Patent Description:
Light has different properties depending on wavelength thereof. Recently, apparatuses using various wavelengths of light have been developed and put into use.

Particularly, UV light capable of killing cells of an organism through destruction of DNA is used in therapeutic devices for treatment of infections through destruction of bacteria. However, a conventional therapeutic device using UV light has a problem in that, upon treatment of an infected site, UV light is delivered not only to the infected site but also to a normal body site.

In addition, an infrared light-based therapeutic device, which heats an infectious agent to a temperature high enough to cause death of the infectious agent, has a problem in that a subject to be treated can feel pain due to intense heat.

<CIT> discloses a laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a skin with a laser beam for treatment, comprising a treatment part detection unit, a a distance detection unit, and a movement unit which moves the emission end unit with respect to the treatment part.

<CIT> discloses a system for treating a dermal fungal infection in a mammal, the system comprising: a laser; an imaging unit for obtaining infection image data; and an alignment stage for receiving an infected portion of a mammal comprising the dermal fungal infection and aligning the infected portion of the mammal with the laser.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a phototherapy apparatus which ensures exact delivery of therapeutic light to a treatment site and thus can prevent other normal sites from being damaged by the therapeutic light.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a phototherapy apparatus including a treatment site detection unit, a treatment unit, and a controller. The treatment site detection unit detects a treatment site in a user's body. The treatment unit includes a first moving unit movable in a vertical direction, a body mounted on the first moving unit, a light source unit including multiple light sources disposed on a lower surface of the body and emitting therapeutic light. The controller controls operation of the first moving unit and the light source unit. When the treatment site detection unit detects the treatment site, the controller controls the first moving unit to bring the light source unit into close contact with the treatment site. In addition, when the light source unit closely contacts the treatment site, the controller controls the light source unit such that the light source positioned at the treatment site emits the therapeutic light. When the light source unit closely contacts the treatment site, the body of the treatment unit is deformed by pressure of the treatment site against the multiple light sources. In addition, when the light source unit is separated from the treatment site, the body of the treatment unit is returned to an original shape thereof.

The phototherapy apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can deliver therapeutic light only to a treatment site.

In addition, the phototherapy apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can prevent normal body sites other than a treatment site from being exposed to and damaged by therapeutic light.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following embodiments are provided for complete disclosure and thorough understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and may be embodied in different ways. It should be noted that the drawings are not to precise scale and may be exaggerated in width, length, and thickness of components for descriptive convenience and clarity only. The same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and like components will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

A phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a treatment site detection unit, a treatment unit, and a controller.

The treatment site detection unit detects a treatment site in a user's body.

The treatment unit includes a first moving unit movable in a vertical direction, a body mounted on the first moving unit, a light source unit including multiple light sources disposed on a lower surface of the body and emitting therapeutic light.

The controller controls operation of the first moving unit and the light source unit.

When the treatment site detection unit detects the treatment site, the controller controls the first moving unit to bring the light source unit into close contact with the treatment site.

In addition, when the light source unit closely contacts the treatment site, the controller controls the light source unit such that the light source positioned at the treatment site emits the therapeutic light.

When the light source unit closely contacts the treatment site, the body of the treatment unit is deformed by pressure of the treatment site against the multiple light sources. In addition, when the light source unit is separated from the treatment site, the body of the treatment unit is returned to an original shape thereof.

In one embodiment, the treatment site detection unit may acquire an image of the user's body through photography of the user's body. In addition, the treatment site detection unit may detect the treatment site from the image and may transmit a treatment site signal containing information about the treatment site to the controller.

In another embodiment, the phototherapy apparatus may further include a second moving unit moving the body of the treatment unit in a horizontal direction.

Here, the treatment site detection unit may detect a location of the treatment site from the image. In addition, the treatment site signal may further contain information about the location of the treatment site.

In addition, the controller may control the second moving unit such that the treatment unit is positioned over the treatment site in response to the treatment site signal.

In a further embodiment, the treatment site detection unit may include a first treatment site detection unit and a second treatment site detection unit.

The first treatment site detection unit may acquire an image of the user's body through photography of the user's body. In addition, the first treatment site detection unit may detect a location of the treatment site from the image.

The second treatment site detection unit may detect the treatment site by receiving light reflected from the user's body. The second treatment site detection unit may be disposed in the light source.

Here, the phototherapy apparatus may further include a second moving unit moving the body of the treatment unit in a horizontal direction.

The light source may include a substrate and a light emitting chip disposed on the substrate.

In yet another embodiment, the light source may further include a body detection unit disposed on the substrate.

An upper surface of the body detection unit may be flush with or higher than an upper surface of the light source.

The controller may stop operation of the first moving unit in response to a body detection signal from the body detection unit.

In addition, the controller may control the light source unit to deliver the therapeutic light to the treatment site upon receiving the body detection signal.

In yet another embodiment, the phototherapy apparatus may further include a temperature sensor detecting a temperature at or around the treatment site. The temperature sensor may transmit a temperature signal to the controller when the detected temperature is higher than or equal to a predetermined value.

The temperature sensor is disposed inside each of the light sources.

The controller may control the light source unit to stop emission of the therapeutic light in response to the temperature signal.

Alternatively, the controller may control the light source unit to stop emission of the therapeutic light from a light source in which a temperature sensor having generated the temperature signal is disposed.

The phototherapy apparatus may further include a housing having a treatment space into which the user's body including the treatment site is inserted.

In addition, the phototherapy apparatus may further include a heat dissipation unit disposed inside the housing and dissipating heat from the treatment space.

In yet another embodiment, the treatment site detection unit may include a wound detection unit detecting a wound site in the user's body and an infection detection unit detecting an infected site corresponding to the treatment site.

The infection detection unit may detect the infected site in the wound site.

The wound detection unit may include a first measurement light source emitting light for detection of the wound site and a first light receiving source receiving light emitted from the wound site by excitation of the light for detection of the wound site.

The infection detection unit may include a second measurement light source emitting light for detection of the infected site and a second light receiving source receiving light emitted from the infected site by excitation of the light for detection of the infected site.

The phototherapy apparatus may further include a display unit displaying the treatment site.

The phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure is an apparatus for performing treatment on a treatment site using therapeutic light. The phototherapy apparatus includes a treatment space in which phototherapy is performed. A user's body including a treatment site is inserted into the treatment space.

The phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described by way of an example in which the user's body inserted into the treatment space of the phototherapy apparatus is a toe and the treatment site is a toenail. However, the toe and the toenail are intended as an example to aid in understanding of the phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the present disclosure.

The phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure is applicable to any body site so long as the body site is suitable for phototherapy.

Hereinafter, the phototherapy apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> are exemplary views of a phototherapy apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view (A1-A2) of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is another sectional view (A3-A4) of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a view of an inner upper surface of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of a light source <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a view illustrating some operations of the phototherapy apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing <NUM>, a treatment site detection unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heat dissipation unit <NUM>. The treatment site detection unit <NUM>, the treatment unit <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heat dissipation unit <NUM> are disposed on the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> provides a treatment space <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM>. The treatment space <NUM> is a space in which phototherapy is applied to a treatment site.

The housing <NUM> has an entrance connecting the treatment space <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM> to an outside of the housing <NUM>. A user's body is inserted into the treatment space <NUM> through the entrance of the housing <NUM>.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> detects a treatment site in the user's body. For example, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> is an imaging device.

According to this embodiment, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> is disposed on an inner upper surface of the housing <NUM> facing the treatment space <NUM>.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> acquires an image of the user's body placed in the treatment space <NUM> through photography of the user's body. In addition, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> detects the treatment site from the acquired image.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> may be operated in response to a signal indicating insertion of the user's body into the treatment space <NUM>. The signal may be transmitted from another component detecting insertion of the user's body into the treatment space <NUM> to the treatment site detection unit <NUM> directly or through the controller <NUM>. Alternatively, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> may be operated at the same time as power is supplied to the phototherapy apparatus <NUM>.

When a toe <NUM> is placed in the treatment space <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> photographs the toe <NUM>. The treatment site detection unit <NUM> may detect a region corresponding to a toenail, which is the treatment site, from an image of the toe <NUM>.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> generates a treatment site signal containing information about the detected treatment site. Here, the treatment site-related information may include a region of the image corresponding to the treatment site, a location of the treatment site, and a location of the boundary between the treatment site and other normal sites.

The treatment unit <NUM> includes a first moving unit <NUM>, a body <NUM>, and a light source unit <NUM>.

The first moving unit <NUM> is disposed on the inner upper surface of the housing <NUM> facing the treatment space <NUM>.

The first moving unit <NUM> is adjustable in length in a vertical direction. That is, one end of the first moving unit <NUM> is movable up or down by changing the length of the first moving unit <NUM>. For example, the length of the first moving unit <NUM> may be adjusted by folding or unfolding a portion of the first moving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the length of the first moving unit <NUM> may be adjusted by inserting a portion of the first moving unit <NUM> into another portion of the first moving unit <NUM> or withdrawing the inserted portion downward. It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the length of the first moving unit <NUM> may be adjusted in various other ways.

The body <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the first moving unit <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is connected to the first moving unit <NUM>. For example, the body <NUM> may be coupled to the lower end of the first moving unit <NUM>. The body <NUM> is moved up or down by the first moving unit <NUM>. When the first moving unit <NUM> is extended in length, the body <NUM> is moved downward. When the extended first moving unit <NUM> is returned to an original position thereof, the body <NUM> is moved upward.

The body <NUM> is formed of an elastically deformable material. The body <NUM> having elastic deformability is deformed by external force and is returned to an original shape thereof when the force is removed. For example, the body <NUM> may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber and polyurethane.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light source unit <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the body <NUM>. In addition, the light source unit <NUM> includes multiple light sources <NUM> emitting therapeutic light. Here, the therapeutic light is light capable of providing removal of an infectious agent from the treatment site or alleviation of lesions. For example, the therapeutic light may be germicidal UV light. Alternatively, the therapeutic light may be visible light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>, which is near the UV spectrum. Alternatively, the therapeutic light may be infrared light. Alternatively, the therapeutic light may be light including at least one selected from among infrared light, UV light, and visible light.

Referring to <FIG>, the light source <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>, a light emitting chip <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be any type of substrate <NUM> that can support the light emitting chip <NUM>. For example, the substrate <NUM> may be a substrate <NUM> with a circuit pattern electrically connected to the light emitting chip <NUM>.

The light emitting chip <NUM> may be a light emitting diode (LED). For example, the light emitting chip <NUM> may emit at least one selected from infrared, UV, and visible light, as the therapeutic light.

The cover <NUM> is formed of a material transmitting the light from the light emitting chip <NUM> therethrough and covers the light emitting chip <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> has a light incident surface through which the light from the light emitting chip <NUM> enters the cover and a light exit surface through which the light from the light emitting chip <NUM> exits the cover.

In one embodiment, the light incident surface of the cover <NUM> may adjoin the light emitting chip <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. That is, the cover <NUM> may fill a space between the light emitting chip and the light exit surface. For example, the cover <NUM> may be formed of a silicone resin or an epoxy resin.

In another embodiment, the light incident surface of the cover <NUM> may be spaced apart from the light emitting chip <NUM>. For example, the cover <NUM> may be formed of quartz or glass. Here, a space between the cover <NUM> and the light emitting chip <NUM> may be empty or may be filled with a light-transmissive resin.

The cover <NUM> protects the light emitting chip <NUM> from external foreign substances, such as dust and moisture, and external impact. However, the cover <NUM> may not be included in the light source <NUM> and may be omitted as needed.

The light source <NUM> may further include a wavelength conversion material (not shown) converting a wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting chip <NUM>.

The wavelength conversion material converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting chip <NUM> into a wavelength suitable for a specific purpose.

The body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are moved downward by the first moving unit <NUM>. As the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are moved downward, at least some of the multiple light sources <NUM> contact the user's body. Here, the body <NUM> is deformed by pressure of the user's body against the multiple light sources. As a result, the multiple light sources <NUM> closely contact a surface of the user's body. For example, the multiple light sources <NUM> closely contact a surface of the toe <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this way, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can deliver the therapeutic light to the treatment site with the multiple light sources <NUM> closely contacting the user's body.

The controller <NUM> controls the overall operation of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls operation of the first moving unit <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> based on the treatment site-related information detected by the treatment site detection unit <NUM>.

The heat dissipation unit <NUM> dissipates heat from the treatment space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat dissipation unit <NUM> can prevent heat-induced damage to the user's body inserted into the treatment space <NUM>. In addition, the heat dissipation unit <NUM> can prevent deterioration in performance of the components disposed on the housing <NUM> through heat dissipation from the components. For example, the heat dissipation unit <NUM> may be any known device that can provide heat dissipation, such as a fan and a heatsink.

Next, a phototherapy operation of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> acquires an image of a user's body placed in the treatment space <NUM> through photography of the user's body. In addition, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> detects a treatment site from the image and transmits a treatment site signal to the controller <NUM>.

In response to the treatment site signal, the controller <NUM> transmits a vertical movement signal to the first moving unit <NUM>.

In response to the vertical movement signal, the moving unit <NUM> performs a length extension operation. When the first moving unit <NUM> performs the length extension operation, the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> connected to the first moving unit <NUM> are moved downward. The first moving unit <NUM> stops the length extension operation when the length of the first moving unit <NUM> is extended to the maximum extent or when the length of the first moving unit <NUM> is no longer extended due to the user's body located under the first moving unit <NUM>.

When the first moving unit <NUM> stops the length extension operation, at least some of the multiple light sources <NUM> closely contact a surface of the user's body. Here, the user's body which the light sources <NUM> closely contact includes a treatment site. For example, the multiple light sources <NUM> closely contact a surface of a toe <NUM> including a toenail, which is the treatment site.

The controller <NUM> controls the light source unit <NUM> based on the treatment site-related information when the first moving unit <NUM> stops the length extension operation.

The controller <NUM> selects light sources <NUM> positioned at locations corresponding to the treatment site.

For example, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the location of each light source <NUM> corresponds to the toenail or the skin of the toe <NUM> based on the treatment site-related information. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may select light sources <NUM> corresponding in location to the toenail.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may select light sources <NUM> corresponding in location to the boundary between the toenail and the skin and light sources <NUM> disposed inside the corresponding light sources <NUM> based on the treatment site-related information.

The controller <NUM> controls the phototherapy operation of the light source unit <NUM> through power supply to the selected light sources <NUM>. Accordingly, among the multiple light sources <NUM> of the light source unit <NUM>, only the light sources <NUM> closely contacting the treatment site emit the therapeutic light.

Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can deliver the therapeutic light only to the treatment site of the user's body placed in the treatment space <NUM>. For example, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can deliver the therapeutic light only to the toenail while preventing exposure of the skin of the toe <NUM> to the therapeutic light.

The controller <NUM> controls the light source unit <NUM> to stop the phototherapy operation upon lapse of a predetermined period of time after initiation of phototherapy. Here, phototherapy operation time may be preset and stored in the controller <NUM> or in another component of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> to stop the phototherapy operation in response to an external input signal.

When the phototherapy operation is stopped, the controller <NUM> transmits a vertical return signal to the first moving unit <NUM>.

In response to the vertical return signal, the first moving unit <NUM> is returned to an original position thereof. When the first moving unit <NUM> is returned to the original position thereof, the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are moved upward and separated from the user's body. As the light sources <NUM> are separated from the user's body, the force applied to the body <NUM> is removed and the body <NUM> is returned to an original shape thereof.

With the body <NUM> having elastic deformability, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can bring the light sources <NUM> into close contact with the treatment site. In addition, with the treatment site detection unit <NUM>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can select light sources <NUM> positioned at the treatment site and can allow only the selected light sources <NUM> to emit the therapeutic light. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can allow only the light sources <NUM> closely contacting the treatment site to emit the therapeutic light, thereby allowing only the treatment site to be exposed to the therapeutic light. Further, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can prevent other normal sites from being damaged due to exposure to the therapeutic light through restriction of delivery of the therapeutic light only to the treatment site.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment includes five treatment site detection units <NUM> and five treatment units <NUM> disposed in the treatment space <NUM> to treat the toenail. However, it will be understood that the structure of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> may include one treatment site detection unit <NUM> adapted to detect multiple treatment sites. In addition, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> may include one treatment site detection unit <NUM> and one treatment unit <NUM> or may include various other numbers of treatment site detection units <NUM> and treatment units <NUM>.

Next, phototherapy apparatuses according to other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Description of the same components as in the above embodiment will be omitted or briefly given. For details of the same components as in the above embodiment, refer to description given for the above embodiment.

<FIG> are exemplary views of a phototherapy apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view (B1-B2) of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is another sectional view (B3-B4) of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a view of an inner upper surface of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes a housing <NUM>, a treatment site detection unit <NUM>, a second moving unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heat dissipation unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls a first moving unit <NUM> and a light source unit <NUM> of the treatment unit <NUM> based on treatment site-related information received from the treatment site detection unit <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> controls the second moving unit <NUM> based on the treatment site-related information.

The treatment unit <NUM> includes the first moving unit <NUM>, a body <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM>, and a connection portion <NUM>. The connection unit <NUM> is connected to the first moving unit <NUM> and the second moving unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the connection portion <NUM> is fastened at an upper end to the second moving unit <NUM>. For example, the upper end of the connection portion <NUM> may be inserted into the second moving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the connection portion <NUM> may surround a portion of the second moving unit <NUM>.

In addition, the connection portion <NUM> is connected at a lower end to the first moving unit <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the first moving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the connection portion <NUM> may be separately formed from the first moving unit <NUM> and may be coupled to the first moving unit <NUM> in various ways.

The treatment unit <NUM> is coupled to the second moving unit <NUM> via the connection portion <NUM> and is horizontally moved by the second moving unit <NUM>.

The second moving unit <NUM> is disposed on an inner upper surface of the housing <NUM> facing a treatment space <NUM>.

The second moving unit <NUM> extends along a line connecting a front surface of the housing <NUM> to a back surface of the housing <NUM>. The treatment unit <NUM> is horizontally moved along the second moving unit <NUM>. That is, the second moving unit <NUM> moves the treatment unit <NUM> toward the front surface of the housing <NUM>, which is formed with an entrance, or moves the treatment unit <NUM> toward the back surface of the housing <NUM>, which is opposite the front surface.

The controller <NUM> generates a horizontal movement signal based on the treatment site-related information received from the treatment site detection unit <NUM>. The horizontal movement signal contains information about a location of a treatment site. For example, the information about the location of the treatment site may include information about a location of the center of the treatment site. Alternatively, the information about the location of the treatment site may include information about a location of the boundary between the treatment site and other normal sites. As such, the information about the location of the treatment site may include any type of information that allows identification of the location of the treatment site.

The controller <NUM> transmits the horizontal movement signal containing the information about the location of the treatment site to the second moving unit <NUM>.

In response to the horizontal movement signal, the second moving unit <NUM> moves the treatment unit <NUM> to a position over the treatment site. Here, the second moving unit <NUM> may move the treatment unit <NUM> such that a lower surface of the treatment unit <NUM> is positioned over the entire treatment site.

When the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment includes multiple treatment units <NUM>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> may include the same number of second moving units <NUM> as the number of treatment units <NUM> such that each of the treatment units <NUM> can be moved to a different position. Accordingly, the multiple second moving units <NUM> may be connected to respective treatment units <NUM> to individually move each of the multiple treatment units <NUM>.

When the second moving unit <NUM> is positioned over the treatment site, the controller <NUM> generates a vertical movement signal and transmits the vertical movement signal to the first moving unit <NUM>.

In response to the vertical movement signal, the first moving unit <NUM> is operated to be extended in length. As the first moving unit <NUM> is extended in length, the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are moved downward.

When the light source unit <NUM> closely contacts the treatment site, the controller <NUM> controls the light source unit <NUM> such that a light source <NUM> closely contacting the treatment site emits the therapeutic light.

After completion of phototherapy, the controller <NUM> generates a vertical return signal and transmits the vertical return signal to the first moving unit <NUM>.

When the first moving unit <NUM> is returned to an original position thereof, the controller <NUM> generates a horizontal return signal and transmits the horizontal return signal to the second moving unit <NUM>.

In response to the horizontal return signal, the second moving unit <NUM> is returned to an original position thereof.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may simultaneously transmit the vertical return signal and the horizontal return signal to the first moving unit <NUM> and the second moving unit <NUM>, respectively.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment detects the location of the treatment site using the treatment site detection unit <NUM> and moves the treatment unit <NUM> to a position over the detected treatment site using the second moving unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> allows the treatment unit <NUM> to cover the entire treatment site in a more accurate manner than when a user personally positions the treatment site under the treatment unit <NUM>. Thus, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> allows phototherapy to be applied to the entire treatment site at the same time.

<FIG> are exemplary views of a phototherapy apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a view of an inner upper surface of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of one exemplary light source <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of another exemplary light source <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment includes the housing <NUM>, the treatment site detection unit <NUM>, the second moving unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heat dissipation unit <NUM>.

The treatment unit <NUM> includes a first moving unit <NUM>, a body <NUM>, and a light source unit <NUM> including multiple light sources <NUM>.

In this embodiment, each of the multiple light sources <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>, at least one light emitting chip <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, and a body detection unit <NUM>. The body detection unit <NUM> detects contact with the user's body.

Referring to <FIG>, the body detection unit <NUM> is disposed around an edge of the light source <NUM>. In addition, the body detection unit <NUM> is provided to each light source <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the one exemplary light source <NUM> has a structure in which the body detection unit <NUM> is disposed on an upper surface of the substrate <NUM> and covers a side surface of the cover <NUM>. Although the light source <NUM> has been described to include the cover <NUM> in this embodiment, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the cover <NUM> may be omitted.

A light source constituting the light source unit <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment is not limited to the light source <NUM> of <FIG>. A light source constituting the light source unit <NUM> may be the other exemplary light source <NUM> of <FIG>. The light source <NUM> of <FIG> has a structure in which the body detection unit <NUM> is disposed on an upper surface of the cover <NUM>.

As such, an upper surface of the body detection unit <NUM> may be flush with or higher than an upper surface of the light emitting chip <NUM>. In addition, the upper surface of the body detection unit <NUM> may be flush with or higher than an upper surface of the upper surface of the cover <NUM>. Accordingly, when the treatment unit <NUM> is moved downward to perform phototherapy, the body detection unit <NUM> contacts the user's body placed in the treatment space <NUM>.

In response to a treatment site signal from the treatment site detection unit <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls at least one of the first moving unit <NUM> and the second moving unit <NUM> such that the treatment unit <NUM> closely contacts the treatment site.

Upon contact with the user's body, the body detection unit <NUM> of each light source <NUM> generates a body detection signal and transmits the body detection signal to the controller <NUM>.

In response to the body detection signals from the light sources <NUM>, the controller <NUM> stops the length extension operation of the first moving unit <NUM> to stop downward movement of the treatment unit <NUM>.

For example, when the controller <NUM> receives the body detection signal greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the controller <NUM> may determine that the entire treatment site closely contacts the light sources <NUM>. Here, the predetermined value may be the number of body detection units <NUM> generating the body detection signal received by the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may determine the degree of close contact between the user's body and the light source unit <NUM> through identification of the number of light sources <NUM> having generated the body detection signal. Here, the light source <NUM> having generated the body detection signal is a light source <NUM> including a body detection unit <NUM> having generated the body detection signal. Further, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the entire treatment site closely contacts the light sources <NUM> based on the degree of close contact between the user's body and the light source unit <NUM>.

For example, when the controller <NUM> receives the body detection signal from <NUM>% or more of all the light sources <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may stop the length extension operation of the first moving unit <NUM>.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may determine the degree of close contact between the treatment site and the light source unit <NUM> through comparison of the treatment site-related information with the received body detection signal. When the controller <NUM> receives the body detection signal from all the body detection units <NUM> of light sources <NUM> positioned in a region corresponding to the treatment site, the controller <NUM> may determine that the entire treatment site closely contacts the light sources <NUM>. When the controller <NUM> receives the body detection signal from all the light sources <NUM> closely contacting the treatment site, the controller <NUM> may stop the length extension operation of the first moving unit <NUM>.

Thereafter, the controller <NUM> controls the light source unit <NUM> to perform phototherapy.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment delivers the therapeutic light to the treatment site after the controller <NUM> receives both the treatment site signal and the body detection signal. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can prevent the light source unit <NUM> from emitting the therapeutic light before the treatment unit <NUM> closely contacts the treatment site. Thus, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can prevent the therapeutic light from being delivered to a body site other than the treatment site by allowing the therapeutic light to be emitted after the treatment unit <NUM> closely contacts the entire treatment site.

In addition, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can detect a point in time when the treatment unit <NUM> closely contacts the entire treatment site. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can adjust the range of downward movement of the treatment unit <NUM> depending on the height of the treatment site inserted into the treatment space <NUM>. Thus, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can prevent user discomfort due to intense pressure of the treatment unit <NUM> against the user's body including the treatment site.

<FIG> is an exemplary view of a phototherapy apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a view of an inner upper surface of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment includes a housing <NUM>, a treatment site detection unit, a second moving unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heat dissipation unit <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the treatment site detection unit includes a first treatment site detection unit <NUM> detecting a location of a treatment site and a second treatment site detection unit <NUM> detecting the treatment site.

For example, the first treatment site detection unit <NUM> may include a photographing device and the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may include an optical sensor. In addition, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may be disposed inside each light source <NUM>.

The first treatment site detection unit <NUM> photographs a user's body inserted into the treatment space <NUM>. In addition, the first treatment site detection unit <NUM> detects the location of the treatment site based on an acquired image of the user's body. The first treatment site detection unit <NUM> transmits a treatment site location signal containing information about the location of the treatment site to the controller <NUM>.

In response to the treatment site location signal, the controller <NUM> controls the first moving unit <NUM> and the second moving unit <NUM> such that the treatment unit <NUM> closely contacts the user's body including the treatment site. Here, the controller <NUM> may stop the length extension operation of the first moving unit <NUM> upon receiving a body detection signal from a body detection unit <NUM> of the treatment unit <NUM>.

When the operation of the first moving unit <NUM> is stopped, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> starts a treatment site detection operation. For example, upon receiving a treatment site detection signal from the controller <NUM>, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may start the treatment site detection operation.

Alternatively, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may start the treatment site detection operation when the body detection signal is generated from a light source <NUM> in which the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> is disposed.

The second treatment site detection unit <NUM> receives light reflected from the user's body. For example, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> delivers detection light to the user's body and receives the detection light reflected from the user's body. The second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may determine whether a body site closely contacting the light source <NUM> is the treatment site or a normal site based on calculation of a reflectance with respect to the detection light. Here, the detection light is light used to determine whether the body site is the treatment site or the normal site. For example, the detection light may be visible light having a specific wavelength.

Different sites in the body absorb different amounts of light. That is, different sites in the body can have different reflectance values. In addition, there can be a difference in reflectance between a normal body site and a body site in which an infectious agent is present. For example, the skin of the toe has a different reflectance than the toenail. Accordingly, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> calculates a reflectance with respect to the detection light and compares the calculated reflectance with a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value is a reflectance measured at the treatment site. When the calculated reflectance corresponds to the predetermined value, the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> generates a treatment site detection signal and transmits the treatment site detection signal to the controller <NUM>.

Upon receiving the treatment site detection signal, the controller <NUM> determines that the light source <NUM> including the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> having generated the treatment site detection signal is positioned at the treatment site.

Each treatment site detection unit may include multiple second treatment site detection units <NUM>. For example, two second treatment site detection units <NUM> may be disposed inside each light source <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Each of the multiple second treatment site detection units <NUM> disposed inside each light source <NUM> may perform a treatment site detection operation. The multiple second treatment site detection units <NUM> may produce different detection results depending on which body site the second treatment site detection unit faces. For example, when all the light sources <NUM> are positioned at the treatment site, all the multiple second treatment site detection units <NUM> transmit the treatment site detection signal to the controller <NUM>. When the light source <NUM> is positioned at the boundary between the treatment site and a normal site, only one second treatment site detection unit <NUM> may transmit the treatment site detection signal to the controller <NUM>.

Provided that the controller <NUM> receives the treatment site detection signal from all the second treatment site detection units <NUM> disposed in one light source <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines that the light source <NUM> is positioned at the treatment site.

The controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> such that the light source <NUM> determined to be positioned at the treatment site emits the therapeutic light.

With the second treatment site detection unit <NUM> disposed inside each light source <NUM>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment determines whether a body site closely contacting a corresponding light source <NUM> is the treatment site. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can more precisely select light sources <NUM> positioned at the treatment site.

In addition, with the multiple second treatment site detection units <NUM> disposed inside each light source <NUM>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can select light sources <NUM> closely contacting only the treatment site.

Thus, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can restrict delivery of the therapeutic light to the exact treatment site through precise selection of light sources <NUM> closely contacting the treatment site.

<FIG> is an exemplary view of a phototherapy apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment includes a housing <NUM>, a treatment site detection unit, a second moving unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heat dissipation unit <NUM>. The treatment site detection unit may include a first treatment site detection unit <NUM> and a second treatment site detection unit <NUM>.

In this embodiment, each of the multiple light sources <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>, at least one light emitting chip <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, a body detection unit <NUM>, and a temperature sensor <NUM>. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided to each light source <NUM>.

When the light source <NUM> delivers the therapeutic light to a treatment site, the temperature at the treatment site may be increased depending on the wavelength, intensity, and exposure time of the therapeutic light.

The temperature sensor <NUM> detects the temperature around the light source <NUM> and a user's body. Upon detecting a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined value, the temperature sensor <NUM> transmits a temperature signal to the controller <NUM>.

In response to the temperature signal, the controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> such that all the light sources <NUM> stop emitting the therapeutic light.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> such that a corresponding light source <NUM> stops emitting the therapeutic light in response to the temperature signal. Here, the corresponding light source <NUM> is a light source <NUM> including a temperature sensor <NUM> having generated the temperature signal.

Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can prevent damage to the user's body due to the therapeutic light delivered to the treatment site. For example, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can prevent a user from being burned by the therapeutic light or experiencing discomfort due to high temperature.

<FIG> are exemplary views of a phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment includes a treatment site detection unit <NUM>, a treatment unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>.

The treatment site detection unit <NUM> includes a wound detection unit <NUM> and an infection detection unit <NUM>.

The wound detection unit <NUM> detects a wound on the skin and a location of a wound site <NUM>. The wound detection unit <NUM> includes a first measurement light source <NUM> and a first light receiving source <NUM>. The first measurement light source <NUM> may include a substrate and a light emitting chip emitting light for wound detection.

The wound detection unit <NUM> emits light having a specific wavelength and receives light emitted from a wound by excitation of the light.

An open wound exposes dermal tissue of the skin to an outside environment. When the dermal tissue of the skin is exposed to the outside environment, fibrous proteins present in the dermis are also exposed to the outside environment. Here, examples of the fibrous proteins include collagen, elastin, and the like.

For example, collagen absorbs light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> by excitation of the absorbed light. In addition, elastin absorbs light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and emits light having a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM> by excitation of the absorbed light.

Accordingly, the first measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and the first light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>. Alternatively, the first measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and the first light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM>. Alternatively, the first measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM> and the first light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In this way, the wound detection unit <NUM> detects the location and extent of the wound site <NUM> through detection of the exposed fibrous proteins.

The infection detection unit <NUM> detects an infected site <NUM> in the wound site <NUM>. That is, the infection detection unit <NUM> detects an infectious agent present in the wound site <NUM>. The infection detection unit <NUM> includes a second measurement light source <NUM> and a second light receiving source <NUM>. The second measurement light source <NUM> may include a substrate and a light emitting chip emitting light for detection of the infected site <NUM>.

The infection detection unit <NUM> emits light having a specific wavelength and receives light emitted from the infectious agent by excitation of the incident light.

Porphyrin is a necessary element for organic respiration of infectious agents such as bacteria. Porphyrin absorbs light having a specific wavelength and emits light by excitation of the absorbed light.

For example, porphyrin absorbs light having a wavelength of <NUM> and emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> by excitation of the absorbed light. Alternatively, porphyrin absorbs light having a wavelength of <NUM> and emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> by excitation of the absorbed light.

Accordingly, the second measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having a wavelength of <NUM> and the second light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having a wavelength of <NUM>. Alternatively, the second measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having a wavelength of <NUM> and the second light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having a wavelength of <NUM>. Alternatively, the second measurement light source <NUM> may emit light having wavelengths of <NUM> and <NUM> and the second light receiving source <NUM> may receive light having wavelengths of <NUM> and <NUM>.

Porphyrin produces active oxygen through absorption of light. When the concentration of active oxygen is low, cells of an infectious agent proliferate. When the concentration of active oxygen is high, an infectious agent stops cell division and cells of the infectious agent die due to activation of a substance involved in cell death.

Accordingly, the infection detection unit <NUM> may serve not only to detect the infection site <NUM> but also to kill cells of an infectious agent.

In order to accurately detect the wound site <NUM> and the infected site <NUM> in the wound site <NUM>, it is desirable that light used in the wound detection unit <NUM> have a different wavelength from light used in the infection detection unit <NUM>. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first measurement light source <NUM> of the wound detection unit <NUM> emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and the first light receiving source <NUM> of the wound detection unit <NUM> emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>, whereas the second measurement light source <NUM> of the infection detection unit <NUM> emits light having a wavelength of <NUM> and the second light receiving source <NUM> of the infection detection unit <NUM> receives light having a wavelength of <NUM>.

Although the treatment site detection unit <NUM> is shown as including one first light receiving source <NUM> and one second light receiving source <NUM> in <FIG>, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the treatment site detection unit <NUM> may include multiple first light receiving sources <NUM> and multiple second light receiving sources <NUM>.

The treatment unit <NUM> includes a moving unit <NUM>, a body <NUM>, and a light source unit <NUM>.

The light source unit <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the body <NUM>. The light source unit <NUM> includes multiple light sources <NUM>. Each of the light source <NUM> may include a light emitting chip emitting therapeutic light capable of killing an infectious agent present at a wound. For example, the light source <NUM> may emit at least one selected from among light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>, which is germicidal UVC light, and light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>, which is UVB light.

Alternatively, the light source <NUM> may emit therapeutic light capable of causing death of the infectious agent through increase in concentration of active oxygen in the infectious agent. For example, the light source <NUM> may emit at least one selected from among light having a wavelength of <NUM> and light having a wavelength of <NUM>, which are absorbable by porphyrin.

Alternatively, the light source <NUM> may emit both light capable of killing the infectious agent and light capable of increasing the concentration of active oxygen in the infectious agent.

Although the light source unit <NUM> is shown as including multiple light sources in <FIG>, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The light source unit <NUM> may have a structure in which multiple light emitting chips are mounted on a single substrate.

The moving unit <NUM> is connected to an upper surface of the body <NUM>. In addition, one end of the moving unit <NUM> is moved up or down in response to a signal from the controller <NUM>. Here, the one end of the moving unit <NUM> is a portion at which the moving unit <NUM> contacts the body <NUM>. Accordingly, the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> may be moved up or down by movement of the moving unit <NUM>.

In addition, the one end of the moving unit <NUM> connected to the body <NUM> may be moved right or left in response to a signal from the controller <NUM>. As the one end of the moving unit <NUM> is moved to right or left, the body <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are also moved right or left. For example, the moving unit <NUM> may be an arm as shown in <FIG>.

According to this embodiment, the treatment site detection unit <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> are disposed on the lower surface of the body <NUM> of the treatment unit <NUM>. In addition, the wound detection unit <NUM>, the infection detection unit <NUM>, and the light source unit <NUM> may be configured separately from one another or may share a single substrate.

In addition, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment includes multiple treatment units <NUM> and multiple treatment site detection units <NUM>. For convenience of description, respective main bodies <NUM> of the multiple treatment units <NUM> shown in <FIG> are referred to as first to third main bodies <NUM> to <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> includes first to third main bodies <NUM> to <NUM> connected to one another. The light source unit <NUM> and the treatment site detection unit <NUM> are disposed on each of the first to third main bodies <NUM> to <NUM>.

The first body <NUM> is connected to a lower end of the moving unit <NUM> with the treatment site detection unit <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> facing downward, and the second body <NUM> and the third body <NUM> are disposed at opposite sides of the first body <NUM>. Here, the second body <NUM> and the third body <NUM> are disposed such that the respective treatment site detection units <NUM> and light source units <NUM> thereof face downwardly of the first body <NUM>. In addition, the second body <NUM> and the third body <NUM> may be disposed at varying angles with respect to the first body <NUM>. Accordingly, a treatment space <NUM> is defined inside the body <NUM> by the first to third bodies <NUM> to <NUM>. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can ensure more accurate detection and treatment of the treatment site by varying the location of the treatment site detection unit <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> facing the treatment space <NUM>.

Although the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> has been described as including three bodies <NUM>, three light source units <NUM>, and three treatment site detection units <NUM>, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The numbers of bodies <NUM>, light source units <NUM>, and treatment site detection units <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> may be varied according to the choice of those skilled in the art.

The controller <NUM> controls the overall operation of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment.

The controller <NUM> controls operation of the moving unit <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> based on information about the wound site <NUM> and the infected site <NUM> detected by the treatment site detection unit <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> may control operation of the treatment site detection unit <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> displays treatment site-related information. For example, the display unit <NUM> may display the location and extent of a wound, the shape of the wound site <NUM>, and the like. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may display the location of the infected site <NUM>, the extent of infection, and the like. The display unit <NUM> may display the treatment site-related information in the form of an image.

In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be disposed anywhere so long as the display unit <NUM> can display the treatment site-related information in the form of an image. For example, the display unit <NUM> may be disposed on a main body <NUM> provided with the controller <NUM>, the moving unit <NUM>, and the like. Alternatively, the display unit <NUM> may be configured as a separate device.

Next, the phototherapy operation of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment will be described.

Referring to <FIG>, a treatment site is inserted into the treatment space <NUM>. Here, in response to an external signal, the controller <NUM> may control the wound detection unit <NUM> to detect the wound site <NUM> on a toe <NUM>, which is a body site inserted into the treatment space <NUM>. For example, the external signal may be a signal input through the main body <NUM> of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> to instruct start of the phototherapy operation. Alternatively, the external signal may be a signal from a sensor detecting insertion of the body site into the treatment space <NUM>.

When the wound detection unit <NUM> detects no wound site <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may stop all operations of the phototherapy apparatus <NUM>.

When the wound detection unit detects a wound site <NUM>, but the wound detection unit fails to detect the entirety of the wound site <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls the moving unit <NUM>. For example, when the wound detection unit <NUM> detects a wound site <NUM> completely surrounded by normal sites, the controller <NUM> does not move the moving unit <NUM>. On the contrary, when the wound detection unit <NUM> detects a wound site partially surrounded by normal sites, the controller <NUM> may control the moving unit <NUM> such that the wound detection unit <NUM> is spaced farther apart from the wound site <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> may control the moving unit <NUM> to be moved upward such that the wound detection unit <NUM> can detect the entirety of the wound area <NUM>.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may change the angle of the body <NUM> located at both sides of the body site such that the wound detection unit <NUM> is spaced farther apart from the wound site <NUM>.

When the entirety of the wound site <NUM> is detected, the controller <NUM> may control the infection detection unit <NUM> to detect the infected site <NUM> in the wound site <NUM>.

Here, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> may display information such as the location, extent, and shape of the wound site <NUM> and the infected site <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> may display the information about the wound site <NUM> and the infected site <NUM> in the form of an image, as shown in <FIG>. A user may determine the degree of the wound and the degree of infection in the wound site <NUM> based on the image displayed by the display unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> to emit the therapeutic light based on infection-related information detected by the infection detection unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the light source unit <NUM> such that a light source corresponding in location to the infected site <NUM> emits the therapeutic light. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can deliver the therapeutic light only to the infected site <NUM> detected by the infection detection unit <NUM>.

Here, the controller <NUM> may control the moving unit <NUM> such that the light source unit <NUM> closely contacts the treatment site. In this way, it is possible to reduce the range of illumination with the therapeutic light from each light source, thereby ensuring exact delivery of the therapeutic light to the infected site <NUM>.

When an infectious agent is removed from the infected site <NUM> by phototherapy, the display unit <NUM> displays an image of the wound site <NUM> from which the infectious agent has disappeared, as shown in <FIG>.

In this way, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can identify the infected site <NUM> in the wound site <NUM> and can deliver the therapeutic light primarily to the infected site <NUM>. In addition, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> can ensure real time monitoring of the infectious agent removal process through the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment can prevent incomplete treatment of infections due to insufficient phototherapy application time or unnecessary exposure of a user's body to the therapeutic light due to excessive phototherapy application time.

The phototherapy apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment may further include other components described above related to the phototherapy apparatuses according to the above embodiments.

Claim 1:
A phototherapy apparatus comprising:
a treatment site detection unit for detecting a treatment site in a user's body;
a treatment unit comprising a first moving unit movable in a vertical direction, a body mounted on the first moving unit, a light source unit comprising multiple light sources disposed on a lower surface of the body and emitting therapeutic light; and
a controller for controlling operation of the first moving unit and the light source unit, the controller being configured to control:
upon detection of the treatment site with the treatment site detection unit, the first moving unit to bring the light source unit into contact with the treatment site; and,
upon determination of contact between the light source unit and the treatment site, the light source unit positioned at the treatment site to emit the therapeutic light; and,
wherein the body of the treatment unit is deformable by pressure of the treatment site against the multiple light sources and, upon release of the pressure, the body of the treatment unit is configured to return to an original shape thereof.