Light therapy device

• US 20050113891A1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Litebook Company Limited
• Original Assignee: The Litebook Company Limited
• Inventors: Pederson, Larry V., Coffey, Clayton G., Hudema, Henry
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0632 Constructional aspects of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

A light therapy device is taught including a light emitting assembly having light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source. The light emitting assembly capable of generating 2,500 lux to 7,500 lux at 12 inches.

Claims

1. A light therapy device comprising:

an outer housing including an opening;

a light emitting assembly in the housing and operable to emit light through the opening in the housing, the light emitting assembly including a plurality of LEDs capable of generating 2,500 lux to 7,500 lux at 12 inches.

2. The light therapy device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the LEDs are capable of emitting white-light.

3. The light therapy device of claim 1 wherein a diffuser screen of light diffusing sheet material is positioned over the LEDs.

4. The light therapy device of claim 1 wherein the housing accommodates a therapy calculator programmed to calculate a treatment regime based on an input of information.

5. The light therapy device of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member being releasably locked together and the light emitting assembly being storable in the first member and being mountable on the housing such that the housing acts as a base to support the light emitting assembly.

6. The light therapy device of claim 5 wherein the first and second members are pivotally connected.

7. The light therapy device of claim 6 wherein the light emitting assembly is mounted onto the first member and the second member forms a base for support of the first member.

8. The light therapy device of claim 1 wherein the housing is mounted into a vehicle passenger compartment so as to provide light treatment to vehicle passengers or operators.

9. The light therapy device of claim 8 wherein the vehicle passenger compartment is in a vehicle selected from the group consisting of a plane, an automobile, a transport truck, a bus and a plane.

10. The light therapy device of claim 1 further comprising an adapter mountable on a support and formed to accept the device.

11. The light therapy device of claim 10 wherein the adapter further comprises an adjustable arm.

12. The light therapy device of claim 10 wherein the adapter further comprises electrical contactors for electrical communication to the device and to a power source in the support.

13. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator includes a display, a key pad for inputting information and a processor for accepting the information and calculating a treatment regime.

14. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator calculates a treatment regime based on an input of (i) a number of time zones crossed, (ii) a direction of travel and (iii) a normal wake-up time of the patient.

15. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator is programmed to determine the number of time zones through which travel will occur and a treatment regime based on an input of (i) a departure city, (ii) an arrival city and (iii) a normal wake-up time of the patient.

16. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator is programmed to prompt a user for an input of information.

17. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator includes a pause feature for recording a time of treatment interruption and capable of outputting from memory the portion of treatment remaining when treatment is resumed.

18. The light therapy device of claim 4 wherein the therapy calculator includes a memory capable of storing and recalling a previous treatment regime.

19. An ocular light therapy device comprising:

an outer housing including an opening;

a light emitting assembly in the housing and operable to emit light through the opening in the housing, the light emitting assembly including a plurality of LEDs capable of generating 2,500 lux to 7,500 lux at 12 inches.

20. The light therapy device of claim 19 wherein at least some of the LEDs are capable of emitting white-light.

21. The light therapy device of claim 19 further comprising a base formed on the outer housing.

22. The light therapy device of claim 19 further comprising a support leg for supporting the housing in propped position for light therapy.

23. The light therapy device of claim 22 wherein the support leg is pivotally connected to the housing and rotatable between a supporting position and a stored position.

24. The light therapy device of claim 21 further comprising a mounting adapter and wherein the base is selected to fit into and be engaged by the mounting adapter.

25. The light therapy device of claim 21 wherein the housing further comprises an upper member pivotally connected to the base, the light emitting assembly being mounted in the upper member.

26. The light therapy device of claim 19 further comprising a battery for powering the device.

27. The light therapy device of claim 26 wherein the battery is rechargeable.

28. An ocular light therapy device comprising:

an outer housing including an opening, the housing including a base for supporting the housing in a treatment position on a support surface;

a light emitting assembly in the housing and operable to emit light through the opening in the housing, the light emitting assembly including a plurality of white light emitting LEDs.

29. The light therapy device of claim 28 wherein the plurality of LEDs is capable of generating an output of light suitable for ocular light therapy.

30. The light therapy device of claim 28 wherein the plurality of LEDs is capable of generating 2,500 lux to 7,500 lux at 12 inches.

31. The light therapy device of claim 28 wherein the plurality of LEDs has a total output of light of between 50 and 500 candelas.

32. The light therapy device of claim 28 further comprising a mounting adapter and wherein the base is selected to fit into and be engaged by the mounting adapter.

33. The light therapy device of claim 32 wherein the adapter further comprises an adjustable arm.

34. The light therapy device of claim 32 wherein the adapter further comprises electrical contactors for electrical communication to the device and to a power source in the support.

35. The light therapy device of claim 28 further comprising a support leg for supporting the housing in propped position on the base.

36. The light therapy device of claim 35 wherein the support leg is pivotally connected to the housing and rotatable between a supporting position and a stored position.