Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 20030202338A1
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 : Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

A phototherapy device includes a transparent member and one or more light sources mounted in relation to the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for distribution of the light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy. The light source may comprise an array of LEDs supported by a base having supports for positioning the transparent member in relation to the LEDs. Also a gap may be provided between the light source and transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light source. Further the transparent member may be curved to fit a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

Claims

1. A phototherapy device for phototherapy treatment of a patient comprising a substrate, a light source affixed to the substrate, and a transparent member overlying the light source in spaced relation therefrom.

2. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises one or more LEDs affixed to the substrate.

3. The phototherapy device of claim 2 wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs affixed to the substrate.

4. The phototherapy device of claim 2 wherein the substrate comprises a circuit.

5. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein the transparent member comprises a film or window.

6. The phototherapy device of claim 5 wherein the film or window comprises a diffuser or lens.

7. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein the transparent member has an exterior surface that is contacted by a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

8. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein there is a gap between the light source and the transparent member.

9. The phototherapy device of claim 8 wherein the gap is an air gap.

10. The phototherapy device of claim 8 wherein the gap is filled with a liquid.

11. The phototherapy device of claim 8 wherein the gap is filled with air or liquid to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light source.

12. The phototherapy device of claim 1 further comprising structural supports for supporting the transparent member in spaced relation from the light source.

13. The phototherapy device of claim 12 wherein there is a gap between the light source and the transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light source.

14. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein the transparent member is curved to fit a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

15. The phototherapy device of claim 14 wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs affixed to the substrate in spaced relation from each other, and the substrate has a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the transparent member for supporting the LEDs equidistant from the transparent member.

16. A phototherapy device comprising a transparent member, and a light source for directing light through the transparent member for distribution of the light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

17. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein an array of light sources is mounted in relation to the transparent member.

18. The phototherapy device of claim 17 further comprising a base for supporting the array of light sources, and supports on the base for positioning the transparent member in relation to the light sources.

19. The phototherapy device of claim 18 wherein there is a gap between the array of light sources and the transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light sources.

20. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the transparent member has at least one lens.

21. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the transparent member has a curved surface to fit a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

22. The phototherapy device of claim 21 wherein the base has a curved surface to which an array of light sources is affixed.

23. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs.

24. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the transparent member is flexible.

25. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the transparent member is in the shape of a pad or blanket.

26. The phototherapy device of claim 25 wherein the pad or blanket is flexible.

27. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of different colored LEDs.

28. The phototherapy device of claim 27 wherein the LEDs are selectively operable to produce any desired colored light output distribution.

29. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of white LEDs.

30. The phototherapy device of claim 16 wherein the light source comprises a combination of white LEDs and different colored LEDs.

31. A phototherapy device comprising a transparent member, and an array of light sources mounted on a circuit in spaced relation from the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for delivering light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

32. The phototherapy device of claim 31 further comprising a base for the circuit, and structural supports on the base for supporting the transparent member in relation to the circuit and the light sources.

33. The phototherapy device of claim 32 wherein there is a gap between the light sources and the transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light sources.

34. The phototherapy device of claim 31 wherein the circuit and the transparent member are similarly curved.