JPH105356A - Infrared therapy instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an infrared therapy instrument with which heat efficiency is improved, the surface of a body can be locally irradiated and safety and operability can be improved. SOLUTION: This infrared therapy instrument is provided with a plane heater 12 having a plate-shaped radiation face 11 for radiating infrared rays and a belt 30 (mounting means) which holds the plane heater 12 on the surface of a living body and can be attached/detached to the living body, and when the plane heater 12 is mounted on the surface of living body by the belt 30, the radiating face 11 is set within a fixed distance so that the temperature on the surface of body confronted with the radiating face 11 can be made suitable while exceeding the body temperature of living body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared therapy device, and more particularly, to an infrared therapy device for performing thermal treatment by irradiating infrared rays including far infrared rays to the body surface of a living body with electric power supplied from the outside. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An infrared treatment device in which an infrared lamp or a resistance heating element is attached to a stand or the like has been conventionally used in medical facilities or general homes. When performing thermal treatment using such a treatment device, the infrared radiation surface should be at least 20 cm away from the body surface of the affected part of the living body, and the radiation surface should be adjusted to a distance or temperature that the patient perceives as appropriate. To irradiate infrared light for a predetermined time. The appropriate temperature of the patient's body surface in the hyperthermia treatment varies depending on the patient's body temperature, the position of the affected part of the living body, the room temperature, and the like, but is generally around 45 ° C. In order to increase the emissivity of far-infrared rays having a high absorption rate to the living body, a ceramic material is often applied to the radiation surface.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned infrared therapy device, the body surface of the affected part constantly moves slightly even when the patient is sitting still in front of the therapy device, so that the distance between the radiation surface and the body surface is kept constant. It is difficult. In other words, if the body surface temperature is to be maintained at, for example, about 45 ° C., the patient is forced to maintain his or her resting state, and in the case of prolonged treatment, suffering from maintaining this posture. May accompany it. In addition, when the body surface of the affected part oscillates or frequently moves away from the treatment area, the patient senses the temperature of the body surface and controls the posture frequently, or the temperature of the radiation surface or the heating element Will be adjusted frequently.

On the other hand, part of the infrared radiation emitted from the radiation surface is diffused before reaching the body surface of the affected part of the living body, and part of the infrared light is absorbed by the surrounding air. In order to satisfy the thermal condition of sensing that the temperature of the radiating surface is set close to 300 ° C. or a wide radiating area is secured, the setting must be made with a large expectation of heat loss.
Therefore, the temperature of the radiation surface becomes high, and when the body surface comes into contact with the radiation surface, there is a possibility that a burn may occur. Furthermore, when the radiation area of the radiation surface becomes large, it becomes difficult to concentrate infrared rays on a local portion of the living body surface, which is referred to as a “pot”.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is high thermal efficiency, local irradiation of the body surface is possible, safety,
An object of the present invention is to provide an infrared therapy device excellent in operability.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a heater body having a plate-shaped radiating surface capable of emitting infrared rays, at least one heater body is held on a body surface of a living body and is itself placed on a living body. And a mounting means that is detachable, and when the heater body is mounted on the body surface of the living body by the mounting means, the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface becomes a suitable distance exceeding the body temperature of the living body. An infrared treatment device having an emission surface is provided.

The heater body according to the present invention includes a resistance heating element provided with a nichrome wire such as an infrared light bulb or a sheathed heater and having a heater having a tubular or planar heating surface housed in a case. . The heater is preferably a planar heater in which a nichrome wire is wound around an insulating plate from the viewpoint of mounting space and securing a uniform heat generating surface.
The radiation surface preferably has a surface adapted to the curvature of the body surface so as to extend in parallel along the affected body surface of the living body to be opposed. On the surface of the heater facing the affected body surface of the living body,
The wavelength that is considered to be high in the absorption rate of far infrared rays,
Preferably, a ceramic material having a high emissivity in the infrared region of １４14 μm is used. Examples of the ceramic material include a single material such as silicon carbide, zirconium oxide, and yttrium oxide, or a mixture thereof. Further, it is preferable that the heater main body has a structure including a reflection plate that suppresses diffusion of heat rays to the outside of the affected body of the living body.

In the present invention, when the heater body comprises a heater and a case for accommodating the heater, the mounting means can support the case so that the radiation surface can be stopped on the surface of the affected part of the living body facing the living body. Orthotics, including belts, suspenders, supporters, and vests. In the present invention, "setting the radiation surface at a certain distance" means that a spacer is provided between the radiation surface and the body surface of the living body, which fixedly or variably sets a distance between the radiation surface and the body surface, and the heater body is In the case of a structure including a heater and a case for housing the heater, there is a structure in which the heater is housed at a predetermined position in the case where a radiation surface is immersed at a predetermined distance from an opening surface of the case by a spacer.

According to the second invention, a heater body having a plate-shaped radiating surface capable of radiating infrared rays, and a mounting that holds at least one heater body on a body surface of a living body and is detachable from the living body itself Means for controlling the output of the heater body so that the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface becomes an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body when the heater body is mounted on the body surface of the living body by the mounting means. An infrared therapy device comprising control means is provided.

The heater body according to the present invention includes a resistance heating element provided with a nichrome wire, such as an infrared light bulb or a sheathed heater, in which a heater having a tubular or planar heating surface is housed in a case. In particular, the heater is preferably a planar heater in which a nichrome wire is wound around an insulating plate in terms of installation space constraints, securing a uniform heating surface, and a linear proportional correlation between the heating surface temperature and the supply voltage. When a voltage of 100 V is applied, the radiation surface preferably has a capacity capable of raising the temperature of the radiation surface to at least about 200 ° C. The output control means in the present invention includes on / off control, phase control, and frequency control, and it is desirable that the output control means be capable of linearly controlling the temperature of the radiation surface.

The mounting means comprises a case for housing the heater body, and a band which can be wound around the body surface, wherein the case has an opening surface for exposing a radiation surface of the housed heater body, and an opening surface for the opening surface. An abutment surface formed on an edge portion and adapted to a curved surface of a living body, and a heater attachment portion to which a heater main body can be attached so that a radiation surface is immersed to a predetermined depth from the abutment surface, further comprising the band And a band-engaging portion that can be engaged. The case according to the present invention includes a heater main body, a reflector for concentrating heat rays generated from the heater main body on the body surface side of the living body, and suppressing conduction of the heat rays generated from the heater main body to the side opposite to the body surface of the living body. A box-shaped or frame-shaped container capable of storing the heat insulating material is desirable.

[0012] The band of the present invention, when wound on the body surface, does not easily displace and does not inhibit perspiration.
It is desirable to have a fastener formed of a biocompatible material that does not cause inflammation on the body surface and that can adjust the winding length according to the thickness of the body surface to be wound. It is desirable that the band is detachably joined at both ends by a fastener provided at at least one end. Examples of the fastener include a planar tape called a hook-and-loop hook, a hook and a buckle. The band includes two band pieces extending from both ends of a case for housing the heater body, or one band penetrating a part of the case. Further, a supporter-like endless belt made of an elastic material, which covers the case and presses against the body surface of a living body, may be used.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the entire opening surface has a width facing the body surface of a living body. The contact surface in the present invention is an annular surface formed on the outer periphery of the opening surface, and is preferably formed with a size corresponding to the curved surface (curvature) of the living body so that the entire surface comes into contact with the body surface of the living body. In other words, if the affected part is the waist, the entire peripheral surface of the waist, if it is the elbow, is in contact with the surface of the body so that there is no gap between the body surface and the curvature of each body surface part so as to fit the curvature Size is preferred.

The heater mounting portion in the present invention is formed by a heater mounting boss formed integrally with the case inside the case, or by being curved so that the radiation surface is immersed to a predetermined depth from the contact surface. It is preferable to use a reflecting plate which can be housed in a case with a heater attached to the surface. The band engaging portion according to the present invention has a form corresponding to the above-described band, and includes an engaging hole or an engaging protrusion or a band of a locking tool for fastening one end of the band to bendably lock the band. An insertion hole that can be inserted from one end as it is is given.

[0015] The infrared therapy device is provided between the sheet that is stretched over the contact surface and prevents a part of a living body from entering the case from the opening surface, and is attached to at least a part of the contact surface and between the body surface. And a packing for suppressing rubbing of the band, and it is preferable that at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing is detachably attached to the case.

The sheet according to the present invention is a material having biocompatibility that does not cause displacement of the heater body or inhibit sweating and does not cause inflammation on the body surface when the heater body is brought into contact with the mounting means. In addition, it is desirable that the heat radiation emitted from the radiation surface be minimized and not easily deteriorated or denatured by the heat radiation. Specific examples include a mesh knitted with heat-resistant fibers such as carbon fiber and aramid fiber, and a molded net made of engineering plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

The packing according to the present invention is a material having biocompatibility that does not easily displace the heater body when the heater body is brought into contact with the mounting means, does not inhibit sweating, and does not cause inflammation on the body surface. It is desirable that the material is not easily deteriorated or denatured by heat rays radiated from the radiation surface. Specific examples include a rod-shaped member woven from heat-resistant fibers such as carbon fiber and aramid fiber, and a rod-shaped member formed from heat-resistant rubber.

It is preferable that at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing has an elastic portion on a surface of the living body attached to the body surface, thereby facilitating resting on the living body surface. The elastic portion according to the present invention refers to a portion where when the heater body is mounted on the body surface by the mounting means, the surface thereof expands and contracts or deforms due to an external force to exhibit a shape conforming to the body surface of a living body, and is a fiber having heat resistance. And a net formed by using engineering plastic as a material.

It is preferable that at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing has a ventilation portion on a surface to be attached to a living body surface, thereby suppressing perspiration from the living body surface. The ventilation part in the present invention refers to a part formed so as not to inhibit sweating from the body surface of the living body when the heater main body is mounted on the body surface by the mounting means, and is a mesh form knitted with a heat-resistant fiber. And a net form molded from engineering plastics.

A plurality of heater bodies are arranged in series along the winding direction on the same surface of the band with their respective radiation surfaces as surfaces, and adjacent heater bodies are arranged so as to be mutually bendable. Is preferred. When the heater body is mounted on the body surface of the living body via the contact surface, the heater body has a curved surface corresponding to each part (affected part) of the body surface so that the contact surface is in close contact with the body surface of the living body over the entire circumference. (curvature),
It is preferable to arrange the size in advance, but the position of the affected part and its curvature are various, and it is difficult to arrange many types in terms of cost. The present invention provides a heater unit having a minimum opening surface that can be used alone,
A plurality of such units can be attached to the band according to the curved surface (curvature) and size of the affected part.
For example, if the affected part is the waist, three units are attached to the band, and if the affected part is the elbow, one unit is attached to the band, and if these are attached to the body surface of the living body, they are adjacent even when a plurality of units are attached. There is no gap between the contact surface and the body surface due to the respective heater bodies being bent relative to each other.

Now, when the infrared therapy device of the present invention is mounted on the body surface of a living body and the heater body is energized, the temperature of the radiation surface rises, for example, to around 100 ° C. Since the distance between the radiation surface and the body surface facing the radiation surface is kept constant, the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface is an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body, for example, 45 ° C.
Easy to keep in. If the infrared therapy device is provided with output control means, by controlling the output of the heater body so that the temperature of the body surface of the living body becomes a suitable temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body, the appropriate temperature according to the affected part of the patient is adjusted. You can treat while doing.

In the infrared therapy apparatus of the present invention, the heater body is conventionally arranged at least 20 cm away from the body surface of the living body, but the heater body can be mounted close to the body surface of the living body by the mounting means. When the temperature of the body surface is set to an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body, the temperature of the radiation surface can be set to a temperature significantly lower than in the past. Thereby, the degree of diffusion of the infrared rays radiated from the radiation surface before reaching the body surface of the affected part of the living body is reduced, and the thermal efficiency is increased.

Further, as a result of setting the temperature of the radiation surface low,
The spectral energy (radiation intensity) from the radiation surface decreases, but the peak of the wavelength corresponding to the temperature of the radiation surface is shifted to the longer wavelength side (based on Wien's displacement law), and the wavelength region where the human body absorbs well. (6 to 14 μm), so that far infrared rays can be effectively used with a small amount of supplied power. For example,
The peak wavelength of the perfect radiator (black body) at 310 ° C. is 5 μm,
The peak wavelength at 220 ° C. is 5.8 μm, whereas the peak wavelength at 130 ° C. is 7.2 μm.
In addition, the far infrared region (4 to 2) in the total spectral energy
The spectral energy ratio at 5 [mu] m is 87.
1%, 93.9% at 220 ° C., and 97.9% at 130 ° C., which increase in correlation with the temperature decrease.

A plurality of heater bodies are arranged in series along the winding direction on the same surface of the band with the respective radiation surfaces as surfaces, and the respective adjacent heater bodies are arranged so as to be bendable with respect to each other. If the heater body is designed as a unit having the smallest opening surface that can be used alone, one or more of this unit can be attached to the band according to the curved surface (curvature) and size of the affected part. it can. Even when a plurality of units are mounted, the adjacent heater bodies bend each other, so that no gap is generated between the contact surface and the body surface,
Since the radiation surface of each heater body is opposed to the body surface and the distance between the radiation surface and the body surface is kept constant, a thermally uniform radiation surface can be obtained. Furthermore, only one unit of the heater main body can be attached to the band, and the "pot" on the surface of the living body can be aimed at.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An infrared therapeutic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] As shown in the front view of FIG. 1 and the plan view of FIG. 2, an infrared therapy device 50 includes a heater 10 forming a heater main body, a case 20 accommodating the heater 10, and a mounting means for the case 20. Mainly composed of the band 30. The heater 10 includes a surface heater 12 having a flat radiating surface 11, and a reflection plate 13 attached to a rear surface of the surface heater 12. The radiation surface 11 has a horizontally long plate surface obtained by applying a ceramic paint containing silicon carbide as a main component to the surface of a stainless steel plate. The surface heater 12 forms an elliptical flat heating element in which a resistance heating wire (not shown) is wound around an insulating plate, and the rear surface of the radiation surface 11 is arranged close to the front surface of the heating element. On the rear surface of the heating element, a heat insulating material 14 having a predetermined thickness, which is formed in substantially the same shape as the radiation surface 11, is attached.
The back surface of the heat insulating material 14 is attached to the front surface of the reflection plate 13.

The reflection plate 13 is a box-shaped member having a concavely curved mirror surface inside, and its opening surface is formed in a rectangular shape, and as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. It has a reflecting plate flange 13a which is engaged with a case 20 described later. A concave portion 13 b for fixing the surface heater 12 via a heat insulating material 14 is formed in the center of the inside of the reflecting plate 13.
The curvature of the reflector 13 that positions the concave portion 13b, that is, the depth from the opening edge of the case 20 acts as a spacer for setting the distance between the radiation surface 11 and the body surface. The power cord 15 connected to the surface heater 12 is led out from the upper corner of the reflector 13.

The case 20 is a box-shaped member formed of a heat-resistant resin, and has a rectangular opening surface 21 and an internal space for accommodating the reflection plate 13 in a direction in which the radiation surface 11 of the surface heater 12 is exposed. Have. A flange 22 extending outward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the case 20 is formed at an edge of the opening surface 21. Flange part 2
2 has an abutment surface 23 that can conform to the curved surface of the living body.
Are formed. The contact surface 23 has a concave groove 24 formed substantially all around the surface of the flange portion 22 and a groove 2.
And a packing 25 projecting over substantially the entire circumference thereof. The packing 25 is made of a material suitable for the body surface of the patient, for example, silicone rubber or an antibacterial fiber material, and is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape with a substantially uniform height (thickness). The surface of the packing 25 is the contact surface 2
When pressed against the body surface via 3, it exhibits an elastic surface that deforms to conform to the curved surface of the body surface. On the inner peripheral side of the groove 24, an engaging concave portion 26 that engages the case 20 by overlapping the reflective plate flange 13 a and a peripheral portion of a sheet 40 described later is formed over substantially the entire periphery.

The seat 40 comprises a frame 41 removably fitted in the engaging recess 26 and a sheet body 42 attached to the frame 41. The frame 41 is opened to the inner peripheral side. It has a clip structure (not shown) that can grip the edge of the seat body 42. With this clip structure, the seat body 42
As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 41 with
The seat 40 is fixed by fitting into the engagement recess 26 of No. 0. The packing 25 is fixed by pushing the leg 25 a into the groove 24. The sheet 40 stretched over the engaging concave portion 26 of the opening surface 21 prevents the body surface of a living body from entering the case 20 from the opening surface 21, and the packing 2 attached to the contact surface 23.
5 suppresses rubbing with the body surface.

On the outer peripheral side of the groove 24, a band 30 described later is provided.
A band engaging portion 28 that can be engaged with the boss is formed (FIG. 3). The band engaging portions 28 are a pair of vertically long holes respectively formed on the short sides of the flange portion 22 facing each other. The band 30 is a pair of band-shaped formed members made of an antibacterial fiber material, and has a substantially uniform height that can be inserted into the band engaging portion 28.

A stopper 31 having a substantially T-shaped cross section is fastened to one end of each band 30. The other end of each band 30 is formed in a semicircular shape (FIG. 1), and one surface of the semicircular portion has a planar tape 32 (a tape body having a large number of hooks,
And a tape body having a loop engaged with the hook) are attached to each other in pairs. Band 3
The length of 0 is set according to the body surface portion so that when the case 20 is worn so as to cover the affected portion, the body surface portion including the affected portion can be wound. For example, if the affected part is the waist, the torso,
In the case of an elbow, the length is such that the arm can be wound. The band 30 having one end fastened to the stopper 31 is a sheet tape 32.
The other end on the side is inserted into the band engaging portion 28, and the stopper 31 locks the band engaging portion 28 so that the band engaging portion 28 cannot come off. As shown in FIG. 5, the band 30 can be extracted from the band engaging portion 28 and replaced with a new band 30.

When using the infrared therapy device 50, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the case 20 is brought into contact with the body surface of the affected part, the band 30 is wound around the body surface, and both ends are locked to each other by the sheet tape 32. The surface heater 12 has input power set so that the temperature of the radiation surface 11 is maintained at about 100 ° C., and includes a temperature fuse such as a thermostat or bimetal. Note that one side of the opening surface 21 is 5 to 1
The distance between the radiation surface 11 and the body surface facing the radiation surface 11 is set to 1 to 5 cm.

[Embodiment 2] As shown in the front view of FIG. 8 and the plan view of FIG. 9, the infrared treatment device 70 comprises a heater 10 forming a heater main body and a case 1 for housing the heater 10.
20 and a band 130 as a mounting means for the case 120
And a controller 60 as output control means. As described in the first embodiment, the heater 10 includes the surface heater 12 having the flat radiation surface 11 and the reflecting plate 13 attached to the rear surface of the surface heater 12.
The radiation surface 11 has a horizontally long plate surface obtained by applying a ceramic paint containing silicon carbide as a main component to the surface of a stainless steel plate. The surface heater 12 forms an elliptical flat heating element in which a resistance heating wire (not shown) is wound around an insulating plate, and the rear surface of the radiation surface 11 is arranged close to the front surface of the heating element. On the rear surface of the heating element, a heat insulating material 14 having the same shape as the radiation surface 11 and having a predetermined thickness is attached, and the back surface of the heat insulating material 14 is attached to the front surface of the reflector 13.

The reflecting plate 13 is a box-shaped member having a curved mirror surface inside, and its opening surface is formed in a rectangular shape and is locked to the case 120 at the opening edge. A concave portion 13 b for fixing the surface heater 12 via a heat insulating material 14 is formed in the center of the inside of the reflecting plate 13. The case 120 is a box-shaped member molded from a heat-resistant resin, and includes a rectangular opening surface 21 for storing the reflection plate 13 in a direction in which the radiation surface 11 of the surface heater 12 is exposed, and an internal space. . A flange portion 122 is formed at an edge of the opening surface 21 and extends outward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the case 120. On the outer surface of the flange portion 122, a contact surface 123 that can conform to a curved surface of a living body is formed. The contact surface 123 includes a concave groove 124 formed in substantially the entire circumference of the surface of the flange portion 122, and a packing 1 in which a leg 135 a that can be fitted in the groove 124 is protruded substantially over the entire circumference.
35.

The packing 135 is an elastic member formed integrally with the band 130 at the center of the band 30 described later, and is made of a material suitable for the body surface of the patient, for example, silicone rubber.
It is made of an antibacterial fiber material and has a substantially uniform height (thickness) and is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. The surface of the packing 135 exhibits an elastic surface that is deformed in conformity with the curved surface of the body surface when pressed against the body surface via the contact surface 123. Groove 124
On the inner peripheral side of the sheet, a reflection plate flange 13a and a sheet 1 described later are provided.
An engagement recess 126 is formed over substantially the entire circumference so as to be overlapped with the peripheral edge portion 40 and fixed to the case 20.

The sheet 140 is made of an antibacterial fiber material, is stretched over the engaging recess 126, prevents the body surface of the living body from entering the case 120 from the opening surface 21, and is attached to the contact surface 123. Packed 135 suppresses rubbing with the body surface. The band 130 is a single band-shaped molded member made of an antibacterial rubber, and is made of band pieces extending from opposite sides of the packing 135 in opposite directions. Both ends of the band piece are formed in a semicircular shape, and a planar tape 32 is attached to one surface of the semicircular portion so as to form a pair of male and female. The length of the band 130 is set according to the body surface portion so that when the case 120 is worn so as to cover the diseased portion, the body surface portion including the diseased portion can be wound. Surface heater 12
Are connected to the controller 60 by being led out from the upper corner of the reflection plate 13.

The controller 60 includes a controller main body case 61, a substrate 62 housed in the main body case 61, a variable resistor 63, a switch knob 64, and a pilot lamp 6.
5, a cover lens 66, and the substrate 62 is electrically connected to the power cord 14. The rotation axis of the variable resistor 63 is directly connected to the switch knob 64.
The voltage supplied via 7 can vary from 0V to about 100V. The pilot lamp 65 displays the energization of the surface heater 12 and changes in accordance with the voltage at which the illuminance changes, so that the temperature of the surface heater 12 can be visually checked.

When using the infrared treatment device 70, the case 120 is brought into contact with the body surface of the affected part, the band 130 is wound around the body surface, and both ends are locked to each other with the sheet tape 32. The surface heater 12 is set to a capacity capable of raising the temperature of the radiation surface 11 to a maximum of 220 ° C.
To the upper limit temperature.

[Other Embodiments] The infrared therapy apparatus 90 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is composed of a heater unit having an elliptical opening surface 113 having a minimum area which allows the heater 110 to be used alone for an affected part. A plurality of mesh-shaped bands 15 according to the curved surface (curvature) and size of the affected part.
It is configured to be attachable to zero. Heater 11
No. 0 has a pin-shaped hook on the back surface of the case 112 and is attached to the band 150 by engaging the hook with an arbitrary mesh hole of the band 150.
If the affected part is the lumbar region, three heaters 110 are arranged in series on the same surface of the band 150 along the winding direction with the respective radiation surfaces as surfaces. Adjacent heaters 110 are bendable from each other. The opening surface 113 is about 5
The distance between the radiation surface 111 and the body surface facing the radiation surface 111 is set to about 3 cm. 3
The two heaters 110 are electrically connected by lead wires (not shown) and are focused on a power cord. At both ends of the band 150, a sheet tape 32 composed of a pair of male and female is attached. When the infrared therapy device 90 is mounted on the body surface of the living body, the three heaters 110 bend each other, so that the opening surface 11
There is no gap between 3 and the body surface.

In these infrared treatment devices, the heater is mounted so as to be immersed in the box-shaped case, so that the radiation surface is covered by the case and heat dissipation is suppressed. For this reason, the temperature of the radiation surface can be set very low, and burns can be prevented.

[0040]

According to the infrared therapy apparatus of the first invention,
When the heater body is mounted on the body surface of the living body, the radiation surface is kept at a constant distance from the body surface facing the body, so the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface must be kept at an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body Is easy. For this reason, the patient wearing the infrared treatment device is released from maintaining its own stationary state, and does not suffer pain even when the treatment is performed for a long time. That is, even if the body surface of the affected part swings, the temperature of the body surface is set to, for example, 45 degrees.
℃ can be maintained around. In the infrared therapy device according to the second invention, by providing output control means,
The patient can sense the body surface temperature of the patient and perform treatment while freely adjusting the temperature of the radiation surface to an appropriate temperature corresponding to the affected part of the patient.

In the infrared therapy apparatus according to these inventions,
Since the heater body can be mounted close to the body surface of the living body by the mounting means, the degree of diffusion of the infrared rays emitted from the radiation surface before reaching the body surface of the affected part of the living body is reduced, and the thermal efficiency is increased. Further, when the temperature of the body surface of the living body is set to an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body, the temperature of the radiation surface can be set to a lower temperature than before. As a result, the peak of the wavelength corresponding to the temperature of the radiation surface can be shifted to the longer wavelength side, and can be matched to the wavelength range (6 to 14 μm) where the human body absorbs well. Can be used for

The mounting means comprises a case for housing the heater body, and a band which can be wound around the body surface. The case has an opening surface for exposing a radiation surface of the housed heater body, and an opening for exposing the opening surface. An abutment surface formed on an edge portion and adapted to a curved surface of a living body, and a heater attachment portion to which a heater main body can be attached so that a radiation surface is immersed to a predetermined depth from the abutment surface, further comprising the band And a band engaging portion that can be engaged with, even if the radiation surface is set at a relatively low temperature, the heat dissipated from the opening surface is appropriately suppressed, and the body surface temperature is kept at an appropriate temperature in a stable state. The patient can be treated comfortably because it can be maintained.

A sheet which is stretched over the contact surface and prevents a part of a living body from entering the case from the opening surface, and a packing which is attached to at least a part of the contact surface and suppresses rubbing between the body surface. If at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing is detachably attached to the case, the band, the sheet, and the packing dirty by sweat from the affected area can be replaced and washed, and the cleanliness can be obtained. It can provide a simple therapeutic device. If at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing has an elastic portion on the surface to be attached to the body surface of the living body, and thereby promotes the stillness of the body to the body surface, the heater body during treatment is provided. Displacement can be prevented. If at least one of the band, the sheet, and the packing has a ventilation portion on a surface to be attached to the body surface of the living body, and thereby suppresses sweating from the body surface of the living body, the stuffiness due to sweating from the affected part is suppressed. Can be prevented.

A plurality of heater bodies are arranged in series along the winding direction on the same surface of the band with the respective radiation surfaces as surfaces, and the adjacent heater bodies are arranged so as to be bendable with respect to each other. If so, one or two or more heater bodies can be attached to the band according to the curved surface and size of the affected part. Since a plurality of units have adjacent heater bodies bent to each other, there is no gap between the abutment surface and the body surface. Can deal with it flexibly. Since the radiation surface of each heater body is opposed to the body surface and the distance between the radiation surface and the body surface is kept constant and a thermally uniform radiation surface is obtained, heat loss is minimized. be able to. In addition, it is possible to avoid having a large radiating surface facing the affected area with a small area corresponding to the "acupoint" on the living body surface, so that the power saving effect is high and the combination of the large and small heater body adapts to the situation of the affected area. Multi-faceted treatment is also possible.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an infrared therapy device which has high thermal efficiency, enables local irradiation of the body surface, and is excellent in safety and operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an infrared therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a heater and a case of the infrared therapy apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating attachment and detachment of a sheet and a packing to and from a case.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating attachment / detachment of a band to / from a case.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a treatment state using the infrared treatment device of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another treatment state using the infrared treatment device of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an infrared therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a heater and a case of the infrared therapy apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a controller of the infrared therapy apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an infrared therapy device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a treatment state using the infrared treatment device of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110 Heater 11, 111 Radiation surface 12 Heater body 13 Reflector (heater mounting portion) 20, 112, 120 Case (mounting means) 21, 113 Opening surface 23, 123 Contact surface 24 Groove 25, 135 Packing 26 Engagement Concave part 28 Band engaging part (attaching means) 30, 130, 150 Band (attaching means) 32 Planar tape (attaching means) 40, 140 Sheet 41 Frame part 50, 70, 90 Infrared therapeutic device 60 Controller (output control means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heater main body having a plate-shaped radiation surface capable of emitting infrared rays, and mounting means for holding at least one heater main body on a body surface of a living body and detachable from the living body itself. An infrared therapy device having a radiation surface set at a fixed distance where the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface exceeds the body temperature of the living body when the heater body is attached to the body surface of the living body by means. 2. A heater main body having a plate-shaped radiation surface capable of emitting infrared rays, and mounting means for holding at least one heater main body on a body surface of a living body and being detachable from the living body itself. When the heater body is mounted on the body surface of the living body by the means, an output control means capable of controlling the output of the heater body so that the temperature of the body surface facing the radiation surface becomes an appropriate temperature exceeding the body temperature of the living body is provided. Become an infrared therapy device. 3. The mounting means comprises a case for housing the heater body, and a band which can be wound around the body surface, wherein the case has an opening surface for exposing a radiation surface of the housed heater body, and A contact surface formed at the edge of the surface and adapted to the curved surface of the living body, and a heater attachment portion capable of attaching a heater body so that the radiation surface is immersed to a predetermined depth from the contact surface, The infrared treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a band engaging portion engageable with the band. 4. A sheet which is stretched over the contact surface and prevents a part of a living body from entering the case through the opening surface, and a sheet attached to at least a part of the contact surface to reduce friction between the body surface. The infrared treatment device according to claim 3, further comprising a packing for suppressing, wherein at least one of a band, a sheet, and the packing is detachably attached to the case. 5. At least one of a band, a sheet, and a packing has an elastic portion on a mounting surface of a living body on a body surface,
The infrared therapeutic device according to claim 4, wherein the resting of the living body on the body surface is promoted thereby. 6. At least one of a band, a sheet, and a packing has a ventilation portion on a surface attached to a body surface of a living body,
The infrared therapeutic device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein sweating from the body surface of the living body is suppressed thereby. 7. A plurality of heater bodies are arranged in series along the winding direction on the same plane of the band with respective radiation surfaces as surfaces, and adjacent heater bodies are arranged to be bendable with respect to each other. The infrared treatment device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the treatment is performed.