Monocular Light Source Positioning Device and Method for Stimulating Photoneuronic Response

• US 20110130810A1
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ernesto A. Gerardo
• Original Assignee: Ernesto A. Gerardo
• Inventors: Gerardo, Ernesto A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,715,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/91
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• 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 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

A monocular light source positioning device includes a support member which held on the head of a user to hold an elongated readily bendable but self supporting element having a light source effective to stimulate a photo-endocrine response attached at a free end thereof positioned over or in front of only one eye of the person to provide a method of stimulating a photoendocrine response without interfering with the principal field of view of the user.

Claims

1. A monocular light source positioning device for use in administering light therapy comprising:

a support member adapted held on the head of a wearer;

a housing incorporated with said support member receiving a battery and associated electronics;

an elongated readily bendable but self supporting element connected to said housing and of a length able to position a free end thereof at a point forward of one eye of a wearer;

a light source mounted to said free end of said bendable element and electrically connected to said battery and electronic controls thereby;

said light source emitting light of a wavelength and intensity effective to stimulate a photoendocrine response when positioned adjacent one eye to cause said emitted light to enter said one eye;

whereby said wearer can receive such stimulation while wearing said device by positioning said light source forward of one eye by bending said elongated element as necessary while leaving the other eye with an unobstructed view.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes a U-shaped piece having two curved ear clips and positioned to hold said piece on a wearer'"'"'s ears, said housing and elongated bendable element mounted to said piece to thereby be held on the head of a wearer.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a curved piece configured to conform to the antihelix fold of a wearer'"'"'s ear to be held thereto, said support member being connected to said housing and said bendable elongated element by an intervening second elongated bendable element.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said light source includes a single LED emitting light in the approximate wavelength range of 420 to 520 nm.

5. The device according to claim 3 wherein said curved piece is bendable to be matched to an antihelix fold of a particular user.

6. A method of providing light therapy comprising supporting a single light source emitting light when a wavelength and intensity effective to stimulate photoendocrine response on the head of person being treated so as to position said light source adjacent one eye only of the person while activating said light source causing said light to enter said one eye.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein supporting said light source includes providing a support member held by at least one ear of said person and connecting one end of an elongated readily bendable but self supporting element to said member and mounting said light source to a free end of said bendable element and positioning said light source to be adjacent only one eye of said person by bending of said elongated element as necessary.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein said light source is positioned directly in front of and facing said one eye of said person.

9. The method according to claim 6 wherein supporting said light source includes conforming a support piece to the antihelix fold of one ear of said person.

10. The method according to claim 7 wherein said support of said light source includes fitting two ear clips connected to each leg of a U-shaped member onto the ear outer ear of said person and connecting said elongated element to said U-shaped member.