Methods and apparatus for light therapy

• US 20040008523A1
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Support Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Life Support Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Butler, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,001,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/551
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0629 Sequential activation of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0636 Irradiating the whole body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/01 Devices for producing movement of radiation source during therapy A61N5/1077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent

Abstract

In a first aspect, an apparatus for use in light therapy is provided that includes (1) at least one light emitting diode array adapted to emit a wavelength of light; and (2) a targeting mechanism coupled to the at least one light emitting diode array so as to allow light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode array to be repeatably positioned on a target area during non-contact light therapy. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in light therapy comprising:

at least one light emitting diode array adapted to emit a wavelength of light; and

a targeting mechanism coupled to the at least one light emitting diode array so as to allow light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode array to be repeatably positioned on a target area during non-contact light therapy.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting diode array comprises a plurality of light emitting diode arrays, each light emitting diode array adapted to emit a different wavelength of light.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each light emitting diode array includes a plurality of light emitting diodes and wherein light emitting diodes that emit different wavelengths are uniformly interdispersed.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each light emitting diode is adapted to emit a wavelength of 625 nm, 660 nm, 735 nm or 880 nm.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each light emitting diode is adapted to emit a wavelength of 350, 590, 660 or 880 nanometers.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positioning device coupled to the at least one light emitting diode array and adapted to position the at least one light emitting diode array relative to a target area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an imaging mechanism adapted to record an image of a target area.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the targeting mechanism is coupled to the imaging mechanism and includes at least one targeting light source, the at least one targeting light source adapted to allow the imaging mechanism to be repeatably positioned relative to a target area prior to image recording.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a sequencer mechanism having:

a first position in which the at least one targeting light source is off and the imaging mechanism does not record an image;

a second position in which the targeting light source is on and the imaging mechanism does not record an image; and

a third position in which the targeting light source is off and the imaging mechanism records an image.

10. An apparatus for use in light therapy comprising:

at least one light emitting diode array adapted to emit a wavelength of light;

a targeting mechanism that includes at least one targeting light source coupled to the at least one light emitting diode array so as to allow light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode array to be repeatably positioned on a target area, wherein the targeting light source is adapted to turn off prior to image recording; and

an imaging mechanism adapted to image the target area.

11. A method of light therapy comprising:

providing an apparatus for use in light therapy having;

at least one light emitting diode array adapted to emit a wavelength of light; and

a targeting mechanism coupled to the at least one light emitting diode array so as to allow light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode array to be repeatably positioned on a target area during non-contact light therapy;

positioning the at least one light emitting array relative to a target area;

selecting a wavelength and a dosage of light therapy; and

irradiating the target area with the selected wavelength and dosage.