DE102008057263A1 - Laser therapy device for laser acupuncture to treat e.g. wound healing disorder in sports medical field, has laser unit connected to personal computer via power guiding data connector and controllable and connectable by signals of computer - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a laser unit (21) provided with laser diodes (1) or LEDs and connected with a stationary or transportable personnel computer (PC) via a power guiding data connector. The laser unit is controllable and connectable by signals of the PC, where controlling of the laser unit takes place by a control software installed at the PC. A universal serial bus (USB)interface at the PC implements power supply of the laser unit and transmission of a control signal. The laser diodes or LEDs are cooled by a cooling device i.e. cooling plate (2), within the laser unit.

Description

The The present invention relates to a laser therapy device.

Of the Use of lasers in medicine - especially in the Alternative medicine - as therapy devices, especially in sports medicine or laser acupuncture (eg treatment of Wound healing disorders, lesions in tendon and Joint area, stimulation of acupuncture points with laser light) and Other diverse medical fields are recent known. Here are so-called soft laser devices or LowLevelLaser, d. H. Lasers with optical output typically used in the mW range of 5-500 mW. The laser light is used as a stimulus in the cellular area to processes (eg. Healing processes) and to accelerate or to advance applied Photosensitizer using laser light in a reactive state stimulate (photodynamic therapy).

Typically, lasers are used which are designed as laser units with corresponding semiconductor laser diodes (hereinafter laser diodes) and have a built-in control, but due to the construction in the visible spectral range to typically max. 50 mW of optical output power (eg in EP0416150B1 . EP1240919B1 . EP722750B2 ), or treatment lasers which offer higher optical output powers in the visible spectral range, typically 200 mW to 500 times with full range of operation (eg in WO2006 / 050608 ).

Of the Disadvantage of laser units with a higher output power is that always one base station has to be used, the laser unit with electrical power and control pulses normally connected to the mains got to. This will be a flexible use for laser units higher optical output power difficult to impossible. higher Output power is essential, if you want bigger ones Treat area or many smaller area in a relatively short time. Similarly, laser acupuncture should be possible, d. H. the Stimulation of acupuncture points with laser light, usually a small intensity with small area to be treated is selected. In addition, typically can not all laser diodes are connected to such a base station, because the operating parameters are too different.

meanwhile LEDs are also known, which have a high optical output power reach at similar operating parameters as laser diodes. Such LEDs may be alternative to the indicated laser diodes also be used. Usually, the spectral range is the laser diodes used in the red or near infrared range, here the skin in particular and human tissue in general have an optical window. That's why when using wavelengths λ, where 650 nm ≤ λ ≤ 900 nm deeper tissue structures can be achieved. Is the wavelength the laser diode used (or alternatively LED) in addition at a wavelength that is favorable for the cell excitation is (in the red region at 620 nm or 680 nm), then the stimulating effect described above occurs. A pulsed operation generally increases this stimulating effect significantly, with an operation between 1 Hz and 10 kHz is sought.

Of the The present invention is based on the object, a laser therapy device to create low and high optical output powers without limitation the flexibility in terms of usability, transportability and the spectral optical range.

According to the invention the above object with the features of the claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments of the invention Laser therapy device are specified in subclaims.

After that is a laser therapy device characterized in that the laser unit via a current-carrying data connection with a stationary or portable personal computer (PC) is connected and controlled by signals from the PC and wired is.

With The invention achieves that the entire optical spectral range of the commercially available semiconductor laser diodes in almost All optical output power can be used without the use of a special base station. Instead of laser diodes Alternatively, LEDs can be used that over a very high brightness and the desired spectral Wavelength with simultaneously small spectral half-width feature.

The control and the provision of electrical power according to the invention takes over a commercially available notebook or a stationary personal computer (PC), which is preferably equipped with special control software. The connection to the PC is a corresponding connection cable for data exchange and power supply, preferably via a USB connection. This makes it possible to operate the laser unit in a simple manner in different locations, eg. B. in different treatment rooms, without having to take a base station or to have to provide several base stations, as usual There is a PC in each treatment room.

Of Further, using portable PCs, a use without connection to a power grid. The control software on the PC, usually under Windows or something similar Operating system, it also allows to design these user-dependent, what to use a usual base station is not possible. So also in the future easily on the requirements of Users are received (update capability). The renunciation Having a base station saves the user high investment costs and allows for increased flexibility in terms of Wavelength of the laser diode, the optical output power and transportability.

Further Aims, characteristics, advantages and applications of the Laser therapy device result from the following Description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. there form all described and / or illustrated features by itself or in any combination the object of the invention, regardless of the summary in individual Claims or their dependency.

In the drawing shows

1 a section of the side view of the laser unit 21 in a preferred embodiment.

The light-generating element of the laser unit 21 , the semiconductor laser diode 1 , here preferably with a wavelength of 680 nm and an optical output power of 400 times, is in a cooling plate 2 attached. This cooling plate 2 is designed so that the laser diode 1 is held with optimum heat transfer in this. The cooling plate 2 is electrically insulating via plastic bolts 3 in the laser unit 21 attached. This is necessary because the housing of the laser diode 1 has a potential between 0 and 5 V with respect to ground potential. The cooling plate 2 is from behind via a miniature fan 4 blown and actively cooled. The cooling air 8th occurs from the end of the laser unit 21 via air inlets 5 in the end plate 6 A, is via corresponding openings in an intermediate plate 7 forwarded, passes through the miniature fan 4 and then via air outlets 9 and / or the jet outlet opening 10 the front panel 11 to the outside, after the cooling plate 2 was flowed around. The miniature fan 4 is made of two side-mounted plates 12 fixes the fan's size adjusted vents 9 to have.

The laser diode 1 is attached to a holder (circuit board) 13 connected, which supplies these electrically. The board 13 is mechanically on distance bolts 14 attached, all mounting plates 2 . 6 . 7 . 11 . 12 connects with each other. On the board 13 The following electrical units are located: USB interface with AD-DA converter 15 , Rectifier with rectification and limiter protection circuit 16 , Current amplifier 17 , On / off switch 18 , Standby signal LED 19 , The USB interface 15 exchanges data with the PC which is output or received by the control software. These data are sent directly to the AD-DA converter 15 passed that converts the digital data into analog control signals. The analog control signals are provided with a preamplifier 16 amplified and rectified to a voltage reference, so that only positive signals of desired size, the preamplifier 16 leave. The preamp 16 has a limiter protection circuit that ensures that the amplified signals always stay below a desired threshold. This threshold can be adjusted with a trim potentiometer. The pre-amplified signal is from a downstream power amplifier 17 so amplified that by the voltage value of the preamplifier 16 a desired current value through the laser diode 1 can flow. This value can also be adjusted by trimming potentiometer. The current amplifier stage is designed as a voltage-controlled constant current source, so that effective for the laser diode 1 harmful too high currents are prevented.

The control electronics described is capable of the laser diode 1 in DC mode or in pulsed mode. Typically, the laser diode becomes 1 operated in pulsed mode with square wave signals (on-off operation), but also different types of signals are possible (sine, triangle, etc.). In addition, the signals themselves may still be modulated, ie the output signals contain further modulated signals (eg 10 Hz square root frequency and 1 kHz sine modulation frequency of small amplitude). Typically, the pulsed frequency range is between 1 Hz and 100 kHz, preferably between 1 Hz and 10 kHz.

The electronic control allows together with the control software that the laser diode 1 not only can be operated with a preset power, but any desired power value between maximum and zero is adjustable. This can be set via the control software. As a result, a voltage between the maximum voltage and zero is output after the DA converter. Due to the chosen design, this voltage value is converted into a current value, which then generates a predetermined optical output power according to the laser diode characteristic. At higher power levels, larger areas can be treated relatively quickly, and smaller power levels are appropriate for lasers acupuncture or the treatment of smaller areas. Furthermore, via the control software, the energy and the area to be applied to a certain area of the corresponding area can be entered. From this data, a treatment time is calculated, after which the dosage ends automatically. With the help of the button 18 this process can be restarted. It is also possible to interrupt the process with this button. By controlling the laser unit 21 With a PC, it is also possible to start the program directly from the PC. Furthermore, the control program can be individually adapted to the wishes of the operator (eg shape and size of the input fields, display elements, warning and signal tones, etc.). A power LED 19 shows the standby state of the laser unit 21 at. To the outside, the electronics is via a USB socket 20 connected to the PC. This jack can accommodate a standard USB cable and the laser unit 21 connect to the PC. The described arrangement is located in a corresponding housing and is fixed in this. The housing may have a rubber coating or other haptic improvements for handling. The size of the laser unit 21 is preferably 133 mm in length and 38 mm in diameter. At the front panel 11 For example, various beam guiding optics can be attached to give the laser beam a desired shape. These can be bundling or scattering optics, which are plugged onto the front panel or screwed tight. For example, such an optic can be made of a tube whose inner surfaces mirror the laser beam well and shape the beam accordingly after multiple reflection. This tube can easily be changed for each patient due to existing sanitary requirements.

The limited laser therapy device according to the invention not in their execution on the above preferred embodiments. Rather, a variety of design variations conceivable, which of the illustrated Solution even with fundamentally different design Make use.

1

Semiconductor laser diode / laser diode

2

cooling plate

3

Plastic bolt

4

miniature fans

5

Air inlet openings

6

endplate

7

intermediate plate

8th

cooling air

9

Air outlet openings

10

Blast opening

11

front panel

12

laterally attached plates

13

circuit board

14

Distance bolts

15

AD-DA converter

16

preamplifier

17

current amplifier

18

On / off switch

19

Ready signal LED

20

USB port

21

laser unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0416150 B1 [0003]
• - EP 1240919 B1 [0003]
• EP 722750 B2 [0003]
• - WO 2006/050608 [0003]

Claims (13)

Laser therapy device, comprising at least one laser unit ( 21 ) with one or more laser diodes ( 1 ) or LEDs, characterized in that the laser unit ( 21 ) is connected via a current-carrying data connection with a stationary or portable personal computer (PC) and is controllable and connectable by signals of the PC. Laser therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control of the laser unit ( 21 ) by means of a control software installed on the PC. Laser therapy device according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the power supply of the laser unit ( 21 ) as well as the control signal transmission via the USB interface on the PC. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser diode ( 1 ) or LED via a cooling device ( 2 ) within the laser unit ( 21 ) is cooled. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser diode ( 1 ) or LED in a customized and electrically isolated bracket ( 13 ), which is an enlarged cooling surface. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that via a corresponding component with an integrated interface, preferably a USB interface, and an AD-DA converter ( 15 ) the control signals from the PC to the laser diode ( 1 ) or passed the LED and can be passed from the laser diode head to the PC. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control signals according to the AD-DA converter ( 15 ) with a special amplifier ( 16 ) are amplified and rectified and its gain can be adjusted via a trim potentiometer. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amplified and rectified signals of a subsequent current amplifier stage are fed, preferably a voltage-controlled constant current source, which by means of a trim potentiometer on the maximum current of the laser diode ( 1 ) can be adjusted. Laser therapy device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that protective circuits are provided within the amplifying elements, which overload the laser diode ( 1 ) prevent. Laser therapy device after one or more of the preceding claims, characterized that an operation display is provided, the user a bootable System displays. Laser therapy device after one or more of the preceding claims, characterized the control software enables pulsed operation (from 0 to 100 kHz), preferably in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 10 kHz. Laser therapy device after one or more of the preceding claims, characterized that the control software inputting the required illumination dose, the illumination area and the optical output power allowed and a timer the lighting after expiration the treatment time calculated from the entered parameters automatically ended. Laser therapy device after one or more of the preceding claims, characterized that at the beam exit different optics for influencing of the laser beam can be attached, preferably Kollimator- or scattering optics to the laser beam a desired Give shape.