JP6112532B2 - Laser therapy device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improvement in portability and operability of a laser treatment device, particularly a laser treatment device used for pain relief and wound healing promotion.

A configuration example of a conventional laser treatment device is shown in FIG. The apparatus includes a laser treatment device main body 101 and a probe 102 that irradiates a living body with laser light, and both are connected by a probe cord 107.
The laser treatment device main body 101 includes an input unit 103, a control unit 104, and a power supply unit 105, and the probe 102 includes a laser diode 108 that generates laser light.
The input unit 103 has a data input key and the like, and operates the key to set stimulation conditions such as the intensity of the laser beam to be output and the irradiation time.
The control unit 104 refers to the stimulation condition set by the input unit 103, controls the current supplied to the laser diode 108, and controls the entire apparatus such as a display unit and an input unit.
The power supply unit 105 supplies power to the entire apparatus including the laser diode 108.
The laser diode 108 is driven by the current controlled by the control unit 104, and outputs a laser beam having an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the current.
The probe cord 107 is an electric wire that supplies the current controlled by the control unit 104 to the laser diode 108, and 106 is a power line for commercial power.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the laser treatment device main body 101 is usually provided with a display unit, and set stimulation conditions and treatment data (output light intensity, treatment elapsed time, remaining time, etc.) , Treatment result data (cumulative irradiation time, total irradiation energy, etc.), etc. are displayed.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, a touch sensor is provided at a portion (irradiation end) where the probe 102 is brought into contact with the living body and outputs laser light, and if this is brought into contact with the living body, laser irradiation is permitted. I have to.

In some cases, an irradiation start switch is provided instead of the touch sensor, and the laser is irradiated when the switch is turned on.
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the laser diode 108 is built in the probe 102, but there is also a case where the laser diode 108 is accommodated in the laser treatment device body 101. In this type of apparatus, an optical fiber is used for the probe cord 107, and the laser light generated by the laser diode 103 in the laser treatment device body 101 is guided to the probe 102 to irradiate the living body.

The stimulation points of low-power laser treatment for pain relief are the tender point (the point where pain occurs when pressed), the trigger point (pain causing site), the acupuncture points, ganglia, nerves, Blood vessels and the like. Usually, there are a plurality of stimulation points around the affected area, and stimulation is performed in the order of strong tenderness, for example.
In promoting wound healing, it stimulates the outside of the damaged area around the wound and the entire wound.
The intensity of the stimulating light requires an output of several tens of mW or more, but depending on the patient, the disease, the degree of the disease, the affected part (difference in sensitivity), and the depth from the body surface The light intensity is adjusted accordingly.
The stimulation time is suitably about 15 seconds per stimulation point, but depending on the patient, depending on the disease, depending on the severity of the disease, the site of the affected area (difference in sensitivity), and depending on the depth from the body surface, Adjust the stimulation time. Usually, it is used after several to several tens of seconds.
When appropriate laser treatment is performed in this way, effective pain relief, wound healing promotion, and the like are possible.

When the patient is seated on the treatment table before treatment and stimulation conditions suitable for the patient are set from the input unit 105, preparation for treatment is completed.
After that, when the practitioner holds the probe 102 by hand and touches the stimulation point of the affected area, the treatment starts, the laser is output for the set irradiation time (several to several tens of seconds), and one point of treatment is completed. . If this is repeated at all treatment points, treatment ends.

Stimulation points such as tender points and acupoints are small points, and a sufficient therapeutic effect cannot be obtained unless this position is stimulated accurately and from a substantially vertical direction.
For this reason, the probe 102 is designed to be small and light so that it can be easily held by hand and can stimulate any part from a desired direction.
However, since the conventional laser treatment device shown in FIG. 3 connects the laser treatment device main body 101 and the probe 102 with the probe cord 107, the range in which the probe 102 can be moved depends on the length of the probe cord 107. Limited by. For this reason, depending on the site away from the laser treatment device body 101, the probe 102 may not reach the affected area and treatment cannot be performed. In such a case, the laser treatment device body 101 must be moved during treatment. I had to. That is, there is a problem that the moving range of the probe 102 is limited by the length of the probe cord 107.
Also, depending on the mass of the probe 102 and the tension and mass of the probe cord 107, it may be difficult to set the probe 102 at the desired position in the desired direction. Also, the probe 102 may be set at the desired position in the desired direction. However, there is a problem that the position and direction of the probe 102 may be deviated and the therapeutic effect is lowered. That is, there was a problem with the operability of the probe 102.
In addition, when performing laser treatment at a place away from the normal installation position, such as at the bedside, the entire device must be carried, but the device is somewhat large and heavy, requiring labor and labor for transportation, and commercial use. There was a problem that it could not be used without a power supply. In other words, there was a problem of portability.
Due to such problems, there has been a problem that the labor of the practitioner dealing with it increases, and the medical effect and medical efficiency decrease.

Although the technology for solving these problems is not disclosed in a low-power laser treatment device for the purpose of pain relief and wound healing promotion, there are several technologies in a similar field such as hair growth by laser irradiation. Exists (for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1 arranges a plurality of protrusions on a part of the case body and physically massages the protrusions in contact with the scalp, and irradiates light from a light emitting diode from the tip of the protrusions. This is a hair removal treatment device provided with a laser irradiation unit so as to emit a low-power laser.
The device is composed of a small case body and a charger that charges the battery of the small case body. The battery is charged in advance by placing the case body on the charger. The case body is taken out, the stimulation part of the case body is brought into contact with the scalp, and combined stimulation with pressure, laser light, and LED light can be performed.
Thus, since the device of Patent Document 1 houses the LED, the laser diode, its control unit, and the battery in one case, the above-described problems of the conventional device of FIG. 3 are solved.

Patent Publication No. 2007-520239

As described above, the conventional laser treatment device shown in FIG. 3 connects the laser treatment device main body 101 and the probe 102 with the probe cord 107, so that the movement range of the probe 102 is limited. There was a problem that was limited. Moreover, since the apparatus is relatively large and needs to be connected to a commercial power source, there is a problem in the portability of the apparatus. Such inconvenience increases the labor of the practitioner to cope with it, and reduces the medical effect and medical efficiency.

The device of Patent Document 1 includes an LED, a laser diode, its control unit, and a case body that houses a battery and a charger, and the case body alone can stimulate the scalp.
For this reason, as described above, the limitation of the movement range of the probe 102, the limitation of operability, and the portability of the conventional laser treatment device are solved.
However, the charger of Patent Document 1 only charges the battery of the case body, and does not have means for setting the stimulation conditions. Further, the case body does not have means for setting the stimulation conditions.
For this reason, the apparatus of patent document 1 cannot set appropriate stimulation conditions according to a patient, the kind of disease, the position of an affected part, and the depth from the body surface, and cannot perform an appropriate laser treatment.

The present invention solves these problems, has an unlimited range of movement, is excellent in operability and portability, and can arbitrarily stimulate any part at any place from any direction, i.e., arbitrarily set stimulation conditions, i.e. irradiation conditions The purpose is to provide a low-power laser treatment device that is highly effective and saves the labor of the practitioner, and in particular, prevents the laser from being irradiated under wrong irradiation conditions. It is aimed at.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the laser treatment device including the laser oscillating means, the laser irradiating unit incorporating the battery, and the main body provided with the charger, the laser oscillating unit is controlled by the laser irradiating unit. The main body portion includes a control means, a storage means for storing laser irradiation conditions, a connection portion for electrically or electromagnetically connecting to the main body portion, and a key for operating the laser oscillation means. Provided with a condition setting means for setting the laser irradiation condition and an accommodation recess into which the laser irradiation unit can be fitted, and further, an irradiation end protruding from the laser irradiation unit is inserted into the accommodation recess An insertion hole to be connected, and a connection part for electrical or electromagnetic connection with the laser irradiation part, and a connection part of the laser irradiation part and a connection part of the main body part It is configured in a convex shape and a concave shape so that one and the other are engaged, and the irradiation end of the laser irradiation unit is inserted into the insertion hole, and the connection unit of the laser irradiation unit and the connection unit of the main body unit are engaged. Te, wherein the laser irradiation unit is held in the accommodating recess of the main body portion, as long as a state where the main body portion and the laser irradiation unit is connected via the respective connecting portions electrically or electromagnetically, of the laser irradiation unit charging the battery, also, the main body portion and a condition setting means capable of communicating the storage means of the laser irradiation portion, you can enter the laser irradiation condition by the condition setting means of the main body portion and to the laser irradiation unit It is characterized by being transmitted to and stored in the storage means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the laser treatment device comprising the laser oscillating means, the laser irradiation unit incorporating the battery, and the main body provided with the charger, the laser irradiation unit and the main body are electrically or electromagnetically connected. Since the laser irradiation condition cannot be set by the condition setting means of the main body unless it is in a connected state, for example, when the laser irradiation unit is placed on the main body, the laser irradiation unit and the main body Are connected and ready for transmission, and the setting of the laser irradiation unit is prevented from being changed.

Furthermore, a connecting portion that engages with the connecting portion of the laser irradiation unit is provided in the housing concave portion formed in the main body portion, the laser irradiation portion is held in the housing concave portion, and the connecting portion of the laser irradiation portion is connected to the main body portion. Since it is electrically or electromagnetically connected by being engaged with the connecting portion, it is possible to transmit the laser irradiation conditions in a state of being always securely connected.

It is an Example of the laser treatment apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the laser treatment apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the prior art example of a laser treatment apparatus.

A laser treatment device comprising a laser oscillating means, a laser irradiating part incorporating a battery, and a main body provided with a charger. The laser irradiating part stores control means for controlling the laser oscillating means, and laser irradiation conditions. A storage means, a connection portion for electrically or electromagnetically connecting to the main body portion, and a key for operating the laser oscillation means are provided. The main body is provided with condition setting means for setting laser irradiation conditions and a connection for electrically or electromagnetically connecting to the laser irradiation unit. The battery of the laser irradiation unit is charged only in a state where it is electrically or electromagnetically connected through each connection unit, and the condition setting unit of the main unit and the storage unit of the laser irradiation unit can communicate with each other. It is configured to store and send to the storage means of the laser irradiation portion in the condition setting means as an enabling input of the laser irradiation conditions.

An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a laser irradiation unit, and 4 is a controller constituting the main body unit.
The laser irradiation unit 2 includes a semiconductor laser 6 as laser oscillation means for outputting laser light, a memory 8 as storage means for storing laser irradiation conditions by the semiconductor laser 6, and the semiconductor laser 6 with reference to the contents of the memory 8. A control means 10 for controlling the operation of the battery and a battery 12 for supplying electric power are incorporated, and the outer shape is formed in a size and shape that can be easily held with one hand.
In addition, the controller 4 includes a condition setting unit 14 that sets control information of the laser irradiation unit 2 including a laser irradiation condition by the semiconductor laser 6, and a charger 16 that charges the battery 12.
Further, in order to transmit the control information set by the condition setting means 14 from the controller 4 to the memory 8 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and to charge the battery 12 of the laser irradiation unit 2 by the charger 16 of the controller 4, the controller Connection portions 18 and 20 for electrically or electromagnetically connecting 4 and the laser irradiation unit 2 are provided in both the laser irradiation unit 2 and the controller 4.
In the present invention, a connecting means for connecting the terminal exposed to the connecting portion 18 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and the terminal exposed to the connecting portion 20 of the controller 4 to make an electrical connection is configured. For example, the laser irradiation unit 2 is provided with a signal terminal connected to the memory 8 and a power supply terminal connected to the battery 12. The controller 4 has a signal terminal connected to the condition setting means 14 and a power supply connected to the charger 16. By providing a terminal and bringing the connection part 18 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and the connection part 20 of the controller 4 into contact, the power supply terminal and the power supply terminal, the signal terminal and the signal terminal are respectively connected, and the laser irradiation part 2 and the controller 4 are connected. Are wired and electrically connected.
Here, an example has been shown in which the laser irradiation unit 2 and the controller 4 are connected by wire through the terminals exposed to the connection units 18 and 20, but electromagnetic transmission may be performed wirelessly using electromagnetic waves or the like.

The controller 4 is formed with a housing recess 22 into which the laser irradiation unit 2 can be fitted as a mounting unit for mounting the laser irradiation unit 2, and the connection unit 20 projects into the housing recess 22. It is formed as an engaging part. Further, the laser irradiation part 2 is formed with a connection part 18 as a concave engagement part at a position engageable with the connection part 20, and the laser irradiation part 2 is placed in the accommodation concave part 22 of the controller 4 and accommodated. By doing so, the convex connection portion 20 is fitted into the concave connection portion 18 to be in an engaged state, and the battery 12 of the laser irradiation unit 2 can be charged by being connected to the charger 16 of the controller 4 by wire or wirelessly. it can. Charging may be started by pressing a charging start switch (not shown), or may be started only by placing the laser irradiation unit 2 on the controller 4.
In the present embodiment, two laser irradiation parts 2 are provided, and the accommodating recesses 22 are formed in two places as mounting parts, but each may be one or two or more. Good.
The controller 4 is provided with a display unit 24 such as an LED display or a liquid crystal display. When the battery is charged, the display unit 24 displays how much the battery is being charged, whether the battery is being charged, or has been charged. The portion 24 is convenient because it can be determined whether or not the laser irradiation unit 2 can be used from the viewpoint of the power source.

Further, the controller 4 is provided with a setting input unit 26 using a key switch, a volume or the like, and the control input including a desired output light intensity and irradiation time is set by operating the setting input unit 26. To the condition setting means 14 of the controller 4.
The condition setting means 14 of the controller 4 can set not only irradiation conditions such as laser output and irradiation time but also control signals for controlling each part of the laser irradiation unit 2. The laser irradiation unit 2 is provided with both a contact switch 28 that operates by touching the irradiation end 2A and a manual switch 30 that is manually operated by a practitioner in order to emit laser light. The signal includes information on which of the contact switch 28 and the manual switch 30 is selected, time information until a sleep mode for reducing power consumption, and a plurality of music and melodies being treated. There is information on which to select from, sound pressure of music and melody, volume information and so on.
The laser irradiation unit 2 is placed in the housing recess 22 of the controller 4, and the convex connection portion 20 of the controller 4 is fitted into the concave connection portion 18 of the laser irradiation unit 2 so that the controller 4 is engaged. The condition setting unit 14 is connected to the memory 8 of the laser irradiation unit 2 so as to be communicable. In this state, the condition setting means 14 of the controller 4 can be input from the setting input unit 26, and the input irradiation conditions and control signals are transmitted via the connection units 18 and 20 and stored in the memory 8. ing.
As described above, only when the connection unit 18 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and the connection unit 20 of the controller 4 are electrically or electromagnetically connected, the setting input unit 26 of the controller 4 to the condition setting unit 14 Since the input is enabled and the irradiation condition is transmitted to the memory 8 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and set in the control means 10, the irradiation condition is input to the controller 4 in a state where the laser irradiation unit 2 is disconnected in advance. When data is transmitted only when the laser irradiation unit 2 is connected, the data is transmitted unintentionally due to the contact between the controller 4 and the laser irradiation unit 2, and the laser is operated under wrong irradiation conditions. There is no irradiation. Moreover, since the connection parts 18 and 20 of the controller 4 and the laser irradiation part 2 are formed so as to be engaged with each other, transmission is started in a state where the connection is insufficient, and the connection is canceled and the transmission is interrupted. In addition, transmission mistakes such as setting under wrong irradiation conditions and no transmission itself are prevented.
Note that the shapes of the connecting portion 18 of the laser irradiation unit 2 and the connecting portion 20 of the controller 4 may be reversed, and furthermore, as long as they can be engaged with each other, they are configured as engaging portions of various shapes. be able to.
In addition, the housing recess 22 is formed with an insertion hole 22A for inserting the protruding irradiation end 2A at a position where the irradiation end 2A of the laser irradiation unit 2 is located, and the irradiation end 2A is formed in the insertion hole 22A. The laser irradiation unit 2 can be securely held in the housing recess 22 by being inserted and engaged with the connection portion 20 formed in the housing recess 22.

The data transmission for transmitting the irradiation condition and the control signal from the controller 4 to the laser irradiation unit 2 has been described above. Conversely, the data is transmitted from the laser irradiation unit 2 to the controller 4 and the transmission contents are displayed on the display unit of the controller 4. If it is possible to display on 24, the irradiation condition used last time can be confirmed, the irradiation condition can be changed as necessary, and it is not necessary to operate the controller 4 when there is no need to change the irradiation condition. Can be saved.
The controller 4 is provided with a power supply unit 32 for supplying power to the condition setting means 14 and the charger 16, and is connected to a commercial power supply by a power cord 32A. Therefore, the movement range is not limited. Further, an output measuring unit 34 is provided, and by irradiating a laser beam toward this, the output of the laser can be measured to determine whether there is a sufficient output.
In addition, a display unit 36 is provided on the upper surface of the laser irradiation unit 2 to check the irradiation conditions, the remaining battery level, and the like, and an emergency stop switch 38 for stopping laser irradiation in an emergency is arranged on the side part. ing. Further, the peripheral portion of the display unit 36 is covered with an opening / closing cover 40 so as to be openable / closable, and a card-type key 42 for enabling the laser oscillation means 6 to be inserted inside the opening / closing cover 40 is inserted. It has become.

The following outlines the use of the laser therapy device according to the present invention.
Prior to use, the laser irradiation unit 2 is placed in the housing recess 22 of the controller 4 and both are electrically or electromagnetically connected.
The display unit 24 confirms that the battery 12 is charged. If it is insufficient, it is charged.
The setting input unit 26 of the controller 4 is operated to set irradiation conditions suitable for the patient. Further, other control signals for controlling the laser irradiation unit 2 are set as necessary.
When the input irradiation condition is transmitted from the condition setting unit 14 to the memory 8 of the laser irradiation unit 2, the irradiation condition is set in the control unit 10, and the laser irradiation unit 2 alone can be used as a laser treatment device. .
A contact switch 28 is provided at the irradiation end 2A of the laser irradiation unit 2, and when the irradiation end 2A is brought into contact with the patient's skin, the contact switch 28 is turned on, and the signal is input to the control means 10, and laser light is emitted. Output is allowed. When the manual switch 30 is selected instead of the contact switch 28 at the time of setting input at the setting input unit 26 of the controller 4 and this control signal is transmitted to the laser irradiation unit 2, when the manual switch 30 is pressed, the laser irradiation unit It is possible to irradiate the laser without bringing the 2 irradiation end 2A into contact with the patient. That is, laser treatment can be performed without contact.

As mentioned above, the stimulation points of low-power laser treatment for the purpose of pain relief and wound healing are tender points (points where light pressure causes pain), trigger points (pain-causing sites), Toyo Although it is a key point in medicine, it often stimulates tender points. There are usually several tender points around the affected area, and they are stimulated in order of increasing tenderness.

Holding the laser irradiation unit 2 with the battery 12 charged and setting the irradiation conditions by hand, first, when the irradiation end 2A is pressed to the tender point where the strongest pain occurs, the treatment is started and predetermined intensity of light is predetermined. Irradiate only for the irradiation time. When the irradiation time ends, the light output stops. Subsequently, when the irradiation unit of the laser irradiation unit 2 is pressed against the second strongest tender point, light having a predetermined intensity is irradiated for a predetermined irradiation time. Similarly, the third strongest tender point and the fourth are sequentially stimulated. When irradiation of all treatment points is finished, the treatment is finished. If the pain is strong, pressing the irradiation part may increase the pain, so the output switch may be used without contact.
When appropriate laser treatment is performed in this manner, effective pain relief can be performed.
In promoting wound healing, a healthy area slightly outside the damaged area around the wound is stimulated at a plurality of locations in consideration of running of blood vessels and nerves. In this case, it is often the case that a relatively strong stimulation is performed by bringing the irradiation unit into contact.
In promoting wound healing, the wound may be directly stimulated. In this case, treatment is often performed in a non-contact manner with a relatively weak stimulus for a long irradiation time.

Since the laser irradiation unit 2 is driven by the battery 12, in order to make the battery last longer, the laser irradiation unit 2 can be set to a sleep mode after a certain period of time after use.
When the setting input unit 26 of the controller 4 is operated to set the time until the sleep mode is set, and this information is transmitted to the memory 8 of the laser irradiation unit 2 by data transmission, the control means 10 displays the contents of the memory 8. Referring to, enter sleep mode.
When the setting input unit 26 of the controller 4 is operated to set which music or melody is selected, how much sound pressure and volume are output, and transferred to the memory 8 and the control means 10 of the laser irradiation unit 2 When used, the selected music or melody is output at the set sound pressure and volume.

The laser irradiation unit 2 of the present invention has a size and mass that can be held with one hand, and is not connected with a cord or the like that prevents the movement of the laser irradiation unit 2, so that any part of a patient can be irradiated with a laser from an appropriate direction. It can also be carried away from the controller 4 and can be used freely at the bedside or the like. Irradiation conditions can be changed arbitrarily, so that treatment can be performed under appropriate irradiation conditions for any patient, for any disease, for any disease level. . Furthermore, since it can be used in a contact type and a non-contact type, the application of the patient can be expanded. As a result, the therapeutic effect can be further improved.
In addition, since the sleep mode can be set, the apparatus can be used for a long time.
Furthermore, music and melody can be selected arbitrarily, and the sound pressure and volume can be set arbitrarily, so that a comfortable treatment can be provided and the improvement of the treatment effect can be supported also from a psychological aspect. .
As described above, the laser treatment device of the present invention solves the conventional problems, the operability and the section improve the rest, the restrictions on the market are eliminated, the treatment effect is further improved, and the labor of the assistant is saved. It is to become.

2: Laser irradiation unit 4: Controller (main unit)
6: Semiconductor laser (laser oscillation means) 8: Memory (storage means)
12: Battery 16: Charger 10: Control means 18, 22: Connection part

Claims (1)

In a laser treatment device comprising a laser irradiating unit incorporating a laser oscillation means and a battery, and a main body unit equipped with a charger,
Control means for controlling the laser oscillation means to the laser irradiation section, storage means for storing laser irradiation conditions, a connection section for electrically or electromagnetically connecting to the main body section, and operating the laser oscillation means And a key to enable,
A condition setting means for setting the laser irradiation condition in the main body, and an accommodation recess capable of fitting the laser irradiation part;
Further, an insertion hole for inserting the projected irradiation end of the laser irradiation unit and a connection part for electrical or electromagnetic connection with the laser irradiation unit are provided in the housing recess, and the laser irradiation unit The connecting portion and the connecting portion of the main body are configured in a convex shape and a concave shape so that one and the other are engaged,
The irradiation end of the laser irradiation part is inserted into the insertion hole, and the connection part of the laser irradiation part and the connection part of the main body part are engaged to hold the laser irradiation part in the receiving recess of the main body part. Let
The battery of the laser irradiation unit is charged only in a state where the laser irradiation unit and the main body unit are electrically or electromagnetically connected via the respective connection units, and the condition setting means of the main body unit and the laser treatment instrument is capable of communicating the storage means of the laser irradiation part, characterized thereby and stored sent to storage means to be input to the laser irradiation condition by the condition setting means of the main body portion and the laser irradiation portion .