TWI583424B - Phototherapy apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Phototherapy machine

This invention relates to a light therapy machine, and more particularly to a self-calibrating light therapy machine and a light therapy machine that provides a multi-site treatment procedure.

In recent years, light therapy has been widely used due to advances in technology and medical technology. Light therapy is a non-invasive treatment method, which mainly uses light to illuminate human skin, so as to achieve the medical treatment, maintenance and improvement of the skin.

Traditional phototherapy machines, especially medically-enabled phototherapy machines, are located in large hospitals where patients must be treated under the guidance of a physician or caregiver. Mainly because of fear of improper operation or excessive treatment of patients, it has a bad effect. Therefore, this kind of phototherapy machine can not be carried back to the home by the patient. The patient must travel frequently between the home and the hospital. For the need to leave the hospital for a long time and travel to the field for travel or tourism, the demand for the fish is more It is quite inconvenient to receive treatment, and it also wastes medical manpower and resources. The intensity of the light emitted by such a phototherapy machine usually needs to be calibrated when it is shipped or replaced with a new light source, and the manufacturer must regularly go to the hospital for regular maintenance and calibration. When the light source of the phototherapy machine suddenly produces attenuation or abnormal enhancement, The patient's treatment effect will be greatly reduced, and even adversely affect the patient.

In addition, the traditional phototherapy machine can only provide a single part of the treatment procedure after setting. For patients who need multi-site treatment procedures, it is often necessary for the user to manually input various treatment parameters multiple times, not only It is inconvenient and there is no security guarantee because the user may enter the wrong parameters.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a phototherapy machine as a solution to the above problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a light therapy machine that can generate a plurality of treatment signals based on a prescription code and provide an indication to the patient based on such treatment signals for the patient to perform a treatment procedure at a different location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a phototherapy machine that can self-calibrate at any time according to the characteristics of the phototherapy machine itself, in order to provide a normal therapeutic effect for the patient.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a phototherapy machine comprising a prescription receiving module, a light source and a control module. The prescription receiving module receives a prescription code. The light source provides light. The first part of the light is illuminated to a patient. The control module is electrically connected to the prescription receiving module and the light source, generates a plurality of treatment signals according to the prescription code, and provides instructions to the patient according to the treatment signals to allow the patient to perform different parts of the treatment procedure, and the treatment procedure is based on the treatment module The prescription code controls the light source to provide light.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention also provides a phototherapy machine comprising a prescription receiving module, a light source, a light sensor and a control module. The prescription receiving module receives a prescription code. The light source provides light, and the first portion of the light illuminates a patient. The light sensor receives a second portion of the light to obtain an optical signal. The control module is electrically connected to the prescription receiving module, the light source and the light sensor, self-calibrates according to the optical signal, and controls the light source to provide light according to the prescription code and the optical signal.

With the above phototherapy machine, it is possible to self-calibrate at any time according to the characteristics of the phototherapy machine itself, and whether it is time compensation or brightness compensation, it can provide normal effects to the patient. Therefore, doctors only need to apply the "dose" to the patient according to their medical judgment when applying the prescription of phototherapy, and become the prescription code. As for the time of irradiation, the phototherapy machine can be based on its own different characteristics. I learned after calculation. In addition, the prescription receiving module can avoid the improper use of the phototherapy machine, and the use of the phototherapy process recorder allows the doctor to review the treatment process to adjust the next prescription content. The control module can generate a plurality of treatment signals according to the prescription code, provide instructions to the patient according to the treatment signals to allow the patient to perform different parts of the treatment procedure, and control the light source to provide light and control according to the prescription code in the treatment procedures. Irradiation time. By providing different wavelengths of light, the phototherapy machine can be used for multi-functional effects. By setting the light sensor, it is possible to monitor whether the light is abnormal or attenuated, so that the control module adjusts the illumination intensity or time of the light source. Therefore, the phototherapy machine provided by the embodiment of the present invention can provide a relatively simple treatment mode for the patient, and the patient no longer needs to run the hospital for treatment, and can effectively avoid waste of medical resources.

In order to make the above description of the present invention more comprehensible, a preferred embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a block diagram of a phototherapy machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the phototherapy machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a prescription receiving module 10 , a light source 20 , a light sensor 30 , and a control module 40 .

The prescription receiving module 10 receives a prescription code PC. Light source 20 provides light Line L, one of the first portions LA of light L, is directed to a patient 2, particularly the body part of the patient 2, such as nails, skin, eyes. However, the light L can also be used to treat the symptoms of muscle and bone pain, and the present invention is not particularly limited to the treatment of a single site. Light L can be ultraviolet light, infrared light, and/or other therapeutic light. The photo sensor 30 receives a second portion LB of the light L to obtain an optical signal OS. The optical signal OS is transmitted to the control module 40. The control module 40 is electrically connected to the prescription receiving module 10, the light source 20, and the photo sensor 30, performs self-calibration according to the optical signal OS, and controls the light source 20 to provide light L according to the prescription code PC and the optical signal OS. In addition, the control module 40 can also generate a plurality of treatment signals SC according to the prescription code PC, and provide a treatment instruction for the patient to perform different parts according to the treatment signals SC, for example, treating the scalp or the "dose" of the hand. It may be different, the corresponding illumination time will be different, and the light source L is controlled by the light source 20 according to the prescription code PC in these treatment procedures. When the patient moves the phototherapy machine to the site to be illuminated, the patient can input a ready signal to the phototherapy machine to cause the phototherapy machine to begin the next illumination procedure. This embodiment can be achieved by placing a button or switch on the phototherapy machine. Alternatively, a visual or audible indication may be issued by the phototherapy machine to instruct the user to move to another location for a next illumination procedure for a preset time (e.g., 30 seconds).

The prescription code PC can be stored in a card (such as a health insurance card) in the form of a digital code, a bar code, or a digital data. In the present embodiment, the health insurance card is taken as an example, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. The prescription code PC is issued by the doctor and stored in the health insurance card when the patient goes to the hospital for a visit. The prescription code PC preferably has a lifespan, in which the record Information about the patient's location and treatment time. For example, the doctor may want the user to use the phototherapy machine 1 to illuminate the face for 3 minutes, illuminate the arm for 5 minutes, illuminate the scalp for 7 minutes, and illuminate the back for 10 minutes. Alternatively, the phototherapy machine can also provide treatments such as illuminating the eyes and nose. In another example, the phototherapy machine has a plurality of illumination intensities, such as three intensities, and the physician may wish the user to illuminate the face with the first intensity for 3 minutes using the phototherapy machine and the arm for 5 minutes with the second intensity to the third intensity. The scalp was irradiated for 7 minutes, and the back was irradiated with the second intensity for 10 minutes. Here, the intensity is multiplied by the time to obtain the accumulated total energy. In another example, the phototherapy machine 1 has a continuously adjustable illumination intensity, and the doctor may wish the user to use the phototherapy machine to illuminate the face to reach 3 radiation units (dose), and the irradiation arm reaches 5 radiation units to illuminate the scalp to 7 Radiation unit (dose), reaching 10 radiation units (dose) on the back. In this case, the control module 40 must control the illumination time to achieve the accumulated radiation unit according to the preset illumination intensity value or the sensing result of the photo sensor 30. In addition to the doctor's prior sequence of providing a treatment procedure to the prescription, the control module 40 can also emit a sound through the speaker or display to indicate which part of the patient to treat. In addition to indicating the patient with an indicator light or sound, the doctor can also provide a verbal or written prescription, in conjunction with the light-off behavior of the phototherapy machine, to allow the patient to perform treatment procedures in different parts, which is also a means of providing instructions to the patient. When the patient moves the phototherapy machine to the site to be irradiated, the patient can input a ready signal to the phototherapy machine to cause the phototherapy machine to start the next irradiation process.

In this embodiment, the prescription code PC is preferably marked once after the treatment, and the marked data is stored in the health insurance card for subsequent use. At the time of the visit, the doctor reviews the patient's treatment record. Therefore, the prescription receiving module 10 can include a card reader to achieve the above functions.

In order to simplify the prescription code PC, the phototherapy machine 1 may further comprise a database 50 electrically connected to the control module 40. The control module 40 controls the light source 20 to provide light L according to the prescription code PC, the database 50, and the optical signal OS. The database 50 is preferably the same as the database of the computer that the doctor prescribes. For example, the first data in the database 50 represents "3 minutes of illuminating the face", the second data represents "5 minutes of irradiation of the arm", and the third data represents "7 minutes of scalp irradiation", the 4th data Represents "illuminate the back for 10 minutes." In this way, the prescription code PC can record this information as long as it contains "01020304".

In another example, the prescription code PC can include an illumination time, an illumination intensity, an idle time, or an illumination number. For example, a patient is required to treat a face and needs to be illuminated 6 times with a third intensity for 30 seconds each time, with an interval of two adjacent intervals (ie, idle time) of at least 3 days. In order to avoid continuous illumination by the user, the control module 40 is designed to disable the light source 20 when the idle time (e.g., 3 days) has not expired, i.e., to prevent the patient from performing the irradiation treatment. Therefore, the phototherapy machine 1 can further include a start switch 70 electrically connected to the control module 40 for controlling the operation of the control module 40.

In order to avoid the attenuation of the light source 20 and affect the therapeutic effect, the control module 40 can calibrate the intensity of the light L of the light source 20 according to the optical signal OS. For example, if the prescription code PC stipulates that the patient illuminates the skin with 50 candela light for 4 minutes, then when the intensity of the light decays to 40 cds, the control module 40 needs to increase the voltage or current. To control the intensity of the light source up to 50 candelas.

In order to avoid the attenuation of the light source 20 and affect the therapeutic effect, the control module 40 calibrates the illumination time of the light of the light source according to the optical signal. For example, if the prescription code PC stipulates that the patient illuminates the skin with 50 candela light for 40 seconds, then when the intensity of the light decays to 40 candelas, the control module 40 will automatically calibrate and change the illumination time to 50. second.

In order to prevent the patient from using the fake prescription code to perform improper phototherapy behavior, the control module 40 further recognizes the authenticity of the prescription code, and can use any currently known identification technology to encode, encrypt, and decrypt the prescription code. The control module 40 will cause the phototherapy machine 1 to be enabled, otherwise the phototherapy machine 1 will be disabled.

In addition, the phototherapy machine 1 can further include a phototherapy process recorder 60 that is electrically coupled to the control module 40 and records a history of illumination of the patient by the light source 20. In this way, the patient can carry the phototherapy machine 1 to the doctor for review, so that the doctor can correct the subsequent prescription code, and can let the doctor review whether the information recorded in the phototherapy process recorder 60 and the health insurance card is different, so as to prevent the phototherapy machine 1 from being corrected. Local use.

In addition, the prescription receiving module 10 can receive the prescription code PC wirelessly. That is, the prescription receiving module 10 may also include a wireless transceiver, and download the relevant prescription code according to the password or the key from the corresponding website of the prescription code established by the doctor by connecting to the Internet. In this way, the record of the treatment can be conveniently uploaded to the website through the prescription receiving module 10 for future reference.

In another example, the prescription receiving module 10 can receive the prescription code PC through a wired manner, such as a physical connection through a network route or a telephone line. line. This has the advantage of avoiding the risk of wireless signals being cracked.

In yet another example, the prescription receiving module 10 can receive the prescription code PC by reading information on a medium. In addition to the information on the media on the health insurance card, the prescription code can also be generated by the encoded card, such as the hole-coded card face, and the prescription code can be received by reading the hole-encoded card. This approach provides another application for the use of phototherapy machines.

In one example, photosensor 30 includes a spectrometer. The advantage of using a spectrometer is that in addition to the light that can be used to verify the wavelength of the desired treatment, it is also possible to monitor the light to detect if the source emits unwanted light. For example, when infrared radiation therapy is used but ultraviolet light is not desired, the spectrometer can be used for monitoring. When ultraviolet light is generated, the control module can turn off the light source and output a warning message. The above monitoring is a benchmark that can be judged by the control module by setting some threshold values. Therefore, when the optical signal is below a preset value or the wavelength of the optical signal is outside a preset range, the control module 40 turns off the light source 20 and outputs a warning message, such as a sound or a text displayed on the screen.

Figure 2 shows another example of a light source 20' of a phototherapy machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 20' includes: a first light emitting unit 21 for emitting a first light L1, such as ultraviolet light; and a second light emitting unit 22 for emitting a second light L2, such as Infrared rays, the second light L2 is different from the first light L1. Please refer to FIG. 1 . In this case, the prescription code PC also records that the first light L1 or the second light L2 is used for treatment, and the control module 40 controls the light source 20 ′ according to the prescription code to provide the first light L1 and/or Or the second light L2 is taken as the output light L'. Although in this example it is The two types of light-emitting units are described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and three or more light-emitting units may be used.

Further, the phototherapy apparatus 1 of the present invention can also omit the photo sensor 30. In this case, the phototherapy machine includes a prescription receiving module 10, a light source 20, and a control module 40. The prescription receiving module 10 receives the prescription code PC. Light source 20 provides light L, and a first portion LA of light L is illuminated to the patient. The control module 40 is electrically connected to the prescription receiving module 10 and the light source 20, and generates a plurality of treatment signals according to the prescription code PC, and provides instructions to the patient according to the treatment signals to allow the patient to perform different parts of the treatment procedure, and the treatments are The program controls the light source 20 to provide the light L according to the prescription code PC, and when the patient moves the phototherapy machine to the portion to be irradiated, the patient can input a ready signal to the phototherapy machine to cause the phototherapy machine to start the next irradiation process. . By converting a single prescription code into multiple treatment signals for different parts of the treatment, it is possible to avoid errors caused by the user having to manually input the message multiple times. In addition, the photo sensor 30 can also calibrate the phototherapy machine periodically or irregularly as an accessory, and input a calibration signal to the phototherapy machine after calibration so that the phototherapy machine can generate the correct treatment signal.

With the above phototherapy machine, self-calibration can be performed at any time according to the characteristics of the phototherapy machine itself, and the patient can provide normal therapeutic effects regardless of time compensation or brightness compensation. In addition, the prescription receiving module can avoid the improper use of the phototherapy machine, and the use of the phototherapy process recorder allows the doctor to review the treatment process to adjust the next prescription content. The control module can generate a plurality of treatment signals according to the prescription code, and provide instructions to the patient according to the treatment signals to allow the patient to perform different parts. The treatment procedure, and in the treatment procedure, the light source is controlled according to the prescription code to provide light. When the patient moves the phototherapy machine to the part to be irradiated, the patient can input a preparation signal to the phototherapy machine to start the next irradiation of the phototherapy machine. program. By providing different wavelengths of light, the phototherapy machine can be used for multi-functional effects. By setting the spectrometer, it is possible to monitor whether the light is abnormal or attenuated, so that the control module can adjust the luminous intensity or time of the light source. Therefore, the phototherapy machine provided by the embodiment of the present invention can provide a relatively simple treatment mode for the patient, and the patient no longer needs to run the hospital for treatment, and can effectively avoid waste of medical resources.

The specific embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the invention to the above embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the following claims. The scope of the invention and the various changes made are within the scope of the invention.

L‧‧‧Light

L1‧‧‧First light

L2‧‧‧second light

LA‧‧‧Part 1

LB‧‧‧Part II

OS‧‧‧Optical Signal

PC‧‧‧ Prescription Code

SC‧‧‧Treatment signal

1‧‧‧Light therapy machine

2‧‧‧ patients

10‧‧‧Prescription receiving module

20, 20'‧‧‧ light source

21‧‧‧First lighting unit

22‧‧‧second lighting unit

30‧‧‧Light sensor

40‧‧‧Control Module

50‧‧‧Database

60‧‧‧Phototherapy Process Recorder

70‧‧‧Start switch

1 shows a block diagram of a phototherapy machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows another example of the light source of the phototherapy machine.

L‧‧‧Light

LA‧‧‧Part 1

LB‧‧‧Part II

OS‧‧‧Optical Signal

PC‧‧‧ Prescription Code

SC‧‧‧Treatment signal

1‧‧‧Light therapy machine

2‧‧‧ patients

10‧‧‧Prescription receiving module

20‧‧‧Light source

30‧‧‧Light sensor

40‧‧‧Control Module

50‧‧‧Database

60‧‧‧Phototherapy Process Recorder

70‧‧‧Start switch

Claims (14)

A phototherapy machine comprising: a prescription receiving module for receiving a prescription code; a light source for providing light, a first portion of the light being irradiated to a patient; and a control module electrically connected to the prescription receiving module and the a light source, generating a plurality of treatment signals according to the prescription code, first providing an indication to the patient according to the treatment signals to allow the patient to perform a treatment procedure for a part, and then providing an indication to the patient according to the treatment signals for the patient to perform a treatment procedure in another portion, wherein the light source is controlled to provide the light according to the prescription code, wherein the control module indicates which part of the other part the patient is to treat, and the treatment signals The provided indication includes a visual or audible indication to indicate that the patient has moved to the other location for a predetermined period of time to perform a treatment procedure. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, further comprising: a photo sensor electrically connected to the control module and receiving a second portion of the light to obtain an optical signal, wherein the control module Self-calibrating according to the optical signal, and controlling the light source to provide the light according to the prescription code and the optical signal. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, further comprising: a database electrically connected to the control module, wherein the control module controls the light source according to the prescription code, the database and the optical signal to provide the light source Light. For example, the phototherapy machine described in claim 1 of the patent scope, wherein the The square code contains the irradiation time, the irradiation intensity, the idle time, or the number of exposures. The phototherapy machine of claim 4, wherein the control module disables the light source when the idle time has not expired. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the control module calibrates the intensity of the light of the light source according to the optical signal. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the control module calibrates the illumination time of the light of the light source according to the optical signal. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the control module further recognizes the authenticity of the prescription code. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, further comprising a phototherapy process recorder electrically connected to the control module and recording a historical record of the light source illuminating the patient. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the prescription receiving module receives the prescription code by reading information on a medium. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the photosensor comprises a spectrometer. The phototherapy machine of claim 11, wherein the control module turns off the light source and outputs a warning when the optical signal is below a preset value or the wavelength of the optical signal is outside a predetermined range. message. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises: a first light emitting unit for emitting a first light; and a second light emitting unit for emitting a second light, the second The light is different from the first light, wherein the control module is controlled according to the prescription code The light source is configured to provide the first light or the second light. The phototherapy machine of claim 1, further comprising: a start switch electrically connected to the control module for controlling the operation of the control module.