IRRADIATION MODULE AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IRRADIATION WITH MEDICAL AND COSMETIC RADIATION

Abstract

The invention relates to an irradiation module for use in a device (1) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged on a carrier. The invention also relates to a device for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are accommodated in a housing part (20; 30). The invention further relates to a method for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are selected from the group comprising fluorescent tubes, LEDs, organic LEDs, and high-pressure lamps. In order to provide an irradiation module and a device and a method with which improved irradiation results can be achieved according to the invention, a first group of first LEDs, which emits radiation within the UVA spectrum, and a second group of second LEDs, which emits radiation within the UVB spectrum, are arranged on the carrier.

Claims

1. An irradiation module for use in a device (1) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of LEDs (42; 43) arranged on a carrier (41), characterized in that a first group of first LEDs (42), which emit radiation in the UVA spectrum, and a second group of second LEDs (43), which emit radiation in the UVB spectrum, are arranged on the carrier (41).

2. The irradiation module according to claim 1, characterized in that the first LEDs (42) amount to between 50% and 90% of the total from the first and second LEDs, and in that the second LEDs (43) amount to between 50% and 10% of the total from the first and second LEDs.

3. The irradiation module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that 20 LEDs (42; 43) or an integer multiple thereof are arranged on a carrier, and in that four or an integer multiple thereof of LEDs are respectively formed as the second LEDs (43).

4. The irradiation module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LEDs (42; 43) are arranged on the carrier in a field comprising four lines and five columns, and in that the middle column is formed by second LEDs (43).

5. The irradiation module according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance between neighboring LEDs (42; 43) in the same column or line is between 1 cm and 4 cm, preferably between 1.25 cm and 2.25 cm, and especially preferably between 1.5 cm and 2 cm.

6. The irradiation module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LEDs (42; 43) are equipped with primary optics in the form of a silicone lens.

7. The irradiation module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second LEDs (43) are actuated at a lower power level than the first LEDs (42).

8. The irradiation module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (41) is connected to a heat-transfer plate (46), and in that the heat-transfer plate (46) is connected to a heat exchanger (48) via cooling lines (47).

9. The irradiation module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reflector (44a) is assigned to each LED (42; 43), which reflector is connected to the carrier (41), in that the reflectors (44a) extending from the LEDs (42; 43) in a taper formation are arranged as a field in a common modular unit (44), and in that the modular unit (44), the carrier (41), and the heat-transfer plate (46) are connected to one another, particularly have a threaded connection to one another.

10. The irradiation module according to claim 9, characterized in that the modular unit (44) has at least one recess for a third LED not equipped with a reflector, which LED emits visible radiation.

11. A device for irradiating a user with medical and cosmetic radiation, characterized by at least one irradiation module (40) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. A device for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are housed in a housing part (20; 30), characterized in that at least one of the irradiation modules (40) is adjustable in the direction of the user (10), individually or together with other irradiation modules (40) within the housing part (20; 30).

13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that means are provided for measuring (61) the distance between the user (10) and the at least one irradiation module (40), and in that the at least one irradiation module (40) is adjustable in the direction of the user (10) such that the irradiation modules (40) maintain a preset distance away from the user (10).

14. The device according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that neighboring irradiation modules (40) are sealed off to penetration by contaminants by means of a flexible membrane.

15. The device according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the irradiation modules (40) are formed in the shape of a triangle, square, or honeycomb.

16. A device for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are housed in a housing part (20; 30), characterized in that the irradiation modules (40) have a plurality of LEDs (42; 43) which emit radiation in the UVA spectrum and/or in the UVB spectrum, and in that the LEDs (42; 43) can be actuated individually or together in order to radiate with a definable intensity.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that a surface occupied by a user (10) is detected (61), and in that the LEDs (42; 43) assigned to the unoccupied surface are actuated at reduced power or not at all.

18. The device according to any of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that an input unit is provided for the user (10), and in that the user (10) can select regions in which the LEDs (42; 43) assigned to the selected region are actuated at reduced power or not at all.

19. A device for the irradiation of a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are housed in a housing part (20; 30), characterized in that means for detecting (61) the user (10) to be irradiated are provided, and in that the irradiation modules (40) or individual radiation sources (42; 43) of the irradiation modules (40) can be actuated as a function of characteristics of the detected user (10).

20. The device according to any of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that a sensor (61), which detects the body of the user, is provided for detecting a user (10) to be irradiated.

21. A device for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, particularly according to any of claims 11 to 20, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are housed in a housing part (20; 30), characterized in that a sensor (62) is provided which detects the radiation being emitted by the irradiation modules (40), and in that the irradiation modules (40) can be actuated by a controller (S) with modified operating parameters in response to a deviation in the detected radiation by a definable value of radiation, in order to adapt the emitted radiation to the definable value.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the irradiation modules (40) are operated at a constant voltage, and in that the irradiation modules (40) are actuated by means of pulse-width modulation.

23. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the irradiation modules (40) are operated at a constant current, and in that the irradiation modules (40) are actuated by means of modifying the amperage.

24. A method for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are selected from the group comprising fluorescent tubes, LEDs (42; 43), organic LEDs, and high-pressure lamps, wherein the irradiation modules (40) emit only a partial spectrum of the medical and cosmetic radiation, characterized in that a sensor (62) is provided which detects the radiation being emitted by the irradiation modules (40), and in that the irradiation modules (40) can be actuated by a controller with modified operating parameters in response to a deviation in the detected radiation by a definable value of radiation, in order to adapt the emitted radiation to the definable value.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the sensor (62) has a high level of sensitivity to radiation in the UV spectrum.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that a further sensor is provided for detecting the medical and cosmetic radiation.

27. A method for irradiating a user (10) with medical and cosmetic radiation, particularly according to any of claims 24 to 26, comprising a plurality of irradiation modules (40) for irradiation with medical and cosmetic radiation, which modules are selected from the group comprising fluorescent tubes, LEDs (42; 43), organic LEDs, and high-pressure lamps, wherein the irradiation modules (40) emit only a partial spectrum of the medical and cosmetic radiation, characterized in that a user sensor (61) is provided which detects the body characteristics of the user (10), and in that the irradiation modules (40) can be actuated by a controller with operating parameters, which adapt the emitted radiation to detected body characteristics, in response to body characteristics detected by the user sensor (61).

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the user sensor (61) determines the characteristics of the body, selected from the group comprising the height, the width, and the circumference; and the position and/or the intensity of the irradiation modules is adapted to the detected characteristics.

29. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user sensor (61) detects the position and/or the type of skin characteristics of the body of the user, selected from the group comprising tattoos, burns, wounds, birthmarks, scars, white spots, pigment aberrations, tanning, and skin type; and in that the position and/or the intensity of the irradiation modules is adapted to the detected skin characteristics.

30. The method according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that the irradiation modules (30) comprise LEDs, which are at least intermittently operated in a pulsed manner.

Description

[0064] Further advantages, features, properties, and refinements of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, as well as from the dependent claims.

[0065] The invention is explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings and by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for irradiation.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an irradiation module according to the invention which is installed in the device from FIG. 1.

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a device for irradiating a user, which is schematically indicated with the user's human body 10, with medical and cosmetic radiation, which device comprises a lower housing part 20 and an upper housing part 30, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner along an axis A. The upper housing part 30 can be pivoted upward in order to allow free access for the user 10 and can be pivoted downward so that the housing parts 20, 30 enclose a tunnel-like tube 2, in which the user 10 is lying.

[0069] The housing parts 20, 30 are encapsulated in acrylic glass, in which a reclining surface 21 made of acrylic glass is formed for the lower housing part 20. It is possible to equip the reclining surface with a silicone mat which is connected to the reclining surface 10, which mat is flexible and provides pleasant haptics for the person 10. The acrylic glass and the silicone mat are permeable respectively to at least parts of the medical and cosmetic radiation.

[0070] Irradiation modules 40, which are directed toward the tube 2 in the housing parts 20, 30, are respectively arranged in the lower housing part 20 and the upper housing part 30. The irradiation modules 40 are constructed in rectangular shape and arranged next to one another in the lower housing part 20, parallel to the reclining surface 21. In addition, irradiation modules 40 which can irradiate the person 10 are likewise provided on the vertical section 22 of the lower housing part 20, which vertical section is approximately perpendicular to the reclining surface 21. A plurality of irradiation modules 40 are arranged pushed against one another respectively in a row in the upper housing part 30, in which the irradiation modules arranged in a row are at an angle as relates to the adjacent row in order to trace the semicircular contour of the upper housing part 30 within the housing part 30. The angle is between 5° and 25°, preferably about 10°, depending on the radius and size of the irradiation modules.

[0071] Shoulder-tanning equipment 50, which particularly irradiates the head and shoulders of the user 10, is arranged at the top end of the tube 2, in which two further irradiation modules 40 are arranged within the shoulder-tanning equipment 50.

[0072] The irradiation modules 40 are connected to a controller S of the device 1.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a control module 40. The figure shows that a plurality of a total of 20 LEDs 42, 43 are attached on a carrier 41, which are contacted via the carrier 41, with an electrical energy supply. It is also possible to provide the LEDs in a different quantity and/or arrangement than the 4×5 field shown here.

[0074] The figure shows that a total of six LEDs 43 are arranged on the carrier 41 which emit radiation in the UVB spectrum, while the remaining ten LEDs 42 emit radiation in the UVA spectrum.

[0075] A modular unit 44 with 20 identically formed reflectors 44a is provided upstream of the carrier 41 with the LEDs 42, 43, in which the hole size of the reflectors 44a is matched to the LEDs 42, 43. To this end, the reflectors 44a are connected to a disk 44b, which has perforations for the reflectors 44a, in a region spaced apart from the LEDs 42, 43 such that the modular unit 44 can be handled like a part.

[0076] An annular disk 45, which has a number of circular recesses 45a in a plate body, which number corresponds to the number of reflectors 44a, is positioned upstream of the modular unit 44, with the recesses being coated with a fluorescent material in the interior thereof. If the LEDs 42, 43 are excited to the point of emitting radiation, this radiation excites the fluorescent material of the rings 45a, and it is evident that the LEDs 42, 43 also emit radiation due to the illumination of the rings 45a taking place in the visible range.

[0077] A heat-transfer plate 46, which is formed as a plate body and is intended to dissipate heat resulting during operation of the LEDs 42, 43, is arranged on the side of the carrier 41 turned away from the LEDs 42, 43. To this end, the heat-transfer plate 46 is connected to a cooling body 48 formed as a heat exchanger via a first cooling line 47 and a second cooling line 47, in which a circulating cooling fluid is provided between the heat-transfer plate 46 formed with cavities, the first cooling line 47, the cooling body 48, and the second cooling line 47. The cooling of the heat-transfer plate 46 can particularly be implemented by means of phase conversion of the cooling fluid between the heat-transfer plate 46, on one side, and the cooling body 48, on the other side.

[0078] The irradiation modules 40 installed in housing part 20 or housing part 30 are all structurally similar; however, it is understood that the irradiation modules may also be differently constructed and/or actuated as a function of the light sensitivity of certain parts of the user 10.

[0079] A first sensor 61, which detects the characteristics of the body of the user 10, particularly the height, width, and circumference thereof as well as the position of the arms and legs, is provided in the upper housing part 30. The radiation of the irradiation modules 40 is set according to the detected characteristics of the body. For example, the irradiation module 40 which is turned away from the top end can thus be completely switched off if the legs of the user do not cover this irradiation module 40.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor 61 can detect certain skin characteristics of the body of the user 10, for example the presence of tattoos, burns, wounds, birthmarks, scars, white spots, pigment aberrations, the current tan level, and also the skin type. This second sensor, which is also formed as a camera and to which evaluation logic is connected, detects the coloring and contrast of the skin with great resolution and evaluates the recorded images in order to determine the aforementioned characteristics of the body. The evaluation module 40 is then operated at a reduced power as a function of the skin characteristics when there is a risk of burning the skin while under the effect of normal radiation and exposure.

[0081] Finally, a second sensor 62 is also arranged in the upper housing part, which sensor detects the radiation from the irradiation modules 40 or the corresponding LEDs 42, 43. The second sensor 62 or the evaluation unit thereof compares the detected radiation to target values, for example, stored in the controller S, and the controller implements an adjustment of the operating parameters of the irradiation modules 40 in response to a deviation in the detected values from the target values, such that there is an adjustment to the target value.

[0082] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the irradiation module is equipped with two types of LEDs 42, 43 which emit different ultraviolet spectra. It is understood that further LEDs having a spectrum different from the two LEDs 42, 43 may likewise be provided in the irradiation module.

[0083] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the irradiation module has six LEDs 43 in the UVB spectrum and 14 LEDs in the UVA spectrum. It is understood that the number of LEDs in the corresponding spectrum may also be divided up differently according to the application case.

[0084] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the carrier 41 of the irradiation module 40 is formed substantially in rectangular shape and has a field of 4×5 LEDs 42, 43. It is understood that the carrier 41 may also have a different shape, for example square or hexagonal, and that the LEDs 42, 43 may also be arranged differently on the carrier 41.

[0085] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the carrier 41 is connected to a heat-transfer plate 46, which is connected to a heat exchanger via cooling lines 47. It is understood that the heat exchanger 48 may be connected to a further carrier 41 at the same time via further cooling lines, and that it is also possible to connect several heat-transfer plates to the heat exchanger 48 via connecting lines to a closed system.

[0086] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which all irradiation modules 40 in the device 1 are formed in the same manner. It is understood that the irradiation modules 40 for the shoulder and head region, the irradiation modules in the lower housing part 20, and the irradiation modules in the upper housing part 30 may also be formed respectively differently and may particularly also have a different number of LEDs.

[0087] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the irradiation modules 40 are arranged fixed in position in the housing parts 20, 30, and are actuated essentially in response to data detected by the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62. It is understood that, instead of an electrical actuation of the irradiation modules 40, they can also be adjustable with respect to their distance from the body of the user 10, for example via pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical adjusting devices.

[0088] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which the device 1 has a stationary lower part 20 and an upper housing part 30 which can be pivoted down to the lower part 20, in which the user 10 rests on a reclining surface 21 of the lower housing part 20. It is understood that the device may also be formed in the shape of a stand-up tanning booth, In which the two housing parts are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, and in which the user is essentially standing on the floor and is surrounded by the housing parts during the irradiation.

[0089] The invention has been explained previously by means of an exemplary embodiment, in which a sensor 61, 62 detects the characteristics of the device 1 or of the person 10. It is understood that several sensors may also be provided for this and that the data obtained by the sensors can also be stored in order to document the proper adjustment of the device.