Patent Description:
Phototherapy devices that apply, for example, infrared rays (wavelengths of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>) as treatment light targeted at an affected area or an acupressure point through the skin have been used for treatment such as relief of aching pain. It has recently been revealed that radiation of light has various actions on nerves, such as selective suppression of nerve conduction in sensory fibers that transmit pain in peripheral nervous systems, suppression of pain-producing substances, and tension relaxation of sympathetic nerves. Among light rays, laser light is widely used in these applications since a specific wavelength can be emitted with high power. For example, PTL <NUM> describes treatment of dysuria, in which dysuria is treated by applying laser light through the skin, targeted at the sacral foramina where bladder sensory nerves exist, in order to suppress abnormal activities of sensory nerves in the bladder. In such treatment, repeatedly irradiating a given site such as an affected area and an acupressure point is an important factor for achieving the maximum effect. It is desirable that patients perform light irradiation by themselves at home because light irradiation for a few minutes to a few tens of minutes per day need to be repeated at a frequency of twice a week to everyday. However, it is difficult to perform light irradiation by pressing a device against a position that the patients cannot see, such as the back and the waist. Conventional photoirradiation methods for affected areas are described in PTL <NUM> in which a laser radiation probe is held in hand and brought into contact with an affected area and in PTL <NUM> in which an arm extending from a therapeutic device body is moved to a desired position and a radiation probe fixed to the tip end of the arm is used.

PTL <NUM> and PTL <NUM> describe chair-type phototherapy devices.

In treatment of dysuria and pain treatment at home by light irradiation, a patient performs light irradiation by aligning an irradiation position by himself/herself on the back region such as the back and the waist to irradiate the sacral foramina with bladder sensory nerves or the spinal ganglion corresponding to a pain-causing site with light through the skin. Light irradiation to an accurate position is required to obtain sufficient therapeutic effects. For example, the patient undergoes a marking on a treatment site at hospital in advance and performs light irradiation by aligning an irradiation position of a device with the marking, thereby achieving effective phototherapy.

In the configuration of the therapeutic device in which a laser light radiation probe is held in hand and brought into contact as disclosed in PTL <NUM>, the patient is supposed to put the arm around the back region by himself/herself and hold the radiation probe at an appropriate position in an unnatural posture for a few minutes to a few tens of minutes. In the therapeutic device having an arm as disclosed in PTL <NUM>, the patient may perform phototherapy on the patient's back region in a seated state without putting the arm around the back, by adjusting the position of the arm and arranging the radiation probe on the back region. However, the arm may be moved and thus the irradiation position may be displaced during therapy, resulting in insufficient therapeutic effects. The patient therefore has to always maintain the same posture so as not lean on the arm, and this is far from a treatment in a comfortable position. If the treatment is unable to be performed in a comfortable posture, the burden of treatment on the patient increases to make it difficult to continue the treatment, and sufficient therapeutic effects fail to be achieved. When the device is equipped with a rotating mechanism and an expansion mechanism for freely moving the arm and a support mechanism for fixing them, the device becomes large and heavy in weight and difficult to use in a limited space such as at home.

An object of the present invention is then to provide a chair-type phototherapy device that enables a patient to perform light irradiation accurately targeted at a treatment site in a seated position on a chair and consequently achieves effective phototherapy even when the treatment site is in the back region that the patient is unable to see, for example, as in light irradiation for dysuria patients and patients with pain, and the patient performs light irradiation by himself/herself at home.

The present invention provides a chair-type phototherapy device having a seat on which a patient is seated. The chair-type phototherapy device includes a radiation module configured to emit radiation light toward a living body, a drive module positioned behind the patient for moving the radiation module, and a fixing module fixing the drive module to the seat.

With this configuration, even when a patient has a treatment site in the back region that he/she is unable to see and performs light irradiation by himself/herself at home, by aligning the position of the radiation module with the treatment site first treated while being seated on the chair, the patient only has to be seated to position the radiation module at the treatment site with high reproducibility in the second and subsequent treatment and can perform phototherapy for a few minutes to a few tens of minutes in a comfortable posture in a seated state. As a result, appropriate treatment can be achieved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In a description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference signs and an overlapping description is omitted.

A chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As illustrated in <FIG>, the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> in the present embodiment is a device for performing dysuria treatment and pain treatment by irradiating the position of the sacral foramina and the ganglion of a patient with light rays. The chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> on which the patient is seated, a radiation module <NUM>, a drive module <NUM>, and a fixing module <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> has a size enough for one patient to sit on and has a substantially rectangular or substantially circular shape. The material of the seat <NUM> is, for example, leather or fiber for its surface, with the inside stuffed with a cushion material such as urethane and with a frame made of metal, resin, wood, or the like. A plurality of legs <NUM> are provided under the seat <NUM>.

The fixing module <NUM> is shaped like a rectangular or square frame and holds and fixes the drive module <NUM> in the inside. The fixing module <NUM> is attached upright from the seat <NUM> at one end of the seat <NUM> of the chair and is arranged behind the back of the patient. The fixing module <NUM> is formed of metal, resin, wood, or the like to ensure the strength and enables the patient to perform treatment while leaning against it. The fixing module <NUM> is not necessarily directly fixed to the seat <NUM> as long as its relative position to the seat <NUM> is fixed. For example, the fixing module <NUM> may be fixed to the chair legs <NUM> connected to the seat <NUM>. The fixing module <NUM> may be configured separately from the backrest of the chair.

In the inside of the frame shape of the fixing module <NUM>, the radiation module <NUM> for irradiating the patient with light rays and the drive module <NUM> for changing the position of the radiation module <NUM> are provided. The drive module <NUM> can be actuated in the fixing module <NUM> to move the radiation module <NUM> to a given position. A monitor <NUM> is connected to the radiation module <NUM> to display an image in the surrounding of the treatment site.

The present chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> may include a remote controller <NUM> for irradiation control to enable light irradiation while the patient keeps a seated position. The remote controller <NUM> for irradiation control is connected to a casing <NUM> of the radiation module <NUM> through a not-illustrated light emission control unit via a cable and is supplied with electricity from a not-illustrated power source. In addition, the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control transmits a signal to the light emission control unit based on an input by the patient operating a switch on the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control, and the light emission control unit controls light irradiation from a radiation probe <NUM>. For example, switching between oscillation and stop of light from the radiation probe <NUM> is performed. The patient thus can switch radiation in a seated position, prevent erroneous irradiation to a site other than the treatment site, and perform safe phototherapy.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the radiation module <NUM>. The radiation module <NUM> includes the radiation probe <NUM>, an observation module <NUM> for grasping a treatment site in the back region of the patient and an irradiation position of irradiation light, and the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is a box having any shape for holding the radiation probe <NUM> and the observation module <NUM>. In the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the casing <NUM>, any given number of through holes <NUM> are provided, and the through holes <NUM> are provided with lateral holes orthogonal to the through holes <NUM>. The through holes <NUM> and the lateral holes will be described later. The casing <NUM> contains a not-illustrated built-in power source such as a battery for supplying electricity to the above-noted remote controller <NUM> for radiation control as well as the radiation module <NUM>, the observation module <NUM>, and the monitor <NUM>. The power source may be provided outside of the casing <NUM>, and the power source may include switching or other circuits. In this case, the power source is connected to the radiation module <NUM>, the observation module <NUM>, the monitor <NUM>, and the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control by wire.

The radiation probe <NUM> is connected substantially to the center of the casing <NUM>. The radiation probe <NUM> is a member for radiating light rays toward a given position on the patient's skin and is formed of metal, resin, or the like in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The shape of the radiation probe <NUM> is not necessarily cylindrical. A treatment light source <NUM> is provided inside the radiation probe <NUM>. For example, a laser, an LED, a halogen lamp, and a xenon lamp can be used as the treatment light source <NUM>. The treatment light source <NUM> may be installed outside the radiation probe <NUM> and the light may be guided to the radiation probe <NUM> through a light guide path such as an optical fiber.

The radiation probe <NUM> is fixed to the casing <NUM> so as to protrude from the casing <NUM> toward the patient. Since body shapes may vary among patients, it is preferable that the radiation probe <NUM> and the casing <NUM> are constructed such that the fixed position of the radiation probe <NUM> relative to the casing <NUM> can be adjusted, enabling to adjust the amount of protrusion of the radiation probe <NUM> so that the radiation probe <NUM> is in contact with an irradiation site without uncomfortable feeling when the patient is seated. For example, the casing <NUM> has a hole receiving the radiation probe <NUM> substantially at the center of a surface facing the patient, and the amount of protrusion of the radiation probe <NUM> is adjusted by fitting the radiation probe <NUM> in the hole and changing its attachment position. In this case, it is preferable that the casing <NUM> and the radiation probe <NUM> are connected through a ratchet mechanism such that the radiation probe <NUM> is movable only toward the back of the patient relative to the casing <NUM> and the movement in the opposite direction is restricted. This configuration according to the invention can prevent dropping of the radiation probe <NUM> from the casing <NUM> even when the patient leans deeply against the radiation module <NUM> to push the radiation probe <NUM> in strongly. A rack and pinion mechanism, for example, may be used instead of the ratchet mechanism.

The observation module <NUM> is connected to the top portion of the casing <NUM>. The observation module <NUM> includes a camera <NUM> and an illumination light source <NUM>. The camera <NUM> is a member for grasping a treatment site and an irradiation position of radiation light in the back region of the patient. A CCD camera, a CMOS camera, and the like can be used as the camera <NUM>. The illumination light source <NUM> is a member for illuminating a field of observation of the camera <NUM> and capturing a sharp image. An LED, a fluorescent lamp, and the like can be used as the illumination light source <NUM>. The observation module <NUM> may be installed at any position in the casing <NUM> as long as the treatment site of the patient and the position of radiation light can be observed by the camera <NUM>.

The image captured by the camera <NUM> appears on the monitor <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> may be connected to the observation module <NUM> by wire or may be configured separately from the observation module <NUM> and connected to the observation module <NUM> through a known wireless communication technique.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the drive module <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the drive module <NUM> includes four sliders <NUM> and at least two of linear guide <NUM> and linear guide <NUM> for two axial directions of X and Y: the X axis substantially in the horizontal direction and the Y axis direction orthogonal to the X axis. The linear guide <NUM> and the linear guide <NUM> are arranged in any two axial directions orthogonal to each other in the same plane, and the sliders <NUM> are disposed orthogonally to the linear guides <NUM> at both ends of the linear guides <NUM> and the linear guides <NUM>.

The sliders <NUM> each include rotation axes <NUM> and a belt <NUM> and are disposed in the inside of four sides of the frame-like fixing module <NUM>. The rotation axes <NUM> are fixed to the fixing module <NUM>. The belt <NUM> is a strip-like member formed of metal, resin, rubber, or the like wound around at least two rotation axes <NUM> and is arranged to turn around the rotation axes <NUM>. The belt <NUM> may be, for example, a mechanism such as a rail or a ball screw extending in one direction in one or both of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The linear guides <NUM> and the linear guides <NUM> are rod-like members formed of metal, resin, or the like fixed to the belt <NUM>. When the belt <NUM> rotates in the fixing module <NUM>, the linear guides <NUM> fixed to the belt <NUM> move in accordance with the rotation of the belt <NUM>. The linear guides <NUM> thus can move in orthogonal two axial directions in the fixing module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of the radiation module <NUM> in a state in which the radiation module <NUM> and the linear guides <NUM> are connected. The linear guides <NUM> are inserted slidably into the through holes <NUM> provided in the casing <NUM>. Bolts <NUM> are inserted into the lateral holes to fix or release the linear guides <NUM> to/from the casing <NUM>. The bolts <NUM> may be fasteners such as fixing pins, wing screws, and clamps. To move the radiation module <NUM>, first, the bolts <NUM> in the linear guides <NUM> in the X-axis direction are released, the bolts <NUM> in the linear guides <NUM> in the Y-axis direction are fixed, and the casing <NUM> is manually moved in the X-axis direction. The radiation module <NUM> thus can be moved in the X-axis direction while the position in the Y-axis direction is fixed. Subsequently, the bolts <NUM> in the linear guides <NUM> in the X-axis direction are fixed, the bolts <NUM> in the linear guides <NUM> in the Y-axis direction are released, and the radiation module <NUM> is moved in the Y-axis direction while the position in the X-axis direction is fixed. With this configuration, the radiation module <NUM> can be moved to any position in the fixing module <NUM>.

The configuration of the drive module <NUM> is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the following mechanism may be adopted, wherein an arm rotatable in a desired direction is attached in the vicinity of a joint section of the fixing module <NUM> and the seat <NUM>, and the radiation probe <NUM> is attached to a tip of the arm to position the radiation probe <NUM> in any position in the fixing module <NUM>. Alternatively, the following configuration may be adopted, wherein a motor is built in the rotation axis <NUM> to enable rotary drive, the rotation axis <NUM> is engaged with the belt <NUM>, and the motor is actuated to move the belt <NUM>. Further, the following configuration may be adopted, wherein, instead of the motor, gas cylinders or hydraulic cylinders are built in the fixing module <NUM> in X and Y two directions, and the translational motion of the cylinder is converted into rotational motion using gears or the like and transmitted to the rotation axes <NUM> to rotate.

Referring to <FIG>, a specific method for using the present therapy device will be described. First, the patient is seated on the seat <NUM> and leans against the fixing module <NUM>. The patient moves the radiation module <NUM> as described above such that the radiation module <NUM> faces a marking <NUM> put on the back of the patient in advance in the patient back region <NUM> and makes fine adjustment of the position of the radiation module <NUM> while viewing the monitor <NUM> on which an image captured by the observation module <NUM> appears. Alternatively, the position of the body may be finely adjusted to align the position of the marking <NUM> with the radiation module <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> is arranged such that the radiation probe <NUM> of the radiation module <NUM> always appears at the center of the monitor <NUM> to align the position of the marking <NUM> with the radiation probe <NUM> on the monitor <NUM>. Subsequently, the loosened bolts <NUM> are tightened and the radiation module <NUM> is fixed to the drive module <NUM> to complete the position alignment. After the position alignment is performed, the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control is operated to start treatment (start light irradiation). For the treatment, preferably, light irradiation for a few minutes to a few tens of minutes per day is repeated at a frequency of twice a week to every day.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>. Since there are many parts overlapping with other embodiments, only the parts characteristic to the present embodiment are described below and other description on the configuration is omitted. In the present embodiment, a backrest <NUM> of the chair is coupled to the upper side of the fixing module <NUM> or between the fixing module <NUM> and the seat <NUM>. The material of the backrest <NUM> is, for example, leather or fiber for its surface, with the inside stuffed with a cushion material such as urethane and with a frame made of metal, resin, wood, or the like. The patient can lean against the backrest <NUM> to keep a more comfortable posture during treatment and undergo treatment for a longer time.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the present chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>. When the treatment light source <NUM> or a power source <NUM> is provided in the casing <NUM>, the radiation module <NUM> is larger and heavier in weight, and the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> as a whole has a larger size. In the present embodiment, therefore, the treatment light source <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are present independently of the radiation module <NUM>, and the treatment light source <NUM> is connected to the radiation probe <NUM> using a probe cable <NUM> incorporating an optical fiber or the like for guiding light. The chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a storage unit <NUM> under the seat <NUM>, and in the storage unit <NUM>, the treatment light source <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are located. The storage unit <NUM> is arranged so as to be suspended below the seat <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> has a substantially cuboid shape, and by opening any one of the side surfaces thereof, the power source <NUM>, accessories, and the like can be installed inside. Since the treatment light source <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are separate from the radiation module <NUM>, the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> as a whole can be reduced in size, and the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> can be installed even in a narrow space at home, for example. When the treatment light source <NUM> alone is lightweight and compact, the treatment light source <NUM> may be installed in the radiation module <NUM>, and only the power source <NUM> may be separate from the radiation module <NUM> and installed in the storage unit <NUM>.

Since the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> is equipped with articles such as the radiation module <NUM> and the drive module <NUM> on the back of the chair, the center of gravity is shifted to the back side, leading to lack of stability and concern about overturn of the chair. Then, heavy articles such as the treatment light source <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are installed in the storage unit <NUM> under the seat <NUM>, so that the center of gravity is shifted to a lower position at the center, thereby creating stability and preventing overturn. When the power source <NUM> is installed in the storage unit <NUM>, the power source <NUM> is covered with a cuboid box made of resin or the like to contain electronic parts, circuit boards, and the like in the inside. The power source <NUM> is connected to the radiation probe <NUM>, an actuator <NUM>, and the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control, a remote controller <NUM> for drive control, or a remote controller for operation of an integrated controller thereof, described later, through a cable and performs power supply. The device is controlled based on a signal transmitted from each remote controller, which will be detailed later.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>. In the present embodiment, when the direction in which the radiation module <NUM> and the fixing module <NUM> are installed is set as the rear side and the opposite direction thereto is set as the front side for the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>, the seat <NUM> is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side. The downward inclination of the seat <NUM> enables the patient to sit back on the chair comfortably and makes the sitting more comfortable, and in addition, the seated position is set at a deep position on the rear side of the seat <NUM> in each time of treatment, thereby improving the reproducibility of positioning of the radiation probe <NUM> at the treatment site. The preparation work for positioning before treatment thus can be simplified. The downward inclination of the seat <NUM>, for example, between <NUM>° and <NUM>° makes the sitting comfortable and sets the seated position at a deep position on the rear side of the seat <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present chair-type therapy device. In the present embodiment, the drive module <NUM> includes the actuator <NUM> for moving the slider <NUM> and the remote controller <NUM> for drive control for controlling the actuator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The actuator <NUM> is contained in the inside of the seat <NUM> and may be, for example, a motor, and the rotation of the motor drives the rotation axis <NUM> rotatably arranged in the fixing module <NUM>, whereby the radiation module <NUM> can be moved to any position in the fixing module <NUM> through the linear guides <NUM>. For example, when the radiation module <NUM> is moved in the X direction, the sliders <NUM> in the X direction are driven through the actuator <NUM>, the casing <NUM> slides on the linear guides <NUM> in the X-axis direction, and the linear guides <NUM> in the Y-axis direction move together with the casing <NUM>, thereby moving the radiation module <NUM>.

The remote controller <NUM> for drive control is connected to the power source <NUM> through a cable and is supplied with electricity, and transmits a signal to the actuator <NUM> based on an input which the patient makes by operating a switch on the remote controller <NUM> for drive control and thus controls the operation of the actuator <NUM>. The operation is transmitted to the drive module <NUM> through the sliders <NUM> built in the seat <NUM>. For example, target coordinates to which a stage is moved are input, and the stage is moved to the designated position. This allows the patient to adjust an irradiation position each time in a seated state, achieves more accurate positioning, and suppresses reduction in therapeutic effects due to displacement of the irradiation position.

The remote controller <NUM> for radiation control and the remote controller <NUM> for drive control may be a single remote controller for operation that contains the both functions. Operating two remote controllers is cumbersome, and one remote controller serving for radiation control and drive control facilitates operation for the patient.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. In the present embodiment, the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> is a device for performing treatment of dysuria by irradiating the position of the sacral foramina of the patient with light rays. The chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, a radiation probe <NUM>, a treatment light source <NUM>, and an observation module <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is formed of metal, resin, or the like in the shape of a substantially cuboid. A not-illustrated power source <NUM> is provided in the inside of the casing <NUM>, and electricity is supplied from the power source <NUM> to the treatment light source <NUM>, a camera <NUM> in the observation module <NUM>, and a monitor <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may be a battery or may be connected to an external power source by wire.

The radiation probe <NUM> is connected substantially at the center of a surface of the casing <NUM>. The radiation probe <NUM> is formed of metal, resin, or the like in the shape of a hollow cylinder. However, the shape is not necessarily cylindrical.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, also in the present embodiment, the casing <NUM> has any given number of through holes <NUM> in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the through holes are provided with lateral holes orthogonal to the through holes <NUM>.

The treatment light source <NUM> is arranged in the radiation probe <NUM> such that its front end is arranged in the inside of the hollow cylindrical radiation probe <NUM> and behind the plane that is flush with the front end, of the side not connected to the casing <NUM>, of the radiation probe <NUM>.

A variety of lamps such as a laser, an LED, and a halogen lamp can be used for the treatment light source <NUM>. The treatment light source <NUM> is arranged such that radiation light passes along the center axis of the cylindrical radiation probe <NUM> and irradiates a treatment site of the body.

A transmission window <NUM> is provided at the front end of the treatment light source <NUM> to allow radiation light emitted from the treatment light source <NUM> to pass through. The transmission window <NUM> may be made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass and plastic films, that allows radiation light to pass through.

The remote controller <NUM> for radiation control is connected to the casing <NUM> through a light emission control unit <NUM> via a cable. The patient operates a switch on the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control to transmit a signal to the light emission control unit <NUM> to give an instruction for oscillation and stop of light irradiation of the treatment light source <NUM>. The remote controller <NUM> for radiation control may be connected to the light emission control unit <NUM> through well-known wireless communication.

A sensor <NUM> is mounted on a radiation probe front end portion <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is a sensor <NUM>, for example, for detecting that an object comes into contact. When the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> comes into contact with the patient's body, the sensor <NUM> detects it and transmits a signal to the light emission control unit <NUM>.

The light emission control unit <NUM> controls light irradiation of the treatment light source <NUM>. Light irradiation is oscillated only when both of a signal to give an instruction to oscillate light irradiation from the remote controller <NUM> for radiation control and a signal indicating detection of contact from the sensor <NUM> are received. When a signal is not obtained from either one of them, light irradiation is stopped.

With this configuration, light is not emitted in a state in which the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is detached from the body, and radiation is enabled only in a contact state, so that erroneous exposure of eyes to light irradiation, for example, can be prevented, and thus safe phototherapy can be achieved.

In the configuration of the radiation probe <NUM> and the treatment light source <NUM> described above, radiation light is emitted only in a state in which the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is in contact with the patient's body. Since the treatment light source <NUM> is arranged behind the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>, a radiation field <NUM> (a range irradiated with radiation light) on the body irradiated with radiation light is always covered with the radiation probe <NUM> when emission from the treatment light source <NUM> is permitted by the sensor <NUM>. Therefore, leakage of radiation light from the treatment light source <NUM> and reflected light from the radiation field <NUM> to the outside of the radiation probe <NUM> can be prevented.

The observation module <NUM> is an imaging device that observes a contact region of the body with the radiation probe <NUM> (radiation probe front end portion <NUM>). The patient performs position alignment of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> to an appropriate position for emitting radiation light while viewing on the monitor <NUM> an image captured by the observation module <NUM>.

The observation module <NUM> is provided behind the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> and on the outside of the radiation probe <NUM>. In <FIG>, the observation module <NUM> is provided on the outside of the radiation probe <NUM> in the same plane as the surface of the casing <NUM> to which the radiation probe <NUM> is connected. The observation module <NUM> is attached so as to capture an image in the surrounding of the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>. The observation module <NUM> may be provided on a plane different from the surface of the casing <NUM> to which the radiation probe <NUM> is connected or may be arranged so as to protrude from any surface on the casing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the observation module <NUM> has the camera <NUM>, and a CCD camera <NUM>, a CMOS camera <NUM>, and the like can be used. Although two cameras are installed in <FIG>, the number is not limited and one or three or more cameras may be installed. However, it is preferable that a plurality of cameras <NUM> are provided rather than one, because if so, an image of the entire outer periphery of the radiation probe <NUM> can be captured by the cameras <NUM> and thus the position alignment of the body with the radiation probe <NUM> can be performed more accurately.

Since the observation module <NUM> is provided behind the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> and on the outside of the radiation probe <NUM>, the observation module <NUM> does not come into contact with the patient's body when the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is not in contact with the body. In addition, since this configuration prevents the radiation light emitted from the treatment light source <NUM> and the reflected light thereof from leaking out of the radiation probe <NUM> as described above, the reflected light from the radiation field <NUM> is not incident on the observation module <NUM> installed on the outside of the radiation probe <NUM>. This configuration therefore prevents halation otherwise caused by the observation module <NUM> due to the reflected light from the radiation field <NUM>.

The monitor <NUM> is a display device for displaying an image captured by the observation module <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> may be connected to the observation module <NUM> through the casing <NUM> by wire or may be configured separately from the casing <NUM> and connected to the observation module <NUM> through a known wireless communication technique.

A method for using the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>, the method not forming part of the invention, will be described with reference to <FIG> illustrates a state in which the patient at home adjusts the position of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> in alignment with the marking <NUM> given at hospital or clinic and performs light irradiation.

First, a treatment site of the patient to be subjected to light irradiation is specified under a doctor's diagnosis at hospital or clinic. For example, in the treatment of dysuria by photoirradiation, the sacral foramina where bladder sensory nerves exist is targeted and irradiated with light through the skin in order to suppress abnormal activities of sensory nerves in the bladder. Since appropriate treatment requires accurately targeting the sacral foramina the position of the sacral foramina to be irradiated with light in the patient back region <NUM> is specified, for example, by palpation or X-ray fluoroscopy.

Subsequently, a doctor or other health professional puts a marking <NUM> on the specified treatment site. Ink or an adhesive sheet can be used as a material of the marking <NUM>. In the treatment of, for example, dysuria by photoirradiation, it is preferable to repeat light irradiation for a few minutes to a few tens of minutes per day at a frequency of twice a week to every day, and it is desirable that the patient performs light irradiation by himself/herself at home. For this, the doctor specifies the sacral foramina at hospital and puts a marking <NUM> on the skin <NUM> immediately above to indicate the irradiation position and the irradiation range, and the patient refers to the marking <NUM> to appropriately arrange the radiation probe <NUM> (radiation probe front end portion <NUM>) of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> at home to perform light irradiation.

Subsequently, for example, at home, the patient performs light irradiation by himself/herself using the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM>. In doing so, the patient fixes the radiation module <NUM> of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> in alignment with the marking <NUM> given at hospital or clinic. When the treatment site is at the patient back region <NUM> and the patient is unable to see it by himself/herself, the patient views an image captured by the observation module <NUM> on the monitor <NUM> to adjust the position of the radiation module <NUM> such that the marking <NUM> and the radiation probe <NUM> are fitted in a given position. For example, the position between the radiation module <NUM> and the body is adjusted such that the cylinder of the radiation probe <NUM> is fitted in the hollow circular shape of the marking <NUM>. If the marking <NUM> is hidden under the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> when the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> comes into contact with the patient's skin <NUM>, accurate position alignment is difficult, and, therefore, it is desirable that the marking <NUM> has such a shape that avoids the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>. An example is a hollow circular shape having a radius larger than the radius of the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>, although the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Here, when the affected area is irradiated with light from the treatment light source <NUM>, part of the irradiated light is reflected by the skin <NUM> and diffuses into the surrounding. If this reflected light is incident on the observation module <NUM>, the observation module <NUM> causes halation to obscure the captured image.

Then, the present embodiment is configured such that the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> comes into contact with the patient's skin <NUM> so that the radiation field <NUM> is covered with the radiation probe <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view as viewed from above (the patient's head side) in <FIG>, illustrating the radiation module <NUM> pressed against the skin <NUM>. In the present embodiment, when the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is not in contact with the skin <NUM>, light is not emitted from the treatment light source <NUM> as described above. Therefore, in the configuration in <FIG>, when light is emitted from the treatment light source <NUM>, the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is pressed against the skin <NUM> to close a gap between the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> and the skin <NUM>, thereby preventing leakage of reflected light out of the radiation probe <NUM>. Halation by the observation module <NUM> due to reflected light therefore can be prevented.

Further, when the radiation probe <NUM> is aligned with the marking <NUM> and the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is in contact with the skin <NUM>, the radiation field <NUM> does not appear in the image captured by the observation module <NUM> but the outer edge of the radiation probe <NUM> and the marking <NUM> appear. While viewing this image, the patient adjusts the position of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> such that the edge of the radiation probe <NUM> is matched with the marking <NUM>. With this configuration, even when the treatment site is the patient back region <NUM> that the patient is unable to see and the patient performs light irradiation by himself/herself, for example, at home the patient can perform position alignment and fixing of the device to the treatment site accurately and easily. As a result, light irradiation accurately targeted at the sacral foramina can be performed, and appropriate treatment can be achieved. The chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> therefore can be widely used for, for example, dysuria patients.

The chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In the configuration in which external light is directly incident on the observation module <NUM> as in <FIG>, the observation module <NUM> is directly influenced by variation in the quantity of external light, which may obscure an image. For example, when the surrounding illumination blinks on and off, an image of the observation module <NUM> flickers and is hard to see, making the position alignment operation difficult.

In the radiation module <NUM> and the observation module <NUM> of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment, a casing protrusion portion <NUM> having a shape surrounding the radiation probe <NUM> is provided on the outer peripheral side of the radiation probe <NUM> on a connection surface on which the treatment light source <NUM> and the radiation probe <NUM> are connected to the casing <NUM>. Further, the front end of the casing protrusion portion <NUM> is positioned in flush with the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> or positioned slightly behind the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>. Although the casing protrusion portion <NUM> is a cuboid in <FIG>, it may have, for example, a cylindrical shape.

An observation illumination light source <NUM> for illuminating the skin <NUM> is provided in the inside of the casing protrusion portion <NUM>. The illumination light source <NUM> is supplied with electricity from the not-illustrated power source <NUM> provided in the inside of the casing <NUM> and is turned on and off by a switch for the power source <NUM>. The installation position of the illumination light source <NUM> is not limited to on the inner side of the casing protrusion portion <NUM>, and the illumination light source <NUM> may be arranged on the connection surface of the casing <NUM> to which the observation module <NUM> and the radiation probe <NUM> are connected. Although the case of two illumination light sources <NUM> arranged is illustrated in <FIG>, one or two or more illumination light sources <NUM> may be installed.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view as viewed from above, illustrating the casing protrusion portion <NUM> and the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> pressed against the skin <NUM> in a positional relation in which the front end of the casing protrusion portion <NUM> is flush with the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>. This configuration eliminates a gap between the skin <NUM> and the casing protrusion portion <NUM> under the condition of the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> being in contact with the skin <NUM>, and therefore can prevent intrusion of external light into the observation module <NUM>. However, when external light does not enter the inside of the casing protrusion portion <NUM>, an image of the inside of the casing protrusion portion <NUM> is unable to be obtained with the observation module <NUM>. The marking <NUM> on the skin <NUM> and the radiation probe <NUM> therefore are illuminated by the illumination light source <NUM> provided in the inside of the casing protrusion portion <NUM>. A clear image thus can be captured by the observation module <NUM> to enable the patient to perform position alignment operation of the chair-type phototherapy device <NUM> more easily and accurately, independently of surrounding brightness. As a result, light irradiation accurately targeted at the sacral foramina can be performed, and appropriate treatment can be achieved.

In the case where the casing protrusion portion <NUM> is positioned slightly behind the radiation probe front end portion <NUM>, a minute gap is produced between the casing protrusion portion <NUM> and the skin <NUM> when the radiation probe front end portion <NUM> is in contact with the skin <NUM>. However, since the casing protrusion portion <NUM> prevents external light from being directly incident on the observation module <NUM>, a clear image not affected by external light can be captured as above.

Claim 1:
A chair-type phototherapy device (<NUM>) having a seat (<NUM>) on which a patient is seatable, the chair-type phototherapy device (<NUM>) comprising:
a radiation module (<NUM>) configured to emit radiation light toward a living body;
a drive module (<NUM>) positioned behind the patient for moving the radiation module; and
a fixing module (<NUM>) fixing the drive module (<NUM>) to the seat (<NUM>),
wherein the radiation module (<NUM>) includes an observation module (<NUM>) for grasping a treatment site in a back region of the patient and an irradiation position of irradiation light emitted from the radiation module,
wherein the radiation module (<NUM>) includes further a radiation probe (<NUM>) and a casing (<NUM>),
wherein the radiation probe (<NUM>) is fixed to the casing (<NUM>) so as to protrude from the casing toward the patient, wherein the radiation probe (<NUM>) and the casing (<NUM>) are constructed such that the fixed position of the radiation probe (<NUM>) relative to the casing (<NUM>) can be adjusted, wherein the radiation probe (<NUM>) and the casing (<NUM>) are connected through an adjusting means such that the radiation probe is movable only toward the back of the patient relative to the casing and the movement in the opposite direction is restricted.