Phototherapy lights

• US 20080119912A1
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Outside In (Cambridge) Ltd. (Lumie Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Outside In (Cambridge) Ltd. (Lumie Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hayes, Stephen Bryce
• Granted Patent: US 9,433,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• 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: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

This invention relates to phototherapy lights, in particular for a combination of Bright Light Therapy and Dawn Simulation. A phototherapy light source having two operational modes, a first dawn simulator mode; and a second, bright light therapy mode; the light comprising a controller coupled to a light source; and wherein, in said first mode said light source is controlled to provide variable illumination with a minimum light intensity of less than 1 lux at 50 centimetres, and in said second mode said light source is controlled to provide illumination with a light intensity of at least 1000 lux at 50 centimetres.

Claims

1. A phototherapy light source having two operational modes,

a first dawn simulator mode;

and

a second, bright light therapy mode;

the light comprising a controller coupled to a light source; and

wherein, in said first mode said light source is controlled to provide variable illumination with a minimum light intensity of less than 1 lux at 50 centimetres, and in said second mode said light source is controlled to provide illumination with a light intensity of at least 1000 lux at 50 centimetres.

2. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 1 further configured to change a colour said illumination in said dawn simulator mode such that the said illumination is redder at a lower illumination level than at a higher illumination level.

3. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light source comprises LEDs of at least two different colours, a first colour and a second colour redder than said first colour and wherein said controller is configured to control a relative brightness of said different coloured LEDs to alter the colour of said illumination in said variable illumination dawn simulator mode.

4. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide said illumination in said bright light therapy mode, dimmable to provide said variable illumination.

5. A phototherapy light a claimed in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises at least one LED and at least one discharge light source;

and wherein said controller is configured to use said at least one LED for said variable illumination mode and said discharge light source for said bright light therapy mode.

6. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 1 wherein a ratio of said bright light therapy light intensity to said minimum light intensity in at least 1000:

1, more preferably 5000;

1, most preferably 10000;

1.

7. A phototherapy light configured to provide at least two levels of illumination, a first level of illumination and a second, lower level of illumination, and wherein said illumination at said second, lower level is redder than said illumination at said first level.

8. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 7 wherein said phototherapy light is a dawn simulator.

9. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 7 wherein said phototherapy light is a bright light therapy light and wherein said first level of illumination is at least 1000 lux at 50 centimetres.

10. A phototherapy light as claimed in claim 7 comprising a controller and light source including LEDs of at least two different colours, a first colour and a second colour redder than said first colour, and wherein said controller is configured to control a relative brightness of said different coloured LEDs for said first and second illumination levels.