WO2015062840A1

WO2015062840A1 - Light treatment device.

Info

Publication number: WO2015062840A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/071720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wouter Petrus Kaandorp; Suzanne Daniëlle VAN DER ZAAN - LANDWEHR JOHAN; Gerardus Maria DANKERS; Simone Irene Elisabeth Vulto; Jacobus Petrus Johannes VAN OS
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2013-11-01
Filing date: 2014-10-10
Publication date: 2015-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-01

Abstract

There is provided a light treatment device (1) comprising a positioning part (11) and a treatment part (21). The positioning part (11) has an opening (5) for positioning over and viewing a treatment area. An attachment (3) is provided for attaching the positioning part (11) to a patient. The treatment part (21) has a light emitter (6) for providing treatment light to the treatment area. The positioning part (11) and the treatment part (21) have a magnetic coupling (7, 9) there between. The device is useful as the opening can be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area, and then held in position with the attachment. Light therapy can then be administered to the area and treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

Description

Light treatment device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a light treatment device, for light therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the treatment of the skin with light, e.g. the treatment of Psoriasis

Vulgaris, full body treatments are used. Although this guarantees that e.g. plaques of Psoriasis Vulgaris are treated, a large area of healthy skin is treated as well. Dependent on the kind of treatment, the effects of treating healthy skin can differ from seriously impacting a patient's health to less serious cosmetic effects such as hyper pigmentation.

It would be advantageous to enable specific skin sites to be selected and treated in order to minimize such side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims.

There is provided a light treatment device comprising a positioning part having an opening for positioning over and viewing a treatment area, an attachment for attaching the positioning part to a patient, a treatment part having a light emitter for providing treatment light to the treatment area, and a magnetic coupling between a smooth engagement surface of the positioning part and a smooth engagement surface of the treatment part.

This can enable the opening to be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area, and then held in position with the attachment. With the treatment part coupled to the positioning part light therapy can then be administered to the area. Further, treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

Skin flakes and ointments may be present on the skin. These may only contact the positioning part, and not the treatment part, such that only the positioning part requires cleaning between uses. Further, the magnetic coupling can enable convenient coupling of the positioning part and the treatment part. Further, use of a magnetic coupling can help to provide increased hygiene. In particular, use of a magnetic coupling allows the provision of a treatment device with a smooth engagement surface, that is to say, without the crevices, hooks, ridges, etc. that are intrinsic to some other connection methods and a smooth treatment device is easier to clean when it is contaminated by ointments, skin flakes, etc.

The positioning part and the treatment part may each comprise at least one permanent magnet as part of the magnetic coupling.

The positioning part and the treatment part may each comprise a plurality of permanent magnets as part of the magnetic coupling. This can provide a robust coupling and also an angularly adjustable (i.e rotatable) coupling between the treatment device and the positioning device.

The positioning part and the treatment part may each comprise a continuous, magnetic ring as part of the magnetic coupling.

The opening may be a hole.

The opening may be a transparent or translucent panel. This can prevent the treatment part from becoming contaminated with e.g. skin flakes and ointments in use.

The light emitter may comprise one or more LEDs.

The light treatment device may further comprise a safety device for preventing the light emitter from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not (magnetically) coupled together. This can prevent stray light from escaping.

The positioning part and the treatment part may have complementary formations for preventing light from escaping between the positioning part and the treatment part when the formations are engaged. These complimentary formations may comprise a smooth engagement surface on the positioning part and a smooth engagement surface on the treatment part. These complimentary formations, when brought together, may prevent stray light from escaping. Stray light may damage skin and/or eyes. They may prevent particulates from falling on the treatment area, they may prevent skin flakes and ointments from exiting the treatment area which may bring hygiene and cleanability benefits to the user. The smooth engagement surfaces may bring a further advantage to the cleaning process as there are no hooks, protrusions or crevices where biological matter or ointments may become trapped.

The attachment for attaching the positioning part to a patient may comprise a strap. This represents a particularly convenient attachment.

The positioning part and the treatment part may be separable. This can enable the two parts to be more easily cleaned, e.g. for the positioning part to be subjected to a more thorough cleaning regime.

There is also provided a method of positioning a light treatment device, comprising aligning an opening of a positioning part with a treatment area of a patient whilst viewing the treatment area through the opening, attaching the positioning part to the patient and magnetically coupling a smooth engagement surface of the treatment part to a smooth engagement surface of the positioning part. This enables a light emitter of the treatment part to provide treatment light to the treatment area.

The light emitter may be prevented from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not magnetically coupled together. This can prevent stray light from escaping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a light treatment device in an unmounted position;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the light treatment device of Fig. 1 in a different configuration where the treatment part is mounted in the intended operational position;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the light treatment device of Fig. 1 from below;

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a treatment part of the light treatment device of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a component of the positioning part of the light treatment device of Figure 1;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the treatment part of the light treatment device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a positioning part of a light treatment device in use;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a light treatment device comprising the positioning part of Fig. 7 in use;

Fig. 9 shows a schematic cross sectional view of another light treatment device;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an alternative positioning part for a light treatment device;

Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a disc for use in the positioning part of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 shows a plan view of a disc for use in the light treatment device of

Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 shows a schematic cross sectional view of another light treatment device; and

Fig. 14 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the light treatment device of

Fig. 13 in a different configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a light treatment device comprising a positioning part and a treatment part. The positioning part has an opening for positioning over and viewing a treatment area. An attachment is provided for attaching the positioning part to a patient. The treatment part has a light emitter for providing treatment light to the treatment area. The positioning part and the treatment part have a magnetic coupling there between.

Figures 1 to 6 show a light treatment device, indicated generally at 1.

Figure 1 shows a light treatment device 1 comprising a carrier 11 having an opening 5 for positioning over and viewing a treatment area. An attachment 3 for attaching the carrier 11 to a patient and a light emitter 6 for providing treatment light to the treatment area are also provided.

This can enable the opening 5 to be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area, and then held in position with the attachment 3. Light therapy can then be administered to the area. Further, treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

In the embodiment shown, the carrier 11 is a positioning part 11. The positioning part 11 comprises the attachment 3 for attaching the positioning part to the patient and the opening 5 for positioning over and viewing the treatment area. The light treatment device 1 also comprises a treatment part 21 comprising the light emitter 6 for providing treatment light to the treatment area. The light treatment device 1 also comprises a coupling 7, 9 for coupling the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 together (see Figures 5 and 6). This coupling may have complimentary features, the magnetic coupling 7, 9 may be a complete continuation around the opening, in the embodiment shown this would mean that the magnetic coupling would be a circular ring. Alternatively, the magnetic coupling 7, 9 may be 180° apart, they may be at 4 positions around the circumference of the opening, i.e. 90° apart allowing for the treatment part 21 to be positioned in a different orientation in relation to the positioning part 11 and thus to the treatment area. The magnetic coupling 7,9 may be positioned at any desired angular spacing from the next so that a desired orientation resolution is achievable. A further embodiment may have irregular angular spacings between the magnetic coupling so that the treatment part 21 and positioning part 11 can only be coupled in a certain orientation.

This can enable the opening 5 to be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area, and then held in position with the attachment 3. With the treatment part 21 coupled to the positioning part 11 light therapy can then be administered to the area. Further, treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

Skin flakes and ointments may be present on the skin. In an embodiment where the opening 5 is covered with a transparent window only the positioning part 11 can contact the skin and thus the skin flakes and ointments, and not the treatment part 21, such that only the positioning part 11 requires thorough cleaning between uses.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 in particular, the coupling 7, 9 for coupling the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 is a magnetic coupling. This can enable convenient coupling of the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21. Further, use of a magnetic coupling can help to provide increased hygiene. In particular, use of a magnetic coupling allows the provision of a treatment device 21 without the crevices, hooks, ridges, etc. that are intrinsic to some other connection methods and a smooth treatment device is easier to clean when it is contaminated by ointments, skin flakes, etc.

The positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 each comprise a plurality of (two) permanent magnets 7, 9 as part of the magnetic coupling. This can provide a robust coupling.

Other arrangements of the magnetic coupling are possible, for example: The positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 may each comprise one permanent magnet 7, 9 as part of the magnetic coupling. The magnetic coupling 7, 9 may comprise permanent magnets 7 in the positioning part 11 and ferromagnetic elements 9 in the treatment part 21. The magnetic coupling 7, 9 may comprise ferromagnetic elements 7 in the positioning part 11 and permanent magnets 9 in the treatment part 21. The magnetic coupling 7, 9 may comprise permanent magnets 7 in the positioning part 11 and permanent magnets 9, of appropriate polarity, in the treatment part 21. Alternatively the magnets 7 may be an electro magnet powered by a portable power store such as a battery. In another embodiment the magnets 9 may be an electromagnet, these may be powered by the power source for the light emitter 6 or they may be powered by a separate source. The opening 5 is a hole.

Alternatively, the opening 5 may be a transparent or translucent panel. This can prevent the treatment part from becoming contaminated with e.g. skin flakes and ointments in use.

The positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 are separable. This can enable the two parts to be more easily cleaned, e.g. for the positioning part 11 to be subjected to a more thorough cleaning regime. The positioning part 11 may be suitable for sterilization, this may be steam sterilization, chemical sterlilization, irradiation sterilization, high pressure sterilization or combinations thereof that prove suitable. The most commonly used form of sterilization uses a combination of steam andpressure sterilization in an autoclave. Indicator tape may be provided on the positioning part to enable a positive visual check that the necessary conditions, temperature and pressure have been met, the tape contains a chemical which changes colour when the conditions are met. Autoclaves commonly use steam heated to 121°-134°C. To achieve sterility, a holding time of at least 15 minutes at 121°C and 15psi or 3 minutes at 134°C at 15psi is required.

The attachment 3 for attaching the positioning part to a patient is a strap. This represents a particularly convenient attachment.

As shown in Figure 3 in particular, the light emitter 6 comprises a plurality of

LEDs.

As shown in Figure 4 in particular, the light emitter 6 may be behind a transparent or translucent cover 23.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 in particular, the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 may have complementary formations 25, 27, these complimentary formations may, for example, be a smooth engagement surface on the positioning part and a smooth engagement surface on the treatment part. These smooth engagement surfaces, when brought together may prevent light from escaping between the positioning part and the treatment part, Stray light may damage skin and/or eyes. They may prevent particulates such as dust or skin flakes from falling onto the treatment area and they may facilitate the easy cleaning of both the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 as there are no protrusions, hooks or recesses where matter may become trapped.

The light treatment device may further comprise a safety device for preventing the light emitter from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not magnetically coupled together. This can prevent stray light from escaping. Figures 7 and 8 show a light treatment device 1 in use. In Figure 7 the opening 5 of the light treatment device 1 is positioned over a treatment area, which is viewable, and the attachment 3 is attaching the light treatment device 1 to the leg of a patient. As shown in Figure 8 the light emitter is providing treatment light to the treatment area and no stray light is escaping.

Another light treatment device is shown schematically in Figure 9. This light treatment device, indicated generally at 1 , also comprises a carrier 11 having an opening 5 for positioning over and viewing a treatment area, an attachment 3 for attaching the carrier 11 to a patient, and a light emitter 6 for providing treatment light to the treatment area.

As above, this can enable the opening 5 to be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area, and then held in position with the attachment 3. Light therapy can then be administered to the area. Further, treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

In a similar way to the light treatment device of Figures 1 to 6, the carrier 11 is a positioning part 11. The positioning part 11 comprises the opening 5 for positioning over and viewing the treatment area. The attachment 3 is for attaching the positioning part 11 to a patient. The light treatment device 1 also comprises a treatment part 21 comprising the light emitter 6 for providing treatment light to the treatment area. The light treatment device 1 further comprises a coupling 7, 9 for coupling the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 together. The coupling 7, 9 is a snap ring coupling.

Skin flakes and ointments may be present on the skin. These may only contact the positioning part 11, and not the treatment part 21, such that only the positioning part 11 requires thorough cleaning between uses.

The coupling 7, 9 for coupling the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 could alternatively or additionally comprise a magnetic coupling. This can enable convenient coupling of the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21.

The opening 5 is a hole. Alternatively, the opening 5 may be a transparent or translucent panel. This can prevent the treatment part from becoming contaminated with e.g. skin flakes and ointments in use.

The positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 are separable. This can enable the two parts to be more easily cleaned, e.g. for the positioning part 11 to be subjected to a more thorough cleaning regime.

The light emitter 6 comprises one or more LEDs.

As shown, the positioning part 11 and the treatment part 21 have complementary formations 25, 27 for preventing light from escaping between the positioning part and the treatment part when the formations are engaged. This can prevent stray light from escaping. Stray light may damage skin and/or eyes.

The light treatment device 1 may further comprise a safety device for preventing the light emitter from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not (magnetically) coupled together. This can prevent stray light from escaping which may damage skin and/or eyes.

The attachment 3 for attaching the positioning part to a patient comprises a strap. This represents a particularly convenient attachment.

Further light treatment devices and components thereof are shown schematically in Figures 10, 11 and 12, as the devices are similar to that of Figure 9 the explanation focuses on the differences.

The light treatment device 1 of Figures 10 and 11 comprises a positioning part 11, an attachment 3 for attaching the positioning part to a patient and an opening 5 for positioning over and viewing a treatment area.

The position relative to the light treatment device 1, size and/or shape of the treatment area are adjustable. This can enable different treatment areas to be selected.

The light treatment device 1 further comprises a disc 31 having a plurality of holes 33 and/or transparent panels 33 for adjusting the position, size and/or shape of the treatment area. This represents a simple arrangement for selecting the treatment area. The disc 31 sits in the snap ring coupling 9. The disc 31 is rotatably mounted.

As shown, the positioning part 11 comprises a window 35 such that only the hole and/or transparent panel 5 over the window provides a treatment area. In this way, only one 5 of the plurality of holes 33 and/or transparent panels 33 provides the treatment area. As shown in Figure 12, another light treatment device 1 comprises a disc 41 having a single hole 43 and/or transparent panel 43 for adjusting the position of the treatment area. The disc 41 sits in the snap ring coupling 9 of a device such as that of Figure 9.

This can enable the treatment area to be turned to match the desired treatment area. The hole 43 and/or transparent panel 43 may be non-circular. The hole 43 and/or transparent panel 43 are oval shaped. The disc 41 is rotatably mounted.

Alternative discs may be provided having different sized and shaped holes and/or transparent panels for different sized and shaped treatment areas. For example, the hole 43 and/or transparent panel 43 may be positioned off-centre from the disc 41. Discs may be provided which do not initially have a hole but which are manually cut prior to use in order to match the desired treatment area.

A further light treatment device 1 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. The light treatment device, indicated generally at 1 , comprises a carrier 11 having an opening 5 for positioning over and viewing a treatment area. There is also provided an attachment 3 for attaching the light treatment device 1 to a patient and a light emitter 6 for providing treatment light to the treatment area are.

In this example, the light emitter 6 is formed as part of the carrier 11 rather than being removably attached to it. Furthermore, the light emitter 6 is at least partially transparent.

This can enable the opening 5 to be positioned over an area where light therapy is desired, whilst viewing the area through the light emitter 6, and then held in position with the attachment 3. Light therapy can then be administered to the area. Further, treatment of areas where light therapy is not desired can be avoided.

The light treatment device 1 comprises a transparent and/or translucent part 51 forming an opening 5 within the attachment 3. As the part 51 is transparent/translucent the treatment area is viewable through the opening 5 in which the transparent part 51 is mounted. The light emitter 6 is also formed in the transparent/translucent part 51.

The light treatment device further comprises a cover 53 for covering the opening 5 and preventing emission of stray light. This can enable positioning of the device 1 whilst viewing the treatment area through opening 5 when the cover 53 is not in place and, when the cover 53 is in place (as shown in Figure 14), prevent stray light from escaping whilst the treatment device 1 is in use.

The cover 53 is connected to the treatment device 1 by a hinge 55. The light treatment device 1 may also comprise a safety device for preventing the light emitter 6 from emitting light when the cover is not covering the opening. This can prevent accidental operation of the device when the cover is not in place.

The attachment for attaching the positioning part to a patient comprises a strap. This represents a particularly convenient attachment.

The device of the invention is preferably for treating relatively large regions of the body, and for this purpose the opening typically has a maximum linear dimension in the range 3cm to 15cm, such as a circle with diameter in this range. The attachment can be a strap as described above, for example for fixing around a limb or the torso, but other fixings can be used to hold the opening in the desired position over the area to be treated. For example, an adhesive layer can be used, similar to a plaster adhesive.

As mentioned above, the light source may be disabled when not engaged in the opening or when the light shielding lid is not closed. This can be achieved by

incorporating electrical contacts into the carrier and the light emitter, or the carrier and the lid, so that an electrical circuit is formed when the light emitter is correctly engaged, or the lid is correctly closed.

The light output of the light emitter is typically in the wavelength range of from 300 nm to 1100 nm with intensities up to 100 mW/cm². The light emitter may emit UVB (280 nm to 315 nm), UVA (315 nm to 380 nm or 315 nm to 400 nm), visible (380 nm to 780 nm or 400 nm to 780 nm) and/or IR-A (780 nm to 1400 nm) light, depending on the condition to be treated. The light emitter may emit in the long-wave part of the UVB spectrum (e.g. between 300 and 320 nm or 305 nm and 315 nm), such light may be used to treat psoriasis.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The embodiments may be combined, for example, the discs 31, 41 of the embodiments shown in Figures 11 and 12 could be combined with the other embodiments shown, e.g. those of Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 13 and 14. The light source described above comprises a plurality of LEDs, however, any other light emitter which provides treatment light may be used.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A light treatment device (1) comprising:

a positioning part (11) having an opening (5) for positioning over and viewing a treatment area;

an attachment (3) for attaching the positioning part to a patient; a treatment part (21) having a light emitter (6) for providing treatment light to the treatment area; and

a magnetic coupling (7, 9) between a smooth engagement surface of the positioning part and a smooth engagement surface of the treatment part.

2. A light treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning part and the treatment part each comprise at least one permanent magnet as part of the magnetic coupling.

3. A light treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the positioning part and the treatment part each comprise a plurality of permanent magnets as part of the magnetic coupling.

4. A light treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening is a hole.

5. A light treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening is a transparent or translucent panel.

6. A light treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light emitter comprises one or more LEDs.

7. A light treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the positioning part and the treatment part have complementary formations (25, 27) for preventing light from escaping between the positioning part and the treatment part when the formations are engaged.

8. A light treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment for attaching the positioning part to a patient comprises a strap.

9. A light treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment part further comprises a safety device which prevents the light emitter from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not magnetically coupled together.

10. A method of positioning a light treatment device, comprising:

aligning an opening of a positioning part with a treatment area of a patient whilst viewing the treatment area through the opening;

attaching the positioning part to the patient; and

magnetically coupling a smooth engagement surface of the treatment part to a smooth engagement surface of the positioning part;

such that a light emitter of the treatment part can provide treatment light to the treatment area.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising preventing the light emitter from emitting light when the positioning part and the treatment part are not magnetically coupled together.