WO2014021557A1

WO2014021557A1 - A nasal cavity treatment irradiation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014021557A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/005660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Chul Ahn; Chung Ku Rhee; Pil Sang Chung
Original assignee: Dankook University Cheonan Campus Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation
Priority date: 2012-08-02
Filing date: 2013-06-26
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: KR101329862B1

Abstract

The present invention provides an irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment that emits even and focused irradiation to the upper surface of nasal cavity through incorporating a bending part that connects a light irradiation part and a nasal cavity insertion part which go into the nasal cavity and a control part controlling the movement and moving direction of a light irradiation part, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect thereof. Also, the present invention provides the therapeutic treatment optimized for the skin condition of each subject and the individual differences by providing various wavelengths through a wavelength conversion part.

Description

A NASAL CAVITY TREATMENT IRRADIATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a nasal cavity treatment irradiation apparatus, and more specifically, a nasal cavity treatment irradiation apparatus which evenly irradiates light to a certain upper part of a nasal cavity.

Therapeutic effect of body stimulation by low level light irradiation is in that, when a cell or body tissue is irradiated with light, the energy level of certain components is increased and the cell or tissue becomes activated, thereby inducing various physiological effects such as enhancement of cell division, tissue regeneration, and tissue metabolism, which lead to anti-inflammatory effect, pain relief, and cell growth.

Recently, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) which actively utilizes this mechanism for treating various diseases has been developed and used in the treatment of various diseases. In general, the biochemical activity of light is determined by the wavelength, polarizability, and intensity of light. In this regard, according to the experimental testing, it is known that a polarized light within a range of 400nm to 950nm whose energy level is below 1W is the most therapeutically effective light to be applied to human body.

The above-described Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an internationally authorized therapeutic method, and it irradiates the body with laser light or light having comparable wavelength thereto at low energy level for not damaging living cells, thereby inducing the activation of physiological functions in the body. Through this, LLLT can provide therapeutic effects such as pain relief, tissue regeneration, and elimination of the source of disease,

Also, various medical devices that utilize LLLT use a light source device that generates light with wavelength of 400nm to 950nm. A representative light source device includes Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Laser Diode (LD).

The conventionally used therapeutic method by irradiation of low level light generally targets skin tissue or muscle tissue of a body. Although various methods have been developed and used for irradiating the skin of body in this field, a method or device for irradiating the internal tissue of body has not been reported yet.

In particular, as for a light irradiation apparatus for treating the inflammation of nasal cavity, a light source device is positioned at one end of a circular rod for irradiating the inside of nose. However, when using this apparatus the light cannot reach a deep part of nasal cavity of a subject due to a constitution where light is emitted from one end of a circular rod. Therefore, this apparatus could not effectively treat the inflammation in a whole nasal cavity.

Furthermore, the apparatus had the limitation of not being able to emit even and focused irradiation to a certain region such as cribriform plate located on upper surface of nasal cavity.

Moreover, it is anticipated that if a therapeutic method by irradiation of low level light is applied to inner tissues of body (e.g., digestive organs including stomach and intestines), this can stop many people from taking medicines or enhance a therapeutic effect. Therefore, there is increasing demand for expanding the application for LLLT in the modern medical field.

As one object to resolve the above problems, the present invention provides an irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment that emits even and focused irradiation to the upper surface of nasal cavity through having a bending part that connects a light irradiation part and a nasal cavity insertion part which go into the nasal cavity.

As another object, the present invention provides an irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment that can provide various methods and wavelengths of irradiation optimized for the nasal cavity structure of each subject and the individual differences through a wavelength conversion part.

An irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment of the present invention for resolving the above-described problems comprises a light irradiation part; a nasal cavity insertion part connected to the light irradiation part at variable binding angles; a bending part controlling the binding angle while being positioned between the light irradiation part and the nasal cavity insertion part; and a wavelength conversion part that manipulates the wavelength of light supplied to the light irradiation part, wherein the light irradiation part comprises a light transmitting glass tube; a light source emitting the light while being positioned at one side of the glass tube; and a light conversion part that manipulates the light supplied from the light source to be emitted in one direction.

Preferably, the light conversion part changes the direction of the light emitted from the light source, and comprises multiple reflection mirrors or balls placed having identical intervals of distribution inside the glass tube.

Preferably, when the glass tube is viewed from the direction of the emitted light, the multiple reflection mirrors are separately placed perpendicular to the emitted direction of the light such that the light emitted from light source can all reach reflection mirrors, and upon reaching the multiple reflection mirrors, the light gets reflected in a direction perpendicular to the emitted direction.

Preferably, the multiple balls are placed having identical intervals of distribution so that the light can be emitted through the space in between the balls.

Preferably, the light source is either a laser, light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD).

The present invention has the effect of enhancing therapeutic effects by emitting even and focused irradiation to the upper surface of a nasal cavity through incorporating a bending part that connects a light irradiation part and a nasal cavity insertion part that are inserted into the nasal cavity and a control part that controls the movement and moving direction of light irradiation part.

Also, the present invention provides various wavelengths through having a wavelength conversion part, thereby providing a therapeutic treatment optimized for the nasal cavity structure and condition of skin of a subject as well as the individual differences.

Fig.1 is a single point perspective diagram of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment of the present invention.

Fig.2 is a cross-sectional diagram with respect to line A-A’of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment while being inserted into the nasal cavity, according to Example 1 of the present invention.

Fig.3 is a cross-sectional diagram with respect to line B-B’ of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment.

Fig.4 is a cross-sectional diagram with respect to line A-A’ of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment while being inserted into the nasal cavity, according to Example 2 of the present invention.

The constituents of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment of the present invention can be used as a whole or separately depending on the need. Also, some of the constituents may be omitted from usage depending on the type of usage.

An appropriate Example of the irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment 100 of the present invention is described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The line thickness or size of constituents illustrated in the diagrams may be demonstrated exaggeratedly to describe the constitution of the present invention more clearly and easily. Also, the below-described terms are defined considering the functions thereof in the present invention, and are subject to change depending on a user, and intention or convention of an operator. Therefore, the definition of these terms must be depicted based on the overall description of the present specification.

Hereinafter, the present irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment 100 is described in reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention comprises a light irradiation part 110; a bending part controlling the binding angle while being positioned between the light irradiation part and the nasal cavity insertion part; a nasal cavity insertion part 130 adjacent to a light irradiation part 110; a wavelength conversion part 140 that manipulates the wavelength of light supplied to a light irradiation part 110; a light source 112; a control part 150 that is electronically connected to a light irradiation part 110 and wavelength conversion part 140; and a connecting part 160 that connects a nasal cavity insertion part 130 and a wavelength conversion part 140 and connects a wavelength conversion part 140 and a control part 150.

In the present invention, the direction of light emitted from a light source 112 is set as x-axis, the direction perpendicular to x-axis where reflection mirrors 114 are positioned is set as y-axis, and the reflected direction of the emitted light which is perpendicular to x-axis and y-axis is set as z-axis.

A light irradiation part 110 comprises a hollow light transmitting glass tube 111, a light source112 positioned at one side of the interior of glass tube 111, and a light conversion part 113 positioned in certain arrangement in the interior of the glass tube 111.

The glass tube 111 is has a hollow shape and consists of light transmitting material. Also, one side of the glass tube 111 is open and connected to a bending part 120, while the other side is closed.

The light emitted from a light source 112 is transferred to the exterior of the glass tube 111 by a light conversion part 113 which is described below.

A light source 112 is a device that provides the light for treatment of a subject. In the present invention, a type of light source is selected from laser, LED and OLED, but it may be changed according to the intention of subject and use.

A light conversion part 113 manipulates the light supplied from the light source 112 which is position at one side of light transmitting glass tube 111 to be emitted in one direction.

Also, multiple light conversion parts 113 are placed having identical intervals of distribution inside the glass tube 111, and as one Example, the light conversion part comprises a reflection mirror 114 and a supporting plate 114'.

The light conversion part 113 changes the direction of light emitted from the light source 112 to be perpendicular to the initial emitted direction of light through multiple reflection mirrors 114.

A flat reflection mirror 114 is tilted at certain angle such that the light can be emitted in one direction as illustrated in Figure 2.

Also, to make the light emitted from a light source 112 reach all reflection mirrors 114 when viewed from the direction of light irradiating a glass tube 111 (x-axis direction), the reflection mirrors 114 are positioned in a straight line without overlapping, and the height and incline of the mirror are arranged differently to reflect the laser light evenly and perpendicularly.

The present invention is described in more detail by referring to Figure 3.

In the arrangement of reflection mirrors 114, it is preferable that the length of the first reflection mirror 114a on y-axis does not overlap with the lengths of the second reflection mirror 114b and the third reflection mirror 114c on y-axis.

Also, the light supplied from a light source changes its direction by being reflected in a direction perpendicular to the initial emitted direction of light upon reaching multiple reflection mirrors 114.

Furthermore, a supporting plate 114' is positioned in the same direction as the reflected light in order to support the tilted reflection mirror 114.

Meanwhile, as another example, reflection mirrors 114 may be positioned in a straight line along the x-axis, or they may be arranged in a way that the surfaces thereof on the z-axis do not overlap with each other, thereby avoiding the overlap of the light supplied from the above-described light source 112. Therefore, the height and incline of the mirrors are arranged differently to reflect the laser light evenly and perpendicularly.

The reflection mirror having the above arrangement allows the light to reflect in a direction perpendicular to the initial emitted direction of light upon reaching multiple reflection mirrors 114, thereby irradiating light onto a cribriform plate in the nasal cavity

A bending part 120 is positioned between a light irradiation part 110 and a nasal cavity insertion part 130 for controlling a binding angle. For this purpose, the bending part 120 preferably consists of elastic material used for buffering.

The bending part 120 moves flexibly following the movement of a light irradiation part 110 by a control part 150 and functions to help a light irradiation part 110 and nasal cavity insertion part 130 to move smoothly.

The nasal cavity insertion part 130 is positioned adjacent to a light irradiation part 110, and preferably consists of the harmless material to a human body as it is inserted into a nose of subject. Inside the nasal cavity insertion part 130, there is the second connection line 162 which is electrically connected to a light source 112, and thus the second connection line 162 is protected by the nasal cavity insertion part 162.

A wavelength conversion part 140 manipulates the wavelength of light supplied from a light irradiation part 110.

To be more specific, the wavelength conversion part 140 can apply any one of a visible ray which has a wavelength range perceivable by eye, i.e., wavelength in a range of 380 to 780nm; an infrared ray with a wavelength of 780nm or more; and an ultraviolet ray with a wavelength of 380nm or lower. Through manipulating the wavelength according to the skin condition of each subject or the individual differences, the therapeutic effect of a therapy can be enhanced.

A control part 150 is electrically connected to a light source 112, an light irradiation part 110, and a wavelength conversion part 140. For example, when a light irradiation part 110 is inserted into the nasal cavity, a control part 150 gives an electric signal to the light irradiation part 110 to make it move, thereby making the insertion to nasal cavity easier.

Also, a control part 150 can control a wavelength conversion part 14 to manipulate the wavelength by sending an electric signal, and it can also control turning on and off a light source 112.

A connection part 160 connects a nasal cavity insertion part 130 with a wavelength conversion part 140 and also connects a wavelength conversion part 140 with a control part 150. The connection parts 160 comprise the first connection line 161 and the second connection line 162.

The first connection line 161 is an electric conductor that electrically connects a wavelength conversion part 140 with a control part 150.

The second connection line 162 connects a light source 112 and a wavelength conversion part 140. To be more specific, a part of the second connection line 162 is located inside a nasal cavity insertion part 130 and electrically connected to a light source 112.

Hereinafter, referring to Figures 1 and 4, the technical feature of a light conversion part comprising balls is described. The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment 100 according to Example 2 of the present invention comprises balls as another Example of a light conversion part 113. As other constituents of the apparatus are the same as in Example 1, only a ball 115 is described in more detail.

As demonstrated in Figure 4, there are multiple balls 115 formed in the apparatus and these multiple balls 115 are positioned apart from each other, thereby allowing the light to be emitted through a space between these multiple balls 115.

That is, the light supplied from a light source 112 is emitted through a space between the first ball 115a and the second ball 115b.

Although the present invention is described with preferable Examples as above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be modified or changed in various ways within the scope of principle and key features of the present invention as disclosed in following claims.

Claims

An irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment, comprising:

a light irradiation part;

a nasal cavity insertion part connected to the light irradiation part at variable binding angles;

a bending part controlling the binding angle while being positioned between the light irradiation part and the nasal cavity insertion part; and

a wavelength conversion part that manipulates the wavelength of light supplied to the light irradiation part,

wherein the light irradiation part comprises a light transmitting glass tube;

a light source emitting the light while being positioned at one side of the glass tube; and

a light conversion part that manipulates the light supplied from the light source to be emitted in one direction.
The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment according to claim 1, wherein the light conversion part changes the direction of the light emitted from the light source, and comprises multiple reflection mirrors or balls placed having identical intervals of distribution inside the glass tube.
The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment according to claim 2, wherein when the glass tube is viewed from the direction of the emitted light, the multiple reflection mirrors are separately placed perpendicular to the emitted direction of light such that the light emitted from light source can all reach reflection mirrors, and

upon reaching the multiple reflection mirrors, the light gets reflected in a direction perpendicular to the emitted direction.
The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment according to claim 2, wherein the multiple balls are positioned apart from each other so that the light can be emitted through the space in between the balls.
The irradiation apparatus for nasal cavity treatment according to claim 1, wherein the light source is either a laser, light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD).