KR102594234B1 - Device for treating the Oropharyngeal by light irradiation - Google Patents

Abstract

An oropharyngeal light irradiation device is provided.
The present invention provides a main body equipped with at least one light source and generating irradiated light when power is applied; At least one optical waveguide corresponding to the light source is provided inside the body, and a mouthpiece portion is connected to the body and disposed in the oral cavity, wherein the mouthpiece portion is fixed to the upper and lower teeth of the user. The irradiated light generated from the light source and input to the input terminal of the optical waveguide includes a fixing part and a tongue pressing part that extends a certain length from the tooth fixing part to the user's oropharynx and whose lower surface is in contact with the user's tongue. It is transmitted to the oropharynx side corresponding to the output end and irradiated.

Description

Device for treating the Oropharyngeal by light irradiation}

The present invention relates to a device that directly irradiates irradiated light to the oropharynx of the oral cavity. In more detail, the irradiated light energy is directly irradiated to the oropharynx and the larynx, which corresponds to the throat, to treat inflammation and quickly restore the area damaged by inflammation to its original state. It relates to an oropharyngeal light irradiation device that can provide recovery.

In general, LED stands for light emitting diode and is a semiconductor that emits light when an electric current flows through it. These LEDs can not only emit all types of light, including ultraviolet rays, visible rays, and infrared rays, but can also control output and color, so they are widely used as light sources for lighting or medical devices.

The light generated from LED, which is a light source, has low energy and can control the light of the desired wavelength, so it has few side effects on the human body and does not cause damage to other body tissues. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of LED light wavelengths in the visible and near-infrared regions on the human body. It is permitted to be used.

The LED light source may vary slightly in terms of the type of photosensitizer, irradiation wavelength, light irradiation intensity (mW/cm2), light irradiation time (min), and light irradiation cycle (Hz) depending on the bacteria in the oral cavity, but in general, it is suitable for pathogenic bacteria. It is effective in sterilization, and as the energy (J/cm2) by irradiance (mW/cm2) increases, the death rate of bacteria increases, and light with a visible wavelength of 400nm or more has a sterilization effect similar to UV when used at high energy. can show the effect.

The intensity of irradiance (mW/㎠) for effective sterilization of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity is closely related to the light irradiation distance, and the irradiance is 1/10th of a minute or 1/10th of the intensity at a distance of 5-10cm from the patient's area. It has the characteristic of weakening.

Accordingly, the medical field using LEDs, which have advantages compared to lasers as an alternative light source for low-power lasers, are expanding. They are safe as there is almost no damage or direct tissue damage caused by LEDs, and light of various wavelengths is widely and easily transmitted. It is effective and economical because it can be arranged to cover a wide area.

In photodynamic therapy (PDT) using LEDs, an effective way to remove oral bacteria is to apply high intensity irradiance (mW/㎠) to all areas inside and outside the teeth and gums in the oral cavity at a close distance of less than 10 mm. By simultaneously irradiating, the sterilizing power of pathogenic bacteria can be increased.

In addition, light irradiation devices using LEDs are used for various areas such as the skin, eyes, nasal cavity, and oral cavity, and are also used to treat wounds or inflammation in the oral cavity.

Specifically, LED light irradiation devices that irradiate near-infrared rays to treat dry mouth, stomatitis, tonsillitis, oral inflammation, and periodontal disease are widely known.

(Patent Document 1) KR10-1543270 B1

(Patent Document 2) KR10-1858657 B1

Patent Document 1 discloses an oral implantable light irradiation device that can sterilize and sterilize the entire surface of a tooth by arranging a bundle of optical fibers on the main body and the rear portion to irradiate both the inside and outside of the tooth.

Patent Document 2 discloses a device for irradiating teeth or gums with light of a specific wavelength by having a light irradiation unit disposed between the upper mouthpiece and the lower mouthpiece to irradiate light into the oral cavity.

However, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 apply light treatment by using an LED light source to irradiate only the surface of the teeth or gums while the user is fixed by the user's teeth. In the oral structure of the human body, the light treatment starts from the back of the mouth. Therefore, it was difficult to perform phototherapy by radiating light directly to the oropharynx or throat, which extends to the epiglottis at the bottom of the neck.

Accordingly, it has been difficult to treat inflammatory diseases such as pharyngitis or tonsillitis, which is inflammation caused by infection of the deep inside of the throat, tonsils, or base of the tongue, which corresponds to the oropharynx in the human oral cavity, by viruses or bacteria.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the problems described above, and its purpose is to directly irradiate light to the pharynx as well as the oropharynx, which is inside the oral cavity, and transmit light energy to reduce inflammation caused by viruses and bacteria. The aim is to provide an oropharyngeal light irradiation device that can treat and quickly restore the area damaged by inflammation to its original state.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. You will be able to.

As a specific means for achieving the above object, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body equipped with at least one light source and generating irradiated light when power is applied; At least one optical waveguide corresponding to the light source is provided inside the body, and a mouthpiece portion is connected to the body and disposed in the oral cavity, wherein the mouthpiece portion is fixed to the upper and lower teeth of the user. The irradiated light generated from the light source and input to the input terminal of the optical waveguide includes a fixing part and a tongue pressing part that extends a certain length from the tooth fixing part to the user's oropharynx and whose lower surface is in contact with the user's tongue. An oropharyngeal light irradiation device is provided, characterized in that irradiation is transmitted to the oropharynx side corresponding to the output end of.

At this time, the optical waveguide may include at least one passage formed through the inside of the body of the mouthpiece unit, and an optical fiber of a certain length inserted into the passage and arranged so that the light source and the input end face each other, and the oropharynx and the output end face each other. there is.

At this time, the optical waveguide is formed by at least one passage formed through the inside of the body of the mouthpiece unit, one end facing the light source and the other end facing the oropharynx, and a reflective material coated on the inner surface of the passage. It may include a reflective layer.

At this time, the tongue pressure portion may be provided in an upwardly convex cross-section such that the downwardly concave ceiling surface of the oral cavity and the upper surface are in contact with the upwardly convex tongue surface and the lower surface of the tongue.

At this time, the main body may include an upper casing and a lower casing that are vertically aligned to form an internal space for internally accommodating the module substrate on which the light source is mounted, and may include a blowing fan for discharging air from the internal space of the main body to the outside. there is.

At this time, the mouthpiece part includes a coupling part extending a certain length from the tooth fixing part to the main body, and the main body consisting of an upper casing and a lower casing is formed when the upper and lower incisions are formed in the upper and lower casings, respectively. It may include a coupling hole corresponding to the coupling portion.

At this time, a light guide formed through a placement hole where the light source is disposed may be included between the light source and the mouthpiece portion.

At this time, the placement hole may be provided as a diffusion hole whose inner diameter gradually increases.

At this time, the light guide is detachably assembled on one side of the substrate on which the light source is mounted, and extends from the tooth fixing part toward the main body to be in contact with the tip of the coupling part coupled to the main body.

At this time, the light guide extends from the tooth fixing part toward the main body and is detachably assembled in a coupling part coupled to the main body, and may be in contact with one side of the substrate on which the light source is mounted.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above, the following effects are achieved.

An optical waveguide is provided inside the mouthpiece part connected to the main body having a light source that generates irradiated light when power is applied, and the irradiated light from the light source is transmitted deep into the oral cavity by the optical waveguide provided in the mouthpiece part that is placed in the oral cavity. By delivering irradiation directly to the oropharynx and throat corresponding to the curved area without loss of light, inflammation occurring in the user's oropharynx and throat can be smoothly treated by the irradiated light delivered directly without loss of light, and the treatment area can be treated smoothly. The effect of shortening the recovery time is achieved by quickly rehabilitating the patient to its original state.

Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.
Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of the oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a state diagram showing the oropharyngeal light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments through which the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will be described in detail. However, when explaining in detail the structural principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

In addition, the same reference numerals are used for parts that perform similar functions and actions throughout the drawings.

Additionally, throughout the specification, when a part is said to be 'connected' to another part, this does not only mean 'directly connected', but also 'indirectly connected' with another element in between. Includes. Additionally, 'including' a certain component does not mean excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary, but rather means that other components can be further included.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the oropharyngeal light irradiation device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention transmits irradiated light in a specific wavelength band to the user's oropharynx and throat, reducing light loss. The main body (10) is provided with a light source (11) to directly treat the area causing lesions such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis in the oropharynx and throat using irradiated light, and to quickly recover and rehabilitate the damaged area from the lesion. It may include a mouthpiece unit 20 including an optical waveguide 25.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 10 may be made of a casing member that accommodates in an internal space at least one light source 11 that generates irradiated light in a specific wavelength band when power is applied.

This body 10 includes a module board 12 on which the light source 11 is mounted on one side, and a battery having a charging terminal 14a electrically connected to an external power source on the other side of the module board 12 ( 14) Includes.

The module substrate 12 may include a control circuit such as a driver IC to control the intensity, wavelength band, emission time, and emission cycle of the light source.

At this time, the light source 11 mounted on the module substrate 12 may be provided with a light-emitting device such as an LED that generates irradiated light such as infrared light when power is applied.

The light source 11 is shown and described as being mounted on the module board 12 in approximately three installation numbers, but it is not limited to this, and the number is the same as the installation number of optical waveguides provided in the mouthpiece unit 20. It is installed in a one-to-one correspondence and transmits the irradiated light to the oropharynx and throat without loss of light.

In addition, the main body 10 includes an upper casing 10a and a lower casing 10b that are vertically aligned to form an internal space of a certain size that can accommodate the module substrate 12 on which the light source is mounted.

The upper and lower casings (10a, 10b) have upper and lower grills (16a, 16b) on one side that are cut to form an exhaust grill when the upper and lower casings are assembled, and are located between the exhaust grill and the module substrate 12. Includes a blowing fan 15 that operates to exhaust air from the inner space of the main body to the outside when power is applied.

Here, the blower fan 15 is interposed between the upper and lower extension ribs 15a and 15b, which each extend a certain length to the ceiling surface of the upper casing 10a and the bottom surface of the lower casing 10b. It is preferable that they are fixedly installed so that they face each other at a certain distance from the exhaust grill.

Accordingly, when irradiated light from a light source made of an LED light emitting device generates irradiated light, the heat generated inside the main body is smoothly discharged to the outside through the exhaust grill by the blowing fan, so that the light source provided in the internal space of the main body and the light source mounted thereon are smoothly discharged to the outside through the exhaust grill. Overheating of the module board can be prevented.

The upper and lower casings (10a, 10b) are cut so that they can be detachably coupled with a coupling portion (23) described later at the other end corresponding to the mouthpiece portion (20), thereby forming an approximately square coupling hole when the upper and lower casings (10a, 10b) are joined together. It may be provided with upper and lower cutouts (18a, 18b).

In addition, the module substrate 12 is arranged and fixed approximately perpendicular to the inner space of the main body where the upper and lower casings 10a and 10b are joined, and the light source 11 is installed on the other side of the module substrate 12. , and a battery 14 that is electrically connected to the blower fan 15 and supplies power.

This battery 14 has a charging terminal 14c exposed to the outside through an exposed hole 17 formed through one of the upper and lower casings, and can be charged and used by a cable electrically connected to the charging terminal. there is.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the mouthpiece unit 20 has at least one optical waveguide 25 whose input terminal corresponds to the light source 11 inside the body, and the main body ( It is detachably connected to 10) and can be placed in the oral cavity.

This mouthpiece unit 20 includes a tooth fixing part 21 that is formed in a substantially arc-shaped shape to be fixed to the user's upper and lower teeth, and extends a certain length from the tooth fixing part 21 to the user's throat. It may include a tongue pressing portion 22 that enters the inside of the oral cavity so that the lower surface comes into contact with the tongue.

Here, the tongue pressure portion 22 located inside the user's oral cavity in a state in which the user's upper and lower teeth are engaged and fixed to the tooth fixing portion is a downwardly concave ceiling surface of the oral cavity, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It may be provided in a cross-sectional shape that is approximately convex upward so that the tongue surface and the lower surface of the upwardly convex tongue (T) are in contact with the upper surface and the upper surface.

In this case, the output end of the optical waveguide 25 is exposed to the outside and the free end of the tongue pressure portion 22 from which the irradiated light is emitted is arranged to be inclined downward so as to directly transmit the irradiated light to the user's oropharynx (S) and throat. It can be.

In addition, the mouthpiece portion 20 is made of a soft polymer resin, for example, silicone, so that it can provide minimized foreign body sensation and comfort to the user who wears it in the mouth.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical waveguide 25 includes at least one passage 26 penetrating inside the body of the mouthpiece unit 20, and the light source 11 and the input end face each other. It may include an optical fiber 27 inserted into the passage 26 so that the oropharynx faces the output end.

This optical waveguide 25 is shown and explained as irradiating the irradiated light of the light source to the oropharynx and throat by an optical fiber and directly transmitting it, but it is not limited thereto, and is formed through the inside of the body of the mouthpiece unit 20. The irradiated light from the light source is irradiated to the oropharynx and throat by a reflective layer formed by coating the inner surface of the passage 26, one end of which faces the light source 11 and the other end of which faces the oropharynx, with a reflective material. You can.

Accordingly, the irradiated light generated when power is applied from the light source provided in the internal space of the main body is input to the input terminal of the optical waveguide corresponding one-to-one with the light source, and then output through the output terminal of the optical waveguide, so that the irradiated light enters the oropharynx and It can be delivered directly to the throat and investigated.

Meanwhile, the mouthpiece part 20 includes a coupling part 23 of approximately square cross-section extending a certain length from the tooth fixing part toward the main body, and the main body 10 consisting of an upper casing 10a and a lower casing 10b. ) can form an approximately square coupling hole that is in contact with the outer surface of the coupling portion when the upper and lower cut portions 18a and 18b, respectively, are cut into the upper and lower casings 10a and 10b. .

The coupling portion 23 is provided with a locking protrusion 23a on the upper and lower surfaces corresponding to the upper and lower cutouts 18a and 18b, which protrudes to be caught by the locking hole and generate a locking force. desirable.

Accordingly, the mouthpiece part can be coupled to the main body by placing and engaging the engaging part in the engaging hole formed when the upper and lower parts of the main body consisting of the upper and lower casings are joined together, and the mouthpiece part can be coupled to the main body after use by irradiation of light. It can be easily separated from the main body and cleaned for reuse.

In addition, between the light source 11 and the mouthpiece unit 20, a light source is disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the light source 11 so that the irradiated light generated from the light source can be transmitted to the input end of the optical waveguide without optical loss. It may include a light guide 13 formed through the placement hole 13a.

At this time, the arrangement hole 13a is preferably provided as a diffusion hole whose inner diameter gradually increases so as to diffuse the irradiated light generated from the light source 11 toward the input end of the optical waveguide 25.

This light guide 13 is detachably assembled on one side of the module board 12 on which the light source 11 is mounted by a plurality of fastening members, and extends from the tooth fixing part 21 toward the main body 10. It is shown and explained that the irradiated light generated from the light source is prevented from leaking in the lateral direction by being in contact with the tip of the coupling portion 23 coupled to the main body and interposed between the module substrate and the coupling portion, but it is limited to this. However, the tip of the coupling portion 23 is detachably assembled by a plurality of fastening members, and is in contact with one side of the module substrate 12 on which the light source 11 is mounted, thereby forming the module substrate 12. By being interposed between the light source and the coupling portion 23, it is possible to prevent the irradiated light generated from the light source from leaking in the lateral direction.

Accordingly, the irradiated light generated from the light source is diffused from the placement hole of the optical guide to the input end of the optical waveguide, is input to the input end of the optical waveguide, and then the irradiated light passes through the output end of the optical waveguide formed inside the body of the mouthpiece unit. By directly delivering it to the oropharynx and throat, which are deep and curved areas of the oral cavity, inflammation occurring in the oropharynx and throat can be treated and the treated area can be restored to its original state.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as is known in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It will be clear to those who have the knowledge of.

10: main body
11: light source 12: module substrate
13: Light guide 14: Battery
15: blowing fan 17: exposed hole
20: Mouthpiece part
21: tooth fixing part 22: tongue pressing part
23: coupling part 25: optical waveguide
26: Passage 27: Optical fiber
T: Tongue S: Oropharynx

Claims (10)

A main body equipped with at least one light source and generating irradiated light when power is applied;
At least one optical waveguide corresponding to the light source is provided inside the body, and a mouthpiece portion is connected to the body and disposed in the oral cavity,
The mouthpiece part includes a tooth fixing part that is fixed to the user's upper and lower teeth, and a tongue pressing part that extends a certain length from the tooth fixing part to the user's oropharynx and whose lower surface is in contact with the user's tongue,
The tongue pressure portion is provided in an upwardly convex cross-section so that the downwardly concave ceiling surface of the mouth and the upper surface are in contact with the upwardly convex tongue surface and the lower surface,
The free end of the tongue pressure portion, where the output end of the optical waveguide is exposed to the outside and the irradiated light is emitted, is formed to be inclined downward so as to directly transmit the irradiated light to the user's oropharynx and throat,
The main body includes an upper casing and a lower casing that are vertically aligned to form an internal space for internally accommodating the module substrate on which the light source is mounted, and air in the inner space of the main body is discharged to the outside through an exhaust grill formed when the upper and lower casings are assembled. It includes a blowing fan that
The mouthpiece part includes a coupling part that extends a certain length from the tooth fixing part toward the main body, and the main body is coupled to the coupling part when the upper and lower cutouts, respectively, are cut in the upper and lower casings. Contains a ball,
The coupling portion is provided with a locking protrusion on the upper and lower surfaces corresponding to the upper and lower cut portions that protrudes to engage the locking hole and generate a locking force,
Including a light guide disposed between a module substrate disposed in the internal space of the main body and a coupling portion extending from the tooth fixing portion toward the main body and coupled to the main body, and forming through an arrangement hole where the light source is disposed,
The oropharyngeal light irradiation device is characterized in that the irradiation light generated from the light source and input to the input end of the optical waveguide is transmitted to the oropharynx side corresponding to the output end of the optical waveguide and irradiated. According to paragraph 1,
The optical waveguide includes at least one passage formed through the inside of the body of the mouthpiece unit, and an optical fiber of a certain length inserted into the passage and arranged so that the light source and the input end face each other, and the oropharynx and the output end face each other. Oropharyngeal light irradiation device. According to paragraph 1,
The optical waveguide includes at least one passage formed through the body of the mouthpiece, one end of which faces the light source and the other end of which faces the oropharynx, and a reflective layer formed by a reflective material coated on the inner surface of the passage. An oropharyngeal light irradiation device comprising a. delete delete delete delete According to paragraph 1,
The oropharyngeal light irradiation device is characterized in that the placement hole is a diffusion hole whose inner diameter gradually increases. According to paragraph 1,
The light guide is detachably assembled on one side of the substrate on which the light source is mounted, and extends from the tooth fixing part toward the main body to contact the tip of the coupling part coupled to the main body. According to paragraph 1,
The oropharyngeal light irradiation device is characterized in that the light guide extends from the tooth fixing part toward the main body and is detachably assembled to a coupling part coupled to the main body, and is in contact with one side of the substrate on which the light source is mounted.

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