Device and method for treatment of external surfaces of a body utilizing a light-emitting container

• US 20050080465A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GLO-Med LLC
• Original Assignee: GLO-Med LLC
• Inventors: Ganz, Robert A., Zelickson, Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/941,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0647 the applicator adapted to be worn on the head
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0656 Chemical light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• 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

A device includes a patch or bandage, applied on or adjacent to a specific external surface of a human or animal body part, which delivers light of varying wavelengths, intensity and duration for treatment of various diseases or abnormalities.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a device having a first surface adapted to be placed against a tissue; and

a light emitting member attached to the patch and configured to deliver light energy of approximately 9.5 J/cm² or less through the first surface over a period of approximately 90 minutes or less.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes an adhesive on the first surface of the device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes a flexible structure to substantially conform to a shape of the tissue.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light emitting member includes a chemiluminescence source.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes a reflective surface to reflect light towards the first surface.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein irradiating includes applying a chemiluminescence patch to the tissue.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the photosensitizing agent is applied and the tissue is occluded for approximately 90 minutes or less before irradiating the tissue.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein irradiating includes irradiating for approximately 90 minutes or less.

6. A method comprising:

applying a photosensitizing agent to a tissue; and

irradiating the photosensitizing agent with a light having an energy of approximately 9.5 J/cm² or less.

10. A method comprising:

applying a photosensitizing agent to an area of tissue;

occluding the area for approximately 90 minutes or less; and

irradiating the area with a light for approximately 90 minutes or less.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the area is occluded for approximately 45 minutes to approximately 90 minutes.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the area is irradiated for approximately 40 minutes to 90 minutes.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a dental tray having a cavity shaped to fit over teeth; and

a light emitting material within the cavity and located so as to emit light on the teeth when the dental tray is applied over the teeth.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a reflective surface proximate the light emitting material.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light emitting material is located on preselected portions of the dental tray.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light emitting material includes a chemiluminescent light source.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light emitting material emits a blue light.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light emitting material emits a red light.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light emitting material emits a white light.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the dental tray is adapted to hold a hydrogen peroxide material.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a dental tray for holding a hydrogen peroxide material, the dental tray adapted to be applied over teeth; and

a light source located within the dental tray and positioned to deliver illumination to the hydrogen peroxide material.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the light source is a temporary light source having an active life of approximately 20 minutes.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the light source delivers a blue light.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the light source delivers a red light.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the light source delivers a white light.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the light source includes a chemiluminescent patch adapted to be temporarily affixed to the dental tray.

27. A method comprising:

applying a hydrogen peroxide to one or more teeth;

placing a dental tray over the teeth; and

illuminating the teeth with a light source located within the dental tray.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is a hydrogen peroxide gel.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the teeth are illuminated for approximately 20 minutes to approximately 60 minutes.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the light source is a blue light.

31. The method of claim 27, further including heating the hydrogen peroxide with an exothermic reaction from the light source.

32. An apparatus comprising:

a device having first surface which is at least partially transparent and is adapted to be to be placed on a tissue;

a chemiluminescent light source within the device to emit light through the at least partially transparent surface; and

one or more baffles within the device to retard a flow of the chemiluminescent light source.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the device includes a valve.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light source emits a blue light.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light source emits a red light.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light source emits a yellow light.

37. An apparatus comprising:

a facemask having a first surface which is at least partially transparent and a second surface and at least one chamber between the first surface and the second surface; and

a chemiluminescent light source located within the chamber.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the facemask includes a plurality of baffles to retard the flow of the chemiluminescent light source.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the facemask includes a valve.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the second surface includes a reflective surface.

41. A method of treating acne comprising:

applying a light emitting container directly to a face having acne; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the acne until a desired light dose has been delivered.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container is a facemask containing a chemiluminescent light source.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container emits a blue light.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container emits a red light.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container emits a yellow light.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the light emitting container is applied for approximately 20 minutes to approximately 90 minutes.

48. A method of performing an antiphotoaging treatment, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container directly to an area of skin having photoaging symptoms; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container is a facemask containing a chemiluminescent light source.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container emits a blue light.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container emits a red light.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container emits a yellow light.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the light emitting container is applied for approximately 20 minutes to approximately 90 minutes.

55. A method of treating warts, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container directly to an area having a wart; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container emits a blue light.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container emits a red light.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container emits a yellow light.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container emits a green light.

61. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container further emits heat from an exothermic reaction within the light emitting container.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein the light emitting container is applied for approximately 20 minutes to approximately 90 minutes.

63. A method to remove hair, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container directly to an area targeted for hair removal; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the light emitting container emits a light in the visible spectrum.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein the light emitting container emits an infrared light.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein the light emitting container further emits heat to the area as a result of an exothermic reaction within the light emitting container.

68. A method treating an inflammatory skin disorder, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container directly to an area of skin having an inflammatory skin disorder; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the light emitting container emits a light in the visible spectrum.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the light emitting container emits an ultraviolet light.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the patch is shaped to cover the area of skin having the inflammatory skin disorder without exposing non-diseased tissue to the light.

73. A method of sterilizing a wound, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container to a wounded area; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the light emitting container emits a light in the visible spectrum.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein the light emitting container emits an ultraviolet light.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

77. The method of claim 73, wherein the light emitting container further includes a topical agent to kill bacteria.

78. A method of treating a scar or tattoo, the method comprising:

applying a light emitting container to an area having a scar or tattoo; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the light emitting container emits a light in the visible spectrum.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein the light emitting container is a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.

81. A method comprising:

applying a naturally occurring, photosensitizing oil to an area of skin; and

applying a light emitting container to the area; and

transmitting light from the light emitting container to the area until a desired light dose has been delivered.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the naturally occurring, photosensitizing oil includes a citrus oil.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the light emitting container includes a patch containing a chemiluminescent light source.