Phototherapy Method

• US 20070100400A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• 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, Joe, Wesley, Mince, William, Chung, Dong-Chune
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• 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 method of providing phototherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation; transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.

Claims

1. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:

placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation;

transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and

limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from light sources operating at a plurality of colors.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the limiting step comprises blocking light transmission from the light source through the second portion of the support surface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the limiting step comprises attenuating light transmitted from the light source through second portion of the support surface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the limiting step comprises using a thermochromic material to control light transmission through the support surface.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing the location of the patient on the support surface.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the placing step comprises placing the patient on a fluid-filled pad on the support surface.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the placing step comprises orienting the patient with respect to a patient orientation element.

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

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a plurality of LEDs having a substantially non-uniform concentration with respect to the orientation element.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the orienting step comprises orienting the patient'"'"'s head with a head area of the orientation element.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a plurality of LEDs having a concentration greater near the head area than in another area of the orientation element.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising cooling the phototherapy device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cooling step comprises cooling the phototherapy device with a fan.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the cooling step comprising sensing a temperature of the phototherapy device.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting a level of the light transmitted by the light source.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the adjusting step comprises sensing a temperature of the phototherapy device.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the placing step comprises placing the patient on a mattress and the transmitting step comprises transmitting light through the mattress.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising placing the patient on a mattress cover covering the mattress.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically sensing the presence of a patient on the support surface prior to the transmitting step.