Chemiluminescent phototherapy device

• US 20060089685A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Healthshine Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Healthshine Incorporated
• Inventors: Streibich, Douglas J., Healy, Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US11/058,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0656 Chemical light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment

Abstract

A portable, disposable, and self-contained medical device for the production and delivery of therapeutic light to the blood transmitted through the non-ocular skin surface. The light is generated by a chemiluminescent dye configured to radiate light in the specific wavelength required by a particular phototherapy treatment. The wavelength of light emitted by this planar device is such that some disorders of health requiring phototherapy are effectively treated. Disorders falling into this category include elevated bilirubin jaundice, circadian rhythm anomalies, mood disorders and potentially a reduction in injury or surgically related bruise healing time.

Claims

1. A phototherapy light source for treating bilirubin jaundice, comprising:

a chemiluminescent dye that emits radiation in the wavelengths of about 430 nanometers to about 470 nanometers; and

a reservoir for said chemiluminescent dye with at least one panel that is transparent from about 430 nanometers to about 470 nanometers and is made of a physiologically safe material for contact with infants.

2. The phototherapy light source of claim 1, further comprising an activator chemical and wherein said chemiluminescent dye is in solution with an activator compliment catalyst.

3. The phototherapy light source of claim 2, wherein said reservoir comprises a flexible bladder for containing said solution, and wherein said bladder comprises a plurality of ribs that connect opposing walls of the bladder.

4. The phototherapy device of claim 3, wherein each of the ribs defines a plurality of fluid bypass passageways.

5. The phototherapy device of claim 3, wherein said activator chemical is contained in a chamber within said bladder, wherein said chamber is configured to rupture when a significant pressure is applied to said chamber.

6. The phototherapy device of claim 3, wherein said bladder comprises a wall having a reflective inner surface.

7. The phototherapy device of claim 3, wherein said bladder is affixed to an inner surface of a garment.

8. The phototherapy device of claim 2, wherein said reservoir is a substantially rigid and transparent cylinder.

9. The phototherapy device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator dye that is noticeable when said chemiluminescent dye is spent, wherein said indicator dye has a different color than said chemiluminescent dye.

10. A phototherapy device for treating an ailment, comprising:

a) a sealed container;

b) a solution having a chemiluminescent dye within said container;

c) a sealed chamber containing an activator chemical, wherein said chamber is operable to release the activator into said solution; and

d) an activator compliment catalyst in said solution.

11. The phototherapy device of claim 10, wherein the chemiluminescent dye is configured to emit light substantially within a range of wavelengths particularly suited to treat said ailment.

12. The phototherapy device of claim 11, wherein the range of wavelengths is about 430 nanometers to about 470 nanometers.

13. The phototherapy device of claim 10, wherein said container is a substantially rigid and transparent cylinder.

14. The phototherapy device of claim 10, wherein said container is a flexible bladder having a plurality of ribs that connect opposing walls of the container, and wherein each of the ribs defines a plurality of fluid bypass passageways.

15. The phototherapy device of claim 10, wherein said container comprises a wall having a reflective inner surface.

16. The phototherapy device of claim 10, wherein said container is affixed to an inner surface of a garment.

17. A phototherapy process for treating an ailment, comprising:

a) sealing a solution having a chemiluminescent dye in a container;

b) activating the chemiluminescent dye; and

c) placing the container in close proximity to an area affected by said ailment to expose the affected area to a range of light rays emitted by the activated chemiluminescent dye.

18. The phototherapy process of claim 17, wherein the range of light wavelengths is best suited for treating said ailment.

19. The phototherapy process of claim 17, further comprising the step of discarding the container after the affected area has been treated for a prescribed period of time.

20. The phototherapy process of claim 17, further comprising the step of sealing an activator chemical in a chamber within the container.

21. The phototherapy process of claim 20, wherein said activating step comprises rupturing the chamber to release the activator into the solution.

22. The phototherapy process of claim 21, wherein the solution contains an activator compliment catalyst that reacts with the activator chemical to add energy to the chemiluminescent dye.

23. The phototherapy process of claim 17, wherein the container comprises a flexible bladder having a plurality of ribs that connect opposing walls of the container, and wherein each of the ribs forms a plurality of fluid bypass passageways.

24. The phototherapy process of claim 17, further comprising the step of affixing the container to an inner surface of a garment.

25. The phototherapy process of claim 17, wherein said ailment is hyperbilirubinemia and the range of light wavelengths is about 430 nanometers to about 470 nanometers.