KR20010067482A - A Probe Structure of a Therapeutic Laser System - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A probe structure of a laser treatment device is provided to ensure the free movement of a patient by fixing a probe mounted with a laser diode on the affected part. CONSTITUTION: The structure of a probe in a therapy apparatus is comprised of a probe case(10) having a bottom opening part; a laser diode(20) fixed in the probe case; and an electric power introduction part connected to a lead line of the laser diode. A luminous surface of the laser diode facing the bottom opening part of the probe case is located at a same level with the bottom opening part or a higher level than the bottom opening part. The rest bottom part of the probe case excluding the bottom opening part, and the luminous surface of the laser diode are coated with an adhesive member. The laser diode is installed on a center part(13) of the probe case, and a fastener for the probe case is installed on an expanded fastener part(14) on both sides of the center part.

Description

Probe Structure of a Therapeutic Laser System

The present invention relates to a probe structure of a laser therapy device, and more particularly, the probe of the laser therapy device is fixed to the affected area while irradiating a therapeutic laser to the affected area or the affected area for treatment, so that the patient can move relatively freely. And to a probe structure of an improved laser treatment device that does not require the operator to reside next to the patient.

Laser medical devices are mainly used for surgical lasers used for microincision and bleeding prevention during surgery, pain relief and treatment of arthritis patients, auxiliary treatment for fractures, treatment of dermatitis, especially athlete's foot, acne or burns Physical therapy for the treatment of the While the laser medical device for surgery uses the high energy of the laser, the laser such as a physical therapy device utilizes the laser energy of low power according to the oscillation frequency and the therapeutic effect. The present invention relates to the latter laser physiotherapy device.

Laser physiotherapy equipment used in the treatment of arthritis, fractures, skin treatment, etc. is to use a laser light of 600 ~ 1500nm wavelength corresponding to the visible and infrared region. When the laser of this wavelength is intensively irradiated, it is known that the laser penetrates into the human tissue and stimulates moisture and various biomolecules constituting the cells to vibrate finely about 2,000 times per minute. This vibration of human cells not only generates heat, but also accelerates cell metabolism, speeds up blood flow, promotes the production of ATP, promotes the excretion of waste in the body, and balances the supply of nutrients in the body. It is known to exhibit pain relief and treatment of inflammation.

The laser physiotherapy device is composed of a medium for generating laser light, a power supply unit, which is a laser light generator, and a laser light transmission device, similarly to a surgical laser device.

However, there is no development and improvement of the probe in each part of the laser physiotherapy device. ① Install the probe at the end of the joint arm and adjust the joint arm to irradiate the affected area with the laser, or ② Medical assistants carry out the probe directly, or ③ using only two mirrors to irradiate the affected area with the laser beam is used.

Therefore, when using a conventional laser physiotherapy device, the movement of the patient is extremely limited during the treatment time (in the case of ① and ③) or unnecessary personnel must be present (②). It was difficult to investigate the affected area. In particular, in the case of the ③ method, some energy is absorbed from two mirrors in structure, and part of the energy is lost due to dust floating in the air.

In the laser physiotherapy apparatus, the LD-mounted probe is fixed to the affected area to allow the patient to move freely while irradiating a therapeutic laser to the affected area or the affected area for treatment, and the operator must reside next to the patient. It is intended to provide a probe structure of a laser treatment device that does not need to be.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a method of irradiating a affected area with laser light in the prior art.

Figure 2 is a device configuration of the laser physiotherapy device to which the probe according to the present invention is applied.

3A, 3B, and 3C are top and bottom perspective views, bottom and perspective views, respectively, of a pad probe according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3d is a cross-sectional view (A-A 'of Figure 3c (coating and partial coating) of the adhesive member is coated on the lower surface of the probe case).

Figures 4a, 4b is an outline view of the band-shaped probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively, a schematic cross-sectional view of A-A 'cutting plane.

Figure 5 is a progress diagram showing an example of the process of manufacturing a probe according to the present invention.

******** Explanation of the major reference symbols ********

1. Probe 10. Probe Case 11. Adhesive

12. Fasteners 13. Center 14. Fasteners

20. LD 30. Power supply part 40. Female mold

41. Recess 42. U-shaped ball 50. Male mold

51. Protrusion 100. Physical Therapy

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a probe structure that is completely different from the probe of the conventional laser physical therapy device. Although the probe according to the present invention has a structure and characteristics very different from those of the conventional "probe", it is difficult to call it "probe". However, the "probe" or "probe" is a functional component of a terminal component that emits laser light in a laser physiotherapy device. The term "case" will be used.

The present invention, the lower part of the probe case 10 is open; The light emitting surface is directed toward the lower opening of the probe case 10, and the light emitting surface is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the probe case 10 or slightly above the same plane. One or a plurality of LDs 20 fixed; It relates to the structure of the probe (1) of the LD 20 laser physiotherapy device comprising a; power supply unit 30 is connected to the lead wire of the LD (20) to supply power.

The LD 20 is an abbreviation of Laser Diod and is also referred to as a semiconductor laser as a semiconductor emitting laser light.

The probe case 10 is to embed other components of the probe 1, and serves to fix the probe 1 to the affected part when applied to the patient. In the present invention, the probe case 10 is divided into a pad type and a band type according to the type thereof.

In the case of a pad type, an open surface having the same shape as that of the light emitting surface of the LD 20 is formed at a lower portion of the probe case 10 in direct contact with the affected part. The probe case 10 may be made of any material, but a polymer having soft elasticity, harmless to the human body, and excellent workability in that it is in contact with the human body, should be softly adhered to the bent portion, and should be easy to manufacture. For example, it is preferable to be made from silicon.

The LD 20 is installed inside the probe case 10 so that the light emitting surface faces downward to face the affected part. At this time, the light emitting surface of the LD 20 is located on the same plane or a slightly more protruding surface than the bottom surface of the probe case 10. In the case of the pad-type probe case 10, the number of laying of the LD 20 can be arbitrarily determined. However, when the number of LDs 20 increases, the area of the probe 1 increases, so that adhesion to the affected part is reduced. It is preferable that 1-3 pieces are laid. At this time, if necessary, only the LD 20 having the same wavelength may be used, or the LD 20 having different wavelengths may be mixed to increase the effect of treatment.

The LD 20 may be selected from various wavelengths according to the object and purpose of treatment. For example, a gallium-aluminum-arsenic (GAAlAs) -based laser semiconductor for 780 nm wavelength, an indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphorus (InGaAlP) -based semiconductor for 670 nm wavelength, and indium-gallium- for 1300 nm wavelength Arsenic-phosphorus (InAgAsP) -based semiconductors can be used.

The rear lead wire of the LD 20 is connected to the power introduction part 30 to receive power for emitting light. The power supply unit 30 is a wire having a predetermined capacity, and the probe case 10 penetrates from the outside to the inside. For ease of fabrication, the LD 20 may be mounted on a substrate (PCB) to be integrated. The power supply unit 30 is preferably made of a material that can be freely bent for the convenience of work.

Since the pad-type probe 1 having the structure according to the present invention should be fixed and attached for a long time (treatment time) by directly contacting the affected part of the human body, the lower surface except the open surface of the probe case 10 or the LD 20 It is preferable that the adhesive member 11 is coated on the lower surface including the light emitting surface. At this time, the adhesive member 11 coated on the light emitting surface should be light-transmissive so as to transmit the laser light. The pressure-sensitive adhesive member 11 is preferably a semi-emulsified (partially cured) silicone rubber that is easily molded in a predetermined form, has adhesiveness in a state where molding is maintained, and can maintain adhesive force even when washed with water.

In the structure of the probe 1 according to the present invention, the band type has an external shape similar to that of a compression band usually used in a blood pressure monitor. At this time, the probe case 10 has a band form in which both sides are extended, and fasteners 12 are formed at both ends of the probe case 10. Therefore, after the probe case 10 is wound around the affected part, the fasteners 12 at both ends may be adhered to fix the probe 1 to the affected part. Hereinafter, for convenience, a portion of the band-shaped probe case 10 in which the LD 20 is installed is referred to as a "center portion 13" and an extension region on both sides of the central portion 13 where the fastener 12 is formed, as a "fastener portion 14". do. The fastener portions 14 on both sides are provided with a pair of adhesive pads and adhesive bottom sheets forming, for example, velcro (trade name).

An open surface having the same shape as the light emitting surface of the LD 20 to be disposed is formed on the contact surface in direct contact with the annular portion of the center portion 13 of the probe case 10 corresponding to the number of LDs 20. The material of the center portion 13 of the probe case 10 may be any material, but it is soft and harmless to the human body in that it comes into contact with the human body, must adhere smoothly to the curved area, and should be easy to manufacture. It is good to be made of a polymer excellent in workability, for example, silicone.

The LD 20 is installed inside the probe case 10 so that the light emitting surface faces downward to face the affected part. In this case, the light emitting surface of the LD 20 may be located on the same plane as the lower surface of the probe case 10. This is because when the light emitting surface is recessed, foreign matter is easily caught, and when the light emitting surface protrudes, the protrusion may irritate the affected area and cause pain or a wound. In the case of the band type, since the probe 1 is firmly fixed to the affected part by the fastener 12, unlike the pad type, it is possible to lay several LDs 20, so that the LD 20 is arranged in one or more rows as necessary. Can be arranged.

Other materials, properties, and the like of the other components are the same as those of the pad type described above.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the present invention in more detail. The drawings and the descriptions related to the drawings are only examples of the present invention, and the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The power supply unit 30 is originally freely bent, but is shown in a straight line for convenience of drawing. In addition, since the connection of the LD 20 lead wire and the power supply unit 30 will be different depending on the type of the LD 20, it is conceptually illustrated.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a method of irradiating the affected area with laser light in the prior art. As can be seen from the above, as described above, when the conventional laser physiotherapy machine 100 is treated to the patient, the probe 1 is installed at the end of the joint arm and the joint arm is adjusted so that the laser beam is irradiated to the affected part. . Therefore, if the patient moves to some extent, the affected area will be moved out of the irradiation area, so the patient has to fix the posture "without freezing" during the treatment.

2 is a device configuration of the laser physical therapy device to which the probe 1 according to the present invention is applied. According to the signal of the adjustment device (such as the device control panel) by the user and a predetermined program, the controller supplies or cuts power to each component. In addition, the controller transmits the current status of each component to the display device to display a variety of information.

3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic perspective views of the pad type probe 1 having one LD 20 installed thereon, and a schematic perspective view and a bottom view of the pad type probe 1, respectively. A cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3C in which the adhesive member 11 is coated on the lower surface of the lower surface except for the open surface, and the lower surface except the open surface of the probe case 10 in the pad type probe 1 and the LD. A cross-sectional view taken along line AA 'of FIG. 3C is shown, in which the light-transmissive adhesive member 11 is coated on the light emitting surface of (20). As can be seen from the figure, the light emitting surface of the LD 20 is fixedly embedded downward, that is, toward the lower opening of the probe case 10.

4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views of the cutaway view of an A-A 'cutaway view of a band-shaped probe 1 having a structure according to the present invention, respectively. In this example, four LDs 20 are arranged in two rows in the central portion 13, and Velcro is formed in the fastener portion 14.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of manufacturing the pad-like probe 1 and the central portion 13 of the band-shaped probe 1 according to the present invention. The process of coating the adhesive member 11 in the pad type is omitted. The top view is a plan view of the female die 40, the bottom view is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA 'in the plan view. As shown, the female mold 40 has a recess 41 formed in accordance with the shape of the desired probe case 10, the bottom surface of the recess 41 is somewhat higher than the bottom of the recess 41. U-shaped spheres 42 are formed. The U-shaped sphere becomes a space into which the coated wire serving as the power supply portion 30 is fitted.

First, the wire at the end of the sheathed wire acting as the power supply portion 30 is exposed and connected to the lead wire of the LD 20 (in FIG. 5, the connected LD 20 and the power supply portion 30 are conceptually shown). The combination of the LD 20 and the power supply portion 30 is placed at an appropriate position with the light emitting surface of the LD 20 facing the bottom of the recess 41, and the power supply portion 30 is inserted into the U-shaped sphere 42. Put it in. Subsequently, the male mold 50 having the protrusion 51 blocking the portion corresponding to the U-shaped sphere 42 is lowered into the recess 41 of the female mold 40. For example, the unemulsified silicon is injected into the space formed by the female mold 40 and the male mold 50 through an injection hole (not shown), cured, and then the mold is separated and the manufactured probe 1 is taken out. In some cases, a method of supplying an accurately calculated amount of unemulsified silicon to the female mold 40 and the recess 41 and then lowering the male mold 50 and curing the silicone may be applied (not shown).

Since the probe of the laser physiotherapy device according to the present invention is fixed to the affected part of the patient at the time of operation of the device, the patient can move relatively freely, and since the direct contact with the laser emitting surface and the affected part, the desired area is more efficient than the physical therapy device having the conventional probe structure The laser beam can be irradiated to it. In addition, it can be more easily manufactured than conventional laser physiotherapy probes, thereby enabling the supply of cheaper therapeutic devices.

Claims (5)

In the probe structure of the laser physical therapy device, A probe case 10 in which a part of the lower part is opened; The light emitting surface is directed toward the lower opening of the probe case 10, and the light emitting surface is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the probe case 10 or slightly above the same plane. One or a plurality of LDs 20 fixed; Probe structure of a laser physical therapy device comprising a; power supply unit 30 is connected to the lead wire of the LD to supply power. The method of claim 1, Probe structure of the laser physical therapy device, characterized in that the adhesive member 11 is coated on the lower surface except the open surface of the probe case (10). The method of claim 1, Probe structure of the laser physical therapy device, characterized in that the translucent adhesive member 11 is coated on the lower surface and the light emitting surface of the LD (20) except for the open surface of the probe case (10). The method of claim 1, The probe case 10 is a band form with both sides extended, the probe structure of the laser physical therapy device, characterized in that fasteners 12 are formed at both ends of the probe case 10. The method of claim 4, wherein The LD (20) is a probe structure of a laser physical therapy device, characterized in that arranged in one row or a plurality of columns.