METHOD AND APPARATUS UTILIZING LIGHT AS THERAPY FOR FUNGAL INFECTION
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for treating cutaneous fungal infections, comprising:
- a structure for fitting over a patient'"'"'s extremity;
one or more blue LEDs incorporated into the structure for emitting light toward the patient'"'"'s skin;
control circuitry for controlling operation of the LEDs; and
, a timer incorporated into the control circuitry controlled by a user interface that allows a patient to manually set the time for which light is to be delivered.
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Abstract
Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating fungal nail infections and similar diseases with light therapy. In one embodiment, an apparatus that utilizes one or more blue light emitting diodes (LED) to irradiate fungus residing under and around the nail is applied externally to a toe or finger in order to kill the fungus and restore normal nail growth. Light therapy may applied in this manner periodically at scheduled times. Another embodiment involves the use of a bootie-like structure having blue light emitting diodes for irradiating the toes, heal, and foot bottom.
92 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating cutaneous fungal infections, comprising:
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a structure for fitting over a patient'"'"'s extremity;
one or more blue LEDs incorporated into the structure for emitting light toward the patient'"'"'s skin;
control circuitry for controlling operation of the LEDs; and
,a timer incorporated into the control circuitry controlled by a user interface that allows a patient to manually set the time for which light is to be delivered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16)
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11. A method for treating cutaneous fungal infections, comprising:
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fitting a structure for fitting over a patient'"'"'s extremity, wherein the structure incorporates one or more blue LEDs for emitting light toward a patient'"'"'s skin;
emitting light from the LEDs at a wavelength between 400 and 500 nm; and
,setting a timer for controlling operation of the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light for a specified period of time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 17, 18)
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Specification