Phototherapy Device

• US 20070088410A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Chiu, Edmond, Flaherty, Bryan, Totah, Abraham, Brude, David, Chung, Dong-Chune, Joe, Wesley, Mince, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/91
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0637 in a horizontal position
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment

Abstract

A phototherapy system having a rigid support surface adapted to support a patient without substantial deformation; a light source disposed so as to transmit light through the support surface; and a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.

Claims

1. A phototherapy system, comprising:

a rigid support surface adapted to support a patient without substantial deformation;

a light source disposed so as to transmit light through the support surface; and

a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.

2. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources operating at a plurality of colors.

4. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the mask is further adapted to block light transmission from the light source through the second portion.

5. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the mask is further adapted to attenuate light transmitted from the light source through the second portion.

6. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises thermochromic material.

7. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a patient location sensor.

8. The phototherapy system of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a fluid-filled pad.

9. The phototherapy system of claim 1 further comprising a patient orientation element.

10. The phototherapy system of claim 9 wherein the patient orientation element comprises a visible shape in or on the support surface.

11. The phototherapy system of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of LEDs having a substantially non-uniform concentration with respect to the orientation element.

12. The phototherapy system of claim 9 wherein the patient orientation element has a head area adapted to orient the head of the patient with respect to the support surface.

13. The phototherapy system of claim 12 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of LEDs having a concentration greater near the head area than in another area of the orientation element.

14. The phototherapy system of claim 1 further comprising a cooling assembly adapted to control heat within the system.

15. The phototherapy system of claim 14 wherein the cooling assembly comprises a fan.

16. The phototherapy system of claim 14 wherein the cooling assembly comprises a temperature sensor.

17. The phototherapy system of claim 1 further comprising a light level controller.

18. The phototherapy system of claim 17 wherein the light level controller comprises a temperature sensor.

19. The phototherapy system of claim 1 further comprising a mattress adapted to be disposed between the patient and support surface and to transmit light from the support surface to the patient.

20. The phototherapy system of claim 19 further comprising a mattress cover disposed over at least a portion of the mattress and adapted to transmit light.

21. The phototherapy system of claim 19 wherein the mattress comprises a concave surface.

22. The phototherapy system of claim 1 further comprising a pressure-sensitive switch adapted to control the light source.