Medical apparatus and method

Abstract

A medical apparatus and method of operating a medical apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation towards an area to be treated of a patient; a mount element arranged to be worn by the patient for positioning the radiation source in a predetermined position relative to the area to be treated; a sensor element arranged to provide a signal indicative of whether the apparatus is being worn by the patient; and at least one controller arranged to receive the signal from the sensor, and to determine whether the apparatus is being worn by the patient, and to determine duration data indicative of the duration for which the radiation source emits radiation whilst the apparatus is being worn by the patient.

1 . A medical apparatus, comprising:
 a radiation source for emitting radiation towards an area to be treated of a patient;   a mount element arranged to be worn by the patient for positioning the radiation source in a predetermined position relative to the area to be treated;   a sensor element arranged to provide a signal indicative of whether the apparatus is being worn by the patient; and   at least one controller arranged to receive the signal from the sensor, and to determine whether the apparatus is being worn by the patient, and to determine duration data indicative of the duration for which the radiation source emits radiation whilst the apparatus is being worn by the patient.   
     
     
         2 . A medical apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further arranged to control the operation of the radiation source. 
     
     
         3 . A medical apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the controller is arranged to control the operation of the radiation source such that radiation is emitted when the signal received from the sensor element indicates that the apparatus is being worn by the patient. 
     
     
         4 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mount element comprises a mask, goggles or a visor arranged to be attached to a patient's face or head, for positioning the radiation source in a predetermined position relative to at least one eye of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiation source comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED). 
     
     
         6 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 wherein the mount element comprises a mask, goggles or a visor arranged to be attached to a patient's face or head, for positioning the radiation source in a predetermined position relative to at least one eye of the patient; and   the radiation source comprises a pair of OLEDs supported by the mount element such that when the apparatus is used by a patient each OLED is in a predetermined position relative to at least one eye of the patient.   
     
     
         7 . A medical apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at least one further sensor element arranged to provide a signal indicative of whether the apparatus is being worn by the patient. 
     
     
         8 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each sensor element comprises a capacitive sensor supported by the mount such that when the apparatus is worn by a patient the capacitive sensor is in close proximity to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         9 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each sensor element comprises a light emitter and receiver arrangement supported by the mount such that when the apparatus is worn by a patient the receiver is prevented from receiving light from the light emitter. 
     
     
         10 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged to control the radiation source such that radiation is emitted when the signal received from the sensor element indicates that the apparatus is being worn by the patient only if a predetermined radiation emission dosage has not been exceeded. 
     
     
         11 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory component arranged to store the duration data. 
     
     
         12 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an output circuit arranged to transmit the duration data. 
     
     
         13 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the output circuit comprises an RFID circuit arranged to transmit the duration data to an associated RFID receiver. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a medical apparatus for emitting radiation towards an area to be treated of a patient, comprising:
 operating a sensor element to provide a signal indicative of whether the apparatus is being worn by a patient;   supplying the signal from the sensor element to a controller; and   determining duration data indicative of the duration for which a radiation source emits radiation whilst the apparatus is being worn by the patient;   using the signal from the sensor element.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising controlling the radiation source such that the radiation source emits radiation when the signal from the sensor element indicates that the apparatus is being worn by the patient. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the radiation source is supported by a mount element arranged to be worn by the patient for positioning the radiation source in a predetermined position relative to the area to be treated of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising storing the duration data. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising outputting the duration data for transmission from the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)