Uv radiation device

(24) Running day

PATENT AUTHORITY (62) Stamaneokan number

Application received as; E) Swedish patent application according to island 61 30 1J OB 34975 ALLF 13991109 (86) International filing date (86) Filing date for European patent application (30) Priority information

75-8-26 DE 2537855

76-02-02 DE 2605487 □ Completed international patent application with number □ European patent application converted with number

76-01-30 DE 2603460

76-05-31 DE 2624297 (71) Applicant: Wolff System Service GmbH, Frankfurt DE (72) Inventor: F Wolff, Frankfurt / Main (74) 0mbuds: Brain (54) Name: Device for UV radiation of a person

in.

(56) Published publications: DE 808 701 DE 869 671 DE 1 021 072 DE 1 764 608 (H01J 61/18) US 2 631 588

Other publications: DE Gebrauchsmuster 1 804 014 1 938 736 1 958 172

Grober J & Stieve FE: Handbook of Physical Therapy, Volume 1, Stuttgart 1966, pp. 381-386

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The invention relates to a device for UV irradiation of a person with a housing comprising a jet outlet orifice, a UV radiator with a reflector device and a filter, which essentially filters out the UVB and UVC radiation.

UV rays for the radiation of persons are known in the form of sun lamps, which irradiate part of the body, in particular the face and upper body, and in the form of sunbeds, which can irradiate the entire body. The radiation of a person usually takes place at a distance from the radiation opening, which in the case of solar lamps, usually designed as table lamps, is of the order of 600 - 1000 mm and in solariums, which are generally fixed over a bed, are at 12002000 mm. Solar lamps include a single, solarium, as a rule, three mercury high-pressure lamps such as UV rays, which per burner draw an output of 100 - 150 W for solar lamps, 150 - 250 W for domestic solariums and 350 - 500 W for large solariums.

UV rays of this kind are generally used only to effect a brown pigmentation of the skin. Long before the tanning, however, a whole host of other, harmful biological effects occur, primarily tanning with subsequent flaking and hardening of the skin. When the threshold for incipient tanning, which depends on the radiation density prevailing on the skin, is usually achieved

7609401-0 already after a few minutes, however, as this does not usually result in any brown tinting of the skin, the irradiation must be repeated several times, allowing the irradiation time to increase slightly. Even so, however, deep brown staining such as a solar irradiation cannot usually be achieved.

The problem of the invention is to provide a device for UV irradiation of the above-mentioned type, by which the desired tan staining can be achieved with a substantially smaller number of irradiation occasions and preferably with a single irradiation.

The problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the UV-ray consists of 5-20, preferably 10-12 parallel small distances next to each other, rod-shaped low-pressure mercury burners with a UVA power of at least 5 W / m rod length and that the reflector device is formed of the same number of trough-shaped reflectors, which surround each rod-shaped burner over an axis angle of at least 180 °.

The brown coloration of the skin is largely responsible for the radiation in the UVA area. A tan only follows when the skin is applied a relatively large threshold value of UVA radiation energy. Experiments have shown that this threshold value, which is of course subject to individual variations, is at about 7.5 - 10 J / cm. In order to provide such a large dose of radiation during acceptable irradiation time, the device is so constructed that the person does not need to be at the usual large distance during the irradiation, but can stay substantially closer to the radiation outlet opening or immediately adjacent it, because of the small distance. from the UV beam and reflector device a high UVA beam density is available. The UVB filter and the UVC filter eliminate the risk of tan, which in ordinary devices increases with decreasing distance between the person and the jet outlet opening. The choice of a low power UV radiator or the use of a heat jet filter ensures that the person to be irradiated does not leave the location adjacent to the jet outlet opening due to excessive heat output. With decreasing distance, the beam density normally increases but at the same time the surface with high beam density decreases. By corresponding arrangement of the UV rays (eg of shape, size and - in the case of several UV burners - their device) and / or by a corresponding reflector device (eg with regard to shape, size and device) one can however, in each case, achieve that the surface with higher UVA beam density becomes sufficient

7609401-0 is located adjacent to the jet outlet opening. In particular, the surface can be chosen so large that an irradiation of the entire body can take place.

With the aid of the device according to the invention, a person can be irradiated with hitherto unattained UVA radiation density. E.g. achieved with a high UVA2 beam density of about 4 mW / cm a lasting tan already after minutes. At a higher UVA radiation density of about 5-30 mW / cm, the irradiation time is correspondingly shorter. At lower beam density, a longer irradiation time becomes necessary, at 2 mW / cm e.g. 1 per hour, which can also be distributed over several irradiation tephalias, whereby the threshold for tanning for UVA energy is reduced by sensitizers.

Where appropriate, a single irradiation is sufficient for permanent tanning with such a radiation device, the treatment is greatly simplified. The user does not need to risk sunburn or use time for repeated irradiation. The radiation device is also particularly suitable for installation in public premises such as swimming pools, leisure centers and the like, where visitors previously decided for a single radiation or for multiple irradiations on different days.

In a suitable embodiment, the UV radiator is comprised of 5-20, preferably 10-12 in parallel and at low distances next to each other, rod-shaped low pressure mercury burners having a UVA power of at least 5 W / m rod length and the reflector device consists of an equal number of troughs. reflectors, each of which surrounds a rod-shaped burner over a shaft angle of at least 180 °. Low pressure mercury burners have so little heat effect that they hardly generate any heat load for the person to be irradiated. However, they also have significantly less UVA effect than other UV rays. Therefore, they must be arranged relatively close to each other and provided with a special reflector. Thereby, immediately in front of the jet outlet opening, a uniform beam field of high UVA beam density is obtained, the extent of which can be determined by the number and length of the low pressure mercury burners.

The desired tan is achieved faster with a higher UVA effect. Therefore, it is advisable that the UVA power for each low-pressure mercury burner amounts to at least 8 W / m rod length. · With modern burners, values ​​of 10 W / m or more can be achieved.

The use of the longest possible low pressure mercury burner during

7609401-0 facilitates irradiation of the entire body. Burners of at least 1 m length should be used. A rod length of 1.5 m is particularly economical, as simple and inexpensive starter devices are available for the necessary ignition voltage. However, the optimal length for irradiation of the whole body is 1.8 m, as most people can be irradiated over the entire body length.

Burners of 1.5 m in length, which emit such a UVA effect, previously had a total power of more than 100 W, namely 120 W, but today, due to improved technology, can be produced with 80 W.

The selected spectral data, especially the UVA effect, should not be changed during operation. Since normally a displacement occurs as a function of the operating temperature, cooling fans have so far been used. These can be avoided if the low pressure mercury burners contain a chemical additive, e.g. amalgam, which keeps the UVA effect and the relative spectrum independent or close regardless of the operating temperature.

In order to obtain sufficient UVA beam density, it is desirable that the distance between adjacent rod-shaped low pressure mercury burners be at most equal to the rod diameter.

The reflectors should have approximately parallel side walls projecting forward from the rod-shaped burner. As a result, it is directed in the front to the sides of the burners radiating radiation towards the field for higher UVA radiation density.

The rear part of the reflectors preferably has a shape whereby most of the radiation emitted from the back of the burners is linked to the gap between the burner and the reflector side wall. This also utilizes a substantial part of the radiation emitted backwards from the burner, which gives the desired high UVA radiation density in the field.

In particular, the rear portion of the reflectors may comprise a symmetrical cross-section relative to the center plane, the first arc of the center plane adjacent to the center plane having such a curvature that it reflects incoming radiation to the gap located on the same side.

In connection therewith, a second arc with stronger curvature may be connected to the first arc and from there a third arc with less curvature extend to the narrowest point of the gap, the curvature having such values ​​that the radiation towards the third arc when reflected is directed toward the third arc. it is opposite the second arc and from there into the corresponding gap.

In a suitable embodiment, the burner glass cover constitutes the substantially filtering filter for UVB and UVC radiation. Instead, a filter glass disc can be inserted, e.g. for closing the beam outlet port of the device.

In a further embodiment, the UVB and UVC radiation can be removed from the radiation by largely filtering off filters. E.g. the filter may be designed as a swingable door. Removal of the filters from the radiation for a short time allows the body to be supplied with small doses of UVB and UVC radiation, which are sufficient to produce positive effects such as vitamin D formation, immunization against diseases or increase in melanin formation or increased blood flow. For example, such removal for a short time can also be controlled automatically.

In order to provide a field adapted to a human size of high UVA beam density, it is advisable to arrange the jet outlet openings and the radiant outlet openings respectively arranged in the device in a vertical plane. Thereby, a person to be irradiated can position himself completely adjacent to the jet outlet opening, e.g. on the marked floor surface or on a support device at the proper irradiation distance, which prevents him from going back. This provides a particularly simple opportunity to utilize the field in front of the device, which is high in the UVA beam density field.

In many cases, it is expedient that two at an angle of about 90 ° relative to each other vertical planes are arranged a jet outlet opening and a plurality of radiant outlet openings, respectively, adjacent to the vertical plane's intersection line. Thereby, a person can be irradiated not only from the front, but simultaneously from the side.

Yet another possibility of keeping the irradiation distance with coercive means as small as possible lies in the fact that the beam exit apertures and adjacent radius exit apertures in the horizontal plane are arranged, are directed upwards and covered by a bed plate in one or more portions of at least through UVA radiation. In this case, the radiation distance becomes practically zero. As a bed plate one can be used for UVB and UVC radiation

7609401-0 substantially opaque filter.

Hereby, it is advantageous if a downwardly open beam outlet opening for an upper UV radiator and / or at least one side above the bed surface is provided for a lateral UV radiator, these additional UV radiators having similar structure as above the bed plate. described.

Further, it is possible that the jet outlet apertures and adjacent jet outlet apertures, respectively, lie in a horizontal plane, directed downwards and Above a bed space, the device being submersible adjacent to the bed space. By lowering the device, the desired low irradiation distance can easily be achieved.

In yet another embodiment, the jet outlet apertures and adjacent jet outlet apertures, respectively, are arranged in a plane which slopes slightly towards the horizontal, directed downwards and over a bed. The gap formed between the bed and the jet outlet opening is larger on one side of the bed and allows the bed to be clamped on a fixed device.

In a preferred embodiment, the low-pressure mercury burners with associated reflectors, filters, starter and control devices are included in a housing for a building. The building unit may also include cooling fans. A coin machine can also be included in the control devices. Such construction units can be manufactured uniformly and in different locations. They can be mounted in a wall, joined to booths or built into any type of furniture.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a horizontal cross-section through a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-section through a low-pressure mercury burner and associated reflector according to Figure 1, Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically the relative sensitivity of the skin to UV radiation as a function of the wavelength; 4 Fig. 5 shows a schematic section through a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 shows the use of the embodiment of Fig. 7 for whole-body irradiation; Fig. 7 shows a relative distribution of the radiation density of different UV burners; Fig. 8 shows internal parts in embodiment

7609401-0 form of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 shows a device designed as a furniture, Fig. 10 shows a device with multiple irradiation locations, Fig. 11 shows a irradiation device with four booths, Fig. 12 shows a cross-section through the device of Figs. Fig. 11 shows a plurality of irradiation beds; Fig. 14 shows a further device form; Fig. 15 shows a schematic front view, partly in cross-section of a device with an upper and a lower UV radiation device; 16 shows an embodiment in which additional UV rays are arranged on either side and Fig. 17 shows a schematic cross-section through a device with a partially reflector arranged as a filter mirror.

The irradiation device of Fig. 1 has a housing 1, which on the front side has a jet outlet opening 2 and along a curved line of ten rod-shaped, vertically running and parallel spaced apart low pressure mercury burners 3. Each has a length of 150 cm and an effect of 120 W and in some cases only 65 W. Each burner is provided with a trough-shaped reflector 4, which is schematically indicated. At both ends are provided heat radiators 5, e.g. with an electrically heated silicon carbide glow rod, but these radiators are also unbearable. Furthermore, in the housing 1 there are starter 6 for the burners 3 and control means 7 with a switch button 8. The glass housings for the burners 3 are designed as filters, which are largely opaque for UVB and UVC radiation. The jet outlet opening 2 is closed by a disk 9. Thus, a building apartment is obtained which contains all the essential parts of it. On a projected frame 10 are arranged doors 11, which in operation are pivoted in the position shown, but which usually hide the device so that it looks like a piece of furniture.

The distance b between adjacent burner 3 occupies substantially 70% of the diameter c of the burner rods. As a result, the center plane 12 on the line a has a distance b + c from each other. These middle planes are vertical on line a; the center planes 12a and 12b of the two outermost reflectors 4 form an angle of less than 80 °, here 45 °, with each other. At a distance d = 10 cm in front of the jet outlet opening 2 there is a field 13 with a width e = 70 cm and a height corresponding to the burner length of 1.5 m. Because of the small distance from these fields 13 to the burners 3, because of the number of burners, their determined power in the UVA range and because of the arrangement of the burners on the curved line a and the associated reflectors are obtained in radiation.

7609401-0 field 13 has a UVA radiation density of about 12 mW / cm. This density may decrease slightly towards the edge but is always substantially above 4 mW / cm.

It will be readily appreciated that instead of the curved line a, a straight line or a broken line may also be used, with the reflectors standing in pairs or three and three parallel to each other.

Such a device is inexpensive to manufacture. It can be connected to a normal, 10-amp circuit breaker, securely plugged and consumes comparatively little power.

Fig. 2 shows a low-pressure mercury burner 3 with associated reflector 4. This reflector has approximately parallel side walls 14 which project forwardly in front of the rod-shaped burner 3. As a result, they are reflected forwards outwardly from the burner 3 the beams 15a to the field 13. The rear part of the the trough-shaped reflector 4, like the front part, is arranged symmetrically. Its shape reflects a substantial portion of the radiation emitted from the back of the burner to the gap 16 between the burner and the reflector side wall. For this purpose, it has a first arc 17 of curvature such that the contrasting rays 15b are reflected in the gap 16 located on the same side. The arc 17 has a center of curvature 17a. To the first arc 17 is connected a second arc 18 with stronger curvature and a curvature center 18a. From this, there arises a third arc 19 with slight curvature and a curvature center 19a, which extends to the narrowest part of the gap 16. Here, the curves are so adapted that the beams 15c, which approach the third arc 19, are almost reflected against the opposite second arc 18 and thence to the connecting slot 16. In this way, almost total radiation from the burner 3 can be utilized to provide the desired high UVA radiation density in the field 13.

Fig. 3 shows in a diagrammatic form the relative sensitivity Z_rel for the skin in the UV region as a function of the wavelength λ. The UV range ranges from 200 nm to 400 nm. It is usually divided into three sub-areas A, B and C. In this case, the following applies:

<td> 200</td><td>- 280 nm</td><td>UVC radiation</td>

<td> 280</td><td>- 315 nm</td><td>UVB</td>

<td> 315</td><td>- 400 nm</td><td>UVA radiation.</td>

7609401-0

Curve I shows the sensitivity of human skin with respect to tan or pigmentation. This range extends from about 300 to about 400 nm and has its maximum at about 340 nm. The dashed curve II indicates the human skin's sensitivity to tan. The range extends throughout the range of UVC and UVB with a maximum at about 297 nm and ending at 320 nm. In the radiation device according to the invention, the radiation in the UBV and UVC area is almost completely suppressed by the filter, so that a person irradiated by the device receives only UVA radiation, which causes the brown pigmentation but not other UV radiation, which causes the sunburn. Because of this, one can work with very high radiation doses, since no need to take into account the risks of tanning. Therefore, the threshold value of 7.5 to 10 J / cm, which must be exceeded for pigmentation, can be achieved at the specified time.

Fig. 4 shows again as a function of the wavelength λ. the relative distribution V_REin ^of stråltätheten. The solid curve III shows the progress of a low-pressure mercury burner, which is arranged to increase the UVA proportion. It can be seen that the main beam exchange is in the UVA area. The dashed line IV gives the corresponding curve for a high-pressure mercury burner, which is also arranged to increase the UVA proportion. The dashed line V shows the ratio of a xenon burner. It is seen that the effect of a low pressure mercury burner can best be utilized to obtain UVA radiation. The other burners can, however, be manufactured with higher power, so that a high UVA beam yield in any case is possible.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the irradiation device 32 consists of three housings 24 with corresponding burners and reflectors as shown in Fig. 5. These housings are secured to a common bracket 33 and arranged over a bed 34. The spacing between the housings is such that the outer edge rays 35 of adjacent burners 26 intersect at a distance f of 10 - 30 cm outside the jet outlet openings 2. In this area or something below is therefore the desired field 13.

The entire device 32 is height-adjustable to assist the patient in mounting the bed 34 and to adjust the correct radiation distance. For this purpose, two lines 36 run over rollers 37 to an adjusting device 38.

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Fig. 9 shows the housing 1 with the low-pressure mercury burners 3 indicated behind the jet outlet opening 2 in combination with a mirror cabinet 56, which is connected to the housing of a furniture rotatable on a foot 57. Usually the mirror cabinet 56 is visible. By rotating 180 °, the jet outlet opening 2 will be directed forward.

Fig. 10 shows four building units according to Fig. 1 assembled into a sunlight bar. They are constructed between side walls 58 next to each other and covered with a roof 59. On the associated floor 60, four bar stools 61 are fixed at such a distance that one sitting on the bar stool or on the same supporting person has the proper radiation distance.

Figures 11 and 12 show an irradiation tower 62 with four booths 63. Each cabin is limited by two right-angled housing 1 and an outer folding door or curtain 64. The whole is arranged between a base plate 65 and a roof 66. One in the cabin 63 existing persons are therefore equally irradiated from two directions.

In Fig. 13, construction units with a stable filter disc 9 with some inclination are arranged lying so that the jet outlet opening 2 faces upwards. Such irradiation beds 67 may be arranged one by one or, as shown, several adjacent, fixed or transportable.

According to Fig. 14, a building unit is provided with a position 68 attached to the wall in a room above a bed 69. The jet outlet opening 2 faces obliquely downwards, so that the bed 69 is conveniently accessible from the free side.

In the embodiment of Fig. 15, there is a lower UV beam device A and an upper UV beam device B. Both beam devices here each form a building housing with a sheet housing 1, which comprises several UV beams 3 with a length of 180 cm and associated reflectors 4 .

The lower UV radiation device A rests on a stand 70 and at the same time forms a bed. As an attachment of the upper UV beam device B, there are two front brackets 71, which are fixed to the wall and stored in two bearings 72 on a shaft 73, around which the upper UV beam device B is pivotable. It can be adjusted in any swivel position, especially in the operating position shown. The distance a between the two UV rays A and B is usually between

7609401-0 and 60 cm.

In the embodiment of Fig. 16, the device is formed as a barrel 74, which rests on feet 75. Again, the bed is formed by the lower UV-ray device A. An upper region of the barrel wall forms the upper UV-ray device B. the side areas of the inner wall are lined with two sideways UV-ray devices C.

The individual UV rays consist of burners 3 with associated reflectors covered by narrow glass strips 76, which at the UV rays B and C are so adapted to each other that they appear as part of a cylinder which in cross-section has an ellipse shape but also can be circular or similar. As a result, a person lying on the bed from all four directions is irradiated.

The invention can be modified in many ways. E.g. For example, the building units shown in Figs. 8-15 can also be equipped with high-pressure mercury burner or xenon burner according to Figs. 5 and 6, respectively. 7 and 8. The units can also be built into a wall niche. For example, building units can be constructed as corner brackets and have a fold-up mirror cover on the front. In fully automatic operation, the UVB and UVC absorbent filter can be swung back for a short time and then swung forward again. It is also possible to arrange the burner casing directly of a similar filter material.

If the high UVA radiation density provides additional positive biological effects than the brown pigmentation, the irradiation device can be utilized for this as well.

In the practical embodiment, it has been found suitable that the high UVA density field is at a distance of 0 to 30 cm from the jet outlet opening, however, the largest distance of 10-20 cm is most suitable; In this field, the UVA beam density is at least 4

2 2 mW / cm and preferably 5-30 mW / cm and in particular about 15 mW / cm. The range of the field is, preferably, on a table apparatus in the order of 0.2 m and for a full-body device should be at least

0.5 m and preferably have a width of at least 50 cm and a length of at least 120 cm.

The burners described herein are commercially available. Conveniently, the following mark will be considered:

Low pressure mercury burner: Philips TL / 05 or TL / 09.

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