Device for the prevention of melationin suppression by light at night

• US 20060119954A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Circadianeye LLC
• Original Assignee: Melcort Inc.
• Inventors: Casper, Robert, Spilkin, Jonathan, Solo, Peter, Wardrop, Jennifer
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/643
• 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: G02C 5/001 specially adapted for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for or not fully classifiable according to technical characteristics, e.g. therapeutic glasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/10 Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/104 having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/12 Polarisers

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for inhibiting melatonin suppressing light from reaching the retina. The device having means for selectively blocking light having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production in a human.

Claims

1. A device for inhibiting melatonin suppressing light comprising:

means for selectively blocking light having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production in a human.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively blocking light is an optical filter.

3. A device according to claim 2, comprising the optical filter which includes a polarizing layer.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively blocking light is operable to substantially block light having a wavelength less than at or about 530 nm.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the means for selectively blocking light is operable to substantially block light having a wavelength of between at or about 470 nm and at or about 530 nm.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the means for selectively blocking light is operable to substantially block light having a wavelength of between at or about 497 nm and at or about 530 nm.

7. A device according to claim 3, wherein the polarizing layer is a polarizing film.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an ultraviolet light absorber.

9. A device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of eyewear, a lightbulb, a light cover and a lens.

17. The use of an optical filter a device according to claim 2, for the prevention or the suppression of melatonin production in a human, the filter being operable to selectively block light, having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production, from reaching the retina in a human.

18. The use of a device according to claim 1, for the prevention or the suppression of melatonin production in a human, the device being operable to selectively block light, having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production, from reaching the retina in a human.

10. A lens operable by a user who is exposed to melatonin suppressing light at peak melatonin production times, the lens comprising an optical filter operable to selectively block light having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production in a user.

11. A lens according to claim 10, wherein the lens is incorporated in eyewear.

12. A lens according to claim 11, wherein the eyewear is selected from the group consisting of spectacles, goggles, contact lenses and safety glasses.

13. A light device comprising an optical filter operable to selectively block light from the light device having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production in a human.

14. A light device according to claim 13, wherein the light device is chosen from an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source or any other artificial light source.

15. A light device according to claim 13, wherein the optical filter is a coating on at least one surface of the device.

16. A light cover for use with a light device, the cover comprising:

an optical filter operable to selectively block light from the light device having a wavelength capable of suppressing melatonin production in a human, the cover being operable to releasably attach to the light source to channel the light emitted from the light source therethrough.