Light Therapy for Treating or Managing Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

• US 20120197358A1
• Filed: 03/06/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Marvin A. Prescott
• Original Assignee: Marvin A. Prescott
• Inventors: Prescott, Marvin A.
• Application Number:
  US13/412,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197358A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00464 Subcutaneous fat, e.g. liposuction, lipolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

Techniques for managing diabetes and pre-diabetes using light are disclosed herein. In one example, a light generating device is positioned to a body part of a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient, and a beam of light generated by the light generating device is directed to the body part of the patient to control blood sugar level of the patient. In various embodiments, the beam of light directed to the patient can also help to control the blood lipid level such as triglyceride level, blood liver enzyme of the patient, and various other symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes. In various embodiments, the body part includes body area rich in adipose tissue, such as the abdominal area, thigh, buttocks, and upper arms of the patient.

Claims

1. A method for managing diabetes or pre-diabetes using a light generating device, comprising:

positioning the light generating device to a body part of a patient; and

directing a beam of light generated by the light generating device to the body part of the patient to control blood glucose level of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light beam includes a wavelength of 400 to 1300 nm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light beam is a low intensity beam generated by a power of 1-12 mW.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the body part includes one body area selected from the group consisting of an adipose tissue rich area:

abdominal, thigh, and buttocks.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the body part is adjacent to the pancreas of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the light generating device includes placing the light generating device over the body part but external to the patient body.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the light generating device includes implanting the light generating device to the body part so that the device is internal to the patient body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the light beam is generated by a light emitting diode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the light beam is generated by a laser diode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein light beam is focused by a focusing lens.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein directing the light beam to the body part of the patient is according to a prescribed light regimen.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the prescribed light regimen is based on one or more patient parameters, wherein one or more of the one or more patient parameters are selected from the group consisting of:

patient weight, patient waist size, patient blood sugar level, patient blood lipid level, and patient blood liver enzyme level.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the light regimen includes a plurality of emission periods during which the low power light is directed towards the body part, each of the plurality of emission periods separated from each other by a resting interval period during which no low power light is generated.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein managing diabetes or pre-diabetes using a light generating device, comprising directing the beam of light generated by the light generating device to the body part of the patient to control one or more selected from the group consisting of:

patient weight, patient waist size, blood liver enzyme level, and blood triglyceride level.

15. A light generating device for managing diabetes or pre-diabetes, comprising:

a source configured to generate a light beam;

a controller configured to direct a light beam generated to a body part of a patient to control the blood glucose level of the patient when the light generating device is positioned to the body part of the patient.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the light beam have wavelength in the range of 400 to 1300 nm.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the light beam is a low intensity beam generated by a power of 1-12 mW.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the body part includes on body area selected from the group consisting of an adipose tissue rich area:

abdominal, thigh, and buttocks.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the body part is adjacent to the pancreas of the patient.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the source includes a light emitting diode for generating the light beam.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein the source includes a laser diode for generating the light beam.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein the light generating device includes a focusing lens for focusing the light beam.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein directing the light beam to the body part of the patient is according to a prescribed light regimen.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the prescribed light regimen is based on one or more patient parameters.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein one or more of the one or more patient parameters are selected from the group consisting of:

patient blood sugar level, patient blood lipid level, and patient blood liver enzyme level.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the light regimen includes a plurality of emission periods during which the low power light is directed towards the body part, each of the plurality of emission periods separated from each other by a resting interval period during which no low power light is generated.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of emission periods is 1-4 minutes in length and the resting interval period is 1 to 6 minute in length.

28. The device of claim 15, wherein the light generating device includes a wireless rechargeable battery.

29. The device of claim 15, wherein the light generating device includes one or more sensors for sensing patient parameters.

30. The device of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to direct a light beam generated to a body part of a patient to control one or more selected from the group consisting of:

patient weight, patient waist size, blood liver enzyme level, and blood triglyceride level.