KR20110054413A - Apparatus and method for photo-diagnosis and phototherapy of skin disease - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for photo-diagnosis and phototherapy of skin disease are provided to consecutively perform a process of treating a disease part within one device. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for photo-diagnosis and phototherapy of skin disease comprises: a light source which radiates light to the skin; a head(101) equipped with a camera taking a photograph of the skin; a display unit like a monitor, which processes and analyzes a signal transmitted from the head; and a signal processing system. The head can be supported through the support stand. The video signal obtained from the camera of the head is transmitted to a signal processing system through a cable.

Description

Apparatus And Method For Photo-diagnosis And Phototherapy Of Skin Disease}

The present invention diagnoses skin diseases such as skin cancer by irradiating the skin with light. The present invention relates to a skin diagnosis and treatment device for irradiating and treating a disease diagnosed as described above and a method for skin diagnosis and treatment using the same.

Commonly known skin-related therapies include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy using drug administration. Recently, new treatments using photochemical reactions with lasers and photosensitizers have attracted attention.

This therapy, called photodynamic therapy (PDT), is a method of treating skin diseases, such as skin cancer, by injecting a photosensitive agent into the body and irradiating a light wavelength with a particular wavelength at the site of the disease. The photosensitizer is selectively accumulated in tumor tissues, and then activated by light wavelengths, which combine with oxygen to generate single chemically highly reactive single oxygen, which necrosis tumor tissue cells.

Cancer cell death processes may be due to the mechanism by which toxic free radicals directly damage cancer cells, or due to the indirect effect of damaging the microcirculation around the tumor and killing cancer cells by preventing nutrients from being supplied to cancer tissues. It is known. In addition, the secondary response to oxidative stress can activate the immune system to attack cancer tissues by inducing apoptosis or immunological responses.

The biggest advantage of local photodynamic therapy is that it can be selectively treated only in the diseased area, so the side effects are small and the procedure is simple, which does not require patient pain and the procedure can be performed without hospitalization procedure. In addition, it is possible to repeat the procedure several times to increase the effect, there is an advantage that can be combined with other treatments such as surgical surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Such photodynamic therapy goes through a separate process of first diagnosing the area in need of treatment within the skin surface.

The present invention provides a skin diagnosis apparatus and a diagnostic method capable of continuously performing the diagnosis of the diseased region and the treatment of the diseased region in one device before the treatment of the skin disease. The purpose. The object of the present invention is not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The apparatus for diagnosing and treating skin according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first type of LED group for irradiating two or more different wavelengths selected from a range in a first wavelength region of light and two or more different wavelengths selected from a second wavelength region of light. The second type of LED group to be irradiated as a light source, characterized in that the light source is mounted to the head for irradiating light directly to the skin.

In this case, the first wavelength region may have a range of 400 nm to 450 nm, and the second wavelength region may have a range of 600 nm to 1,000 nm. More specifically, the different wavelengths selected in the first wavelength region may be 415 nm and 455 nm, respectively. In addition, different wavelengths selected in the second wavelength region may have a wavelength of less than 700 nm and 700 nm or more, respectively.

The head may include a camera for photographing the skin and a body having a viewing hole for photographing the camera on a front portion where the camera is located at the center of the interior and in direct contact with the skin.

In this case, the first and second type LEDs may be arranged concentrically around the camera on an inner wall of the body, and at least one of the first and second type LED groups emits a plurality of different wavelengths. LEDs may be disposed adjacent to each other. In addition, any one of the first and second type LED groups may be formed closer to the viewing hole. Therefore, at least one of the first and second type LED groups may emit light toward the center of the viewing hole at a predetermined angle.

Meanwhile, an LED having a white light source may be further formed on the outer sides of the first and second type LED groups. In this case, the LED having the white light source may be provided in a plurality of concentric circles.

Skin diagnosis and treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises a head having a light source for irradiating the light to the skin and a camera for photographing the skin area illuminated by the light source and the image signal transmitted from the head and And a signal processing system for analyzing and realizing an image on the display unit, wherein the light source includes a first type LED group for irradiating two or more different wavelengths selected from a range in a first wavelength region of light and two or more selected in a second wavelength region of light. And a second type LED group that irradiates different wavelengths.

The method for diagnosing and treating skin according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of injecting a photosensitizer into the skin and fluorescely diagnosing the photosensitizer using two or more different wavelengths selected from one wavelength region of light and a second wavelength of light. Activating and treating the photosensitiser using at least two different wavelengths selected in the region, wherein the light in the first and second wavelength regions is irradiated to the skin by different light sources mounted within the same head. It features.

In this case, the first wavelength region may have a range of 400 nm to 450 nm, and the second wavelength region may have a range of 620 nm to 1,000 nm. More specifically, the different wavelengths selected in the first wavelength region may be 415 nm and 455 nm, respectively. In addition, different wavelengths selected in the second wavelength region may be wavelengths having less than 700 nm and wavelengths having more than 700 nm, respectively.

The first and second wavelength regions may be irradiated from the first and second type LED groups, and the intensity of the irradiated light may be adjusted by controlling the driving current of the first and second type LED groups.

Meanwhile, as the photosensitizer described above, any one of porphyrin and aminolauvlunic acid (ALA) may be used.

According to the present invention, the skin diagnosis can be easily selected by only selecting a wavelength band suitable for the purpose without the need to use an interference filter to filter a specific wavelength band generated when a halogen lamp irradiating a broadband wavelength as a light source. And it can be used for the treatment, the light use efficiency is improved and the risk of skin burn is significantly reduced.

In addition, in the present invention, since the light source is mounted in the head which is in direct contact with the skin, light loss does not occur in the process of transferring the light source from the light source to the skin, as compared with the method of transmitting the external light source through the light guide, and the light guide according to the wavelength band. Since there is no difficulty of exchanging the light and the light is uniformly irradiated to the skin of the diagnosis area, there is no problem of non-uniformity of light generated when light is irradiated along the light guide.

In addition, the present invention can significantly solve the management difficulties that are involved in performing diagnosis and treatment separately as the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases is continuously performed in one head.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a general view of the skin diagnosis and treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a device for diagnosing and treating skin according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a head 101 and a head including a light source for irradiating light to the skin and a camera for photographing a skin region illuminated by the light source. And a signal processing system 103 that processes and analyzes the video signal transmitted from the 101 and implements the image on a display unit 104 such as a monitor. In this case, the head 101 may be supported by the support 102, and the image signal obtained through the camera of the head 101 is transmitted to the signal processing system 103 through the signal transmission cable 106. On the other hand, the skin diagnosis and treatment apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment may further include a main power source 105 for supplying power to the light source in the head 101 through the power line 107.

The head 101 has a hollow cylindrical shape and a light source is mounted therein. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the head 101 cut in a symmetrical plane.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head 101 includes a camera 201 for photographing skin and a field of view for photographing the camera 201 on a front portion where the camera 201 is located at the center of the interior and is in direct contact with the skin. It includes a body 203 in which the hole 202 is formed.

The body 203 is made of an opaque material to prevent the external light component from flowing into the camera 201, and the camera through the viewing hole 202 when the front part of the body is directly in close contact with the skin for flattening the skin surface Determine the focal plane for the shot.

As a light source, an LED is used, wherein the LED is a group of first type LEDs 204 that irradiates at least two different wavelengths selected from a range in a first wavelength region of light and at least two different wavelengths selected from a second wavelength region of light. It may be composed of a second type LED group 205 for irradiating.

The first wavelength region may be a violet / blue based wavelength region and may correspond to a wavelength region in a range of 400 nm to 450 nm as an example. Accordingly, the first type LED group 204 may configure two LEDs irradiating different wavelengths in a wavelength range of the violet / blue series as a pair. As an example, an LED having a wavelength of 415 nm and an LED having 455 nm may be configured as one pair (FIG. 3).

Photosensitive sensitizers (photosensitizers or contrast agents) such as ALA (aminoleuvlunic acid) or porphine contained in acne bacteria have a main peak of light around 400 nm, and have a main peak near 400 nm for acne disease and skin cancer fluorescence diagnosis. It is efficient to use purple / blue light. Therefore, in the present invention, an optimal skin diagnosis state can be realized by varying and irradiating two different wavelengths selected in the violet / blue-based wavelength region according to the condition of the skin to be diagnosed as above, and through the camera 201. Can be obtained by the image.

The second wavelength region is a red-based wavelength region and may correspond to, for example, a wavelength region in a range of 600 nm to 1000 nm. The wavelength below 600 nm is mainly absorbed by hemoglobin, and the wavelength above 1,200 nm is absorbed by water, so it is preferable to use a wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 1,200 nm for photodynamic therapy.

The second type LED group 205 may configure two LEDs irradiating different wavelengths in a red wavelength range as a pair. This red wavelength range can effectively activate a photosensitive agent such as ALA injected into the skin for the treatment of skin diseases. Two or more therapeutic wavelengths are used in the present invention to induce effective treatment of skin diseases. As an example, an LED having a wavelength less than 700 nm and an LED having a wavelength of 700 nm or more in a wavelength range of 600 nm to 1,000 nm may be configured as a pair. In the case of 600 nm to 700 nm, the therapeutic effect is excellent, but it cannot penetrate deeply into the skin, which makes it difficult to treat internal skin diseases such as skin cancer. Therefore, by combining with a near-infrared (NIR) LED in the 700nm to 1,000nm region having a good skin permeability, it is possible to treat deep skin diseases below the skin, such as skin cancer.

4 is a plan view of the head 101 viewed from the viewing hole 202 side.

As shown in FIG. 4, LEDs 204 and 205 used as light sources are arranged in concentric circles around the camera 201 on the inner wall of the body 203. In FIG. 4, the first type LED group 204 is arranged around the camera 201 along the circumference of the outer circle, and the second type LED group 205 is arranged along the circumference of the inner circle. Not limited to this, and vice versa.

In this case, any one or more of the first and second type LED groups 204 and 205 may be disposed adjacent to a plurality of LEDs irradiating different wavelengths. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an LED 204a having a wavelength of 415 nm and an LED having a wavelength of 455 nm 204b for the first type of LED group are arranged adjacent to each other, and 600 nm to 700 nm for the second type of LED. LEDs 205a having a wavelength of and LEDs 205b having a wavelength in the range of 700 nm to 1,000 nm may be arranged adjacent to each other.

Meanwhile, any one of the first and second type LED groups 204 and 205 mounted on the inner wall of the body 203 may be formed closer to the viewing hole 202 side of the body 203. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the first type LED group 204 is formed closer to the viewing hole 202 than the second type LED group 205. Accordingly, the first and second type LED groups 204 and 205 irradiate light wavelengths toward the viewing hole 202 at predetermined angles, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first type LED group 204 is located on the outer side of the concentric circle centering the camera 201 as compared to the second type LED 205 and at the same time the viewing hole 202. Since the position is closer to the side, the angle of the light irradiated toward the center of the viewing hole 202 with the plane of the viewing hole 202 becomes smaller.

Meanwhile, an LED 206 having a white light source may be further provided on the outer sides of the first and second type LED groups 204 and 205. LED having such a white light source is used as an illumination light source for observing the skin to be diagnosed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the white light source LEDs 206 may be provided in a plurality of concentric circles on the outer sides of the first and second type LED groups 204 and 205. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the white light source LED 206 may irradiate white light on an area of the skin to be diagnosed at a predetermined angle.

On the other hand, all the above-described LEDs 204, 205, 206 may all have a heat sink 207 for cooling the heat generated during the irradiation of light.

The camera 201 may be a CCD camera or a color TV camera including an RGB matrix as an apparatus for capturing an image of a skin region to be diagnosed. The video signal obtained from the camera 201 is transmitted to the signal processing system 103 through the signal transmission cable 106, and the thus transmitted video signal is processed and analyzed by the signal processing system 103, such as a monitor. The image is implemented on the display unit 104. Accordingly, the user can observe the captured image of the skin to be diagnosed by irradiating the white light source or the fluorescent image formed by the light irradiated from the first or second type LED group through the display unit 104.

Hereinafter will be described a skin diagnosis and treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for diagnosing and treating skin according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of injecting a photosensitizer into the skin and fluorescely diagnosing the photosensitizer using two or more different wavelengths selected from one wavelength region of light and a second light. Activating the photosensitizer using at least two different wavelengths selected in the wavelength range to treat skin diseases, wherein the light in the first and second wavelength ranges is provided by different light sources mounted within the same head. It is characterized by irradiating with the skin. In this case, the first and second wavelength regions may be irradiated from the first and second type LED groups, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, porphyrin and ALA may be used as the photosensitizer, and ALA having a small molecular weight and hydrophilicity is easily penetrated into the skin as compared to porphyrin having a high molecular weight. Penetrating ALA into the skin results in the formation of phtophopyrine IX (PpIX), an endogenous and effective photosensitizer, mainly in epidermal cells and furry glands. ALA can be used to create a 20% lotion solution that is invasive or well penetrated into the tissue. The time applied after skin penetration of ALA can be from 3 hours to 48 hours, for example, 4 to 6 hours can be used.

In the fluorescence diagnosis of the photosensitizer injected into the skin, a wavelength band around 400 nm where main absorption is caused by the photosensitizer may be used, and thus the first wavelength region may have a range of 400 nm to 450 nm. For example, different wavelengths selected in the first wavelength region may be 415 nm and 455 nm, respectively.

On the other hand, the step of treating the skin disease by activating the photosensitizer injected into the skin is preferably using a red light, so the second wavelength region may have a range of 600nm to 1,000nm. As an example, the different wavelengths selected in the second wavelength region may be wavelengths of 600 nm or more and less than 70 nm and wavelengths of 700 nm or more and 1,000 nm or less, respectively.

Irradiation intensity suitable for topical photodynamic therapy depends on the type of photosensitive agent. In the case of using ALA as a photosensitizer, the minimum light irradiation intensity for causing an oxidation reaction as an activation reaction by light is 50 mW / cm ² , and when it exceeds 200 mW / cm ² , the tissue may be thermally damaged. Within this range, the treatment of cancer proliferation is used 100-150mW / cm ² but in the case of inflammatory skin disease lower irradiation intensity may be used.

All of the above-described LED can adjust the intensity of the irradiated light by controlling the drive current supplied from the main power source.

The above-mentioned embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting on the present invention, and those skilled in the art can design many other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, it will be apparent that the technology of the present invention can be easily modified by those skilled in the art, such modified embodiments will be included in the technical spirit described in the claims of the present invention.

1 is a general view of a skin diagnosis and treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an embodiment of a wavelength used for skin diagnosis.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the head from the viewing hole side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 shows the angle of light irradiated by the light source.

<Brief description of the major symbols in the drawings>

201: camera 202: sight hole

203: Body 204: First Type LED Group

205: second type LED group 206: white light source LED

Claims (19)

A group of first type LEDs for irradiating at least two different wavelengths selected in a range in a first wavelength region of light and As a light source a second type LED group that irradiates at least two different wavelengths selected in a second wavelength region of light, The light source is mounted on the head for irradiating light directly to the skin diagnosis and treatment device. The method of claim 1, The first wavelength region has a range of 400nm to 450nm, The second wavelength region has a skin diagnosis and treatment device having a range of 600nm to 1,000nm. The method of claim 2, And wherein the different wavelengths selected in the first wavelength range are 415 nm and 455 nm, respectively. The method of claim 2, The different wavelengths selected in the second wavelength range are wavelengths having less than 700 nm and wavelengths having more than 700 nm, respectively. The method of claim 2, The head is A camera for photographing the skin And a body having a viewing hole for photographing the camera on a front portion of which the camera is located at the center of the interior and in direct contact with the skin. The method of claim 5, The first and second type LEDs on the inner wall of the body are arranged in a concentric circle around the camera skin diagnosis and treatment device. The method of claim 6, At least one of the first and second type LED groups, the plurality of LEDs for irradiating different wavelengths are disposed adjacent to the skin diagnosis and treatment device. The method of claim 6, Any one of the first and second type LED group is formed closer to the viewing hole side. The method of claim 6, At least one of the first and second type LED group, each of the skin diagnosis and treatment device for irradiating light toward the center of the viewing hole at a predetermined angle. The method of claim 6, Skin diagnosis and treatment device further comprises an LED having a white light source on the outer side of the first and second type LED group. 11. The method of claim 10, LED having the white light source is provided with a plurality of concentric circles skin diagnosis and treatment device. A head having a light source for irradiating light to the skin and a camera for photographing an area of skin illuminated by the light source; A signal processing system which processes and analyzes an image signal transmitted from the head and implements the image on a display unit; The light source is A group of first type LEDs for irradiating at least two different wavelengths selected in a range in a first wavelength region of light and And a second type of LED group for irradiating at least two different wavelengths selected in a second wavelength region of light. Injecting photosensitizers into the skin Fluoresce diagnosing the photosensitizer using at least two different wavelengths selected in one wavelength region of light; Activating and treating the photosensitiser using at least two different wavelengths selected in a second wavelength region of light, The light of the first and second wavelength region is irradiated to the skin by different light sources mounted in the same head. The method of claim 13, The first wavelength region has a range of 400nm to 450nm, Wherein said second wavelength range is in the range of 620 nm to 1,000 nm. The method of claim 14, The different wavelengths selected in the first wavelength range are 415 nm and 455 nm, respectively. The method of claim 14, The different wavelengths selected in the second wavelength range are wavelengths having less than 700 nm and wavelengths having more than 700 nm, respectively. The method of claim 14, Wherein said first and second wavelength regions are irradiated from a group of first and second type LEDs. The method of claim 17, Skin diagnosis and treatment method for controlling the intensity of the irradiated light by controlling the drive current of the first and second type LED group. The method of claim 14, The photosensitizer is porphyrin, ALA (aminoleuvlunic acid) any one of the skin diagnosis and treatment method.

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