Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Inducing, Melatonin Suppressing Light Emitting Device to Enhance Wake Cycle

• US 20080170476A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katherine Hurst
• Original Assignee: Katherine Hurst
• Inventors: Hurst, Katherine
• Granted Patent: US 8,303,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/250
• 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 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes

Abstract

A light emitting device to awaken an animal and stimulate the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in the brain to suppress melatonin secretion. The device can be programmed for an initiation time, color of light, brightness, frequency of pulsating light, and level of gradual intensity. It has the advantage of being silent and does not to disturb other people sleeping in the same room.

Claims

1. A light emitting device comprising;

a power source,

a controller to regulate a light quality selected from the group consisting of wave length, duration, initiation of onset, termination of duration, pulse rate, and intensity, a light source emitting a light wherein;

the wave length is any wave length from 400 nm to 700 nm,

the pulse rate is any pulse rate from 600 pulses/minute to 2 pulses/hour and

the intensity is any intensity from 0 lux to 4,000 lux.

2. The light emitting device of claim 1;

wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a mask, a face covering, a pillow, a pillow case, a shield, a lamp, a wall-mounted unit, a free-standing unit, a pair of glasses, television, a plasma screen, and a LCD screen.

3. The light emitting device of claim 2;

wherein the device is a mask.

4. The light emitting device of claim 3;

wherein the mask further comprises a band.

5. The light emitting device of claim 1;

wherein the controller is within the device.

6. The light emitting device of claim 1;

wherein the light source is covered by a lens.

7. The light emitting device of claim 1;

wherein the controller is activated by an external signal.

8. A method of exposing an animal to light, comprising:

a. programming the controller for the light emitting device in claim 1 to emit the light at a pre-determined time, wave length, pulse rate and intensity,

b. placing the light emitting device close to an animal'"'"'s eyes,

c. emitting the light from the light emitting device at the pre-determined time,

d. emitting the light from the light emitting device at any wave length from 400 nm to 700 nm,

e. emitting the light from the light emitting device at any pulse rate from 600 pulses/minute to 2 pulses/hour,

f. emitting the light from the light emitting device at any intensity from 0 lux to 4,000 lux, and

d. exposing the animal'"'"'s eyes to the light from the light emitting device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the light emitting device emits light pulses at a pre-determined pulse rate.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the light emitting device emits light at a pre-determined wave length range.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wave length range is the wave length range of natural sunlight.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the light emitting device emits light with a pre-determined intensity.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the light emitting device emits a light at the pre-determined time that is gradually increased from zero to maximum value.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the animal is awakened.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the animal has a hormone stimulated.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the animal has a hormone inhibited.