applies a correction coefficient p X The corrected exposure setting H X The control unit 45 also calculates the corrected set dose H X is the irradiance E X Dividing by this gives the irradiation time t X is calculated for each section X, and the calculated irradiation time t X The LED50 is lit for the entire time.

[0084] That is, the ultraviolet irradiation method of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in this embodiment includes a first step of inputting a set irradiation amount H, which is the irradiation amount of therapeutic light to be irradiated to a patient when reference light emitted from a reference light source is used as therapeutic light; a second step of comparing the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body with the degree of influence of light emitted from the light emitting surface of the treatment device 1 on the human body to correct the set irradiation amount H; and a second step of calculating the corrected set irradiation amount H for each section X based on the light irradiation amount. X and a third step of lighting up the LED 50 so that the

[0085] Specifically, prior to carrying out the ultraviolet irradiation method according to this embodiment, the spectral irradiance Λ on the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 is X is measured for each section X in a preset wavelength range. X and erythema action spectrum S er and multiplying it by 1 and integrating it over the wavelength range, the erythemal UV dose I X is calculated for each section X. Furthermore, the erythema UV dose I X is the spectral irradiance Λ X The relative erythema ultraviolet dose R is the degree of influence on the human body of the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet treatment device 1. X is calculated for each section X.

[0086] Furthermore, if necessary, the spectral irradiance of the reference light is measured over the above wavelength range. er and the wavelength is integrated over the wavelength range to calculate the reference erythemal UV dose. Furthermore, the reference erythemal UV dose is normalized using the integral value of the spectral irradiance of the reference light over the wavelength range to obtain the reference relative erythemal UV dose R, which is the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body. std Calculate. And the reference relative erythemal UV dose R std The relative erythema UV dose R for each zone X X Divide by the correction factor p X is calculated for each section X. In the second step, the set irradiation amount H is multiplied by a correction coefficient p XMultiply by the corrected exposure setting H X is calculated for each section X.

[0087] In this way, the appropriate irradiation dose H when the reference light is used as the therapeutic light is determined based on the influence of the reference light on the human body (reference relative erythemal UV dose R std ) and the degree of influence on the human body by the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet therapy device 1 (relative erythema ultraviolet dose R X ) and turns on the LED 50. Therefore, even if there is a difference in wavelength between the reference light and the light emitted from the ultraviolet treatment device 1, ultraviolet irradiation can be performed with an irradiation amount appropriate for the light emitted from the ultraviolet treatment device 1. Therefore, an excellent treatment effect can be obtained without causing erythema in the affected area.

[0088] In particular, it is possible to prevent in-plane variations in the degree of influence on the human body of light emitted from the light emitting surface divided into multiple sections, even if there is variation in the wavelength of light emitted from the multiple LEDs 50. This makes it possible to prevent erythema from occurring in part of a wide affected area where light is radiated from the entire light emitting surface.

[0089] Furthermore, by using the reference light as light emitted from an excimer lamp, which is the light source of a conventional ultraviolet treatment device, a doctor can use the irradiation amount set in the conventional ultraviolet treatment device as the set irradiation amount H to be input into this treatment device 1. In other words, a doctor can use the ultraviolet treatment device 1 in the same way as before, without being aware of differences in the light source of the ultraviolet treatment device (whether it is an excimer lamp or an LED) or differences in wavelength due to individual differences in the LED 50.

[0090] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the recording unit 43 of the ultraviolet treatment device 1 records the irradiance E X The control unit 45 records the corrected set dose H X is the irradiance E X By dividing by , the irradiation time t of light from LED 50 in each section X is calculated. X Calculate the irradiation time t XHowever, the light irradiation amount is corrected to the set irradiation amount H X The control unit 45 controls the LED 50 to be lit so that the light irradiation time t X Instead, the irradiance of light (the current value of the LED 50) may be controlled.

[0091] In this case, the control unit 45 sets the corrected set dose H X Dividing this by the preset irradiation time gives the irradiance E from the light emitting surface. X Calculate the calculated irradiance E X In this case, the LED 50 is turned on for the above-mentioned preset irradiation time. X There is no need to record the

[0092] According to this method of controlling the light irradiance, it is possible to end the light emission from the light emission surfaces of all sections X in the same irradiation time. Therefore, when the irradiation time is controlled, the light emission ends in different irradiation times for each section X, which may lead the therapist or the person being treated to mistakenly believe that the ultraviolet therapy device 1 has broken down, but if the irradiance is controlled, such a problem does not occur.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the correction coefficient p X The control unit 45 records the set dose H and applies a correction coefficient p X Multiply by the corrected exposure setting H X However, it is sufficient if the recording unit 43 stores parameters for correcting the set irradiation dose H. For example, the recording unit 43 stores a correction coefficient p X The information required for the calculation of the erythema action spectrum S is the spectral parameter (or spectral irradiance) of the reference light, the spectral spectrum (or spectral irradiance) of the light emitted from the treatment device 1, and er The following may be recorded. In this case, the control unit 45 calculates the correction coefficient p X Calculate the set irradiation dose H and apply the calculated correction coefficient p X Multiply by the corrected exposure setting H X Calculate.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the therapeutic light has a wavelength of 308 nm, but the wavelength of the therapeutic light can be set arbitrarily depending on the disease. In addition, in the above embodiment, the reference light source that emits the reference light is described as an excimer lamp, but the reference light may be light emitted by a lamp such as a fluorescent lamp, light emitted by an LED 50, or light having any spectral shape such as a single line spectrum.

[0095] The ultraviolet treatment device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the irradiance may be calculated by integrating the spectral irradiance, or the spectral irradiance may be calculated based on the spectral spectrum and the irradiance. Alternatively, the amount of erythemal ultraviolet radiation and the correction coefficient may be calculated from the UV index without using the spectral irradiance or the spectral spectrum.

[0096] 1 Ultraviolet treatment device 41 Input section 43 Recording Section 45 Control unit (control section) 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d LED drive units 50 LED 53 Correction unit 54 Lighting control unit X Section

Claims

1. a plurality of LEDs that emit light including ultraviolet light; a light emitting surface that emits light from the LED; a control unit that divides the LED into a plurality of sections and controls the lighting of each of the LEDs for each section; an input unit for inputting a set irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to a patient when the reference light emitted from the reference light source is used as the therapeutic light; a recording unit that records a parameter for correcting the set irradiation amount for each of the sections, the control unit includes a correction unit that corrects the set irradiation amount input by the input unit for each of the sections based on the parameters recorded in the recording unit, and a lighting control unit that lights up the LED for each of the sections so that the irradiation amount of light becomes the set irradiation amount corrected by the correction unit, An ultraviolet treatment device in which the corrected set irradiation amount is an irradiation amount derived based on the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body and the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body.

2. the recording unit records, as the parameter, a correction coefficient that is a value obtained by dividing the degree of influence on the human body of the reference light by the degree of influence on the human body of the light emitted from the light emitting surface; The ultraviolet treatment device of claim 1, wherein the correction unit calculates the corrected set irradiation amount by multiplying the set irradiation amount input by the input unit by the correction coefficient recorded in the recording unit.

3. the recording unit records at least the spectrum of the reference light, the spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and an erythema action spectrum as the parameters; 2. The ultraviolet therapy device of claim 1, wherein the correction unit calculates the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body based on the product of the spectral spectrum of the reference light recorded in the recording unit and the erythema action spectrum, calculates the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body based on the product of the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface and the erythema action spectrum, calculates a correction coefficient which is the value obtained by dividing the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body by the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body, and calculates the corrected set irradiation amount by multiplying the set irradiation amount input by the input unit by the correction coefficient.

4. the recording unit records the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface; The ultraviolet treatment device of claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit calculates the irradiation time of the light from the LED by dividing the corrected set irradiation amount by the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and turns on the LED using the calculated irradiation time.

5. 2. The ultraviolet treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit calculates the irradiance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface by dividing the corrected set irradiation amount by a predetermined irradiation time, and uses the calculated irradiance to light the LED for the irradiation time.

6. 2. The ultraviolet light therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the degree of influence is a value obtained by integrating the product of the spectral spectrum and the erythema action spectrum over a predetermined wavelength interval.

7. 7. The ultraviolet light therapy device according to claim 6, wherein the wavelength range is from 250 nm to 400 nm.

8. 2. The ultraviolet light therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the degree of influence is a UV index.

9. 9. An ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the LED is manufactured so as to emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm.

10. 10. The ultraviolet light therapy device according to claim 9, wherein the LED is manufactured to emit light having a peak wavelength of 308 nm.

11. 10. The ultraviolet treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the reference light source is a lamp that emits the reference light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm.

12. 12. The ultraviolet light therapy device according to claim 11, wherein the reference light source is an excimer lamp.

13. 10. The ultraviolet treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the reference light source is an LED that emits the reference light having a peak wavelength in the range of 308 nm to 313 nm.

14. A method for operating an ultraviolet treatment device having a light emitting surface that emits light including ultraviolet rays emitted from a plurality of LEDs, comprising: The ultraviolet treatment device, a first step of inputting a set irradiation amount, which is an irradiation amount of the therapeutic light to be irradiated to a patient when the reference light emitted from the reference light source is used as the therapeutic light; a second step of comparing the degree of influence of the reference light on a human body with the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body, and correcting the set irradiation amount for each section including at least one of the LEDs; a third step of turning on the LEDs for each section so that the light irradiation amount becomes the corrected set irradiation amount.

15. the second step measuring the spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface in a preset wavelength range; calculating an erythemal UV dose by multiplying the spectral spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface by an erythemal action spectrum and integrating the result over the wavelength interval; a step of normalizing the amount of erythemal UV rays by an integral value of the wavelength range of the spectrum of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and calculating a relative amount of erythemal UV rays, which is the degree of influence of the light emitted from the light emitting surface on the human body; measuring the spectrum of the reference light in the wavelength range; calculating a reference erythemal UV dose by multiplying the spectral spectrum of the reference light by the erythemal action spectrum and integrating the result over the wavelength interval; a step of calculating a reference relative erythemal UV dose, which is the degree of influence of the reference light on the human body, by normalizing the reference erythemal UV dose by an integral value of the wavelength section of the spectrum of the reference light; a step of dividing the reference relative erythemal UV dose by the relative erythemal UV dose to calculate a correction coefficient; 15. The method for operating an ultraviolet therapy device according to claim 14, further comprising the step of multiplying the set dose of irradiation by the correction coefficient to calculate the corrected set dose of irradiation.

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