JPWO2005092438A1 - Treatment equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a laser light irradiation mechanism including a laser drive circuit, a laser diode, and a light guide lens for irradiating a skin surface of a treatment target with laser light from a laser irradiation opening, a skin surface, and a laser irradiation opening. A shield member (shutter) for opening and closing the laser irradiation port based on the distance between the laser irradiation port and a tubular member that surrounds the laser irradiation port and that moves the shielding member and is movable back and forth. Furthermore, three contacts for realizing the touch sensor function are arranged at a position surrounding the laser irradiation port inside the tubular member.

Description

  The present invention relates to a treatment device for applying a cosmetic treatment by irradiating a skin surface with light such as laser light.

  Generally, laser light with high energy density is applied to the skin surface to heat the living tissue of the skin, thereby activating the cell tissues of the skin and performing treatments such as beautiful skin and hair growth. Treatment devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this type of treatment device, it is possible to perform treatments such as hair loss and slimming in addition to the above-described skin beautification and hair growth by appropriately setting the power of the laser light to be applied to the skin surface and the irradiation time.

  By the way, in such a laser beam irradiation type treatment device, a device having a touch sensor function is also used in order to prevent a laser beam having a high energy density from being accidentally irradiated to an unintended part of the body. .. That is, the touch sensor function detects contact/non-contact between, for example, a single or two contactors protruding from the vicinity of the laser light irradiation port in the laser light irradiation direction and the skin surface of the treatment target. However, the emission/non-emission of laser light from the laser light source is controlled.

However, the touch sensor mechanism having the above configuration is not always sufficient as a safety device for preventing erroneous irradiation of laser light, and further improvement in safety is required.
JP 2002-355320A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and provides a treatment device capable of enhancing safety when performing treatment by more reliably preventing unintended irradiation of light. To aim.

  In order to achieve the above object, a treatment apparatus according to the present invention is based on a light irradiation mechanism that irradiates light from an irradiation port toward a skin surface of a treatment target, and a distance between the skin surface and the irradiation port. An irradiation opening/closing mechanism for opening/closing the irradiation opening is provided.

  That is, in the present invention, the irradiation port is opened and closed based on the distance between the skin surface and the irradiation port, so that the irradiation port is opened when the irradiation port approaches the skin surface, while the skin surface is closed. It is possible to close the irradiation port when the irradiation port is relatively far away. As a result, light irradiation can be performed only when the desired skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port are close to each other within a predetermined distance. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent unintended irradiation of light, and therefore, even when the light emitted from the irradiation port is, for example, a laser beam having a high energy density, it is safe to perform treatment. Can be increased.

  Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the irradiation port opening/closing mechanism includes an advancing position in which the irradiation port surrounds the irradiation port from a peripheral edge and a tip portion projects from the irradiation port, and a predetermined retracted position retracts from the advanced position. A tubular member provided to move forward and backward between the tubular member and the forward and backward movement of the tubular member, and when the tubular member moves to the forward position, the irradiation port is closed, and the tubular member is It is characterized by comprising a shielding member that opens the irradiation port when the cylindrical member is moved to the retracted position, and a biasing member that biases the tubular member to the advanced position.

  That is, in this invention, the shield member moves and irradiates only when the tubular member is retracted to the retracted position while resisting the biasing force of the biasing member by pressing the tip end portion of the tubular member against the skin surface. The mouth is open and the skin is exposed to light. On the other hand, when the distal end of the tubular member is not pressed against the skin surface, the tubular member is positioned at the forward position by the urging force of the urging member and the shielding member does not move. It is maintained and the irradiation of light on the skin surface is blocked. Therefore, also in the present invention, light irradiation can be performed only when the skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port are close to each other within a predetermined distance, and thus it is possible to prevent unintended light irradiation.

  Further, the treatment device according to the present invention detects at least three or more contact elements arranged so as to surround the irradiation port from the inside of the tubular member, and the contact between each contact element and the skin surface. And a touch sensor mechanism for operating the light irradiation mechanism.

  According to the present invention, when the above-mentioned tubular member is located at the forward position, that is, when the distal end portion of the tubular member is not pressed against the skin surface, the shielding member closes the irradiation port and each contactor Also, since it is covered with the tubular member, it is possible to prevent light from being erroneously radiated except during the treatment. In other words, the present invention has a double protection function in which light is emitted only when two operations of the backward movement of the tubular member and the contact operation of each contactor with the skin surface are performed. , Can increase the safety when performing treatment. Further, such a highly safe function of preventing light irradiation is useful when the light irradiated by the light irradiation mechanism is a laser beam having a high energy density.

  Further, in the present invention, three or more contactors, which are direct detection portions of the contact state/non-contact state with the skin surface, are provided, and the contactors are substantially dispersed in the position surrounding the light irradiation port. Therefore, the direction of the light irradiation port is definitely determined, and the light is irradiated only when the desired skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port completely face each other.

  Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the light irradiation mechanism includes a light source and an optical system that condenses the light emitted from the light source, and further, the focal position of the light condensed by the optical system. Is located closer to the light source than the contact portion of each contact with the skin surface.

  In this invention, since the focal position of light does not have to overlap with the skin surface, and the light with reduced energy density is radiated again beyond the focal position on the skin surface, it is possible to perform the treatment. The safety of is secured.

  Further, the treatment device of the present invention, in a state in which the detection means detects that the tubular member has moved to the retracted position, and the movement of the tubular member to the retracted position is not detected by the detection means, Light irradiation blocking means for blocking the drive of the light irradiation mechanism.

  Further, the treatment apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including a lens that emits the light emitted from the light source and that emits the light while changing the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional shape of the incident light. Further, it is preferable that the laser irradiation port is formed by, for example, a rectangular hole corresponding to an aspect ratio of a cross-sectional shape of light passing through the lens. Further, the portions of the lens that become the light incident surface and the light emitting surface are formed, for example, in a bulged shape so that the vertical and horizontal curvatures are different.

The perspective view which shows the treatment apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the laser irradiation apparatus with which the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1 is equipped. Sectional drawing which looked at the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 2 from the side surface. The perspective view which shows the head part of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. Sectional drawing which looked at the state at the time of non-irradiation of the laser beam of the head part of FIG. 4 from the side surface. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the state of the head portion of FIG. 4 at the time of laser light irradiation as seen from a side surface. The block diagram which shows functionally the control system of the treatment apparatus of FIG. The block diagram which shows functionally the touch sensor circuit which comprises a part of control system of FIG. The figure which shows the other head part from which the structure of the head part of FIG. 6 differs. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another head unit having a different structure from the head unit of FIGS. 6 and 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another head portion having a structure different from that of the head portion of FIGS. 6, 9 and 10. The top view which shows the head part of FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical system built in the head unit of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another head unit having a different structure from the head unit of FIGS. 6, 9, 10 and 11. The top view which shows the head part of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a laser irradiation device provided in this treatment device. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 2 seen from the side surface, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a head portion of the laser irradiation apparatus. Further, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head portion of FIG. 4 when the laser light is not irradiated, as viewed from the side, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the head portion of FIG. 4 when the laser light is irradiated, as viewed from the side. Is. FIG. 7 is a block diagram functionally showing the control system of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram functionally showing a touch sensor circuit forming a part of the control system of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this treatment device 1 is a beauty treatment device operated by a user himself, and is connected to a controller/equipment storage box (hereinafter referred to as “control box”) 2 and this control box 2. It is composed of a laser irradiation device 5 connected through a cable 3.

  On the front surface of the control box 2, a display panel 6 visually displaying guidance information for operating the treatment apparatus main body and the operation state of the apparatus, a socket 7 for attaching a connection terminal (plug) of the connection cable 3, and the like. Is provided. Further, the control box 2 has a built-in power supply for supplying electric power to the laser irradiation device 5 and a control circuit for controlling irradiation of laser light from the laser irradiation device 5.

  Further, on the front surface of the control box 2, a power switch 8 for turning on/off the power of the beauty treatment device main body, an LED 9 for indicating a power on/off state, and a setting switch 10 for performing various settings, An LED 11 that visually indicates each setting state is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser irradiation device 5 is a handy type device that the user holds by hand to perform treatment. That is, the laser irradiation device 5 includes a case 12 forming an outer shell of the device, a control chip 16 mounted inside the case 12 via a substrate 15, and a setting switch 19 provided on the entire surface of the case 12. A laser diode 20 as a light source that emits laser light (see FIGS. 5 and 6), a heat sink that removes heat of the laser diode 20, a cooling fan 17 that cools the heat sink, and a laser light emitted from the laser diode It is mainly composed of a rod-shaped light guide lens 24 which irradiates the skin surface of the body with laser light from the laser irradiation port 23 while guiding light.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the setting switch 19 turns on/off the power of the treatment apparatus main body on the laser irradiation apparatus 5 side, and notifies the user of this by turning on/off the LED lamp 18. The setting switch 19 has substantially the same function as the setting switch 10 on the main body side, and is for setting the on-time (irradiation time and its irradiation cycle) of the laser light emitted intermittently (pulse). Is. That is, each time the setting switch 19 is pressed, the mode is switched in the order of power-on, on-time switching, and power-off. At this time, the display of the LED lamp 18 is switched from green lighting to green flashing, orange lighting, orange flashing, red lighting, and red flashing according to the set levels 1 to 6. Further, finally, if the setting switch 19 is kept pressed for, for example, 1.5 seconds or more, the power is turned off.

  The heat sink described above diffuses the heat generated during the operation of the laser diode 20 by heat conduction and suppresses the deterioration of performance. For this reason, the heat sink is cast from aluminum or an alloy thereof having a high thermal conductivity, and is provided with a plurality of through holes to increase the surface area to enhance the heat dissipation effect.

  The laser diode obtains laser oscillation by directly applying a current to a PN junction diode made of a compound semiconductor such as GaAs (gallium arsenide) for excitation. As the laser diode 20, for example, a semiconductor element capable of emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 700 to 900 nm and an optical output of 5 mW to 5 W is applied.

  Such laser light has an effect of inducing a photoelectric reaction, a photomagnetic reaction, a photodynamic reaction, a photochemical reaction, a photoimmune reaction, a photoenzymatic reaction, etc., and promotes the metabolism of living tissues by photobiological activation. It has excellent reachability to deep skin because it enhances blood circulation in the skin and is difficult to be absorbed by water and blood.

  Here, various treatments that can be realized by the treatment device 1 will be briefly described.

  Since laser light has a higher energy density than other light, when irradiated to a living tissue, the temperature of the irradiated portion can be raised relatively easily. As a result, the laser light causes a photothermal reaction that intentionally causes the protein to be denatured at a desired site in the living tissue, and a so-called non-thermal reaction (a temperature not exceeding 40° C.) for promoting metabolic function. Biological reactions such as photochemical reactions, photomagnetic reactions, and ionization reactions that occur at relatively low temperatures can be induced.

  That is, the treatment device 1 realizes treatment such as hair growth, hair removal, beautiful skin, and slimming by appropriately setting laser power, irradiation time, and the like and irradiating the skin surface of the human body with laser light.

  The hair-growth treatment is performed by irradiating the scalp surface with laser light having a relatively low energy density. As a result, blood circulation in the scalp is promoted, pores are opened, and sebum and dirt clogged in the pores are washed to obtain a hair growth effect. On the other hand, the hair removal treatment is realized by irradiating a hair root such as body hair with laser light having a relatively high energy density. In this case, by promoting the denaturation of proteins of hair mother cells such as body hair, hair growth is suppressed and a hair removal effect is obtained.

  Further, in the case of performing beautiful skin treatment, laser light is irradiated so that the melanin scattered in the epidermis and dermis of the skin is heated to a relatively high temperature, causing thermal denaturation by photothermal action, and bruise, stains, Remove freckles. In the case of slimming treatment, laser light with a relatively low energy density is supplied to specific acupuncture points closely related to the sympathetic nerve, and the acupuncture points are stimulated by non-thermal effects such as photochemical reactions, photomagnetic reactions, and ionization reactions. It promotes blood circulation, which activates cell tissues to enhance metabolic function and burn excess fat. Here, the target light emitted from the head portion 22 to the skin surface may be changed from laser light to UV light, for example. By irradiating the skin surface with UV light having a bactericidal action, a bactericidal treatment for cleaning the skin can be performed.

  Next, the control system of the treatment apparatus 1 will be described.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the control system 37 of the treatment apparatus 1 detects the contact of each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c with the skin surface and substantially irradiates or does not emit the laser light from the laser diode. A touch sensor circuit 28, which will be described later, to be controlled, a memory 29 in which an irradiation pattern of laser light is stored, a mode switching circuit 38 for switching the treatment mode according to the setting contents of the setting switch 10 and the setting switch 19, and a laser. A laser drive circuit 30 that drives the diode 20 to emit laser light, a CPU 31 that integrally controls these circuits, a touch sensor circuit 28, an interface 32 that connects the laser drive circuit 30 and the CPU 31, and the like. Has been done.

  The memory 29 stores various programs including a setting value of irradiation timing of laser light intermittently irradiated from the laser diode 20 for a predetermined irradiation time. The laser drive circuit 30 supplies a predetermined drive current voltage to the laser diode 20 under the control of the CPU 31, and causes the laser diode 20 to emit laser light.

  Here, the touch sensor mechanism included in the treatment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the treatment device 1 having the laser irradiation device 5 includes a laser driving circuit 30 and a laser diode 20 for irradiating the skin surface S to be treated with laser light from the laser irradiation port 23. , And a laser light irradiation mechanism 48 including a light guide lens 24, and an irradiation opening/closing mechanism 49 that opens/closes the laser irradiation opening 23 based on the distance between the skin surface S and the laser irradiation opening 23. Here, this irradiation port opening/closing mechanism 49 surrounds the laser irradiation port 23 from the peripheral edge, and from the forward movement position (see FIG. 5) where the tip portion projects from the laser irradiation port 23 (in the direction of arrow Z1) and from the forward movement position. A tubular member 52 provided so as to advance and retreat between a predetermined retracted position (see FIG. 6) that retracts (in the direction of arrow Z2), and the tubular member 52 advances in conjunction with the advancing and retracting movement of the tubular member 52. It is formed by a leaf spring or the like that closes the laser irradiation port 23 when it moves to the position (see FIG. 5) and opens the laser irradiation port 23 when the tubular member 52 moves to the retracted position (see FIG. 6 ). A shielding member (shutter) 55 and a coil spring 51 as a biasing member for biasing the tubular member 52 to the forward movement position are provided.

  Further, the head portion 22 is provided with an inner cylindrical body 53 in which the laser diode 20, the light guide lens 24, and a shielding member (shutter) 55 are built. That is, the laser irradiation port 23 is provided on the tip side of the inner cylindrical body 53. The tubular member 52 moves forward and backward (in the direction of arrows Z1-Z2) while sliding on the outer diameter portion of the inner tubular body 53. The inner diameter portion of the coil spring 51 is fitted in the outer shape portion of the inner tubular body, and biases the tubular member 52 (in the Z1 direction) through the stepped portion of the tubular member 52. The tubular member 52 and the inner tubular body 53 are fixed to the case through a pedestal 54. Further, at least three or more of the above-mentioned contacts 25a, 25b, 25c are projected from the laser irradiation port 23 in the irradiation direction of the laser beam and surround the laser irradiation port 23 from the inside of the tubular member 52 (this embodiment). In the form, three) are arranged. The touch sensor circuit 28 detects the contact between each of these contacts (all contacts) 25a, 25b, 25c and the skin surface S, and under the control of the CPU 31, the laser light irradiation mechanism 48 (laser drive circuit 30). ) Is activated.

  In other words, in the treatment device 1 of this embodiment, the distal end portion of the tubular member 52 is pressed against the skin surface S to resist the urging force of the coil spring 51, and the tubular member 52 moves as shown in FIG. Only when retracted to the retracted position, the shielding member 55 moves (in the direction of arrow Z2) to open the laser irradiation port 23 and irradiate the laser light on the skin surface S. On the other hand, the distal end of the tubular member 52. When the portion is not pressed against the skin surface S, the tubular member 52 is localized (remains) at the forward position by the urging force of the coil spring 51, and the shielding member 55 does not move, so that the laser irradiation port 23 is closed. The state is maintained and the irradiation of the laser light onto the skin surface S is blocked. Therefore, according to the treatment device 1, the skin surface S to be treated and the laser irradiation opening 23 of the laser light are close to each other within a predetermined distance. Then, the laser light can be irradiated for the first time, so that it is possible to prevent the laser light from being unintentionally irradiated, and in the treatment apparatus 1, the tubular member 52 is retracted and the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c are moved. Since the double protection function of irradiating the laser beam is provided only when the two operations including the contact operation with the skin surface S are performed, it is possible to further enhance the safety when performing the treatment.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c irradiates a laser beam in a state where the skin surface to be treated and the laser irradiation port 23 are surely opposed to each other. Are arranged in a preferred layout to get started. That is, the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the laser irradiation port 23, and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the direction of orbiting the outer peripheral edge. More specifically, the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c are respectively arranged at three vertexes of an equilateral triangle that can inscribe the outer peripheral edge of the laser irradiation port 23 formed in a circular shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the touch sensor circuit 28 generates a weak AC voltage generated when each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c comes into contact with the skin, with a bandpass filter 33, a rectifier circuit 34, and an amplifier 35, respectively. It is configured to be converted into a direct current voltage via the, and the waveform is shaped, the level is adjusted, and the offset is adjusted, and then input to the CPU 31 via the A/D converter 36 and the interface 32. In addition to the contact type, the touch sensor circuit 28 may be one that detects a change in impedance such as capacitance or resistance, or one that detects a change in pressure by a piezoelectric element.

  The touch sensor circuit 28 is configured as described above, reads the voltage value of each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c, determines whether a predetermined AC voltage is generated, and determines each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c. When a predetermined AC voltage is generated in both of the above, an ON signal is output to the laser drive circuit 30 of the laser diode 20. That is, the laser irradiation device 5 is configured to irradiate the laser light only after all the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c are brought into contact with the skin surface. As a result, the safety of the device is enhanced without the risk of accidentally irradiating the unintentional part of the living body with the laser light. Such a touch sensor circuit 28 is realized by, for example, the control chip 16 incorporated in the laser irradiation device 5.

  As described above, according to the treatment device 1 according to the present embodiment, the opening operation of the shield member (shutter) 55 that is interlocked by pressing the distal end portion of the tubular member 52 against the skin surface S and retracting the tubular member 52. Since the laser light is emitted only after the two operations, that is, the contact operation of each of the contacts 25a, 25b, and 25c with the skin surface S, are performed together, the double irradiation of the laser light is prevented. Since the protection function is substantially provided, the safety when performing the treatment can be further increased.

  Further, the laser diode 20 included in the laser irradiation device 5 has a very small area on the order of several [mu]m to several tens [mu]m of the light emitting portion, and thus has a high directivity in parallel such as He-Ne laser. It does not become a thin linear beam, but is emitted while being spread radially at an angle of 30° to 45°. That is, since the laser irradiation device 5 does not use a condenser lens or the like for condensing the laser light, the focus position of the laser does not exist, and safety is taken into consideration.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is mounted on the head portion 22 of the treatment apparatus 1, and a liquid crystal display for displaying an image of the irradiated portion on the skin surface imaged by the CCD or a peripheral portion thereof is irradiated with laser light. You may provide in the housing part of the apparatus 5, etc.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a convex lens 24a may be added as an optical system for condensing the laser light emitted from the laser diode 20. When such a convex lens 24a is added, the focus position R2 of the laser beam focused by the convex lens 24a is larger than the position R1 of the contact portion with the skin surface S in each of the contacts 25a, 25b, 25c by the laser diode. It is desirable to install each of the contacts, the convex lens, and the laser diode in consideration of the layout of the contacts so as to be on the 20 side (arrow Z2 direction side). By applying the layout shown in FIG. 9, there is no risk that the focal position R2 of the laser light will overlap the skin surface S, and more specifically, it will be diffused again on the skin surface S beyond the focal position R2. Laser light with reduced energy density is emitted, and safety is ensured when performing treatment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the detection switch 56 that detects that the tubular member 52 retracts in the arrow Z2 direction while resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 51, and that the tubular member 52 has moved to the retracted position. May be provided. Examples of the detection switch 56 include a push switch arranged at a position where it comes into contact with, for example, the rear end of the tubular member 52 that has moved to the retracted position. Further, in this case, in a state where the detection switch 56 does not detect the movement of the tubular member 52 to the retracted position, the CPU 31 and the laser drive function as the light irradiation blocking means for blocking the driving of, for example, the laser diode 20 constituting the laser light irradiation mechanism. The circuit 30 (see FIG. 7) may be operated. In addition, a mechanism for controlling the movement of the shielding member 55a is added according to the detection result of the detection switch 56, that is, whether the tubular member 52 is retracted to the retracted position. May be controlled. By using the detection switch 56 in such a form, it is possible to more reliably prevent the irradiation of the laser light that the user does not intend.

  Further, instead of the cylindrical head portion 22 shown in FIG. 4 and the like, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 11 and the plan view of FIG. 12, a rectangular tubular member having the same function as the tubular member 52. A tubular head portion 61 having a rectangular cross section (rectangular shape) including 62 and a pedestal 64 may be applied. In the head portion 61, for example, a rectangular hole (square long hole) is provided as the laser irradiation port 63. Further, in the head portion 61, at least three or more contacts 65a, 65b, 65c for realizing a touch sensor function are arranged so as to surround the laser irradiation port 63 from the peripheral edge.

  Here, the internal structure of the head portion 61 will be described based on FIG. 13 in addition to FIGS. 11 and 12. Note that FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing the optical system built in the head portion 61.

  That is, between the laser diode 20 built in the head portion 61 and the laser irradiation opening 63 at the tip of the head portion 61 (on the optical path of the laser light emitted from the laser diode 20), laser spots Q having different aspect ratios are provided. A barrel-shaped lens 24b for forming the lens on the skin surface S is arranged. The shapes of the laser light incident surface and the laser light emitting surface of the lens 24b are bulged so that the vertical and horizontal curvatures are different. Specifically, in FIG. 13, in the lens 24b illustrated in an upright position along the arrow Y1-Y2 direction, the curvature of the horizontal cross section of the incident portion and the emission portion of the laser light is larger than the curvature of the vertical cross section thereof. Is formed. That is, the lens 24b emits the laser light to the laser irradiation port 63 side while changing the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional shape of the laser light incident from the laser diode 20 side.

  The laser irradiation port 63 described above has a shape corresponding to the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional shape of the laser light that has passed through the lens 24b (a shape and a size that allows all the light flux to pass through without blocking the laser light). It has a long and narrow rectangular hole). That is, the laser spot Q formed on the skin surface S by passing the laser light through the lens 24b and the laser irradiation opening 63 is, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a longitudinal direction of the laser irradiation opening 63 (arrows Y1-Y2). Direction) becomes the long axis, while the short-side direction (arrow X1-X2 direction) of the laser irradiation port 63 becomes the long thin irradiation spot.

  Therefore, when the user moves the head portion 61 in the short axis direction (arrow X1-X2 direction) of the laser spot Q formed on the skin surface S, the skin surface S is treated (thermally by irradiation of laser light. Can be efficiently performed. Further, instead of arranging the lens 24b for forming a long and thin laser spot, for example, a plurality of laser diodes may be arranged. In this case, it is desirable that the plurality of laser diodes be provided at positions facing the laser irradiation port 63 and be arranged side by side in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the laser irradiation port 63. Further, instead of the head portion 61 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 14 and the plan view of FIG. 15, a tubular member 72 and a pedestal 74 each having a substantially square cross section, and a rectangular shape The treatment device may be configured by applying the laser irradiation port 73, the barrel-shaped lens 24c, and the head portion 71 including the contacts 75a, 75b, and 75c. With this head portion 71, substantially the same effect as that of the head portion 61 can be expected.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used in the electronic/electrical device manufacturing industry and the like.

[0002]
[0007]
In order to achieve the above object, a treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a light irradiation mechanism that irradiates a skin surface of a treatment target with light from an irradiation port, and at least two erroneous irradiations of the light by the light irradiation mechanism. And an erroneous irradiation preventing mechanism for preventing the erroneous irradiation, wherein the erroneous irradiation preventing mechanism surrounds the irradiation opening from the peripheral edge, and a forward position where the tip portion projects from the irradiation opening and a predetermined retreat from which the forward position is retracted A tubular member provided so as to be movable back and forth between a position and a position where the tubular member is interlocked with the forward and backward movement of the tubular member to close the irradiation port when the tubular member moves to the forward position, A first protection mechanism having a shielding member that opens the irradiation port when the member moves to the retracted position, and a biasing member that biases the tubular member to the advanced position; The distal end of the tubular member is covered by the tubular member in a state in which the tubular member is arranged at a position surrounding the peripheral edge and in the forward position, and the tubular member is in the retracted position. At least three or more contacts arranged at positions capable of respectively contacting the skin surface through the openings, and all the contacts through the openings on the tip side of the tubular member in the retracted position, and A second protection mechanism having a touch sensor mechanism for detecting a contact with the skin surface and activating the light irradiation mechanism is provided.
[0008]
Thus, in the present invention, based on the distance between the skin surface and the irradiation opening, the irradiation opening is opened and closed, so that the irradiation opening is opened when the irradiation opening is close to the skin surface, while the skin is It is possible to close the irradiation port when the irradiation port is relatively far away from the surface. As a result, light irradiation can be performed only when the desired skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port are close to each other within a predetermined distance. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent unintended irradiation of light, and therefore, even when the light emitted from the irradiation port is, for example, a laser beam having a high energy density, it is possible to ensure safety when performing treatment. Can be increased.
[0009]
Further, in the present invention, the shield member moves and irradiates only when the tubular member is retracted to the retracted position while resisting the biasing force of the biasing member by pressing the tip end portion of the tubular member against the skin surface. The mouth is open and the skin is exposed to light. On the other hand, when the tip of the tubular member is not pressed against the skin surface, the tubular member is positioned at the forward position by the urging force of the urging member, and the shielding member

[0003]
Therefore, the irradiation port is kept closed and the irradiation of light onto the skin surface is blocked. Therefore, also in the present invention, light irradiation can be performed only when the skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port are close to each other within a predetermined distance, and thus it is possible to prevent unintended light irradiation.
[0010]
Further, in the present invention, when the above-mentioned tubular member is located at the forward position, that is, when the distal end portion of the tubular member is not pressed against the skin surface, the shielding member closes the irradiation opening, and Since the contactor is also covered with the tubular member, it is possible to prevent light from being erroneously emitted except during the treatment. In other words, the present invention has a double protection function in which light is emitted only when two operations of the backward movement of the tubular member and the contact operation of each contactor with the skin surface are performed. , Can increase the safety when performing treatment. Further, such a highly safe function of preventing light irradiation is useful when the light irradiated by the light irradiation mechanism is a laser beam having a high energy density.
[0011]
Further, in the present invention, three or more contactors, which are direct detection parts of the contact state/non-contact state with the skin surface, are provided, and the contacts are substantially dispersed at the position surrounding the light irradiation port. Therefore, the direction of the light irradiation port is reliably determined, and the light is irradiated only when the desired skin surface to be treated and the light irradiation port completely face each other.
[0012]
Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the light irradiation mechanism includes a light source and an optical system that condenses the light emitted from the light source, and further, the focal position of the light condensed by the optical system. Is closer to the light source than the position of the contact portion of the contactor with the skin surface.
[0013]
In this invention, since the focal position of light does not have to overlap with the skin surface, and the light with reduced energy density is radiated again beyond the focal position on the skin surface, it is possible to perform the treatment. The safety of is secured.
[0014]
Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the erroneous irradiation prevention mechanism detects the movement of the tubular member to the retracted position, and the detection unit detects that the tubular member is moved to the retracted position. It is characterized by further comprising a third protection mechanism provided with a light irradiation blocking means for blocking the drive of the light irradiation mechanism when no movement is detected.
[0015]
Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the irradiation port is perforated in a circular shape, and the at least three or more contacts are arranged at substantially equal intervals in a direction that circulates an outer peripheral edge of the irradiation port. It is characterized by being arranged respectively.
[0016]
Further, in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the three contactors are provided, and these three contactors are in the shape of an equilateral triangle that can inscribe the outer peripheral edge of the circular irradiation hole. It is characterized by being arranged at each of the three apexes.

[0004]
[0017]
Furthermore, the treatment apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including a lens that emits the light emitted from the light source and that emits the light while changing the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional shape of the incident light. Moreover, it is preferable that the irradiation port is formed by, for example, a rectangular hole corresponding to an aspect ratio of a cross-sectional shape of light passing through the lens. Further, the portions of the lens that become the light incident surface and the light emitting surface are formed, for example, in a bulged shape so that the vertical and horizontal curvatures are different.
[Brief description of drawings]
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a laser irradiation device included in the treatment device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the laser irradiation device of FIG. 2 seen from a side surface.
[FIG. 4] A perspective view showing a head portion of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head portion of FIG. 4 when the laser light is not irradiated, as viewed from the side.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the state of the head portion of FIG. 4 at the time of laser light irradiation, as seen from the side.
[FIG. 7] A block diagram functionally showing a control system of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram functionally showing a touch sensor circuit which constitutes a part of the control system of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another head portion having a structure different from that of the head portion of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a view showing another head portion having a structure different from that of the head portion shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another head portion having a different structure from the head portion shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the head section of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical system built in the head section of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another head section having a different structure from the head section shown in FIGS. 6, 9, 10, and 11.
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the head portion of FIG.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a laser irradiation device provided in this treatment device. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 2 seen from the side, and FIG. 4 shows a head portion of this laser irradiation apparatus.

Claims (9)

A light irradiation mechanism that irradiates light from the irradiation port toward the skin surface of the treatment target,
An irradiation opening/closing mechanism that opens/closes the irradiation opening based on the distance between the skin surface and the irradiation opening,
A treatment device comprising: The irradiation opening and closing mechanism,
A tubular member that surrounds the irradiation opening from the periphery and is provided so as to be movable back and forth between a forward movement position where the tip portion projects from the irradiation opening and a predetermined retracted position retracted from the forward movement position,
A shield that closes the irradiation port when the tubular member moves to the forward position in conjunction with the forward/backward movement of the tubular member and opens the irradiation port when the tubular member moves to the retracted position. Members,
A biasing member that biases the tubular member to the forward position,
The treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising: At least three or more contacts arranged so as to surround the periphery of the irradiation port from the inside of the tubular member,
A touch sensor mechanism for operating the light irradiation mechanism by detecting the contact of all the contactors with respect to the skin surface,
The treatment device according to claim 2, further comprising:   The treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting mechanism is a laser beam. The light irradiation mechanism,
A light source,
An optical system for condensing the light emitted from the light source,
The treatment device according to claim 3, wherein a focal position of light condensed by the optical system is closer to the light source than a position of a contact portion of the contactor with the skin surface. Detection means for detecting that the tubular member has moved to the retracted position,
Light irradiation blocking means for blocking the drive of the light irradiation mechanism in a state in which the movement of the tubular member to the retracted position is not detected by the detection means,
The treatment device according to claim 2, further comprising:   The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lens that emits the light emitted from the light source and changes the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional shape of the incident light.   The treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the laser irradiation port is formed by a rectangular hole corresponding to an aspect ratio of a cross-sectional shape of light passing through the lens. The treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the portions of the lens that are the light incident surface and the light emission surface are formed in a bulged shape so that the vertical and horizontal curvatures are different.

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