JP4670780B2 - Phototherapy device - Google Patents

Description

  For treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo, the present invention relates to a treatment device that irradiates an affected area with light of a narrow band UVB (wavelength 280 nm to 320 nm), and more particularly to a phototherapy device using a XeCl excimer discharge lamp as a light source or the like.

For skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo, phototherapy for irradiating ultraviolet rays (UV) having a specific wavelength is known. Among them, a representative one is phototherapy called narrowband UVB therapy with ultraviolet rays in a narrow wavelength range of 311 nm to 313 nm, and is considered to be superior in the treatment effect of psoriasis compared to UVB (broadband UVB) including other wavelengths. Moreover, it is becoming common in Europe and the United States and other countries because of its low carcinogenicity compared to UVA (wavelength 320 nm to 400 nm) or broadband UVB in the long wavelength region.
In such narrow band UVB therapy, a straight tube type fluorescent lamp that emits ultraviolet rays in the above-mentioned wavelength band is generally used as a light source. In addition, a light source using a planar light source in which the lamp shape is changed in order to further increase the uniformity of the amount of light in the irradiated part has been developed (see Patent Document 1).

Recently, in the light source in the above-mentioned phototherapy, phototherapy using excimer light having a central wavelength of 308 nm has been reported instead of the conventional fluorescent lamp that emits ultraviolet light of 311 nm to 313 nm. This technique is a treatment method using an excimer discharge lamp that emits ultraviolet light having a shorter center wavelength than the wavelength of ultraviolet light by the above-described narrow band UVB, and is disclosed in Patent Document 2 , for example.

The excimer discharge lamp used for the above-mentioned phototherapy is a lamp in which a mixed gas of xenon (Xe) gas and chlorine (Cl ₂ ) gas of 5 to 100 kPa is sealed inside the arc tube, and the excimer discharge lamp is turned on. Part of the mixed gas of Xe gas and Cl ₂ gas is combined to produce xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer, which uses excimer light with a central wavelength of 308 nm that is emitted during the transition of XeCl excimer to a stable ground state To do.

By adopting such short-wavelength light, it has been reported that a great effect can be obtained in the treatment of skin diseases, but on the other hand, the narrow-band UVB light having a central wavelength of 311 nm to 313 nm by conventional light therapy, It has a relatively short wavelength component, so it has high energy and is said to be greatly affected by side effects such as erythema.
JP 2004-350946 A WO 03/024526

  Usually, in phototherapy, it is required to calculate the minimum amount of erythema (MED) of the skin for each patient, and an ultraviolet wavelength band and intensity suitable for the patient are selected. Of course, even in phototherapy using an excimer discharge lamp, the minimum erythema amount (MED) of the skin is calculated in advance prior to the treatment, and a specific wavelength component that is expected to have an adverse effect on the skin is identified for each patient. Is required. Accordingly, it is required to adjust the intensity of ultraviolet rays while removing or reducing the light rays.

  In view of such a demand, the applicant first controls the wavelength component and irradiates the optimal light by inserting an optical filter that absorbs an undesirable wavelength component between the excimer discharge lamp and the affected part. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-359327).

  In general, an optical filter is generally used to control the wavelength spectrum and intensity. Various materials are considered for the optical filter. As described above, the optical filter is transparent to ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 308 nm and absorbs light having a shorter wavelength (light near 290 nm). The material is practically limited to glass. This is because the light from the excimer discharge lamp is diffused light, so only a filter made of colored glass can be used in practice. Specific examples of the material include borosilicate glass and anhydrous / oxygen-free aluminum fluoride glass. It will be limited to.

In the above-described phototherapy device using excimer light, the lamp and the optical filter need to be arranged close to each other in order to ensure the illuminance of light emitted from the excimer discharge lamp. However, since the filter is made of glass, there is a problem that it is easily affected by the heat generated by the excimer discharge lamp.
In the excimer discharge lamp, the temperature of the arc tube being lit is as high as several hundred degrees, so the vicinity of the lamp is heated, while the temperature far from the lamp does not rise so much, and the optical filter has a difference in heat level. Large and heat distortion will occur. Therefore, the optical filter may be cracked.

  If a crack occurs in the optical filter during the irradiation, the intensity distribution of the irradiation light changes and is not the same as the intensity distribution of the irradiation light when calculating the minimum erythema amount (MED). Irradiation doses necessary for treatment cannot be obtained, or on the contrary, the dose is too high, causing side effects. In particular, when a gap is generated in the cracked part and the unfiltered UVB light is irradiated to the affected part, there is a possibility of causing a serious side effect.

  In phototherapy, there are portions where the therapeutic effect is not improved due to insufficient irradiation in the affected area irradiated with light, while in other portions there should be no side effects due to excessive irradiation. In a phototherapy device that uses a light beam with high energy such as ultraviolet rays, it is important that the intensity of the therapeutic beam irradiated to the affected area is constant.

Although it is also considered to prevent cracking due to temperature difference by making the heat distribution of the optical filter uniform, the shape of the optical filter must be adapted to the shape of the arc tube of the excimer discharge lamp. . In addition, when the lamps are arranged in multiple lamps or when the arc tube has a complicated shape, a design that takes into account the heat given and received by the optical filter is necessary, and the feasibility is poor. Further, it is difficult to avoid the occurrence of temperature distribution in the axial direction of the arc tube, and it is impossible to reliably prevent the filter from cracking.
That is, it is difficult to surely avoid the thermal influence on the filter, and it is necessary to take sufficient measures in preparation for an unexpected crack.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that it is possible to quickly detect even when the optical filter is damaged, and to avoid irradiating and irradiating undesired ultraviolet rays to the patient and other surroundings. It is to provide a phototherapy device that can be used safely.

A phototherapy device according to the present invention comprises an excimer discharge lamp, and is a phototherapy device that irradiates an affected area of a skin disease with UVB light,
An optical filter made of glass for controlling the emitted light from the excimer discharge lamp in a predetermined manner;
A breakage detecting means for detecting breakage of the optical filter;
Based on the result of damage detection from the damage detection means, there is provided means for displaying an error and / or means for turning off the lamp.

  Further, the detection body of the breakage detection means is attached to the peripheral edge of the optical filter.

In addition, it has a cooling fan that blows cooling air to the excimer discharge lamp,
A detection body of the breakage detection means is attached to the upstream side of the cooling air in the optical filter.

Also, the damage detection means
A conductive wire as a detector attached to the optical filter;
A detection circuit for detecting a change in the resistance value of the conductive wire;
And a control unit for analyzing the result from the detection circuit.

The phototherapy device comprises a plurality of optical filters having different ultraviolet transmittances,
The conductive wire is preferably attached to each of the optical filters.

  Further, the breakage detecting means is characterized by detecting the vibration of the optical filter to determine the presence or absence of breakage.

  By detecting breakage of the optical filter and notifying the user as an error, or by stopping the power supplied to the excimer discharge lamp, it is possible to stably irradiate ultraviolet rays with a predetermined illuminance and distribution state, Irradiation of undesired short-wave ultraviolet rays can be avoided, and therefore side effects such as erythema can be prevented on the human body, and unwanted ultraviolet rays can be prevented from irradiating the surroundings.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
First, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the phototherapy device using the excimer discharge lamp which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire phototherapy device according to the present invention.
A xenon chloride excimer discharge lamp (not shown) is arranged as a light source inside the light irradiation unit 10 of the phototherapy device 100, and a light irradiation window 12 for emitting UVB light emitted from the excimer discharge lamp is provided on the front. Is formed. A stand 102 is erected on the pedestal 101, and a gripping tool 103 is attached to the guide groove 102 </ b> A, and the housing 11 of the light irradiation unit 10 is held and held by the gripping tool 103. The light irradiation unit 10 can be moved up and down along the guide groove 102 </ b> A of the stand 102, and the angle of the light irradiation window 12 can be adjusted by moving the connecting portion with the gripping tool 103. A power supply unit 104 is placed behind the stand 102, and an operation panel 105 provided with a display device is disposed on the power supply unit 104. In the figure, reference numeral 104A denotes a power supply cord for the excimer discharge lamp, and reference numeral 106 denotes a caster used for moving the apparatus.

FIG. 2: is a block diagram of a light irradiation unit, (a) Front view, (b) AA arrow sectional drawing, (c) BB arrow sectional drawing.
The housing 11 in the light irradiation unit 10 has a rectangular box shape, and a light irradiation window 12 that can be opened and closed is attached to the front surface of the case 11 via a hinge portion 120 provided below the paper surface. The light irradiation window 12 is attached to a frame body 121 formed along the shape of the opening on the front surface of the housing 11, a protective glass 122 fixed to the frame body 121, and a lower portion on the inner side surface of the protective glass 122. The fitting frame 122A has an L-shaped cross section and the optical filter 13 is detachably attached to the fitting frame 122A. A handle 121A used for opening and closing the light irradiation window 12 is attached to the upper portion of the frame 121.

  An excimer discharge lamp 20 is mounted inside the housing 11 of the light irradiation unit 10 with the tube axis of the arc tube supported vertically. Further, behind the excimer discharge lamp 20, an aluminum reflecting mirror 20R for reflecting the ultraviolet rays radiated from the lamp toward the light irradiation window is disposed.

  3A and 3B show an example of the excimer lamp 20 (a) a sectional view in the tube axis direction, and (b) a sectional view taken along line MM. The discharge vessel 21 is at least partially made of a dielectric material that transmits ultraviolet rays, and is made of, for example, quartz glass. In this example, the discharge vessel 21 has an outer tube 22 having a relatively large tube diameter, and a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 22 disposed along the tube axis in the outer tube 22. And a double tube structure in which the outer tube 22 and the inner tube 23 are melt-bonded at both ends. An annular discharge space H that is airtightly closed is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 23.

  The outer tube 22 is provided with a net-like first electrode 24 made of a conductive material such as a wire mesh in close contact with its outer peripheral surface, while the inner tube 23 is in close contact with its inner peripheral surface. The second electrode 25 is made of, for example, aluminum and has a substantially C-shape (saddle shape) having a notch in a pipe shape or a cross section. The first and second electrodes 24 and 25 are connected to a lamp lighting power source.

  In the discharge space H, xenon chloride (XeCl) is sealed as a discharge gas, and emits excimer light in the UVB region having a peak at a central wavelength of 308 nm. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 27 denotes the remainder of the exhaust pipe used when gas is sealed in the discharge vessel 21.

With reference to FIG. 2 again, the light irradiation unit will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (c), an opening serving as an intake hole 11a or an exhaust hole 11b is formed in the left-right direction of the housing 11, and a lamp 20 is formed inside each of the openings 11a and 11b. An air intake fan 14a for blowing cooling air toward the air and an air exhaust fan 14b for exhausting air inside the housing are provided (hereinafter, the air intake or exhaust fan is also simply referred to as “cooling fan”). ).
The cooling fans 14a and 14b are controlled by a control device (not shown) so as to be driven immediately after the excimer discharge lamp 20 is turned on, and after the lamp 20 is extinguished, the driving is controlled to stop after a certain time has elapsed. As described above, the cooling air is forcibly sent into the housing 11 to prevent an excessive temperature rise in the housing 11.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an optical filter mounted on the phototherapy device according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the optical filter 13 has a rectangular plate shape. Although only one sheet is shown in the figure, various optical filters having different ultraviolet transmittances, particularly transmittances for short wavelength components, are prepared. The reason for using such a large number of optical filters is that treatment is performed in the following procedure in an actual medical field.
(1) First, an optical filter having a low transmittance of a short wavelength component is disposed between the excimer discharge lamp and the affected part, and the affected part is irradiated with light. The MED value is obtained under these conditions, and treatment is performed with an irradiation time during which erythema does not occur.
(2) After the predetermined irradiation time is over, if the patient complains of fatigue due to the long irradiation time or the treatment effect is not confirmed, replace with an optical filter that transmits shorter wavelength components The MED value is obtained in the same manner as described above, and phototherapy is performed with a relatively short irradiation time.
(3) The same treatment is repeated, and an optimal optical filter suitable for the patient (affected part) is selected.
(4) After that, by continuing phototherapy using the selected optical filter, it is possible to realize phototherapy that is effective in a short time without causing mental or physical damage to the patient. .

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the protective glass 122 is provided with the fitting frame 122A in which the optical filter 13 can be freely attached and detached, and is provided with a plurality of optical filters (not shown) having different ultraviolet transmittances. The optical filter 13 can be replaced. Therefore, by adopting the above method, it is possible to perform phototherapy with less burden on the patient.

In addition, as glass which comprises the optical filter 13, the ultraviolet ray with a wavelength of 290 nm or less is cut, As a material, a borosilicate glass, an anhydrous, oxygen-free aluminum fluoride glass, etc. are suitable.
In the optical filter 13 according to the present embodiment, a conductive wire 31 is attached to one surface of each filter as a detection body for detecting breakage. The conductive circuit 31 and a detection circuit 32 and a control unit described in detail later. The breakage of the optical filter 13 can be detected by 33.

With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the breakage detection means of the optical filter 13 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the optical filter breakage detecting means according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the breakage detecting means according to the present embodiment is disposed in close contact with the optical filter 13, and a conductive wire 31 as a detection body that breaks due to breakage of the optical filter 13, A detection circuit 32 that measures a resistance value and transmits the measured resistance value to the control unit 33, and a control unit 33 that analyzes a value from the detection circuit 32 and determines a breakage are provided.

  Here, when a metal wire is used as the conductive wire 31, a nickel wire or a nichrome wire is suitable as the material, and a wire having a diameter of about several μm to several tens of μm can be used. When using a metal wire, it is preferable to apply tension to the metal wire so that the optical filter 13 is easily broken when it is damaged.

Alternatively, the conductive wire 31 can be formed by applying a conductive paste in a linear shape (or a strip shape) instead of the metal wire. As the conductive paste, silver paste, carbon paste, nickel paste and the like are suitable.
In the case of using a conductive paste, since it is formed in a linear shape with a relatively wide width, even if a crack occurs in the optical filter, it is difficult to be in a ruptured state, and thus an insulating state may not be formed. Since the cross-sectional area of the current flowing through the conductive paste is reduced at the crack portion, the resistance value increases. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality (damage) of the optical filter 13 by detecting a fluctuation (increase in the resistance value) from the stable state.

The conductive wire 31 described above is preferably provided at a location where the optical filter 13 is likely to be cracked. In the embodied apparatus, the conductive wire 31 is as follows.
That is, in the above-described phototherapy device 100, the excimer discharge lamp 20 that is a light source is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the light irradiation unit 10 in order to ensure illuminance uniformity from the light irradiation window 12. In particular, the optical filter 13 has a high temperature in the central portion where the distance from the lamp 20 is short, and a low temperature in the peripheral portion. Further, when cooling is performed by the cooling fans 14a and 14b, the temperature is lowest in the peripheral portion of the optical filter 13 on the windward side. As a result, a lot of tensile strain is generated in the peripheral portion that is the coldest portion in the optical filter 13, and this causes cracking. Therefore, it is particularly effective to dispose the conductive wire 31 in the vicinity of the peripheral portion of the optical filter 13, particularly in the case where air cooling with cooling air is performed. In this case, since the UVB light from the excimer discharge lamp 20 is not shielded by the conductive wire 31, it is preferable that a predetermined light beam can be efficiently taken out from the light irradiation window 12 without illuminance unevenness.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detection circuit 32 in the breakage detection means 30 includes a DC power source 321, a voltmeter 322 that measures a potential difference between one end (31 a) and the other end (31 b) of the conductive wire 31, and the conductive wire 31. An ammeter 323 for measuring the flowing current. A direct current is supplied from the direct current power source 321 to the conductive wire 31. The voltmeter 322 measures the potential difference between the one and other terminals 31a, 31b of the conductive wire 31, and simultaneously measures the current flowing through the conductive wire 31 in the ammeter 323, and calculates the resistance value from the measured values of voltage and current. Then, this resistance value data is transmitted to the control unit 33.
The direct current power source 321 can be constituted by, for example, a stabilized power source rectified by alternating current, a battery, or the like, and can be, for example, a means for generating a potential difference using a thermoelectromotive force or a photoelectric effect.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 33 includes, for example, an A / D converter 331 that converts analog data into digital data, a comparison circuit 332, a memory 333, and the like, and the A / D converter 331 converts the digital data into digital data. Thereafter, the comparison circuit 332 collates the damage threshold value of the resistance value recorded in advance in the memory 333 with the output value. If it is determined in the determination result that the output value is higher than the damage threshold resistance of the optical filter 13, the signal is transmitted to the display unit 105 </ b> A and / or the lamp lighting power supply 50 in the operation panel unit 105. The display unit 105A issues a warning, for example, by displaying “error”, and prompts the user to replace the optical filter 13. Further, in the lamp lighting power supply 50, the shut-off circuit 51 is activated to stop the power supplied to the lamp 20.
When the conductive wire 31 is surely disconnected and is in an insulated state (that is, when the resistance becomes ∞), data verification is omitted and a predetermined control signal is sent to the display unit 105 or the cutoff circuit 51. It is good to send to. This is because it is expected that the optical filter 13 is extremely damaged when the conductive wire 31 is disconnected, and it is desirable to control the power supply to the lamp 20 to be stopped.

  As described above, in the phototherapy device according to the present embodiment, when the optical filter is damaged, an error is displayed on the display unit or the lamp is turned off. In addition, it is possible to avoid a change in the illuminance distribution of light, and therefore, it is possible to prevent side effects such as erythema on the human body and to prevent unwanted ultraviolet rays from irradiating the surroundings.

In addition, as a breakage detection means, a conductive wire is directly attached to each optical filter to form a detection body, and a change in the resistance value of the current flowing through the breakage detection unit is detected, so that the optical filter is broken. When this happens, this can be detected quickly, and it is possible to prevent undesired ultraviolet rays from leaking around and being irradiated without delay.
In addition, since the conductive wire is disposed near the periphery of the optical filter, it is a portion where tensile strain is likely to occur near the periphery of the optical filter and cracking is likely to occur. Line breakage and cracks occur, and the occurrence of breakage can be detected with high probability. Moreover, since the UVB light from the excimer discharge lamp does not need to be shielded by the conductive wire, a predetermined light beam can be efficiently taken out from the light irradiation window without uneven illuminance.

  Further, in the phototherapy device including the cooling fan, the damage detection unit is arranged on the upstream side of the cooling air in the optical filter, so that the detection capability of the occurrence of damage can be further increased.

  It goes without saying that the first embodiment of the present application can be appropriately changed. For example, the configuration of the excimer discharge lamp is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, although the example which has arrange | positioned the conductive wire as a damage detection part only to the peripheral part in the above was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. Needless to say, the optical filter replacement method is not limited to the embodiment described above, and any known appropriate means can be employed.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the same structure as the structure demonstrated previously in FIGS. 1-5, it shows with the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration relating to the detection means when detecting breakage of the optical filter. Since the configuration relating to the light irradiation unit in the phototherapy device and the operation procedure when the optical filter is damaged are the same as those described above, repeated description will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining an optical filter mounted on the phototherapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams schematically showing a vibration sensor, and FIG. 7B is a block diagram for explaining optical filter breakage detecting means according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, a vibration sensor 41 as a detection body is attached to the optical filter 13. The optical filter 13 is cooled by a cooling fan from the left to the right on the paper surface. For example, three vibration sensors 41 are attached along the side edge on the upstream side of the cooling air. In this way, the optical filter 13 is attached to the upstream side of the cooling air in the vicinity of the center of the optical filter 13 while the glass is expanded by the heat from the excimer discharge lamp, while the peripheral part, particularly when it is cooled, the upstream side of the glass. It is difficult to thermally expand, and tensile strain is likely to occur at the location, so that breakage is likely to occur. In addition, since the UVB light from the excimer discharge lamp 20 is not shielded by the vibration sensor by being arranged at the side edge portion of the optical filter, a predetermined light beam can be efficiently taken out from the light irradiation window 12 without illuminance unevenness. There is also an advantage of being able to.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the vibration sensor 41 includes a substantially cylindrical casing 411, and is attached to the optical filter 13 by an adhesive layer 41A made of a double-sided adhesive sheet or the like on the bottom surface thereof. A disk-shaped piezoelectric element 412 that converts vibration of the optical filter 13 into a voltage signal, a filter amplifier 413, and an A / D converter 414 are provided inside.

  In FIG. 7A, when the piezoelectric element 412 arranged in the vicinity of the optical filter 13 senses vibration, the reception frequency passes through the filter amplifier 413, noise is removed, and only the frequency related to the glass breakage is obtained. It is transmitted to the A / D converter 414. Then, when analog data is converted into digital data in the A / D converter 414, control in the controller 43 is performed as shown in FIG. 7B via a lead wire 42 extending from the housing 411 to the external controller 43. Transmitted to the unit 44. Note that this external controller is installed, for example, inside the casing of the power supply unit 104 in FIG. The external controller 43 is provided with a direct current power source such as a battery, and supplies power to the vibration sensor 41 via the lead wire 42 described above.

  The control unit 44 includes, for example, a comparison circuit 441 and a memory 442, and a damage threshold voltage is recorded in advance. When the comparison circuit 441 compares the output value from the vibration sensor 41 with the damage threshold voltage and the determination result by the comparison circuit 441 determines that the output voltage from the vibration sensor 41 is greater than the breakdown threshold voltage, the control unit 44. Transmits the signal to the display unit 105 </ b> A and / or the lamp lighting power source 50 in the operation panel unit 105. The display unit 105 </ b> A issues a warning by displaying “error” or the like, and prompts the user to replace the filter 13. Further, in the lamp lighting power supply 50, the shut-off circuit 51 is activated to stop the power supplied to the lamp.

As described above, the breakage detection means 40 detects and analyzes the vibration from the vibration sensor 41, so that it is possible to quickly detect that the optical filter 13 is broken. When breakage is detected, an error is displayed on the display unit 105A without delay and the lamp 20 is turned off, so that an undesired ultraviolet ray irradiates the surrounding area or irradiates the affected part. It is possible to avoid a change in the illuminance distribution in the light, and to reliably avoid the occurrence of side effects such as erythema on the human body.
Furthermore, by attaching the vibration sensor 41 to a portion of the optical filter 13 where tensile strain is likely to occur, the occurrence of breakage can be detected with a high probability, and the above-described effects can be reliably achieved.

  In the above, the vibration sensor attached to the optical filter may be attached in advance to each optical filter, or may be replaced every time the optical filter is replaced. In the present embodiment, three vibration sensors are provided, but the number is appropriate depending on the detection area of the vibration sensor. In the above description, the detection method of the vibration sensor is a piezoelectric method, but is not limited thereto and is appropriate. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit has been described with the example provided with the cooling means, but the configuration relating to the cooling means is not essential. Of course, the cooling means is not limited to the fan type. In addition, when the light irradiation unit is not provided with a cooling means, it is good to arrange | position a vibration sensor in the periphery of an optical filter in consideration of the detection area of a vibration sensor.

  Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration and can be modified.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to immediately detect the breakage of the optical filter, notify the user as an error, or stop the power supply to the lamp, thereby irradiating an unexpected short wavelength ultraviolet ray. Unevenness of illuminance can be avoided, and therefore, side effects such as erythema can be prevented against the human body, and undesired ultraviolet rays can be prevented from irradiating the surroundings.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a phototherapy device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the light irradiation unit which concerns on this invention, (a) Front view, (b) AA arrow sectional drawing, (c) BB arrow sectional drawing. 5A is a cross-sectional view in the tube axis direction and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line MM. It is a perspective view for description of the optical filter with which the phototherapy device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention is equipped. It is a block diagram explaining the breakage detection means of the optical filter which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for description of the optical filter with which the phototherapy device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention is equipped. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the vibration sensor which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) It is a block diagram explaining the damage detection means of the optical filter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Phototherapy device 101 Base 102 Stand 102A Guide groove 103 Grasping tool 104 Power supply part 104A Power supply cord 105 Operation panel part 105A Display part 106 Caster 10 Light irradiation unit 11 Case 11a Intake hole (opening)
11b Exhaust hole (opening)
12 light irradiation window 120 hinge part 121 frame 121A handle 122 protective glass 122A fitting frame 13 optical filter 14a intake fan (cooling fan)
14b Exhaust fan (cooling fan)
20 Excimer discharge lamp 20R Reflection mirror 21 Discharge vessel 22 Outer tube 23 Inner tube 24 First electrode 25 Second electrode 26 Power supply device 27 Exhaust tube remainder H Discharge space 30 Damage detection means 31 Conductive wires 31a, 31b Terminal 32 Detection circuit 321 DC power supply 322 Voltmeter 323 Ammeter 33 Control unit 331 A / D converter 332 Comparison circuit 333 Memory 40 Damage detection means 41 Vibration sensor 41A Adhesive layer 411 Housing 412 Piezoelectric element 413 Filter amplifier 414 A / D converter 42 Lead wire 43 External controller 44 Control unit 441 Comparison circuit 442 Memory 50 Lamp lighting power supply 51 Cutoff circuit

Claims (6)

A phototherapy device comprising an excimer discharge lamp and irradiating UVB light to an affected area of a skin disease,
An optical filter made of glass for controlling the emitted light from the excimer discharge lamp in a predetermined manner;
A breakage detecting means for detecting breakage of the optical filter;
A phototherapy device comprising: means for displaying an error and / or means for turning off the lamp based on the result of damage detection from the damage detection means.   The phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the detection body of the breakage detection means is attached to a peripheral portion of the optical filter. A cooling fan for blowing cooling air to the excimer discharge lamp;
The phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein a detection body of the breakage detection means is attached to the upstream side of the cooling air in the optical filter. The breakage detecting means is
A conductive wire as a detector attached to the optical filter;
A detection circuit for detecting a change in the resistance value of the conductive wire;
The phototherapy device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that analyzes a result from the detection circuit. The phototherapy device comprises a plurality of optical filters having different ultraviolet transmittances,
The phototherapy device according to claim 4, wherein the conductive wire is attached to each of the optical filters. 2. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the breakage detecting means detects vibration of the optical filter to determine the presence or absence of breakage.

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