Apparatus and Method for Providing a Multi-Stage Light Treatment

• US 20080103561A1
• Filed: 02/19/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucian Moscovici
• Original Assignee: Lucian Moscovici
• Inventors: Moscovici, Lucian
• Granted Patent: US 8,852,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to medium wavelength light therapy. According to some embodiments, the first stage of the protocol includes a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is between 50 lux and 2000 lux. According to some embodiments, the second stage of the protocol includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes during which, for every 10 minute period within the second time window, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is exceeds 100 lux. According to some embodiments, the third stage of the protocol includes a third time window of 60 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity exceeds 2000 lux In some embodiments, the light is provided by apparatus including a plurality of LEDs. Typically, the light includes white light having a broad spectrum. In some embodiments, the light further includes light having a medium wavelength, for example, wavelengths between 520 nm and 535 nm.

Claims

1-132. -132. (canceled)

133. Apparatus comprising:

a) a light source; and

b) a controller said controller operative to;

i) effect, using said light source, a first stage of light emission including a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said first time window, the light intensity at a predetermined distance is equal to at least a low-intensity minimum value of at least about 50 lux and is equal to at most a low-intensity maximum value of at most about 2000 lux;

ii) to effect, subsequent to said first time window, using said light source, a second stage of light emission including a second time window of at least 60 minutes wherein for every 45 minute sub-window within said second time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance, for a majority of the time of said sub-window, is equal to at least a second minimum value of at least about 100 lux; and

iii) to effect, subsequent to said second time window, using said light source, a third stage of light emission including a third time window of at least 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said third time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at least a high-intensity minimum value of at least about 2000 lux.

134. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein the apparatus is configured such that an intensity emitted from said light source at said predetermined distance during a majority of the time of said second time window and during a majority of the time of said third time windows is at most about 20,000 lux.

135. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said controller is operative to effect said first, second and third stages such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 8 hours.

136. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said controller is operative to effect said first, second and third stages such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 6 hours.

137. Apparatus according to claim 133, wherein said light source includes a plurality of LEDs.

138. Apparatus according to claim 133, wherein at least some said LEDS are white LEDS and at least some said LEDs are colored LEDS.

139. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said controller is configured such that for a majority of the time of said second time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at most a second maximum value, and said second maximum value is selected from the group consisting of 10,000 lux, 7,500 lux, 5,000 lux, 2,500 lux, 2,000 lux and 1,500 lux.

140. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said controller is configured such that said first stage of light treatment includes a. simulated dawn process wherein the intensity of light gradually at said predetermined distance increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 30 minutes and about 75 minutes.

141. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that said first time window is preceded by an lower intensity time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said lower intensity time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at least a lower-intensity minimum value of about 100 lux and is equal to at most a lower-intensity maximum value of about 400 lux.

142. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that said second window includes, a fourth time window of at least 45 minutes wherein for every minute period within said fourth time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at most a value of about 1500 lux.

143. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that for every said 10 minute period within said fourth time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at least a value of about 2500 lux.

144. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that for every non-overlapping 15 minute period within said second time window, a value of an average light intensity at said predetermined distance during a latter said non-overlapping time period exceeds or is substantially equal to a value of an average light intensity at said predetermined distance during an earlier said non-overlapping time period.

145. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said second time window is at least 150 minutes.

146. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said high-intensity minimum value is about 5000 lux.

147. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that said third stage further includes a fourth time window of 60 minutes distinct from said third time window, during which, for a majority of the time during said fourth window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at least said high-intensity minimum value.

148. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that at least one of light emitted from said light source of said majority of the time of said first window and light emitted from said light source of a majority of the time of said second window comprises both white light and colored light having a wavelength of less than 550 nanometers.

149. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that said light emitted from said light source of said majority of the time of said first window comprises at least about 5% colored light and at most about 30% colored light.

150. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that said light emitted from said light source of said majority of the time of said second window comprises at least about 20% colored light and at most about 60% colored light.

151. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said colored light having a wavelength of less than 550 nanometers is green light having a wavelength between about 520 nm and about 535 nanometers.

152. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured to effect said first, second and third stages for a plurality of days at a time that is substantially the same time of day.

153. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured to effect said first, second and third stages for at least one day, and on days following said at least one day, said controller is configured to effect at least one day to a fourth stage of light treatment, wherein:

i) said fourth stage of light treatment includes at least 30 minutes of high intensity light treatment administered within a 60 minute period and administered at a time of day substantially identical to a time of day of said third time window, and

ii) a duration of said fourth stage is equal to at most 30% less than an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and an end of said second time window.

154. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said second minimum value is about 300 lux.

155. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such for every 30 minute sub-window within said second time window the light intensity at said predetermined distance, for a majority of the time, is equal to at least said second minimum value.

156. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such for every 20 minute sub-window within said second time window the light intensity at said predetermined distance, for a majority of the time, is equal to at least said second minimum value.

157. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such for every 10 minute sub-window within said second time window the light intensity at said predetermined distance, for a majority of the time, is equal to at least said second minimum value.

158. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said second time window is at least 90 minutes.

159. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said third time window is 40 minutes.

160. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 wherein the apparatus is adapted to shut off no later than 120 minutes after the end of said third window.

161. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133, wherein said controller is further operative to

(iv) effect, no later than immediately after 60 minutes after the end of said third time window, a decreased light stage whose duration is at least 20 minutes, wherein an intensity of light emitted from said light source at said predetermined distance is at most a fraction whose value is at most 0.99 of said high-intensity minimum value.

162. Apparatus as claimed in claim 133 further comprising at least one of a diffuser screen for providing a more uniform emission of light, and a diffuser screen including an UV filter material.

163. Use of apparatus as claimed in claim 133 to treat one of a psychiatric disorder, a mood disorder and a circadian rhythm disorder.

164. A method of providing a multi-stage light protocol, the method comprising:

a) subjecting a patient to a first stage of light treatment, said first stage including a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said first time window, the light intensity is equal to at least a low-intensity minimum value of at least about 50 lux and is equal to at most a low-intensity maximum value of at most about 2000 lux;

b) subsequent to said first time window, subjecting said patient to a second stage of light treatment including a second time window of at least 60 minutes wherein for every 45 minute sub-window within said second time window the light intensity, for a majority of the time of said sub-window, is equal to at least a second minimum value of about at least lux; and

c) subsequent to said second time window, subjecting said patient to a third stage of light treatment including a third time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said third sub-window, the light intensity is equal to at least a high-intensity minimum value of at least about 2000 lux.

165. The method of claim 164 wherein an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 8 hours.

166. The method of claim 164 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is between about 100 lux and about 400 lux.

167. The method of claim 164 wherein said low-intensity maximum value is between about 1500 lux and about 800 lux.

168. The method of claim 164 wherein an intensity of light during a majority of the time of said second time window and during a majority of the time of said third time windows is at most about 20,000 lux.

169. The method of claim 164 wherein an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 8 hours.

170. The method of claim 164 wherein a maximum intensity of light during a majority of said first, during a majority of said second and during a majority of said third time windows is at most about 20,000 lux.

171. The method of claim 164 wherein said first stage of light treatment includes a simulated dawn process wherein the intensity of light gradually increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 30 minutes and about 75 minutes.

172. The method of claim 164 wherein said first time window is preceded by a lower intensity time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said lower intensity time window, the light intensity is equal to at least a lower-intensity minimum value of about 100 lux and is equal to at most a lower-intensity maximum value of about 400 lux.

173. The method of claim 164 wherein for every non-overlapping 15 minute period within said second time window, a value of an average light intensity during a latter said non-overlapping time period exceeds or is substantially equal to a value of an average light intensity during an earlier said non-overlapping time period.

174. The method of claim 164 wherein a duration of said second time window is at least 150 minutes.

175. The method of claim 164 wherein said third stage further includes a fourth time window of 60 minutes distinct from said third time window, during which, for a majority of the time during said fourth window, the light intensity is equal to at least said high-intensity minimum value.

176. The method of claim 164 wherein at least one of light of said majority of the time of said first window and light of a majority of the time of said second window comprises both white light and colored light having a wavelength of less than 550 nanometers.

177. The method of claim 176 wherein said light of said majority of the time of said first window comprises at least about 5% colored light and at most about 30% colored light.

178. The method of claim 176 wherein said light of said majority of the time of said second window comprises at least about 20% colored light and at most about 60% colored light.

179. The method of claim 176 wherein said colored light having a wavelength of less than 550 nanometers is green light having a wavelength between about 520 nm and about 535 nanometers.

180. The method of claim 164 wherein at least one of light of said majority of the time of said first window and light of a majority of the time of said second window comprises at least 40% white light.

181. The method of claim 164 wherein the protocol is applied for a plurality of days at a time that is substantially the same time of day.

182. The method of claim 181 wherein the protocol is applied for at least one day, and on days following said at least one day, said patient is subjected to at least one day to a fourth stage of light treatment, wherein:

i) said fourth stage of light treatment includes at least 30 minutes of high intensity light treatment administered within a 60 minute period and administered at a time of day substantially identical to a time of day of said third time window, and

ii) a duration of said fourth stage is equal to at most 30% less than an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and an end of said second time window.

183. The method of claim 164 wherein said first time window begins after between 1 and 4 hours of sleep of said patient.

184. The method of claim 164 wherein said second minimum value is between about 300 lux and about 1500 lux.

185. The method of claim 164 for treating at least one of a psychiatric disorder, a mood disorder, a circadian rhythm disorder, non-seasonal depression, binge eating, and seasonal depression.

186. The method of claim 164 wherein a duration of said second time window is at least 90 minutes.

187. The method of claim 164 wherein a duration of said third time window is between about 40 minutes and 75 minutes.

188. The method of claim 164 wherein for a majority of the time of said second time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at most a second maximum value of at most about 10,000 lux.

189. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable code embodied in said computer readable storage medium, said computer readable code comprising instructions for adjusting an intensity parameter of alight source to:

i) effect, using said light source, a first stage of light emission including a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said first time window, the light intensity at a predetermined distance is equal to at least a low-intensity minimum value of at least about 50 lux and is equal to at most a low-intensity maximum value of at most about 2000 lux;

ii) to effect, subsequent to said first time window, using said light source, a second stage of light emission including a second time window of at least 60 minutes wherein for every 45 minute sub-window within said second time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance, for a majority of the time of said sub-window, is equal to at least a second minimum value of at least about 100 lux; and

iii) to effect, subsequent to said second time window, using said light source, a third stage of light emission including a third time window of at least 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time of said third time window, the light intensity at said predetermined distance is equal to at least a high-intensity minimum value of at least about 2000 lux, wherein said predetermined distance is a distance selected from the group consisting of 20 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, 55 cm, 70 cm, and 100 cm.