Excimer Lamp for Dermatology

Spectral range of UVB is widely used for treating psoriasis and vitiligo. Portable and low-cost XeCl excimer lamps having the 308-nm wavelength are more suitable for dermatology than traditional excimer lasers. Unlike laser, excimer lamps have a significantly decreased radiation intensity which depends on the distance to the treated skin area. The authors explore a new prototype for skin treatment having an automated UV dose control system. The system makes measurements of the distance to the treated area of the skin and calculates the treatment time according to the required UV dose. If the distance is changed during the phototherapy, the control system corrects the treatment time in the online mode. The article describes other functional opportunities of the control system. (paper)