Phototherapeutic apparatus

Abstract

Phototherapeutic apparatus comprising a support (10; 20; 30) suitable for cooperating with the anatomical part intended for treatment, a plurality of sources (1, 1'; 103, 103'; 5) of electromagnetic radiation, and a filter means (211; 313; 310) for the radiation emitted by the aforementioned sources, comprising a mixture of at least two photoluminescent nanocrystals.

Description

[0001] “Phototherapeutic apparatus’

[0002] *****

[0003] The present invention relates to therapeutic apparatuses that use electromagnetic radiation, and in particular to phototherapeutic apparatuses; more specifically, it relates to phototherapeutic apparatuses that combine radiation in the visible light range with radiation in the infrared range.

[0004] Numerous types of phototherapeutic apparatuses are known, which have different applications depending on the wavelength range of the light radiation used. In general, the interaction in the form of energy transfer between the radiation used and the molecular structure of the area being treated is utilized.

[0005] Document EP2383017A1 describes a phototherapy patch designed to relieve nociceptive pain in a part of the body by illuminating that part of the body. The patch is designed to conform to the part of the body and comprises an active light source configured to emit light with a wavelength in the range of 430 nm to 475 nm to illuminate the part of the body to which the patch is applied. In an embodiment described in the aforementioned document, a second light source is described which may consist of a photoluminescent substance, such as phosphor, capable of emitting radiation in the near infrared range, i.e. , between 850 and 2500 nm.

[0006] Photoluminescent therapeutic devices are known in the art, generally consisting of a support on which materials capable of returning electromagnetic radiation, typically in the near-infrared to ultraviolet range, are arranged, which exert a beneficial effect on the patient undergoing treatment with such devices. Among the materials capable of offering this type of effect, nanoparticles, understood as particles with dimensions between 1 and 50 nm, have been highlighted over the years, which interact with incident light radiation and re-emit radiation by fluorescence or phosphorescence.

[0007] Document WO2021084424, filed by the same applicant of the present application, describes therapeutic devices comprising a laminar support element and at least two quantum dots, i.e. , two nanostructures, chosen from: graphene, blue luminescent graphene, cyan luminescent graphene, aqua green luminescent graphene, Perovskite coated with oleic acid and oleylamine, CdTe carboxylate, CdS / ZnS functionalized with oleic acid, where said support element is transparent to the reference electromagnetic radiation, in addition to that emitted by the human body, one side of the device being suitable for contact with the patient's epidermis, and with a mixture of at least two of the above quantum dots positioned on the opposite side with a concentration between 1.0 mg / cm2and 100.0 mg / cm2, capable of emitting photons at the reference wavelength, and with an intensity between 0.1 mW / cm2and 0.5 mW / cm2, and preferably between 0.2 mW / cm2and 0.4 mW / cm2, and in which said reference wavelength is between 280 and 740 nm, and preferably between 350 and 530 nm, when stimulated by at least one infrared, visible, or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to develop a phototherapeutic apparatus capable of combining the effects of certain electromagnetic radiation generated by appropriate sources in combination with the nanostructures described above.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore a phototherapeutic apparatus comprising a support suitable for cooperating with the anatomical part intended for treatment, a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources, and a means for filtering the radiation emitted by said sources, comprising a mixture of at least two photoluminescent nanostructures. In particular, half of the sources emit in the visible light range, and preferably red light, with a wavelength between 625 and 750 nm, while the other half emit in the near-infrared range, and preferably with a wavelength between 850 and 1500 nm. The sources are preferably LEDs.

[0010] In one embodiment, the support is a cap made of fabric, non-woven fabric or similar, and the crown houses the electromagnetic radiation sources, which are arranged uniformly and equipped with a power supply line and control and monitoring means, each source being covered by a respective filter medium.

[0011] In another embodiment, the support is a strip of flexible material, such as fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic or similar, and the sources are arranged on a strip of flexible conductive material arranged longitudinally on said strip for a substantial part of its length, and covered by a continuous layer of filter means.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the support is a lamp holder, and the sources are covered by a respective filter medium. In particular, said lamp holder is provided with means for gripping and has the shape of a regular polyhedron with an even number of faces, each source being arranged substantially at the center of the respective face. In one embodiment, said lamp holder is shaped so as to allow irradiation of the entire body of the patient.

[0013] In another embodiment, the apparatus is a lamp holder, substantially shaped like a torch, and can be used in combination with a concentrating device comprising a funnel-shaped element having reflective inner walls, communicating with a conduit with the free end curved at a given angle, also with reflective inner walls.

[0014] Further advantages and features of the phototherapeutic apparatus according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments thereof, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a plan view from below of a first embodiment of the phototherapeutic apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 3;

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 5; and

[0020] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the detail of Figure 6;

[0021] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 9 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; 10 indicates a cap provided with a crown 11 and a brim 12. Inside the cap 10, the strips 13 are arranged in a manner known per se, dividing the internal surface into substantially equal segments, and the strip 14 surrounds the exit edge. Along the strips 13 are arranged the red visible radiation sources 1 and the infrared radiation sources 1 ', in pairs adjacent to each other, connected to the power and control lines 202 which are inserted into the command and control unit 2, provided with a power socket 102.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a red visible radiation source 1 ; a red LED 301 is positioned on the base 101 , whose contacts 311 connect to line 202. The LED 301 is inserted into a transparent casing 201 , on which a filter 211 is arranged, on which photoluminescent nanocrystals capable of interacting with the radiation emitted by the LED are arranged or dispersed. The structure of the infrared source T is very similar to that described above, except that the LED emits radiation with a wavelength between 850 and 1500 nm.

[0025] The operation of this apparatus is based on the synergistic effect of red and infrared radiation, which have already shown remarkable effects, with the filter consisting of nanocrystals; the latter being able to amplify and enhance the radiation emitted by the sources and showing favorable effects, for example, in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The filter means may all be of the same type, or different depending on the type of radiation emitted by the source, or different depending on their position in relation to the head of the patient undergoing treatment. The command and control unit 2 may be equipped with a battery and ignition means, as well as means of communication with a remote-control unit, for example via Bluetooth or similar radio frequency protocols.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of theapparatus according to the present invention; 20 indicates a band of flexible material, made for example of fabric. Essentially in the center of the band is a strip of conductive material 3 on which are placed LEDs 103 emitting visible red light and 103' emitting infrared light. At one end of the strip there is a Velcro insert 21 , which allows the strip to be positioned on the anatomical part to be treated. The control and monitoring unit 4, equipped with a power supply socket 104, is located near the insert 21 .

[0027] Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 3; where the same parts are marked with the same numbers. The figure shows the strip 203 of flexible conductive material, such as aluminum, conductive polymers, or similar, on which the red visible light LEDs 103 and infrared LEDs 103' are positioned. The LEDs are embedded in a strip of transparent material 303, made of thermoplastic elastomer, silicone rubber or similar, on the outer face of which there is a layer of filtering medium in which nanocrystals capable of interacting with the radiation emitted by the LEDs are arranged or dispersed. This device can be easily placed around the part to be treated, thanks to the Velcro insert, and the radiation emitted by the LED strip can benefit from the synergistic effect of the nanocrystals contained in the filter medium. In this case, the same composition of nanocrystals is used along the entire length of the strip. The control and monitoring unit 4 can also be equipped with a battery, ignition means, and means of communication with a remote control in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention; 30 indicates a lamp holder, substantially octahedral in shape, provided with a stem 33 and gripping means 34, which is intended to be used for treatments inside the oral cavity 40. The switch means 35 and the power socket 36 are arranged on the handle 34.

[0029] Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 5, highlighting the faces 31 of the octahedral lamp holder 30 and the cavities 32 provided substantially in the center of said faces. Figure 7 shows a sectional detail of Figure 6; the same numbers refer to the same parts. Inside each cavity 32 there is an LED 5, which can be red visible radiation or infrared radiation, and which is connected by its contacts 205 to a base 105, which in turn is connected to the power supply line 115 that runs in the conduit 320 formed in the body of the lamp holder 30, and which connects it to the handle 34, where the control and monitoring unit is located. The outer face 31 is covered with a layer of filtering material 310 comprising nanocrystals capable of interacting with the radiation emitted by the sources located in the cavities provided on each face of the polyhedron. The layer of filtering material 310 may be different for each face, or it may be identical for all faces. The lamp holder is preferably a regular polyhedron with an even number of faces, half of which house a red visible radiation source, while the other half house an infrared radiation source. The polyhedral shape of the lamp holder allows, as can be seen in Figure 5, uniform irradiation of the oral cavity, which allows more effective exploitation of the synergistic effect between the radiation emitted by the sources and the photoluminescence of the nanocrystals arranged or dispersed in the filter means.

[0030] Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; 40 denotes a box-shaped frame designed to contain the power supply and control means, not shown in the figure, for the radiation sources 6 and 6', respectively red visible radiation LEDs and infrared radiation LEDs; the frame is suspended by cables 41 , which can also provide guidance for the power supply lines. Above the sources 6, 6' is layer 106 of filtering medium in which nanocrystals capable of interacting with the radiation emitted by the LEDs are arranged or dispersed. The patient 50 lies beneath the box frame 40, so that the body is completely exposed to the radiation emitted by the sources and altered by interaction with the filter medium.

[0031] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; in this case, the apparatus comprises a tubular body 60, provided with switching means 61 , at one end housing LEDs 7, 7' emitting red visible radiation and infrared radiation, respectively, covered by the filtering medium layer 107, while at the other end it is provided with a USB socket for powering a rechargeable battery, not shown in the figure. The radiation 80 emitted by the LEDs 7, 7', after being modified by the filter medium layer 107, is directed into the funnel- shaped element 70, whose inner walls are reflective, and from there to the conduit 71 , from whose end 72, curved at a given angle, the radiation 80' emerges, which can be directed to the anatomical part intended for treatment. This solution allows for extremely focused treatment from a topological point of view, while also allowing for the treatment of surfaces as well as cavities.

[0032] The apparatus designed in this way, in its various forms, allows for the best possible exploitation of the interaction between photoluminescent nanocrystals and radiation sources, expanding the spectrum of possible phototherapeutic treatments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Phototherapeutic apparatus comprising a support (10; 20; 30) suitable for cooperating with the anatomical part intended for treatment, a plurality of sources (1 , 1 '; 103, 103'; 5) of electromagnetic radiation, and a filter means (211 ; 313; 310) for the radiation emitted by the aforementioned sources, comprising a mixture of at least two photoluminescent nanocrystals.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein half of the sources (1 , 1 '; 103, 103'; 5) emit radiation in the visible light range, and preferably red light, with a wavelength between 625 and 750 nm, while the other half emit in the near-infrared range, and preferably with a wavelength between 850 and 1500 nm.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sources (1 , T; 103, 103'; 5) are LEDs.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support is a cap (10) made of fabric, non-woven fabric or the like, and the crown (11 ) houses the sources (1 , 1 ') of electromagnetic radiation, arranged homogeneously and provided with a power supply line (202) and control and monitoring means (2), each source being covered by a respective filter means (211 ).

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the support is a strip (20) of flexible material, such as fabric, nonwoven fabric, plastic material or the like, and the sources (103, 103') are arranged on a strip of flexible conductive material (203) arranged longitudinally on said strip (20) for a substantial part of its length, and covered by a continuous layer (313) of filter means.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, the support is a lamp holder (30; 40), and the light sources (5; 6, 6') are covered by a respective filter means (310; 106).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said lamp holder (30) has the shape of a regular polyhedron with an even number of faces, each light source (5) being arranged substantially at the center ofthe respective face (31 ), said lamp holder being provided with handle means (33, 34).

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said lamp holder (40) is a box-shaped body, formed and suspended in such a way as to completely irradiate the patient's body.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, in association with a funnel-shaped member (70), provided internally with reflective walls, coupled at its top with the end of a conduit (71 ), the free end (72) of which is curved at a given angle, so that the radiation emitted by the apparatus is collected by the funnel- shaped member and conveyed through said conduit (71 ).

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