JP2004242790A - Phototherapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a phototherapy apparatus prevented from radiating noxious ultraviolet rays with wavelength less than 280 nm and radiating useful ultraviolet rays of 280-400 nm and infrared rays of 650-1,500 nm. <P>SOLUTION: This phototherapy apparatus comprises a xenon lamp 11, a lamp holder 13, reflection mirrors 15 reflecting light in the side of a radiation window part 2, a filter part 5 transmitting the light with a prescribed wavelength range alone and a control circuit part 20 including a lamp drive circuit, a control circuit, a display circuit and the like. This apparatus is also provided with a cooling fan 17 for cooling the lamp 11 and the circumferential members, and a distance measuring sensor 3 for measuring the distance toward a part to be radiated. The light with the noxious wavelength range out of the light emitted from the xenon lamp 11 is shut off by a filter part 5, corrected into an appropriate intensity and radiated from the radiation window part 2 to the part to be irradiated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a phototherapy device, and more particularly to a phototherapy device capable of irradiating a light beam that combines ultraviolet light and infrared light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of phototherapy device, keratinocytes are stimulated and synthesized by ultraviolet rays, and a fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) -generating action and a stimulus for expanding blood vessels from outside the body by infrared rays (thermal stimulation) are given. One of the important factors is the blood circulation promoting action to improve the flow.
[0003]
For this purpose, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a phototherapy device combining a xenon lamp and a multilayer-deposited spectral correction filter. In this example, a spectral distribution similar to what is called sunbathing using sunlight is provided.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-263206 (p. 2-3, FIGS. 3 and 6)
[Non-patent document 1]
Fukui Kunihiko, "Rehabilitation Medicine Zensho 8 Physiotherapy", 3rd edition, Medical and Dental Medicine Publishing Co., Ltd., May 1991, p35-43.
[Non-patent document 2]
Negishi Naoki, Kikuchi Shin, "Biological effects of infrared radiation", Ceramics, The Ceramic Society of Japan, 1988, Vol. 23, No. 4, p.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Non-Patent Document 1 describes that a wavelength having a main function does not necessarily need to be continuous light in a wide band like sunlight, but it is sufficient that ultraviolet light and near infrared light are used.
[0006]
However, the spectral correction filter used in the phototherapy device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not transmit a wavelength of 800 nm to 1000 nm, which has a large skin penetrating power, and therefore sufficiently provides the original purpose of thermal stimulation. Can not.
[0007]
Further, in Patent Literature 1, although unnecessary heat is generated by near infrared rays, the xenon lamp described in the example of Patent Literature 1 has a relatively small relative value of the entire wavelength even in consideration of the emission line spectrum. It does not emit strong infrared rays, and there is almost no infrared rays having a high skin permeability of 800 nm to 1000 nm. Furthermore, although infrared rays of 1000 nm or more emit some radiation, infrared rays of 1500 nm or more have a rapid decrease in skin penetration and are almost completely absorbed in the upper layer of the skin. No, it is not enough to fulfill the function as a phototherapy device. (Non-Patent Document 2)
It is a main object of the present invention to provide a phototherapy device capable of irradiating useful 280 to 400 nm ultraviolet rays and 650 to 1500 nm infrared rays without being irradiated with harmful ultraviolet rays of less than 280 nm.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the phototherapy device according to the present invention has at least one or more light sources whose emission light has an emission line or a continuous spectrum in the range of 280 nm to 2500 nm, and does not transmit ultraviolet light of less than 280 nm and ultraviolet light of 280 to 400 nm. A spectral correction filter that mainly transmits infrared rays of 650 nm to 1500 nm.
[0009]
At this time, the light source is selected from a group including a xenon lamp, a fluorescent lamp (= a low-pressure mercury lamp including an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp and a germicidal lamp), a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp, and a bulb. be able to.
[0010]
Further, the light source may include a first light source mainly emitting ultraviolet rays and a second light source emitting light rays including infrared rays. For example, the first light source may be a fluorescent lamp, and the second light source may be a halogen bulb.
[0011]
Further, the filter preferably has a transmittance at 800 nm of 30% to 70%. Specifically, it can be formed by adding divalent and trivalent iron ions to a phosphate-based glass substrate.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a schematic external perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line PP ′ of FIG. FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, a light therapy device 1 of the present embodiment includes a xenon lamp 11 as a light source, a light source holder 13 in which the xenon lamp 11 is mounted, and a reflection for reflecting light to a front portion, that is, an irradiation window 2 side. It comprises a mirror 15, a filter section 5 for transmitting only radiation in a desired wavelength range, and a control circuit section 20 including a lamp driving circuit, a control circuit, a display circuit, and the like. Further, it has a cooling fan 17 for cooling the lamp 11 and peripheral members, and a distance measuring sensor 3 as distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the irradiated part. The light radiated from the xenon lamp 11 is shielded from light in a harmful wavelength band by the filter unit 5, is corrected to an appropriate intensity, and is irradiated from the irradiation window unit 2 to an irradiated portion (not shown). You. In FIG. 1, illustration of electrical connections and the like between components is omitted for simplicity and simplicity.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the filter unit 5. Referring to FIG. 2, the filter unit 5 is mounted on the optical path of the phototherapy device 1 with the spectral correction filter 51 held by the filter holder 53.
[0014]
Note that a xenon lamp driving circuit (not shown) included in the control circuit unit 20 switches a voltage obtained by rectifying AC 100 V to generate a high-frequency voltage, transforms the voltage, rectifies and smoothes the light, and lights the lamp 11. In addition, in order to facilitate starting of the lamp 11, a high voltage is applied from a starter (not shown) for a certain period of time at the time of starting. If the temperature during operation of the xenon lamp 11 rises too high, the life of the xenon lamp 11 will be shortened. Further, it is simple and useful to change the distance between the irradiated part and the xenon lamp 11, which is a light source, in order to change the light intensity in accordance with the symptoms of the skin disease that is the irradiated part (not shown). The sensor 3 measures the distance between the illuminated site and the light source, and displays an appropriate display on, for example, the operation panel unit 4 according to the measurement result.
[0015]
The emission spectrum of the xenon lamp has an emission spectrum over a wide band with a wavelength of 220 nm to 2500 nm, and is one of suitable light sources for a light therapy device, but contains ultraviolet rays harmful to the human body with a wavelength of less than 280 nm. This wavelength band needs to be cut. In the near infrared region having a wavelength of about 750 nm to about 1000 nm, there is a strong line spectrum of xenon, which is effective for treating skin diseases. However, it is suitable for suppressing acute skin inflammation and excessive drying of the skin. Need to be controlled. FIG. 3 shows an example of the spectral radiant intensity distribution of the xenon lamp 11 used in the present embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis indicate the light wavelength (unit: nm) and the spectral radiant intensity (unit: μW · cm ^−2. It is a graph shown as nm- ¹ ).
[0016]
Further, the spectral correction filter 51 used in the phototherapy device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to transmit ultraviolet rays of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared rays of 650 nm to 1500 nm. Specifically, for example, a phosphate-based glass containing divalent and trivalent iron ions can be used. In this case, the transmittance of 280 nm to 2500 nm, particularly 600 nm to 1000 nm can be controlled by the content of iron ions, and a transmittance of 800 nm of 30% to 70% is more preferable. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the spectral correction filter 51, with the horizontal axis and the vertical axis representing the wavelength of light (unit: nm) and the spectral transmittance (unit:%), respectively. Further, FIG. 5 shows the spectral radiation intensity distribution after the light emitted by the xenon lamp 11 having the spectral radiation intensity distribution shown in FIG. 3 has passed through the spectral correction filter 51, that is, the irradiation of the phototherapy device 1 of the present embodiment. 3, the horizontal axis and the vertical axis represent the wavelength (unit: nm) of light and the spectral radiation intensity (unit: μW · cm ^−2. It is a graph shown as nm- ¹ ).
[0017]
As can be seen from FIGS. 3 to 5, the light emitted from the irradiation window 2 of the light therapy device 1 of the present embodiment blocks ultraviolet rays having a wavelength less than 280 nm that is harmful to the human body and has a wavelength of 280 nm to 2500 nm. Light can be transmitted while suppressing the intensity of a strong line spectrum having a wavelength of about 750 nm to about 1000 nm. In particular, the transmittance of the spectral correction filter 51 at a wavelength of 800 nm is 50% or more, and the intensity of light having a wavelength near 800 nm can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently irradiate ultraviolet rays of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared rays of 650 nm to 1500 nm which are useful for treatment of skin diseases and the like, and particularly, rays of about 800 nm which have a high skin permeability and a large thermal effect for warming the body from the outside. it can.
[0018]
As described above, the phototherapy device of the present invention blocks ultraviolet rays having wavelengths less than 280 nm, which are harmful to the human body, and is useful for treating skin diseases and the like, while having ultraviolet rays of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared rays of 650 nm to 1500 nm. It is possible to efficiently irradiate a light beam having a high thermal effect for warming the body from the outside, which is high in skin permeability, in the vicinity of 800 nm, and a large therapeutic effect can be obtained with a simple configuration.
[0019]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea.
[0020]
For example, in the above embodiment, a xenon lamp having continuous light emission in a wide band is used as the light source. It may be combined with a second light source having a light emitting area, such as a halogen bulb.
[0021]
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relative spectral radiant intensity distribution of an example of an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, where the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are the wavelength of light (unit: nm) and the relative radiant intensity (unit:%), respectively. Similarly, the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are respectively a light wavelength (unit: μm) and a relative radiant intensity (unit:%), and are graphs showing the spectral relative radiant intensity distribution of the halogen bulb for each color temperature. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the ultraviolet fluorescent lamp has a spectral distribution mainly in the wavelength region of 280 nm to 400 nm, and the luminous tube of the ultraviolet fluorescent lamp is usually made of soda glass. Function as a wavelength selection filter that blocks ultraviolet rays, and does not need to pass through the wavelength selection filter again. On the other hand, the light source itself of the halogen bulb can be reduced in size as compared with a general infrared light bulb, so that the entire phototherapy device can be downsized and made functional. However, as can be seen from FIG. 7, light is emitted in a wide wavelength range from ultraviolet to far infrared. Therefore, when the light source includes a first light source such as an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp and a second light source such as a halogen bulb, only light from the halogen bulb is transmitted through a spectral correction filter by, for example, an appropriate light distribution unit. It is sufficient to block ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of less than 280 nm.
[0022]
As another configuration example of the light source, a germicidal lamp can be used as the first light source, and a halogen bulb can be combined with the second light source. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relative spectral radiant intensity distribution of an example of the germicidal lamp, with the horizontal axis and the vertical axis representing the light wavelength (unit: nm) and the relative radiant intensity (unit:%), respectively. In this case, since the light emitted from the first light source also contains ultraviolet rays having a wavelength less than 280 nm that is harmful to the human body as shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to block the light having a wavelength less than 280 nm with a spectral correction filter. . Therefore, in this case, the light emitted from the first light source and the light emitted from the second light source are combined by appropriate first and second light distribution means (both not shown), and then one spectral correction filter is used. It is rational to control the light obtained. As the light distribution means, for example, if the lamp has a ring shape, light can be distributed in the irradiation direction with a parabolic reflector, and if the lamp has a tubular shape, it is formed of a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate. It can also be placed in a container which has been mirror-finished so that light is reflected efficiently from the inner surface, and only a part of the light to be distributed is opened.
[0023]
Further, in the case where the light source is constituted by the first light source and the second light source, in the above example, the example in which the halogen light bulb is used as the second light source has been described, but it is also possible to replace this with an infrared light bulb or an incandescent light bulb. The transmission characteristics of the spectral correction filter may be adjusted according to the bulb used.
[0024]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one spectral correction filter is used has been described. However, a plurality of spectral correction filters are used according to a light source used so as to obtain target irradiation light, and wavelength selection is performed. And the strength may be adjusted.
[0025]
In addition, it goes without saying that the phototherapy device of the present invention can be used in combination with a supporting means provided with an appropriate moving means such as a caster, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of less than 280 nm that are harmful to the human body are blocked, and at the same time, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared rays having a wavelength of 650 nm to 1500 nm, which are useful for treatment of skin diseases and the like, particularly skin penetration. A phototherapy device that efficiently irradiates light near 800 nm, which has a high thermal effect and has a high thermal effect to warm the body from the outside, is provided, and an effect of enabling effective phototherapy is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a schematic external perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line PP ′ of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a filter unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of a spectral radiation intensity distribution of a xenon lamp.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a spectral transmission characteristic of a spectral correction filter.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a spectral radiation intensity distribution of the phototherapy device of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relative spectral radiation distribution of an example of an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relative spectral radiation intensity distribution of a halogen bulb for each color temperature.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relative spectral radiation intensity distribution of an example of a germicidal lamp.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light treatment device 2 irradiation window unit 3 distance measuring sensor 4 operation panel unit 5 filter unit 11 xenon lamp 13 light source holder 15 reflecting mirror 17 cooling fan 20 control circuit unit 51 spectral correction filter 53 filter holder

Claims (10)

A phototherapy device for performing treatment by irradiating an affected part with ultraviolet light and infrared light, wherein at least one or more light sources whose emitted light has a bright line or a continuous spectrum in a range of 280 nm to 2500 nm, and an ultraviolet light of less than 280 nm. A phototherapy device comprising: a spectral correction filter that transmits ultraviolet light of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared light of 650 nm to 1500 nm without transmitting the light. The light source is selected from a group including a xenon lamp, a fluorescent lamp (= low-pressure mercury lamp including an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp and a germicidal lamp), a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp, and a light bulb. A phototherapy device as described. 2. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a first light source mainly emitting ultraviolet rays and a second light source emitting light rays including infrared rays. 4. The phototherapy device according to claim 3, wherein the first light source is a fluorescent lamp, and the second light source is a halogen bulb. The phototherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filter has a transmittance at 800 nm of 30% to 70%. 6. The phototherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the filter is an optical filter having a glass substrate containing predetermined metal ions to have a spectral characteristic. The phototherapy device according to claim 6, wherein the glass substrate is a phosphate glass, and the metal ions are divalent and trivalent iron ions. What is claimed is: 1. A light therapy apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating an affected part with irradiation light containing ultraviolet light and infrared light, comprising: a first light source, a second light source, and an irradiation window from which the light emitted from the first light source emits the irradiation light. A first light distribution unit whose intensity is adjusted while being guided to the unit, and a second light distribution unit whose intensity is adjusted while the radiated light of the second light source is guided to the irradiation window unit,
The light treatment device, wherein the irradiation light does not include ultraviolet light having a wavelength of less than 280 nm, but includes ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 280 nm to 400 nm and infrared light having a wavelength of 650 nm to 1500 nm. 9. The phototherapy device according to claim 8, wherein the first light source is a fluorescent lamp, and the second light source is an infrared lamp. The phototherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a distance measuring means for measuring a distance from the irradiation target site.

Images