Configurable phototherapy device

Disclosed herein is a device which includes a first panel, a second panel, a center panel, an upright support (pillar), and a base. The first and second panels each include one or more ultraviolet lamps. The center panel may optionally include one or more ultraviolet lamps. The panels are mounted to a swivel plate, which is in turn mounted to the upright support. The swivel plate allows the panels to be rotated by approximately 90 degrees. The upright support has a track that allows the swivel plate to move up and down the upright support.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to phototherapy systems and more specifically to a configurable phototherapy system used to treat various body parts.

BACKGROUND

Contemporary phototherapy systems used in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases are typically designed to treat only one or two areas of the body. One device currently on the market features a single body-sized panel that is used for treating the front or back of the patient. Another device used for treating the face and chest area features a smaller table-top panel. If the patient requires ultraviolet treatment on his or her hands or feet, yet another system is required. In addition, scalp treatment may involve the use of an ultraviolet comb or wand.

For patients with skin diseases on multiple areas of the body, treatment may involve the use of several different phototherapy systems. If the patient desires or requires treatment at home, the cost of purchasing multiple phototherapy systems and/or the space required to store them may prove prohibitive.

There therefore exists a need for a device that reduces the number of phototherapy systems required to treat multiple areas of the body.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a device suited to treating psoriasis and other skin diseases on multiple parts of the body. The device may be used to treat various body parts, including the hands, feet, face, chest, scalp, and the back and front of the torso.

The device includes a first panel, a second panel, a center panel, an upright support (pillar), and a base. The first and second panels each include one or more ultraviolet lamps. The center panel may optionally include one or more ultraviolet lamps. The panels are mounted to a swivel plate, which is in turn mounted to the upright support.

The swivel plate allows the panels to be rotated by approximately 90 degrees. The upright support has a track that allows the swivel plate to move up and down the upright support.

A pulley system may be utilized to enable the panels to be moved vertically up or down. A spring with a knob may also be utilized to stop the panels at a desired height. In one arrangement, the pulley system includes a cable connected to the center panel and a pulley which is connected to the upright support. A cam allows the panels to fold forward to face each other or to be pushed flat to lie in the same plane. A spring pin with a knob locks the panels into the desired cam position.

Alternatively, a crank system may be used to move the panels up and down. Each panel can be connected to an on/off switch so that it can be powered off when not needed for treatment.

The device can be configured to treat more than one body part. To treat the upper or lower body, for example, the panels can be rotated into the starting position, raised or lowered to the appropriate height, and either folded forward to surround the body or unfolded to lie in a plane parallel to the body. To treat the hands, for example, the panels can be folded forward to face each other, rotated by 90 degrees so as to be parallel to the floor, and lowered to the appropriate height.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, the configurable phototherapy device10includes a first panel100a, a second panel100b, a center panel100c, an upright support (pillar)200, and a base300. Preferably, the upright support200is approximately 82⅛ inches high, but the height may range from 36 inches to 100 inches. Preferably, the base is 28 inches wide and 27 inches deep, but the width may range from 6 inches to 60 inches, and the depth may range from 12 inches to 60 inches. The panels100aand100binclude one or more ultraviolet lamps102. Preferably, the first panel100aand second panel100bare each approximately 27⅜ inches high and 14 inches wide, but the height may range from 10 inches to 48 inches and the width may range from 4 inches to 36 inches. The center panel100ccan include one or more ultraviolet lamps102or can be implemented without lamps. Preferably, the center panel is approximately 6⅝ inches wide, but the width may range from 2 inches to 36 inches.

The panels100are mounted to a swivel plate220, which allows them to be rotated from the starting position1000to the 90-degree rotation position1010shown inFIG. 5.

The upright support200includes a track210that allows the swivel plate220to move up and down the upright support200. A pulley system250can be used to allow the panels100to be moved vertically up or down. Preferably, the cable in the pulley system is connected to the swivel plate220. Preferably, the cable is made of rope or metallic chain, but other materials may be used. A spring with a knob may also be utilized to stop the panels100at a desired height.

Alternatively, a gear system may be used to move the panels up and down. The gear system can be hand-cranked or motor-driven.

A cam allows the panels100aand100bto fold forward to face each other or to be pushed flat to lie in the same plane. A spring pin with a knob locks the panels100aand100binto the desired cam position. Each panel may be connected to an on/off switch so that it can be powered off when not needed for treatment. In addition, the base300can be mounted on casters320to allow the device to be moved around.

Preferably, the upright support200and base300are made of steel, but aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, and other materials may also be used.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate the device configured in the left-forward position1020. The first panel100ahas been pulled forward while the second panel100bremains in a flat position.

FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate the device configured in the right-forward position1030. The second panel100bhas been pulled forward while the first panel100aremains in a flat position.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate the device configured in the high position1040. The first panel100ahas been pulled forward while the second panel100bremains in a flat position. The panels have been rotated to the 90-degree rotation position1010and raised to the top of the upright support200.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate the device configured in the low position1050. The second panel100bhas been pulled forward while the first panel100aremains in a flat position. The panels have been rotated to the 90-degree rotation position1010and lowered to the bottom of the upright support200.

As illustrated inFIGS. 14(a)-(g), the device10can be configured to provide various methods to treat various body parts. To treat the upper or lower body, for example, the panels100can be rotated into the starting position1000, raised or lowered to the appropriate height, and either folded forward to surround the body or unfolded to lie in the same plane. To treat the hands, for example, the panels100aand100bcan be folded forward to face each other, rotated to the 90-degree position1010so as to be parallel to the floor, and lowered to the appropriate height (perhaps table height). Various other configurations can also be used to conform to different parts of the body which need treatment.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the invention.