Illumination device

Abstract

Illumination device for photodynamic therapy, the illumination device comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source, the electromagnetic radiation source being configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session, wherein the irradiation object is to be arranged at an object location, wherein the object location is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output region of the radiation emitting units through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting units during operation of the illumination device; and optionally further comprising at least one electronic control unit.

Description

[0001] Illumination Device

[0002] This disclosure relates to an illumination device for photodynamic therapy and a method for treating a skin disease. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for operating an illumination device and a computer program product as well as a computer-readable medium.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely studied and several approaches have been used successfully for treatment. In general, there are three requirements for PDT: a photosensitizer, molecular oxygen and light of a specific wavelength. For dermatological PDT usually a prodrug, for example aminolevulinic acid (ALA), is topically applied to the skin. Subsequently, the prodrug is then converted by the cells, most effectively by neoplastic cells, into the actual photosensitizer. The molecular mechanism of action in PDT is based on cellular ALA uptake, synthesis and accumulation of the photosensitizer, which can be excited by light of specific wavelengths leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), upon the presence of oxygen. The ROS can initiate cell death, e.g. in the form of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy.

[0005] However, one of the major issues that hinder broad acceptance of PDT by patients is the relatively high amount of pain perceived by the patients during the illumination which ranges from mild inconvenience to severe pain to a point where the treatment has to be aborted. In addition, although PDT is a highly effective treatment method, reoccurrence of some diseases like actinic keratosis is common and thus patients often, although having been successfully treated, later develop different lesions at different skin areas and again require medical intervention. Moreover, some patients are not completely cured after a single PDT session and require a second session. If the first PDT they received was very painful the chances of beginning or completing a second PDT are small despite the fact that it offers supreme efficacy compared to other therapy options. As a result, the acceptance of many patients to undergo treatment or re-treatment decreases. This of course has great negative implications for an individual PDT and PDT as a whole.

[0006] Nevertheless, PDT efficacy is also limited by any of the involved factors, i.e. photosensitizer, oxygen, and light. Reduced availability of any of these factors may hamper with ROS formation. Optimized pharmaceutical forms, pretreatments and incubation modalities can ensure proper and abundant deposition of the photosensitizer. Still, light has to reach a molecule in sufficient quantities and oxygen needs to be present as an energy acceptor.

[0007] In particular the light of the illumination at the appropriate wavelength to activate the respective photosensitizer needs to be made available at a sufficient dose. For topical applications, a frequently used photosensitizer is protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), mostly produced in skin cells by application of a precursor molecule, such as ALA. PpIX can be activated by light of a variety of different wavelengths of which red (approx. 635 nm), blue (approx. 420 nm), yellow (approx. 542 nm) or green (approx. 506 nm) light are most frequently used. Generally, a light dose received by a target, e.g. the treated skin, depends on three main factors. The irradiance provided by the illumination device, the distance between the target area and the illumination device, and the duration of the illumination.

[0008] The current practice is to apply the entire light dose within a short interval (for example ranging from 7 to 15 minutes with red light or 15-20 minutes with blue light). Usually, this approach is limited by the occurrence of pain. Moreover, photobleaching of the photosensitizer may occur to a greater extent at higher light intensities and may limit the treatment efficiency. Photobleaching describes the effect that the photosensitizer is inactivated by permanent disruption of its chemical structure, e g. by cleavage of covalent bonds. This photobleaching effect may coincide with temporal oxygen depletion in the target tissue due to a massive initial reaction. This leads to a rapid decrease in oxygen, which is required for ROS formation. All photobleaching that occurs during the phase where oxygen is limited is likely to be unproductive, as it yields fewer cytotoxic singlet oxygen.

[0009] It should be noted that the statements above should not be construed as being admitted prior art. They are only made to illustrate the background of the presently disclosed concepts and may not have been made available to the public yet.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One object to be achieved is to provide an improved illumination device for photodynamic therapy. A further object to be achieved is to provide a method for treating a skin disease in which such an illumination device is used. A further object to be achieved is to provide a method for operating such an illumination device.

[0012] The respective object may. inter aha, be achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. However, further advantageous concepts may be disclosed herein besides the ones which are currently claimed.

[0013] Firstly, the illumination device is specified in more detail.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit. “At least one’’ means that the illumination device may comprise one or more radiation emitting units. All features which are in the following disclosed for one radiation emitting unit are likewise disclosed for all other radiation emitting units of the illumination device or only for some radiation emitting units of the device. The radiation emitted by the radiation emitting unit is, for example, radiation in the visible wavelength region.

[0015] The terms “electromagnetic radiation emitting unit” and “radiation emitting unit” are used herein interchangeably and may refer to the same feature. The terms “electromagnetic radiation source” and “radiation source” are used herein interchangeably and may refer to the same feature.

[0016] According to at least one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation emitting unit may comprise at least one electromagnetic radiation source. This means, that the electromagnetic radiation emitting unit may comprise one or more electromagnetic radiation sources, particularly several radiation sources. All features which are in the following disclosed for one electromagnetic radiation source are likewise disclosed for all electromagnetic radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit or of the illumination device or only some radiation sources.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session. Thus, the electromagnetic radiation source may be an element of the electromagnetic radiation emitting unit which produce the radiation emitted by the radiation emitting unit. The irradiation object may, for example, be a mammal, e.g. a human. The region of the irradiation object to be irradiated is, for example, a skin region of the human. An illumination session lasts, for example, at most 30 min.

[0018] According to at least one embodiment, the irradiation object may be arranged at a predetermined object location, e.g. in the illumination session. The predetermined object location preferably is a space region or a point in space spaced apart from the illumination device and / or the radiation emitting unit. During intended operation, the region of the irradiation object to be irradiated is located at or inside, for example completely inside, the predetermined object location. The region of the irradiation object to be irradiated is, during intended operation, also spaced apart from the illumination device and / or the radiation emitting unit.

[0019] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined object location is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output area of the radiation emitting unit through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting unit during operation of the illumination device. A distance between two objects is herein defined as the shortest connection between the two objects. For example, during the illumination session, the distance between the predetermined object location and the output area is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the distance may be less than or equal to one of the following values: 800 mm, 700 mm, 600 mm, 500 mm, 400 mm, 300 mm, 100 mm, 80 mm. Likewise, the distance between the region of the irradiation object to be irradiated and the radiation output area may have these values during the illumination session.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the illumination device for photodynamic therapy comprises at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit, the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source, the electromagnetic radiation source being configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session. The irradiation object is to be arranged at a predetermined object location. The predetermined object location is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output area of the radiation emitting unit through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting unit during operation of the illumination device.

[0021] As mentioned above, pain reduction is of crucial interest to increase acceptance levels of PDT treatment as a whole, thus increasing the use of this superior treatment. One important step to reach this goal is to increase the efficacy of PDT, e.g. by improving the homogeneity or uniformity of the irradiation of the skin, respectively. In this way, the probability that one or only a few sessions are sufficient to treat the affected skin area, is increased. Moreover, the probability of photobleaching in certain areas is also reduced if the homogeneity is increased.

[0022] With the illumination device disclosed herein, an improvement in the light dose received by the target, particularly an improvement in terms of the homogeneity of irradiation, is, inter alia, achieved, as will be explained in more detail below. For example, using several radiation sources can already improve the homogeneity. According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises a plurality of radiation sources arranged on a common radiation source carrier. The radiation source carrier is part of the radiation emitting unit. The radiation source carrier is, for example, a contiguously formed carrier. The carrier may have a continuous surface on which a plurality of radiation sources is arranged. The radiation source carrier may be self-supporting. It carries the radiation sources arranged on it.

[0023] By way of example, the radiation source carrier is platelet-shaped and comprises two opposite main sides. All radiation sources on the radiation source carrier are, for example, placed on the same main side of that carrier. In plan view on the main side, the radiation source carrier may be shaped rectangular.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment, an occupancy density of the radiation source carrier with radiation sources varies over or along the radiation source carrier.

[0025] According to at least one embodiment, an occupancy density of the radiation source carrier with radiation sources is smaller in a center region of the radiation source carrier than in peripheral regions of the radiation source carrier outside the center region. The center region and the peripheral regions are, in particular, regions of the main side of the radiation source carrier on which the radiation sources are located.

[0026] The occupancy density with radiation sources may be defined as the number of radiation sources per area. For example, the occupancy density in the peripheral regions is at least 1.2 times or at least 1.5 times or at least 2 times the occupancy density in the center region. Additionally or alternatively, the occupancy density in the peripheral regions may be at most 5 times or at most 3 times the occupancy density7in the center region. The occupancy density in the center region is, for example, between 5 / (100 cm2) and 50 / (100 cm2) inclusive.

[0027] One major problem with PDT is the uniformity of the illumination, which can be divided in several subcategories. The first aspect is the uniformity of the provided irradiance, especially on irregular or contoured surfaces such as a human face, which pose a particular challenge. According to Lambert's cosine law, light that hits the treatment area at an angle other than 90° transfers considerably less energy to the skin. This is of special importance when treating a face, as the light emitted from a plane illumination source will always be in an oblique angle to a certain area of the face (for example the side surfaces of the nose). This usually results in an irradiance gradient which leads to a relative overexposure of certain areas while others may not get enough light at all, causing potential negative effects in regard to PDT efficacy. If not enough energy is supplied, the generation of cytotoxic singlet oxygen is not sufficiently strong, leading to reduced cell death and PDT efficacy, while the use of too much energy over a short time period may lead to photobleaching of the sensitizer, that also clearly limits treatment effects.

[0028] A configuration of light sources with lower occupancy density’ in a center region and higher occupancy density in peripheral regions is one possibility to increase uniformity of irradiance.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carrier is a conductor carrier, such as a printed circuit board. The radiation source(s) may be electrically connected via the radiation source carrier.

[0030] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carrier has a metal core or metal alloy core, particularly to guide heat generated during operation of the radiation sources away from the radiation sources.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment, all radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit and / or of the illumination device are designed to generate radiation of the same or essentially the same color or peak wavelength. Peak wavelength is the wavelength, at which the emission spectrum of the light source has a global maximum. ‘'Essentially the same’’ means the same within manufacturing tolerance, which is, for example, a maximum deviation of 5 %. For example, a maximum deviation in the peak wavelength of the radiation sources is at most 10 nm or at most 5 nm.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment, all radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit and / or of the illumination device are configured alike. For example, the radiation sources are of the same type, comprise the same materials and / or are manufactured identically.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation sources are arranged in a one- or two- dimensional pattern on the radiation source carrier. Particularly, in case of a two-dimensional pattern, the radiation sources of the radiation source carrier may all be located on intersection points of gridlines of a rectangular grid (pattern with a rectangular primitive cell). This means, in particular, that the center of the radiation source or of a radiation emitting chip of the radiation source lies on the respective intersection point. In case of a one-dimensional pattern, the radiation sources may all be located on a straight line. According to at least one embodiment, the pattern is irregular. This means that the pattern changes across the source carrier. For example, the primitive translation vectors of the pattern, translating one radiation source into an adjacent one, change across the radiation source carrier. Particularly, one or both primitive translation vectors in the center region are different from the primitive translation vectors in the peripheral regions.

[0034] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carrier is an elongate carrier which has a main direction of extension defining a longitudinal direction.

[0035] A direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to a main extension plane of the radiation source carrier is called transversal direction.

[0036] For example, the distance between adjacent radiation sources measured along the longitudinal direction changes along the longitudinal direction. The distance between each pair of adjacent radiation sources measured along the transversal direction may be the same throughout the whole radiation source carrier. For example, the grid lines of the rectangular grid or the primitive translation vectors of the pattern, respectively, run parallel to the longitudinal direction and the transversal direction.

[0037] According to at least one embodiment, the center region of the radiation source carrier, in which the occupancy density is lower, is located between the peripheral regions along the longitudinal direction.

[0038] According to at least one embodiment, the pattern is symmetrical relative to one axis, e.g. along the transversal and / or longitudinal direction, or two axes, which are perpendicular to each other. For example, one of these axes is running parallel to the longitudinal direction. The other axis may run parallel to the transversal direction. The pattern may have a point symmetry with respect to a geometric center of the radiation source carrier.

[0039] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation sources on the radiation source carrier are grouped into a plurality of groups, wherein the radiation sources of each group are arranged in a regular group pattern, wherein at least two groups of the plurality of groups have different group patterns. In a regular pattern, the primitive translation vectors do not change across the entire group. Different group patterns are, for example, different from each other in terms of one or two primitive translation vectors. For example, each radiation source on the radiation source carrier is assigned to one group. According to at least one embodiment, at least two groups, particularly all groups, have the same number of radiation sources.

[0040] According to at least one embodiment, each group has a plurality of radiation sources, for example between four and 40, inclusive, or between ten and 25, inclusive.

[0041] According to at least one embodiment, at least two groups of the plurality of groups have the same group pattern. Particularly, the primitive translation vectors are the same in the two groups.

[0042] According to at least one embodiment, a first group with a first group pattern is arranged between a second group and a third group when seen in plan view of the radiation source carrier. For example, the first group is located between the second group and the third group along the longitudinal direction. For example, each radiation source of the radiation source carrier is assigned to one of the three groups.

[0043] According to at least one embodiment, the second and the third group have the same group pattern and the first group has a different group pattern. Particularly, the first group is assigned to the center region and / or has a lower occupancy density with radiation sources and the second and third groups are assigned to the peripheral regions and / or have a higher occupancy density with radiation sources. The values for the relative difference in the occupancy density mentioned above for the center region and the peripheral regions may likewise hold for the first group and the second and third groups.

[0044] According to at least one embodiment, the group patterns of the groups are one-dimensional or two-dimensional.

[0045] According to at least one embodiment, the groups each comprise one or a plurality of rows of radiation sources. For example, the groups comprise between two and five rows, inclusive. The rows may extend parallel to the transversal direction.

[0046] According to at least one embodiment, the groups each comprise one or a plurality of columns of radiation sources. For example, the groups comprise between four and ten columns, inclusive. The columns may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0047] According to at least one embodiment, at least two groups or all groups comprise the same number of radiation sources. For example, the second and the third group comprise the same number of radiation sources. The first group may comprise the same number of radiation sources. According to at least one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent groups is greater than a characteristic distance, for example the maximum distance, the minimum distance or the average distance, between two rows of radiation sources and / or greater than a characteristic distance between two columns of radiation sources in one or both adjacent groups. The distance between two adj acent groups may be the smallest distance between tw o radiation sources of these two adjacent groups.

[0048] For example, the distance betw een each pair of adjacent radiation sources within one group is betw een 5 mm and 40 mm, inclusive. The distance between two adjacent groups is, for example, between 20 mm and 80 mm, inclusive.

[0049] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carrier has a carrier edge, wherein the carrier edge delimits the radiation source carrier, for example in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transversal direction.

[0050] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between the group closest to the carrier edge and the carrier edge is less than the distance between two adjacent radiation sources of this group, which are arranged one behind the other in a direction away from the carrier edge. The distance between the carrier edge and the group is defined by the distance between the carrier edge and the radiation source of the group lying closest to the carrier edge.

[0051] According to at least one embodiment, the distance betw een the group closest to the carrier edge and the earner edge is less than the distance between two adjacent radiation sources of this group, which adjacent radiation sources are arranged one behind the other or sequentially in a direction along the carrier edge, which might be the longitudinal direction.

[0052] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises a unit housing which defines an outer edge of the radiation emitting unit. For example, the outer edge delimits the radiation emitting unit in the transversal direction. The housing may comprise or consist of a metal or plastic. The radiation source carrier is, for example, mechanically connected to the unit housing and carried by the unit housing. When viewed in plan view of a main side of the radiation source carrier, the unit housing may completely surround the radiation source carrier, e.g. laterally.

[0053] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises a plurality of radiation source carriers, each radiation source carrier being provided ith a plurality of radiation sources. All features disclosed so far and in the following in connection with one radiation source carrier are likewise disclosed for all or some radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting unit and / or the illumination device. The radiation source carriers are, for example, arranged such that main directions of extension of the radiation source carriers run parallel to each other. For example, the radiation source carriers are arranged one behind the other along the transversal direction running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

[0054] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carrier closest to the outer edge is oriented such that a main radiation direction of the radiation sources on this radiation source carrier is outwardly offset from or outwardly tilted relative to a main radiation direction of the radiation sources on another radiation source carrier further away from the outer edge. A main radiation direction is the direction in which the radiant or luminous intensity has a global maximum. '‘Outwardly offset” particularly means that the main radiation direction of the radiation sources of the radiation source carrier closest to the outer edge is more strongly tilted towards the outer edge than the main radiation direction of the radiation sources of the another radiation source carrier. For example, the main radiation direction of the radiation sources of the radiation source carrier closest to the outer edge is tilted with respect the main radiation direction of the radiation sources of the another radiation source carrier by at least 5° or at least 10° or at least 20° tow ards the outer edge. In other words, the main emission directions of the radiation sources on the different radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting unit may vary. The closer to the outer edge the more the main radiation direction may be tilted towards the outer edge and / or away from the main radiation direction of radiation sources on a more centrally arranged radiation source carrier.

[0055] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit, particularly between each pair of two adjacent radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit is greater than or equal to one of the follow ing values: 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm.

[0056] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit, particularly between each pair of two adjacent radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit is less than or equal to one of the following values: 40 mm, 35 mm, 30 mm, 25 mm, 20 mm.

[0057] According to at least one embodiment, an area on the radiation source carrier occupied with radiation sources is at least 200 cm2or at least 300 cm2. Additionally or alternatively, the area is at most 600 cm2or at most 500 cm2. For example, the area is at most 28 cm x 16 cm and / or at least 22 cm x 10 cm, e.g. 26 cm x 12 cm. The area is limited or defined by the positions of the outermost radiation sources.

[0058] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises one continuous radiation source carrier common for all radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit.

[0059] According to at least one embodiment, the area of the surface of the radiation source carrier is at least 300 cm2and / or at most 600 cm2. For example, the area is at least 24 cm x 14 cm and / or at most 30 cm x 18 cm, e g. 28 cm x 16 cm. The surface of the radiation source carrier is the surface on which the radiation sources are arranged.

[0060] According to at least one embodiment, at least two, e.g. adjacent, radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting unit are arranged angled relative to one another. Particularly, vertical axes of the carriers, running perpendicularly to main extension planes of the carriers, are angled relative to one another. By way of example, the angle between the vertical axes of two radiation source carriers is at least 5° at least 10° or at least 20°. Particularly, the vertical axes of a radiation source carrier runs parallel or essentially parallel to the main radiation direction of the radiation sources of this radiation source carrier.

[0061] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting unit are fixed in their relative position to one another. Alternatively, the radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting unit may be movable, in particular tiltable, relative to one another. The movement relative to one another may be performed manually. Alternatively, the radiation emitting unit may comprise one or more actuators assigned to the radiation source carriers and configured to move the radiation source carriers. The actuators may be controllable by an electronic control unit of the illumination device. In this way an automatic movement of the radiation source carriers relative to one another may be realized.

[0062] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one radiation source is an optoelectronic component, for example a light emitting diode (LED) and / or a surface mountable component. All features disclosed so far and in the following for the at least one radiation source are likewise disclosed for all or some radiation sources of the illumination device.

[0063] According to at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic component comprises a semiconductor chip. The optoelectronic component may comprise exactly one semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip may be based on a III-V-compound semiconductor material, like AlGalnN or AlGaTnP or AlGalnAs or binary or ternary subsystems thereof. The semiconductor chip may be a surface emiter, particularly a so-called thin-film chip, where the grow th substrate of the semiconductor material is removed. Alternatively, the semiconductor chip may be a so-called volume emiter, where the growth substrate is still part of the semiconductor chip.

[0064] According to at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic component comprises a chip carrier on which the semiconductor chip is arranged. The chip earner may be pierced by through connections, electrically connecting the semiconductor chip on the front side of the chip carrier w ith contact pads on the rear side of the chip carrier.

[0065] According to at least one embodiment, the chip carrier comprises a ceramic material, like AIN or AI2O3. This is advantageous in terms of heat dissipation.

[0066] According to at least one embodiment, the chip carrier is a cavity-free or plane chip carrier. In this case, the chip carrier does not laterally surround the semiconductor chip.

[0067] According to at least one embodiment, the semiconductor chip is embedded in an encapsulation. The encapsulation may comprise silicone or epoxy or resin or consist thereof. The semiconductor chip may be laterally surrounded by the encapsulation. The encapsulation may cover a radiation exit surface of the semiconductor chip. The radiation exit surface faces away from the chip carrier.

[0068] According to at least one embodiment, the encapsulation is lens-shaped. Particularly, the encapsulation may be shaped such that it collimates the light or radiation emited by the semiconductor chip. For example, the encapsulation reduces the opening angle of the emitted radiation / light.

[0069] According to at least one embodiment, the semiconductor chip is a light-emiting diode chip (LED-chip).

[0070] According to at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic component has lateral dimensions of at most 5 mm x 5 mm. A thickness of the optoelectronic component is, for example, at most 4 mm.

[0071] According to at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic component has a luminous efficacy of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 60 Im / W, 70 Im / W, 75 Im / W, 80 Im / W, 85 Im / W, 90 Im / W, 100 Im / W. Additionally or alternatively the luminous efficacy is smaller than or equal to one of the following values: 200 Im / W, 180 Im / W, 160 Im / W, 140 Im / W, 120 Im / W. For example, the luminous efficacy is between 100 Im / W und 120 Im / W inclusive. For example, the luminous efficacy is measured at an operating current of 350 mA. The luminous efficacy is defined as the ratio between the luminous flux <1>Vand the radiant flux <Pe.

[0072] According to at least one embodiment, for intended operation, the optoelectronic component is operated with an operating current greater than or equal to one of the following values: 400 mA, 450 mA, 500 mA, 550 mA, 600 mA, 750 mA. 850 mA, 950 mA.

[0073] According to at least one embodiment, for intended operation, the optoelectronic component is operated with an operating current less than or equal to one of the following values: 1300 mA, 1200 mA, 1100 mA, 1000 mA, 900 mA. 850 mA, 800 mA, 750 mA, 700 mA, 650 mA, 600 mA.

[0074] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises a number of radiation sources or optoelectronic components which is greater than or equal to any one the following numbers: 20, 25, 30. 35. 40, 45.

[0075] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises a number of radiation sources or optoelectronic components which is less than or equal to any one the following numbers: 60, 55, 50. 45.

[0076] According to at least one embodiment, the emission characteristics or the radiant intensity of the optoelectronic component has a maximum at an emission angle of less than 20° or less than 10° or less than 5°, for example at 0°. The angle is particularly measured with respect to an axis running perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the optoelectronic component or a main extension plane of the respective semiconductor chip.

[0077] According to at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic component emits a major part of its radiant power, for example at least 50 % or at least 75 % or at least 90 % of its radiant power, under an opening angel (emission angle range) of less than or equal to 90° or 85° or 80°.

[0078] According to at least one embodiment, the emission spectrum of the optoelectronic component has a peak wavelength in one of the following ranges: 634 nm ± 4 nm, 635 nm ± 5 nm. 542 nm ± 4 nm, 506 nm ± 4 nm, 417 nm ± 5 nm. Particularly, this peak wavelength is obtained at an operating temperature of the optoelectronic component below 50 °C, for example at 25 °C, and at operating currents between 100 mA and 1000 mA, inclusive. The half-band width of the spectrum is, e.g. at least 10 nm and / or at most 20 nm, e.g. 16 nm.

[0079] According to at least one embodiment, a maximum temperature induced variation of the peak wavelength of the emission spectrum of the optoelectronic component is less than or equal to one of the following values: 15 nm, 12 nm, 10 nm. This applies for a temperature range from -40° C to 130° C and at an operating current of 350 mA.

[0080] According to at least one embodiment, a temperature induced maximum variation in the relative luminous flux (25 °C) of the optoelectronic component is less than or equal to one of the following values: 1.0, 0.9. This applies for a temperature range from -40° C to 130° C and at an operating current of 350 mA.

[0081] In fact, another aspect which interferes with a uniform illumination is the ability of radiation sources to emit light of the same wavelength and irradiance throughout a complete treatment duration. In the case of a light-emitting diode (LED) for example, with changes of the LED temperature, the light emission properties may shift in either direction, meaning one of or both of the radiant flux and the peak emission wavelength may increase or decrease, depending on the exact type of the LED. A change of the radiant flux may result in a change of the irradiance and this might have potential negative effects due to the same reasons as described above. A shift of the wavelength could move the emission spectrum away from the absorption band of, e.g. PpIX which would in turn have the same results as a shortage of delivered energy. Due to an insufficient amount of absorbed energy- by PpIX, the formation of cytotoxic singlet oxygen is also decreased with the same negative consequences for the treatment success.

[0082] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation source has a bandwidth (Full Width Half Maximum, FWHM) of the emission peak with the peak wavelength which is at most 30 nm or at most 25 nm or at most 20 nm. Additionally or alternatively, the bandwidth is at least 5 nm or at least 10 nm.

[0083] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation output area of the radiation emitting unit is a discontinuous area which is composed of the radiation output surfaces of the optoelectronic components. This means, that the radiation output area is not a homogenous emission surface but rather comprises several spatially separated emission spots assigned to the radiation sources, where the radiation is emitted. In the region of the radiation output area betw een the radiation spots, less radiation, for example no radiation, is emitted.

[0084] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation output area is formed by a cover plate of the radiation emitting unit covering all radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit, especially when viewed in plan view of the cover plate. The cover plate is, for example, formed of a transparent material, like glass or plexiglass, e.g. of casted plexiglass. The cover plate may form a heat shield for a patient. The heat shield may absorb or deflect heat radiation emitted by the radiation source(s) and thus protect the patient from this heat. The cover plate may have a thickness of 2 mm ± 0.6 mm.

[0085] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a plurality of radiation emitting units which are movably connected to one another. For example, the radiation emitting units are pivotally connected to each other. For example, they are connected to each other via hinges.

[0086] According to at least one embodiment, the plurality of radiation emitting units is linearly connected. This means that the radiation emitting units are arrange one behind the other along a line.

[0087] According to at least one embodiment, a pivot axis around which the radiation emitting units are pivotable relative to one another is parallel or essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction, defined by the main direction of extension of one radiation source carrier. “Essentially parallel” means, for example, that they are tilted to each other by at most 5° or at most 2°.

[0088] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units are aligned such that the main directions of extension of the radiation source carriers of the respective radiation emitting units are parallel to one another. Preferably all main directions of extension of the radiation source carriers of one radiation emitting unit or of all radiation emitting units are parallel or essentially parallel to each other.

[0089] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units are connected such that a radiation emitting unit can be pivoted relative to an adjacent radiation emitting unit by at least 20° at least 30° or at least 45° or at least 60° or at least 90°. Additionally or alternatively, a radiation emitting unit can be pivoted relative to an adjacent radiation emitting unit by at most 170° or at most 150°.

[0090] According to at least one embodiment, all of the radiation emitting units of the illumination device are configured identically. This means identically within the limits of manufacturing tolerances, of course. For example, all radiation emitting units comprise the same number of radiation source carriers, the same number of radiation sources and the same type of radiation sources, e.g. emitting radiation with the same or essentially the same peak wavelength. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises three or more, for example four or more, such as five or more, radiation emitting units.

[0091] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units are connected to one another such that the radiation emitting units can be moved relative to one another in order to adjust the illumination device for irradiating a surface of a non-plane shape, where the shape of different surfaces to be illuminated may vary. For example, the illumination device can be adjusted for irradiating a surface of cylindrical shape or a human head, which may be idealized. The radiation emitting units can then be arranged such that the radiation output areas of the radiation emitting units have all the same distance to a lateral surface of the cylinder defining the cylindrical shape.

[0092] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units can be arranged in a C-shape configuration and / or a semi-circle configuration. Particularly, they may all emit radiation on the irradiation object, when in the C-shape or semi-circle configuration. The radiation of the radiation emitting units may overlap in the object location. In the C-shape configuration or semicircle configuration, respectively, the angle between two adjacent radiation emitting units may be at least 100° or at least 110° and / or at most 150° or at most 130°, e.g. 120°. Such a configuration may result in a more homogeneous illumination, e.g. of a human face.

[0093] The angle between two radiation emitting units is, in particular, defined as the angle between the output areas and / or the radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units.

[0094] For example, a first radiation emitting unit constitutes a center radiation emitting unit. A second and a third radiation emitting unit may be arranged adjacent to the first radiation emitting unit on the left and right side, i.e. on opposite sides, of the first radiation emitting unit, respectively, and may be configured to be arranged such that they are tilted towards each other, e.g. so that main radiation axes of the second and third radiation emitting units cross, e.g. in the object location. The value of the angle between the second and the first radiation emitting unit may be the same as the value of the angle between the third and the first radiation emitting unit. A fourth radiation emitting unit may be arranged adjacent to the second radiation emitting unit on the left side of the second radiation emitting unit, i.e. on the side remote from the first radiation emitting unit. A fifth radiation emitting unit may be arranged adjacent to the third radiation emitting unit on the right side of the third radiation emitting unit, i.e. on the side remote from the first radiation emitting unit. The first, second and third radiation emitting units may therefore be arranged between the fourth and the fifth radiation emitting units. The fourth and the fifth radiation emitting units may be configured to be arranged such that they are tilted towards each other so that main radiation axes of the fourth and fifth radiation emitting unit cross, e.g. in the object location. The value of the angle between the fourth and the first radiation emitting unit may be the same as the value of the angle between the fifth and the first radiation emitting unit. However, this value may be different, e.g., smaller, than the value of the angle between the second and the first radiation emitting unit or between the third and the first radiation emitting unit. The fourth and fifth radiation emitting unit may be more tilted / may have smaller angles with respect to the first radiation emitting unit than the second and third radiation emitting unit. For example, the output areas of the fourth and fifth radiation emitting unit may be closer to a parallel arrangement than the output areas of the second and the third radiation emitting units or they may be arranged parallel.

[0095] According to at least one embodiment, the minimum angle which can be set between the fourth and the second radiation emitting unit and between the third and fifth radiation emitting unit is between 60° and 80°, e.g. about 68°.

[0096] According to at least one embodiment, in the C-shape configuration and / or in the semi-circle configuration, the distance, e.g. the maximum distance or the average distance, between the output areas of the fourth and fifth radiation emitting unit is at least 30 cm or at least 35 cm and / or at most 50 cm or at most 55 cm. For example, the distance is 39 cm.

[0097] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting unit comprises one or more electronic control units for controlling the operation of the illumination device.

[0098] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a motor configured to move the radiation emitting unit, e.g. relative to a mount of the radiation emitting unit, relative to another radiation emitting unit of the illumination device, and / or relative to the illumination object. For example, the illumination device comprises several motors, each uniquely assigned to one radiation emitting unit. The motor or the motors are configured to move the radiation emitting units relative to one another and / or relative to the illumination object, in particular in order to adjust the illumination device for irradiating a surface of a non-plane shape homogenously.

[0099] In order to move the radiation emitting units with help of the motor or the motors, an electronic control unit of the illumination device may be operatively coupled to the motors and configured to operate the motors according to a preselected arrangement of the radiation emitting units. According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units are selectively activatable to emit radiation in the illumination session. In other words, the radiation emitting units can be turned on and off individually and independently from one another. Preferably, also the radiation intensity emitted by the radiation emitting units (and, hence, the irradiance of the region of the illumination object illuminated by the respective unit) can also be set individually for each radiation emitting unit independently of the other radiation emitting units.

[0100] In order to realize this, an electronic control unit of the illumination device may be operatively coupled to the radiation emitting units and configured to activate the radiation emitting units, particularly the radiation sources, according to a predetermined irradiation pattern.

[0101] The second aspect which is important in respect to irradiance uniformity is the distance of the illumination device and the irradiation object. For example, during the treatment of irregular or contoured surfaces like the human face, the outer regions of the light emitting surface of a plane illumination device are further away from the irradiation object than a spot located directly in the center of the light emitting surface. This can be mitigated by a curved light emitting surface which then in turn causes illumination deficits when illuminating a plane treatment area. However, even when using a curved light emitting surface, it is still very likely that either the patient is not correctly placed by the operating personnel at the start of the treatment or illumination session or that the patient moves during the treatment. Both scenarios lead to incorrect treatment distances that may negatively affect the treatment efficacy.

[0102] By using several radiation emitting units, which can even be moved relative to each other, a nonplane surface, like the human face, can be treated more homogeneously. Furthermore, displacements of the patient during or before the treatment can be corrected during the treatment or the illumination session.

[0103] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a location or distance monitoring system. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the location and / or the distance of the irradiation object from the radiation emitting unit and / or from the predetermined object location. One distance monitoring system may be assigned to each radiation emitting unit.

[0104] According to at least one embodiment, the monitoring system comprises a distance sensor arranged on the radiation source carrier of the at least one radiation emitting unit. Particularly, each radiation emitting unit of the illumination device may comprise at least one distance sensor assigned to the respective radiation emitting unit. The distance sensor may be arranged on the radiation source carrier. All features disclosed for one distance sensor are likewise disclosed for some or all distance sensors of the illumination device.

[0105] The distance sensor is, for example, a time-of-flight sensor. The distance sensor may comprise a laser diode, like a VCSEL, a radiation receiving sensor element and a micro controller.

[0106] According to at least one embodiment, the distance sensor is located offset of a geometric center of the radiation source carrier when viewed in plan view of a main side or the radiation source carrier. Particularly, in plan view, a radiation source overlaps with the geometric center of the radiation source carrier. The distance sensor is, for example, offset from the geometric center by at most 40 mm and / or at least 5 mm. For example, the distance sensor is located between a radiation source at the geometric center of the radiation source carrier and a radiation source closest to the radiation source in the geometrical center, when viewed in plan view of the main side.

[0107] According to at least one embodiment, the distance monitoring system comprises an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be a microcontroller. The electronic control unit may be operatively coupled to the motor or the motors of the illumination device and may be configured to operate the motors in order to change relative positions of the radiation emitting units. Additionally, the electronic control unit may be operatively coupled to the radiation sources of the radiation emitting units and may be configured to operate the radiation sources in order to change the radiant power emitted by the radiation sources.

[0108] Thus, the same electronic control unit may be used for controlling the motors and the selective activation of the radiation emitting units. Alternatively, there may be several control units, at least one for controlling the motors and at least one for selectively activating the radiation emitting units.

[0109] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured to compensate for distance or location variations of the irradiation object from the respective radiation emitting unit and / or the predetermined object location in order to maintain a predetermined radiation or light dose during the illumination session. Preferably, in this way, the distance between the respective unit and the illumination object may be kept constant. The terms radiation dose and light dose are herein used as equivalents.

[0110] For example, the illumination device is operated as follows: an irradiation object, such as a human being, is irradiated by the illumination device,

[0111] - a variation of the irradiation object from a radiation emitting unit is measured with help of the distance sensor of the radiation emitting unit, the measurement signal is processed and the electronic control unit generates a corresponding operation signal for operating the motor assigned to the radiation emitting unit so that the distance or location variation is compensated.

[0112] According to at least one embodiment, the distance monitoring system is configured to adjust the operation of the illumination device or to call for an adjustment of the operation of the illumination device by using one of, an arbitrary combination of or all of the following measures: vary ing the distance between the respective radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object, adjusting the radiation power emitted by the respective radiation emitting unit, and / or adjusting a duration of the illumination session.

[0113] Particularly, a distance or location variation of the irradiation object is measured by the one or the plurality' of distance sensors of the radiation emitting units. The measurement signals indicative for the distance or location variation are processed and corresponding operation signals are produced with which the electronic control unit accordingly automatically operates the motors assigned to the radiation emitting units or the radiation sources of the radiation emitting units.

[0114] According to at least one embodiment, during the illumination session, the distance between the radiation output area of a radiation emitting unit and the object location or the region of the irradiation object to be irradiated is kept at values less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the respective distance is kept at values greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm. For example, the optimum distance, also referred to as nominal distance, may be 12 cm ± 1.0 cm or 12.5 cm ± 1.5 cm.

[0115] According to at least one embodiment, the area of the irradiation object illuminated by the radiation emitting units of the illumination device (the illuminated area), when the radiation emitting units are at the nominal distance to the irradiation object, is between 400 cm2and 1000 cm2, inclusive. For example, the illuminated area is at most 32 cm x 26 cm and / or at least 26 cm x 20 cm, e.g. 29 cm x 23 cm. Particularly, this may hold for the illumination device being in the C-shape configuration or the semi-circle configuration. Particularly, this holds when all radiation emitting units of the illumination device emit radiation and are each at the nominal distance. The illuminated area is, in particular, the area in which the irradiance caused by the radiation emitting units is at least 50% or at least 75% of the maximum irradiance caused by the radiation emitting units.

[0116] According to at least on embodiment, the entire illumination session is less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 min, 19 min, 18 min, 17 min, 16 min, 15 min, 14 min, 13 min. Session durations up to 20 minutes are usually accepted by users. Additionally or alternatively, the duration of the entire illumination session is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 10 min, 1 1 min, 12 min, 13 min. The duration of the session may be between 10 min and 20 min, for example, e.g. 18 minutes.

[0117] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured to irradiate the region of the irradiation object with a predetermined light dose during the illumination session. The light dose may be greater than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location, particularly at the nominal distance to the radiation emitting unit(s), during the illumination session: 30 J / cm2, 35 J / cm2, 37 J / cm2. Alternatively or additionally, the light dose may be less than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location during the illumination session: 45 J / cm2, 40 J / cm2, 37 J / cm2. The mean or maximum irradiance may be greater than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location (nominal distance) during the illumination session: 25 mW / cm2, 40 mW / cm2, 50 mW / cm2Alternatively or additionally, the mean or maximum irradiance may be smaller than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location (nominal distance) during the illumination session: 75 mW / cm2, 65 mW / cm2, 60 mW / cm2For example, the mean or maximum irradiance when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location during the illumination session is 62 mW / cm2or 61 mW / cm2. The values above particularly hold at least for red light, e.g. with a peak wavelength at 634 nm ± 4 nm at 25 °C.

[0118] A sufficient light dose is one of the key requirements to successfully carry out PDT. However, when choosing the light dose, the maximum tolerable level of pain for the patient must also be taken into account. The range between a light dose of 30 and 45 J / cm2, in particular a light dose of 37 J / cm2, may be considered the best compromise between adequate treatment efficiency and pain burden, e.g. when using red light. Additionally or alternatively, a mean or maximum irradiance between 25 mW / cm2and 75 mW / cm2, particularly a mean or maximum irradiance of 62 mW / cm2may be considered the best compromise between adequate treatment efficiency and pain burden, e.g. when using red light.

[0119] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured to irradiate the region of the irradiation object with a predetermined light dose during the illumination session. The light dose may be greater than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location during the illumination session: 8 J / cm2, 9 J / cm2, 10 J / cm2Alternatively or additionally, the light dose may be less than or equal to one of the following values when the irradiation object is arranged at the object location during the illumination session: 12 J / cm2. 11 J / cm2. 10 J / cm2. The values above particularly hold at least for blue light, e g. with a peak wavelength of 417 ± 5 nm„

[0120] The range between a light dose of 8 and 12 J / cm2, in particular a light dose of 10 J / cm2, may be considered the best compromise between adequate treatment efficiency and pain burden, e.g. when using blue light.

[0121] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a feedback system which is configured to provide feedback in order to assist in keeping the irradiation object, for example a patient, in the predetermined object location, close to the predetermined object location and / or at a predetermined distance relative to the respective radiation emitting unit. The feedback system is, for example, operatively coupled to the monitoring system.

[0122] According to at least one embodiment, the feedback system is configured to issue visual, audible and / or tactile feedback to the patient or an operator of the illumination device which indicates whether the current object location is sufficiently close to the predetermined object location or whether adjustment is required. For example, the illumination device comprises a display and / or a loudspeaker for giving visual and / or audible feedback. For example, the visual or audible or tactile feedback asks the patient to move and / or asks an operator to adjust the positions of the radiation emitting unit(s) or the radiation power emitted by the radiation emitting unit(s).

[0123] The feedback system may be operated in addition or as an alternative to the automatic adjustment of the distance between the respective radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object and the radiation power emitted by the respective radiation emitting.

[0124] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured such that the radiation emitting unit can be switched on, e.g. via a user interface, particularly via the display. For example, the operator has to operate or press a switch-on button. The button may also be a region on a touch display, i.e. a virtual button. The illumination device may be configured such that each radiation emitting unit of the illumination device may be switched on separately and / or independently or all radiation emitting units can only be switched on together and / or simultaneously. The illumination device may also be configured such each of the radiation emitting units can be switch off separately and / or individually after having been switched on.

[0125] When switched on, the distance sensor of the radiation emitting unit may be activated in order to measure the distance to the irradiation object. When switched on, the radiation emitting unit may be operable in a plurality of modes, e.g. in at least two or at least three modes. The modes may comprise: a no-intensity mode (or distance monitoring mode), a low-intensity mode and / or a nominal-intensity mode. The different modes may be modes in which the radiation emitting unit emits different radiation intensities or no intensity in case of the no-intensity mode. When the radiation emitting unit is switched on it may, by default, be in the no-intensity' mode. In the nointensity mode, only the distance monitoring system may be operable. The distance sensor may continuously poll for objects within a predetermined distance from the unit in that mode.

[0126] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured such that the radiation emitting unit is operable or operated in the low-intensity mode when the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object lies within an irradiation range around the nominal distance. As noted above, the nominal distance may be characteristic for the predetermined obj ect location. Hence, if the distance is w ithin the irradiation range, the radiation emitting unit may be arranged with respect to the irradiation object at a distance which is suitable for conducting the illumination session, e.g. in order to deliver the light dose to the irradiation object, which may involve applying the nominal radiation intensity. The distance to the irradiation object, e.g. human skin, is expediently monitored by the distance monitoring system. In the low -intensity mode, the assigned distance sensor may be activated. The irradiation range may be, e.g., ± 2.0 cm or ± 1.5 cm around the nominal distance. The nominal distance may be. e.g., 12.0 cm or 12.5 cm. The distance between a radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object is, in particular, defined as the distance of the output area to the irradiation object.

[0127] By way of example, the radiation emitting unit is only operable or only operated in the low- intensity mode when the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irritation object lies within the irradiation range. If the distance does not lie in the irradiation range, the radiation emitting unit may not be switchable or may not switch into the low-intensity mode or in any other mode in which radiation is emitted. According to at least one embodiment, the low-intensity mode is a mode in which the radiation intensity emitted by the radiation emitting unit is smaller than a nominal radiation intensity used during the illumination session, e.g. in the nominal-intensity mode in which the radiation emitting unit is operable. For example, in the low-intensity mode, the radiation intensity is at most 50% or at most 25% or at most 10% or at most 5% of the nominal radiation intensity. Additionally or alternatively, the radiation intensity in the low-intensity mode is at least 0.5% or at least 1% or at least 5% or at least 10% of the nominal radiation intensity. Particularly, the radiation intensity in the low-intensity mode is sufficient to see an illuminated area on the irradiation object caused by the radiation emitting unit on the irradiation object. For example, the radiation emitted in the low intensity mode is so small that the patient does not feel any pain, whereas noticeable pain may be experienced in the nominal -intensity mode.

[0128] The nominal radiation intensity is particularly the radiation intensity which results in the mean or maximum irradiance of the irradiation object during the illumination session specified above when the irradiation object is at the object location or at the nominal distance, respectively. The nominal intensity may be the maximum intensity emitted by the radiation emitting unit and / or the illumination device during the illumination session.

[0129] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured such that the at least one radiation emitting unit is switched or is switchable from the low-intensity' mode into the nointensity mode when the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object leaves the irradiation range. For example, the radiation emitting unit is then automatically switched from the low-intensity mode into the no-intensity mode. Likewise, the radiation emitting unit may switch automatically from the no-intensity mode into the low-intensity mode when the distance is in the irradiation range.

[0130] According to at least one embodiment, the no-intensity' mode is a mode in which the radiation emitting unit does not emit radiation. However, in the no-intensity mode, the distance sensor of the radiation emitting unit may still be switched on in order to measure the distance to the irradiation object, e.g. by performing measurements in specific intervals.

[0131] The illumination device may be configured such that, if the distance of one radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object leaves the irradiation range, only this radiation emitting unit is switched into the no-intensity mode or several or all radiation emitting units are switched into the no-intensity mode, e.g. regardless whether they are in the irradiation range or not. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured such that the at least one radiation emitting unit is switchable from the low-intensity mode and / or the no-intensity mode into the nominal-intensity mode. The nominal-intensity mode is, in particular, a mode in which the radiation intensity is the nominal intensity or nominal radiation intensity. For example, the radiation emitting unit is only switchable from the no-intensity mode and / or the low-intensity mode into the nominal-intensity mode when the distance between the radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object is in the irradiation range. Alternatively, the radiation emitting unit may be switchable from the no-intensity mode and / or the low-intensity mode into the nominal-intensity mode regardless whether the distance is or is not in the irradiation range. In this second case, when the radiation emitting unit is switched in the nominal-intensity mode, a warning signal may be generated in order to warn a user that the radiation emitting unit is not in the irradiation range.

[0132] Alternatively, the radiation emitting unit may only be switchable into the nominal-intensity’ mode when starting from the low-intensity mode. For example, in this case, the nominal-intensity mode may not be directly reachable from the no-intensity mode.

[0133] The illumination device may be configured such that each radiation emitting unit is switchable into the nominal-intensity' mode, e g. regardless of the mode of the other radiation emitting units. For example, all radiation emitting units are simultaneously switchable into the nominal- intensity, e.g. by pressing a start button, regardless of whether all of them are in the respective irradiation range or not or regardless of the mode of the radiation emitting units.

[0134] Alternatively, a radiation emitting unit may only be switchable into the nominal intensity mode if several or all radiation emitting units of the illumination device, particularly those which have been switched on, are in their respective low-intensity mode and / or have a distance to the irradiation object in the irradiation range.

[0135] Switching a radiation emitting unit into the nominal-intensity mode may be done manually by the operator, e.g. by operating an element of the user interface, like a start button, which again may be a region on a touch display. Operating the element may simultaneously switch all radiation emitting units into the nominal-intensity mode.

[0136] For example, the illumination device is configured such that, when switching a radiation emitting unit on, it is automatically either switched into the no-intensity mode or into the low-intensity mode, depending on the distance between the irritation object and the radiation emitting unit when being switched on. Next, a method for treating a skin disease is specified. The illumination device specified herein is expediently used for this method. All features disclosed in connection with the illumination device are therefore also disclosed for the method and vice versa.

[0137] According to at least one embodiment, the method comprises a step a), in which a pharmaceutical substance is applied to the surface of the skin in a region which is to be treated. In a step b), the skin region to be treated is arranged in a predetermined object location of the illumination device according to any of the embodiments described herein. In a step c), the skin region to be treated is irradiated with the illumination device. In this step, the illumination session is executed.

[0138] The skin disease or disorder may be or may comprise a neoplastic skin disease, like actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, warts, acne, wound healing disorders / chronic wounds, bacterial and / or fungal infections or inflammatory skin diseases. It should be noted that the present disclosure covers non-therapeutic methods. For example, the pharmaceutical substance is suitable to be topically applied to the skin in a region to be treated.

[0139] According to at least one embodiment, the pharmaceutical substance is a photosensitizing drug or precursor to such a drug that is excitable by light in the radiation spectrum emitted by the illumination device.

[0140] According to at least one embodiment, the pharmaceutical substance comprises 5-aminolevulinic acid. 5-aminolevulinic acid has been well studied and is considered a reliable prodrug for generating a photosensitizer.

[0141] According to at least one embodiment, the skin disease is a neoplastic skin disease like actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, or warts, acne, wound healing disorders / chronic wounds, bacterial and / or fungal infections, inflammatory skin diseases.

[0142] According to at least one embodiment, the method comprises: providing a measurement signal which is indicative for a distance between the radiation emitting unit and the radiation object, generating an operation signal as a function of the measurement signal, said operation signal being configured to cause the illumination device to adjust the operation of the illumination device or to call or to trigger a call for an adjustment of the operation of the illumination device. Adjusting the operation may comprise one or more of: varying the distance between the respective radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object, adjusting the radiation power emitted by the respective radiation emitting unit, and / or adjusting a duration of the illumination session.

[0143] According to at least one embodiment, the method for operating an illumination device comprises the execution of a start sequence prior to the illumination session.

[0144] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises switching on the radiation emitting unit such that the assigned distance sensor is activated for measuring the distance to the irradiation object (step SI). The switching on may be performed by an operator, e.g. by operating a switch-on button, e g. on a touch display.

[0145] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises adjusting the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object until the distance is within the irradiation range (step S2). Adjusting the distance may be done manually by the operator, e.g. by manually moving the radiation emitting unit and / or the irradiation object.

[0146] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises operating the radiation emitting unit in the low-intensity mode in order to illuminate the irradiation object with a low radiation intensity, when the distance is in the irradiation range (step S3).

[0147] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises adjusting the position of the irradiation object relative to the illumination device while maintaining the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object in the irradiation range (step S4).

[0148] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises switching the radiation emitting unit from the low-intensity mode into the no-intensity mode if the distance of the radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object leaves the irradiation range (step S5). This may interrupt or cancel the start sequence. This step may happen automatically.

[0149] According to at least one embodiment, the execution of the start sequence comprises switching the radiation emitting unit into the nominal-intensity mode when the position of the irradiation object relative to the illumination device is adjusted such that the desired illuminated area of the irradiation object is illuminated (step S6). According to at least one embodiment, the steps SI to S6 are executed in the specified order and / or one after the other.

[0150] Particularly before starting the actual illumination session, it may be desired to correctly position the irradiation object with respect to the illumination device or vice versa. When the radiation emitting unit is switched on, the distance sensor is activated so that the distance to the irradiation object is measured. The radiation emitting unit may immediately be switched into the nointensity mode or the low-intensity mode, depending on whether the distance is outside the irradiation range or within the irradiation range. Using the low-intensity' mode when the irradiation object has the correct distance to the radiation emitting unit can be used for further positioning the irradiation object relative to the illumination device. The operator may see by eye the irradiance of the irradiation object in an illuminated area caused by the radiation emitting unit in the low-intensity' mode and this may help to correctly position the irradiation object relative to the illumination device or vice versa. The occurrence of pain may be prevented in the low- intensity mode due to the low intensity so that the adjustment of the position is not painful for the patient.

[0151] If two or more radiation emitting units are used, several or all radiation emitting units may be switched on in step SI. e.g. simultaneously or individually one after the other. For example, only the radiation emitting units which have been selected by an operator before (e.g. in a step SO) are switched on. If the distance of at least one radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object is not within the irradiation range or leaves the irradiation range, only this radiation emitting unit or several radiation emitting units or all radiation emitting units may be switched into the nointensity mode. This may happen automatically. Furthermore, if at least one radiation emitting unit is not in the low-intensity mode and / or the distance of at least one radiation emitting unit to the irradiation object is not in the irradiation range, none of the radiation emitting units may be switchable into the nominal-intensity mode.

[0152] Alternatively, all radiation emitting units may be switchable into the nominal-intensity mode regardless of whether one or more or all radiation emitting units are in the low-intensity mode or whether the distances are in the irradiation range. Alternatively, only those radiation emitting units for which the respective distance is not in the irradiation range and / or which are not in the low-intensity mode may be prevented from being switched into the nominal intensity mode.

[0153] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting units. The at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting units may comprise at least one electromagnetic radiation source. The electromagnetic radiation source may be configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session. The irradiation object may be arranged at an object location. The object location may be arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output region of the radiation emitting units through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting units during operation of the illumination device. The illumination device may further comprise at least one electronic control unit.

[0154] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least one electronic control unit.

[0155] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source during the operation of the illumination device.

[0156] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises at least one distance sensor.

[0157] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source depending on the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor.

[0158] According to at least one embodiment the modification may be for example an increase and / or a decrease in radiation power. According to a further embodiment the electronic control unit may be configured to modify the total radiation power provided by each radiation emitting unit.

[0159] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to stop and / or pause the operation of at least one radiation source, when the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold.

[0160] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to pause and / or stop the operation of at least one radiation source, when the distance of the irradiation object in the obj ect location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold between the irradiation object and the radiation output region for a predetermined period of time. According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm 5 cm, 6 cm. 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm.

[0161] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold is less than or equal to one of the following values: 22 cm. 21 cm, 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm. 17 cm. 16 cm. 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, 0.5 cm.

[0162] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold is between 0.5 cm and 22 cm.

[0163] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds. 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds. 100 seconds. 200 seconds. 300 seconds, 400 seconds, 500 seconds, 600 seconds, 700 seconds, 800 seconds, 900 seconds 1000 seconds.

[0164] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is less than or equal to one of the following values: 1000 seconds, 900 seconds, 800 seconds, 700 seconds, 600 seconds, 500 seconds, 400 seconds, 300 seconds, 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds, 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds.

[0165] One distance sensor per radiation emitting unit may be provided. At least one distance sensor may be arranged, e.g. connected on the radiation source carrier. At least one distance sensor may be arranged offset from the center of the radiation source carrier. At least one distance sensor may be arranged as close as possible to the center, e.g. when a radiation source is arranged on the center of the radiation source carrier, the distance sensor may be arranged as close as possible to the one radiation source without influencing the performance of the radiation source. A radiation source arranged as close as possible to the center may be advantageous to measure the distance between the center of the radiation carrier, e g. of the radiation emitting unit, and the object to be irradiated, e.g. the patient.

[0166] According to at least one embodiment a distance sensor may be arranged on the radiation emitting unit. e.g. on a housing portion of the radiation emitting unit, e.g. on a top and / or a bottom and / or side portion of the radiation emitting unit housing. In particular the distance sensor may be arranged on an area of the housing not comprising the radiation emitting carrier, e.g. an area of the housing outside the area of the radiation emitting carrier.

[0167] In this way the distance sensor may measure the distance between the housing portion with the distance sensor of the radiation emitting unit and the object to be irradiated, e.g. the patient. The illumination device may comprise a processor capable of calculating the distance of a center point of the radiation source carrier with respect to an object to be irradiated based on the distance of the housing of the radiation emitting unit, e.g. of the portion of the housing in which the distance sensor is arranged, with respect to the object. One advantage of such a system may be that maintenance or change of the distance sensor is facilitate as it does minimize the necessity to interfere with the radiation source carrier.

[0168] The illumination session may cause a burning sensation on the skin of a patient. The burning sensation may cause a patient to leave or at least temporarily leave the object location space. An automatic pausing and / or stopping of the operation when the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold has proven to be advantageous for maximizing energy saving and the lifespan of the device, e.g. of the radiation sources. Furthermore, stopping and / or pausing the illumination session as soon as the irradiation object, e.g. the patient has surpassed a predetermined distance threshold between the patient and the radiation output region, has a reassuring effect on the patient regarding the functionality of the device.

[0169] According to at last one embodiment if the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold between the irradiation object and the radiation output region for a shorter period than the predetermined period of time, the illumination session may continue. In this way, small variations in the position of the irradiation objects which are quickly resolved, e.g. by the irradiation object returning within the predetermined threshold, do not cause a pause in the illumination session and therefore of the treatment.

[0170] According to at least one embodiment, each of the radiation emitting units comprises a plurality of radiation sources arranged on a common radiation source carrier.

[0171] According to at least one embodiment, the carrier may be a printed circuit board, PCB. According to at least one embodiment, each radiation source carrier comprises a first pair of earner edges, the first pair of carrier edges being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of carrier edges, the second pair of carrier edges being arranged opposite to each other

[0172] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of carrier edges and the second pair of earner edges are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0173] According to at least one embodiment, the global average distance calculated between each of the radiation source is equal to one of the following values: or less than 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm. 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm. 10 cm, 9 cm. 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source with respect to the other radiation sources on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

[0174] According to at least one embodiment, the global average distance calculated between each of the radiation source is equal to one of the following values: or greater than 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source with respect to the other radiation sources on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

[0175] According to at least one embodiment, the global average is a weighted or an unweighted global average.

[0176] The above-mentioned values of the global average have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing a better homogeneous illumination.

[0177] According to at least one embodiment, the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources is less than or equal to one of the following values: 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm.

[0178] According to at least one embodiment, the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm.

[0179] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier comprises at least two different types of radiation sources. According to at least one embodiment, the difference in type between the radiation sources may be given by one of. more of, or all of the following characteristics:

[0180] Size;

[0181] - Wavelength emission;

[0182] - Radiance.

[0183] The above-mentioned values of the average distances have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing a better homogeneous illumination.

[0184] According to at least one embodiment, less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0185] According to at least one embodiment, greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %,

[0186] 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %. 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %. 9 %, 8. % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0187] According to at least one embodiment, less than or equal to one of the following values: 90 %, 80 %, 70 %, 60 %, 50 %, 40 %, 30 %, 20 %, 10 %, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0188] According to at least one embodiment, greater than or equal to one of the following values 10 %,

[0189] 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 50 %, 60 %, 70 %. 80 %, 90 %, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0190] According to at least one embodiment, the surfaces of the radiation source carriers of all radiation emitting units are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources.

[0191] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 10. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75. 80, 85, of radiation sources. According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60. 55. 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 of radiation sources.

[0192] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. 700, 800, 900, 1000. of radiation sources.

[0193] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 50, 150. 250, 350, 450, 550, 650. 750, 850, 950, 1050, of radiation sources.

[0194] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources.

[0195] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1050, 950, 850, 750, 650, 550, 450, 350, 250, 150. 50 of radiation sources.

[0196] According to at least one embodiment, when calculating the amount of surface of the radiation source carrier covered by radiation sources, the footprint of mounted radiation sources may be considered. Alternatively, the footprint of unmounted LED may be considered, e.g. the footprint of unmounted radiation sources may be considered. When considering the footprint of mounted radiation sources, the solder joints may also be considered as a surface covered by the radiation sources.

[0197] The above embodiments in relation to the number of radiation sources and / or to the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources has proven to be particularly advantageous for the homogeneity of the illumination of the illumination device. Furthermore, it may result in a cost minimization as the right amount of radiations sources are chosen and no redundancy occurs. Furthermore, the right balance between radiation power and number of radiation sources may be achieved.

[0198] The average surface area of unmounted or mounted radiation sources, e.g. LEDs, may be greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 mm2, 29 mm2, 28 mm2. 27 mm2. 26 mm2, 25 mm2, 24 mm2, 23 mm2, 22 mm2, 21 mm2, 20 mm2, 19 mm2, 18 mm2, 17 mm2, 16 mm2, 15 mm2, 14 mm2, 13 mm2, 12 mm2, 11 mm2, 10 mm2, 9 mm2, 8 mm2, 7 mm2, 6 mm2, 5 mm2, 4 mm2

[0199] The average surface area of unmounted or mounted radiation sources, e.g. LEDs, may be less than or equal to one of the following values: 3 mm2, 4 mm2, 5 mm2, 6 mm2, 7 mm2, 8 mm2, 9 mm2, 10 mm2, 11 mm2, 12 mm2, 13 mm2, 14 mm2, 15 mm2. 16 mm2, 17 mm2, 18 mm2, 19 mm2, 20 mm2, 21 mm2, 22 mm2. 23 mm2, 24 mm2, 25 mm2. 26 mm2, 27 mm2, 28 mm2. 29 mm2. 30 mm2,

[0200] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges is less than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm.

[0201] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm.

[0202] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm. 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm. 4 cm, 3cm. 2 cm.

[0203] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm.

[0204] An advantage in minimizing the distance between the radiation source and a carrier edge is that "empty spaces", e.g. areas of the radiation source carrier which are not used, in particular perimeter areas of the radiation emitting unit which are not used, are minimized. This makes the device more compact and economically more valuable, thereby also increasing its potential use in patient treating. According to at least one embodiment, the radiation sources being arranged nearest to the first and second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier define a perimeter of a radiation surface.

[0205] The area of the radiation surface does not necessarily depend on the number of radiation sources, as long as at least three radiation sources are arranged on to the carrier. With three radiation sources, a triangular radiation surface area may be achieved. With 4 radiation sources a four sided radiation surface may be achieved.

[0206] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation surface comprises a first pair of radiation surface edges, the first pair of radiation surface edges being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of radiation surface edges, the second pair of radiation surface edges being arranged opposite to each other.

[0207] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of radiation surface edges and the second pair of radiation surface edges are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0208] According to at least one embodiment, for at least one radiation emitting unit the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface carrier is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 %, 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 45 %, 50 %, 55 %, 60 %, 65%, 70 %.

[0209] According to at least one embodiment, for at least one radiation emitting unit the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface carrier is less than or equal to one of the following values: 65 %, 60 %, 55 %, 50 %,45 %, 40 %, 35 %. 30 %, 20 %, 10 %. 5 %, 3 %.

[0210] According to at least one embodiment, less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %,

[0211] 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %.

[0212] 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0213] According to at least one embodiment, greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources. According to at least one embodiment, the surfaces of the radiation surfaces of all radiation emitting units are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

[0214] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation surface comprises more than or equal to one of the following values: 10. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80. 85 of radiation sources.

[0215] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation surface comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15. 10 of radiation sources.

[0216] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. 700, 800, 900, 1000. of radiation sources.

[0217] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources.

[0218] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface and the carrier surface is one-to-one, meaning that the carrier edges correspond to the radiation surface edges, for at least one radiation emitting unit. This may also mean that the radiation sources on the perimeter of the radiation surface are arranged on the carrier edges. This may minimize any empty space on near the edges of the radiations source carrier. This may also result in a more homogeneous radiation, as the radiation sources of different radiation surface carrier are arranged nearer to each other. It therefore results in a maximization of used space on the radiation source carrier. It has to be noted, that the advantages do not only apply in cases where the ratio is 1 to 1 but my also apply for other ratios. Furthermore, a further advantage in all those cases is the maximization of material used. This may lead to a minimization of costs.

[0219] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation source carrier is the same for at least two radiation emitting units. According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation emitting unit of the plurality of radiation emitting units has a different ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the surface area of the radiation source carrier than a second radiation emitting unit.

[0220] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation source carrier has a surface area of the radiation surface being smaller than the surface area of the radiation surface of at least a second radiation source carrier.

[0221] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation source carrier has a first carrier surface area which is smaller than a second carrier surface area of a second radiation source carrier.

[0222] According to at least one embodiment, a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is greater than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 4. 1 to 3, 1 to 2. 1 to 1.

[0223] According to at least one embodiment, a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is less than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 1. 1 to 2, 1 to 3. 1 to 4.

[0224] According to at least one embodiment, the first radiation source carrier has fewer radiation sources than the second radiation source carrier.

[0225] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the number of radiation sources on the first radiation source carrier and the number of radiation sources on the second radiation source carrier is less than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

[0226] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the number of radiation sources on the first radiation source carrier and the number of radiation sources on the second radiation source earner is greater than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

[0227] According to at least one embodiment the radiation surface carrier of at least two radiation emitting units may have different size. Radiation source carriers with different sizes may still comprise the same number of radiation source. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 radiation emitting units.

[0228] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises an uneven number of radiation emitting units.

[0229] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises an even number of radiation emitting units.

[0230] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of carrier edges define a carrier width of the radiation source carrier and the second pair of carrier edges define a carrier length of the radiation source carrier.

[0231] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least 0.3 to 0.9, 0.4 to 0.6.

[0232] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least: 1 to 10, 1 to 9. 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0233] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at most: 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0234] In case of a 1 to 1 ratio, the radiation source carrier may have a quadratic shape.

[0235] According to at least one embodiment an uneven number of radiation emitting units comprises a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the other radiation emitting units, e.g. three out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source earner compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units.

[0236] According to at least one embodiment an even number of radiation emitting units comprises a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the other radiation emitting units, e.g. two or four out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining three or one radiation emitting units, respectively.

[0237] According to at least one embodiment an uneven number of radiation emitting units comprises a lower ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the other radiation emitting units, e.g. three out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a lower ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units.

[0238] According to at least one embodiment an even number of radiation emitting units comprises a lower ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the other radiation emitting units, e.g. two or four out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a lower ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining three or one radiation emitting units, respectively.

[0239] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of radiation surface edges define a radiation surface width of the radiation surface of a radiation source carrier and the second pair of radiation surface edges define a radiation surface length of the radiation surface of a radiation source carrier.

[0240] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least 0.25 to 0.8, 0.3 to 0.6, 0.35 to 0.5.

[0241] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least: 1 to 10. 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5. 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0242] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at most: 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0243] In case of a 1 to 1 ratio, the radiation surface may have a quadratic shape.

[0244] According to at least one embodiment an uneven number of radiation emitting units comprises a higher ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining radiation emitting units, e.g. three out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a higher ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units.

[0245] According to at least one embodiment an even number of radiation emitting units comprises a higher ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining radiation emitting units, e.g. two or four out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining three or one radiation emitting units, respectively.

[0246] According to at least one embodiment an uneven number of radiation emitting units comprises a lower ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining radiation emitting units, e.g. three out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a lower ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units.

[0247] According to at least one embodiment an even number of radiation emitting units comprises a lower ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining radiation emitting units, e.g. two or four out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a lower ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining three or one radiation emitting units, respectively.

[0248] According to at least one embodiment, comprising at least a common support configured to support the radiation emitting units.

[0249] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises at least a common support configured to support the radiation emitting units.

[0250] According to at least one embodiment, the common support comprises a main body portion element and at least one arm, the arm being configured to connect the radiation emitting units to the main body portion element.

[0251] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of a radiation emitting unit is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 kg. 2 kg. 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg. According to at least one embodiment, the weight of a radiation emitting unit is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 kg, 9 kg, 8 kg, 7 kg, 6 kg, 5 kg. 4 kg. 3 kg, 2 kg.

[0252] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units is less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg, 7.5 kg.

[0253] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units is greater than or equal to one of the following values 5 kg, 10 kg. 15 kg, 20 kg.

[0254] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, 40 kg, 45 kg, 50kg, 55 kg, 60 kg.

[0255] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support is less than or equal to one of the following values: 65 kg, 60 kg, 55 kg, 50 kg, 45 kg, 40 kg, 35 kg, 30 kg, 25 kg, 20 kg.

[0256] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, 40kg, 45 kg.

[0257] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion is less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 kg, 40 kg. 35 kg, 30 kg. 25 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg.

[0258] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the arm is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, 7kg, 10 kg, 12 kg, 15 kg.

[0259] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the arm is less than or equal to one of the following values: 17kg, 15 kg, 12kg, 10 kg, 7kg, 5 kg, 3 kg.

[0260] According to at least one embodiment, the total weight of the common support is greater than or equal to 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, time the sum of the w eights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

[0261] According to at least one embodiment, the total weight of the common support is less than or equal to 4.5, 4.4, 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, 3.7, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1 , 3.0, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units. According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion wherein the weight of the main body portion is greater than or equal to 2.5, 2.6. 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4. 3.5, time the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

[0262] According to at least one embodiment, wherein the weight of the main body portion is less than or equal to 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, 2.9, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.5, time the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

[0263] The above weights for the features of the illumination device have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing an illumination device which is compact, easy to handle by an operator and has enhanced stability, e.g. is balanced.

[0264] According to at least one embodiment, the arm comprises at least a first portion and a second portion.

[0265] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion is connected to the radiation emitting unit. According to at least one embodiment the second portion is connected to the main body portion of the illumination device.

[0266] According to at least one embodiment, the second portion is fixed, e.g. axially fixed, relative to the main body portion, e.g. its axial extension relative to the main body portion is fixed. The first portion of the arm may be axially moveable along the second portion of the arm, e.g. the first portion of the arm may be axially moveable relative to the second portion of the arm along at least a section of the second portion arm, e.g. along at least a section of the extension of the second portion of the arm. The first portion of the arm may extend substantially perpendicular to and from the second portion of the arm.

[0267] The first portion of the arm may be moveable from a position being the furthest away from the main body portion to a position being nearest to the main body portion along the axis of extension of the second portion of the arm. During movement of the first portion of the arm relative to the second portion of the arm, the first portion of the arm may be configured to remain substantially in a perpendicular position with respect to the second portion of the arm. Movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion may for example be achieved through a rail system arranged on the second portion of the arm. The first portion of the arm may be configured to be locked at different axial position with respect to the second portion of the arm, along the axis of extension of the second portion of the arm.

[0268] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit and the second portion is axially, rotationally and / or pivotally connected to the main body portion of the illumination device.

[0269] According to at least one embodiment, the movement of the second portion with respect to the main body portion permitted by the axial, rotational and / or pivotal connection of the second portion with respect to the main body portion is limited. The second portion and / or the main body portion may comprise a blocking mechanism configured to limit the amount of relative movement of the second portion with respect to the main body portion.

[0270] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit and the second portion is fixedly connected to the main body portion of the illumination device.

[0271] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are rotationally and / or pivotally connected to each other.

[0272] This may allow the enhanced positioning of the radiation emitting units connected two the second portion of the arm, with respect to the irradiation object.

[0273] According to at least one embodiment, the movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion permitted by the rotational and / or pivotal connection of the first portion with respect to the second portion is limited. The second portion and / or the first portion may comprise a blocking mechanism configured to limit the amount of relative movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion and / or viceversa.

[0274] The first portion may have a range movement of between: 10 and 350 degrees, 10 and 310 degrees, 10 and 260 degrees. 10 and 210 degrees, 10 and 180 degrees, 10 and 150 degrees. 10 and 120 degrees, 10 and 90 degrees, 10 and 50 degrees, with respect to a pivotal and / or rotational movement relative to the second portion.

[0275] According to at least one embodiment, the arm is moveable into an extended state in which one end of the second portion of the arm is at the greatest radial distance from the main body. According to at least one embodiment, the arm, in its extended position, extends parallel to the floor in an assembled state of the illumination device.

[0276] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion of the arm and the second portion of the arm are connected to each other via a connection joint.

[0277] According to at least one embodiment, the connection joint is configured to hold a load of at least 6 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, 9 kg, 10 kg, 11 kg, 12 kg, 13 kg, 14 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, when the first and second portions are in an extended state.

[0278] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support is such that, when a downwards force of less than or equal to 40 N, 39 N, 38 N, 37 N, 36 N, 35 N, 34 N, 33 N, 32 N, 31 N, 30 N, is applied on the radiation emitting unit when the arm is in its extended state, the common support holds the radiation emitting units without tilting.

[0279] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support is such that, when a down wards force of greater than or equal to 15 N, 16 N, 17 N, 18 N, 19 N, 20 N, 21 N, 22 N, 23 N, 24 N, 25 N, 26 N, 27 N, 28 N, 29 N is applied on the radiation emitting unit when the arm is in its extended state, the common support holds the radiation emitting units without tilting.

[0280] A tilting of the illumination device may result in the whole illumination device tipping over. Tipping over of the illumination device is a hazard both for the patient and the operator. It may also result in the breakage of parts of the illumination device. In the extended state of the arm, tilting may occur more often. As such it has proven particularly advantageous to provide an illumination device with a weight such that when a downwards force of 30 N is applied on the radiation emitting unit when the arm is in its extended state, the common support holds the radiation emitting units without tilting. The force may be caused for example by the weight of the radiation emitting units, e.g. the gravitational force. The force may also be caused by an operator handling the illumination device, e.g. moving the radiation emitting units in their position with respect to the irradiation object and / or changing the relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other.

[0281] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a central radiation emitting unit, at least two intermediate radiation emitting units and two outermost radiation emitting units, wherein the two intermediate radiation emitting units are connected to the central radiation emitting unit on respectively two opposite sides of the central radiation emitting unit and the two outermost radiation emitting units are connected to one intermediate radiation emitting unit, respectively.

[0282] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a central radiation emitting unit, at least two inner intermediate radiation emitting units and two outer intermediate radiation emitting units and two outermost radiation emitting units wherein one inner intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to one side of the central radiation emitting unit and the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to the other side of the central radiation emitting unit, wherein one outer intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected on one side with the inner intermediate radiation emitting unit and on the other side with the one outermost radiation emitting unit, wherein the other outer intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit on one side and to the other outermost radiation emitting unit on the other side.

[0283] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, in particular the first portion of the arm is connected to the central radiation emitting unit via a main joint.

[0284] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate with respect to the arm.

[0285] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate greater than or equal to 10 degrees, 50 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees. 270 degrees, 300 degrees, 330 degrees, 360 degrees, with respect to the arm.

[0286] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate less than or equal to 10 degrees, 50 degrees, 90 degrees. 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, 300 degrees, 330 degrees, 360 degrees, with respect to the arm.

[0287] According to at least one embodiment, the main joint is configured to hold a load of at least 10 kg. 15 kg, 20 kg. 25 kg, 30 kg. 35 kg, 40 kg. 45 kg, 50 kg.

[0288] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises at least three radiation emitting unit, wherein the at least three radiation emitting units are configured to be brought in a U-shaped configuration. According to at least one embodiment, the at least three radiation emitting units are configured to be brought in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0289] In the flat-shaped configuration the radiation emitting units may be aligned on a same axis. In other words, in a flat shaped configuration the radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting units are arranged on a same plane. In even other words, the normal vectors of the radiation source carriers and / or of the normal vectors of the radiation surfaces are substantially parallel to each other (e.g. parallel to each other considering product related tolerances).

[0290] According to at least one embodiment, in the U-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier of one radiation emitting units form an angle with the normal vector of another radiation emitting unit of between 1 degree to 120 degrees, or of between 20 degrees and 90 degrees, or of between 30 degrees and 70 degrees, or of between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, or of ca 50 degree.

[0291] The U-shaped configuration may therefore be any configuration in which the radiation emitting units from an angle with respect to each other. In particular, the U-shaped configuration may be defined as a configuration in which at least one radiation emitting unit forms an angle with respect to another radiation emitting unit. There might be configuration in which some radiation emitting units are arranged parallel to each other, but the illumination is still in the U-shaped configuration, e.g. if a central and the outermost panels are position parallel to each other but an intermediate radiation emitting unit is positioned at an angle with respect to the central radiation emitting unit and / or with respect to the outermost radiation emitting unit.

[0292] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units of the illumination device may be configured to be brought to a final U-shaped configuration. The final U-shaped configuration may be a configuration in which the radiation emitting units may have reached a maximum predetermined angle between each other. From the final u-shaped configuration, the device may only be brought towards the flat-shaped configuration.

[0293] According to at least one embodiment, in the flat-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier of all radiation emitting units are substantially parallel to each other or at least one of the radiation carriers relative to any of the other carriers at an angle of less than 20 degrees.

[0294] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a flat shaped configuration of the radiation emitting units, is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm.

[0295] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a flat shape configuration of the illumination device is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm.

[0296] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm. 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm. 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm.

[0297] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device, is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm.

[0298] According to at least one embodiment, in a configuration in which at least two radiation emitting units are arranged substantially parallel to each other the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is less than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0299] According to at least one embodiment, in configuration in which at least two radiation emitting units are arranged substantially parallel to each other the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is greater than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0300] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other.

[0301] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other such that the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is less than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm. 200 cm, 150 cm. 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0302] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other such that the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is greater than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm. 50 cm.

[0303] The shortest distance may be defined as the length of the vector directly connecting the two radiation sources in the three dimensions. It has proven to be advantageous to have the shortest distance in between the above-mentioned values, as it minimizes the borders between the radiation emitting units in which no radiation source is arranged. The connection of the radiation mitting units may result in areas in which no radiation is provided, e.g. the connection areas between the radiation emitting units. Minimizing such areas result in a more homogeneous radiation.

[0304] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises a motor configured to change the configuration of the radiation emitting units.

[0305] According to at least one embodiment, the motor is an electric motor.

[0306] According to at least one embodiment the electronic control unit is configured to operate the motor, e.g. the electric motor, in order to change the configuration of the radiation emitting units, e.g. from a flat-shaped configuration to a U-shaped configuration.

[0307] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are connected to each other via at least one hinge.

[0308] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one hinge is configured to permit a predetermined amount of rotation of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other.

[0309] Setting the predetermined amount of rotation of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other, may be useful for permitting an operator of the illumination device to set the radiation emitting units at a predetermined position with respect to each other. In other words, an operator of the illumination device may rotate the radiation emitting units until it is not longer possible and may therefore know that the radiation emiting units are at a predetermined position with respect to each other, e.g. that they have a predetermined angle with respect to each other. According to at least one embodiment, the at least one hinge is a torque hinge, a detent hinge or a counterbalance hinge.

[0310] It may be advantageous to provide such hinges as they may define a maximum and / or a minimum orientation of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other. For example, they may define a maximum or minimum angle between the radiation mitting units. The angle between the radiation mitting units may be measured by measuring the angle of the normal vectors of the radiation emitting units.

[0311] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least a first hinge, the first hinge being configured to connect the central radiation emitting unit with one intermediate radiation emitting unit.

[0312] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees, 170 degrees, 150 degrees, 130 degrees, 110 degrees, 90 degrees, 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

[0313] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 degrees, 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, 150 degrees, 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees.

[0314] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge connects a central radiation emitting unit with one intermediate radiation emitting unit.

[0315] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least a second hinge, the second hinge being configured to connect one intermediate radiation emitting unit with one outermost radiation emitting unit.

[0316] According to at least one embodiment, at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees, 170 degrees, 150 degrees, 130 degrees, 110 degrees, 90 degrees, 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

[0317] According to at least one embodiment, at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of greater than or equal to one of the following values:30 degrees, 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees. 130 degrees, 150 degrees, 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees.

[0318] According to at least one embodiment, the second hinge connects an intermediate radiation emitting unit with the outermost radiation emitting unit.

[0319] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to permit less relative movement than the second hinge.

[0320] According to at least one embodiment, at least one hinge of the plurality of hinges is configured to have a higher or lower torque strength with respect to the other hinges.

[0321] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a higher torque strength than the second hinge.

[0322] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 N-m, 2 N-m, 3 N-m, 4 N-m, 5 N-m, 6 N-m, 7 N-m, 8 N-m, 9 N-m.

[0323] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 N-m, 9 N-m, 8 N-m, 7 N-m, 6 N-m, 5 N- m, 4 N-m, 3 N-m, 2 N-m.

[0324] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one first hinge and / or the at least one second hinge are configured such as to be able to hold the radiation emitting units in a flat-shaped configuration when the radiations surface is facing the floor.

[0325] According to at least one embodiment, the hinges are electrically actuated by the motor to change the relative position of the radiation emitting units w ith respect to each other.

[0326] It may be advantageous to provide such hinges as they may define a maximum and / or a minimum orientation of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other. For example, they may define a maximum or minimum angle between the radiation mitting units. The angle between the radiation mitting units may be measured by measuring the angle of the normal vectors of the radiation emitting units.

[0327] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least one locking mechanism configured to lock movement of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other and / or configured to lock movement of the radiation emitting units in a specific configuration with respect to each other. The locking mechanism may be preconfigured to lock the radiation emitting units in a specific configuration, e.g. the locking mechanism may be such as to lock the radiation emitting units in their flat shape configuration.

[0328] The locking mechanism may comprise a snap mechanism, e.g. at least two radiation emitting units, a selected number of radiation emitting units and / or all radiation emitting units may be configured such as to be snapped into a specific configuration with respect to each other.

[0329] The locking mechanism may be actuatable, e.g. a user of the illumination device may be able to actuate the locking mechanism such as to lock movement of the radiation emitting units in a configuration, e.g. in a desired configuration.

[0330] Each radiation emitting units may comprise at least one locking mechanism configured to lock relative movement of the radiation emitting unit with respect to another radiation emitting unit.

[0331] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device is configured to provide the irradiation object with at least a minimum target irradiation dose.

[0332] According to at least one embodiment, the minimum target irradiation dose in 10 min is at least any of the following values 3 J / cm2, 4 J / cm2, 5 J / cm2, 6 J / cm2, 7 J / cm2, 8 J / cm2, 9 J / cm2, 10 J / cm2

[0333] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or to recommend adjustment of at least one operation parameter of the irradiation operation.

[0334] According to at least one embodiment, at least one operation parameter is adjusted or recommended to be adjusted to provide a minimum irradiation dose in the illumination session.

[0335] According to at least one embodiment, at least one operation parameter may be one of, more of or all of following parameters:

[0336] - relative positions of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. u-shaped or flat shaped configuration;

[0337] - relative positions of the radiation emitting units relative to the irradiation object;

[0338] - duration of the illumination session;

[0339] - radiation power of the radiation sources;

[0340] - wavelength of the radiation sources. According to at least one embodiment, the duration of the illumination session may be correlated with the wavelength of the radiation sources.

[0341] The relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other may be defined by the angle between the radiation emitting units. The angle between the radiation emitting units may be calculated via the normal vectors extending from the radiation source carriers of the respective radiation emitting units. An example of the relative position between the radiation emitting units may for example be the flat-shaped configuration and / or the u-shaped configuration and / or the final u-shaped configuration.

[0342] The relative position of the radiation emitting units relative to the irradiation object may change even when the relative positions of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other are fixed. The radiation emitting units may for example be at a U-shaped position and moved axially along the longitudinal axis of extension of the irradiation object, e.g. of the patient.

[0343] The duration of the illumination session may be varied according to the relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other and / or with respect to the irradiation object.

[0344] According to at least on embodiment, the duration of the entire illumination session may be less than or equal to one of the following values: one of the following values: 25 min, 24 min, 23 min, 22 min, 21 min, 20 min, 19 min, 18 min, 17 min, 16 min, 15 min, 14 min, 13 min. Session durations up to 25 minutes are usually accepted by users. Additionally, or alternatively, the duration of the entire illumination session may be greater than or equal to one of the following values: one of the following values: 10 min, 11 min, 12 min, 13 min. The duration of the session may be between 10 min and 23 min, for example, e.g. 18 minutes, 19 minutes, 20 minutes, 21 minutes, 22 minutes.

[0345] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or recommend adjustment of the duration of the illumination session depending on the relative positions of the radiation emitting units relative to the radiation object.

[0346] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration. According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the operating radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

[0347] According to at least one embodiment, not all radiation emitting units may be in operation during an illumination session. According to at least one embodiment only some radiation emitting units are in operation during an illumination session. The electronic control unit may therefore be configured to modify7the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the operating radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

[0348] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to increase or recommend to increase the duration of the operation of the illumination device the more acute the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units, is.

[0349] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to decrease or recommend to decrease the duration of the operation of the illumination device the more obtuse the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units, is.

[0350] According to at least one embodiment, adjusting or recommending to adjust comprises increasing or recommending to increase and / or decreasing or recommending to decrease and / or modifying or recommending to modify7any of the at least one operation parameter.

[0351] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to increase the duration of the operation session when the radiation emitting units are in their flat-shaped configuration compared to when they are in their U-shaped configuration.

[0352] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, when the radiation emitting units are in a U-shaped configuration.

[0353] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 minutes. 40 minutes, 35 minutes, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes when the radiation emitting units are in a U-shaped configuration. According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, when the radiation emitting units are in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0354] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes when the radiation emitting units are in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0355] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises a feedback element configured to generate a feedback providing a user of the illumination device with an adjustment recommendation.

[0356] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or recommend adjusting at least one of the operation parameters of the illumination device, e.g. the duration of the illumination session, depending on the distance between the intersection point of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or between the intersection point of the vectors of the main beam direction of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object.

[0357] According to at least one embodiment the minimum distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: : 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0358] According to at least one embodiment the minimum distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiated surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm. 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm. 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

[0359] According to at least one embodiment the average distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: : 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm. 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0360] According to at least one embodiment the average distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

[0361] According to at least one embodiment the maximum distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: : 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm. 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0362] According to at least one embodiment the maximum distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

[0363] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device further comprises one or more or all of:

[0364] - a heating system;

[0365] - a cooling system;

[0366] - a ventilation system.

[0367] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation emitting units comprises one of or more of or all of:

[0368] - a heating system;

[0369] - a cooling system;

[0370] - a ventilation system.

[0371] According to at least one embodiment, the cooling system may be comprised in the heating system and / or the ventilation system and / or wherein the ventilation system may comprise the heating system. According to at least one embodiment, the heating system is configured to heat the irradiation object prior to the irradiation operation.

[0372] According to at least one embodiment, the cooling system and / or the ventilation system are configured to cool at least one radiation source on the radiation source carrier and / or are configured to cool the irradiation object.

[0373] According to at least one embodiment, the ventilation system is configured to direct cooling air directly towards the irradiation object or indirectly towards an area adjacent to the irradiation object.

[0374] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to pause the cooling system and / or the ventilation system when the irradiation operation is paused.

[0375] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to continue operation of the cooling system and / or the ventilation system when the irradiation operation is paused.

[0376] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system for more than or equal to one of the following values: 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds, 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds, 100 seconds, 200 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

[0377] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system for less than or equal to one of the following values: 300 seconds, 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds. 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds. 50 seconds. 40 seconds, 30 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

[0378] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system in such a way as to keep the increase in temperature of the radiation sources during operation of the illumination system, lower or equal than 50 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius, 30 degrees Celsius.

[0379] According to at least one embodiment, the wheels have a diameter being greater than or equal to following values: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm. 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm. 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm. According to at least one embodiment, the wheels have a diameter being less than or equal to following values: 20 cm. 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm. 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm.

[0380] It has proven advantageous to have wheels with diameter of at least 5 cm. Especially when the illumination device is used in private practitioner's practice the rooms of the practice may have doorsteps that need to be overcome when transporting the device from one room to another. In order to avoid any tipping off of the device the above diameters of the wheels have proven to be particular advantageous.

[0381] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation emitting unit comprises a handle configured to be used by a user.

[0382] According to at least one embodiment, more than one radiation emitting unit. e g. some of or all radiation emitting units comprise handle. The handle may be useful for an operator of the illumination device in order to bring the illumination device, e g. the radiation emitting units into a specific a configuration, e.g. in the u-shaped configuration.

[0383] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm.

[0384] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 100 cm, 90 cm, 80 cm, 70 cm, 60 cm. 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm.

[0385] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm. 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm.

[0386] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 60 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm. According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

[0387] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm.

[0388] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

[0389] According to at least one embodiment, the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

[0390] According to at least one embodiment the illumination device comprises a user interface, e.g. a user interface with which a user of the illumination device can control at least some proprieties of the illumination device.

[0391] The user interface may allow one or more or all of at least the following actions:

[0392] Switching the illumination device on or off;

[0393] Switching at least one radiation emitting unit on or off, e.g. all or only selected radiation emitting units;

[0394] Controlling radiation power of one or more radiation emitting units;

[0395] Controlling the distance between at least one radiation emitting unit and an irradiation object;

[0396] Moving at least one radiation emitting unit with respect to another radiation emitting unit, e.g. via controlling the motor;

[0397] Bringing at least two radiation emitting units to a specific configuration with respect to each other, e.g. bringing all radiation emitting units into a specific configuration, e.g. via the motor; Locking the position of at least one radiation emitting unit with respect to another radiation emitting unit;

[0398] - Providing information regarding the irradiation process.

[0399] According to at least one embodiment, a method for treating a skin disease is provided. The method may comprise the following steps: a) applying a pharmaceutical substance to the surface of the skin in a region which is to be treated; b) arranging the skin region to be treated in a predetermined object location of the illumination device according to any of the preceding claims, c) irradiating the skin region to be treated with the illumination device.

[0400] Hereinafter, an illumination device and a method for treating a skin disease described herein will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings on the basis of exemplary embodiments. Same reference signs indicate same elements in the individual figures. However, the size ratios involved are not necessarily to scale, individual elements may rather be illustrated with an exaggerated size for a better understanding.

[0401] Next, a method for operating an illumination device is specified. Particularly, an illumination device specified herein can be operated with this method. All features disclosed in connection with the illumination device are therefore also disclosed for the method and vice versa.

[0402] According to at least one embodiment, the method comprises a step in which a measurement signal is provided, said measurement signal being indicative for a distance between the radiation emitting unit and the irradiation object. In a further step, an operation signal is generated as a function, i.e. depending on, of the measurement signal, said operation signal being configured to cause the illumination device to adjust the operation of the illumination device or to call or to trigger a call for an adjustment of the operation of the illumination device.

[0403] Furthermore, a computer program product is specified. The computer program product comprises machine-readable instructions, which, when loaded and executed on a processor, are configured to cause the illumination device to execute the method for operating the illumination device. The processor may be part of the illumination device. Moreover, a computer-readable medium is specified, having stored thereon the computer program product.

[0404] Description of the Figures

[0405] The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following figures and examples, however, without being restricted thereto.

[0406] Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of the illumination device in different configurations,

[0407] Figures 3 to 8 show exemplary embodiments of radiation emitting units,

[0408] Figure 9 shows simulation results for the irradiance on a cylindrical surface obtained with an exemplary embodiment of the illumination device.

[0409] Figure 10 shows an exemplary' embodiment of a radiation source,

[0410] Figure 11 shows an exemplary' embodiment of the method for treating a skin disease on the basis of a flow chart,

[0411] Figure 12 shows an exemplary’ embodiment of a graphical user interface of a feedback system,

[0412] Figure 13 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the radiation emitting units,

[0413] Figure 14 shows an exemplary' embodiment of an illumination device,

[0414] Figure 15 show a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an illumination device,

[0415] Figures 16a to 16f show various schematic representations of exemplary’ embodiments of illumination devices,

[0416] Figure 17 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a single radiation emitting unit,

[0417] Figure 18 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of more than one radiation emitting units. Figures 19a to 19d show a schematic representation of exemplar}' embodiments of the relative positioning of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other,

[0418] Figures 20a to 20b show a schematic representation of exemplary embodiments of the relative positioning of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other and with respect to an irradiation object,

[0419] Figure 21 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method.

[0420] Detailed description of the drawings

[0421] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the illumination device 100 for photodynamic therapy. The illumination device 100 comprises several radiation emitting units 10 which are linearly connected to each other. The radiation emitting units 10 are movably, especially pivotally, connected to each other. For this purpose, hinges 15 are used between the radiation emitting units 10. The radiation emitting units 10 each comprise a radiation output area 11 through which radiation generated by the respective radiation emitting unit 10 is coupled out of the illumination device 100. The output areas 11 are, for example, in each case formed by a (plexiglass or glass) cover plate of the respective radiation emitting unit 10.

[0422] In Figure 1, the illumination device 100 is configured to irradiate a plane surface. The radiation emitting units 10 are arranged such that the radiation output areas 11 lie substantially in a common plane. Main radiation directions of the radiation emitting units 10 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0423] Figure 2 shows the illumination device 100 of Figure 1 in a different configuration in which the illumination device 100 is configured to irradiate a surface of non-plane shape, namely a cylinder surface, particularly a human face. The radiation emitting units 10 are arranged in a C-shape configuration. For this purpose, the radiation emitting units 10 have been pivoted relative to each other so that the distances of the radiation output areas 11 of the radiation emitting units 10 to the cylinder surface are substantially the same. The rearrangement or movement of the radiation emitting units 10 can be done manually. In the present case, each radiation emitting unit 10 is assigned a motor 42, which is configured to move / pivot the respective radiation emitting unit 10 relative to the further radiation emitting units 10.

[0424] The cylinder around which the radiation emitting units 10 are arranged defines a predetermined object location 300. The object location 300 is arranged at a distance to the radiation output areas 11 of the radiation emitting units 10. Inside the object location 300, an irradiation object 140 is arranged. The irradiation object 140 is, for example, a human head. The head 140 is therapeutically treated by irradiating with the irradiation device 100.

[0425] During therapeutic treatment, the distances of the radiation emitting units 10 with respect to the irradiation object 140 or with respect to the predetermined object location 300 shall be kept substantially constant, particularly at a nominal distance or within an irradiation range around the nominal distance. For this purpose, the illumination device 100 comprises a location or distance monitoring system 4. The monitoring system 4 comprises distance sensors 40 (see for example Figure 4), each radiation emitting unit 10 assigned one distance sensor 40. The distance of the radiation emitting units 10 with respect to the irradiation object 200 or the predetermined object location 300 is measured with help of the distance sensors 40.

[0426] The monitoring system 4 further comprises an electronic control unit 41 and the motors 42 specified above. During operation of the illumination device 100. the distances of the radiation emitting units 10 to the irradiation object 140 or the predetermined object location 300 is constantly or repeatedly measured with help of the distance sensors 40. Corresponding measurement signals are processed in the monitoring system 4. In case the measurement signals indicate a variation in the distance of one radiation emitting unit 10 to the object 140 or the location 300, a corresponding operation signal or corresponding operations signals are generated, which cause the electronic control unit 41 to operate one or more motors 42 in order to adjust the distance of the radiation emitting units 10 with respect to the irradiation object 140 or the predetermined object location 300. For example, the distance is kept bet een 50 mm inclusive and 200 mm inclusive, preferably 125 mm. By way of example, if a variation in the distance of more than or equal to 15 mm is measured, the distance is adjusted. For operation the illumination device as stated above and in the following, the computer program product specified herein may be executed on a processor of the illumination device.

[0427] Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring system 4 may be configured to call for an adjustment, if the measurement signals form the distance sensors 40 indicate a variation in the distance and / or a leaving of the irradiation range. The operation signal(s) are then configured to call or to trigger a call for such an adjustment. An operator may then move the radiation emitting units 10 manually or by operating the motors 42.

[0428] The illumination device 100 may be further configured to adjust the radiation power emitted by the respective radiation emitting unit and / or to adjust the duration of the illumination session. The electronic control unit 41 or a different electronic control unit may then, as a function of the measurement signals of the distance sensors 40, vary the radiation power on the basis of one or more operation signals generated as a function of the measurement signals. For example, if the distance increases, the radiation power is increased. If the distance is reduced, the radiation power may be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, if the distance increases, the duration of the illumination session may be increased and if the distance decreases, the duration of the illumination session may be reduced. Increasing or reducing the duration of the illumination session may be controlled automatically by the monitoring system 4. Particularly, the monitoring system 4 ensures that the predetermined light dose, of e.g. 37 J / cm2, is received.

[0429] It is also possible that, as a function of the measurement signals of the distance sensors 40. the monitoring system 4 may call for an adjustment of the radiation power or the duration of the illumination session, e.g. by an according output on a display or a different user interface of the system (see Figure 12, for example). An operator may then vary' the radiation power of the respective radiation emitting unit 10 or may increase or reduce the duration of the illumination session.

[0430] The illumination device 100 may further comprise a feedback system (see Figure 12) which is configured to provide feedback in order to assist in keeping the irradiation object 140 at the predetermined object location 300. The feedback system may be configured to issue visual, audible and / or tactile feedback which indicates whether the object 140 is at the predetermined object location 300 or at a distance to the radiation emitting units 10 within the irradiation range, respectively, or if an adjustment is required. For this purpose, the feedback system may comprise a display and / or a loudspeaker.

[0431] Figure 12 shows an exemplary' embodiment of a graphical user interface 45 of such a feedback system. The user interface 45 illustrates the five radiation emitting units 10a ... lOe. Three of the radiation emitting units 10a, 10b, lOe are indicated to be not activated / switched on. which is indicated by the ‘’off ’-symbols in the respective radiation emitting unit. One radiation emitting unit 10c is activated / switched on and at the correct distance (within the irradiation range), indicated by the check mark in that radiation emitting unit. One radiation emitting unit 1 Od is activated / switched on but an adjustment of the distance is called for or is being carried out by the monitoring system itself. This is indicated by the two arrows pointing in opposite directions. The representation on the user interface 45 might be generated by7the computer program product specified herein. Before starting an illumination session with the illumination device 100, a start sequence may be performed. Firstly, the operator may switch on each of the radiation emitting units, e.g. by operating one or more buttons on the user interface 45. By switching on, the distance sensors 40 may be activated. After switching on, the radiation emitting units 10 may first be in a nointensity mode, in which no radiation is emitted, or may be in a low-intensity mode, in which a low radiation intensity is emitted. The operator may then adjust the distances between the radiation emitting units 10 and the irradiation object 140 in order to have the distance of each radiation emitting unit 10 to the irradiation object 140 in the irradiation range, which is, e.g., between 11 cm and 14 cm. The user interface 45 might indicate for each radiation emitting unit 10 the distance to the irradiation object 140 and / or if the distance has to be increased or reduced in order to come into the irradiation range.

[0432] As soon as the distance of a radiation emitting unit 10 to the irradiation object 140 is within the irradiation range, a check mark may appear on the user interface 45 for the respective radiation emitting unit 10 (see Figure 12). The radiation emitting unit 10 in the correct distance, namely in the irradiation range, may then be automatically switched from the no-intensity mode into the low-intensity mode. A corresponding illumination caused by said radiation emitting unit may be visible on the irradiation object 140.

[0433] When all radiation emitting units 10 are in the correct distance to the irradiation object 140, particularly when check marks appear on the interface 45 for all radiation emitting units 10, all radiation emitting units 10 may be in the low-intensity mode. The operator may now7further adjust the position of the illumination device 100 relative to the irradiation object 140, for example by shifting the illumination device 100 from a position illuminating an upper head region into a position in which the illumination device 100 illuminates the lower head region. During this adjustment of the position, the distances shall be maintained within the irradiation ranges. If, however, during said adjustment of the position the distance of one of the radiation emitting unit 10 leaves the irradiation range, this radiation emitting unit 10 may be automatically switched from the low-intensity mode into the no-intensity mode. The operator may notice this by a change of the illumination on the irradiation object 140. Additionally or alternatively, the interface 45 may indicate this event by letting the checkmark disappear and / or by creating a noise, for example a warning noise. The operator may then readjust the distance of this radiation emitting unit 10.

[0434] After the illumination device 100 has been brought into the correct position relative to the irradiation object 140 and when the distances of all radiation emitting units 10 are still in the irradiation range, the operator may switch one or more or all of the radiation emitting units 10 into the nominal-intensity mode, in which the radiation emitting units 10 emit the nominal radiation intensity for the treatment of the skin disease. For example, if the distance of one of the radiation emitting units 10 is not within the irradiation range, only this radiation emitting unit 10 may not be switchable into the nominal-intensity mode. It is also possible that, if at least one of the radiation emitting units 10 is not within the irradiation range, none of the radiation emitting units 10 can be switched into the nominal intensity mode. Alternatively, all radiation emitting units may be switchable into the nominal-intensity mode, regardless whether one or more or all radiation emitting units are within the irradiation range or not. Switching into the nominal- intensity mode may be done manually by the operator, e.g. by operating a start button on the interface.

[0435] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a radiation emitting unit 10 in plan view of the radiation emitting unit 10, for example in plan view of the cover plate. The radiation emitting unit 10 of Figure 3 is, for example, used for all radiation emitting units 10 in the illumination device 100 of Figures 1 and 2.

[0436] The radiation emitting unit 10 comprises a unit housing 3, for example comprising metal and / or plastic, and a radiation source carrier 2 laterally surrounded by the unit housing 3 in the shown plan view; The unit housing 3 defines a lateral edge 30 of the radiation emitting unit 10 delimiting the radiation emitting unit 10 in a transversal direction T.

[0437] The radiation source carrier 2 is, for example, a printed circuit board, PCB for short. The radiation source carrier 2 is an elongated, rectangular shaped carrier. A main direction of extension of the radiation source carrier 2 defines a longitudinal direction L. A direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and running parallel to a main extension plane of the radiation source carrier 2 defines the transversal direction T. The radiation source carrier 2 is delimited in the longitudinal direction L and in the transverse direction T by carrier edges 171. 172.

[0438] A plurality of radiation sources 1 is arranged on the radiation source carrier 2. The exact positions of the radiation sources 1 on the radiation source carrier 2 is indicted by the intersection points of the squared brackets. For example, a center of a chip surface of a semiconductor chip assigned to the radiation source overlaps with the respective intersection point. In the exemplary embodiment, all radiation sources 1 of the radiation emitting unit 10 are arranged on a common radiation source carrier 2. During intended operation, all radiation sources 1 preferably emit radiation in the visible spectrum and of essentially the same color and / or with essentially the same peak wavelength.

[0439] As can be seen in Figure 3, the radiation sources 1 are arranged on the carrier 2 in three different groups 12, 13, 14, wherein each radiation source 1 is uniquely assigned to one group 12. 13, 14. The groups 12, 13, 14 are indicated by the dashed rectangles. A first group 12 with 15 radiation sources 1 is located in a center region of the radiation source carrier 2. A second 13 and a third 14 group, each with 15 radiation sources 1, are located on peripheral regions of the radiation source carrier 2. When viewed along the longitudinal direction L. the second 13 and third 14 group are located before and behind the first group 12. Within each group 12, 13, 14 the radiation sources 1 are arranged in a two-dimension regular group pattern. The group patterns of the second 13 and third 14 group are identical, whereas the group pattern of the first group 12 is different.

[0440] In the second 13 and the third 14 group, the radiation sources 1 are arranged more densely on the radiation source carrier 2 than in the first group 12. Thus, the occupancy density' of the radiation source carrier 2 with radiation sources 1 in the second 13 and third 14 group is greater than in the first group 12. This arrangement is particular advantageous in terms of a homogeneous irradiation of the irradiation object along the longitudinal direction L.

[0441] As can also be seen in Figure 3, the distance between two adjacent groups 12, 13, 14 is greater than a distance between the radiation sources 1 within a group 12, 13. 14 (the distance between two adjacent groups is the shortest distance between two radiation sources 1 of these two groups). Moreover, it is visible form Figure 3 that the two-dimensional pattern in which the radiation sources 1 are arranged on the radiation source carrier 2 is symmetric with respect to an axis running parallel to the longitudinal direction L and also with respect to an axis running parallel to the transversal direction T.

[0442] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, a radiation source 1 is arranged in the geometric center of the radiation source carrier 2. Slightly offset from this geometric center, a distance sensor 40 is arrange on the radiation source carrier 2. The distance sensor 40 is part of the previously described monitoring system 4. The distance sensor 40 is, for example, a time-of- flight sensor comprising a laser diode. A distance to the adjacent radiation source 1 in the geometric center is, e.g., 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the distance sensor 40 may be slightly offset, e.g. by at least 5 mm and at most 40 mm, form the center of a radiation field created by the radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit. The center of the radiation field may be the position of the center of mass when integrating over all the radiation sources of the radiation emitting unit.

[0443] Additionally or alternatively a distance sensor may be arranged on the radiation emitting unit, e.g. on a housing of the radiation emitting unit, e.g. on a top portion of the housing of the radiation emitting unit. The illumination device may comprise a process capable of calculating the distance of a center point of the radiation source carrier with respect to an object to be irradiated based on the distance of the top portion of the housing of the radiation emitting unit with respect to the object (not shown).

[0444] Figure 4 show s an exe plary embodiment of a radiation emitting unit 10 in a true-to-scale view. This exemplary embodiment might be used in the illumination device 100 of figures 1 and 2. The transversal distance between two radiation sources 1 being adjacent along the transversal direction T is 30 mm in each case. The longitudinal distance between two radiation sources 1 being adjacent along the longitudinal direction L is 15 mm in the second 13 and third 14 group and is 40 mm in the first group 12. The longitudinal distance between two adjacent groups is 60 mm. The radiation source carrier 2 may have an expansion along the transversal direction T of 160 mm and along the longitudinal direction of 280 mm. Connectors 43, 44 for a connection to other radiation emitting units are provided.

[0445] Figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a radiation emitting unit 10 in plan view. Also this radiation emitting unit 10 might be used for the radiation emitting units 10 in the illumination device 100 of figures 1 and 2. In contrast to figures 3 and 4, the radiation emitting unit 10 of Figure 5 does not only comprise one radiation source carrier 2 common to all radiation sources 1 of the respective radiation emitting unit 10, but several radiation source carriers 2. Each radiation source carrier 2 is elongated with a main direction of extension parallel to the longitudinal direction L. Along the transversal direction T running perpendicularly to the main longitudinal direction L, the radiation source carriers 2 are arranged one behind the other.

[0446] On each radiation source carrier 2. a plurality of radiation sources 1 is arranged. The radiation sources 1 are in each case arranged in a one-dimensional irregular pattern. Again, on each radiation source carrier 2, the radiation sources 1 are grouped in three groups 12, 13, 14. Each group 12, 13, 14 comprises three radiation sources 1. The first group 12, located in each case between the second 13 and the third 14 group, has a smaller occupancy density with radiation sources 1 than the respective second 13 and third 14 group. The group pattern in each group 12, 13, 14 is regular.

[0447] Using several radiation source carriers 2 can be advantageous for further improving the homogeneity of the irradiation pattern. As shown in Figure 6, which is a cross sectional view' along the transversal direction T of Figure 5, the individual radiation source carriers 2 are arranged angled relative to one another. Consequently, the main radiation directions V of the radiation sources 1 of different radiation source carriers 2 are tilted relative to each other. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6, the radiation source carrier 2 closets to the outer edges 30 of the housing unit 3 is oriented such that the main radiation direction V of the respective radiation sources 1 on this radiation source carrier 2 is outwardly offset from a main radiation direction V of the radiation sources 1 on another radiation source carrier 2 further aw ay from the outer edge 30. In this way irradiation at the outer edges 30 of the radiation emitting unit 10 where the hinges 15 are placed (see figures 1 and 2) can be improved.

[0448] The individual radiation source carriers 2 of the radiation emitting unit 10 may be fixed in their relative position to one another. Alternatively, they may be movable relative to another, for example manually or w ith help of actuators.

[0449] Figure 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a radiation emitting unit 10 in plan view. This exemplar}' embodiment is similar to the ones of figures 3 and 4. Again, all radiation sources 1 are placed on a common radiation source carrier 2. Also this radiation emitting unit 10 may be used for the radiation emitting units 10 in the illumination device 100 of figures 1 and 2.

[0450] A difference of Figure 7 compared to figures 3 and 4 is the arrangement of the radiation sources 1 on the radiation source carrier 2. In Figure 7, the first group 12 comprises 25 radiation sources 1 arranged in a regular group pattern. The second 13 and third 14 group each comprise only ten radiation sources 1 in each case arranged in a regular group pattern. In the first group 12, the transversal distances between adjacent radiation sources 1 is in each case 30 mm and the longitudinal distance between adjacent radiation sources 1 is in each case 35 mm. In the second 13 and third 14 group, the transversal distance between adjacent radiation sources 1 is in each case 30 mm and the longitudinal distance is in each case 15 mm. The longitudinal distance between two adjacent groups 12, 13, 14 is 45 mm in each case.

[0451] Figure 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a radiation emitting unit 10, for which a particularly homogeneous irradiation pattern along the longitudinal direction could be obtained. The arrangement of the radiation sources 1 on the radiation source carrier 2 is similar to Figure 3 or Figure 4, respectively. Only the longitudinal distances are chosen slightly differently. In the first group 12, the longitudinal distances between adjacent radiation sources 1 is 36 mm in each case. In the second 13 and third 14 group, the longitudinal distances between adjacent radiation sources 1 are 22 mm in each case. The longitudinal distance between adjacent groups 12, 13, 14 is 28 mm in each case.

[0452] Figure 9 shows simulation results for the irradiance on a cylindrical surface obtained with an exemplary embodiment of the illumination device 100. For this simulation, an illumination device 100 with five radiation emitting units 10 as described in connection with Figure 3 was used. The radiation emitting units 10 were arranged around a cylinder with a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 300 mm. The radiation emitting units 10 were arranged such that the distance of the radiation output area 11 of each radiation emitting unit 10 to the cylinder surface was 125 mm. The upper picture of Figure 9 shows the arrangement.

[0453] The homogeneity of the irradiance on the cylinder surface was investigated as a function of the azimuthal angle (middle picture of Figure 9). On the y-axis, the irradiance in arbitrary units is shown. On the x-axis the azimuthal angle is shown. The different data samples Z1 .. . Z5 correspond to measurements at different heights along the longitudinal direction L (see also upper picture of Figure 9).

[0454] In the low er picture of Figure 9, the irradiance in arbitrary' units (y-axis) is show n as function of the height along the longitudinal direction L (x-axis). The different data samples Z1 . .. Z6 correspond to measurements at different azimuthal angles.

[0455] As becomes clear from Figure 9, lower picture, the special arrangement of the radiation sources 1 on the respective radiation source carriers 2 of the radiation emitting units 10 results in a very’ homogeneous irradiance along the longitudinal direction L.

[0456] In Figure 9, middle picture, one can see that due to the configuration of the illumination device 100 w ith several radiation emitting units 10, which are pivotally connected to each other, and thus can be arranged around the cylinder with equal distances to the cylinder surface, a very homogenous irradiance along the azimuthal angle up to 90° is obtained.

[0457] Figure 10 shows an exemplary' embodiment of a radiation source 1 being an optoelectronic component. All radiation sources 1 of the radiation emitting unit 10 or of the whole illumination device 100 are preferably formed identically within the manufacturing tolerance and may each be such an optoelectronic component.

[0458] The optoelectronic component 1 comprises a semiconductor chip la, for example based on a III- V-compound semiconductor material. The semiconductor chip la is mounted on a front side of a ceramic chip carrier lb. The chip carrier lb may be pierced by through connections (not shown), electrically connecting metallic front side pads Id on the front side with metallic rear side pads le on the rear side of the chip carrier lb. The semiconductor chip la is electrically connected to the front side pads Id. A thermal pad If, for example made of metal, on the rear side helps to remove heat from the optoelectronic component 1.

[0459] The semiconductor chip la is embedded in a lens-shaped encapsulation 1c, which collimates the radiation coming from the semiconductor chip la. The encapsulation is, for example, made of transparent silicone.

[0460] The properties of the optoelectronic component 1 are, for example, as follows: A peak wavelength of the emitted radiation is 634.0 nm when operated with an operation current of 350 mA and at an operation temperature of 25 °C. An opening angle into which at least 75 % of the radiation intensity is emitted is at most 80°. A main radiation direction is 0°, wherein the radiation direction is measured relative to a normal axis running perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the chip carrier lb or to a radiation exit surface of the semiconductor chip la. The emission angle at which the radiance decreases from its maximum at 0° to 50 % of the maximum value is at ± 40°. The luminous efficacy is 111 Im / W.

[0461] During operation of the illumination device 100, each optoelectronic component 1 is, for example, operated with an operation current of 1000 mA.

[0462] Figure 11 shows an exemplar}' embodiment of the method for treating a skin disease on the basis of a flow chart. In a step SI, a pharmaceutical substance is applied to the surface of the skin of a human being in a region which is to be treated. It might be the region in a face. The pharmaceutical substance is, for example, a photosensitizing drug or precursor to such a drug that is excitable by light in the radiation spectrum emitted by the illumination device 100. The pharmaceutical substance may comprise 5-aminolevulinic acid.

[0463] In a step S2, the skin region to be treated is arranged in the predetermined object location 300 of the illumination device 100 (see Figure 2). In a step S3, the skin region to be treated is irradiated with the illumination device, for example for at least 10 min and at most 24 min. During the illumination session, the skin region is irradiated with a predetermined light dose of, e.g., at least 30 and at most 45 J / cm2, such as 37 J / cm2. A light dose of 37 J / cm2 is especially suitable if red light with a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to irradiate the object. In case green or blue light is used, e.g. for irradiating a skin surface onto which ALA has been topically applied before the irradiation, the total light dose applied to the irradiation object during the illumination session may have a different value due to the different absorption properties for these wavelengths. The general teaching in the present disclosure does not only apply for light sources emitting red light but also for light sources of different colored light, e.g. blue or green light, particularly if ALA-based PDT is performed. As noted already, light with the following peak wavelengths may be suitable: 635 nm ± 4 nm (which is red light), 542 nm ± 4 nm (which is green light or green to yellow light), 506 nm ± 4 nm (which is green light), 417 nm ± 4 nm (which is blue light).

[0464] The invention described herein is not limited by the description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention comprises any new feature as well as any combination of features, particularly including any combination of features in the patent claims, even if said feature or said combination per se is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.

[0465] Figure 13 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the illumination device 100, in which the illumination device 100 is configured to irradiate a surface of non-plane shape, namely a cylinder surface, particularly a human face. The embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 2. Specifically, the radiation emitting units 110 are arranged in a C-shape configuration. For this purpose, the radiation emitting units 110 have been pivoted relative to each other so that the distances of the radiation output regions of the radiation emitting units to the cylinder surface are substantially the same. The rearrangement or movement of the radiation emitting units 110 can be done manually.

[0466] The cylinder around which the radiation emitting units 110 are arranged defines a predetermined object location 300. The object location 300 is arranged at a distance to the radiation output regions of the radiation emitting units 110. Inside the object location 300. an irradiation object 140 is arranged. The irradiation object 140 is, for example, a human head. The head 140 is therapeutically treated by irradiating with the illumination device 100. The illumination device 100 comprises an electronic control unit 4 which is configured to control the operation of the illumination device 100. wherein the respective radiation emitting units 110 are operatively coupled to the electronic control unit 150.

[0467] The illumination device 100 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor 162 that may be operatively connected to the electronic control unit 150 to provide temperature data to the electronic control unit 150. The electronic control unit 150 may be configured to adjust the operation of the illumination device 100 based on the temperature data to ensure that the predetermined radiation dose is delivered to the irradiation object. The at least one temperature sensor 162 may be located at or near a radiation source. In case of more radiation sources, a temperature sensor 162 at each radiation source may be provided or just one or more temperature sensor(s) at one or more of the radiation sources, e.g. one temperature sensor 162 per radiation emitting unit 110.

[0468] In case of more temperature sensors 162, each temperature sensor 162 may be operatively connected to the electronic control unit 150 to provide temperature values (not shown). The electronic control unit 150 may average some or all of the different values such as to obtain a single temperature data value for some or all of the radiation sources.

[0469] The at least one temperature sensor 162 may continuously provide temperature data during operation of the illumination device. The temperature sensor may be polled with an appropriate frequency.

[0470] The illumination device 100 may further comprise a radiation sensor (not shown) which is arranged to receive radiation emitted from the illumination device 100 in order to generate radiation data which is characteristic for a wavelength shift of the peak wavelength of the radiation source, wherein the electronic control unit 150 may be configured to adjust the operation of the illumination device 100 based on the radiation data to ensure that the predetermined radiation dose is delivered to the irradiation region.

[0471] The radiation sensor and / or the temperature sensor may be physically connected to the electronic control unit 150, e.g. through a cable connection, or wirelessly operatively connected, e.g. via Bluetooth, via Wi-Fi or similar.

[0472] Figure 14 shows a side view of an exemplary illumination device 100. The illumination device 100 comprises a common support 200. The common support extends longitudinally along an axis Al and comprises a base element 215 comprising wheels 218. in order to be movable and a main body 210.

[0473] An arm 220, e.g. a positioning arm 220, is connected to a top end portion 210a of the main body 210 and extends angularly with respect axis Al.

[0474] The arm 220 can pivot, i.e. swing, vertically with respect to the main body 210 according to the arrow a3. A connection element 226 is connected via an attachment element 228 to a first end 220a of the positioning arm 220.

[0475] The connection arm further comprises a radiation emitting unit panel 20 connected to it, comprising five radiation emitting units 110a to 1 lOe (only these two being marked), wherein one radiation emitting unit 1 lOe is shown being tilted with respect to the other radiation emitting units.

[0476] The connection element 226 further comprises two handles on its two end portions. The connection element 226 may be u-shaped. The two ends of the U may be axially translatable in such a way as to increase or decrease the distance between the two ends. The radiation emitting units 1 10 also comprises four handles, one of which, e.g. handle 280, is show n attached to the radiation emitting unit 110a.

[0477] The illumination device 100 may be configured to consider temperature dependent variations in the wavelength of the radiation emitted by the radiation sources (not shown) and / or temperature dependent variations in the optical output power, e.g. in the radiation powder, for adjusting parameters of the illumination session in order to irradiate the predetermined radiation dose onto the irradiation region.

[0478] The radiation sensor may continuously provide radiation data during operation of the illumination device 100. The radiation sensor may be polled with an appropriate frequency.

[0479] One or more radiation sensors may be located at or near a radiation source and may be configured to receive the radiation reflected from an irradiation object. The data is then provided to the electronic control unit 150 which based on the received information may extrapolate how much radiation has been absorbed by the irradiation object and may adjust the radiation dose accordingly. A radiation sensor may be provided for each radiation emitting unit 110. Each radiation sensor may then be configured to receive the radiation reflected from an irradiation object to its respective radiation emitting unit.

[0480] Figure 15 is a schematic view of the arm 220 of an exemplary' illumination device and its connection with the radiation emitting units 110a to 1 lOe. According to this embodiment the arm 220 is connected viajoint 232 to a central radiation emitting unit 110c. This embodiment is therefore different than the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in which the arm, through a connecting element was connected to two intermediate radiation emitting units 110b and 1 lOd.

[0481] The joint 232 may permit a rotational movement of all five radiation emitting units 110a. to 1 lOe. The radiation emitting units 110 in these figures may be connected with each other through hinges, e.g. inner hinges. The inner hinges may permit a movement of each radiation emitting unit with respect to the other, in particular with respect to the other radiation emitting unit with which it is attached.

[0482] Figures 16a to 16f show a schematic representation of exemplary' embodiments of different illumination device. It is noted that the feature described with respect to one embodiment are not exclusive to that embodiment, and that the features of the illumination devices of each of Figures 16a to 16f may be implement in any of the devices of Figures 16a to 16f (and other embodiments of other figures, e.g. Figure 13.)

[0483] The illumination device sown in Figures 16a to 16f, may all comprise a main body 210 and a base element 215. The base element may comprise at least three, preferably at least four wheels 218. The illumination devices may further comprise an arm 220. The arm 220 may comprise two portions, namely a first portion 222 and a second portion 224. The second portion may be connected to the main body 215 of the illumination device 200. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be connected to the second portion 224 of the arm 220 on one end and to the radiation emitting units 120 (here only shown schematically) on a second end.

[0484] As can be seen in Figure 16a, the second portion 224 may be connected axially translatable with respect to the main body 215 of the illumination device. The second portion 224 of the arm may in particular be extendable along an axis of extension of the illumination device 100 (see, e.g. the double arrow). The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be connected to the second portion 224 of the arm 220 through a joint 231. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be pivotally and / or rotationally connected to the second portion 224 of the arm 220. On the end of the first portion 222 of the arm 220 not connected to the second portion 224 of the arm 220. the radiation emitting units (here only schematically shown) may be attached.

[0485] Figure 16b shows the second portion 224 of the arm 220 in an extended axial position. Compared to the illumination device of Figure 16a, the illumination device of Figure 16b comprises a further joint element 232 with which the first portion 222 of the arm 220 is connected to the radiation emitting units 110. The first portion may however not be connected pivotally and / or rotationally with the second portion 224 of the arms 220.

[0486] The device of Figure 16c may be a combination of the devices of Figures 15, in particular, the device of Figure 16c may comprises a first joint 231 and second joint 232. The first joint may connect the second portion 224 of the arm with the first portion 222 of the arm 220. The second joint 232 may connect the second portion of the arm with the radiation emitting units.

[0487] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 16d the first portion of the arm 222 may be divided in two further subsections, connected through a third joint, e g. joint 333.

[0488] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 16e, the second portion 224 of the arm 220 is fixed, e.g. axially fixed, relative to the main body portion 210, e.g. it cannot move relative to the main body portion 210, e.g. it cannot change its axial extension relative to the main body portion 210. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be axially moveable along the second portion 224 of the arm 220 (see e.g. the arrow in the figure), e.g. the first portion 222 of the arm 20 may be axially moveable with respect to the second portion 224 of the arm 220 along the extension of the second portion 224 of the arm 220. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may extend substantially perpendicular to and from the second portion 224 of the arm 220. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be pivotable with respect to the second portion 224 of the arm 220.

[0489] The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be moveable from a position being the furthest away from the main body portion 210 (e.g. as shown in Figure 161) to a position being nearer or nearest to the main body portion 210 along the axis of extension of the second portion 224 of the arm 220 (see e.g. Figure 16e showing a position being nearer or the nearest to the main body portion 210). During movement of the first portion 222 of the arm 220 relative to the second portion 224 of the arm 220, the first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be configured to remain substantially in a perpendicular position with respect to the second portion 224 of the arm 220. Movement of the first portion 222 relative to the second portion 224 may for example be achieved through a rail system (not shown) arranged on the second portion 224 of the arm 220. The first portion 222 of the arm 220 may be configured to be locked, e.g. via a locking mechanism, at different axial positions with respect to the second portion 224 of the arm 220, along the second portion 224 of the arm 220.

[0490] Figure 17 shows a schematic representation of a single radiation emitting unit 110 of an exemplary embodiment of an illumination device 100. The radiation emitting unit 110 may comprise a radiation source carrier 170. The radiation source carrier my for example be a PCB plate. The radiation source carrier may comprise at least a first pair of carrier edges 171 and 172. The radiation source carrier may comprise a second pair of carrier edges 173 and 174. The first pair of carrier edges may be arranged opposite to each other. The second pair of carrier edges may be arranged opposite to each other. The first pair of edges and the second pair of edges may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, in particular they may define a rectangle.

[0491] The radiation source carrier may comprise at least one radiation source 120-n. The radiation sources 120-n arranged nearest to the first pair of carrier edges and / or to the second pair of carrier edges of the radiation source carrier may define the perimeter pr of a radiation surface 180. In this example, the radiation sources 120-1 to 120-6 define the perimeter pr of the radiation surface 180. In this example the radiation source carrier 170 and specifically the radiation surface 180 comprises also further radiation sources, e.g. radiation source 120-n.

[0492] The radiation surface 180 may comprise at least a first pair of radiation surface edges 181 and 182. The radiation surface 180 may comprise a second pair of radiation surface edges 183 and 184. The first pair of radiation surface edges may be arranged opposite to each other. The second pair of radiation surface edges 183 and 184 may be arranged opposite to each other. The first pair of radiation surface edges 181 and 182 and the second pair of radiation surface edges 183 and 184 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, in particular they may define the perimeter of a rectangle.

[0493] The shortest distance betw een a radiation source 120-1 and a first carrier edge 171 of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 may be given by the distance dl. The shortest distance between a radiation source 120-2 and a first carrier edge 173 of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 may be given by the distance d2. The shortest distance betw een a radiation source 120-5 and a second carrier edge 172 of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 may be given by the distance d3. The shortest distance between a radiation source 120-6 and a second carrier edge 174 of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 may be given by the distance d4. The radiation emitting unit 110, in particular the unit housing 3, may further comprises a cooling system 260 and / or ventilation system 270. The cooling system 260 may be configured to cool the radiation carrier 170 and / or the radiation sources 120-1 to 120-n. The ventilation system 270 may be configured to ventilate, e.g. to cool, the irradiation object. This may occur for example through a direct ventilation, e.g. a ventilation aimed directly at the irradiation object, and / or by an indirect ventilation, e.g. the ventilation is directed towards an area around the irradiation object.

[0494] The radiation emitting unit may also comprises a heating system 250. The heating system 250 may be configured to direct heat towards the irradiation object before an illumination session, e.g. before the operation of the radiation sources.

[0495] One, more or all of the radiation emitting units may comprises the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 and / or the heating system 250. In this figure the ventilation system 270 and cooling system 260 are shown as one system arranged on an upper part of the unit housing 3 of the radiation emitting unit 1 10. However, the embodiments are not limited to this arrangement and the two system may be arranged singularly or together a different location of the radiation emitting unit.

[0496] The heating system 250 in this Figure is shown as arranged on a lower portion of the unit housing 3 of the radiation emitting unit 110. However, the embodiments are not limited to this and the heating system may be configured to be arranged at different location on the radiation emitting unit. e.g. n the unit housing.

[0497] The radiation emitting units 110 on an illumination device may have the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 and / or the heating system 250 arranged at different location with respect to each other.

[0498] In an illumination device 100, different radiation emitting units 110 may comprise different systems, e.g. a ventilation system 270 and / or a cooling system 260 and / or a heating system 250. An illumination device 100 may for example comprise the ventilation system 270 on one radiation emitting unit 110 and the heating system 250 on a different radiation emitting unit 110. The illumination devices 1 0 are not limited to this example and any permutation between systems, 250, 260, 270 and radiation emitting units 110 are envisaged.

[0499] Figure 18 shows a schematic representation of three radiation emitting unit 110a, 110b and 1 10c, which may be attached to each other through hinges (not shown). Distance d4 may define the shortest distance between a radiation source 120-5 on one radiation emitting unit. e.g. radiation emitting unit 110c and a radiation source 120-2 on a different radiation emitting unit e.g. radiation emitting unit 1 10b, wherein the two radiation emitting units 110c, 110b may be directly connected to each other.

[0500] The distance d4 may vary depending on the configuration of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other. In particular the distance may be at its greatest, when the radiation emitting unit are in a flat shaped configuration, e.g. aligned on one axis. When the radiation emitting units are in a U-shaped configuration the distance is less than in the flat shaped configuration.

[0501] In this figure the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 and / or the heating system 250 of Figure 17 are not shown.

[0502] Figures 19a to 19d show schematic representation of exemplary configurations of the radiation emitting units of an illumination device, see from above. In all these exemplary embodiments, the illumination device may comprise five radiation emitting units, of which only two are marked with reference numerals, namely radiation emitting unit 110a and radiation emitting unit 110c. In particular, the illumination devices may comprise a central radiation emitting unit 110c and an outermost radiation emitting unit 110a. The central radiation emitting unit 110c may be connected via an arm 220 to the main component of the illumination device (not shown).

[0503] The radiation emitting unit can be positioned in different configurations with respect to each other. When changing the configuration of radiation emitting units the angles, e.g. al, a2, a3, formed by the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10c of the radiation emitting units may change.

[0504] Figure 19a shows the illumination device in a U-shaped or horseshoe configuration, in which the angle al between the normal vector of the outermost radiation emitting unit nl 10a and the normal vector of the central radiation emitting unit nl 10c is around 45°.

[0505] Figure 19b shows the illumination device in a U-shaped or horseshoe configuration, in which the angle a2 between the normal vector of the outermost radiation emitting unit nl 10a and the normal vector of the central radiation emitting unit nl 10c is around 90°.

[0506] Figure 19c shows the illumination device in a U-shaped or horseshoe configuration, in which the angle a3 between the normal vector of the outermost radiation emitting unit nl 10a and the normal vector of the central radiation emitting unit nl 10c is more than 90°. In the above three exemplary embodiments, the arrangement of the radiation emitting units is symmetrical with respect to the normal vector of the central radiation emitting units. The embodiments are however not limited to such symmetrical arrangement and the angle between the normal vector of one of the outermost radiation emitting units and the normal vector if the central radiation emitting unit may be different than the angle between the normal vector of the other outermost radiation emitting unit and the normal vector of the central radiation emitting unit.

[0507] Figure 19d shows the illumination device in a flat-shaped, e.g. flat, configuration, in which all the radiation emitting units may be aligned along an axis. The normal vectors, e.g. vectors nl 10a and nl 10c, of the radiation emitting units, e.g. of radiation emitting units 110a and 1 lOc.do not intersect each other in this configuration.

[0508] In the figures hinges 15 configured to connect the radiation emitting units with each other are also shown.

[0509] Figures 20a to 20b show a schematic representation of exemplary embodiments of the relative positioning of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other and with respect to an irradiation object, seen from above.

[0510] Figure 20a shows an irradiation object 140 comprising an irradiation surface 141. The irradiation object 140 is located in a object location with respect to the Illumination device 100. The illumination device comprises in this example five radiation emitting units of which only three, 1 10a, 1 10b, 110c are marked with reference numerals. The radiation source carriers of the radiation emitting units may be flat (not shown).

[0511] In Figure 20a the normal vectors of the three radiation emitting units are shown. Radiation emitting unit 110a may define a normal vector nl 10a. Radiation emitting unit 110b may define a normal vector nl 10b. Radiation emitting unit 110b may define a normal vector nl 10b.

[0512] The normal vectors intersect with each other at different points. The intersection point between the normal vector nl 10a and nl 10c is marked as i-ac and the intersection point between the normal vector nl 10b and nl 10c is marked as i-bc. The intersection point between the normal vector nl 10a and nl 10b is not show n. The intersection points of the normal vector may also be the vertex points of the angle build by the respective two normal vectors. The shortest distance between the intersection points and the irradiation surface!41 of the irradiation object 140 is also shown in the figures. The shortest distance between intersection point i-bc and the irradiation surface 161 is marked as d-bc, The shortest distance between intersection point i-ac and the irradiation surface 161 is marked as d-ac.

[0513] The electronic control unit (not shown) of the illumination device may be configured to adjust or recommend adjusting at least one of the operation parameters of the illumination device, e.g. the duration of the illumination session, depending on the shortest distance between the intersection point of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiated surface of the irradiation object. The distances may for example be distances d-ac and / or d-bc.

[0514] In Figure 20b a further illumination device 100 is shown. The illumination device may be the same as the illumination device of Figure 20a. In this example, the irradiation object is arranged nearer to the radiation emitting unit 110c. as can be seen from the figure the distances d-ac and d-bc are greater than in Figure 20a. Accordingly the electronic control unit (not shown) of the illumination device may be configured to adjust or recommend adjusting at least one of the operation parameters of the illumination device, e.g. the duration of the illumination session, depending on this new distances, d-bc and / or d-ac.

[0515] In Figures 19a to 19d and 20a and 20b normal vectors of the radiation emitting units are shown. However, the disclosure is not limited to normal vectors, and the same may for example apply for the vectors defined by the main beam directions. The reference numerals in this respect therefore apply both for the normal vectors and the vectors of the main beam directions.

[0516] Figure 21 shows an exemplar}' embodiment of the method for treating a skin disease on the basis of a flow chart. In a step SI, a pharmaceutical substance is applied to the surface of the skin of a human being in a region which is to be treated. Such a region might, for example, be a face portion of a human being, e.g. a patient. It might be the region in a face. The pharmaceutical substance is, for example, a photosensitizing drug or precursor to such a drug that is excitable by light in the radiation spectrum emitted by the illumination device 100. The pharmaceutical substance may comprise 5-aminolevulinic acid.

[0517] In a step S2, the skin region to be treated is arranged in the predetermined object location 300 of the illumination device 100 (see e.g. Figure 1 or 2).

[0518] In a step S3, the skin region to be treated is irradiated with the illumination device, for example for at least 10 min and at most 20 min. During the illumination session, the skin region is irradiated with a predetermined radiation dose of, e.g., at least 30 J / cm2and at most 45 J / cm2, such as 37 J / cm2. A radiation dose of 37 J / cm2is especially suitable if red light with a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to irradiate the object. In case green or blue light is used, e.g. for irradiating a skin surface onto which ALA has been topically applied before the irradiation, the total radiation dose applied to the irradiation object during the illumination session may have a different value due to the different absorption properties for these wavelengths. The general teaching in the present disclosure does not only apply for light sources emitting red light but also for light sources of different colored light, e.g. blue or green light, particularly if ALA-based PDT is performed.

[0519] In a step S4, the radiation emitted by the radiation sources is adjusted on the basis of temperature dependent variation in wavelength of the radiation and / or the optical output power is adjusted on the basis of temperature dependent variations in the optical output power.

[0520] Step S4 may also comprises cooling the skin region to be treated with the irradiation object cooling system.

[0521] The skin disease or disorder may be or may comprise a neoplastic skin disease, like actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, warts, acne, wound healing disorders / chronic wounds, bacterial and / or fungal infections or inflammatory skin diseases.

[0522] The pharmaceutical substance may be a photosensitizing drug or precursor to such a drug that is excitable by light in the radiation spectrum emitted by the illumination device.

[0523] The pharmaceutical substance may comprise 5-aminolevulinic acid. 5-aminolevulinic acid has been well studied and is considered a reliable prodrug for generating a photosensitizer.

[0524] The skin disease may be a neoplastic skin disease like actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, or warts, acne, wound healing disorders / chronic wounds, bacterial and / or fungal infections, inflammatory skin diseases.

[0525] In the following, embodiments will be described that relate to certain aspects of figures 1 to 21. Some of the features may however not be visible in the figures.

[0526] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting units 10, 110. The at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting units 10, 110 may comprise at least one electromagnetic radiation source 1, 120. The electromagnetic radiation source 1, 120 may be configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object 140 in an illumination session. The irradiation object 140 may be arranged at an object location 300. The object location 300 may be arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output region of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source 1, 120 exits the radiation emitting units 10, 110 during operation of the illumination device 100. The illumination device 100 may further comprise at least one electronic control unit 150.

[0527] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises at least one electronic control unit 1 0.

[0528] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source 1, 120 during the operation of the illumination device 100.

[0529] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 further comprises at least one distance sensor 40, 160.

[0530] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source 1, 120 depending on the distance of the irradiation object 140 in the object location 300 to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor 40, 160.

[0531] According to at least one embodiment the modification may be for example an increase and / or a decrease in radiation power. According to a further embodiment the electronic control unit 150 may be configured to modify' the total radiation power provided by each radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0532] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to stop and / or pause the operation of at least one radiation source 1, 120, when the distance of the irradiation object 140 in the object location 300 to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor 40, 160 surpasses a predetermined distance threshold.

[0533] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to pause and / or stop the operation of at least one radiation source 1, 120, when the distance of the irradiation object 140 in the object location 300 to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor 40. 160 surpasses a predetermined distance threshold between the irradiation object 140 and the radiation output region for a predetermined period of time. According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm. 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm.

[0534] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold is less than or equal to one of the following values: 22 cm. 21 cm, 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm. 17 cm. 16 cm. 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, 0.5 cm.

[0535] The distance threshold may for example be between 0.5 cm and 22 cm, e.g. 7 cm.

[0536] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds, 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds, 100 seconds, 200 seconds, 300 seconds, 400 seconds, 500 seconds, 600 seconds, 700 seconds, 800 seconds, 900 seconds 1000 seconds.

[0537] According to at least one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is less than or equal to one of the following values: 1000 seconds, 900 seconds, 800 seconds, 700 seconds, 600 seconds, 500 seconds, 400 seconds, 300 seconds, 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds, 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds.

[0538] The predetermined period may for example be between 5 second and 1000 seconds, e.g. 30 seconds.

[0539] The illumination session may cause a burning sensation on the skin of a patient. The burning sensation may cause a patient to leave or at least temporarily leave the object location 300 space. An automatic pausing and / or stopping of the operation when the distance of the irradiation object 140 in the object location 300 to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor 40, 160 surpasses a predetermined distance threshold has proven to be advantageous for maximizing energy saving and the lifespan of the device, e.g. of the radiation sources 1. 120. Furthermore, stopping and / or pausing the illumination session as soon as the irradiation object 140, e.g. the patient has surpassed a predetermined distance threshold between the patient and the radiation output region, has a reassuring effect on the patient regarding the functionality of the device.

[0540] According to at last one embodiment if the distance of the irradiation object 140 in the object location 300 to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor 40, 160 surpasses a predetermined distance threshold between the irradiation object 140 and the radiation output region for a shorter period than the predetermined period of time, the illumination session may continue. In this way, small variations in the position of the irradiation object 140s which are quickly resolved, e.g. by the irradiation object 140 returning within the predetermined threshold, do not cause a pause in the illumination session and therefore of the treatment.

[0541] According to at least one embodiment, each of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 comprises a plurality of radiation sources 1, 120 arranged on a common radiation source carrier 2, 170.

[0542] According to at least one embodiment, the carrier may be a printed circuit board, PCB.

[0543] According to at least one embodiment, each radiation source carrier 2, 170 comprises a first pair of carrier edges 171, 172, the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of carrier edges 173, 174, the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 being arranged opposite to each other

[0544] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 and the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0545] According to at least one embodiment, the global average distance calculated between each of the radiation source 1, 120 is equal to one of the following values: or less than 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm. 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm. 3cm. wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source 1, 120 with respect to the other radiation sources 1, 120 on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

[0546] According to at least one embodiment, the global average distance calculated between each of the radiation source 1, 120 is equal to one of the following values: or greater than 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source 1, 120 with respect to the other radiation sources 1, 120 on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

[0547] The global average may for example be between 3 cm and 20 cm, e.g. 7cm.

[0548] According to at least one embodiment, the global average is a weighted or an unweighted global average. The above-mentioned values of the global average have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing a better homogeneous illumination.

[0549] According to at least one embodiment, the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources 1, 120 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm. 10 cm. 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm. 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm.

[0550] According to at least one embodiment, the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources 1, 120 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 cm.4 cm, 5 cm. 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm. 15 cm.

[0551] The variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources 1, 120, may for example be between 3 cm and 15 cm, e.g. 7 cm.

[0552] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 comprises at least two different types of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0553] According to at least one embodiment, the difference in type between the radiation sources 1, 120 may be given by one of. more of, or all of the following characteristics:

[0554] Size

[0555] - Wavelength emission

[0556] - Radiance

[0557] The above-mentioned values of the average distances have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing a better homogeneous illumination.

[0558] According to at least one embodiment, less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 is covered by radiation sources 1. 120. measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1. 120.

[0559] According to at least one embodiment, greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %. 9 %, 8. % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 is covered by radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120. For example, 12 % of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 may be covered by radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120.

[0560] According to at least one embodiment, the surfaces of the radiation source carriers 2, 170 of all radiation emitting units 10. 110 are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0561] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, of radiation sources 1, 120, ...

[0562] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0563] The at least one radiation source carrier may comprise between 10 and 85 radiation sources 1, 120, e.g. 70 radiation sources.

[0564] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0565] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0566] The at least one radiation source carrier may comprise between 100 and 1000 radiation sources 1, 120, e.g. 250 radiation sources.

[0567] According to at least one embodiment, when calculating the amount of surface of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 covered by radiation sources 1, 120, the footprint of mounted radiation sources 1, 120 may be considered. Alternatively, the footprint of unmounted Led may be considered. When considering the footprint of mounted radiation sources 1, 120, the solder joints may also be considered as a surface covered by the radiation sources 1, 120.

[0568] The above embodiments in relation to the number of radiation sources 1, 120 and / or to the surface of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 is covered by radiation sources 1, 120 has proven to be particularly advantageous for the homogeneity of the illumination of the illumination device 100. Furthermore, it may result in a cost minimization as the right amount of radiations sources are chosen and no redundancy occurs. Furthermore, the right balance between radiation power and number of radiation sources 1, 120 may be achieved.

[0569] The average surface area of unmounted or mounted radiation sources 1. 120, e.g. LEDs, may be greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 mm2, 29 mm2, 28 mm2. 27 mm2, 26 mm2, 25 mm2, 24 mm2, 23 mm2. 22 mm2, 21 mm2, 20 mm2. 19 mm2, 18 mm2, 17 mm2. 16 mm2. 15 mm2, 14 mm2, 13 mm2, 12 mm2, 11 mm2, 10 mm2, 9 mm2, 8 mm2, 7 mm2, 6 mm2, 5 mm2, 4 mm2.

[0570] The average surface area of unmounted or mounted radiation sources 1. 120, e.g. LEDs, may be less than or equal to one of the following values: 3 mm2, 4 mm2, 5 mm2, 6 mm2, 7 mm2, 8 mm2, 9 mm2, 10 mm2, 11 mm2, 12 mm2, 13 mm2, 14 mm2, 15 mm2, 16 mm2, 17 mm2, 18 mm2, 19 mm2, 20 mm2, 21 mm2, 22 mm2, 23 mm2, 24 mm2, 25 mm2. 26 mm2, 27 mm2, 28 mm2, 29 mm2, 30 mm2.

[0571] The average surface area of unmounted or mounted radiation sources 1 , 120 may be between 3 mm2and 30 mm2, e.g. 15 mm2.

[0572] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1, 120 being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171. 172 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm, 7 cm, 6. cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm.

[0573] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1. 120 being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171. 172 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm.

[0574] The distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1, 120 being nearest to the one of the earner edges of the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 may be between 2 cm and 8 cm. e.g. 4 cm.

[0575] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1, 120 being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm. 3 cm, 2 cm.

[0576] According to at least one embodiment, the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1, 120 being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm. 5 cm. 6 cm, 7 cm.

[0577] The distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 and a radiation source 1, 120 being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 may be between 2 cm and 8 cm, e.g. 4 cm

[0578] An advantage in minimizing the distance between the radiation source 1, 120 and a carrier edge is that "empty spaces", e.g. areas of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 which are not used, in particular perimeter areas of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 which are not used, are minimized. This makes the device more compact and economically more valuable, thereby also increasing its potential use in patient treating.

[0579] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation sources 1, 120 being arranged nearest to the first and second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 of at least one radiation source carrier 2, 170 define a perimeter of a radiation surface 180.

[0580] The area of the radiation surface 180 does not necessarily depend on the number of radiation sources 1, 120, as long as at least three radiation sources 1, 120 are arranged on to the carrier. With three radiation sources 1. 120, a triangular radiation surface 180 area may be achieved. With 4 radiation sources 1, 120 a four sides radiation surface 180 may be achieved.

[0581] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation surface 180 comprises a first pair of radiation surface edges 181, 182, the first pair of radiation surface edges 181. 182 being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of radiation surface edges 183, 184. the second pair of radiation surface edges 183, 184 being arranged opposite to each other.

[0582] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of radiation surface edges 181, 182 and the second pair of radiation surface edges 183, 184 are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. According to at least one embodiment, for at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface 180 and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface 180 carrier is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 %, 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 45 %, 50 %, 55 %, 60 %, 65%, 70 %.

[0583] According to at least one embodiment, for at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface 180 and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface 180 carrier is less than or equal to one of the following values: 70 %, 65 %, 60 %, 55 %, 50 %,45 %, 40 %, 35 %, 30 %, 20 %, 10 %, 5 %, 3 %.

[0584] For at least one radiation emitting unit 10. 110 the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface 180 and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface 180 carrier may be between 3 % and 70 %, e.g. 40%.

[0585] According to at least one embodiment, less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %. 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface 180 is covered by radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120.

[0586] According to at least one embodiment, greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface 180 is covered by radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120.

[0587] Between 4 % and 20 %, e.g. 12 % of the surface of at least one radiation surface 180 may be covered by radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120.

[0588] According to at least one embodiment, the surfaces of the radiation surface 180s of all radiation emitting units 10, 110 are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources 1, 120, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources 1, 120.

[0589] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation surface 180 comprises more than or equal to one of the following values: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 of radiation sources 1, 120. According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation surface 180 comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85. 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15. 10 of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0590] At least one radiation surface 180 may comprise between 10 and 85 radiation sources 1, 120, e.g. 45 radiation sources.

[0591] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0592] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources 1, 120.

[0593] The illumination device may comprise between 10 and 85 radiation sources 1, 120, e.g. 45 radiation sources.

[0594] According to at least one embodiment, the ration between the radiation surface 180 and the carrier surface is one-to-one, meaning that the carrier edges correspond to the radiation surface 180 edges, for at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110. This may also mean that the radiation sources 1, 120 on the perimeter of the radiation surface 180 are arranged on the carrier edges. This may minimize any empty space on near the edges of the radiations source carrier. This may also result in a more homogeneous radiation, as the radiation sources 1, 120 of different radiation surface 180 carrier are arranged nearer to each other. It therefore results in a maximization of used space on the radiation source carrier 2, 170. It has to be noted, that the advantages do not only apply in cases where the ratio is 1 to 1 but my also apply for other ratios. Furthermore, a further advantage in all those cases is the maximization of material used. This may lead to a minimization of costs.

[0595] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface 180 and the carrier surface area of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 is the same for at least two radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0596] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of the plurality of radiation emitting units 10, 110 has a different ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface 180 and the surface area of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 than a second radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0597] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation source carrier 2, 170 has a surface area of the radiation surface 180 being smaller than the surface area of the radiation surface 180 of at least a second radiation source carrier 2, 170.

[0598] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first radiation source carrier 2, 170 has a first carrier surface area which is smaller than a second carrier surface area of a second radiation source carrier 2, 170.

[0599] According to at least one embodiment, a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is greater than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2. 1 to 1.

[0600] According to at least one embodiment, a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is less than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 1, 1 to 2, 1 to 3. 1 to 4.

[0601] The carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area may be between 1 to 1 and 1 to 4, e.g. 1 to 2.

[0602] According to at least one embodiment, the first radiation source carrier 2. 170 has fewer radiation sources 1, 120 than the second radiation source carrier 2, 170.

[0603] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the number of radiation sources 1, 120 on the first radiation source carrier 2, 170 and the number of radiation sources 1, 120 on the second radiation source carrier 2, 170 is less than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

[0604] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the number of radiation sources 1, 120 on the first radiation source carrier 2, 170 and the number of radiation sources 1, 120 on the second radiation source carrier 2, 170 is greater than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

[0605] According to at least one embodiment the radiation surface 180 earner of at least two radiation emitting units 10, 110 may have different size. Radiation source carriers with different sizes may still comprise the same number of radiation source 1, 120. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 radiation emitting units 10. 110.

[0606] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises an uneven number of radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0607] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises an even number of radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0608] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 define a carrier width of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 and the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 define a carrier length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170.

[0609] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is at least 0.3 to 0.9, 0.4 to 0.6.

[0610] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of at least one radiation emitting unit, 10, 110 is at least: 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0611] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is at most 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0612] The ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 may be between 1 to 1 and 1 to 10, e.g. 1 to 4.

[0613] In one example, three out of five radiation emitting units 10, 110 may comprise a higher ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units (not shown).

[0614] According to at least one embodiment, the first pair of radiation surface edges 181, 182 define a radiation surface 180 width of the radiation surface 180 of a radiation source carrier 2, 170 and the second pair of radiation surface edges 183, 184 define a radiation surface 180 length of the radiation surface 180 of a radiation source carrier 2, 170. According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface 180 width and the radiation surface 180 length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

[0615] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at most: 1 to 10, 1 to 9. 1 to 8, 1 to 7. 1 to 6, 1 to 5. 1 to 4. 1 to 3, 1 to 2. 1 to 1.

[0616] The ratio between the radiation surface 180 width and the radiation surface 180 length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit may be between 1 to 10 an 1 to 1, e.g. 1 to 4

[0617] In one example, three out of five radiation emitting units may comprise a higher ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier compared to the remaining two radiation emitting units

[0618] According to at least one embodiment, the ratio between the radiation surface 180 width and the radiation surface 180 length of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is at least 0.25 to 0.8, at least 0.3 to 0.6, at least 0.35 to 0.5.

[0619] According to at least one embodiment, comprising at least a common support 200 configured to support the radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0620] According to at least one embodiment, the common support 200 comprises a main body portion 210 element and at least one arm 220, the arm 220 being configured to connect the radiation emitting units 10, 110 to the main body portion 210 element.

[0621] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of a radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg.

[0622] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of a radiation emitting unit 10. 110 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 kg, 9 kg, 8 kg, 7 kg, 6 kg, 5 kg, 4 kg, 3 kg, 2 kg.

[0623] The weight of a radiation emitting unit 10, 110 may be between 1 kg and 10 kg, e.g. 4 kg.

[0624] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units 10, 110 and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg, 7.5 kg. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units 10, 110 and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 is greater than or equal to one of the following values 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg.

[0625] The illumination device may comprise five radiation emitting units 10, 110 and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 may be between 5 kg and 30 kg. e g. 20 kg.

[0626] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support 200 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, 40 kg, 45 kg, 50kg, 55 kg, 60 kg.

[0627] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support 200 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 65 kg, 60 kg, 55 kg, 50 kg, 45 kg, 40 kg, 35 kg, 30 kg, 25 kg, 20 kg.

[0628] The weight of the common support 200 may be between 15 kg and 65 kg, e.g. 40 kg.

[0629] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion 210 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 kg. 10 kg, 15 kg. 20 kg, 25 kg. 30 kg, 35 kg, 40kg, 45 kg.

[0630] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion 210 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 kg, 40 kg, 35 kg, 30 kg, 25 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg.

[0631] The weight of the main body portion 210 may be between 5 kg and 45 kg, e.g. 30 kg.

[0632] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the arm 220 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg. 7kg, 10 kg, 12 kg. 15 kg.

[0633] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the arm 220 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 17kg, 15 kg, 12kg. 10 kg, 7kg, 5 kg. 3 kg.

[0634] The weight of the arm 220 may be between 2 kg and 17 kg, e.g. 7 kg.

[0635] According to at least one embodiment, the total weight of the common support is greater than or equal to 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units. According to at least one embodiment, the total weight of the common support is less than or equal to 4.5, 4.4, 4.3. 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.9. 3.8, 3.7, 3.6, 3.5. 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1. 3.0, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

[0636] The total w eight of the common support may be betw een 2.0 and 4.5 times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units, e.g. 2.8 times.

[0637] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the main body portion wherein the weight of the main body portion is greater than or equal to 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units

[0638] According to at least one embodiment, wherein the weight of the main body portion is less than or equal to 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, 2.9, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.5, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

[0639] The weight of the main body portion may be between 2.5 and 3.5 times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units, e.g. 3.0 times.

[0640] The above weights for the features of the illumination device 100 have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing an illumination device 100 which is compact, easy to handle by an operator and has enhanced stability, e.g. is balanced.

[0641] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220 comprises at least a first portion 222 and a second portion 224.

[0642] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion 222 is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and the second portion 224 is axially, rotationally and / or pivotally connected to the main body portion 210 of the illumination device 100.

[0643] According to at least one embodiment, movement of the second portion 224 with respect to the main body portion 210 based on the axial, rotational and / or pivotal connection of the second portion 224 with respect to the main body portion 210 is limited. The second portion 224 and / or the main body portion 210 may comprise a blocking mechanism (not shown) configured to limit the amount of relative movement of the second portion 224 with respect to the main body portion 210. According to at least one embodiment, the first portion 222 is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and the second portion 224 is fixedly connected to the main body portion 210 of the illumination device 100.

[0644] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion 222and the second portion 224 are rotationally and / or pivotally connected to each other.

[0645] This may allow the enhanced positioning of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 connected two the second portion 224 of the arm 220, with respect to the irradiation object 140.

[0646] According to at least one embodiment, the rotational and / or pivotal connection of the first portion 222 with respect to the second portion 224 is limited. The second portion 224 and / or the first portion 222 may comprise a blocking mechanism (not shown) configured to limit the amount of relative movement of the second portion 224 with respect to the first portion 222 and / or viceversa.

[0647] The first portion 222 may have a range movement of between: 10 and 350 degrees, 10 and 310 degrees, 10 and 260 degrees, 10 and 210 degrees, 10 and 180 degrees, 10 and 150 degrees, 10 and 120 degrees, 10 and 90 degrees. 10 and 50 degrees, with respect to a pivotal and / or rotational movement relative to the second portion 224. The first portion 222 may have a range movement of between 10 and 180 degrees with respect to a pivotal and / or rotational movement relative to the second portion 224.

[0648] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220 is moveable into an extended state in which one end of the second portion 224 of the arm 220 is at the greatest radial distance from the main body.

[0649] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, in its extended position, extends parallel to the floor in an assembled state of the illumination device 100.

[0650] According to at least one embodiment, the first portion 222of the arm 220 and the second portion 224 of the arm 220 are connected to each other via a connection joint.

[0651] According to at least one embodiment, the connection joint is configured to hold a load of at least 6 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, 9 kg. 10 kg, 11 kg, 12 kg, 13 kg, 14 kg, 15 kg, when the first and second portions are in an extended state. The connection joint may be configured to hold between 6 kg and 15 kg when the first and second portions are in an extended state, e.g. 12 kg.

[0652] According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support 200 is such that, when a downwards force of less than or equal to 40 N, 39 N, 38 N, 37 N, 36 N, 35 N, 34 N, 33 N, 32 N, 31 N, 30 N, is applied on the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 when the arm 220 is in its extended state, the common support 200 holds the radiation emitting units 10, 110 without tilting. According to at least one embodiment, the weight of the common support 200 is such that, when a downwards force of greater than or equal to 15 N, 16 N, 17 N, 18 N, 19 N, 20 N, 21 N, 22 N, 23 N, 24 N, 25 N, 26 N, 27 N, 28 N, 29 , is applied on the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 when the arm 220 is in its extended state, the common support 200 holds the radiation emitting units 10, I 10 without tilting.

[0653] The w eight of the common support 200 may be such that, when a downwards force of betw een 15 N and 40 N. e.g. of 25 N, is applied on the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 when the arm 220 is in its extended state, the common support 200 holds the radiation emitting units 10, 110 without tilting.

[0654] The common support 200 may tilt, when at least one wheel 218 does not touch the ground.

[0655] A tilting of the illumination device 100 may result in the whole illumination device 100 tipping over. Tipping over of the illumination device 100 is a hazard both for the patient and the operator. It may also result in the breakage of parts of the illumination device 100. In the extended state of the arm 220, tilting may occur more often. As such it has proven particularly advantageous to provide an illumination device 100 with a weight such that when a downwards force of 30 N is applied on the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 when the arm 220 is in its extended state, the common support 200 holds the radiation emitting units 10, 110 without tilting. The force may be caused for example by the weight of the radiation emitting units 10, 110, e g. the gravitational force. The force may also be caused by an operator handling the illumination device 100, e.g. moving the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in their position with respect to the irradiation object 140 and / or changing the relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other.

[0656] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises a central radiation emitting unit 10, 110, at least two intermediate radiation emitting units 10, 110 and two outermost radiation emitting units 10, 110, wherein the two intermediate radiation emitting units 10, 110 are connected to the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 on respectively two opposite sides of the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and the two outermost radiation emitting units 10, 110 are connected to one intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110, respectively.

[0657] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises a central radiation emitting unit 10, 110, at least two inner intermediate radiation emitting units 10, 110 and two outer intermediate radiation emitting units 10. 110 and two outermost radiation emitting units 10, HO, wherein one inner intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is connected to one side of the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is connected to the other side of the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110, wherein one outer intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is connected on one side with the inner intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and on the other side with the one outermost radiation emitting unit 10, 110, wherein the other outer intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is connected to the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 on one side and to the other outermost radiation emitting unit 10, 110 on the other side.

[0658] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, in particular the first portion 222 of the arm 220 is connected to the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 via a main joint.

[0659] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is configured to rotate with respect to the arm 220.

[0660] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate more than or equal to 10 degrees, 50 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, 300 degrees, 330 degrees, 360 degrees, with respect to the arm., e.g. 180 degrees.

[0661] According to at least one embodiment, the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate less than or equal tolO degrees, 50 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, 300 degrees, 330 degrees, 360 degrees, with respect to the arm, e.g. 300 degrees.

[0662] The central radiation emitting unit my be configured to rotate between 10 and 360 degrees, e.g. 180 degrees. According to at least one embodiment, the main joint is configured to hold a load of at least 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg. 35 kg, 40 kg. 45 kg, 50 kg.

[0663] The main joint may be configured to hold a load of between 10 kg and 50 kg, e.g. 35 kg.

[0664] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 further comprises at least three radiation emitting unit 10, 110, wherein the at least three radiation emitting units 10, 110 are configured to be brought in a U-shaped configuration.

[0665] According to at least one embodiment, the at least three radiation emitting units 10, 110 are configured to be brought in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0666] In the flat-shaped configuration the radiation emitting units 10, 110 may be aligned on a same axis. In other words, in a flat shaped configuration the radiation source carriers 2. 170 of the radiation emitting units 10, 1 10 are arranged on a same plane. In even other words, the normal vectors of the radiation source carriers 2, 170 and / or of the normal vectors of the radiation surfaces 180 are substantially parallel to each other (e.g. parallel to each other considering product related tolerances).

[0667] According to at least one embodiment, in the U-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of one radiation emitting units 10, 110 form an angle with the normal vector of another radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of betw een 1 degree to 120 degrees, or of between 20 degrees and 90 degrees, or of between 30 degrees and 70 degrees, or of between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, or of ca 50 degree.

[0668] The U-shaped configuration may therefore any configuration in which the radiation emitting units 10, 110 from an angle with respect to each other. In particular, the U-shaped configuration may be defined as a configuration in w hich at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 forms an angle with respect to another radiation emitting unit 10, 110. There might be configuration in which some radiation emitting units 10, 110 are arranged parallel to each other, but the illumination is still in the U-shaped configuration, e g. if a central and the outermost panels are position parallel to each other but an intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 is positioned at an angle with respect to the central radiation emitting unit 10, 1 10 and / or with respect to the outermost radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0669] According to at least one embodiment, the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of the illumination device 100 may be configured to be brought to a final U-shaped configuration. The final U- shaped configuration may be a configuration in which the radiation emitting units 10, 110 may- have reached a maximum predetermined angle between each other. From the final U-shaped configuration, the device may only be brought towards the flat-shaped configuration.

[0670] According to at least one embodiment, in the flat-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier 2, 170 of all radiation emitting units 10, 110 are substantially parallel to each other or at least one of the radiation carriers relative to any of the other carriers at an angle of less than 20 degrees.

[0671] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10. 110 and a radiation source 1. 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10, 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 110, in a flat shaped configuration of the radiation emitting units 10, 110, is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm. 4 cm, 3 cm.

[0672] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and a radiation source 1, 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10, 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 110, in a flat shape configuration of the illumination device 100 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm.

[0673] The shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and a radiation source 1, 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10. 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 1 10, in a flat shape configuration of the illumination device 100 is may be between 1 cm and 10 cm, e.g. 5 cm.

[0674] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and a radiation source 1, 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10, 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 110, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device 100 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 9 cm. 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm.

[0675] According to at least one embodiment, the shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and a radiation source 1, 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10. 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 110, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device 100, is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm. The shortest distance between a radiation source 1, 120 of a first radiation emitting unit 10, 110 and a radiation source 1, 120 of a second radiation emitting unit 10. 110, the second radiation emitting unit 10, 110 being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit 10, 110, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device 100 may be between 1 cm and 10 cm, e.g. 3 cm.

[0676] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other.

[0677] According to at least one embodiment, in a configuration in which at least two radiation emitting units are arranged substantially parallel to each other the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is less than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0678] According to at least one embodiment, in a configuration in which at least two radiation emitting units are arranged substantially parallel to each other the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is more or equal than 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm, e.g. greater than or equal to 100 cm.

[0679] In a configuration in which at least two radiation emitting units are arranged substantially parallel to each other the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units my be between 50 cm and 300 cm, e.g. 200 cm.

[0680] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other such that the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is less than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0681] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other such that the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is greater than or equal to 300 cm, 250 cm, 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, 50 cm.

[0682] At least two radiation emitting units are configured such as to be brought into a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other such that the distance between the center points of the two radiation source carriers of the two radiation emitting units is between 50 cm and 300 cm. e.g. 200 cm. The shortest distance may be defined as the length of the vector directly connecting the two radiation sources 1, 120 in the three dimensions. It has proven to be advantageous to have the shortest distance in between the above-mentioned values, as it minimizes the borders between the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in which no radiation source 1, 120 is arranged. The connection of the radiation mitting units may result in areas in which no radiation is provided, e.g. the connection areas between the radiation emitting units 10, 110. Minimizing such areas result in a more homogeneous radiation.

[0683] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 further comprises a motor configured to change the configuration of the radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0684] According to at least one embodiment, the motor is an electric motor.

[0685] According to at least one embodiment the electronic control unit 150 is configured to operate the motor, e.g. the electric motor, in order to change the configuration of the radiation emitting units 10, 110, e.g. from a flat-shaped configuration to a U-shaped configuration.

[0686] According to at least one embodiment, at least two radiation emitting units 10, 110 are connected to each other via at least one hinge.

[0687] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one hinge is configured to permit a predetermined amount of rotation of the radiation emitting units 10. 110 with respect to each other.

[0688] Setting the predetermined amount of rotation of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other, may be useful for permitting an operator of the illumination device 100 to set the radiation emitting units 10. 110 at a predetermined position with respect to each other. In other words, an operator of the illumination device 100 may rotate the radiation emitting units 10, 110 until it is not longer possible and may therefore know that the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are at a predetermined position with respect to each other, e.g. that they have a predetermined angle with respect to each other.

[0689] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one hinge is a torque hinge, a detent hinge or a counterbalance hinge.

[0690] It may be advantageous to provide such hinges 240 as they may define a maximum and / or a minimum orientation of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other. For example, they may define a maximum or minimum angle between the radiation mitting units. The angle between the radiation mitting units may be measured by measuring the angle of the normal vectors of the radiation emitting units 10, 110.

[0691] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises at least a first hinge, the first hinge being configured to connect the central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 with one intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0692] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees. 170 degrees. 150 degrees, 130 degrees, 110 degrees, 90 degrees, 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

[0693] According to at least one embodiment, at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 degrees. 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, 150 degrees. 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees.

[0694] At least a first hinge may be configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of between 30 degrees and 210 degrees, e.g. 180 degrees.

[0695] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge connects a central radiation emitting unit 10, 110 with one intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0696] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises at least a second hinge, the second hinge being configured to connect one intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 with one outermost radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0697] According to at least one embodiment, at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees. 170 degrees, 150 degrees, 130 degrees, 110 degrees, 90 degrees, 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

[0698] According to at least one embodiment, at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 degrees. 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, 150 degrees. 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees. At least the second hinge may be configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 of between 30 degrees and 210 degrees, e.g. of 180 degrees.

[0699] According to at least one embodiment, the second hinge connects an intermediate radiation emitting unit 10, 110 with the outermost radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0700] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to permit less relative movement than the second hinge.

[0701] According to at least one embodiment, at least one hinge of the plurality of hinges 240 is configured to have a higher or lower torque strength with respect to the other hinges 240.

[0702] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a higher torque strength than the second hinge.

[0703] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 N-m, 2 N-m, 3 N-m, 4 N-m, 5 N-m, 6 N-m, 7 N-m, 8 N-m, 9 N-m.

[0704] According to at least one embodiment, the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 N-m, 9 N-m, 8 N-m, 7 N-m, 6 N-m, 5 N- m, 4 N-m, 3 N-m, 2 N-m.

[0705] The first hinge may be configured to comprise a torque strength of between 1 N-m and 10 N-m, e.g. of 4 N-m.

[0706] According to at least one embodiment, the at least one first hinge and / or the at least one second hinge are configured such as to be able to hold the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in a flatshaped configuration when the radiations surface is facing the floor.

[0707] According to at least one embodiment, the hinges 240 are electrically actuated by the motor to change the relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other.

[0708] It may be advantageous to provide such hinges 240 as they may define a maximum and / or a minimum orientation of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other. For example, they may define a maximum or minimum angle between the radiation mitting units. The angle between the radiation mitting units may be measured by measuring the angle of the normal vectors of the radiation emitting units 10, 110. According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 comprises at least one locking mechanism (not shown) configured to lock movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other and / or configured to lock movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in a specific configuration with respect to each other. The locking mechanism may be preconfigured to lock the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in a specific configuration, e.g. the locking mechanism may be such as to lock the radiation emitting units in their flat shape configuration.

[0709] The locking mechanism may comprise a snap mechanism, e.g. all radiation emitting units may be configured such as to be snapped in a specific configuration with respect to each other.

[0710] The locking mechanism may be actuatable, e.g. a user of the illumination device may be able to actuate the locking mechanism such as to lock movement of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 in a configuration, e.g. a desired configuration.

[0711] Each radiation emitting unit 10, 110 may comprise at least one locking mechanism configured to lock relative movement of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 with respect to another radiation emitting unit 10, 110.

[0712] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 is configured to provide the irradiation object 140 with at least a minimum target irradiation dose.

[0713] According to at least one embodiment, the minimum target irradiation dose in 10 min is at least any of the following values 3 J / cm2, 4 J / cm2, 5 J / cm2, 6 J / cm2, 7 J / cm2, 8 J / cm2, 9 J / cm2, 10 J / cm2.

[0714] The minimum target irradiation dose in 10 minutes may be between 3 J / cm2and 10 J / cm2.

[0715] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to adjust or to recommend adjustment of at least one operation parameter of the irradiation operation.

[0716] According to at least one embodiment, at least one operation parameter is adjusted or recommended to be adjusted to provide a minimum irradiation dose in the illumination session.

[0717] According to at least one embodiment, at least one operation parameter may be one of, more of or all of following parameters: - relative positions of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other, e.g. u- shaped or flat shaped configuration;

[0718] - relative positions of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 relative to the irradiation object 140;

[0719] - duration of the illumination session;

[0720] - radiation power of the radiation sources 1, 120;

[0721] - wavelength of the radiation sources 1, 120.

[0722] According to at least one embodiment, the duration of the illumination session may be correlated with the wavelength of the radiation sources 1, 120.

[0723] The relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other may be defined by the angle between the radiation emitting units 10, 110. The angle between the radiation emitting units 10, 110 may be calculated via the normal vectors extending from the radiation source carriers 2, 170 of the respective radiation emitting units 10, 110. An example of the relative position between the radiation emitting units 10, 110 may for example be the flat- shaped configuration and / or the u-shaped configuration and / or the final u-shaped configuration.

[0724] The relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 relative to the irradiation object 140 may change even when the relative positions of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other are fixed. The radiation emitting units 10, 110 may for example be at a U-shaped position and moved axially along the longitudinal axis of extension of the irradiation object 140, e.g. of the patient.

[0725] The duration of the illumination session may be varied according to the relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other and / or with respect to the irradiation object 140.

[0726] According to at least on embodiment, the duration of the entire illumination session may be less than or equal to one of the following values: one of the following values: 25 min, 24 min, 23 min, 22 min, 21 min, 20 min, 19 min, 18 min, 17 min, 16 min, 15 min, 14 min, 13 min. Session durations up to 25 minutes are usually accepted by users. Additionally, or alternatively, the duration of the entire illumination session may be greater than or equal to one of the following values: one of the following values: 10 min, 1 1 min, 12 min, 13 min. The duration of the session may be between 10 min and 23 min, for example, e.g. 18 minutes, 19 minutes, 20 minutes, 21 minutes, 22 minutes.

[0727] The duration of the entire illumination session may be between 10 min and 22 in, e.g. 17 min. According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to adjust or recommend adjustment of the duration of the illumination session depending on the relative positions of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 relative to the radiation object.

[0728] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

[0729] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

[0730] According to at least one embodiment, not all radiation emitting units 10, 110 may be in operation during an illumination session. According to at least one embodiment only some radiation emitting units 10. 110 are in operation during an illumination session. The electronic control unit 150 may therefore be configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

[0731] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to increase or recommend to increase the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 the more acute the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110, is.

[0732] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to decrease or recommend to decrease the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 the more obtuse the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110, is.

[0733] According to at least one embodiment, adjusting or recommending to adjust comprises increasing or recommending to increase and / or decreasing or recommending to decrease and / or modifying or recommending to modify any of the at least one operation parameter.

[0734] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to increase the duration of the operation session when the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are in their flatshaped configuration compared to when they are in their U-shaped configuration. According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, when the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are in a U-shaped configuration.

[0735] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 minutes, 40 minutes, 35 minutes, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes when the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are in a U-shaped configuration.

[0736] The electronic control unit 150 may be configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to between 5 minutes and 45 minutes when the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are in a U-shaped configuration, e g. 25 minutes.

[0737] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, when the radiation emitting units 10, 110 are in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0738] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes. 15 minutes, 10 minutes when the radiation emitting units 10, 1 10 are in a flat-shaped configuration.

[0739] The electronic control unit 150 may be configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device 100 to between 5 minutes and 40 minutes, e.g. 30 minutes, when the radiation emitting units 10, 1 10 are in a flat-shaped configuration

[0740] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 further comprises a feedback element configured to generate a feedback providing a user of the illumination device 100 with an adjustment recommendation.

[0741] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to adjust or recommend adjusting at least one of the operation parameters of the illumination device 100. e.g. the duration of the illumination session, depending on the distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection point i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or between the intersection i-ac, i-bc point of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10. 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140.

[0742] According to at least one embodiment the minimum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac. i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a. nl lOb, nl lOc of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm. 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm. 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0743] According to at least one embodiment the minimum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac. i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl lOb, ni l 0c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm. 10 cm.

[0744] The minimum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl lOb, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac, i- bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl lOb, nl 10c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10. 1 10 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 may be between 5 cm and 55 cm, e.g. 35 cm.

[0745] According to at least one embodiment the average distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i- ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a. nl 10b. nl lOc of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl lOb, nl lOc of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm. 10 cm. 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm. 40 cm. 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0746] According to at least one embodiment the average distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i- ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a. nl 10b. nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

[0747] The average distance d-ac. d-bc between the intersection i-ac. i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl lOb, nl lOc of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac, i- bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10. 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 may be between 5 cm and 55 cm, e.g. 35 cm.

[0748] According to at least one embodiment the maximum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac. i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl lOb, ni l 0c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm. 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

[0749] According to at least one embodiment the maximum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl lOb, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac. i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a, nl lOb, nl 10c of the radiation emitting unit 10, 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

[0750] The maximum distance d-ac, d-bc between the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the normal vectors nl 10a, nl 10b, nl 10c of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 or the intersection i-ac, i-bc of the vectors of the main beam direction nl 10a. nl 10b, nl 10c of the radiation emitting unit 10. 110 of at least two operating radiation emitting units 10, 110 and an irradiation surface 141 of the irradiation object 140 may be between 5 cm and 55 cm, e.g. 35 cm.

[0751] According to at least one embodiment, the illumination device 100 further comprises one or more or all of: - a heating system;

[0752] - a cooling system;

[0753] - a ventilation system.

[0754] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation emitting units 10, 110 comprises one of or more of or all of:

[0755] - a heating system;

[0756] - a cooling system;

[0757] - a ventilation system.

[0758] According to at least one embodiment, the cooling system 260may be comprised in the heating system 250and / or the ventilation system 270and / or wherein the ventilation system 270may comprise the heating system.

[0759] According to at least one embodiment, the heating system 250is configured to heat the irradiation object 140 prior to the irradiation operation.

[0760] According to at least one embodiment, the cooling system 260and / or the ventilation system 270are configured to cool at least one radiation source 1, 120 on the radiation source carrier 2, 170 and / or are configured to cool the irradiation object 140.

[0761] According to at least one embodiment, the ventilation system 270 is configured to direct cooling air directly towards the irradiation object 140 or indirectly towards an area adjacent to the irradiation object 140.

[0762] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to pause the cooling system 260 and / or the ventilation system 270 when the irradiation operation is paused.

[0763] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to continue operation of the cooling system 260 and / or the ventilation system 270 when the irradiation operation is paused.

[0764] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to operate the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 for more than or equal to one of the following values: 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds, 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds, 100 seconds, 200 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated. According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to operate the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260for less than or equal to one of the following values: 300 seconds. 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds, 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

[0765] The electronic control unit 150 is configured to operate the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 for a period of between 30 seconds and 300 seconds, e.g. 100 seconds, after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

[0766] According to at least one embodiment, the electronic control unit 150 is configured to operate the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260in such a ways as to keep the increase in temperature of the radiation sources 1, 120 during operation of the illumination system, lower or equal than 50 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius. 30 degrees Celsius.

[0767] The electronic control unit 150 may be configured to operate the ventilation system 270 and / or the cooling system 260 in such a way as to keep the increase in temperature of the radiation sources 1, 120 during operation of the illumination system of between 30 degrees Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius, e.g. 30 degrees Celsius.

[0768] According to at least one embodiment, the wheels 218 have a diameter being greater than or equal to following values: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm. 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm.

[0769] According to at least one embodiment, the wheels 218 have a diameter being less than or equal to following values: 20 cm, 19 cm. 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm. 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm.

[0770] The wheels 218 may have a diameter of between 5 cm and 20 cm, e.g. 10 cm.

[0771] It has proven advantageous to have wheels 218 with diameter of at least 5 cm. Especially when the illumination device 100 is used in private practitioner’s practice the rooms of the practice may have doorsteps that need to be overcome when transporting the device from one room to another. In order to avoid any tipping off of the device the above diameters of the wheels 218 have proven to be particular advantageous.

[0772] According to at least one embodiment, at least one radiation emitting unit 10, 110 comprises a handle configured to be used by a user. According to at least one embodiment greater than one radiation emitting unit 10, 110, e.g. all radiation emitting units 10. 110 comprise handle. The handle may be useful for an operator of the illumination device 100 in order to bring the illumination device 100, e.g. the radiation emitting units 10, 110 into a specific a configuration, e.g. in the u-shaped configuration.

[0773] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm.

[0774] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220. the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 100 cm, 90 cm, 80 cm, 70 cm, 60 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm.

[0775] The arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 may be configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of between 20 cm and 100 cm, e.g. 60 cm.

[0776] According to at least one embodiment the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm. 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm.

[0777] According to at least one embodiment the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 60 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm. 30 cm, 20 cm.

[0778] The arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 may be configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of between 20 cm and 100 cm, e.g. 50 cm.

[0779] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm. 10 cm. 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm. According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm.

[0780] The arm 220. the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 may be configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of between 0 cm and 60 cm, e g. 30 cm.

[0781] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

[0782] According to at least one embodiment, the arm 220. the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

[0783] The arm 220, the first portion of the arm 222 and / or the second portion of the arm 224 may be configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of between 0 cm and 60 cm, e.g. 20 cm.

[0784] According to at least one embodiment the illumination device comprises a user interface, e.g. an user interface with which a user of the illumination device can control at least some proprieties of the illumination device.

[0785] The user interface may allow one or more or all of at least the following actions: Switching the illumination device on or off;

[0786] Switching at least one radiation emitting unit on or off, e.g. all radiation emitting units;

[0787] - Controlling radiation power of one or more radiation emitting units;

[0788] - Controlling the distance between at least one radiation emitting unit and an irradiation object;

[0789] Moving at least one radiation emitting unit with respect to another radiation emitting unit, e.g. via controlling the motor; Bringing at least two radiation emitting units to a specific configuration with respect to each other, e.g. bringing all radiation emitting units into a specific configuration, e.g. via the motor;

[0790] - Locking the position of at least one radiation emitting unit with respect to another radiation emitting unit;

[0791] - Providing information regarding the radiation process.

[0792] According to at least one embodiment, a method for treating a skin disease is provided. The method may comprise the following steps: a) applying a pharmaceutical substance to the surface of the skin in a region which is to be treated; b) arranging the skin region to be treated in a predetermined object location 300 of the illumination device 100 according to any of the preceding claims, c) irradiating the skin region to be treated with the illumination device 100.

[0793] The invention described herein is not limited by the description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention comprises any new feature as well as any combination of features, particularly including any combination of features in the patent claims, even if said feature or said combination per se is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.

[0794] In the following, items are disclosed. The items are numbered to facilitate referencing the features of one item in other items. The items describe embodiments of the disclosure and form part of the disclosure of the present application and could be made subject to independent and / or dependent claims irrespective of what currently is claimed in the application and also independent of the references in brackets. We note, however, that the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims, where the following items do not constitute claims.

[0795] The sets of embodiments are:

[0796] First set of embodiments:

[0797] 1. Illumination device (100) for photodynamic therapy,

[0798] - the illumination device (100) comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit (10), - the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit (10) comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source (1).

[0799] - the electromagnetic radiation source (1) being configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object (200) in an illumination session,

[0800] - wherein the irradiation object (200) is to be arranged at a predetermined object location (300),

[0801] - wherein the predetermined object location (300) is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output area (11) of the radiation emitting unit (10) through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source (1) exits the radiation emitting unit (10) during operation of the illumination device (100).

[0802] 2. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 1,

[0803] - wherein the radiation emitting unit (10) comprises a plurality of radiation sources (1) arranged on a common radiation source carrier (2),

[0804] - wherein an occupancy density of the radiation source carrier (2) with radiation sources (1) is smaller in a center region of the radiation source carrier (2) than in peripheral regions of the radiation source carrier (2) outside the center region.

[0805] 3. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 2, wherein the radiation sources (1) are arranged in a one- or two-dimensional pattern on the radiation source carrier (2).

[0806] 4. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 3, wherein the pattern is irregular.

[0807] 5. Illumination device (100) according to any of the embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the radiation source carrier (2) is an elongate carrier with a main direction of extension defining a longitudinal direction (L).

[0808] 6. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 3 or any of embodiments 4 and 5 in their dependency of embodiment 3, wherein the pattern is symmetrical relative to one axis or two axes, which are perpendicular. 7. Illumination device (100) according to any of the embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the radiation sources (1) on the radiation source carrier (2) are grouped into a plurality of groups (12, 13, 14), wherein the radiation sources (1) of each group (12, 13, 14) are arranged in a regular group pattern, wherein at least two groups (12, 13) of the plurality of groups have different group patterns.

[0809] 8. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 7, wherein at least two groups (13, 14) of the plurality of groups (12, 13, 14) have the same group pattern.

[0810] 9. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 8,

[0811] - wherein a first group (12) with a first group pattern is arranged between a second group (13) and a third group (14), when seen in plan view of the radiation source carrier (2),

[0812] - wherein the second (13) and the third (14) group have the same group pattern and the first group (12) has a different group pattern.

[0813] 10. Illumination device (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the radiation emitting unit (10) comprises a unit housing (3) which defines an outer edge (30) of the radiation emitting unit (10).

[0814] 11. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 10,

[0815] - wherein the radiation emitting unit (10) comprises a plurality of radiation source carriers (2), each radiation source carrier (2) being provided with a plurality of radiation sources (1),

[0816] - wherein the radiation source carrier (2) closest to the outer edge (30) is oriented such that a main radiation direction (V) of the radiation sources (1) on this radiation source carrier (2) is outwardly offset from a main radiation direction (V) of the radiation sources (1) on another radiation source carrier (2) further away from the outer edge (30).

[0817] 12. Illumination device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the radiation emitting unit (10) comprises one continuous radiation source earner (2) common for all radiation sources (1) of the radiation emitting unit (10). 13. Illumination device according to any of the embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the radiation emitting unit (10) comprises a plurality of radiation source carriers (2), each radiation source carrier (2) being provided with a plurality of radiation sources (1), at least two radiation source carriers (2) being arranged angled relative to one another, wherein the radiation source carriers (2) are

[0818] - fixed in their relative position to one another or

[0819] - movable relative to one another.

[0820] 14. Illumination device (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments,

[0821] - wherein the at least one radiation source (1) is an optoelectronic component,

[0822] - wherein the emission spectrum of the optoelectronic component has a peak wavelength in one of the following ranges: 635 nm ± 4 nm, 542 nm ± 4 nm, 506 nm ± 4 nm.

[0823] 15. Illumination device (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the illumination device (100) comprises a plurality of radiation emitting units (10) which are mo v ably connected to one another.

[0824] 16. Illumination device (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the illumination device (100) comprises a location or distance monitoring system (4), wherein the monitoring system (4) is configured to monitor the location and / or the distance of the irradiation object (200) from the radiation emitting unit (10) and / or from the predetermined object location (300).

[0825] 17. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 16 in its dependency of embodiment 2, wherein

[0826] - the monitoring system (4) comprises a distance sensor (40) arranged on the radiation source earner (2) of the at least one radiation emitting unit (10),

[0827] - the distance sensor (40) is located offset of a geometric center of the radiation source carrier (2) when viewed in plan view. 18. Illumination device (100) according to embodiment 17, wherein the illumination device (100) is configured to compensate for distance or location variations of the irradiation object (200) from the respective radiation emitting unit (10) and / or the predetermined object location (300) in order to maintain a predetermined radiation dose during the illumination session.

[0828] 19. Illumination device (100) according to any of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the monitoring system (4) is configured to adjust the operation of the illumination device (100) or to call for an adjustment of the operation of the illumination device (100) by using one of, an arbitrary combination of or all of the following measures:

[0829] - varying the distance between the respective radiation emitting unit (10) and the irradiation object (200),

[0830] - adjusting the radiation power emitted by the respective radiation emitting unit (10), and / or

[0831] - adjusting a duration of the illumination session.

[0832] 20. A method for treating a skin disease comprising the following steps: a) applying a pharmaceutical substance to the surface of the skin in a region which is to be treated; b) arranging the skin region to be treated in a predetermined object location (300) of the illumination device (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, c) irradiating the skin region to be treated with the illumination device (100).

[0833] 21. A method for operating an illumination device (100) according to any of the embodiments 1 to 19, comprising the steps of:

[0834] - providing a measurement signal which is indicative for a distance between the radiation emitting unit (10) and the radiation object (200), - generating an operation signal as a function of the measurement signa...

Claims

Claims1. Illumination device for photodynamic therapy, the illumination device comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting unit comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source, the electromagnetic radiation source being configured to generate radiation for the irradiation of a region of an irradiation object in an illumination session, wherein the irradiation object is to be arranged at an object location, wherein the object location is arranged at a distance relative to a radiation output region of the radiation emitting units through which the radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation source exits the radiation emitting units during operation of the illumination device; and optionally further comprising at least one electronic control unit.

2. Illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic control unit.

3. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source during the operation of the illumination device.

4. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one distance sensor.

5. Illumination device according to claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to modify the radiation power provided by at least one radiation source depending on the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor.

6. Illumination device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to stop and / or pause the operation of at least one radiation source, when the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold.

7. Illumination device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,wherein the electronic control unit is configured to pause and / or stop the operation of at least one radiation source, when the distance of the irradiation object in the object location to the radiation output region measured by the distance sensor surpasses a predetermined distance threshold between the irradiation object and the radiation output region for a predetermined period of time.

8. Illumination device according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the predetermined distance threshold is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm.

9. Illumination device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the predetermined distance threshold is less than or equal to one of the following values: 22 cm, 21 cm, 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, 0.5 cm.

10. Illumination device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the predetermined period of time is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds, 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds, 100 seconds, 200 seconds, 300 seconds, 400 seconds, 500 seconds, 600 seconds, 700 seconds, 800 seconds, 900 seconds 1000 seconds.

11. Illumination device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the predetermined period of time is less than or equal to one of the following values: 1000 seconds, 900 seconds, 800 seconds, 700 seconds, 600 seconds, 500 seconds, 400 seconds, 300 seconds, 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds, 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds.

12. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein each of the radiation emitting units comprises a plurality of radiation sources arranged on a common radiation source carrier.

13. Illumination device according to claim 12.wherein each radiation source carrier comprises a first pair of carrier edges; the first pair of earner edges being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of carrier edges, the second pair of carrier edges being arranged opposite to each other14. Illumination device according to claim 13, wherein the first pair of carrier edges and the second pair of carrier edges are arranged perpendicular to each other.

15. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the global average distance calculated between each pair of radiation sources is equal to one of the following values: less than 20 cm, 19 cm. 18 cm. 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm. 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source with respect to the other radiation sources on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

16. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the global average distance calculated between each pair of radiation sources is equal to one of the following values: greater than 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm. 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, wherein the global average is calculated by measuring the distance between each radiation source with respect to the other radiation sources on the same carrier, without double counts, and taking the arithmetic average of the distances.

17. Illumination device according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the global average is a weighted or an unweighted global average.

18. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources is less than or equal to one of the following values: 15 cm, 14 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8, cm 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm.

19. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims.wherein the variation in average distance between a group of neighboring radiation sources is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 cm.4 cm. 5 cm. 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm.

20. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiation source carrier comprises at least two different types of radiation sources.

21. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference in t pe between the radiation sources may be given by one of, more of, or all of the following characteristics:Size- Wavelength emission- Radiance.

22. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %. 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

23. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %, 19 %, 18 %. 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %. 13 %, 12 %, 11 %. 10 %, 9 %. 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %. 4 %, 3%. of the surface of at least one radiation source carrier is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

24. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims. w herein the surfaces of the radiation source carriers of all radiation emitting units are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources.

25. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims.wherein at least one radiation source carrier comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values:

10.

15. 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85. of radiation sources.

26. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiation source carrier comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 of radiation sources.

27. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, of radiation sources.

28. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources.

29. Illumination device according to any one of claims 13 to 28, wherein the distance between one of the earner edges of the first pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the earner edges of the first pair of carrier edges is less than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm.

30. Illumination device according to any one of claims 13 to 29, wherein the distance between one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the first pair of carrier edges is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm. 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm.

31. Illumination device according to any one of claims 13 to 30, wherein the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3cm, 2 cm.

32. Illumination device according to any one of claims 13 to 31, wherein the distance between one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier and a radiation source being nearest to the one of the carrier edges of the second pair of carrier edges is less than or equal to one of the following values: 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm.

33. Illumination device according to any one of claims 13 to 32, wherein the radiation sources being arranged nearest to the first and second pair of carrier edges of at least one radiation source carrier define a perimeter of a radiation surface.

34. Illumination device according to claim 33, wherein the radiation surface comprises a first pair of radiation surface edges, the first pair of radiation surface edges being arranged opposite to each other, and a second pair of radiation surface edges, the second pair of radiation surface edges being arranged opposite to each other.

35. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein the first pair of radiation surface edges and the second pair of radiation surface edges are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.

36. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein for at least one radiation emitting unit the ratio betw een the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface carrier is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 3 %. 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %. 45 %, 50 %, 55 %, 60 %, 65%, 70 %.

37. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein for at least one radiation emitting unit the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation surface carrier is less than or equal to one of the following values: 70 %, 65 %, 60 %, 55 %, 50 %,45 %, 40 %, 35 %, 30 %, 20 %, 10 %, 5 %, 3 %.

38. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 37,wherein less than or equal to one of the following values: 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %- 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

39. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein greater than or equal to one of the following values 20 %, 19 %, 18 %, 17 %, 16 %, 15 %, 14 %, 13 %, 12 %, 11 %, 10 %, 9 %, 8, % 7 %, 6, %, 5 %, 4 %, 3%, of the surface of at least one radiation surface is covered by radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

40. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 39, wherein the surfaces of the radiation surfaces of all radiation emitting units are covered by the same percentage of radiation sources, measured with respect to the footprint of mounted or unmounted radiation sources.

41. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 40, wherein at least one radiation surface comprises more than or equal to one of the following values: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60. 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 of radiation sources.

42. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein at least one radiation surface comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 of radiation sources.

43. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 42, wherein the illumination device comprises greater than or equal to one of the following values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, of radiation sources.

44. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein the illumination device comprises fewer than or equal to one of the following values: 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 of radiation sources.

45. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 44,wherein the ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the carrier surface area of the radiation source carrier is the same for at least two radiation emitting units.

46. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 45, wherein at least a first radiation emitting unit of the plurality of radiation emitting units has a different ratio between the surface area of the radiation surface and the surface area of the radiation source carrier than a second radiation emitting unit.

47. Illumination device according to any one of claims 33 to 46, wherein at least a first radiation source carrier has a surface area of the radiation surface being smaller than the surface area of the radiation surface of at least a second radiation source carrier.

48. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a first radiation source carrier has a first carrier surface area which is smaller than a second carrier surface area of a second radiation source carrier.

49. Illumination device according to claim 48, wherein a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is greater than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 1 to 1.

50. Illumination device according to any one of claims 48 to 49, wherein a carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area is less than or equal to one of the following ratios: 1 to 1. 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4.

51. Illumination device according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein the first radiation source carrier has fewer radiation sources than the second radiation source carrier.

52. Illumination device according to any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein the ratio between the number of radiation sources on the first radiation source carrier and the number of radiation sources on the second radiation source carrier is less than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

53. Illumination device according to any one of claims 48 to 52 wherein the ratio between the number of radiation sources on the first radiation source carrier and the number of radiation sources on the second radiation source carrier is greater than or equal to the carrier surface area ratio between the first carrier surface area and the second carrier surface area.

54. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 radiation emitting units.

55. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises an uneven number of radiation emitting units.

56. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises an even number of radiation emitting units.

57. Illumination device according to any one of the claims 13 to 56, wherein the first pair of carrier edges 171, 172 define a carrier width of the radiation source carrier and the second pair of carrier edges 173, 174 define a carrier length of the radiation source carrier.

58. Illumination device according to any one of the claims 13 to 57, wherein the ratio between the carrier width and the carrier length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least 0.3 to 0.9 or at least 0.4 to 0.6.

59. Illumination device according to any one of the claims 34 to 58, wherein the first pair of radiation surface edges define a radiation surface width of the radiation surface of a radiation source carrier and the second pair of radiation surface edges define a radiation surface length of the radiation surface of a radiation source carrier.

60. Illumination device according to any one of claims 57 to 59, wherein the ratio between the radiation surface width and the radiation surface length of the radiation source carrier of at least one radiation emitting unit is at least 0.25 to 0.8, 0.3 to 0.6, 0.35 to 0.5.

61. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least a common support configured to support the radiation emitting units.

62. Illumination device according to claim 61, wherein the common support comprises a main body portion element and at least one arm, the arm being configured to connect the radiation emitting units to the main body portion element.

63. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of a radiation emitting unit is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg.

64. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of a radiation emitting unit is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 kg, 9 kg, 8 kg. 7 kg, 6 kg, 5 kg, 4 kg, 3 kg, 2 kg.

65. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units is less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 kg, 20 kg, 15 kg, 10 kg, 7.5 kg.

66. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device comprises five radiation emitting units and the sum of the weights of the radiation emitting units is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg.

67. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 66, wherein the weight of the common support is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg. 35 kg, 40 kg. 45 kg, 50kg, 55 kg, 60 kg.

68. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 67, wherein the weight of the common support is less than or equal to one of the following values: 65 kg, 60 kg, 55 kg, 50 kg. 45 kg, 40 kg. 35 kg, 30 kg, 25 kg, 20 kg.

69. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 68,wherein the weight of the main body portion is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg. 40kg, 45 kg.

70. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 69, wherein the weight of the main body portion is less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 kg, 40 kg, 35 kg, 30 kg, 25 kg, 20 kg. 15 kg, 10 kg.

71. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 70, wherein the weight of the arm is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, 7kg, 10 kg, 12 kg, 15 kg.

72. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 71 , wherein the weight of the arm is less than or equal to one of the following values: 17kg, 15 kg, 12kg, 10 kg, 7kg, 5 kg, 3 kg.

73. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 72, wherein the total weight of the common support is greater than or equal to 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, time the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

74. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 73, wherein the total weight of the common support is less than or equal to 4.5, 4.4, 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0,3.

9. 3.8, 3.7, 3.6, 3.

5. 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, times the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

75. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 74, wherein the weight of the main body portion is greater than or equal to 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.

1. 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.

5. time the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

76. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 75, wherein the weight of the main body portion is less than or equal to 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0,2.

9. 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.

5. time the sum of the weights of the at least five radiation emitting units.

77. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 76,wherein the arm comprises at least a first portion and a second portion.

78. Illumination device according to claim 77, wherein the first portion is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit and the second portion is axially, rotationally and / or pivotally connected to the main body portion of the illumination device.

79. Illumination device according to any one of claims 77 to 78, wherein the first portion is connected to at least one radiation emitting unit and the second portion is fixedly connected to the main body portion of the illumination device.

80. Illumination device according to any one of claims 77 to 79, wherein the first portion and the second portion are rotationally and / or pivotally connected to each other.

81. Illumination device according to any one of claims 77 to 80, wherein the arm is moveable into an extended state in which one end of the second portion of the arm is at the greatest radial distance from the main body portion.

82. Illumination device according to any one of claims 62 to 81, wherein the arm, in its extended position, extends parallel to the floor in an assembled state of the illumination device.

83. Illumination device according to any one of claims 77 to 82, wherein the first portion of the arm and the second portion of the arm are connected to each other via a connection joint.

84. Illumination device according to claim 83. wherein the connection joint is configured to hold a load of at least 6 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, 9 kg, 10 kg, 11 kg, 12 kg, 13 kg, 14 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25kg, 30 kg when the first and second portions are in an extended state.

85. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 84,wherein the weight of the common support is such that, when a downwards force of less than or equal to 40 N, 39 N, 38 N, 37 N. 36 N, 35 N, 34 N, 33 N, 32 N. 31 N, 30 N, is applied on the radiation emitting unit when the arm is in its extended state, the common support holds the radiation emitting units without tilting.

86. Illumination device according to any one of claims 61 to 85, wherein the weight of the common support is such that, when a downwards force of greater than or equal to 15 N, 16 N, 17 N, 18 N, 19 N, 20 N, 21 N, 22 N, 23 N, 24 N, 25 N, 26 N, 27 N, 28 N, 29 N is applied on the radiation emitting unit when the arm is in its extended state, the common support holds the radiation emitting units without tilting.

87. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a central radiation emitting unit, at least two intermediate radiation emitting units and two outermost radiation emitting units, wherein the two intermediate radiation emitting units are connected to the central radiation emitting unit on respectively two opposite sides of the central radiation emitting unit and the two outermost radiation emitting units are connected to one intermediate radiation emitting unit, respectively.

88. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a central radiation emitting unit, at least two inner intermediate radiation emitting units and two outer intermediate radiation emitting units and two outermost radiation emitting units, wherein one inner intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to one side of the central radiation emitting unit and the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to the other side of the central radiation emitting unit, wherein one outer intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected on one side with the inner intermediate radiation emitting unit and on the other side with the one outermost radiation emitting unit, wherein the other outer intermediate radiation emitting unit is connected to the other inner intermediate radiation emitting unit on one side and to the other outermost radiation emitting unit on the other side.

89. Illumination device according to any one of the claims 62 to 88, wherein the arm. in particular the first portion of the arm is connected to the central radiation emitting unit via a main joint.

90. Illumination device according to any one of the claims 87 to 89, wherein the central radiation emitting unit is configured to rotate with respect to the arm.

91. Illumination device according to claim 89 or 90, wherein the main joint is configured to hold a load of at least 10 kg. 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, 40 kg. 45 kg, 50 kg.

92. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three radiation emitting units, wherein the at least three radiation emitting units are configured to be brought in a U-shaped configuration.

93. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three radiation emitting units, wherein the at least three radiation emitting units are configured to be brought into a flat-shaped configuration.

94. Illumination device according to claim 92 or claim 93, wherein in the U-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier of one radiation emitting units form an angle with the normal vector of another radiation emitting unit of between 1 degree to 120 degrees, or of between 20 degrees and 90 degrees, or of between 30 degrees and 70 degrees, or of between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, or of ca 50 degree.

95. Illumination device according to any one of claims 92 to 94, wherein in the flat-shaped configuration the normal vector of the radiation source carrier of all radiation emitting units are substantially parallel to each other or at least one of the radiation carriers relative to any of the other carriers at an angle of less than 20 degrees.

96. Illumination device according to any one of claims 92 to 95, wherein the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a flat shaped configuration of the radiation emitting units, is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm. 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, .

97. Illumination device according to any one of claims 92 to 96, wherein the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a flat shape configuration of the illumination device is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm,98. Illumination device according to any one of claims 92 to 97, wherein the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device is less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm.

99. Illumination device according to any one of claims 92 to 98, wherein the shortest distance between a radiation source of a first radiation emitting unit and a radiation source of a second radiation emitting unit, the second radiation emitting unit being arranged next to the first radiation emitting unit, in a U-shape configuration of the illumination device, is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm.

100. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a motor configured to change the configuration of the radiation emitting units.

101. Illumination device according to claim 100, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

102. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two radiation emitting units are connected to each other via at least one hinge.

103. Illumination device according to claim 102, wherein the at least one hinge is configured to permit a predetermined amount of rotation of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other.

104. Illumination device according to any one of claims 102 to 103, wherein the at least one hinge is a torque hinge, a detent hinge or a counterbalance hinge.

105. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a first hinge, the first hinge being configured to connect the central radiation emitting unit with one intermediate radiation emitting unit.

106. Illumination device according to claim 105, wherein at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees, 170 degrees, 150 degrees, 130 degrees. 1 10 degrees. 90 degrees. 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

107. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 106, wherein at least a first hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 degrees. 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, 150 degrees, 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees.

108. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 107, wherein the first hinge connects a central radiation emitting unit with one intermediate radiation emitting unit.

109. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a second hinge, the second hinge being configured to connect one intermediate radiation emitting unit with one outermost radiation emitting unit.

110. Illumination device according to claim 109, wherein at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of less than or equal to one of the following values 210 degrees, 190 degrees, 170 degrees, 150 degrees, 130 degrees, 110 degrees, 90 degrees, 70 degrees, 50 degrees, 30 degrees.

111. Illumination device according to any one of claims 109 to 110, wherein at least the second hinge is configured to permit a relative movement of the radiation emitting units of greater than or equal to one of the following values:30 degrees, 50 degrees, 70degrees, 90 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, 150 degrees, 170 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees.

112. Illumination device according to claims 109 or 111, wherein the second hinge connects an intermediate radiation emitting unit with the outermost radiation emitting unit.

113. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 112 when dependent on 109, wherein the first hinge is configured to permit less relative movement than the second hinge.

114. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 113, wherein at least one hinge of the plurality of hinges is configured to have a higher or lower torque strength with respect to the other hinges.

115. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 114, wherein the first hinge is configured to comprise a higher torque strength than the second hinge.

116. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 115, wherein the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 1 N-m, 2 N-m, 3 N-m, 4 N-m, 5 N-m, 6 N-m, 7 N-m, 8 N-m, 9 N-m.

117. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 116, wherein the first hinge is configured to comprise a torque strength of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 N-m, 9 N-m, 8 N-m, 7 N-m, 6 N-m, 5 N-m, 4 N-m, 3 N-m, 2 N-m.

118. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 117,Wherein the at least one first hinge and / or the at least one second hinge are configured such as to be able to hold the radiation emitting units in a flat-shaped configuration when the radiations surface is facing the floor.

119. Illumination device according to any one of claims 105 to 118, wherein the hinges are electrically actuated by the motor to change the relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other.

120. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device is configured to provide the irradiation object with at least a minimum target irradiation dose.

121. Illumination device according to claim 120, wherein the minimum target irradiation dose in 10 min is at least any of the following values 3 J / cm2, 4 J / cm2, 5 J / cm2, 6 J / cm2, 7 J / cm2, 8 J / cm2, 9 J / cm2, 10 J / cm2.

122. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or to recommend adjustment of at least one operation parameter of the irradiation operation.

123. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one operation parameter is adjusted or recommended to be adjusted to provide a minimum irradiation dose in the illumination session.

124. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one operation parameter may be one of, more of or all of following parameters:- relative positions of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. u-shaped or flat shaped configuration;- relative positions of the radiation emitting units relative to the irradiation object;- duration of the illumination session;- radiation power of the radiation sources;- wavelength of the radiation sources.

125. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or recommend adjustment of the duration of the illumination session depending on the relative positions of the radiation emitting units relative to the radiation object.

126. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

127. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to modify the duration of the operation session depending on the relative position of the operating radiation emitting units with respect to each other, e.g. U-shaped or flat-shaped configuration.

128. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to increase or recommend to increase the duration of the operation of the illumination device the more acute the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units is.

129. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to decrease or recommend to decrease the duration of the operation of the illumination device the more obtuse the angle formed between the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units is.

130. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein adjusting or recommending to adjust comprises increasing or recommending to increase and / or decreasing or recommending to decrease and / or modifying or recommending to modify any of the at least one operation parameter.

131. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to increase the duration of the operation session when the radiation emitting units are in their flat-shaped configuration compared to when they are in their U-shaped configuration.

132. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, when the radiation emitting units are in a U-shaped configuration.

133. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to less than or equal to one of the following values: 45 minutes, 40 minutes, 35 minutes, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes when the radiation emitting units are in a U-shaped configuration.

134. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, when the radiation emitting units are in a flat-shaped configuration.

135. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to set the duration of the operation of the illumination device to less than or equal to one of the following values: 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes when the radiation emitting units are in a flat-shaped configuration.

136. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a feedback element configured to generate a feedback providing a user of the illumination device with an adjustment recommendation.

137. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to adjust or recommend adjusting at least one of the operation parameters of the illumination device, e.g. the duration of the illumination session, depending on the distance between the intersection point of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or between the intersection point of the vectors of the main beam direction of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object.

138. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the minimum distance betw een the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiationsurface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm. 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm. 45 cm, 50 cm.

139. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum distance betw een the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection vectors of the of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

140. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

141. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

142. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum distance betw een the intersection of the normal vectors of at least tw o operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction of the radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is greater than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm.

143. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum distance between the intersection of the normal vectors of at least two operating radiation emitting units or the intersection of the vectors of the main beam direction ofthe radiation emitting unit of at least two operating radiation emitting units and an irradiation surface of the irradiation object is less than or equal to one of the following values: 55 cm, 50 cm, 45 cm, 40 cm, 35 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm.

144. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more or all of:- a heating system;- a cooling system;- a ventilation system.

145. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiation emitting units comprises one of or more of or all of:- a heating system;- a cooling system;- a ventilation system.

146. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 145, wherein the cooling system may be comprised in the heating system and / or the ventilation system and / or wherein the ventilation system may comprise the heating system.

147. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 146, wherein the heating system is configured to heat the irradiation object prior to the irradiation operation.

148. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 147, wherein the cooling system and / or the ventilation system are configured to cool at least one radiation source on the radiation source carrier and / or are configured to cool the irradiation object.

149. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 148, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct cooling air directly toward the irradiation object or indirectly toward an area adjacent to the irradiation object.

150. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 149,wherein the electronic control unit is configured to pause the cooling system and / or the ventilation system when the irradiation operation is paused.

151. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 149, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to continue operation of the cooling system and / or the ventilation system when the irradiation operation is paused.

152. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 151, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system for more than or equal to one of the following values: 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds. 70 seconds, 80 seconds, 90 seconds. 100 seconds. 200 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

153. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 152, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system for less than or equal to one of the following values: 300 seconds, 200 seconds, 100 seconds, 90 seconds, 80 seconds, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds after the irradiation operation is paused and / or terminated.

154. Illumination device according to any one of claims 144 to 153, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate the ventilation system and / or the cooling system in such a ways as to keep the increase in temperature of the radiation sources during operation of the illumination system, lower or equal than 50 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius, 30 degrees Celsius155. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels have a diameter being greater than or equal to following values: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm. 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm. 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm. 18 cm, 19 cm.

156. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels have a diameter being less than or equal to following values: 20 cm, 19 cm, 18 cm, 17 cm, 16 cm, 15 cm. 14 cm. 13 cm, 12 cm, 11 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6, cm.

157. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein at least one radiation emitting unit comprises a handle configured to be used by a user.

158. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm.

159. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 100 cm, 90 cm, 80 cm, 70 cm. 60 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm.

160. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm.

161. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a maximum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 60 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm.

162. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

163. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum vertical extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm .

164. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of greater than or equal to one of the following values: 0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

165. Illumination device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm, the first portion of the arm and / or the second portion of the arm are configured to have and / or to be brought into a minimum horizontal extension of less than or equal to one of the following values: 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm.

166. Illumination device according to claim 77, wherein the second portion of the arm is fixed relative to the main body portion and the first portion of the arm is axially moveable along the second portion of the arm.

167. Illumination device according to claim 166, wherein the first portion of the arm is pivotable with respect to the second portion of the arm.

168. Illumination device according to claim 166 or 167, further comprising a lock mechanism to lock the position of the first portion of the arm with respect to its position relative to the second portion of the arm.

169. A method for treating a skin disease comprising the following steps: a) applying a pharmaceutical substance to the surface of the skin in a region which is to be treated; b) arranging the skin region to be treated in a predetermined object location of the illumination device according to any of the preceding claims, c) irradiating the skin region to be treated with the illumination device.

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