Methods and devices for self adjusting phototherapeutic intervention

• US 20100100160A1
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PhiloMetron Inc.
• Original Assignee: PhiloMetron Inc.
• Inventors: Bhavaraju, Naresh Chandra, Edman, Carl Frederick, Drinan, Darrel Dean
• Application Number:
  US12/589,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20100100160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0653 Organic light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for the sensing of one or more body regions within a larger body zone, and the application of a therapy, preferably photonic therapy, based upon one or more sensor measurements derived from at least one body region. Such applied photonic therapies may be accomplished in an effectively simultaneous fashion while being adjusted independently to each body region. In addition, successive applications of photonic therapy(s) to one or more body regions may be further adjusted based upon one or more successive sensor measurements of the corresponding body regions.

Claims

1. ) A method for application of one or more therapies to at least one body region where:

a) a plurality of body regions within a body zone are measured by one or more sensor elements;

b) the body region sensor data is analyzed by one or more comparators; and

c) at least one therapy may be applied to a body region based upon comparator analysis of body region sensor data.

2. ) The method of claim 1 where said sensor elements are photonic in nature.

3. ) The method of claim 1 where said therapy is photonic in nature.

4. ) The method of claim 1 where application of therapeutic photonic energies to individual body regions within the body zone occurs in an effectively simultaneous fashion.

5. ) The method of claim 1 where the applied photonic energies to one or more body regions may be the same or different from the applied photonic energies applied to one or more other body regions.

6. ) The method of claim 3 where the applied photonic energies may be of one or more light emission wavelengths, emission intensities and/or delivery patterns.

7. ) The method of claim 3 with additional, non-photonic therapies to one or more body regions in conjunction with application of one or more photonic therapies in response to analysis of body region sensor data.

8. ) The method of claim 1 where the sensing of a body zone is repeated over a period of time.

9. ) The method of claim 1 where said therapy to a body region is adjusted based upon one or more repeated sensor measurements.

10. ) The method of claim 1 where the sensor data of from one or more sensor measurements are mathematically evaluated thereby enabling trends of therapy efficacy in one or more body regions to be derived.

11. ) The method of claim 1 where the sensor data of from one or more sensor measurements are mathematically evaluated thereby enabling numbers of future repetitions and/or alterations of photonic therapy to individual body regions to be derived.

12. ) The method of claim 1 where the structure for the display of sensor data utilizes a structure physically separated from the structure utilized for sensor measurements and/or therapy delivery.

13. ) The method of claim 10 wherein communication between the display structure and the measurement and/or photonic therapy structures is accomplished by wireless means.

14. ) A device for the application of one or more therapies to individual body regions of a body zone consisting of:

a) a structure having one or more measurement sensors enabling the measurement of two or more body regions within said body zone for one or more parameters related to the status of said body regions;

b) a comparator capable of receiving and analyzing said measured data; and

c) a therapy delivery structure,

where said comparator evaluates body region parameter data from at least one measurement sensor and enables a delivery of at least one therapy to at least one body region using the therapy delivery structure upon said determination of need for said therapy.

15. ) The device of claim 14 where said sensors employ at least one wavelength of photonic energy for measurement of a body region.

16. ) The device of claim 14 where at least one wavelength of photonic energy as part of the applied therapy and said therapy delivery structure contains at least one photonic energy delivery source.

17. ) The device of claim 14 wherein the sensors, comparator and therapy delivery structure are contained within a single structure.

18. ) The multifunctional structure of claim 17 being effectively planar and flexible in nature and having a first surface with measurement elements and photonics sources oriented towards the body region.

19. ) The multifunctional structure of claim 17 also in wireless communication with one or more additional comparators.

20. ) The multifunctional structure of claim 17 wherein the measurement elements and photonic energy delivery sources form a geometrical arrangement having at least one repeated pattern of measurement elements and photonic energy delivery sources.

21. ) The multifunction structure of claim 17 having a first surface with measurement elements and photonics sources oriented towards the body region.

22. ) The multifunctional structure of claim 17 also having comparator and display functionalities.

23. ) The device of claim 14 where non-photonic therapies are supplied to one or more body regions in addition to photonic therapies.

25. ) The method of claim 20 where application of therapies to individual body regions within the body zone includes the use of drugs or agents.

24. ) A method for application of one or more therapies to a body zone where:

a) a plurality of body regions within a body zone are measured by one or more sensor elements;

b) the body region sensor data is analyzed by one or more comparators; and

c) one or more therapy(s) are applied to individual body regions based upon analysis of body region sensor data.