WO2017104976A1

WO2017104976A1 - Apparatus for treatment of rhinitis and protective cap for apparatus for treatment of rhinitis

Info

Publication number: WO2017104976A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/012991
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Ho Kim
Original assignee: Yong Ho Kim
Priority date: 2015-12-17
Filing date: 2016-11-11
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: KR101610896B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis. In order to prevent any unintended irradiation of light, a contact sensor is formed at an upper inside of a pair of insertion rods or at a location touchable by the columella nasi when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity. Moreover, in order to enhance the therapeutic effect, outer lateral surfaces of the insertion rods are formed to be transparent, and a plurality of light sources are arranged longitudinally so as to irradiate light toward the external nose. Moreover, a longitudinal end portion of the insertion rod may be formed with a hemispherical surface or with variously sectioned surfaces to allow the light to be irradiated in various directions

Description

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF RHINITIS AND PROTECTIVE CAP FOR APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF RHINITIS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, more specifically to an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis and a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis.

A growing number of people are suffering with rhinitis due to an increase of fine dust. Various methods of treating rhinitis have been suggested, and one of such methods uses light. Some examples of apparatuses for treating rhinitis using light have been suggested in Korean Publication Number 10-2012-0098763 (DEVICE USED FOR TREATMENT OF RHINITIS BY BIOSTIMULATIVE ILLUMINATION) and Korean Patent 10-0977985 (MULTI-WAVELENGTH LASER IRRADIATOR FOR CURING RHINITIS).

These apparatuses aim to treat rhinitis by irradiating light. As the nose is very closely located to the eyes, there is a risk of getting the eye damaged if the light to be irradiated for the treatment of rhinitis is leaked and illuminated to the eye.

The apparatuses for treatment of rhinitis are often inserted into the nasal cavity despite the unsanitary condition of the nasal cavity of the rhinitis patients. As a result, it is highly possible that the rhinitis patients are also infected by the conventional apparatuses for treatment of rhinitis.

Contrived to address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis that can prevent the eye near the nose from being damaged by unintended irradiation of light.

The present invention also provides a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis that can allow a hygienic use of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis.

An aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, which includes: a power source; a controller coupled to the power source; a main body having the power source and the controller accommodated therein; a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment; at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods; and a contact sensor formed on at least one of the pair of insertion rods. The contact sensor is formed at a location touchable by the nasal septum when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity, and the controller is configured for controlling the power source to supply power to the at least one light source when the contact sensor is activated.

In an embodiment, the power source may be a battery, and the at least one light source may include at least one laser diode. In another embodiment, the power source may a battery, and the at least one light source may include at least one LED. In yet another embodiment, the power source may be a battery, and the at least one light source may include at least one laser diode and at least one LED. In still another embodiment, the power source may be a battery, and the at least one light source may include at least one first laser diode, at least one second laser diode and at least one LED, and the at least one first laser diode, the at least one second laser diode and the at least one LED may have different wavelengths from one another.

According to certain embodiments, the pair of insertion rods and the main body may be formed in a tweezer structure, and by inwardly pressing lateral surfaces of the main body from either lateral side thereof, a distance between the pair of insertion rods may be increased.

According to another embodiment, the pair of insertion rods may be transparent at outer sides thereof. At least one of the at least one light source may be formed to irradiate light toward the external nose. The pair of insertion rods may each have a longitudinal end portion thereof formed with a polyhedron, and at least one light source may be installed on the polyhedron.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, which includes: a power source; a controller coupled to the power source; a main body having the power source and the controller accommodated therein; a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment; at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods; and a contact sensor formed at an upper portion of the main body between the pair of insertion rods, wherein the contact sensor is formed at a location touchable by the columella nasi when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity, and wherein the controller is configured for controlling the power source to supply power to the at least one light source when the contact sensor is activated.

The at least one light source may be selected from the group consisting of laser diode and LED. The pair of insertion rods may be transparent at outer sides thereof, the outer sides being oriented toward the external nose. At least one of the at least one light source may be configured to irradiate light toward the external nose. The pair of insertion rods may each have a longitudinal end portion thereof formed with a polyhedron, and at least one light source is installed on the polyhedron.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, which includes: a main body having at least a power source accommodated therein; a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment; and at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods. Each of the pair of insertion rods may be transparent toward an outside thereof, and the at least one light source may be installed to irradiate light toward the external nose when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one light source may be selected from the group consisting of laser diode and LED, and the pair of insertion rods may have polymer for diffusion of light included at portions thereof through which light passes from the at least one light source. According to another embodiment, the pair of insertion rods may have internal protrusions for diffusion of light included at portions thereof through which light passes from the at least one light source.

According to yet another embodiment, an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis includes: a main body having at least a power source accommodated therein; a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment; at least one pair of light sources formed, respectively, on the pair of insertion rods; and a pair of light guides configured to guide light from the at least one pair of light sources. The pair of light guides each have a first hole formed at an end portion thereof and have at least one second hole formed at a lateral surface thereof. The at least one second hole may be formed on an outer lateral surface of each of the pair of light guides. The at least one second hole may be formed on three or more surfaces of each of the pair of light guides.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a protective cap for an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis that includes: a pair of insertion rod covers; a main body cover covering an upper portion of a main body of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis; and a coupling part being coupled with the main body, wherein the pair of insertion rod covers are formed to be transparent or translucent so as to allow light to pass. The pair of insertion rod covers may each have a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. Moreover, the plurality of protrusions may be oriented toward outsides of the pair of insertion rod covers.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, by installing the contact sensor at an upper inside of the insertion rod or at a location touchable by the columella nasi, it is possible to prevent a malfunction by lowering the probability of having the contact sensor make contact with the skin during the use of the apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent any damage to the eye caused by irradiation of light to the eye. Moreover, by providing the protective cap, it is possible to use the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis more hygienically.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 illustrate various examples of locations of contact sensor in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a tweezer structure of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate a tweezer structure of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate a tweezer structure of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate how apparatuses for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention are inserted into the nose.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 illustrate arrangements of light sources irradiating light toward outsides of the nose in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates cross-sections of insertion rods shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates penetration depths into the skin according to the wavelengths of the light source.

FIG. 22 illustrates that a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is placed on a main body of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, and FIG. 23 illustrates the protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 illustrate protrusions of the protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 illustrate a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 to FIG. 33 illustrate various arrangements of light sources in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 illustrate a power switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a functional block diagram illustrating an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flow diagram illustrating how the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is operated.

FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 illustrate a tweezer structure of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 illustrates holes formed on the light guide of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 illustrates holes formed on the light guide of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Since there can be a variety of permutations and embodiments of the present invention, certain embodiments will be illustrated and described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This, however, is by no means to restrict the present invention to certain embodiments, and shall be construed as including all permutations, equivalents and substitutes covered by the ideas and scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of the present invention, when describing a certain relevant conventional technology is determined to evade the point of the present invention, the pertinent detailed description will be omitted. The terms used in the description are intended to describe certain embodiments only, and shall by no means restrict the present invention. Unless clearly used otherwise, expressions in a singular form include a meaning of a plural form.

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus for treatment of rhinitis includes a main body 105, a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b, a power switch 107 and a contact sensor 103. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus includes at least one light source, for example, a laser diode and/or an LED. The main body 105 may include at least a power source, such as a battery. Moreover, the main body 105 may include therein a controller that can be realized with a semiconductor chip, a microprocessor and the like. A pair of

depressible parts

111a, 111b are formed on either lateral surface of the main body 105, and depressing the

depressible parts

111a, 111b from either side widens a gap between the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b for an easy insertion into the nose. This will be further described later. Moreover, the power source may be a battery, as described above, or a terminal connected to an external power source.

The pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are inserted into the nose when treatment for rhinitis is desired. When the treatment is desired, a user turns on the power switch 107. The contact sensor 103 is electrically coupled with the controller inside the main body 105, and the controller determines whether the contact sensor 103 is in contact with the human body and controls the light source, such as laser diode and/or LED, to irradiate light when the contact sensor 103 is in contact with the human body. The light irradiated from the light source is irradiated inside the nose through the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the contact sensor 103 is placed at an inner side of the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b. If the contact sensor is installed at an end portion of an insertion rod, the contact sensor may make contact with another part of the human body even if the insertion rod of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis is not inserted into the nose. As a result, light may be unintentionally irradiated from the light source. For example, if the contact sensor makes contact with a cheek of the user and light is thus irradiated, the light, such as laser, may be directly irradiated to the eye of the user. Therefore, in order to prevent a contact that is not desired by the user while using the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, the contact sensor 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is placed at the inner side of the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b.

Since the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has a tweezer structure, it is preferable that the contact sensor 103 is placed at an upper portion of the insertion rod, as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the location of the contact sensor 103 is not restricted to what is described and illustrated herein, and the contact sensor103 may be installed at any location as long as the contact sensor 103 can make contact with the nasal septum.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 illustrate various examples of locations of contact sensor in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the contact sensor 103 is installed at one of the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b. Referring to FIG. 4, the contact sensor is installed at both of the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b. In the case where a plurality of contact sensors are installed, it is possible to allow the laser diode and/or LED to irradiate light when one of the plurality of contact sensors detects a contact with the skin or when all of the plurality of contact sensors detect a contact with the skin.

FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, unlike FIG. 1, a contact sensor 301 is placed at an upper end of a main body 105 between portions at which a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b start. Except for this feature, other configurations of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis shown in FIG. 5 are identical with the configurations of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis shown in FIG. 1. The contact sensor 301 makes contact with the columella nasi when the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are inserted into the nasal cavity for treatment. When a power switch 107 is turned on and the contact sensor 301 detects a contact with the skin, a controller inside the main body 105 controls laser diodes and/or LED to irradiate light. Unless the

insertion rods

101a, 101b are inserted into the nasal cavity, it is very unlikely for the contact sensor 301 to touch the skin. Therefore, there is little risk that the light from the laser diode and/or LED is unintentionally irradiated to the eye.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate the tweezer structure of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the apparatus when no external force is given thereto, and FIG. 7 shows the apparatus when the

depressible parts

111a, 111b are pushed from either side thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, when the

depressible parts

111a, 111b are pushed from either side thereof, the pushing force is transferred through

force transferring parts

405a, 405b to cause an elastic part 401a of a tweezer 401 (encompassing 401a, 401b and 401c) to deform. At the same time, an upper portion of the tweezer is widened about a hinging point 401b. An end portion 401c of the tweezer is tightly adhered to light source supports 403a, 403b and the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b. Accordingly, when the

depressible parts

111a, 111b are pressed, the end portion 401C, the light source supports 403a, 403b and the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are integrally spread out, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The

depressible parts

111a, 111b are made of a soft material, such as synthetic resin, and the

force transferring parts

405a, 405b are made of a non-elastic material, so that the force given by the user is sufficiently transferred to the tweezer 401. Meanwhile, it is possible to manufacture the entire main body with the soft synthetic resin, and it is also possible that a specific portion 109 of the main body excluding the

depressible parts

111a, 111b is made of a relatively rigid material.

The light source supports 403a, 403b may have a laser diode and/or LED installed thereon. In such a case, wiring may be made through the light source supports 403a, 403b such that the laser diode and/or LED may be electrically coupled with the power source inside the main body 105. Such wiring is very well known to those who are skilled in the art and thus will not be described herein.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate a tweezer structure of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a tweezer and a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are integrally formed, unlike FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Accordingly, when the

depressible parts

111a, 111b are pushed, the pushing force is transferred to the elastic part 401a of the tweezer 401, and the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are worked about the hinging point 410b of the tweezer 401. That is, when the

depressible parts

111a, 111b are pressed, the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are widened away from each other.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate a tweezer structure of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows that a force is given to

depressible parts

405c, 405d, and FIG. 11 shows that a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are spread away from each other by the force given to the

depressible parts

405c, 405d.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, unlike the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the

depressible parts

405c, 405d are not integrally formed with the main body but are separately formed from the main body. Moreover, the

depressible parts

405c, 405d do not have to be made of any limited material such as a soft material, and it is also possible that

depressible parts

405c, 405d are made of a same material as other parts of the main body. Similarly, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the main body and the

depressible parts

111a, 111b may be made of a same material or different materials.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate how apparatuses for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention are inserted into the nose. Referring to FIG. 12, a pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity, and contact sensors 103 are inwardly formed, respectively, at upper ends of the pair of insertion rods. Moreover, the pair of insertion rods are formed to be opaque 701a, 701b (hence "opaque rod portion" hereinafter) toward the center of the nose, and are formed to be transparent 701c, 701d (hence "transparent rod portion" hereinafter) toward the external nose. This is because rhinitis is more often found toward the external nose rather than at the nasal septum. The

opaque rod portions

701a, 701b may not only function as supports for having the laser diode and/or LED installed thereon but also provide a space for electric wiring required for the laser diode and/or

LED

703a, 703b, 703c, 703d, 703e, 703f. As illustrated in FIG. 12,

light sources

703a, 703b, 703c, 703d, 703e, 703f, such as laser diode and/or LED, are arranged to be oriented toward the external nose. Once power is supplied in this structure, light beams for treatment are irradiated toward the external nose. The arrangement of these

light sources

703a, 703b, 703c, 703d, 703e, 703f increases an area of irradiation, compared to the conventional art, and thus is expected to improve the effect of treatment. Moreover,

contact sensors

103a, 103b may be installed, and a controller may control the

light sources

703a, 703b, 703c, 703d, 703e, 703f to irradiate light only when the contact sensors 103a, 10b make contact with the skin and a power switch 107 is turned on.

Referring to FIG. 13, unlike FIG. 12, a plurality of

light sources

705a, 705b, 705c, 705d, 705e, 705f are additionally placed at upper ends of the pair of insertion rods. This kind of arrangement of light sources allows the treatment to be made not only toward the external nose but also toward upper areas of the nose.

According to a number of studies on wavelengths having a therapeutic effect for rhinitis, laser diodes or LEDs having wavelengths of 650 nm or 830 nm are effective in treating rhinitis. As different wavelengths may have different therapeutic effects, it is possible to increase the therapeutic effect by arranging the light sources in various formats. Referring to FIG. 21, the penetration depth of the light irradiated from the light source into the skin is different according to the wavelength. As rhinitis may be at the epidermis, at the dermis and/or at the subcutaneous tissue, an improved therapeutic effect may be achieved by combining the light sources having different wavelengths in order to treat variously spread rhinitis.

Referring to FIG. 14,

light sources

803a, 803b, 803c, 803d, all being laser diodes or LEDs, having a same wavelength may be arranged. Referring to FIG. 15, light sources having different wavelengths are alternately arranged. Specifically, light sources 805a, 8035 having a first wavelength and

light sources

803a, 803b having a second wavelength are alternately arranged. In such a case, the controller installed in the main body may selectively control the power to be supplied to the

light sources

805a, 805b having the first wavelength only or to the

light sources

803a, 803b having the second wavelength, in response to the user's operation. Moreover, it is also possible to supply the power to all of the

light sources

805a, 805b, 803a, 803b, according to the user's operation.

Referring to FIG. 16, the

light sources

805a, 805b having the first wavelength, the

light sources

803a, 803b having the second wavelength and

light sources

807a, 807b having a third wavelength are alternately arranged. Referring to FIG. 17, the

light sources

805a, 805b having the first wavelength and the

light sources

803a, 803b, 803c, 803d having the second wavelength are alternated in the pattern of 1:2. Referring to FIG. 18, the

light sources

805a, 805b, 805c, 805d having the first wavelength, the

light sources

803a, 803b having the second wavelength are alternated in the pattern of 2:1. FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 show only some examples of the arrangement of the light sources, and it shall be appreciated that there many other possible arrangements.

FIG. 19 illustrates cross-sections of the insertion rods shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19, light

source installing parts

903a, 903b are placed inside the

opaque rod portions

701a, 701b and each have a light source 803 installed therein. The light is irradiated toward the external nose through the

transparent rod portions

701c, 701d.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 20, a plurality of light sources are arranged in a lengthwise direction of insertion rods to allow light beams for treatment to be irradiated toward the external nose.

FIG. 22 illustrates that a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is placed on the main body of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, and FIG. 23 illustrates the protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis is made of a transparent and relatively thin material. The protective cap 1200 includes a pair of insertion rod covers 1201a, 1201b, a main body cover 1202 for covering the upper portion of the main body of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, and a coupling part 1205 for coupling with the main body of the apparatus. The protective cap 1200 is formed to be sufficiently thin such that the contact sensor formed on the insertion rod or at the upper end of the main body can properly sense the contact with the skin even if the protective cap is on. The protective cap 1200 is formed in a single body, and the coupling part 1205 is formed on the main body cover 1202. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective cap 1200 may have a plurality of protrusions 1203 formed thereon.

The plurality of protrusions 1203 provide a space through which the user can breathe while the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are inserted into the nasal cavity for treatment of rhinitis and at the same time function as supports for the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b to maintain a more stable state. Moreover, it is preferable to form the protective cap 1200 with a sufficiently thin, soft resin so as to minimize the sense of foreign substance from the protrusions 1203. The protective cap 1201 includes the coupling part 1205 at a lower portion thereof for a more stable engagement with the main body of the apparatus. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 22, the main body may have a groove formed thereon corresponding to the coupling part 1205. It may be preferable that the groove is not formed at a certain portion of the main body only but around the upper portion of the main body for a more stable engagement.

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 illustrate the protrusions of the protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 24, the protrusions 1203 having various lengths are formed around a girth of the insertion rod. Referring to FIG. 25, the protrusions 1203 having a same length are formed in four directions. FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 are only some examples, and it shall be appreciated that various forms of protrusions may be formed. Moreover, it is also possible that, instead of forming the protrusions around the girth of the insertion rod, the protrusions are formed only at a certain section or sections of the insertion rod.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 illustrate a protective cap for the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 shows that the protective cap is coupled to the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, and FIG. 27 shows the protective cap only. Referring to FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, protrusions 1203 are formed on external sides of the insertion rods. Particularly, when

contact sensors

103a, 103b are installed, it is preferable that the sections at which the

contact sensors

103a, 103b are installed do not have the protrusions formed thereon in order to enhance the detectability of the

contact sensors

103a, 103b.

FIG. 28 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 28, polymer is inserted in upper end portions of a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b for diffusion of light. In the case where laser is used for the treatment of rhinitis, the therapeutic effect may be limited to a certain area only due to the straightness property of light. For this reason, polymer, which has a diffusing property, may be inserted at a path of light when the insertion rod is manufactured, in order to widen the area being irradiated by the light. In the case where light is irradiated from the lateral side of the insertion rod, as described with reference to FIG. 12 and 20, polymer may be inserted in the transparent, lateral side of the insertion rod.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to diffuse the light by forming tiny protrusions, instead of inserting polymer, inside the insertion rod. When forming the protrusions inside the insertion rod, it is also possible to form the protrusions inside the outer lateral side of the insertion rod as well as at the upper end portion of the insertion rod.

FIG. 29 to FIG. 33 illustrate various arrangements of light sources in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13 again, surfaces having the

light sources

705a, 705b, 705c, 705d, 705e, 705f installed therein at the longitudinal ends of the insertion rods are oriented differently from one another. Accordingly, the light beams from the light sources are not irradiated in one direction but in various directions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the longitudinal ends each have 7 surfaces formed thereon, that is, one surface in the middle thereof and 6 surfaces around the surface in the middle.

Referring to FIG. 29 to FIG. 32, the light sources are arranged on these surfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the light sources having a same wavelength may be arranged, and as illustrated in FIG. 30, a light source 1503 having a first wavelength may be arranged in the middle, and six lights sources 1501 having a second wavelength may be arranged around the light source 1503 in the middle. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, the light source(s) 1503 having the first wavelength, the light sources 1501 having the second wavelength and light sources 1505 having a third wavelength may be mixed and arranged.

FIG. 33 illustrates a longitudinal end portion of an insertion rod in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the longitudinal end portion is formed as a hemispherical surface, and a plurality of light sources 1501 are arranged on the hemispherical surface. As described herein, it is possible to install the light sources on variously sectioned surfaces or on a hemispheric surface.

FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 illustrate a power switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The power switch allows the user to clearly assess the on/off state of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis. Moreover, when the apparatus includes a contact sensor, the light is irradiated only when the contact sensor makes contact with the skin even if the power switch is turned on, and thus the power switch needs to be designed in such a way that the user can readily assess the on/off state. Nevertheless, the power switch described and illustrated herein is merely one example, and any one of ordinary skill in the art shall appreciate that various types of other power switches may be also used.

FIG. 36 is a functional block diagram illustrating an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 36, the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis includes a power source 1701, a controller 1707, a contact sensor 1705 and a light source 1703. The power source 1701 is electrically coupled with the light source 1703, the contact sensor 1705 and the controller 1707. The contact sensor 1705 is configured for detecting whether a contact with the skin is made, and according to an embodiment, the contact with the skin may be detected by measuring a change in capacitance. The present invention, however, is not restricted to what is described herein, and it is also possible to detect the contact with the skin by measuring a change in various physical properties. The controller 1707 may control the power source 1701 to supply power to the light source 1703 only if the contact sensor 1705 has confirmed the contact with the skin. Although not shown in FIG. 36, the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis may further include a power switch to allow the controller 1707 to control the power source 1701 to supply power to the light source 1703 only if the power switch is turned on and the contact sensor has confirmed the contact with the skin.

FIG. 37 is a flow diagram illustrating how the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is operated. Although the steps described below may be carried out, respectively, by different functional units included in the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it will be described herein for the convenience of description and understanding that the respective steps are performed collectively by the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 37, in step 1801, the apparatus determines whether the power switch is turned on or not. If it is determined that the power switch is turned on, in step 1803, the apparatus determines whether the contact sensor has detected a contact with the skin. If the contact sensor has detected the contact with the skin, in step 1805, the apparatus supplies power to the light source, such as laser diode and/or LED. The order of the

steps

1801 and 1803 may be reversed, and the power may not be supplied if any of the above-described conditions is not met. The operations described with reference to FIG. 37 are only an example of the present invention, and it shall be appreciated that various other combinations of operations are also possible. For example, a plurality of contact sensors may be installed, and the light source may be activated if any one of the contact sensors has confirmed a contact with the skin. In another example, the power may be supplied to the light source only if all of the contact sensors have detected the contact with the skin. Moreover, it is possible to map the positions of the light sources to the positions of the contact sensors and allow the power to be supplied only to predetermined light sources corresponding to the contact sensors that have detected the contact with the skin.

FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 illustrate a tweezer structure of an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, therapeutic light sources, for example, LED or laser diode, may be installed on light

source installing parts

1909a, 1909b. A pair of light guides are supported by

guide supporting parts

1903a, 1903b. As illustrated in FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the light

source installing parts

1909a, 1909b, the pair of

light guides

1901a, 1901b, the

guide supporting parts

1903a, 1903b and a pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b are closely attached with one another.

Input force parts

1905a, 1905b of a tweezer are formed around an outer circumferential surface of a main body. The input force part 1905a is movably coupled to the light source installing part 1909a and the insertion rod 101a. Similarly, the input force part 1905b is movably coupled to the light source installing part 1909b and the insertion rod 101b. A fulcrum 1907 of the tweezer is formed at a middle of an upper portion of the main body, and the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b become output force parts. Accordingly, by pressing

depressible parts

111a, 111b, as shown in FIG. 39, the

input force parts

1905a, 1905b of the tweezer are moved inwardly, and the pair of

insertion rods

101a, 101b, which are the output force parts of the tweezer, are spread wide. Unlike FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the light source installing part and the guide supporting part may be integrally formed. Moreover, in order to reduce the number of parts, some or all of the insertion rod, light source installing part, guide supporting part and light guide may be integrally formed. In another embodiment, the insertion rod and the input force part may be integrally formed.

Although it is described with reference to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 that that the input force part is located in the middle, it is also possible to design the tweezer structure by placing the input force point to the right or left of the middle in order to provide a space for installing an inner circuit of the apparatus.

FIG. 40 illustrates an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 40, therapeutic light sources, such as LED or laser diode, are installed on light

source installing parts

1905a, 1905b. Light generated by the light sources is diffused along

light guides

1901a, 1901b. The light guides 1901a,1901b have a plurality of

holes

2201a, 2201b, 2201c, 2201d, 2201e, 2201f (corresponding to the second holes in the claims) formed on outer lateral surfaces thereof. Moreover, the light guides 1901a, 1901b have

holes

2203a, 2203b (corresponding to the first hole in the claims) at end portions thereof. In the case where laser is used for the light sources, the light will be mostly irradiated inside the nasal cavity through the

holes

2203a, 2203b formed at the end portions of the light guides 1901a, 1901b due to the straightness property of light. On the contrary, in the case where laser diode is used for the light sources, some of the light will be irradiated through the

holes

2201a, 2201b, 2201c, 2201d, 2201e, 2201f formed on the outer lateral surfaces of the light guides 1901a, 1901b. Particularly, by using LED, which has a weaker straightness property, as the therapeutic light sources, the amount of light irradiated through the

holes

2201a, 2201b, 2201c, 2201d, 2201e, 2201f formed on the outer lateral surfaces of the light guides 1901a, 1901b can be increased. Accordingly, the

holes

2201a, 2201b, 2201c, 2201d, 2201e, 2201f formed on the outer lateral surfaces of the light guides 1901a, 1901b may allow the therapeutic light to be used at various locations.

FIG. 41 illustrates holes formed on the light guide of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 41,

holes

2201a, 2201g, 2201m, 2201d, 2201j, 2201p are formed not only in outer lateral surfaces but also in upper surfaces and inner lateral surfaces of

light guides

1901a, 1901b. In other words, when the insertion rods of the apparatus are inserted into the nasal cavity, the therapeutic light may be irradiated through 3 surfaces excluding a bottom surface of the light guides 1901a, 1901b.

FIG. 42 illustrates holes formed on the light guide of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 42,

holes

2201b, 2201h, 2201n, 2201t, 2201e, 2201k, 2201g, 2201w are formed on four surfaces of the light guides 1901a, 1901b. In other words, the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis shown in FIG. 42 irradiates the therapeutic light through the

holes

2201b, 2201h, 2201n, 2201t, 2201e, 2201k, 2201g, 2201w formed on 4 surfaces and

holes

2203a, 2203b formed at end portions of the light guides 1901a, 1901b.

Hitherto, certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, and it shall be appreciated that a large number of permutations and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the intrinsic features of the present invention by those who are ordinarily skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention shall be appreciated in illustrative perspectives, rather than in restrictive perspectives, and the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention shall not be restricted by the disclosed embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted through the claims appended below, and any and all equivalent technical ideas shall be interpreted to be included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

An apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, comprising:

a power source;

a controller coupled to the power source;

a main body having the power source and the controller accommodated therein;

a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment;

at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods; and

a contact sensor formed on at least one of the pair of insertion rods,

wherein the contact sensor is formed at a location touchable by the nasal septum when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity, and

wherein the controller is configured for controlling the power source to supply power to the at least one light source when the contact sensor is activated.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery, and

wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one laser diode.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery, and

wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one LED.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery, and

wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one laser diode and at least one LED.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery,

wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one first laser diode, at least one second laser diode and at least one LED, and

wherein the at least one first laser diode, the at least one second laser diode and the at least one LED have different wavelengths from one another.
The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pair of insertion rods and the main body are formed in a tweezer structure, and by inwardly pressing lateral surfaces of the main body from either lateral side thereof, a distance between the pair of insertion rods is increased.
The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pair of insertion rods are transparent at outer sides thereof.
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one light source is formed to irradiate light toward the external nose.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pair of insertion rods each have a longitudinal end portion thereof formed with a polyhedron, and at least one light source is installed on the polyhedron.
An apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, comprising:

a power source;

a controller coupled to the power source;

a main body having the power source and the controller accommodated therein;

a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment;

at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods; and

a contact sensor formed at an upper portion of the main body between the pair of insertion rods,

wherein the contact sensor is formed at a location touchable by the columella nasi when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity, and

wherein the controller is configured for controlling the power source to supply power to the at least one light source when the contact sensor is activated.
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one light source is selected from the group consisting of laser diode and LED.
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pair of insertion rods are transparent at outer sides thereof, the outer sides being oriented toward the external nose.
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least one light source is configured to irradiate light toward the external nose.
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pair of insertion rods each have a longitudinal end portion thereof formed with a polyhedron, and at least one light source is installed on the polyhedron.
An apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, comprising:

a main body having at least a power source accommodated therein;

a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment; and

at least one light source formed on the pair of insertion rods,

wherein each of the pair of insertion rods is transparent toward an outside thereof, and

wherein the at least one light source is installed to irradiate light toward the external nose when the pair of insertion rods are inserted into the nasal cavity.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is selected from the group consisting of laser diode and LED.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pair of insertion rods have polymer for diffusion of light included at portions thereof through which light passes from the at least one light source.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pair of insertion rods have internal protrusions for diffusion of light included at portions thereof through which light passes from the at least one light source.
A protective cap for an apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, comprising:

a pair of insertion rod covers;

a main body cover covering an upper portion of a main body of the apparatus for treatment of rhinitis; and

a coupling part being coupled with the main body,

wherein the pair of insertion rod covers are formed to be transparent or translucent so as to allow light to pass.
The protective cap of claim 19, wherein the pair of insertion rod covers each have a plurality of protrusions formed thereon.
The protective cap of claim 20, wherein the plurality of protrusions are oriented toward outsides of the pair of insertion rod covers.
An apparatus for treatment of rhinitis, comprising:

a main body having at least a power source accommodated therein;

a pair of insertion rods coupled to the main body and configured for insertion into the nasal cavity for treatment;

at least one pair of light sources formed, respectively, on the pair of insertion rods; and

a pair of light guides configured to guide light from the at least one pair of light sources,

wherein the pair of light guides each have a first hole formed at an end portion thereof and have at least one second hole formed at a lateral surface thereof.
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one second hole is formed on an outer lateral surface of each of the pair of light guides.
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one second hole is formed on three or more surfaces of each of the pair of light guides.