KR102757630B1 - Wearable illumination device and system for inducing synthesis of vitamin d in the body - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body includes a wearable lighting device formed as a wearable structure on a human body and including a plurality of light sources that radiate ultraviolet light to the skin of a wearing portion, and a control device connected to the plurality of light sources and driving the plurality of light sources to radiate the ultraviolet light, and the wearable lighting device includes a light diffusion panel that causes diffusion of ultraviolet light radiated from the plurality of light sources to make uniform the irradiance of ultraviolet light reaching the skin.

Description

Wearable lighting device and system for inducing vitamin D production in the body {WEARABLE ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR INDUCING SYNTHESIS OF VITAMIN D IN THE BODY}

The present disclosure relates to a wearable lighting device and system thereof for inducing vitamin D production in the body.

It is known that most of the vitamin D3 required for metabolism can be naturally synthesized in the body by ultraviolet B light from sunlight when the human body is exposed to an appropriate amount of sunlight every day.

However, vitamin D deficiency is occurring worldwide due to insufficient exposure to sunlight among modern people who spend most of their time indoors. In the case of sunlight, the UVB (Ultraviolet B) band is relatively small compared to the sunlight or near-infrared range, requiring exposure for several hours. In addition, modern people often use sunscreen when going out, making vitamin D deficiency even more serious.

Vitamin D is difficult to meet daily requirements through food intake. Therefore, oral vitamin supplements have been required to prevent vitamin D deficiency in cases where sufficient exposure to sunlight is not possible.

However, there are concerns about side effects that may occur when taking high-concentration vitamin supplements, as the initial amount of vitamin D in the body increases rapidly.

Therefore, research and development have been conducted on a phototherapy device that can naturally synthesize vitamin D in the body using an artificial light source. The phototherapy device irradiates ultraviolet light to the human skin to induce natural vitamin D synthesis in the body.

It is known that the amount of vitamin D synthesis per unit area by ultraviolet B light is proportional to the total amount of energy (dose) exposed per unit area. Therefore, when the irradiance corresponding to the amount of energy per unit area per unit time of ultraviolet B light irradiated on the skin is given, the required amount of energy can be achieved by controlling the exposure time. When a light source limited to ultraviolet B is used, the amount of vitamin D synthesis that takes several hours in the sun can be achieved in a very short time of about several minutes, so that vitamin D synthesis can be induced without interfering with the busy lifestyles of modern people.

However, it is known that in the case of ultraviolet wavelength light, due to the characteristic of high energy per photon compared to general visible light, if exposed to excessive amounts, it can cause erythema on the skin in the short term and pigmentation or skin cancer in the long term. In order to prevent such side effects, in the case of ultraviolet light therapy devices, it is very important that the light is not concentrated on a specific area of the skin compared to visible light or infrared light therapy, and that the light is irradiated uniformly so as not to exceed the energy limit.

In order to generate uniform light irradiation, a technology that can fundamentally implement a surface light source is required. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), and quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are known as suitable technologies. However, none of these methods have yet been able to overcome the phenomenon in which the light-emitting material itself is easily transformed by ultraviolet light with high energy per photon when implementing an ultraviolet light source. Therefore, in order to apply this light source technology to a phototherapy device for vitamin D synthesis that requires regular, long-term light irradiation, the durability issue must be resolved first. Likewise, due to the difficulty in developing a surface light source that emits ultraviolet B, the development of ultraviolet phototherapy devices is progressing more slowly than that of visible light or red light phototherapy.

In addition, commercialized ultraviolet light therapy devices are in the form of whole-body light source devices that use gas discharge lamps. Ultraviolet light sources based on gas discharge lamps are bulky and non-uniform in themselves, so they require a wide space of at least 1m away from the light source for light therapy. In this case, there is no risk of low-temperature burns due to heat generation and light uniformity issues, but there is a problem that the light therapy efficiency is low because light is lost to spaces other than the target body. In addition, special care is required, such as wearing protective goggles to protect the eyes, etc. from the ultraviolet light that spreads to the surroundings.

An alternative to gas discharge lamps is a method using inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on III-V group compound semiconductors. However, inorganic light-emitting diodes are in the form of quasi-point sources, so when they are emitted at close range from the skin, the distance for the light to spread sufficiently is not secured, so the light is concentrated around the LED, which may cause side effects due to excessive energy irradiation in that area. To prevent this, if the distance from the skin is increased, the overall size of the device increases, which is a trade-off between portability and space utilization.

The present disclosure relates to a wearable lighting device and system thereof that induces vitamin D production in the body by inducing vitamin D3 synthesis in the body using an ultraviolet B light source.

The present disclosure relates to a wearable lighting device and system thereof that induces vitamin D production in the body, which can be easily worn on arms, legs, etc., maintains a portable form, and implements uniform light radiation with a smaller number of LEDs even at a close distance from the skin, in phototherapy using an ultraviolet-B light source.

According to one feature, a wearable lighting device includes a housing formed in a structure that can be worn on a human body, a light source installed on an inner portion of the housing and radiating ultraviolet light to the skin of a human body accommodated within the housing for inducing vitamin D in the body, and a light diffusion panel positioned between the light source and the skin and causing diffusion of ultraviolet light radiated from the light source to uniformize the irradiance of ultraviolet light reaching the skin.

The above light diffusion panel can form a three-dimensional pattern that causes light diffusion at the boundary surface where ultraviolet light is incident from the light source.

The above three-dimensional pattern may include a micro pattern having an inwardly concave shape facing the light diffusion panel at the boundary surface.

The above light diffusion panel may include light scattering particles having a different refractive index from the above light diffusion panel and causing light diffusion of the ultraviolet light.

The above light diffusion panel may be made of a material having an ultraviolet ray transmittance higher than that of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

The wearable lighting device may further include at least one spacer positioned between the housing and the light diffusion panel to separate the light source from the skin by a predetermined distance.

The at least one spacer may be formed at a height such that one end is connected to the housing and the other end is connected to the light diffusion panel to space the light source from the skin by a predetermined distance.

The housing may be made of a flexible material so as to be able to wrap around the arm of a human body, and at least one Velcro tape may be attached to a fastening portion formed on one side, and a fastening portion formed on the other side may be fastened to the at least one Velcro tape to secure the Velcro tape, and may be structured to wrap around the arm and be detachably worn on the arm.

The above housing may be formed integrally or assembled with a light blocking member to prevent the ultraviolet light from leaking to the outside.

The light source includes a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements, and the plurality of LED elements are arranged in series or in parallel, connected to the electrode wiring on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) on which electrode wiring is installed, and a connector is connected to the electrode wiring to which a control device that supplies current to the plurality of light sources is connected, and a heat sink may be installed on the rear surface of the flexible PCB at a point close to the point where the plurality of light sources are installed to minimize heat transfer to the skin.

According to another feature, a system for inducing vitamin D production in the body includes a wearable lighting device formed as a wearable structure on a human body and including a plurality of light sources that radiate ultraviolet light to the skin of a wearing portion, and a control device connected to the plurality of light sources and driving the plurality of light sources to radiate the ultraviolet light, and the wearable lighting device may include a light diffusion panel that causes diffusion of ultraviolet light radiated from the plurality of light sources to make uniform the irradiance of ultraviolet light reaching the skin.

The control device includes a current module connected to the plurality of light sources and supplying current supplied from a power supply to the plurality of light sources, and a control unit connected to the current module and controlling the current supply of the current module, wherein the control unit can stop the current supply when a preset time has elapsed after the current supply of the current module has started.

The wearable lighting device includes a light sensor that measures the irradiance of ultraviolet light radiated to the skin, and the control unit receives the irradiance measurement of the ultraviolet light from the light sensor, and if the irradiance measurement exceeds a set maximum irradiance, adjusts at least one of the current output amount of the current module, the current output time, the number of light sources to which current is supplied, and the light source position to reduce the irradiance of the ultraviolet light radiated to the skin.

The control device includes a user operation unit that receives user identification information and a driving command for a wearable lighting device, a control unit that checks a previous usage record matching the input user identification information to confirm the last usage time, and determines whether to drive the wearable lighting device based on whether a set period of time has passed since the last usage time, and if the control unit determines to drive the wearable lighting device, the control unit can store a usage record including an operation start time and an operation end time matching the input user identification information.

In an embodiment, it has the effect of reducing side effects such as erythema formation that may occur when ultraviolet light is concentrated on a specific area of the skin even when the light source is placed at a close distance from the skin.

In addition, the distance required to uniformly irradiate light to the skin can be shortened for the same number of light sources, enabling miniaturization of the device, and by using only the ultraviolet B light source necessary for vitamin D synthesis, vitamin D synthesis can be induced with irradiation for a remarkably short period of time compared to exposure to sunlight.

Alternatively, since fewer light sources can be used to achieve the same light uniformity standard, material and production costs can be reduced, and since UV-B light is irradiated only to the area where the wearable lighting device according to the embodiment is worn, convenience can be provided by not having to cover the eyes with safety goggles or the like.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for inducing vitamin D production in the body according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment.
Figure 3 is a drawing showing a substrate configuration in which multiple light sources are mounted according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of portion 'A' of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of portion 'A' of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an example diagram of a wearable lighting device worn on an arm according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an example diagram of a configuration of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment.
Figure 8 is an enlarged side view of the fastening portion of Figure 5.
FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment.
Figure 10 shows a state in which a light diffusion panel according to an embodiment is accommodated in a light blocking unit.
Figure 11 shows a state after a light diffusion panel according to an embodiment is accommodated in a light blocking unit.
Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present disclosure in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are assigned similar drawing reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

Additionally, terms such as “part,” “unit,” and “module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, “transmitting or providing” may include not only direct transmission or providing, but also indirect transmission or providing via another device or by using a bypass route.

In this specification, expressions described in the singular may be interpreted as singular or plural, unless explicit expressions such as “one” or “singular” are used.

In this specification, the same drawing numbers refer to the same components regardless of the drawings, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned components.

In this specification, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for inducing vitamin D production in the body according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system (100) for inducing vitamin D production in the body includes a wearable lighting device (110) and a control device (120).

The wearable lighting device (110) has a structure that is wearable and portable on the human body.

A wearable lighting device (110) includes a plurality of light sources (111) that irradiate light having an ultraviolet wavelength to the skin of a wearable part of the human body.

The light source (111) radiates light of ultraviolet B (280-320 nm) wavelength.

The light source (111) can use an inorganic light-emitting diode (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an LED) element. In the case of the LED element, durability and stability are guaranteed as an ultraviolet B light source, and since the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the light source is small, only wavelengths that are effective for vitamin D synthesis are emitted, so the phototherapy efficiency is high. In addition, since the size is small and the heat generation is low compared to a lamp, the light source can be miniaturized, so it is possible to manufacture a portable phototherapy device that can be attached to the skin.

The control device (120) is electrically connected to a plurality of light sources (111). The control device (120) drives the light source (111) by applying a forward potential to the light source (111) so that the light source (111) emits light. The control device (120) can independently drive each of the plurality of light sources (111).

According to an embodiment, a plurality of light sources (111) may be grouped into a certain number of subgroups, and the plurality of light sources (111) in the subgroups may be connected in series or in parallel. At this time, the control device (120) may drive the light sources (111) in subgroup units, thereby minimizing the number of wires in the cable connecting the wearable lighting device (110) and the control device (120). For example, when driven in light source units, as many wires as the number of light sources are required, but when the light sources are grouped in a certain number and driven in grouping units, the number of wires may be reduced to the number of groupings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a substrate on which a plurality of light sources are mounted according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of part 'A' of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of part 'A' of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a wearable lighting device (110) may include a plurality of light sources (111), a substrate (112) on which the plurality of light sources (111) are mounted, a housing (113), a light diffusion panel (114), and a plurality of spacers (115).

A plurality of light sources (111) are composed of a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements that emit ultraviolet B light, and are mounted on a substrate (112), and the substrate (112) on which the plurality of light sources (111) are mounted can be installed on the inside of a housing (113).

The substrate (112) may be composed of an LED array substrate in which a plurality of light sources (111) emitting ultraviolet B light are arranged.

According to one example, the light source (111) may have multiple LED elements arranged in parallel. The multiple LED elements may be arranged in a regular grid shape or an irregular pattern for efficient and safe light therapy. In addition, the LED array substrate may be configured to maintain its shape when attached to human skin.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of light sources (111) are arranged in a grid shape on a substrate (112) to emit light toward the skin from a certain distance or more, thereby obtaining uniformity similar to that of a surface light source. This substrate (112) may be a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 'FPCB').

The substrate (112) is provided with electrode wiring (112a) so as to provide the voltage required for operation to the cathode and anode of the LED, and a connector (112b) to which a power cable connected to an external power supply device, i.e., a control device (120), is connected is installed so that the substrate (112) can operate as an electrode pad. In addition, the substrate (112) may include a light sensor (112c).

Since the efficiency of LED light sources in converting electrical energy into light energy is usually less than 100%, some of it is lost as heat energy. Therefore, the wearable lighting device (110) may include a heat dissipation member or heat dissipation device that maintains the temperature of the light source (111) at 40 degrees or less during operation in order to reduce the risk of low-temperature burns due to heat generated from the light source (111).

As an example of a heat dissipation member or a heat dissipation device, a small fan, etc. can be installed near the rear of the light source (111). However, a separate power supply is required to drive the fan, noise is generated, and it also hinders miniaturization of the wearable lighting device (110). In order to solve this problem and minimize heat transfer toward the skin, a heat sink (112d) can be installed near the rear of the light source (111). The heat sink (112d) can effectively implement heat dissipation while maintaining miniaturization of the wearable lighting device (110). A large area of the rear surface of the substrate (112) on which a plurality of light sources (111) are arranged is formed using a conductor such as a copper film, and a portion of each light source (111) and the copper film on the rear surface of the substrate (112) can be thermally connected through a through conductor (via). At this time, the through conductor is connected while preventing short-circuiting of the light source (111) by preventing electrical contact between the cathode and anode of the light source.

A light sensor (112c) may be installed on the substrate (112). The light sensor (112c) may measure the irradiance of ultraviolet light radiated to the skin and transmit the measured value to the wearable lighting device (110).

The housing (113) is formed as an outer appearance of a wearable lighting device (110) and has a structure that can be worn on the human body.

The housing (113) may have a structure that can be worn on the human body and detached.

The housing (113) may be configured to maintain its shape when attached to human skin. The housing (113) may be configured to have a flat or curved surface to suit the body part to which it is to be attached.

The housing (113) may be made of a flexible material that can be worn on the human body. For example, the housing (113) may use a flexible polymer material such as polyurethane, but is not limited thereto.

The housing (113) may include a light blocking member (113a of FIGS. 6 and 7, 113b of FIGS. 7, 10, and 11) to prevent the ultraviolet light from spreading to areas other than the body area where the light is irradiated in order to prevent side effects caused by ultraviolet light. The light blocking member (113a, 113b) may be made of a material that absorbs ultraviolet light and may take the form of a physical blocking film, and may be configured as an integral part or assembled integral part of the housing (113).

The light diffusion panel (114) is located inside the housing (113) in which the light source (111) is installed, and can be in close contact with human skin. The light diffusion panel (114) causes diffusion of light irradiated from the light source (111) between the light source (111) and the skin, thereby making the irradiance of light reaching the skin uniform.

The light diffusion panel (114) should preferably have a high UV transmittance so as to reduce the loss of UV light from the light source (111), and it should preferably have flexibility so as to be able to be deformed according to the shape of the body part on which it is worn.

At this time, the light diffusion panel (114) may be made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a material that has high UV transmittance and excellent flexibility compared to ordinary transparent plastic materials.

However, the light diffusion panel (114) is not limited to PDMS material, and various materials having a UV transmittance higher than that of the PDMS material can be used.

If there is no UV-transmitting light diffusion panel (114), the irradiance of light reaching the skin is not uniform. However, if there is a light diffusion panel (114), the irradiance uniformity of light reaching the skin is improved due to the light diffusion panel (114), thereby reducing the concentration of UV rays on a local area, thereby reducing side effects such as erythema formation.

The light diffusion panel (114) is configured to transmit ultraviolet light emitted from the light source (111) and cover the entire light irradiation area. Due to the light diffusion panel (114), light uniformity can be improved at a short distance between the light source (111) and the skin.

An air gap of a predetermined thickness is formed between the housing (113) and the light diffusion panel (114). Accordingly, ultraviolet light emitted from the light source (111) passes through the air gap and enters the light diffusion panel (114), and light passing through the inside of the light diffusion panel (114) is emitted to the skin.

According to one embodiment, the light diffusion panel (114) may have a three-dimensional pattern (114a) formed on one or both sides of its surface to induce light diffusion, as shown in FIG. 4. According to an example, the three-dimensional pattern (114a) may be a concave micropattern. Since the concave portion has air and thus has a refractive index close to 1, and the light diffusion panel (114) has a refractive index greater than 1, a refraction phenomenon according to Snell's law occurs at the concave interface, thereby providing an effect of refracting the direction of light incident from a light source (111) and spreading the light.

According to another embodiment, the light diffusion panel (114) may include light scattering particles (114b) that cause light diffusion therein, as shown in FIG. 5. The light scattering particles (114b) are particles having a different refractive index from the light diffusion panel (114) and may be randomly arranged within the light diffusion panel (114). The light scattering particles (114b) may control the degree of diffusion depending on the concentration within the light diffusion panel (114). The light scattering particles (114b) may be nanoparticles such as SiO2 or TiO2, and the form of air bubbles, i.e. pores, may also provide the same effect.

A plurality of spacers (115) may be formed between the housing (113) and the light diffusion panel (114). The plurality of spacers (115) are formed in a structure in which one side is connected to the substrate (112) located on the inside of the housing (113) and the other side supports the light diffusion panel (114). At this time, the plurality of spacers (115) may have a three-dimensional pillar shape.

A plurality of spacers (115) are formed at a height that can separate the light source (111) from the skin by a predetermined distance. When the wearable lighting device (110) is attached or placed on the skin, it is preferable that the distance between the light source (111) and the skin is set to be less than 5 cm at the most. Accordingly, a plurality of spacers (115) having a height that can maintain the distance of less than 5 cm at the most can be formed. At this time, in order to miniaturize the housing (113), the height of the spacers (115) can be configured to be about 1 cm.

The ultraviolet light emitted from the light source (111) penetrates the light diffusion panel (114) and is irradiated to the skin with uniform irradiance to synthesize vitamin D in the body. It is known that the synthesis of vitamin D in the body is a mechanism in which 7-dehydrocholesterol, i.e., 7-DHC or provitamin D3, which naturally exists between the epidermis and the dermis, receives ultraviolet light and is converted into vitamin D through various forms of intermediate substances. Through a test tube solution experiment, it was confirmed that when light with a wavelength of ultraviolet B (280-320 nm) was irradiated to the 7-DHC substance, this conversion can occur dozens of times more efficiently than sunlight.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment worn on an arm, FIG. 7 is an example diagram of a configuration of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the fastening part of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the wearable lighting device (110) may be configured in a form that wraps around an arm of a human body. However, the wearable lighting device (110) is not limited to a form that wraps around an arm, and may be configured in a form that wraps around other parts of the body, such as a foot or calf.

On one side of the wearable lighting device (110), a cable connected to a substrate (112) on which a light source (111) installed inside is mounted is exposed, and the cable can be connected to a control device (120).

At this time, the housing (113 in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5) may be made of a flexible material so as to be able to wrap around the arm of a human body.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one Velcro tape (116) may be attached to one side of a housing (113) having a built-in light source (111), and at least one fastening portion (117) that is fastened to at least one Velcro tape (116) may be formed on the other side.

The fastening member (117) serves to secure the Velcro tape (116) and may be configured in the form of a buckle.

A separate light blocking part (113a) may be formed in a portion of the housing (113) where the fastening part (117) is not installed, i.e., in a position where the arm comes out. The light blocking part (113a) is formed integrally with the housing (113), so that when the housing (113) is worn around the arm, the inner space formed by the arm and the housing (113) is shielded with the light blocking part (113a), thereby preventing ultraviolet light irradiated on the arm from leaking to the outside.

At this time, the bending radius of the housing (113) can be adjusted to the size of the arm depending on the degree of tightening of the Velcro tape (116). At this time, the light blocking portion (113a) can be made of a material that can change shape, such as an elastic band, so that it can respond depending on the degree of bending of the housing (113).

In addition, the light blocking member (113b), which is a protruding structure supporting the fastening member (117), can serve as a light blocking member by preventing ultraviolet light from leaking out when the wearable lighting device (110) is worn by having its edge pressed against the arm.

Referring to Fig. 8, the fastening portion (117) may be in the shape of a buckle ring. A Velcro tape (116 in Fig. 7) may be inserted into a hole inside the buckle ring to enable the housing (113) to be fixed to the arm.

In this way, the wearable lighting device (110) can be formed into a structure that wraps around the arm and can be attached and detached to the arm.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment, FIG. 10 shows a state before a light diffusion panel according to the embodiment is accommodated in a light blocking unit (113b), and FIG. 11 shows a state after a light diffusion panel according to the embodiment is accommodated in a light blocking unit (113b).

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of spacers (115) are formed on the inner side of the housing (113) that is in close contact with the skin, as described in FIGS. 2 to 5.

A plurality of fastening portions (117) are formed at both ends of the housing (113) to secure Velcro tapes (116 in Fig. 7).

A tension relieving structure may be formed on the inner upper portion of the housing (113). The tension relieving structure may be a plurality of protrusions (118). When a cable drawn from the substrate (112) is tied to the protrusions (118) or fixed with an adhesive or the like, the tension is relieved so that when the cable is pulled from the outside of the housing (113), the tension is not transmitted to the portion where the substrate (112) and the cable are connected.

Hooks (119) may be formed on the upper and lower inner sides of the housing (113). These hooks (119) serve to fix the light diffusion panel (114) within the housing (113) so that it does not slip out of the housing (113). Before the light diffusion panel (114) is in close contact with the skin, the light diffusion panel (114) is not accommodated in the hooks (119), so that the upper and lower ends of the light diffusion panel (114) form a predetermined space with the hooks (119). In this state, when the wearable lighting device (110) is in close contact with the skin, the housing (113) bends and the curvature changes. In this state, the light diffusion panel (114) is not fixed to the spacers (115), so that due to the difference in the radius of curvature, the light diffusion panel (114) moves in the direction in which the hooks (119) are installed and comes into close contact with the hooks (119). Accordingly, no additional stress (shear stress) is applied to the light diffusion panel (114), so that the light diffusion panel (114) can maintain a certain distance from the skin without being torn or distorted.

In addition, referring to FIG. 10, the light blocking unit (113b) described in FIG. 7 forms a predetermined space with the light diffusion panel (114) before the light diffusion panel (114) is in close contact with the skin. In this state, when the wearable lighting device (110) is in close contact with the skin, the light diffusion panel (114) is in close contact with the light blocking unit (113b) as shown in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the light blocking unit (113b) can block ultraviolet light emitted from the light source (111) from being emitted to the outside.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the control device (120) may include a current supply module (121), a power supply unit (122), a control unit (123), a user operation unit (124), a display unit (125), a memory (126), and an alarm unit (127).

The current module (121) is electrically connected to a plurality of light sources (111) of the wearable lighting device (110). The current module (121) supplies current supplied from the power supply unit (122) to the plurality of light sources (111) under the control of the control unit (123) to cause the plurality of light sources (111) to emit light.

According to one embodiment, the current module (121) can supply current to a plurality of light sources (111) connected by cables.

In another embodiment, the current module (121) can supply current to a plurality of light sources (111) in a wireless power transfer manner. The control device (120) can remotely drive the light sources (111) using wireless power transfer.

The power supply (122) may include an adapter that converts external power into a power source suitable for driving the light source (111) or a battery that can supply power on its own.

The control device (120) can drive the light source (111) using direct current power or alternating current power.

The control device (120) can use an adapter that converts external power into direct current power of a potential suitable for driving the light source (111) or an external battery that can supply power on its own.

The control unit (123) can control the light irradiation intensity of the light source (111), the light irradiation time, the light irradiation time series routine, the start and end of the light irradiation, etc. Here, the light irradiation time series routine means the process of light irradiation and light stop according to time.

The control unit (123) executes a stored light source driving control program and may be, for example, an MCU (microcontroller unit). The control unit (123) determines whether to supply current to the current module (121) according to a user command transmitted from the user operation unit (124), thereby controlling whether to irradiate light to the skin.

At this time, a relay switch or a semiconductor-type voltage control switch may be included between the power supply unit (122) and the current module (121), and the relay switch or the semiconductor-type voltage control switch may be turned on or off according to the control of the control unit (123). Through this, the control unit (123) can control to start, maintain, or stop the current supplied from the current module (121) to the light source (111).

The display unit (125) can display information such as commands according to user operation, operation of the control unit (123), and whether the light source (111) is driven.

Normally, it is used periodically for a certain period of time when performing light therapy. In order to prevent erythema, the control unit (123) can limit the irradiation time per time so that it satisfies the condition of less than the minimum erythema doses (MED) in the maximum irradiance range that reaches the skin at one time of operation.

In addition, even if the condition of less than the minimum erythema dose is not met, the control unit (123) can additionally limit the single ultraviolet exposure dose to prevent pigmentation or skin cancer that may occur during long-term ultraviolet exposure.

The control unit (123) can prevent side effects due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays by limiting the light irradiation time when the light source (111) is driven once. The control unit (123) can drive the light source (111) for a preset time. The control unit (123) can automatically stop the light irradiation of the light source (111) after a preset time has elapsed after the light irradiation of the light source (111) has started. According to one example, the control unit (123) can set a preset timer, for example, 10 minutes, from the time when the relay switch controlling the current supply of the current module (121) is turned on, and turn off the relay switch when the timer expires. By doing so, the control unit (123) can limit the light irradiation time of the light source (111) once to a certain time.

The control unit (123) can stop the light irradiation after a preset time has elapsed after the light irradiation of the light source (111) has started. For example, the control unit (123) can start a preset timer from the time when the power required for driving is output to the light source (111), and when the timer expires, the power output required for driving to the light source (111) can be stopped.

The control unit (123) can drive the light source (111) for about 1 minute when the maximum irradiance reaching the skin per time is 0.4 mW/cm ² when performing light therapy. The irradiance can be measured using an ultraviolet light sensor (112c in FIGS. 2 and 3) such as an ultraviolet-sensitive photodiode on the surface to which light is irradiated. The irradiance can also be measured when manufacturing a wearable lighting device (110).

Alternatively, after positioning the ultraviolet light sensor (112c in FIGS. 2 and 3) inside the wearable lighting device (110), the control unit (123) may calibrate the correlation between the irradiance of the irradiance surface and the output value of the light sensor (112c) located inside, to monitor whether the maximum allowable irradiance is exceeded. If the maximum allowable irradiance is exceeded, the control unit (123) may reduce the power output provided to the light source (111) in real time to operate within the maximum allowable irradiance.

Light therapy of a wearable lighting device (110) can be irradiated to the same body part after at least 1 day to prevent side effects such as skin erythema. At this time, the total amount of light can be controlled not only by time but also by the light irradiation area. If the light irradiation area is increased, the light irradiation time for the same amount of vitamin D synthesis can be shortened, and it can also be effective in preventing side effects such as erythema formation. The effective light irradiation area of the wearable lighting device (110) can be 50 cm^2 or more. In order to see the effect of increasing the light irradiation area, the therapist can irradiate multiple wearable lighting devices (110) to different parts of the body, or irradiate the same device to different parts of the body with a time difference.

The control unit (123) can control the total amount of light by controlling the current supply time of the current module (121).

The control unit (123) can control the light irradiation area by selectively driving the number of light sources supplied with current and/or the position of the light sources among the light sources (111) connected to the current module (121).

Memory (126) can store identification information of the device user and usage records for each device user.

The alarm unit (127) can output an auditory alarm to the outside. For example, it can output a voice message, a bell sound, etc.

The driving control operation of the wearable lighting device (110) of the control unit (123) is described by example as follows.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the control unit (123) executes driving of the wearable lighting device (110) (S101). That is, in S101, the control unit (123) can instruct the current module (121) to supply current to the wearable lighting device (110).

The control unit (123) executes a predefined timer (S102), checks whether the predefined timer has expired (S103), and, if the predefined timer has expired, stops the operation of the wearable lighting device (110) (S104). That is, in S104, the control unit (123) can instruct the current module (121) to stop supplying current to the wearable lighting device (110).

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, the control unit (123) receives an irradiance sensing value from the light sensor (112c) of the wearable lighting device (110) (S201). In S201, the control unit (123) can be connected to the light sensor (112c) wired or wirelessly to receive the irradiance sensing value.

The control unit (123) monitors whether the maximum allowable irradiance is exceeded based on the irradiance sensing value received from S201 (S202).

Based on the monitoring result of S202, the control unit (123) determines (S203) whether the irradiance sensing value received from S201 exceeds the maximum allowable irradiance.

If the irradiance sensing value in S203 does not exceed the maximum allowable irradiance, the control unit (123) performs the process again from S201.

If the irradiance sensing value in S203 exceeds the maximum allowable irradiance, the control unit (123) adjusts the power output supplied to the wearable lighting device (110) (S204). For example, the control unit (123) can adjust the current output amount, current output time, the number of light sources to which current is supplied, the light source position, etc.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a driving control operation of a wearable lighting device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the control unit (123) receives a driving command and user identification information of the wearable lighting device (110) from the user operation unit (124) (S301).

The control unit (123) searches for a usage record matching the user identification information input in S301 from the memory (126) (S302). At this time, the memory (126) is shown as a built-in memory, but an external memory may be used. For example, the external memory may be included in a server computer, and the control unit (123) may be connected to the server computer via wired/wireless communication.

The control unit (123) determines whether to operate the wearable lighting device (110) based on the previous usage record checked in S302 (S303). For example, the usage time of the wearable lighting device (110) may be limited to 24 hours or more. Accordingly, based on the previous usage record checked in S302, if a set period of time, for example, 24 hours, has not passed since the last usage time of a specific user, the wearable lighting device (110) may not be operated, thereby limiting the number of daily usages.

The control unit (123) determines whether operation is possible based on the decision of S303 (S304). If the control unit (123) determines that operation of the wearable lighting device (110) is not permitted, it may request the alarm unit (127) to output an operation impossibility alarm or request the display unit (125) to output an operation impossibility message (S305).

If the control unit (123) determines to allow the operation of the wearable lighting device (110), the control unit (123) can execute the operation of the wearable lighting device (110) (S306) and store the usage record (S307). In S307, the control unit (123) can store the user identification information and the operation start time input in S301, and then, when the use of the wearable lighting device (110) is terminated, record the end time in the memory (126).

The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not implemented only through devices and methods, but may also be implemented through a program that realizes a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present disclosure or a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (14)

A wearable lighting device formed into a wearable structure on the human body and radiating ultraviolet light to the skin of the wearing area, and
A wearable lighting device is connected to the wearable lighting device and includes a control device that drives the wearable lighting device.
The above wearable lighting device,
A housing formed into a structure that can be worn on the human body,
A light source installed in the inner part of the housing to radiate ultraviolet light to the skin of a human body contained within the housing to induce vitamin D in the body;
A light diffusion panel positioned between the light source and the skin, which causes diffusion of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source to uniformly irradiate the ultraviolet light reaching the skin;
A plurality of spacers, one end of which is connected to the housing and the other end is connected to the light diffusion panel, are formed at a height that allows the light source to be spaced a predetermined distance from the skin, thereby forming an air gap between the housing and the light diffusion panel, and
Including a light sensor that measures the irradiance of ultraviolet light radiated to the skin,
The above light source is,
Contains multiple LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements,
The above multiple LED elements,
The electrode wiring is connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) on which the electrode wiring is installed and arranged in series or parallel.
The above control device,
A user operation unit for receiving user identification information and a driving command for the wearable lighting device, and
A control unit is included that checks the last usage time by looking up the previous usage record matching the input user identification information, and determines whether to operate the wearable lighting device based on whether a set period of time has passed since the last usage time.
The above control unit,
If it is decided to operate the above wearable lighting device, the input user identification information is used to create and store a usage record that matches the operating start time and operating end time of the wearable lighting device.
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, which sets the maximum irradiance based on a single irradiation time that satisfies the condition of less than the minimal erythema doses (MED) in the maximum irradiance area reaching the skin when the wearable lighting device is operated once, receives an irradiance measurement value of the ultraviolet light from the light sensor, and selectively operates the number of light sources to which current is supplied and the positions of the light sources to adjust the light irradiation area when the irradiance measurement value exceeds the maximum irradiance, thereby lowering the irradiance of the ultraviolet light irradiated to the skin. In paragraph 1,
The above light diffusion panel,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, in which a three-dimensional pattern causing light diffusion is formed at the interface where ultraviolet light is incident from the above light source. In paragraph 2,
The above three-dimensional pattern is,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, comprising a micro pattern having an inwardly concave shape facing the light diffusion panel at the above boundary surface. In paragraph 1,
The above light diffusion panel,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, comprising light scattering particles having a different refractive index from the light diffusion panel and causing light diffusion of the ultraviolet light. In paragraph 1,
The above light diffusion panel,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, made of a material with UV transmittance higher than that of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). delete delete In paragraph 1,
The above housing,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, which is made of a flexible material that can wrap around the arm of a human body, has at least one Velcro tape attached to a fastening portion formed on one side, and has a fastening portion formed on the other side that is fastened to the at least one Velcro tape to secure the Velcro tape, and has a structure that wraps around the arm and is detachably worn on the arm. In paragraph 1,
The above housing,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, wherein a light blocking member is integrally formed or assembled to block the above ultraviolet light from leaking to the outside. In paragraph 1,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, wherein a connector is connected to the electrode wiring to which a control device for supplying current to the plurality of light sources is connected, and a heat sink is installed at a point on the rear surface of the flexible PCB close to the point where the plurality of light sources are installed to minimize heat transfer to the skin. delete In paragraph 1,
The above control device,
It further includes a current module that is connected to the plurality of light sources and supplies current supplied from the power supply to the plurality of light sources,
The above control unit,
A system for inducing vitamin D production in the body, which is connected to the current module, controls the current supply of the current module, and stops the current supply after a preset time has elapsed after the current supply of the current module has started.
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